Cooktop comprising control device with a trough-shaped receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for hobs lack precise positioning and variability in setting operating conditions, leading to potential user errors due to incorrect placement and unclear settings.
Innovation Solution
A hob with a trough-shaped receptacle and a convex operating element that can be freely rocked and rotated, featuring integrated optical display areas and light sources for intuitive setting and visual feedback, ensuring accurate positioning and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate operating element is used that can be placed on the hotplate, then the operating device can be removed and repositioned, but the positioning precision is poor and operating errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier part as an intermediary component between the hotplate and the operating element. The carrier part includes a recess that receives and secures the operating element, providing a stable intermediate platform. This mediator enables both removability (the operating element can be taken off the carrier) and precise positioning (the recess guides and stabilizes the operating element's position), resolving the contradiction between versatility and positioning precision.
2Measurement precision
If the operating element is fixed in a specific position, then positioning precision is improved, but the ability to set various operating conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning capabilities where the operating element can be moved within the recess along predetermined directions (e.g., radially outward, tangentially) while maintaining stable contact. This dynamic arrangement allows the element to be precisely positioned at different locations to set various operating conditions (power levels, cooking modes, timing), thus achieving both positioning precision and operating versatility through controlled movement rather than fixed placement.
3Ease of operation
If optical display areas are integrated into the carrier part, then visual feedback is improved and operation becomes more intuitive, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the carrier part by integrating optical display areas directly into its structure. The carrier part simultaneously serves as a mounting structure for the operating element, a support for optical indicators (LEDs, LCD displays), and a housing for control electronics. This merging of functions provides comprehensive visual feedback and intuitive operation while avoiding the need for separate display components, thus reducing overall device complexity despite the added functionality.
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 enables precise and versatile positioning of the operating element, reducing errors and making operating condition settings intuitive and easily understandable, with enhanced visual feedback and protection against damage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source (17, 18, 21a, 22a) for illuminating the display areas (21, 22) and/or for illuminating the operating element (24) is integrated into the carrier part (10) and/or is arranged on an underside (19)
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~9
Figure 10~11
AI summary
The device (8) has a trough-shaped recording retainer including a concave surface and a separate control element, where the element is provided below the retainer and in convex shape. A domestic appliance (1) is moved freely by adjusting the retainer. Functional part units i.e. cook zones (4, 5, 6, 7) of the domestic appliance or selected functions of the domestic appliance are optically displayed in form of a rocking motion and/or rotational movement of an operating element in the retainer. A top face of a carrier part is arranged with a worktop or a top face (3) of a cooking plate (2).