Cooking table top with light-transmissive portions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing table tops with induction heating devices have a fixed position, which limits user flexibility, and the printed heating regions can be damaged by heat, making it difficult to change the position of the induction heating device.

Innovation Solution

A table top design featuring a non-magnetic upper plate with a light-transmissive portion and a light guide that allows the energy supply module to be positioned flexibly, enabling the heating region to be displayed and changed while maintaining the table's rigidity and shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the induction heating device is fixed at a position on the table top, then the table top structure is simple and stable, but the position cannot be readily changed, reducing user flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition flexibilityVSAvoidtable top structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The table top is divided into a removable upper plate and a base structure. The upper plate can be detached and repositioned, allowing the induction heating device to be relocated to different positions on the table top surface without modifying the entire table structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper plate is designed to be removable and repositionable, transforming the static table top structure into a dynamic one that allows position changes. This enables the induction heating device to be moved to different locations while maintaining structural integrity through the plate's reattachability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a heating region is printed on the upper plate, then the heating region position is fixed and clear, but the printing may be damaged by heat and the position cannot be changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating region position changeabilityVSAvoidprinting durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating region indication is extracted from the permanent printed form on the upper plate and replaced with a light-based indication system. The light source and light guide structure provide dynamic heating region markers that can be repositioned by moving the upper plate, eliminating heat damage concerns associated with printed materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical printing system is replaced with an optical system consisting of a light source and light guide. This substitution allows the heating region to be indicated without physical contact or heat transfer to the upper plate surface, preventing damage while enabling repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If the upper plate is made transparent or light-transmissive, then the heating region can be displayed clearly, but the rigidity and shape of the table top may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating region visibilityVSAvoidupper plate rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The upper plate incorporates localized light-transmissive portions rather than being entirely transparent. These specific areas allow light to pass through for heating region indication while the rest of the plate maintains its opaque, rigid structure, balancing visibility requirements with structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The upper plate is designed as a composite structure combining opaque and light-transmissive materials or regions. This composite approach allows the plate to maintain overall rigidity and shape while providing specific areas for light transmission to display the heating region clearly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables the energy supply module to be easily positioned at various locations, preventing damage to the heating region and allowing for flexible placement without compromising the table's structural integrity or functionality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light guide configured to guide the light, generated by the light source, to the light-transmissive portion, and the at least one light guide allows at least a portion of the light, generated by the light source, to be emitted upward from the upper plate through the light-transmissive portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guidance: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

at least one light source configured to generate light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight generation: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS10667335B2Cooking table top with light-transmissive portions

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Provided is a table top including: an upper plate, which is constituted by a plate-shaped non-magnetic member so as to support an electronic or cooking device placed thereon; an energy supply module, which is disposed under the upper plate so as to supply energy to the electronic or cooking device; at least one light source configured to generate light; and at least one light-transmissive portion, which is provided in the upper plate and through which the light generated by the light source is transmitted; and at least one light guide configured to guide the light, generated by the light source, to the light-transmissive portion, wherein the at least one light guide allows at least a portion of the light, generated by the light source, to be emitted upward from the upper plate through the light-transmissive portion.