Rotary Kitchen Appliance Control with Touch and Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliance operating devices, such as rotary knobs and touch-sensitive controls, lack flexibility and enhanced functionality, making them less efficient and prone to accidental operation.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a rotatable control element with integrated position sensors and touch-sensitive/pressure-sensitive capabilities, allowing for mechanical and touch-based operation, with a modular design for flexible installation and secure mounting, and including a center piece with a bearing seat for secure attachment and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotary knob is used for operating the kitchen appliance, then mechanical control functionality is provided, but the device lacks touch sensitivity and enhanced functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a rotary knob mechanism with touch-sensitive and pressure-sensitive sensors into a single integrated operating device. The control element can be operated both mechanically by rotation and electronically by touch or pressure, merging multiple control modalities into one unified interface that enhances versatility without requiring separate control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can detect rotational position for mechanical control, detect touch input for electronic control, and detect pressure for additional control modes. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace traditional rotary knobs, touch panels, and pressure sensors that would otherwise be separate components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If touch-sensitive controls are used, then enhanced functionality is achieved, but the device becomes prone to accidental operation
Solution Approach 1:
The device requires a deliberate rotational movement to activate control functions, serving as a preliminary action that confirms user intent before executing commands. This mechanical rotation requirement acts as a deliberate action threshold that prevents accidental activations while maintaining touch sensitivity for display and information functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element transitions between different operational states dynamically: it can be rotated for mechanical control, touched for electronic control, or pressed for pressure-sensitive control. The system dynamically responds to different types of user interactions, adjusting its sensitivity and activation thresholds based on the detected input type, thereby reducing accidental operation while maintaining responsiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control element is integrated into the appliance, then functionality is enhanced, but installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and then installed in various positions relative to the kitchen appliance. The center piece with bearing seat and control element functions as a discrete module that can be mounted on furniture fronts, worktops, or appliance panels, providing installation flexibility while maintaining enhanced control functionality.
4Reliability
If the control element is mounted securely to prevent displacement, then reliability is improved, but ease of cleaning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is designed to be removable from the center piece, allowing it to be extracted for separate cleaning and maintenance. The bearing seat provides secure mounting during normal operation, but the control element can be detached when cleaning is required, thus resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and cleaning accessibility.
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
Enhances the functionality and reliability of kitchen appliance operation by providing mechanical and touch-based control options, reducing accidental activation, and allowing for flexible installation and easy maintenance, while supporting complex control functions like timers and lighting.
Implementation Method 1
at least one position sensor which is designed to detect a twisted position of the control element
Implementation Method 2
at least one touch-sensitive and/or pressure-sensitive sensor
Implementation Method 3
at least one touch-sensitive and/or pressure-sensitive sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an operating device (3) for a fitted kitchen appliance (2, 4), comprising a central piece (14), an operating element (18) mounted rotatably on said central piece (14), at least one positioning sensor (36) designed to detect a rotational position of said operating element (18), and at least one touch and/or pressure-sensitive sensor.