HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a household appliance according to claim 1 and a method for manufacturing a household appliance with a projection surface according to claim 10.

[0002] Document DE 10 2012 103 684 A1 discloses a household appliance with a housing that includes a projector. The projector is arranged within the housing and projects an image onto an outer surface of the housing. The projector is associated with two optics that deflect a light beam emanating from the projector in such a way that the light beam is directed into the interior of a door element of the household appliance. A projection image is then projected onto an inner surface of a viewing window in the door element.

[0003] US patent 2012 / 0327201 A1 discloses another top-loading washing machine. The washing machine includes a lid element, which incorporates a display unit. A UV projection unit is located in a spoiler-like element situated in a rear area of ​​the washing machine's lid element, above the lid element, and projects an image onto the lid element.

[0004] To ensure a clear projection image, it is advantageous to apply a self-adhesive film to the area where the image is to be displayed. Such films, especially self-adhesive projection films, are very expensive and complex to produce.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2020 207 425 A1 describes a household appliance with a projection surface, wherein the projection surface is formed in the area of ​​the viewing window.

[0006] US patent 2011 / 0134627 A1 describes a household appliance that has an integrated control panel in a door unit.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to create a household appliance with a clear and modern projection surface, while providing improved features in terms of flexibility and cost reduction.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of independent claims 1 and 10. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, as well as in the description and the drawings.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a household appliance, in particular by a household appliance with a projection surface. The household appliance comprises a housing with a receiving container and an opening.Furthermore, the household appliance comprises a door unit, wherein the door unit is provided for closing the opening, a viewing window which is substantially arranged in the door unit, wherein the viewing window is substantially transparent so that the receiving container is visible when the opening is closed, a projection surface, wherein the projection surface is provided in the area of ​​the viewing window, and a front wall assembly, wherein the front wall assembly comprises at least one front wall element, wherein the viewing window of the door unit and the at least one front wall element are formed from the same workpiece and wherein the projection surface can be produced on the viewing window by a screen printing process, so that the projection surface and the viewing window remain substantially transparent.

[0010] The screen printing process involves applying a type of film or layer, specifically a colored film or film layer, to the viewing window, which then serves as a projection surface. The printing intensity of the viewing window is chosen so that the window, or rather the applied projection surface, remains essentially transparent, allowing a user to see into the collection container even when the opening of the appliance, particularly a fluid-carrying appliance, is closed. Furthermore, applying a projection surface to the viewing window is cost-effective and can be easily integrated into a production run in a factory. Material costs can also be reduced, as a single workpiece can be used for both the viewing window and at least one front panel element, thus generating virtually no material waste, such as offcuts, during the production of the viewing window.

[0011] The household appliance can be a fluid-handling appliance, such as a washing machine, washer-dryer, tumble dryer, dishwasher, fully automatic coffee machine, and / or steam cooker. Furthermore, the household appliance can be an oven, a cooker, a microwave, a warming drawer, or a range hood.

[0012] In this context, a projection surface is defined as a surface onto which an image is depicted, projected, or cast by rays during a projection process. The projection surface can also be referred to as the projection layer. The projection surface is applied to the viewing window using a screen printing process. This means that the projection surface is applied to the viewing window as a layer. The projection surface is preferably permanently attached to the viewing window.

[0013] Advantageously, the viewing window and the at least one front wall element of the front wall assembly are formed essentially from glass and / or essentially from at least one polymer, wherein the viewing window and the at least one front wall element of the front wall assembly are essentially colorless and transparent in an unprocessed state.

[0014] This has the advantage that the workpiece can be obtained as a clear material or as an uncoated workpiece, which is more cost-effective to purchase than an already coated workpiece or a coated material.

[0015] Preferably, the viewing window essentially comprises a masking edge, a tinting layer and the projection surface, wherein the masking edge is arranged in the edge area of ​​the viewing window and is formed around the perimeter.

[0016] The masking edge can also be considered a finishing element on the viewing window, essentially encompassing or surrounding the projection surface of the door unit's viewing window. The masking edge can also be considered a circular element.

[0017] The tinting layer and / or the masking edge of the viewing window can advantageously be produced using the screen printing process, wherein the masking edge is essentially opaque and wherein the tinting layer is essentially transparent.

