Spring-Mounted Hob PCB Housing for Clear Display Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances, particularly glass ceramic cooktops, face issues with air gaps due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to obscured indicator lights and inefficient IR sensors, which are exacerbated by the use of silicone layers intended to address these issues, resulting in increased production costs and sensor impairment.
Innovation Solution
A hob design featuring an electronic circuit board with a combined L-shaped spring and fixing element housed in a one-piece circuit board housing, which presses the display/control elements against the cooktop cover, ensuring readability and operability while reducing production costs by eliminating the need for additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a silicone layer is attached to the underside of the hob cover to press display elements against it, then the display readability is improved, but the production cost increases and sensor function is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the holding element and fixing element into a single integrated component that is directly formed as part of the circuit board housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate silicone layers and additional attachment components, reducing production cost while maintaining the pressing function for display readability
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds the electronic circuit board in place, presses the display elements against the hob cover for readability, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate silicone layers, reducing device complexity while maintaining display quality
2Illumination intensity
If a silicone layer is attached to press display elements, then display readability improves, but IR sensor function is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the silicone layer from the system by using a rigid holding element that is integrally formed with the circuit board housing. This removal of the silicone layer maintains display readability through direct mechanical pressing while eliminating the harmful effect on IR sensor function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of needing an additional pressing layer into a benefit by using the rigid structure of the circuit board housing itself to provide the pressing function. This eliminates the need for silicone layers that would harm sensor function while maintaining display readability
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate elements are used in the circuit board housing, then mounting flexibility is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the holding element and fixing element into a single integrated component that is directly formed as part of the circuit board housing. This reduces the number of separate parts, simplifying manufacturing and reducing production cost while maintaining mounting flexibility through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated holding and fixing element provides multiple mounting functions simultaneously, maintaining adaptability and versatility in securing the electronic circuit board while reducing the total number of components needed for production
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 the readability and operability of display/control elements, reduces production costs, and prevents damage by distributing pressure evenly, ensuring secure mounting and protection of the electronic circuit board.
Implementation Method 1
the holding element is approximately L-shaped and designed as a spring element in order to press a surface of the display and/or control element against an inner surface of a cooktop cover
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a hob (110) comprising an electronic printed circuit board (420) which has a display and/or control element (425) and is fixed to at least one mounting element (210) in a circuit board housing (200). The mounting element (210) is designed as a spring element in order to press a surface of the display and/or control element (425) onto the inner surface (160) of a hob cover (117).