Cooktop User Interface with Co-Located State Display and Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooktop appliances lack an efficient user interface that can effectively display information about multiple operating states and allow users to select operative states, such as cooking zone size and power density, within a compact and visually appealing design.
Innovation Solution
A user interface assembly featuring a capacitive touch sensing system integrated with light sources and a light guide, which directs light through apertures in a second printed circuit board to display graphics representing multiple images within a selection portion, allowing users to select and visualize the size and power density of cooking zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple controls and multiple lighted features are used to select various operative states or modes, then the functionality and information display are improved, but the space required and appearance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions and display features into a single capacitive touch control button. This single button integrates multiple operative state selections (different cooking zones, power levels, and modes) that would traditionally require multiple separate controls, thereby reducing the space required while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive touch control button serves multiple functions: it acts as a selector for different cooking zones, controls power density levels, selects cooking modes, and provides visual feedback through illuminated graphics. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple dedicated controls for each function.
2Area of stationary object
If a capacitive touch control button with multiple illuminated graphics is used, then the space required is reduced, but the complexity of displaying multiple states within a single area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light as a third dimension to display multiple states within a two-dimensional button area. By illuminating different graphics, colors, or patterns within the single capacitive button, the system encodes multiple pieces of information spatially and visually, allowing complex state representation without increasing physical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The illuminated graphics within the capacitive touch button can change color, intensity, or pattern to represent different operative states. For example, different colors may indicate different power levels, while illuminated versus non-illuminated states may indicate active versus inactive cooking zones, providing intuitive visual feedback for multiple states within a compact area.
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
This solution enables users to intuitively select and visualize the operating state of cooking zones, enhancing user experience by providing a compact and visually informative interface that integrates touch input and lighting to represent multiple states.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitive touch sensing system for sensing touch inputs by a user of the user interface assembly
Implementation Method 2
a light guide positioned between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board adjacent the selection portion. The light guide surrounds one or more light sources such that the light guide directs substantially all light from the one or more light sources to the user interface
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface for an appliance is provided for displaying information about multiple operating states of a feature of the appliance within an area for selecting the operative state of the feature. More particularly, a portion of the user interface may be configured both to display a feature's current state and to allow a user to change the state of the feature in the same physical location. A cooktop appliance with features for displaying a selected size, heating element, and/or power density of a cooking zone of the cooktop appliance co-located within an area for selecting the size, heating element, and/or power density of the cooking zone also is provided.