[0018] The masking border is designed to conceal elements that a user doesn't necessarily need to see, such as fasteners like screws. The tinting layer primarily serves a design purpose. The tinting layer and / or the masking border are applied layer by layer to the viewing window using screen printing. Screen printing is a cost-effective printing method and offers the advantage that almost all printing operations can be performed in a single machine, preferably in quick succession.

[0019] The viewing window is preferably attachable to the door unit and the at least one front wall element of the front wall assembly is preferably attachable to the household appliance.

[0020] The viewing window and at least one front panel element of the front panel assembly are manufactured from the same workpiece, meaning that essentially no production waste is generated, as the entire workpiece is used. This keeps material costs low and simultaneously provides an environmentally friendly process that avoids waste.

[0021] Advantageously, the tinting layer is applied to at least sections of the viewing window. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the tinting layer covers essentially the entire viewing window. Depending on whether a partial tinting layer or an essentially completely tinted viewing window is desired, the tinting layer can be applied differently.

[0022] Preferably, the projection surface is applied to at least part of the viewing window. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the projection surface extends essentially across the entire viewing window. This allows the projection surface to be adapted to individual user requirements and applied to the viewing window in different sizes.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the invention, the problem according to the invention is solved by a method for producing a household appliance with a projection surface. The household appliance essentially comprises a housing with a receiving container and an opening, a door unit, a viewing window, a projection surface, and a front wall assembly with at least one front wall element, wherein the door unit is provided for closing the opening, wherein the viewing window is essentially arranged in the door unit and wherein the viewing window is essentially transparent so that the receiving container is visible when the opening is closed, wherein the projection surface is provided in the area of ​​the viewing window, and wherein the at least one front wall element is arranged on a front of the household appliance, wherein the method for producing a projection surface comprises: Detaching the viewing window from the at least one front wall element, so that essentially a round viewing window is created and the at least one front wall element has the opening; applying the projection surface to the viewing window using a screen printing process; attaching the viewing window with the applied projection surface to the door unit; mounting the door unit and the at least one front wall element to the household appliance.

[0024] The opening in the front wall element can also be understood as a hole or a passageway.

[0025] This process offers the advantage that applying a projection surface to the viewing window is cost-effective and can be easily integrated into a factory production run. Furthermore, material costs can be reduced because a single workpiece can be used for both the viewing window and at least one front panel element, meaning that virtually no material waste, such as offcuts, is generated during the window's production. Additionally, the manufacturing steps are significantly simplified, as screen printing on the viewing window is a fast and precise process, allowing the window to be processed immediately after printing.

[0026] Advantageously, the viewing window includes a tinting layer, which is applied to the window using screen printing. Alternatively, a masking border could be applied to the viewing window using screen printing. This masking border would be applied as a circular arc or ring around the entire perimeter of the viewing window.

[0027] The screen printing process allows for high quality standards while simultaneously providing cost-effective production of a tint layer and / or a masking border. Furthermore, the tint layer, projection surface, and / or masking border can all be applied to the viewing window using the same process, resulting in an optimized manufacturing process.

[0028] Preferably, the tinting layer and the projection surface are applied to the viewing window, at least in sections. It is conceivable that the tinting layer is applied to the entire viewing window. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the projection surface is applied to the entire viewing window. To achieve a better display of a projected image, the tinting layer is preferably applied to the viewing window before the projection surface. In other words, the tinting layer is printed onto the viewing window first, followed by the projection surface. Both processes are carried out using screen printing. Because the printed layers—tinting layer and projection layer / projection surface—are applied in very thin layers of ink, they harden or dry quickly.

[0029] After the viewing window is removed, the at least one front panel element has an opening. A coating is applied to the at least one front panel element before it is mounted on the household appliance. The opening can also be described as a through-hole or a hole in the workpiece or the at least one front panel element. In its mounted state, the opening of the at least one front panel element is designed so that the door unit is positioned within the opening. The at least one front panel element essentially retains its clear material. However, the coating makes the at least one front panel element opaque, preventing a user from seeing through it.The coating of the at least one front wall element is preferably applied to the side that is located on the household appliance facing the receiving container.

