Glass-Ceramic Worktop Design for Large-Area Multi-Functional Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooktops, particularly glass-ceramic ones, are limited in size and functionality, making it difficult to create large, flat, and versatile surfaces for both cooking and other activities, with existing materials being complex and costly to produce, and lacking in multi-use capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A worktop made from a monolithic glazing material with a light transmission lower than 50% and high opacity, integrated with heating elements and light sources, allowing for various uses and functions, including cooking, display, and multi-functional interactions, achieved by modifying the ceramitization process to produce larger, flat, and thermally resistant glass-ceramic substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional glass-ceramic plates are used for cooktops, then thermal resistance and cooking performance are improved, but the plate size is limited to smaller than 0.4 m2 and flatness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the glass-ceramic material, specifically adjusting the ratios of oxides such as SiO2 (60-75 wt%), Al2O3 (10-20 wt%), B2O3 (5-15 wt%), and others to achieve both large size capability and thermal resistance. This compositional parameter optimization allows the material to maintain desired properties at larger dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite glass-ceramic material that combines crystalline phases (providing thermal resistance) with a glass matrix (allowing large size formation). The specific composite structure includes crystals formed from the oxide composition that provide thermal stability while the overall composite can be manufactured in large plates exceeding 0.4 m2 with maintained flatness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If glass-ceramic plates are made with low light transmission to mask heating elements, then safety is improved, but visibility of heating zones deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating zones with different optical properties within the glass-ceramic plate. The bulk material maintains low light transmission for safety, while specific regions (heating zones) have enhanced light transmission or are illuminated by integrated light sources to provide visibility. This allows simultaneous achievement of safety through masking and visibility through localized optical enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes and optical property variations in the glass-ceramic material to differentiate between heated and non-heated zones. The material can change its optical appearance based on temperature or integrated lighting, allowing users to visually detect active heating zones while maintaining overall low transmission for safety when heating elements are off.
3Reliability
If conventional cooktops are designed for exclusive cooking use, then cooking performance is improved, but versatility for other activities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the glass-ceramic worktop to serve multiple functions beyond cooking. The large plate surface (exceeding 0.4 m2) can simultaneously function as a cooking zone, a preparation surface, and a display area for information or controls. The material properties and design allow the same surface to reliably support cooking activities while also enabling other uses such as food preparation, serving, or interactive display functions.
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 provides a versatile, interactive, and safe surface for multiple activities, enhancing the range of household and professional appliances with a wider variety of uses, while maintaining thermal efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cycle of ceramitization of a glass plate of area larger than 0.7 m2 is carried out in order to obtain said substrate
Implementation Method 2
a light transmission TL lower than 50%, an opacity indicator higher than 90, and if needs be a haze higher than 15%
Implementation Method 3
a light transmission TL lower than 50%, an opacity indicator higher than 90, and if needs be a haze higher than 15%
Implementation Method 4
at least one heating element (in particular under the substrate and hidden by the latter when this heating element is not in operation/is turned off)
Implementation Method 5
The plates thus designed are intended to be used exclusively as cooktops... depending on the circumstances (radiant heating, inductive heating, etc.)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an advantageously interactive item of furniture and/or appliance comprising:at least one worktop formed from at least one substrate made of a monolithic glazing material and of area larger than 0.7 m2, said substrate having a lightness L* higher than 10, a light transmission TL lower than 50%, an opacity indicator higher than 90, and if needs be a haze higher than 15%;at least one heating element;at least one light source, in particular intended to light up one or more zones or one or more elements or displays of the substrate, in particular by projection, this source for example being located plumb with the substrate; andat least one interface for communicating with at least one element of the worktop such as the one or more light sources and/or the one or more heating elements and/or if needs be wirelessly with at least one external element.