Large Glass-Ceramic Worktop With Hidden Heating and Wireless Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass-ceramic cooking surfaces are limited in size, complexity to produce, and functionality, primarily designed for cooking and not suitable for multiple uses or versatile activities due to their dimensions, flatness issues, and inability to support objects other than cooking utensils.
Innovation Solution
A large-sized monolithic glass-ceramic worktop with a surface area greater than 0.7 m2, featuring low luminosity, low haze, and low light transmission, integrated with hidden heating elements and wireless communication interfaces, allowing for various activities and object support beyond cooking, including cooking, reheating, and other domestic or professional uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional glass-ceramic plates are produced with standard dimensions (less than 0.4 m2), then manufacturing and handling are feasible, but the surface area is insufficient for multiple uses and versatile activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the light transmission properties of the glass-ceramic material. The substrate exhibits a light transmission TL of less than 10%, luminosity L* of less than 10, and haze of less than 30%, creating a dark appearance that masks heating elements when off while maintaining safety visibility when on. This parameter change enables the large surface area to be used for multiple purposes beyond cooking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If glass-ceramic plates are designed with specific light transmission properties for cooking safety, then heating element detection is enabled, but the plates are intended exclusively for cooking and cannot support other uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a worktop that serves multiple functions beyond cooking. The large surface area (greater than 0.7 m2) can simultaneously or successively support different activities such as work, games, reading, and object support, while also enabling cooking and reheating functions. The integrated heating elements and wireless communication interface make the single substrate versatile for both culinary and non-culinary purposes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the worktop has a dark appearance with low light transmission, then heating elements are masked when off and safety is improved, but visual detection of heating elements during operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by utilizing the light transmission properties of the glass-ceramic substrate. The substrate exhibits a light transmission TL of less than 10% and luminosity L* of less than 10, creating a dark appearance that masks heating elements when off. During operation, the heating elements become visually detectable through the substrate, providing both safety when off and visibility when on.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a large-sized monolithic glass-ceramic substrate is produced, then a continuous surface for multiple uses is achieved, but flatness and handling problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the light transmission and luminosity parameters of the glass-ceramic substrate. The substrate exhibits a light transmission TL of less than 10%, luminosity L* of less than 10, and haze of less than 30%. These parameter changes enable the production of large-sized monolithic substrates with surface area greater than 0.7 m2 while maintaining acceptable flatness and handling characteristics.
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, safe, and easy-to-maintain surface for multiple uses, enhancing comfort and safety while enabling the use of the worktop in different environments without the need for additional lighting, as the dark appearance masks heating elements when not in use and allows for visual detection during operation.
Implementation Method 1
said substrate exhibiting a luminosity (or lightness) L* of less than 10, a haze of less than 30% and a light transmission TL of less than 10%
Implementation Method 2
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)
Data Source
AI summary
An item of equipment includes at least one worktop formed of at least one substrate made of monolithic glass material with a surface area of greater than 0.7 m2. The substrate exhibits a luminosity L* of less than 10, a haze of less than 30% and a light transmission TL of less than 10%. The item of equipment also includes at least one heating element and at least one interface for communication with at least one element of the worktop and/or with at least one external element for wireless communication. The item of equipment is devoid of light source(s).