User interface for a domestic appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces for domestic appliances, such as cooking hobs and ovens, are complex and require additional components like carriers to support the interface against the appliance panel, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A user interface design that integrates spring elements within the lighting mask, allowing it to penetrate the printed circuit board and directly support the interface against the appliance panel, eliminating the need for a separate carrier and reducing complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional carrier is used to press the user interface against the cover element, then the user interface is properly supported, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the carrier function with the lighting mask into a single integrated component. The lighting mask includes spring elements that directly press the user interface against the cover element, eliminating the need for a separate carrier. This merging reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting mask is given multiple functions: it serves both as a light guide structure and as a carrier that supports the user interface against the cover element. The spring elements within the lighting mask provide both mechanical support and pressing force, making the component universal and reducing overall device complexity.
2Force
If a separate carrier with spring elements is used, then proper pressing force is achieved, but the quantity of components and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier function is merged into the lighting mask structure. The spring elements are integrated within the lighting mask, so that one component (lighting mask) performs both light guidance and mechanical support functions. This reduces the total number of components from multiple separate parts to a more integrated assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are nested within the lighting mask structure. The lighting mask contains the spring elements as part of its internal structure, allowing the pressing mechanism to be housed within the existing component rather than requiring an external carrier.
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 design simplifies the user interface by integrating spring elements within the lighting mask, reducing the number of necessary components and enabling direct support against the appliance panel, thereby lowering costs and complexity while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting mask includes at least one spring element, and the spring element of the lighting mask penetrates and/or passes by the printed circuit board
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a user interface (10) for a domestic appliance, in particular for a cooking hob and/or cooking oven. The user interface (10) comprises a printed circuit board (12) for supporting at least one illuminating element. The user interface (10) comprises a lighting mask (14) arranged at least partially within a radiation area of the illuminating element on the printed circuit board (12). The lighting mask (14) includes at least one spring element (18). The spring element (18) of the lighting mask (14) penetrates and/or passes by the printed circuit board (12), so that the user interface (10) can be supported between a substructure and a cover element of the domestic appliance.