Heating cooker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating cookers with touch operation parts often confuse users due to recognizable printed characters even when the backlight is off, leading to mistaken operation attempts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a backlight system that ensures operation display parts are entirely unlit and inoperable when not in use, with display characters only visible and functional when the touch operation part is active, using a combination of electroconductive paint, mask printing, and an LCD under the top panel to clearly indicate operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the backlight is turned off to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the display characters remain visible causing user confusion about operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using a backlight that emits blue light with a wavelength of 450±50nm to illuminate the operation display parts. This specific wavelength creates a visual contrast that clearly indicates operability. When the backlight is on, the display shows a bright blue illumination that distinctly differentiates the operable state from the non-operable state, resolving the confusion caused by visible but dim characters when the backlight is off.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wavelength detection unit that detects the blue light wavelength (450±50nm) emitted by the backlight and uses this detection to control the operation enablement. This intermediary detection mechanism ensures that the operation display parts are only enabled when the backlight is actively emitting light, creating a reliable link between the backlight state and the operational state, thus preventing user confusion while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Device complexity
If the operation display parts remain visible when the backlight is off, then the display structure is simple, but users cannot clearly distinguish whether the touch operation part is operable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the specific blue light wavelength (450±50nm) from the backlight to create a distinct visual appearance of the operation display parts. When the backlight is on, the operation display parts appear brightly illuminated with a characteristic blue color, making them clearly distinguishable as operable. This color-based indication simplifies the display structure while dramatically improving operability recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the wavelength detection unit to detect whether the backlight is emitting light at the specific wavelength, and then controlling the operation enablement based on this detection. This feedback mechanism ensures that the operation display parts are only responsive to touch input when the backlight is actively illuminating them, providing clear real-time feedback about system operability without requiring complex additional display elements.
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 enhances user safety and usability by clearly indicating when the touch operation part is inoperable, preventing accidental inputs and ensuring the user only interacts with functional display switches, thus making the heating cooker more user-friendly and safe.
Implementation Method 1
a backlight for emitting light through the top panel so as to display the display characters in lighting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A heating cooker includes a top panel (4) for placing a load thereon and touch operation parts (8,9) for allowing the user to operate the heating of the heater to heat the load. The operation display parts (8a, 9a) of the touch operation parts each include display characters (12a) disposed under the top panel (4) and a backlight (11) which emits light through the top panel so as to display the display characters (12a) in lighting. When not displayed, the operation display parts including the display characters are entirely unlit (12a) and made inoperable. This provides a user-friendly heating cooker.