Shared Optical Pot Detection for Multi-Hotplate Hobs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pot detection systems for hobs with multiple hotplates are complex and costly due to the need for multiple light transmitters and receivers, which are difficult to control and install efficiently, especially in environments with structural or operational constraints like radiant heating devices or gas burners.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a reflex light barrier system with shared light receivers and transmitters, along with light guides to reduce component complexity, allowing for efficient pot detection with reduced installation requirements and improved reliability, enabling the use of a single light receiver for multiple hotplates and a single light transmitter for multiple hotplates, and incorporating light guides to direct light through hob plates made of opaque materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one light receiver and one light transmitter are used per hotplate, then pot detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and component quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single light receiver is designed to serve multiple hotplates by detecting light from different transmitters associated with different hotplates. The receiver evaluates which hotplate has a pot by determining which transmitter's light is being reflected, making one receiver universal for multiple detection zones rather than requiring dedicated receivers for each hotplate.
Solution Approach 2:
Light guides are introduced as intermediary components to conduct light between the transmitters/receivers and the hotplates. This allows the transmitters and receivers to be positioned away from the hotplates in a controlled location, simplifying installation and reducing the complexity of positioning multiple components precisely at each hotplate location.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light transmitters and receivers are installed for each hotplate, then detection precision is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiver is designed with multi-functionality to detect pots on multiple hotplates using light from different transmitters. This reduces the total number of receivers needed and simplifies installation, as fewer components need to be precisely positioned and connected across multiple hotplate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Light guides serve as intermediaries that facilitate light transmission between the transmitters/receivers and hotplates without requiring the transmitters and receivers to be in direct proximity to each hotplate. This greatly simplifies installation by allowing components to be positioned in a centralized, accessible location rather than requiring precise installation at each hotplate site.
3Measurement precision
If light transmitters and receivers are positioned close to hotplates, then detection accuracy is improved, but adaptability to different hob structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Light guides are used as intermediaries to conduct light between the transmitters/receivers and the hotplates, allowing the optical components to be positioned away from the hotplates in a centralized location. This adapts the system to work with different hob structures (glass ceramic, metal, opaque materials) without requiring modification of the transmitter/receiver positioning, as the light guides can be routed through or alongside various hob plate types.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide means provide a universal solution that works across different hob constructions. By using flexible light guides that can be routed through various materials (glass wire bundles, flexible conduits), the system adapts to different hob structures without requiring structure-specific transmitter/receiver positioning.
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 simplifies the installation and control of pot detection systems, reduces component costs, and maintains high reliability and safety by allowing a single light receiver to monitor multiple hotplates and a single light transmitter to serve multiple hotplates, while ensuring accurate detection of pot presence and absence.
Implementation Method 1
The light receiver is used to detect the light emitted by the light transmitter and sent back or reflected by a pot that has been placed on it
Implementation Method 2
light guide means are provided, in particular essentially consisting of light guides and coupling and decoupling means, in order to conduct light from the at least two monitored or assigned light receivers and light transmitter cooking areas to the light receiver and/or light transmitter
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for pot detection on a hob with several hotplates has a light emitter and light receiver for pot detection or for detecting a pot placed on a hotplate, in that the light emitter emits light to the pot and a light receiver receives the reflected or returned light. A light receiver is provided for at least two hotplates and is designed accordingly. A light receiver and a light transmitter can each be provided for two different hotplates, so that the total number of components can be reduced.