Rotary Crown and Translating Push Button Control for Readable Markings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance control devices, such as those for meat grills, have complex designs that are expensive and ergonomically flawed, making it difficult for users to read markings on push buttons due to rotation, and are costly to implement.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a crown movable in rotation and a push button that moves only in translation, featuring a rotatable shaft for angular position detection and a microswitch for thrust detection, where the push button remains legible and the design is simplified by using standard, economical components like potentiometers and microswitches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the push button is driven in rotation when the crown is operated, then the control device can be compact, but the markings on the push button become difficult to read for users in certain positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation function from the push button by introducing a separate crown component that rotates independently. The push button is removed from the rotating crown structure and placed on a stationary support, allowing markings to remain readable while the crown provides rotation for control adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control device comprises many parts, then the functionality can be comprehensive, but the design becomes complex and expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into fewer components. The crown serves both as the rotation mechanism for temperature control and as the structural housing. The push button integrates the stop function directly on the crown rather than requiring a separate rotating button assembly. This reduction in parts simplifies the design while maintaining comprehensive control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown component performs multiple functions: it provides rotation for temperature adjustment, houses the push button mechanism, and serves as the structural framework. The push button on the crown handles both the stop function and positional indication. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of parts needed while maintaining versatile control capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the push button is movable only in translation along the axis, then markings remain legible, but the angular stroke of the crown must be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the rotation dimension from the push button by placing it on a stationary support outside the rotating crown. The crown rotates independently to provide temperature control, while the push button moves only in translation along its axis. This dimensional separation allows the crown to achieve a wide angular stroke (250-360°) without causing the push button markings to rotate, maintaining legibility while maximizing rotational range.
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 improved ergonomics and cost-effectiveness by ensuring markings on the push button remain readable and reducing the complexity and cost of the control device, allowing for efficient control of appliance functions like toasting in a toaster.
Implementation Method 1
the component for detecting an angular position of the crown is a potentiometer
Implementation Method 2
the component for detecting a thrust exerted on the push button is a microswitch
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance comprising a control device (10) having a ring (11) movable in rotation about an axis Δ, a push button (20) which is movable along the axis Δ and which is arranged in the ring (11), an angular position detection component (31) of the ring (11) having a shaft (32) movable in rotation and a push detection component (35) exerted on the push button (20), said push button (20) having a support member (21) accessible by a user, a support face (22) cooperating with the push detection component (35) exerted on the push button and an arm (23) which connects the support member (21) to the support face (22).According to the invention, said crown (11) has a leg (13) which extends radially to the axis Δ and which drives the movable shaft (32) in rotation around the axis Δ and in that the push button (20) is movable only in translation along the axis Δ, the leg (13) and the arm (23) being dimensioned to obtain an angular stroke of the crown (11) greater than 180°, preferably greater than 250°.