Fiber Optic Light Guide for Electric Burner Cooldown Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cooktops lack effective communication of heating conditions to users, particularly during the cooldown phase, where the surface temperature remains elevated but visual indicators are absent, making it difficult for users to gauge the cooktop's status.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a translucent cooktop with a light module and fiber optic or silicone light guide that directs light through the cooktop to create illuminated indicia corresponding to heating conditions, using temperature sensors to adjust light intensity and color based on surface temperature, ensuring continuous visual feedback even during cooldown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional opaque cooktops are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and structure is simple, but visual feedback on heating conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component that transfers light from LEDs beneath the cooktop to the surface, enabling visual feedback without requiring the cooktop material itself to be translucent. This mediator approach maintains the opaque cooktop structure while adding illumination capability through a separate light transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cooktop system into distinct functional layers: an opaque cooktop surface, a light guide layer, and LED light sources. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the cooktop provides cooking surface, the light guide provides visual feedback, and LEDs provide illumination - without compromising the overall structure.
2Loss of information
If the cooktop surface is made translucent to allow light transmission, then visual feedback is improved, but the structural strength and heat retention are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the visual feedback function from the structural cooktop surface by introducing a dedicated light guide component. The cooktop remains opaque and structurally intact, while the light guide (made from translucent materials) carries the illumination function, thus avoiding compromise of the cooktop's strength and heat retention properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves as an intermediary that enables light transmission without requiring the cooktop surface itself to be translucent. This mediator approach preserves the cooktop's structural integrity and thermal properties while still achieving the desired visual feedback effect through the light guide's translucent material.
3Use of energy by moving object
If illumination is provided only during active heating, then energy consumption is reduced, but safety feedback during cooldown phase is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor the cooktop surface temperature and automatically control the LED illumination intensity. During active heating, LEDs are brightly lit; during cooldown, they gradually dim but remain visible to indicate residual heat, providing continuous safety feedback without requiring constant high energy consumption. The system adjusts illumination based on actual temperature conditions, optimizing both energy use and safety information provision.
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
Provides users with continuous and accurate visual feedback on the cooktop's temperature and heating conditions, enhancing safety and usability by maintaining illuminated indicia throughout the heating and cooldown phases.
Implementation Method 1
A fiber optic light guide extends from the light module and extends around a portion of the electric burner, wherein the fiber optic ring is positioned such that the light source directs light through the fiber optic ring
Implementation Method 2
the outer surface of the light guide includes a conditioned surface for directing the light upward and through the translucent cooktop surface
Data Source
AI summary
A heating appliance includes a translucent cooktop and a burner in communication with the cooktop. The burner is operable between deactive and active states. The upper surface of the cooktop defines a cooldown state after the burner is moved from the active to the deactive state. A light module includes a light source and is in an illuminated state when the burner is in the active state and when the cooktop is in the cooldown state. A light guide extends from the light module and around a portion of the burner. The light guide is positioned such that the light source directs light through the light guide. The outer surface of the light guide includes a formed surface that directs light upward and through the cooktop, wherein the light guide is visible through the cooktop when the light module is in the illuminated state.