Operating apparatus for an electrical device, and electrical device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating apparatuses for electrical devices, such as hobs, face challenges in providing a clear and robust luminous display on movable operating elements without complex power supplies or active components, while maintaining ease of handling and durability.
Innovation Solution
A flat, partially transparent control panel with integrated lighting and magnetic holding mechanisms allows for a luminous display on a movable operating element, using magnets and sensor means to guide and detect movement without dedicated power supplies, enabling a robust and easy-to-handle design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a movable operating element with luminous display is implemented, then information display capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to required power supplies and active components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic display systems with passive optical elements (transparent and translucent regions) that are illuminated by backlighting from below. The operating element itself contains no active components or power supplies - it merely transmits light to display information, substituting a complex electronic system with a simple optical transmission mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a light guide for the luminous display, and houses the magnetic holding mechanism. The operating element simultaneously displays information through light transmission and provides tactile feedback through its physical form, eliminating the need for separate display and interaction components.
2Ease of operation
If a movable operating element is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to additional components and potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages and actuators with a magnetic field-based holding and actuation system. The operating element is held in position and actuated by magnetic forces between magnets in the control panel and corresponding ferromagnetic elements on the operating element, eliminating mechanical wear and failure points while maintaining ease of operation.
3Illumination intensity
If transparent regions are used in the operating element, then luminous display clarity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the operating element: transparent regions for displaying specific information, translucent regions for general illumination, and opaque regions for masking. This localized differentiation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility through standard fabrication techniques.
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 clear and recognizable luminous display on the operating element, enhancing usability and durability by eliminating the need for dedicated power supplies and active components, while allowing for efficient recognition of movement and information display.
Implementation Method 1
a holding magnet underneath the control panel, which serves to hold a movable operating element that is arranged on the front side of the control panel so as to be able to move with respect to the lighting means and with respect to the at least one holding magnet, such that it is held magnetically
Implementation Method 2
The operating apparatus has at least one counter-magnet in or on the operating element for interacting with the at least one holding magnet through attractive magnetic force. This is designed such that the operating element, in the case of a movement for operating or an operating movement, is guided by an attractive magnetic force between the holding magnet and the counter-magnet.
Implementation Method 3
lighting means underneath the control panel in order to shine through the control panel from below so as to generate a luminous display that is visible from above
Data Source
AI summary
An operating apparatus for an electrical device has a closed transparent control panel, lighting means underneath the control panel in order to shine through, a plurality of holding magnets underneath the control panel and a movable operating element being held magnetically on the front side of the control panel that can be moved with respect to the lighting means and the holding magnets. A plurality of counter-magnets are provided in the operating element for interacting with the holding magnets in order to guide the operating element as an operating movement and hold it on the control panel, wherein sensor means underneath the control panel detect a rotational position of the operating element. The operating element is transparent in a direction from the lighting means to the operating element, wherein, for this purpose, it has a plurality of transparent regions that are separated from one another without transmission between one another.