[0030] Screen printing allows for high display quality on the projection surface of the viewing window, while incurring lower material and production costs compared to projection film. Multiple layers can be applied simultaneously and / or in quick succession, thus requiring fewer production steps. Furthermore, screen printing enables color balancing, resulting in a good or even improved display of the projected image. This means that, in addition to white, a light color, and a dark color, screen printing can incorporate other colors, allowing a warm white light emitted from a light source to be displayed as a neutral white on the projection surface. This enhances the display quality on the projection surface.Since the screen printing process allows for the application of fine particles to the viewing window, a uniform structure is achieved. This results in better image quality when directly illuminated, for example by an external light source, compared to other methods. Furthermore, the screen printing process allows for the application of various patterns.

[0031] The present application describes a projection that, in principle, strikes the projection surface from behind, and the image is legible to a user standing in front of the appliance. Many other types of projection, the most widespread being rear projection, use projection transparencies. Rear projection is a projection that is shone onto a projection surface from the front and reflected back from the projection surface to the viewer. A typical example of this is the projector or beamer in cinemas or meeting rooms.

[0032] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a front view of a fluid-carrying household appliance; Fig. 2 shows a front view of a household appliance; Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a door unit of a fluid-carrying household appliance; Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a door unit of a fluid-carrying household appliance; Fig. 5 shows a printed viewing window of a door unit of a fluid-carrying household appliance; Fig. 6 shows a fluid-carrying household appliance with an internal device and / or an external device; Fig. 7 schematically shows a method for manufacturing a household appliance with a projection surface.

[0033] In Fig. 1 and in Fig. 2 Each image shows a front view of a household appliance 1. In particular, the following are shown: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 so-called large household appliances are shown.

[0034] The in Fig. 1 The household appliance 1 shown can be, for example, a fluid-carrying household appliance 1a, such as a laundry appliance 3, a dishwasher, a fully automatic coffee machine, a steam cooker, or a similar fluid-carrying household appliance. A laundry appliance 3 can be, among other things, a washing machine, a washer-dryer, or a tumble dryer.

[0035] The in Fig. 2 The household appliance shown (100) can be an oven, a stove, a microwave, a warming drawer, or a range hood, especially so-called table fans, which can be recessed into a worktop, for example.

[0036] The terms used below refer to both household appliance 1 and / or fluid-carrying household appliance 1a, as well as to household appliance 100, which is in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0037] In particular, in Fig. 1 A fluid-carrying household appliance 1a is shown. The fluid-carrying household appliance 1a shown as an example is a laundry care appliance 3. In the following, especially in the Fig. 1 , 3 , 4 and 5 The exemplary embodiments are described essentially using the laundry care appliance 3 as an example.

[0038] The laundry care appliance 3 comprises a housing 5. A receiving container 6 is arranged in the housing 5, in which, in the present embodiment, items to be cleaned and / or dried, for example laundry, are received. The housing 5 has a front wall assembly 7 with at least one front wall element 7a and side walls 9, the front wall assembly 7 being arranged on a front side 7b of the laundry care appliance 3. An opening 11 is formed in the at least one front wall element 7a of the housing 5. The opening 11 can be closed with a door unit 13. The door unit 13 is rotatably attached to the housing 5. Furthermore, a detergent dispenser 15 is indicated in an upper area of ​​the front side 7b of the laundry care appliance 3. Next to the detergent dispenser 15, a circular actuating element 17 is arranged in an upper area of ​​the front side 7b of the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a.In the present embodiment, the actuating element 17 is circular and can also be designed as a type of push button, switch, or the like. The actuating element 17 essentially serves to switch the laundry care appliance 3 on or off and / or to start it and / or, if necessary, to set operating programs and / or operating parameters.

[0039] The door unit 13 has a viewing window 19, which can also be referred to as a viewing panel. The viewing window 19 is essentially transparent. In the area of ​​the viewing window 19, as in the present embodiment in Fig. 1 As shown, a projection surface 20 is formed. The projection surface 20 can extend at least over a partial area 21 of the viewing window 19 or section by section over the viewing window 19. However, it is also conceivable that the projection surface 20 extends essentially over the entire viewing window 19 or at least over a large part of the viewing window 19. The projection surface 20 can be intended for displaying projection images 23.

