Cooktop Projection Interface for Selective Parameter Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktop interfaces are not easily integratable with cooking panels and often overwhelm users with unnecessary information, lacking a clear and efficient method to visualize essential operational parameters.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop interface featuring a display sign layer with back illumination lighting that projects information onto a cooktop panel, allowing selective visualization of operational parameters like temperature and switching status, while maintaining a clean design by deactivating unnecessary information and integrating seamlessly with conventional cooktop panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a display interface with multiple information elements is implemented, then information visualization capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display device, display sign layer, and back illumination lighting into a single integrated cooktop-interface module. This merging approach enables comprehensive information visualization (temperature, timing, operational status) while avoiding the complexity of separate components through unified design and shared structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The display interface is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it displays temperature information, timing data, operational status, and provides tactile feedback through the touch-sensitive cooktop-panel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate display systems for different parameters, thereby visualizing comprehensive information without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive operational information is displayed, then user awareness of parameters is improved, but information overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The display sign layer uses selective illumination where only specific display signs are activated based on the current operational context. For example, only temperature display is illuminated during heating, while timing information is highlighted during cooking cycles. This localized activation ensures users receive relevant information without being overwhelmed by unnecessary data.
Solution Approach 2:
The display interface dynamically adjusts which information elements are visible based on operational state. The back illumination lighting can be selectively activated or deactivated for different display signs, and the display device updates content in real-time according to cooking phase, temperature thresholds, and user interactions, maintaining clarity by showing only currently relevant parameters.
3Loss of information
If a transparent or translucent cooktop-panel is used, then information visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display sign layer acts as an intermediary between the back illumination lighting and the transparent cooktop-panel. This intermediate layer contains the display signs and controls light transmission selectively, enabling information visibility through the panel while maintaining a separate, manageable manufacturing process for the sign layer itself, thus avoiding the need to manufacture the entire panel with integrated display features.
4Loss of information
If back illumination lighting is always active, then information visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The back illumination lighting operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when cooking operations are in progress or when information is requested by user interaction. The lighting can be selectively turned on for specific display signs based on operational phase, and deactivated during idle periods, maintaining information visibility when needed while significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
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 clear and organized information display on cooktop panels, reducing information overload and maintaining a uniform appearance when not in use, while being compatible with various cooktop panel designs and components like capacitive sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The back illumination lighting may be of single color, multiple color or color change design. In more detail, the back illumination lighting may comprise at least one of uniform, colored and color change lighting elements that may selectively activated.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop-interface includes at least one display device, a display sign layer with at least one display sign provided in connection with the display device and back illumination lighting for projecting the display sign to the lower side of a cooktop-panel arranged upstream the back illumination lighting and the display sign layer.