Cooktop with Mobile Heating Elements and Optical Control Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking tops with variably positioned and sized cooking areas face complexity in user interface control and power supply issues, making it difficult for users to intuitively adjust heat and ensuring power availability across all positions.
Innovation Solution
A cooking top with a user interface comprising mobile control elements equipped with phototransistors that detect environmental light variations, allowing intuitive operation and alignment with mobile inductors, along with spiralled cables to manage power and control signals, ensuring reliable and entanglement-free movement of heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile inductors are used to create variable cooking areas, then flexibility of use is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile inductor automatically positions itself under the pan using sensors to detect pan placement, eliminating the need for manual control intervention. The system self-adjusts the cooking area configuration based on detected pan positions, reducing control complexity while maintaining flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with automatic sensor-based detection and control systems. Sensors detect pan placement and automatically trigger inductor movement and power supply adjustments, substituting complex manual control mechanisms with automated electronic systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile electric heating elements are used, then variable cooking areas are achieved, but power supply complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is designed to universally serve multiple mobile inductor positions through a single flexible cable connection. The cable and connector system provides multi-position power delivery capability, eliminating the need for separate power supplies at each potential inductor location
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system transitions from static fixed connections to dynamic flexible cable connections that can accommodate moving inductors. The flexible cable maintains reliable electrical connection while allowing the inductor to move freely to different positions under the support plate
3Ease of operation
If traditional touch interfaces are used, then control functionality is provided, but contact friction damages the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based touch interfaces with optical detection using phototransistors. The phototransistor detects light variations caused by finger proximity or contact, eliminating mechanical contact and associated friction wear while maintaining intuitive control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Light serves as an intermediary medium between the user's finger and the control system. The phototransistor detects changes in light patterns caused by finger interaction, translating physical gesture into control signals without requiring direct mechanical contact between the interface components
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 simplifies user interaction by providing an intuitive control interface and ensures reliable power supply to heating elements, enhancing the usability and efficiency of cooking tops with variable cooking areas.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the mobile elements comprises a phototransistor that activates a control when it detects an environmental light variation
Implementation Method 2
induction cooking tops are known wherein mobile inductors are arranged underneath the cooking top
Implementation Method 3
heating elements (e.g. gas burners, magnetic inductors, infrared lamps or electric resistors)
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooking top (1) which comprises a pan support plate (101), a plurality of heating elements (102a-102d) that can slide underneath said support plate, and a user interface for controlling said plurality of heating elements (102a-102d). The user interface comprises a plurality of mobile elements (104a-104d) that can slide underneath said support plate (101).