Operating device for a cooking hob
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for domestic appliances, such as hobs, face challenges in wireless energy transmission and efficient light emission, leading to potential damage and unwanted light emission, while also requiring compact and space-efficient designs.
Innovation Solution
The operating device incorporates a control element with an integrated energy supply device using ferrite materials for improved wireless energy transmission and a light-emitting device with a hidden light source and light guide for targeted light emission, ensuring protection and efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light source is arranged inside the operating element, then the light source is protected from damage and wear, but the light source becomes invisible from the outside and requires light guides to emit light
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is nested inside the operating element, hidden within the housing structure. Light guides are integrated into the housing to channel light from the hidden source to the desired emission points on the operating surface, achieving both protection and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Light guides serve as intermediaries between the hidden light source and the operating surface. These optical elements transmit light from the protected internal source to the external emission points, resolving the contradiction between hiding the source and making light visible.
2Volume of moving object
If the operating element is made compact to save space, then installation space is optimized, but wireless energy transmission may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the ferrite material and coil configuration to achieve efficient wireless energy transmission in a compact volume. By adjusting material properties and geometric parameters, the energy transmission performance is maintained despite reduced size.
Solution Approach 2:
Ferrite materials are used in the operating element to enhance magnetic properties and improve wireless energy transmission efficiency. The composite structure combines ferrite with other materials to achieve both compactness and effective inductive coupling with the cooking hob.
3Ease of manufacture
If the light source is made visible from the outside, then light emission is straightforward, but the light source becomes vulnerable to damage during gripping or falling
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is nested within the protected interior of the operating element housing, shielded from external mechanical damage. The housing structure acts as a protective enclosure while light guides provide the necessary light emission pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is extracted from the external environment and placed inside the protected housing. This separation isolates the fragile light source from damaging external forces while maintaining light emission functionality through integrated light guides.
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 configuration enhances wireless energy transmission and light emission precision, preventing damage and reducing unwanted light, while allowing for a compact and space-efficient design that effectively communicates operating settings through targeted light projections.
Implementation Method 1
The operating element has an integrated energy supply device that transmits energy wirelessly
Implementation Method 2
an operating element which can be held on an operating surface of the domestic appliance that can be controlled with the operating device by means of magnetic force
Implementation Method 3
the light emitted by the light source can be guided to a light exit point of the operating element by means of at least one light guide
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
The operating device has an operating element (9), which is supported on an operating surface of the household appliance by magnetic force and is movable relative to the operating surface. The operating element has a light emitting unit (29), which has a light source (31,32) arranged inside the operating element.