A cooking device with hinged cover having an illuminating member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking devices lack effective illumination of their covers and top plates, which hinders visibility during cooking and aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a hinge bearing with an illuminating member, comprising a diffuser and an LED light source, which is mounted securely within a housing to prevent fluid leakage and provide even illumination across the cover and top plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If an illuminating member is added to the cooking device, then visibility and aesthetic appeal are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The illuminating member is integrated into the hinge bearing structure, merging the lighting function with the mechanical hinge component. This combination eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces overall device complexity while providing illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge bearing serves dual functions: mechanical pivoting of the cover and housing for the illuminating member. By making the hinge bearing multi-functional, the patent avoids adding extra components solely for illumination, thus improving visibility without proportionally increasing device complexity.

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

2Illumination intensity

If a diffuser is added to the light source, then illumination evenness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination evennessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser is integrated directly with the light source assembly within the hinge bearing housing. This merging approach ensures even illumination distribution while avoiding separate diffuser mounting mechanisms, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If the illuminating member is integrated into the hinge bearing, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge bearing is designed as a modular structure with a dedicated housing section for the illuminating member. This segmentation allows the lighting component to be pre-assembled and tested separately, then integrated into the hinge bearing, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances visibility during cooking and provides an aesthetic appeal by ensuring the cover and top plate are evenly illuminated, while maintaining a secure and water-tight design.

Implementation Method 1

the illuminating member is LED and the light source has a LED PCB card

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

the illuminating member comprises a diffuser and a light source positioned under the diffuser. Thus, light beams can be diffused by the diffuser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3040625B1A cooking device with hinged cover having an illuminating member
Publication Date: 2017.08.30 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3040625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3040625B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3040625B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a hob (13) having a top plate (14); a cover (19) hinged to the top plate (14) and movable between a closed position and an open position and; a hinge (7) having a hinge bearing (71) pivoting the hinge (7) onto the top plate (14). The hinge bearing (71) has at least one illuminating member (3).