Cooking hob including a user interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooking hobs with user interfaces based on LCD or TFT technology are costly due to the high expense of these display systems.
Innovation Solution
A user interface for an induction cooking hob utilizing low-cost components, including touch-sensitive areas on a top panel, a touch switch element for zone selection, a light source for indication, and a touch slide element for power and temperature adjustment, allowing multiple functions with reduced component count and cost, such as using LEDs for lighting and seven-segment displays for zone and timer information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If LCD or TFT display technology is used for the user interface, then operator convenience and comfort are improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive LCD/TFT display technology with a much cheaper light source element (such as LED) that can be repeatedly switched on and off. This light source serves the display function by being activated in response to touch inputs, providing visual feedback without requiring costly display hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source element serves multiple functions: it provides visual feedback for touch inputs, indicates cooking zone status, and replaces the traditional display screen. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive display components while maintaining user interface effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for user interface functions (display, touch control, lighting), then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display function, touch control function, and visual indication function into a single integrated user interface structure. The touch-sensitive top panel detects inputs, and the light source element provides both display output and visual feedback, merging what would traditionally require separate components into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: serving as the display medium, providing visual feedback for touch activation, and indicating cooking zone status. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining full functional versatility.
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 cost-effective user interface with reduced component complexity, enabling efficient zone selection, power adjustment, and pot detection using flashing and continuous light signals, along with sound cues, while maintaining operator convenience and precision.
Implementation Method 1
a light source element (22) corresponding with the associated cooking zone (16) is provided for indicating a detection of a pot arranged on said cooking zone (16) by a flashing light signal
Implementation Method 2
touch sensitive areas (14) are formed on a top side of the top panel (14) and above the user interface (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking hob includes a transparent or semi-transparent top panel and a cooking zone with a pot detector. A user interface is below the top panel and includes touch switches and a touch slide. A light source corresponds with the touch switch and the cooking zone. The light source indicates detection of a pot on the cooking zone by a first light signal during a predetermined time interval and indicates an activated state of the cooking zone by a second light signal and indicates the selected cooking zone and the activated state of the touch slide element by the first light signal. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the indicated cooking zone within the time interval. The touch switch is for selecting the cooking zone and activating the touch slide. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the selected cooking zone.