Rotary Appliance Control With Hidden Microhole Backlit Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances, particularly cooking appliances, face a visual impairment due to symbols or numbers printed on inserts, which detract from their appearance.
Innovation Solution
The operating device features a translucent display area with microholes that are invisible in the unlit state but become visible and functional when illuminated, providing a more attractive and high-quality appearance by using microetching and a light source to backlight the microholes, allowing for the display of symbols or numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If symbols or numbers are printed on inserts, then information display is achieved, but visual appearance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The insert changes its optical properties from opaque to translucent when illuminated. The microholes are invisible in the unlit state, maintaining a clean appearance, but become visible and display information when backlit, thus resolving the contradiction between information display and visual appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The display surface transitions from a static opaque state to a dynamic translucent state upon illumination. This dynamic change allows the surface to adapt its appearance based on operational needs, displaying information only when required while maintaining aesthetic appearance at other times.
2Shape
If a translucent display area with microholes is used, then visual appearance is improved, but information visibility in unlit state is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The information display operates periodically or on-demand through illumination. The microholes remain invisible during non-illuminated periods, preserving visual appearance, and become visible during illuminated periods when information needs to be displayed, thus resolving the contradiction between appearance and information visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of the display surface are changed through illumination. The microholes transition from an invisible state to a visible state by changing the lighting conditions, allowing the system to optimize between appearance and information display by controlling the illumination parameter.
3Loss of information
If microholes are made visible through illumination, then information is displayed clearly, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is activated only when information needs to be displayed, rather than continuously. This periodic or on-demand activation reduces energy consumption while ensuring clear information display when required, resolving the contradiction between display clarity and energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates illumination based on operational needs or user interaction, making the information display self-regulating. The microholes display information only when the appliance is in operation or when a user requests information, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining display clarity when needed.
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 enhances the visual appeal of household appliances by creating an uninterrupted surface appearance when unlit and providing clear information only when needed, improving the overall impression and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one stationary illuminant for illuminating the translucent display area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating device (10) for a domestic appliance (1), comprising: a carrier plate (8), on which an operating element (11) for setting operating conditions of the domestic appliance (1) is rotatably arranged, the operating element (11) comprising an insert part (12, 12a, 12b) having at least one light-transmissive display region (16); and at least one stationary illuminant (40) for illuminating the light-transmissive display region (16). The at least one light-transmissive display region (16) has a plurality of micro-holes (18, 18a, 18b).