Illumination system of a cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems for cooking appliances with multiple burners are either overly complex and expensive due to multiple electric circuits per knob, or they cannot provide information when the burner is inactive, as the illuminating device is connected in series with the activation switch, preventing it from lighting up in the OFF position.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system with a single electric circuit per burner, where the display device and activation means are connected in parallel, allowing the illuminating device to light up regardless of the knob's position, using a controller to monitor voltage drops and control current flow, reducing the number of required connections and maintaining functionality across different knob positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If two independent electric circuits are provided for each knob (one for activation switch and another for illuminating element), then the illuminating device can provide information even when the burner is inactive, but the number of cables per knob increases to four, making the system expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the activation switch and illuminating element into a single electric circuit with parallel branches. The activation switch is connected in a first electrical branch and the illuminating element in a second electrical branch, both connected in parallel to the same power supply. This allows the illuminating element to receive power independently while sharing the same circuit infrastructure, reducing cable requirements from four to two per knob.
Solution Approach 2:
The single electric circuit serves multiple functions: it provides power to both the activation switch and the illuminating element, and enables information display in both active and inactive states. The parallel branch configuration allows the circuit to fulfill both switching and illumination functions without requiring separate independent circuits.
2Device complexity
If a single electric circuit is provided for each knob with activation switch connected in series, then the wiring complexity is reduced, but the illuminating device cannot light up when the activation switch is open (knob in OFF position)
Solution Approach 1:
The single electric circuit is segmented into two parallel electrical branches: one branch containing the activation switch and another branch containing the illuminating element. This segmentation allows current to flow to the illuminating element independently of the activation switch state, enabling the illuminating device to function in both ON and OFF positions while maintaining wiring simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the activation switch is connected in series with the illuminating element, then the circuit structure is simplified, but the illuminating element cannot provide visual feedback when the knob is in the OFF position
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit transitions from a series connection (single-dimensional current path) to a parallel connection (multi-dimensional current paths). This dimensional change in circuit topology allows the illuminating element to receive power through an independent parallel branch, enabling visual feedback in both knob positions while maintaining circuit simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the wiring and reduces costs while enabling the illuminating device to function when the knob is in the OFF position, providing user feedback without increasing complexity, and allowing for efficient monitoring and control of the electric current.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminating element (2) which can, for example, be a LED
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an illumination system of a cooking appliance that includes at least one burner and an associated knob. The system comprises an electric circuit associated with the knob, with a display device in a second electrical branch that lights up when an electric current with a minimum value circulates through the second electrical branch. Activation means in a first electrical branch is operated by means of turning the knob. Both the first and second electrical branches are connected in parallel. Acting on the knob causes a change in voltage drop in the first and second electrical branches, and the illumination system is configured to control the electric current circulating through the display device depending on said voltage drop.