Abstract:
A user interface for an appliance is provided for displaying information about multiple operating states of a feature of the appliance within an area for selecting the operative state of the feature. More particularly, a portion of the user interface may be configured both to display a feature's current state and to allow a user to change the state of the feature in the same physical location. A cooktop appliance with features for displaying a selected size, heating element, and/or power density of a cooking zone of the cooktop appliance co-located within an area for selecting the size, heating element, and/or power density of the cooking zone also is provided.
Abstract:
A variable resistance flexure sensor, and a system and method of controlling an appliance using a variable resistance flexure sensor are provided. The sensor can include a substrate having a flexible portion and a non-flexible portion. A plurality of electrically resistive elements, such as a first resistive element and a second resistive element, can be disposed on the substrate where at least one resistive element is exclusively within the non-flexible portion of the substrate and at least one resistive element is within the flexible portion of the substrate. The resistive element within the non-flexible portion of the substrate can act as a reference resistance for the flexure sensor and can be used as, or as part of, a biasing network for the electrically resistive element within the flexible portion of the substrate. The flexure sensor can be used within an appliance to detect various conditions such as temperature, moisture, etc.
Abstract:
An appliance configured to uniformly illuminate features of a user interface of the appliance is provided. More specifically, a user interface assembly including a reflective surface for reflecting light from one or more light sources to uniformly and/or evenly illuminate one or more features of a user interface is provided. In particular, a user interface assembly configured to uniformly illuminate relatively large graphical and/or textual features of a user interface is provided. Moreover, a reflective surface designed to enhance and/or brighten the illumination of a sub-feature within a larger illuminated feature of a user interface is provided.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of variably controlling a driver signal to a light emitting device located proximate to a burner assembly of an appliance are provided. The driver signal can be adjusted based on a signal indicative of a temperature in a region proximate the light emitting device. The signal indicative of a temperature of the burner assembly temperature can be generated by a temperature sensor or the signal can be based on an anticipated temperature profile of the burner assembly. The driver signal can be adjusted based on the signal indicative of the temperature of the burner assembly temperature using pulse width modulation.
Abstract:
Heating assemblies for cooktop appliances are provided. In one embodiment, the heating assemblies include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a heat generating component and a first sheath surrounding the heat generating component. The first sheath defines a first support surface. The second portion includes a temperature sensing component and a second sheath surrounding the temperature sensing component. The second sheath defines a second support surface. The first support surface and the second support surface contact a cooking utensil when the cooking utensil is positioned on the heating assembly. The heat generating component may be configured to provide heat to the cooking utensil positioned on the heating assembly, and the temperature sensing component may be configured to sense the temperature of the cooking utensil in order to assist in regulating the temperature of the cooking utensil.
Abstract:
A variable resistance flexure sensor, and a system and method of controlling an appliance using a variable resistance flexure sensor are provided. The sensor can include a substrate having a flexible portion and a non-flexible portion. A plurality of electrically resistive elements, such as a first resistive element and a second resistive element, can be disposed on the substrate where at least one resistive element is exclusively within the non-flexible portion of the substrate and at least one resistive element is within the flexible portion of the substrate. The resistive element within the non-flexible portion of the substrate can act as a reference resistance for the flexure sensor and can be used as, or as part of, a biasing network for the electrically resistive element within the flexible portion of the substrate. The flexure sensor can be used within an appliance to detect various conditions such as temperature, moisture, etc.
Abstract:
Methods for operating appliances, as well as appliances such as cooktop appliances, are provided. A method includes locking the appliance such that user inputs to a user interface assembly of the appliance are prevented from altering operation of the appliance. The method further includes activating an indicator light when the appliance is locked, and deactivating the indicator light after a predetermined time period from activation of the indicator light when the appliance is locked.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a cooktop appliance with features for correcting the color of light passing through the cooking surface such that the light appears a desired color to a user of the cooktop appliance. More specifically, a fluorescent ink may be applied to, or a fluorescent dye incorporated into, a light transmissive layer of a user interface assembly such that light passing through the light transmissive layer and the cooking surface appears a desired color to the user.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a cooktop appliance with features for correcting the color of light passing through the cooking surface such that the light appears a desired color to a user of the cooktop appliance. More specifically, a fluorescent ink may be applied to, or a fluorescent dye incorporated into, a light transmissive layer of a user interface assembly such that light passing through the light transmissive layer and the cooking surface appears a desired color to the user.
Abstract:
A variable resistance flexure sensor, and a system and method of controlling an appliance using a variable resistance flexure sensor are provided. The sensor can include a substrate having a flexible portion and a non-flexible portion. A plurality of electrically resistive elements, such as a first resistive element and a second resistive element, can be disposed on the substrate where at least one resistive element is exclusively within the non-flexible portion of the substrate and at least one resistive element is within the flexible portion of the substrate. The resistive element within the non-flexible portion of the substrate can act as a reference resistance for the flexure sensor and can be used as, or as part of, a biasing network for the electrically resistive element within the flexible portion of the substrate. The flexure sensor can be used within an appliance to detect various conditions such as temperature, moisture, etc.