Deflection Unit Curvature for Infrared Waveguide Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance devices, such as hobs, face challenges in achieving precise temperature detection and efficient infrared radiation guidance while maintaining mechanical stability and minimizing radiation losses, especially at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a deflection unit with multiple guide sections that curve in different directions to deflect infrared radiation by a significant angle, ensuring precise alignment and minimizing radiation loss, while being temperature-resistant and electrically insulating, and is designed to be compact and flexible for integration with heating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single guide section is used to deflect the waveguide, then the structure is simple, but the deflection angle is limited and radiation losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection unit is divided into multiple guide sections (first guide section, second guide section, and optionally third guide section) that work together to achieve the desired deflection angle. Each guide section contributes to the overall deflection, allowing the system to achieve greater deflection angles with reduced radiation loss at each individual bend.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide sections are designed with optimized curvature radii to minimize radiation losses during waveguide deflection. The first guide section has a first curvature radius and the second guide section has a second curvature radius, which are specifically designed to reduce infrared radiation loss while achieving the required deflection angle.
2Reliability
If the deflection unit is made of plastic, then it provides electrical insulation and temperature resistance, but manufacturing precision at high temperatures may be challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the deflection unit is made of plastic material that is resistant to temperatures of at least 200°C, preferably at least 250°C, and particularly preferably at least 300°C. This parameter selection ensures both electrical insulation and maintenance of mechanical properties at high temperatures, allowing precise guidance even in hot environments.
3Volume of moving object
If the guide sections have small curvature radii, then the deflection unit is compact, but radiation losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sections are designed with optimized curvature radii that balance compactness with radiation loss minimization. The first guide section has a first curvature radius and the second guide section has a second curvature radius, which are specifically designed to reduce infrared radiation loss while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the deflection into multiple guide sections, each with its own curvature radius, the system can achieve compact dimensions while minimizing radiation losses. The segmented approach allows optimization of each section's curvature to balance size and radiation loss independently.
4Loss of energy
If multiple guide sections are used to achieve large deflection angles, then radiation losses are minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple guide sections are merged into a single integrated deflection unit made of plastic material. The first guide section, second guide section, and optionally third guide section are combined in one component that provides both the mechanical structure and the infrared-transparent optical path, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining low radiation loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, electrical insulation, temperature resistance, and infrared radiation guidance. The plastic material is transparent to infrared radiation while providing structural integrity, combining optical and mechanical functions in a single component.
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 design enhances the stability and functionality of the appliance, allowing for precise temperature detection and efficient infrared radiation guidance with minimal losses, even at high temperatures, while maintaining a compact and flexible design.
Implementation Method 1
the waveguide is intended to transmit, in particular to transport, at least infrared radiation in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide, in particular via total reflection within the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
at least one deflection unit which is intended to deflect at least one waveguide from an original direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In order to provide a generic device with advantageous mechanical properties, a household appliance device (10a-b), in particular a cooktop device, is provided with at least one deflection unit (28a-b) which is designed to deflect at least one waveguide (22a-b) from an original direction and which has at least two guide sections (32a-b, 34a-b) which merge into one another and are curved in different directions.