Sensor means or module for determining a displacement or deflection or bending, household appliance and method for determining the weight of an item
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances, such as cooking hobs, lack effective methods for accurately determining the weight of items placed on them, particularly during cooking processes, which can lead to inefficiencies in food preparation and potential overloading of washing machines.
Innovation Solution
A sensor module integrated into the cooking hob, utilizing acceleration sensors, strain gauges, and photointerrupters to measure displacement or deflection of a glass or glass ceramic panel, allowing for precise weight estimation through integration of acceleration data and reference to a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional strain gauges and bending bars are used to measure weight on a cooking hob, then weight determination is possible, but the device complexity increases and measurement precision is insufficient for accurate cooking measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical strain gauges and bending bars with an optical measurement system using photointerrupters. The photointerrupters detect panel deflection by measuring light transmission changes, substituting mechanical contact-based sensing with optical sensing to achieve higher precision while reducing mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple sensor types (acceleration sensors, photointerrupters, strain gauges) into a unified sensor module that can determine weight through multiple physical principles. This multi-functional approach allows the system to use the most appropriate measurement method depending on conditions, improving overall measurement accuracy without requiring separate dedicated systems
2Measurement precision
If acceleration sensors and photointerrupters are integrated into the cooking hob panel, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the sensor module within the cooking hob panel structure, with photointerrupters positioned on opposite sides of the panel to detect deflection. The acceleration sensors are integrated into the same module, creating a nested configuration where multiple sensing functions are contained within a single integrated unit that fits into the existing panel architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light transmission medium (the panel itself) as an intermediary between the light source and photodetector. The panel's deflection changes the light path and transmission characteristics, allowing the system to measure displacement without direct mechanical contact sensors on the panel surface, simplifying integration
3Reliability
If multiple sensor types are combined in a single module, then measurement reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines acceleration sensors, photointerrupters, and strain gauges into a single integrated sensor module. By merging these different sensor types into one compact unit with shared power and signal processing circuits, the system achieves reliable multi-method weight determination while minimizing the space and complexity required compared to separate distributed sensors
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
Enables accurate and efficient weight determination of items on cooking hobs, improving cooking processes and preventing washing machine overloading by providing real-time weight feedback without the need for external scales.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration sensor for a detection of an acceleration of the panel section or of a panel reference point or reference area during the, particularly elastic, displacement or deflection or bending
Implementation Method 2
The detection unit includes a bending bar and dedicated strain gauges, the latter being connected to a processing circuitry for the interpretation of the signals of the strain gauges
Implementation Method 3
at least one photointerrupter arranged at a first position in relation to the panel and adapted to measure the displacement or deflection of the panel
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensor means (11, 35, 49, 71) or module for determining a particularly elastic displacement or deflection or bending of a panel (3), in particular a glass panel, or of a section of a panel or of an insert in relation to the panel (3). The sensor means (11, 35, 49, 71) or module and the panel (3) or said section thereof forming a weighing means, in particular a scale. The sensor means (11, 35, 49, 71) or module is adapted to be integrated in or allocated to a household appliance (1), in particular a cooking hob, more in particular an induction cooking hob, and comprises or is connected to at least one processing and/or interpretation and/or compilation means, preferably for providing a particular high sensor sensitivity and/or evaluation unit accuracy. Further, a household appliance (1) is disclosed which comprises an at least approximately horizontal panel (3), in particular a glass panel. The panel (3) is part of or is in functional connection with a scale for weighing an item (15) placed on the panel (3). Finally, the invention relates to a method for determining the weight of an item (15) on an at least approximately horizontal panel (3) of a household appliance (1), in particular on a top panel (3) of a cooking hob. An acceleration of a panel (3) section or of a panel reference point or reference area, in particular a reference point or a reference area on a panel surface (7), is estimated or determined during a displacement or deflection or bending of the panel section or the panel reference point or reference area due to a placing of the item (15) on the panel.