Cooktop Light Projection for Centering Large Pots on Burners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accurately centering large cooking instruments on burners due to obstructed visibility, as the instrument blocks the view of the burner, making it difficult to align the center of the pot or pan with the burner.
Innovation Solution
A light projection system that directs a light source onto the burner's center, allowing the user to project this image onto the cooking instrument, providing a visual aid for centering, even when the instrument obstructs the view of the burner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a user places a large cooking instrument on a burner, then the cooking instrument covers the burner, but the user cannot see the burner to accurately center the instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light projection system as an intermediary between the burner and the user's visual system. The projector casts a light pattern (such as a circle or crosshair) onto the cooking instrument's surface, serving as a visual mediator that indicates the burner's center location without requiring direct visibility of the burner itself. This allows users to center large opaque cooking instruments accurately by aligning the instrument with the projected light pattern.
2Measurement precision
If the cooking instrument is opaque and large, then it blocks the user's view of the burner, but centering requires visual alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the burner's center position by projecting a light pattern onto the cooking instrument. Instead of requiring the user to directly observe the burner (the original), the system projects a replicated visual indicator (the copy) onto the instrument's surface. This light copy conveys the positional information needed for centering without requiring the user to see the actual burner, thus compensating for the visual information loss caused by opaque large instruments.
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 accurate centering of cooking instruments on burners by maintaining a visible light indication of the burner's center, allowing users to adjust the instrument's position to align with the projected light, ensuring even cooking.
Implementation Method 1
A light projection system that directs a light source onto the burner's center, allowing the user to project this image onto the cooking instrument
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for flagging a location on an object with a light image so that when a line of sight of the object is later obstructed, the light flagged location is known available to be utilized. A light is projected onto a cooktop to flag a burner location in order to use that location for centering of a pot over on burner when the pot being placed on the burner obstructs the line of sight of the cook to the burner.