Cooking device and interface unit for the cooking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking device interface units are vulnerable to heat from the cooking device, leading to reliability issues, increased manufacturing costs, and assembly challenges, while also requiring enhanced user interaction and safety features.
Innovation Solution
The interface unit design includes a frame with a main printed circuit board shielded from heat, auxiliary printed circuit boards with LEDs, reflectors to guide light, and a glass touch surface with a capacitance recognizing unit for user input, allowing for stable operation and improved assembly while reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the interface unit is positioned close to the cooking device to integrate functions, then user convenience and device compactness are improved, but the interface unit is exposed to high temperature heat affecting circuit board reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The interface unit is separated into a distinct module positioned away from the high-temperature cooking chamber. The control unit housing is detached from the main cooking device body, creating spatial separation between the heat-sensitive electronic components and the heat-generating cooking elements, thus resolving the contradiction between integration and heat exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat-insulating frame structure serves as an intermediary barrier between the interface unit and the cooking device. This frame with insulating material prevents direct heat transmission from the cooking chamber to the circuit board, allowing the interface unit to remain integrated while protected from thermal damage.
2Reliability
If the interface unit is positioned away from the cooking device to avoid heat exposure, then circuit board reliability is improved, but the structural stability and connection firmness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcing ribs are pre-formed on the frame structure at critical connection points before final assembly. These ribs are integrally molded into the frame, providing preemptive structural reinforcement that ensures firm connection between the interface unit and cooking device while maintaining heat insulation properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is constructed using composite material combining heat-insulating properties with mechanical strength. This composite structure simultaneously provides thermal protection for the circuit board and structural reinforcement for impact resistance, resolving the contradiction between heat protection and connection firmness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functions are integrated into a single interface unit to increase user convenience, then device functionality is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface unit is designed as a universal module integrating multiple functions including control panel, display, and operation buttons within a single standardized housing. This multi-functional design allows the same basic structure to serve various cooking modes and settings, improving versatility while maintaining assembly simplicity through functional integration rather than component proliferation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional components (control elements, display, indicators) are merged into a single integrated interface unit assembly. By combining these functions into one unified module rather than separate components, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining full 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 enables the interface unit to withstand heat and external impacts, enhance product reliability, simplify assembly, and satisfy consumer preferences by providing a stable and user-friendly interface.
Implementation Method 1
at least one reflector guiding the emitting light of the light emitting diode provided on the auxiliary printed circuit board
Implementation Method 2
when the glass contacts the user, a capacitance recognizing unit provided on the rear surface of the glass in order to receive an input of the user
Data Source
AI summary
In order to stably operate an interface unit by not subjecting to the influence of heat, firmly stand against outside impact, improve reliability of products, facilitate an assembly, actively satisfy consumer taste, and reduce manufacturing costs, an interface unit for a cooking device comprises: a frame having a front surface and a rear surface; a substrate supported on the frame; an LED mounted on the substrate; reflectors placed in the front of the substrate in order to guide the emitting light of the LED; a display panel having a plurality of VFDs; a display panel holder having a buffer unit in order to stably supporting the display panel; a glass placed in the front of the at least one reflector; and when the glass contacts the user, a capacitance recognizing unit receiving an input of the user.