Hotplate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hobs lack an effective and aesthetically pleasing illuminated display that can utilize the IR radiation emitted by heating devices, limiting their visual feedback and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hob design featuring a hob plate made of hard glass or glass ceramic that allows visible light transmission and incorporates IR-stimulable materials, such as quantum dots, which emit light when excited by IR radiation, providing a temperature-stable and efficient illuminated display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light sources such as LEDs are used for illuminated display on hobs, then the display function is achieved, but the aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the waste IR radiation emitted by heating devices into useful illumination. The IR radiation that would otherwise be lost energy is captured and converted to visible light through phosphorescent materials, creating an illuminated display while improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Phosphorescent materials serve as intermediaries between the IR radiation from heating devices and the visible light needed for display. These materials absorb IR radiation and re-emit it as visible light, enabling energy conversion and display functionality simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If IR-stimulable materials are used to create illuminated display, then energy efficiency is improved by utilizing IR radiation, but the temperature stability and manufacturing feasibility must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects phosphorescent materials with specific parameters - particularly those with high temperature stability and appropriate phosphorescence lifetimes. By carefully choosing materials with suitable thermal properties and emission characteristics, the system maintains reliability under cooking temperatures while achieving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining phosphorescent materials with heat-resistant substrates or matrices. This composite approach ensures that the illuminated display materials can withstand the thermal environment of cooking appliances while maintaining their light-emitting properties.
3Illumination intensity
If the hob plate is made translucent for visible light transmission, then the illuminated display can be seen, but the transmission in IR wavelength range must also be maintained for heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different wavelength ranges of the hob plate. The plate is designed to be translucent specifically in the visible spectrum for display visibility, while maintaining appropriate IR transmission properties for heating efficiency. This wavelength-selective transparency resolves the contradiction between display and heating 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 enables an illuminated display with customizable colors that can be seen through the hob plate, enhancing visual feedback and energy efficiency by utilizing the IR radiation from heating devices, while maintaining high temperature stability and manufacturing feasibility.
Implementation Method 1
An IR-stimulable material, which forms a light display or an illumination, is designed in such a way that it can be excited by light in the IR wavelength range and then emits light. This effect is a fluorescence or these materials are also called anti-Stokes materials.
Implementation Method 2
The heating device works electrically and preferably has an electrical resistance heater which is arranged on a support with thermal insulation.
Implementation Method 3
which have very high temperatures and therefore a very strong proportion of IR radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A hob (11) has a hob plate (13) and several heating devices arranged underneath, the hob plate (13) being designed in such a way that it lets through light in the wavelength range visible to the human eye. The heating device has an electrical resistance heater (21) which is arranged on a support (17) with thermal insulation. IR-stimulable material (23, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e), in particular material with quantum dots, as an illuminated display (24) or lighting on the resistance heater (21) and/or on the thermal insulation and/or on the hob plate ( 13) arranged. The IR-stimulable material (23, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e) is designed in such a way that it can be excited by light in the IR wavelength range to emit light for the illuminated display (24).