Illuminated Knob Assembly for Cooking Appliance State Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking appliance knob assemblies are difficult to identify the operating condition in low external illuminance or from a distance, lacking user friendliness and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a knob assembly featuring a light source, a first light guide, and a second light guide that directs light outward, enhancing visibility of the operation state and aesthetics through a sealing member to prevent moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional knob assembly is used without light guides, then the structure is simple, but the operating condition is difficult to identify in low external illuminance or from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light guides as intermediary components between the light source and the external environment. The first light guide transmits light from the light source, and the second light guide further transmits this light to the outside, enabling visible indication of operation state without requiring direct line of sight to the light source itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the second light guide is fitted onto the first light guide in a concentric arrangement. The second light guide has a ring-like structure that surrounds the first light guide, creating a compact nested configuration that reduces overall complexity while achieving enhanced light transmission.
2Ease of operation
If light guides are added to the knob assembly to improve visibility, then the operation state becomes easily identifiable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guides serve multiple functions: they transmit light from the light source to provide visual feedback about operation state, and they also serve as structural components that can be integrated into the knob assembly design. The ring-like second light guide can simultaneously function as a decorative element and a light transmission medium.
3Illumination intensity
If the second light guide is laid onto the first light guide, then light transmission is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light transmission function into two separate components: the first light guide that receives light from the light source, and the second light guide that transmits light to the outside. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, with the second light guide being fitted onto the first light guide in a modular manner.
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 allows users to easily confirm the operation state of the cooking appliance in low light conditions or from a distance, improving user friendliness and aesthetics by providing a visible indication of the appliance's operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first light guide passing through the through hole and arranged to guide light emitted from the light source, and a second light guide configured to guide the light guided by the first light guide to the outside of the knob
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooking appliance includes a knob assembly to emit light to improve an aesthetic feel and user convenience. The cooking appliance includes a main body having at least one heating source, a panel disposed in the main body and provided with a through hole, and a knob assembly coupled to the panel. The knob assembly includes a knob, at least one light source configured to emit light, a first light guide passing through the through hole and arranged to guide the light emitted from the light source, and a second light guide configured to guide the light guided by the first light guide to an outside of the knob.