Cooktop Touch Foil Alignment Without Light-Blocking Features

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooktop appliances use mechanical features to align LEDs with graphical features, which can block light and impact visual quality and craftsmanship.

Innovation Solution

A system that aligns touch foils with light guides using locator graphics and slots, eliminating the need for mechanical features and ensuring proper alignment without blocking light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If mechanical features are used to align LEDs with graphics on the cooktop surface, then alignment precision is improved, but light transmission is blocked and visual quality is impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidlight transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical alignment features with a visual alignment system using graphics printed on the cooktop surface and corresponding alignment marks on the light guide. This substitution eliminates the need for physical mechanical features that would block light, while maintaining precise alignment through visual reference points that can be seen during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If mechanical features are used to align LEDs with graphics on the cooktop surface, then alignment precision is improved, but product visual quality is impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidproduct visual quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical alignment features with a visual alignment system using graphics printed on the cooktop surface and corresponding alignment marks on the light guide. This substitution eliminates the need for physical mechanical features that would block light, while maintaining precise alignment through visual reference points that can be seen during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses graphical representations (alignment marks and graphics) that replicate the functional appearance of mechanical features without having their physical constraints. The alignment marks on the light guide and corresponding graphics on the cooktop surface create a visual copy of the alignment function, allowing light to pass through unobstructed while providing the necessary alignment reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If mechanical features are used to align LEDs with graphics on the cooktop surface, then alignment precision is improved, but dead zones are created in the user interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiduser interface responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical alignment features with a visual alignment system using graphics printed on the cooktop surface and corresponding alignment marks on the light guide. This substitution eliminates the need for physical mechanical features that would block light, while maintaining precise alignment through visual reference points that can be seen during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12610432B2Systems for touch foil alignment in appliances

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A cooktop appliance includes a cooktop plate defining an upper cooking surface, and a plurality of heating elements. The cooktop appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the plurality of heating elements, a user interface disposed on the cooktop plate, and a light guide positioned below the cooktop plate. The light guide includes a slot. The cooktop appliance also includes a touch foil positioned at the light guide. The touch foil includes a locator graphic positioned on a surface of the touch foil. The locator graphic aligns within the slot of the light guide.