Illuminated Knob Assembly for Visible Cooking Appliance Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional knob assemblies for cooking appliances are difficult to identify when external illuminance is low or when the user is far away, making it hard to confirm the operating state.
Innovation Solution
A knob assembly with integrated light sources and light guides that emit light to the outside, allowing users to easily recognize the operation state even in low illuminance or from a distance, enhancing user friendliness and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional knob assembly is used without light emission, then the structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the operating state cannot be easily identified when external illuminance is low or when the user is far away
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light guides as intermediary components that transmit light from the light source to the exterior of the knob assembly. The first light guide transmits light through the panel's through-hole, and the second light guide transmits light through the knob's guide hole, enabling the operating state to be visible from a distance or in low illuminance conditions without requiring the knob itself to be a light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the light transmission function into two separate light guides: the first light guide handles light transmission through the panel, and the second light guide handles light transmission through the knob. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and simplifies the overall design by distributing the light guidance task across multiple specialized elements.
2Illumination intensity
If light guides are added to the knob assembly, then the visibility of the operating state is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the first light guide is positioned within the panel's through-hole, and the second light guide is positioned within the knob's guide hole. The light guides are arranged concentrically with the shaft, creating a compact nested configuration that simplifies assembly by aligning all components along the same axial path and reducing the need for complex positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the light guides and shaft to share a common rotational axis, creating an equipotential alignment that simplifies assembly. All components (shaft, first light guide, second light guide) are positioned coaxially, which eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures and allows for straightforward assembly by simply inserting components along the axial direction.
3Ease of operation
If the knob assembly emits light, then user friendliness and aesthetics are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by directing light only to specific locations where it is most needed for visibility: through the panel's through-hole and through the knob's guide hole. The light guides are positioned to illuminate the exterior surfaces that users need to observe, rather than illuminating the entire knob assembly uniformly. This localized light distribution minimizes energy consumption while maximizing visibility where it matters most.
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 clear identification of the cooking appliance's operation state, improving usability and aesthetics by providing visible light cues, regardless of ambient lighting conditions or user proximity.
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
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.