Cooktop with operating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hob control devices experience disruptive effects due to total reflection at layer or material transitions, leading to unreliable operation of optical reflex light barriers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optical reflex light barrier system with collimating means and an angle filter below the control panel, where light beams are emitted obliquely and only parallel or rectified light is allowed to pass through, ensuring reliable operation by minimizing total reflection and maximizing light guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light beams are emitted through the control panel for reflex light barrier operation, then the operating device can detect operator input, but total reflection at layer transitions causes disruptive effects and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
An angle filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the control panel. This filter selectively transmits only light beams within a specific angular range (30° to 70° relative to the normal), blocking other angles that would cause total reflection at layer transitions. The angle filter acts as a mediator that purifies the light beam composition before it enters the control panel, eliminating the harmful total reflection effect while preserving the useful reflex light barrier function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of light beams by using an angle filter that only allows beams within a specific angular range (30° to 70°) to pass through. This parameter filtering ensures that light beams strike the control panel at optimal angles, preventing total reflection at internal layer transitions. By controlling the angular distribution of light beams, the system achieves reliable operation of the reflex light barrier without disruptive reflections.
2Measurement precision
If light beams are emitted obliquely to improve reflection detection, then operation detection is enhanced, but light guidance precision is reduced due to total reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The angle filter serves as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of oblique light emission and precise light guidance. It allows oblique beams within the optimal angular range (30° to 70°) to pass through while blocking beams at angles that would cause total reflection. This ensures that light guidance remains precise and reliable operation detection is maintained simultaneously.
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 enhances the precision and reliability of light guidance for the optical operating element, reducing interference and making operation easier to evaluate.
Implementation Method 1
Furthermore, it can have a capacitive touch switch on its upper side for signal transmission to a sensor system and control within the control panel. Means for collimating light beams are arranged below the underside of the control panel as optical deflection means. Optionally, means for tilting or obliquely reflecting the light rays can also be provided in an angular range between 50° and 80° to the underside of the control panel level.
Implementation Method 2
However, the problem here is that total reflection occurs at the layer transitions or material transitions, which can lead to disruptive effects.
Implementation Method 3
Means for collimating light beams are arranged below the underside of the control panel as optical deflection means. The means for collimating light rays collimate the light rays to a large extent.
Implementation Method 4
If an operator's finger is placed on the control panel above the devices, a light beam is reflected from the transmitting device to the receiving device, which is recognized and evaluated as an operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A control device for a cooktop has a control panel, above which the operator operates it, with an optical transmitting device and an optical receiving device for light beams below it, as well as optical deflection means for the light beams being provided between the underside of the control panel and the transmitting device or the receiving device . The light beams of the transmitting device are reflected above the control panel by a corresponding operation by the operator with a light path that again goes through the control panel to the receiving device. Below the underside of the control panel are provided as optical deflection means for collimating light beams and an angle filter that only lets through light with a specific angle of incidence, advantageously the previously collimated light.