Cooktop Illumination Layout With Light Shield for Rear Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking devices lack effective illumination of the cover and surrounding areas, particularly the upper plate and wall, making it difficult for users to confirm the heating status of the cooktop from a distance.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a hinged cover that integrates an illumination element with a light source, a diffuser, and a light shield to direct light towards the rear section of the plate, while preventing direct light from reaching the front section, and featuring a rotatable cover for protection and efficient illumination of visual areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an illumination element is positioned on the cover to illuminate the upper plate, then the cooking surface is illuminated, but the cover and surrounding areas remain poorly illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
A light shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the front section of the plate. This light shield redirects the light path to illuminate the rear section and cover while preventing direct illumination of the front control section, thereby solving the contradiction by adding a mediating element that controls light distribution without requiring multiple separate light sources
2Illumination intensity
If a light source illuminates the front section of the plate, then the control elements are visible, but the rear section and cover remain in shadow
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is designed with local quality by using a light shield that creates different illumination zones: the front section receives controlled light for control element visibility, while the rear section and cover receive redirected light for status visibility. This localized differentiation of light distribution resolves the contradiction by providing appropriate illumination to each specific area with a single light source
3Illumination intensity
If the cover is made transparent to allow light passage, then illumination is improved, but heat insulation and protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover material properties are optimized by changing parameters to achieve a balance between transparency and heat insulation. The cover is designed with specific optical and thermal properties that allow sufficient light transmission for illumination while maintaining adequate heat insulation and protective functions, resolving the contradiction through parameter optimization rather than complete transparency
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
Provides enhanced illumination of the rear section of the cooktop and surrounding areas, ensuring users can easily confirm the heating status from a distance, while maintaining protection and safety features.
Implementation Method 1
a light shield positioned in the vicinity of the light source and adjusted so as to prevent direct receiving of the light, diffused from the light source, by the front section of the plate. Thus, the rear side of the plate of the cooking device is illuminated
Implementation Method 2
The illumination element comprises at least one semi-transparent diffuser positioned on the light source and which diffuses the light beams
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is a cooking device (1) comprising a cooktop (13) having a plate (14) with a front section (A) where a control element is placed and a rear section (B) where an illumination element (5) having a light source (51) is positioned. As an improvement, the present invention is characterized in that the illumination element (5) comprises a light shield (53) positioned in the vicinity of the light source (51) and adjusted so as to prevent direct receiving of the light, diffused from the light source (51), by the front section (A) of the plate (14).