Illuminated Rotary Knob Assembly for Uniform Light Ring Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary toggles for kitchen appliances have complex structures and non-uniform illumination, leading to complicated assembly and inefficient lighting.
Innovation Solution
A rotary toggle design featuring a circuit board with light-emitting diodes and a light guide that directs light to an illuminated ring around the knob, enabling simpler assembly, more uniform illumination, and improved handling in low-light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plastic mounting part acts as a light guide with integrated fastening device, then the light source can be secured, but the construction becomes complex and illumination becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light guide function and fastening function into separate components. The mounting part provides mechanical support and positioning, while a separate light guide component directs light from the LED to the display. This segmentation simplifies the overall construction by allowing each component to be optimized independently and assembled together, reducing the complexity of having an integrated mounting part with both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a separate light guide as an intermediary component between the LED light source and the display. This light guide mediates the light transmission, directing it uniformly to the display area. By using this intermediary, the system achieves uniform illumination without requiring the mounting part to have complex light guiding features, thus reducing construction complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs are used with multiple light channels, then illumination uniformity improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide features asymmetric channel designs where channels closer to the center of the display have different dimensions or configurations compared to those at the edges. This asymmetric design compensates for the natural light intensity distribution from multiple LEDs, ensuring uniform illumination across the display area. The asymmetry is carefully engineered to balance the light output, achieving uniformity without requiring an excessive number of LEDs or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide have locally optimized properties. Channels in different areas of the light guide have varying cross-sectional areas, lengths, or internal structures tailored to the specific light distribution requirements of that region. This local quality approach allows the system to achieve uniform overall illumination while using a manageable number of LEDs, as each channel is optimized for its specific location rather than requiring all channels to be identical and numerous.
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 provides a cost-effective, easy-to-assemble rotary toggle with uniform illumination, enhancing user experience and visual appeal by ensuring consistent light distribution around the knob.
Implementation Method 1
the light channels guide the light from the LEDs along a rotational axis of the knob and deflect it tangentially into the light ring surrounding the rotational axis
Implementation Method 2
the light channels guide the light from the LEDs along a rotational axis of the knob and deflect it tangentially into the light ring surrounding the rotational axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a rotary knob (1) for operating a kitchen appliance, which can be inserted into a kitchen appliance front and/or kitchen furniture panel, with a knob (2) and a base (3), wherein the knob (2) is rotatably mounted relative to the base (3), with a circuit board (4) in the base (3) which has at least one light-emitting diode (5), wherein a light guide (6) is arranged on the circuit board (4) in the base (3), which directs the light from the diode (5) to a light ring (7) of the base (3) surrounding the knob (2).