Rotary Control Knob Illumination Using Solid Light Guiding Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for electrical appliances, such as ovens, face challenges in providing an illuminated effect or lighting at the control knob without requiring significant design or assembly efforts.
Innovation Solution
The operating device incorporates a rotary control unit with a light source, such as an LED, and a light guiding device made of solid light guiding material. The light guiding device surrounds the rotary shaft and is arranged in the panel opening to efficiently guide light from the rotary control unit to the control knob, providing an illuminated effect without increasing assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source and light guiding device are added to illuminate the control knob, then the visual appeal and usability are improved, but the design and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding device is merged with the panel opening structure, using the same spatial location and mounting mechanism. The light guiding device is positioned to utilize the existing panel opening through which the rotary shaft extends, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall assembly complexity despite adding illumination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel opening serves multiple functions: it allows the rotary shaft to extend through the control panel for mechanical operation, and simultaneously accommodates the light guiding device to provide illumination. This multi-functional use of the panel opening structure avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby reducing design and assembly complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If light guiding material is used instead of air gap, then light guidance precision and efficiency are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding device changes the physical parameter of the light path from an air gap medium to a solid light guiding material medium. This parameter change increases the refractive index and light guidance efficiency, allowing for more precise light direction from the light source to the control knob with reduced light loss and scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution employs composite material construction where the light guiding device is made of solid light guiding material (such as optical-grade plastic or glass) rather than air. This material choice provides better optical properties for light guidance while being manufacturable through standard molding or fabrication processes, balancing manufacturing precision with ease of production.
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 solution allows for a simple and effective illumination of the control knob, enhancing the visual appeal and usability of the operating device without adding substantial design or assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a light guiding device is arranged in the panel opening... The light guiding device has solid light guiding material, and therefore is made up not only of air or of an air gap. Due to this solid light guiding material, the light may be guided inside the light guiding device as precisely and with as few losses as possible
Data Source
AI summary
An operating device for an electrical appliance such as an oven has a control panel with a front face and with a rear face, and a rotary control unit on the rear face of the panel, which has a rotary shaft which protrudes through a panel opening beyond the front face of the control panel and supports a control knob there. The rotary control unit has a light source, wherein an annular light guiding device is arranged in the panel opening which extends to behind the panel opening as far as the light source. The light guiding device is made of light guiding material and completely surrounds the rotary shaft. Illuminated areas made of light guiding material are provided in the control knob, and extend from a rear face of the control knob close to the light guiding device to a lateral face and/or front face of the control knob. Light can thus be passed easily through the panel to the control knob.