Glass Ceramic Hob Light Diffusion via Silicone Paint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass-ceramic hobs face challenges in achieving uniform and clear illumination of patterns without dazzling users, while maintaining the clarity of contours and being suitable for high-temperature zones, due to limitations in available diffusing materials and complex mounting processes.
Innovation Solution
A glass-ceramic article coated with a paint composition comprising a silicone resin and a low proportion of inorganic pigments, providing high light transmission and diffusion, applied using screen printing to ensure flexibility and durability, allowing for uniform illumination and clear pattern visibility without underlying element distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional diffusing elements (polymer or ceramic) are inserted between the light source and the hob, then light diffusion is achieved to avoid dazzling users, but the mounting and fixing becomes complex and expensive, and certain materials cannot be used in high-temperature zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the diffusing function directly into the glass-ceramic hob substrate by creating an internal diffusing structure, eliminating the need for separate diffusing elements and their complex mounting systems. The diffusing capability is integrated into the hob itself through a specific structural design, combining the substrate and diffusing functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate layer or structure within the glass-ceramic substrate that acts as a mediator to diffuse light internally. This intermediate structure enables light diffusion without requiring external polymer or ceramic diffusing elements, solving both the mounting complexity issue and the high-temperature material compatibility problem.
2Illumination intensity
If clear spaces are provided in opacifying layers to allow illumination of patterns, then light transmission is improved, but the contours of patterns may not appear clearly and light diffuses on the contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating zones with different optical properties within the glass-ceramic substrate. Specific regions are designed with enhanced light diffusion capabilities while maintaining pattern definition, allowing different parts of the hob to have tailored optical characteristics for optimal pattern display and illumination.
3Illumination intensity
If the glass-ceramic hob has low transmission below 600 nm to mask heating elements at rest, then heating elements are masked, but the hob appears dark and may not provide sufficient illumination for patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through the selective activation of illumination. The hob maintains low transmission characteristics at rest to mask heating elements, and periodically activates illumination through LED sources to enhance pattern visibility when needed, creating a dynamic system that alternates between masking and illumination modes.
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 achieves high light transmission (>30%) and diffusion (>90%) while maintaining mechanical strength and heat resistance, enabling clear and uniform illumination of glass-ceramic patterns without user dazzling, suitable for high-temperature zones and flexible application.
Implementation Method 1
The light sources used are generally installed under the hob, so as to be able to illuminate patterns... It is known to insert a diffusing interposed element... between the source and the hob at the level of the patterns or zones that may be illuminated
Implementation Method 2
a ceramic hob must generally display transmission at the wavelengths of the visible region that is both low enough to mask at least part of the underlying heating elements at rest and high enough so that... the user will be able to detect the heating elements visually when in operation
Data Source
AI summary
A glass ceramic item, intended in particular for use with at least one light source and/or at least one heating element, includes at least one substrate, such as a plate, made of glass ceramic, and having at least one light region. The substrate is coated with respect to the region with a paint consisting of at least one silicone resin and pigment(s). The content of the pigment(s) are greater than or equal to 1% and less than 10% by weight of the paint. A method for producing such an item is also included.