Cooking device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliance lighting devices are complex in structure and require protection of the light source, increasing manufacturing and assembly costs, while also complicating assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a light source positioned outside the lighting module, using a longitudinally extending sheet metal housing with passage openings for light guides, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance, and a translucent cover held by a receiving device on the lighting housing, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the light source is arranged inside the lighting module, then the light source is protected, but the structure becomes complex and assembly/maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight source protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is divided into two separate modules: a lighting module containing the housing and cover, and a light source module. This segmentation allows the light source to be positioned outside the lighting module, simplifying the internal structure while maintaining protection through the housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light source is extracted from the lighting module and positioned externally. The lighting module contains only the housing, cover, and light guides, while the light source is mounted separately on the appliance housing, reducing complexity within the lighting module itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If the light source is arranged inside the lighting module, then integration is improved, but assembly and maintenance become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveintegrationVSAvoidassembly and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the lighting device into a lighting module and a light source module, the system achieves easy maintenance. The light source can be independently accessed and replaced without disassembling the lighting module, while the lighting module itself can be manufactured as a complete integrated unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light source is extracted to a separate location on the appliance housing, allowing it to be independently accessed for maintenance. The lighting module can be pre-assembled and tested as an integrated unit, then installed as a complete component, combining the benefits of integration and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a complex protection structure is used for the light source, then reliability is improved, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight source protectionVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The housing of the lighting module serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the light guides, and when closed with the cover, protects the internal components. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate protective structures and minimizes the total number of parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting housing is designed as a multi-functional component that provides both structural framework and protection. The same housing that holds the light guides also serves as the protective enclosure, eliminating the need for additional protective brackets or housings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution provides a simple, reliable, and cost-effective lighting system for cooking appliances with improved illumination and reduced complexity, allowing for easy installation and maintenance by maximizing light emission and minimizing the need for separate fastening mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light guide is guided in at least one lighting space defined by the lighting housing and the cover within the lighting module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

at least one cover, in particular a translucent cover, for receiving light from the light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through translucent material: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2746674B1Cooking device
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2746674B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The lighting device (10) has lighting case (11) that is provided above cover portion (12) of cooking appliance. A receiving device (15) is formed in front portion of lighting case for receiving cover portion of cooking appliance. An outer portion of lighting case is provided with lighting module (100) for providing lighting effect. An independent claim is included for a cooking appliance.