Glass ceramic plate and method for making same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glass-ceramic cooking plates with light colors face issues with unsightly optical effects like reflections and color variations due to masking elements from the underside, which are not effectively addressed by existing coatings, compromising appearance and usability.
Innovation Solution
A semi-transparent or translucent glass-ceramic plate with a specific coating on the underside, characterized by a total color difference delta E* less than 1 and luminance L* greater than 70, applied using screen printing, which masks mounting elements without causing undesirable reflections or color changes on the visible surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light-colored glass-ceramic plate is used, then the appearance is improved and visibility of heating elements is enhanced, but unsightly optical effects like reflections and color variations occur due to mounting elements from the underside
Solution Approach 1:
A light-colored coating is applied to the underside of the plate as an intermediary layer between the mounting elements and the plate body. This coating masks the mounting elements while maintaining light transmission properties, preventing unsightly reflections and color variations on the visible surface while preserving the ability to see heating elements when active.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a light-colored coating (with specific luminance L* > 70) on the underside of the plate to match or harmonize with the light-colored plate body. This color matching prevents unsightly color variations and reflections that would otherwise occur when mounting elements are visible through the transparent or translucent plate material.
2Reliability
If a dark coating is applied on the underside to mask mounting elements, then the masking effect is improved, but unsightly reflections and color changes appear on the visible surface
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying a dark coating on the underside (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using a light-colored coating that matches the plate body color. This inversion eliminates the problem of dark reflections and color variations appearing on the visible surface while still achieving effective masking of mounting elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifically uses a light-colored coating with luminance L* greater than 70 on the underside, which is the opposite of the conventional dark coating approach. This color change strategy ensures that the coating does not create unsightly reflections or color variations on the visible surface while maintaining effective masking functionality.
3Reliability
If an opacifying intermediate element is added to mask mounting elements, then the masking effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases and unsightly effects may still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the masking function with the plate structure itself by applying a coating directly to the underside of the glass-ceramic plate. This eliminates the need for separate opacifying intermediate elements or additional mounting components, simplifying the overall device while achieving effective masking of mounting elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-colored coating on the underside serves multiple functions simultaneously: it masks mounting elements, prevents unsightly reflections and color variations, and maintains the aesthetic appearance of the light-colored plate. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated masking components.
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 coating provides a uniform appearance by minimizing color variations and reflections, ensuring the plate's properties are maintained while effectively hiding underlying elements, thus enhancing user experience and compatibility with existing production lines.
Implementation Method 1
a coating such that the total color difference delta E*, measured on the opposite face, between a coated zone and an uncoated zone is less than approximately 1 and/or such that it has a luminance L* greater than approximately 70
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a glass ceramic plate, e.g. for covering or receiving at least one heating member, and particularly intended to be used as a cooking plate, said plate being coated, in an area at least of a face, with a coating such that the total hue difference delta E, as measured on the opposite face, between said coated area and a non-coated area is lower than about 1 and/or such that the coating has a luminance L higher than about 70. the invention also relates to a method for making such a plate, and to a cooking appliance comprising said plate.