[0040] In Fig. 1 Projection image 23 is shown as an example. Projection image 23 in Fig. 1 The display shows an example of a washing program called 'Easy Care', along with the wash temperature (40°C), the remaining time (1 hour 30 minutes), and the spin speed (800 rpm) of the drum 6. However, it is also conceivable that further information could be displayed. This could be shown alongside the information already mentioned or on a separate display layer, which might open, for example, on projection surface 20 when an operating program has been selected. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a user could adjust settings on the laundry appliance 1 via projection surface 20. Additionally, it is conceivable that various images and / or processes, such as operations within the laundry appliance 3, could be displayed. Finally, it is conceivable that processes and / or operating instructions or user guides could be displayed on projection surface 20.

[0041] In Fig. 2 A household appliance 100 is shown. As mentioned above, the household appliance 100 can also be an oven, a stove, a microwave, a warming drawer, or a range hood, especially so-called downdraft extractors, which can be recessed into a worktop, for example. The household appliance 100 comprises a housing 105. A storage container 106 is arranged in the housing 105, and food or provisions are placed in the storage container 106. Range hoods primarily capture or draw in fumes. Fumes are vapors that are mainly produced during baking and cooking.

[0042] The housing 105 further comprises side walls 109 or wall elements 109b and a front wall assembly 107 with at least one front wall element 107a. The at least one front wall element 107a is arranged on a front side 107b of the household appliance 100 and comprises an outer side 107c. An opening 111 is formed in the at least one front wall element 107a of the housing 105. The opening 111 can be closed with a door unit 113. The door unit 113 is essentially rotatably attached to the housing 105. However, it is also conceivable that the door unit 113 is tiltable and / or sliding and / or pivotable on the housing 105.

[0043] The door unit 113 has a viewing window 119 with a projection surface 120. The projection surface 120 can extend at least over a partial area 121 of the viewing window 119 of the door unit 113, or section by section over the viewing window 119 of the door unit 113. However, it is also conceivable that the projection surface 120 extends essentially over the entire viewing window 119 of the door unit 113, or at least over a large part of the viewing window 119 of the door unit 113. The projection surface 120 can be designed to display projection images 123. Fig. 2 For example, a muffin or a cake is shown as projection image 123. However, it is also conceivable that further information could be displayed. This could be shown alongside the information already mentioned or on a separate display layer, which, for example, opens on projection surface 120 when a control program has been selected. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a user could adjust settings on the household appliance 100 via projection surface 120. It is also conceivable that various images and / or processes, such as operations within the household appliance 100, could be displayed. Additionally, it is conceivable that processes and / or operating instructions or user guides could be displayed on projection surface 120.

[0044] In Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a possible embodiment of a door unit 13 of a laundry care appliance 3. The door unit 13 includes the viewing window 19, which can also be referred to as a viewing screen. The viewing window 19 is essentially transparent. The projection surface 20 is provided in the area of ​​the viewing window 19. The projection surface 20 can extend at least over a partial area 21 of the viewing window 19. However, it is also conceivable that the projection surface 20 extends essentially over the entire viewing window 19, or at least over a large part of the viewing window 19, or partially over the viewing window 19. The projection surface 20 serves to display projection images 23. Furthermore, the viewing window 19 can have a tinted layer 25. It is also conceivable that the viewing window 19 includes a masking edge 27.

[0045] The projection surface 20 and the tinting layer 25 are preferably formed on an inner surface 28a of the viewing window 19. The masking edge 27 can be formed on an outer surface 28b of the viewing window 19 or on the inner surface 28a of the viewing window 19. The projection surface 20 and the tinting layer 25 are applied or printed onto the inner surface 28a of the viewing window 19 using screen printing. It is also conceivable that the masking edge 27 is applied or printed onto the inner surface 28a or the outer surface 28b of the viewing window 19 using screen printing.

[0046] The door unit 13 further comprises a first frame element 29, a second frame element 31, a projection unit 33, and a window element 35. The window element 35 is substantially arranged between the first frame element 29 and the second frame element 31. The window element 35 is substantially incorporated into the second frame element 31. The viewing window 19 is arranged on the first frame element 29. The window element 35 and the viewing window 19 are substantially opposite each other, with the window element 35 projecting into the housing 5, in particular into the receiving container 6 of the laundry care appliance 3, when the door unit 13 is closed. The viewing window 19 is substantially located outside the housing 5 of the laundry care appliance 3 when the door unit 13 is closed. A cavity 37 is formed between the viewing window 19 and the window element 35.

