Monolithic Glass Ceramic Cooking Plate with Laser-Modified Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for altering the transmission properties of glass ceramic components, such as joining different materials or applying coatings, are complex, costly, and can compromise mechanical and chemical properties, while methods like laser marking are limited in depth and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A method involving localized exposure to electromagnetic radiation, such as laser radiation, to heat and modify the glass ceramic material, altering its transmission properties without the need for additional materials or coatings, allowing for increased light transmission in specific zones while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If different materials with different transmission are joined together, then local transmission properties can be altered, but the mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and reliability deteriorate due to joining seams and material incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating zones with different transmission properties within a single monolithic glass ceramic material. Through controlled addition of coloring bodies to specific regions during melting, the material achieves spatially varying optical properties without requiring joins or coatings, thereby maintaining uniform mechanical and chemical characteristics throughout the entire component.
2Illumination intensity
If a coating is applied to alter transmission, then local transmission properties can be modified, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to masking and coating processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the glass ceramic material by controlling the distribution of coloring bodies during the melting process. By adjusting the concentration and location of coloring additives in the melt before solidification, different transmission properties are achieved in different zones of the final product, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing coating operations.
3Illumination intensity
If laser marking is used to alter transmission, then local transmission can be modified superficially, but the depth of penetration and visibility are limited to about 1 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by incorporating coloring bodies into the glass ceramic material during the melting process, before the material solidifies. This allows the optical properties to be established throughout the entire volume of the material, enabling deep penetration effects that extend far beyond the 1 mm limitation of post-manufacturing laser marking 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
This method enables efficient and flexible modification of transmission properties across large areas without compromising mechanical or chemical properties, allowing for improved visibility of display elements through dark-colored glass ceramic cooktops while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic radiation is directed onto a localized surface area of the glass ceramic plate, which radiation is absorbed in the volume of the glass ceramic plate
Implementation Method 2
the power density of the electromagnetic radiation is chosen such that the irradiated area of the glass ceramic plate is heated up
Implementation Method 3
heating is continued at least until the transmission of the glass ceramic material is increased in the volume of the heated zone, at least in a spectral range within the visible spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A volume-colored monolithic glass ceramic cooking plate is provided. The plate includes a first zone in which the coloration of the glass ceramic differs from that of a second, adjacent zone, so that an absorption coefficient of the first zone is lower than the absorption coefficient of the second, adjacent zone and so that integral light transmission in the visible spectral range is greater in the first zone than the integral light transmission of the second, adjacent zone. The light scattering in the glass ceramic of the first zone differs from light scattering in the glass ceramic of the second zone by not more than 20 percentage points, preferably by not more than 5 percentage points.