Cooktop Display Layout for Spatial Pan Weighing and Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hobs lack user-friendly features for displaying information about cooking vessels and their weights, making it difficult for operators to efficiently manage cooking processes and weigh objects without overlapping heating and display functions.
Innovation Solution
A hob with a glass or glass ceramic plate featuring a combined heating and display area, equipped with inductive heating devices, a touch display, cooking vessel detection sensors, and weight sensors that allow for the spatial display of cooking vessel symbols and weight information, enabling intuitive operation and separate weighing functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed spatial assignment of display fields is used to show heating zone divisions, then the display structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the display flexibility and information density are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The display transitions from a static fixed spatial assignment to a dynamic flexible layout system. The control device can now freely assign display fields to different heating zones and cooking vessel information based on real-time detection, allowing the display to adapt to various cooking scenarios and vessel positions without being constrained by a predetermined fixed layout.
2Reliability
If separate weighing and heating zones are provided, then the functions are well separated and reliable, but the device occupies more space and reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the weighing function and heating control function within the same display area. The display shows both cooking vessel detection information and weight measurement information in an integrated manner, allowing users to perform weighing operations on the heating zone without requiring separate physical zones. This merging improves operational efficiency while maintaining functional reliability through software-based differentiation.
3Ease of operation
If more information is displayed about cooking vessels and weights, then user experience is enhanced, but the display complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it displays heating zone divisions, cooking vessel detection information, weight measurements, and operational status. By making the display universal and multi-functional, the system can present diverse information without requiring separate dedicated displays for each function, thereby enhancing user experience while controlling overall device complexity.
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 precise detection and display of cooking vessel positions and weights, allowing operators to easily associate weight information with corresponding cooking vessels, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency by providing a comprehensive and visually appealing interface.
Implementation Method 1
the heating devices are inductive heating devices, in particular induction heating coils
Implementation Method 2
A weighing device with weight sensors is provided on the hob, which is designed to detect and measure a change in weight on and around the hob plate
Implementation Method 3
the cooking vessel is designed accordingly to be able to be heated inductively, i.e., at least partially ferromagnetically
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cooktop has a cooking zone with a heating area and a display area. Heating elements are located in the heating area, and a programmable display is located in the display area. A control unit, a cookware detection unit, and a weighing unit with weight sensors on the cooktop are provided to detect and measure changes in weight on and around the cooking zone, as well as the cookware's position. The control unit detects a cookware that can be heated by the cooktop on the cooking zone and displays it on the display at a position corresponding to its location in the heating area, as well as any changes in weight. The corresponding weight reading is either spatially assigned to the cookware displayed on the screen or displayed only if no cookware is detected at that position.