[0047] An optical unit 39 is essentially arranged in the cavity 37. The optical unit 39 is designed to guide a light beam 40 (example shown in Fig. 4 The light beam 40 is projected (as shown) onto the projection surface 20 or onto the partial area 21 of the viewing window 19. The light beam 40 is generated by the projection unit 33. The projection unit 39 will be discussed in more detail below. The optical unit 39 essentially comprises a retaining element 41 and a mirror-like element 43. The optical unit 39 is arranged in the cavity 35 such that an operator can see into the receiving container 6 of the laundry care appliance 3 when the door unit 13 is closed. In the present embodiment, the retaining element 41 of the optical unit 39 is arranged on the first frame element 29.

[0048] The projection unit 33 is preferably arranged between the first frame element 29 and the second frame element 31. The projection unit 33 is preferably located in a lower region of the door unit 13 between the first frame element 29 and the second frame element 31. The projection unit 33 can be attached to either the first frame element 29 and / or the second frame element 31. In the present embodiment, the projection unit 33 is attached to the first frame element 29 by means of a retaining device 45. The projection unit 33 can be arranged on the first frame element 29 such that it is located within the cavity 37 or at least partially projects into the cavity 37. However, the projection unit 33 can also be arranged outside the cavity 37.The optical unit 39 is arranged essentially opposite the projection unit 33, so that, as mentioned above, light rays 40 generated and emitted by the projection unit 33 are directed via the optical unit 39 onto the projection surface 20.

[0049] The projection unit 33 essentially comprises a computer unit 47 and a projector 49. The computer unit 47 is designed to control the projector 49. Specifically, the computer unit 47 is responsible for calculating the projection image 23 to be emitted by the projector 49. Furthermore, the projection unit 33 includes a control unit 51. The control unit 51 is designed to control the projector 49. The control unit 51 can, for example, be an LCoS control unit or a control unit comprising a DLP projection chip or DLP projector chip.The control unit 51 is designed to display a projection image 23 calculated by the computer unit 47 in such a way that the projector 49 can output the projection image 23 by activating the control unit 51, or the control unit 51 is designed to output a projection image 23 calculated by the computer unit 47 in such a way that the projector 49 can display the projection image 23 by illuminating the optical unit 39 or the projection surface 20. To prevent overheating of the projection unit 33, a cooling unit 53 is integrated into the projection unit 33. The cooling unit 53 is designed to cool at least one component of the projection unit 33, such as the projector 49, the computer unit 47, and / or the control unit 51.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment, the second frame element 31 is Fig. 3 For example, a handle element 55 is formed. Furthermore, other frame elements may be formed, which, for example, increase the rigidity of the door unit 13 or are designed to be distinctive.

[0051] In Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a possible embodiment of a door unit 13 of a laundry care appliance 3. The optical unit 39, in particular the retaining element 41 of the optical unit 39, is shown here by way of example in an upper area of ​​the window element 35 or in an upper area on the window element 35. This allows the operator or user to continue to see through the viewing window 19 and the window element 35 into the receiving container 6.

[0052] For example, it should be mentioned that an interaction surface 57 is conceivable in the area of ​​the projection surface 20, so that a user can make settings on the laundry care device 3 using the interaction surface.

[0053] The optical unit 39 is in Fig. 4 The optical unit 39 is arranged, for example, in an upper area of ​​the window element 35 and oriented such that light rays 40 emitted by the projection unit 33 are projected onto the projection surface 20 or the interaction surface 57. For example, the projection surface 20 or the interaction surface 57 is arranged in an upper area of ​​the viewing window 19. However, it is also conceivable that the projection surface 20 or the interaction surface 57 extends over essentially the entire viewing window 19. The optical unit 39 can be arranged or attached to the window element 35 by means of various fastening and / or bonding methods or bonding techniques.

[0054] The projection surface 20 is produced using screen printing. To create the projection surface 20, a thin layer of ink, preferably white, is sprayed or applied to the viewing window 19 using the screen printing process. A tinting layer 25 is preferably also sprayed or applied to the viewing window 19 using the screen printing process. The tinting layer 25 can preferably be a dark color, so that a tinting effect occurs. The masking border 27 is preferably applied to the viewing window 19 in an opaque manner. It is important, however, that the viewing window 19 remains essentially transparent after the projection surface 20 and / or the tinting layer 25 have been applied.

