Coloured, high strength glass ceramic, smooth on both sides, used as cooktop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass-ceramic cooking surfaces face challenges in achieving optimal light transmission and display capabilities, particularly in the visible light range, while maintaining high infrared transmission and mechanical strength, often resulting in distorted views of displays and heating zones due to their nub-like underside structure.
Innovation Solution
A smooth, flat underside on the glass-ceramic cooking surface with applied coatings or films that form a mask with transparent and opaque areas, allowing for distortion-free display of colored lights and improved functionality of heating elements and sensors, achieved through the use of a sol-gel or ITO coating with uniform thickness and thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a nub-like underside structure is used to improve mechanical strength, then strength is improved, but display quality deteriorates due to light distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the glass-ceramic plate into two distinct surfaces: the underside maintains the nub-like structure for mechanical strength, while the top side is kept smooth and planar for high-quality optical display. This segmentation allows each surface to optimize its function independently without compromising the other.
2Illumination intensity
If light transmission in visible range is reduced to improve display capability, then display capability is improved, but infrared transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the spectrum: the glass-ceramic composition and thickness are optimized to provide specific visible light transmission for display capability, while simultaneously maintaining high infrared transmission for cooking efficiency. This local quality adjustment in the optical properties resolves the contradiction between display and energy efficiency.
3Strength
If glass-ceramic thickness is increased to improve mechanical stability, then mechanical stability is improved, but light transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the glass-ceramic plate to a specific range that balances mechanical stability and light transmission requirements. By precisely controlling this parameter along with the glass-ceramic composition, the patent achieves sufficient mechanical strength while maintaining adequate light transmission for display capability.
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 enables sharp, distortion-free displays and enhanced functionality of heating elements and sensors, improving the overall display quality and mechanical stability of the cooking surface, while maintaining high infrared transmission and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
achieved through the use of a sol-gel or ITO coating with uniform thickness and thermal stability
Implementation Method 2
the glass-ceramic material of the cooking surface having transmission values of greater than 0.1% in the visible light range over the entire wavelength range greater than 420 nm, light transmission in the visible of 0.8-2.5% and a transmission in the infrared at 1600 nm of 0-85%
Implementation Method 3
the glass-ceramic material has high-quartz mixed crystals as the predominant crystal phase
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The cooking hop (1) has main portion whose top and bottom portions are made up of glass-ceramic material crystal with phase high quartz mixed crystals. The transmission value of glass-ceramic material is greater than 0.1% in range of visible light. The wavelength range of glass-ceramic material is greater than 420 nm. The light transmittance of glass-ceramic material in visible region is 5%, and in infrared region is 0-85%. The coating layer (4) is applied to main portion. The coating layer is made up of metallic, metal-oxidic, inorganic, organic or nitric material.