Flexible Cover for Hob Display Lighting Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices for electrical appliances like hobs face challenges in achieving uniform lighting and maintaining stable function while avoiding damage to light-emitting elements, particularly due to uneven surfaces and structural issues with the display panel.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a flat component carrier and a translucent, flexible cover that rests on the luminous tops of light-emitting elements, providing a protective and leveling layer, and an opaque coating with cutouts for symbol shapes, which can be produced using a laser for precise patterns, ensuring uniform illumination and protection from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light-emitting elements are pressed onto the underside of the hob plate to achieve uniform lighting, then illumination uniformity is improved, but the light-emitting elements are at risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible cover made of translucent material is introduced as an intermediary between the light-emitting elements and the hob plate. This cover allows the elements to be pressed uniformly for consistent lighting while protecting them from direct contact and potential damage with the hob plate surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible cover made of translucent material that can deform to accommodate the light-emitting elements while maintaining uniform pressure distribution. This flexible film structure enables both uniform illumination and protection of the fragile light-emitting elements during assembly and operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rigid structure is used to maintain precise distance from the hob plate, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to surface variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid distance-maintaining structures with a flexible cover that can dynamically adapt its shape to accommodate variations in the hob plate surface. This dynamic flexibility allows the cover to maintain uniform contact and pressure across the light-emitting elements while conforming to different surface geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover acts as a compliant structure that can deform to match the underlying surface topology while maintaining uniform thickness and pressure distribution over the light-emitting elements. This enables the system to adapt to surface variations without requiring precise rigid positioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If light-emitting elements are directly exposed, then ease of manufacture is improved, but protection from damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible translucent cover is placed over the light-emitting elements to provide mechanical protection while maintaining their optical function. This thin film enclosure protects the elements from physical damage during assembly and operation without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover serves as a protective intermediary layer between the light-emitting elements and the external environment, including the hob plate structure. This mediator provides mechanical protection while allowing light to pass through, thus protecting the elements without compromising their function or greatly increasing manufacturing complexity.
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 ensures uniform lighting, protects the light-emitting elements from damage, and maintains the stability of the display device, allowing for robust and visually appealing representation of symbols and numbers on the display panel.
Implementation Method 1
a cover (22) over the light-emitting elements (15), which cover consists of translucent and flexible or soft or elastic flat material
Implementation Method 2
an opaque coating with cutouts for symbol shapes, which can be produced using a laser for precise patterns
Data Source
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AI summary
A display device (111) for a cooktop (131) with a flat component carrier and several block-like light elements having illuminated surfaces lying in a common plane, includes light sources in the light elements and a holding device (119) for the component carrier. The display device (111) has at least one cover (122) over the light elements made of translucent and flexible flat material, which rests on the illuminated surfaces and is attached to the display device as part of it, forming a single unit with it. This prevents studs (130) on the underside (129) of a glass-ceramic cooktop (128) placed on top from pressing into and damaging the illuminated surfaces. An opaque coating with cutouts in the form of symbols for illumination by the light elements is applied to the cover (122).