[0055] The viewing window 19 can be supplied as a clear sheet material and subsequently processed using screen printing. The projection surface 20 and the tinting layer 25 are preferably applied to the inside 28a of the viewing window 19. The masking border 27 can be applied to an outside 28b of the viewing window 19.

[0056] It is advantageous to use at least one light color for the screen printing process. This at least one light color can be composed of several different shades of white. However, it is also conceivable to use only one shade of white. A UV-curing ink and / or a UV-curing varnish is particularly suitable here. UV-curing inks and / or UV-curing varnishes have, among other things, the special property of adhering well to PMMA materials, glass, and other materials.

[0057] In Fig. 5 An example is shown of a section of a viewing window 19 of a door unit 13 of a laundry care appliance 3, printed (at least partially) using the screen printing process. For example, a projection image 23 is displayed on the projection surface 20, showing a laundry care program called Wool and below it a remaining runtime of 0h and 49min.

[0058] The viewing window 19 is coated with a layer of ink created using the screen printing process. In other words, a color film 58 or a layer of ink (for example, in Fig. 4 (shown) applied to the viewing window 19. The color film 58 can be applied with a specific intensity, meaning that the color film 58 can be extremely thin, barely perceptible, or very intense. Naturally, the color film 58 can also be applied with an intensity ranging from extremely thin to intense.

[0059] In the exemplary embodiment, the projection surface 20 is in Fig. 5 The image is printed directly onto the viewing window 19. The projection surface 20 is printed on the inside 28a of the viewing window 19. The print intensity is chosen such that the transparent properties of the viewing window 19 are retained after printing. However, it is known to those skilled in the art that a higher color intensity provides better projection quality on the projection surface 20. Depending on which criteria appear more important, the color intensity of the printing device, in particular the screen printing device, can be changed or adjusted.

[0060] In the present example, the color intensity is selected, or the color film 58 is applied, in such a way that a clearly visible projection image 23 is displayed on the viewing window 19, or on the viewing disc 19, but a view through to the receiving container 6 of the laundry care device is also possible. Thus, a color film 58, or color layer, is applied to the viewing window 19 that is perceptible to the human eye but does not obstruct vision.

[0061] In Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of a fluid-carrying household appliance 1a, in the form of a laundry care appliance 3. The fluid-carrying household appliance 1a has the following features shown in Figure 1: Fig. 6 The illustrated embodiment includes an internal device 59 and / or an external device 61 for communication between an operator or user and a fluid-carrying household appliance 1a. The internal device 59 and / or external device 61 can be a tablet, smartphone, or the like. Importantly, the internal device 59 and / or the external device 61 includes a touch-sensitive surface and / or a touch-sensitive display for viewing and setting operating and / or program parameters.

[0062] The fluid-carrying household appliance 1a has a communication unit 63. The communication unit 63 is connected to the internal device 59 and / or the external device 61 and communicates with the internal device 59 and / or the external device 61. The communication unit 63 is configured such that at least projection images 23 and / or the actuating element 17 can be transmitted to the internal device 59 and / or the external device 61. This allows the projection surface 20 of the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a and / or the laundry care appliance 3 to be displayed on the internal device 59 and / or the external device 61. It is also conceivable that the external device 61 can be attached to the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a, or that an internal device 59 is formed in and / or on the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a. The internal device 59 can have similar properties to the external device 61.

[0063] Furthermore, the communication unit 63 is configured to receive input commands from the internal device 59 and / or external device 61 and transmit these commands to a control device 69. The control device serves to control the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a, as well as the projection unit 39 and its components. This allows the operator to communicate with the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a and / or the washing machine 3 without having to directly input a command at the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a and / or the washing machine 3.

[0064] The external device 61 can be a smartphone or a tablet on which the projection images 23 can be graphically displayed. Operating the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a via the external device 61 is also conceivable. The internal device 59 can be a processor. However, it is also conceivable that the internal device 59 is a smartphone or a tablet that is detachably connected to the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a or permanently connected to it. The properties of the internal device 59 can be identical to the properties of the external device 61.

[0065] The communication unit 63 can, for example, be located in the door unit 13 of a fluid-carrying household appliance 1a or a household appliance 1. Alternatively, the communication unit 63 can also be located in or on the housing of the fluid-carrying household appliance 1a and / or the washing machine 3. Advantageously, the communication unit 63 should be located in the area of ​​the projection unit 39. However, it is also conceivable that the communication unit 63 is integrated into the projection unit 39. The communication unit 63 can be connected to the projection unit 39 wirelessly and / or via an electrical connection.

[0066] In Fig. 7 A schematic method for manufacturing a household appliance 1, 100 and / or fluid-carrying household appliance 1a with a projection surface 20, 120 is briefly shown or described, and / or how a viewing window 19, 119 with a projection surface 20, 120 can be created using the screen printing method.

[0067] It is particularly cost-effective to select sheet-shaped material / workpieces and / or disc-like elements for the production of the viewing window 19, 119 and / or the projection surface 20, 120. The sheet-shaped material or workpiece is preferably a clear, transparent sheet-shaped workpiece that is essentially uncoated, i.e., has no coating. Sheet-shaped material and / or disc-like elements are well suited for cutting, cutting into shapes, being inserted into a printer, and printing. Furthermore, a sheet-shaped material can easily be adapted to the desired shape, which, for example, allows a slight bend to be introduced into the sheet-shaped material. Other treatment options for the sheet-shaped material are conceivable.

[0068] The workpiece is supplied as a plate-shaped material and / or a disc-like element. The workpiece is preferably designed such that it essentially corresponds to the height H of a desired front panel 7b, 107b of a household appliance 1, 100 and / or fluid-carrying household appliance 1a and / or laundry appliance 3. The workpiece is also used for the front panel element 7a, 107a.

[0069] A desired element, namely the viewing window 19, 119, is removed or cut out of the plate-shaped workpiece or the disc-like element. The workpiece now includes an opening 11, 111, or a hole or through-opening, through which the door unit 13, 113 projects in a finished household appliance 1, 100, or in which the door unit 13, 113 is arranged in a finished household appliance 1, 100. The opening 11, 111, or the hole that is created when the viewing window 19, 119 is removed from the workpiece, essentially surrounds the door unit 13, 113, or the door unit 13, 113 is arranged in the area of ​​the opening 11, 111, or the hole or through-opening in a finished household appliance 1, 100.

[0070] The cut-out viewing window 19, 119 is further processed using the screen printing method. In the selected or desired screen printing process, at least a partial area 21, 121 of the viewing window 19, 119 is directly printed or coated with at least one color, creating a color film 58 on the viewing window 19, 119 that is barely perceptible to the human eye. It is conceivable that, in a first step, a layer or color film 58 with a dark color is applied to the viewing window 19, 119 using the screen printing process. In a further step of the screen printing process, a layer or color film 58 with a light color is then applied to the viewing window 19, 119. The dark color is intended for the tinting layer 25 and the light color for the projection surface 20.The tinting layer 25 can be designed as a pattern and, for example, consist of many small dots. Other patterns are conceivable.

[0071] The printed viewing window 19, 119 can then be used for further processing. This can include, for example, bending the viewing window 19, 119 and / or applying a masking border 27. The printed viewing window 19 is then mounted or attached to the door unit 13, 113. The finished door unit 13, 113 can then be attached to the household appliance 1, 100 in a rotatable, pivotable, or tiltable manner. Before or after mounting the door unit 13, 113, the workpiece, the front panel element 7a, 107a with the included opening 11, 111 or hole or through-hole, can be mounted to the household appliance 1, 1a, 100.

[0072] The above-mentioned examples of embodiment, as well as the one in Fig. 7The described procedures apply to both a household appliance 1, 100, and a fluid-carrying household appliance 1a, such as a laundry care appliance 3, and are not limited to any specific household appliance 1 or 1a or 3 or 100 mentioned as an example.

Claims

1. Household appliance (1, 100), wherein the household appliance (1, 100) comprises: a housing (5, 105) with an accommodating container (6, 106) and an opening (11, 111); a door unit (13, 113), wherein the door unit (13, 113) is provided for closing off the opening (11, 111), a viewing window (19, 119), which is arranged substantially in the door unit (13, 113), wherein the viewing window (19, 119) is embodied as substantially transparent, so that it is possible to look into the accommodating container (6, 106) when the opening (11, 111) is closed off, a projection area (20, 120), wherein the projection area (20, 120) is provided in the region of the viewing window (19, 119), a front wall assembly (7, 107), wherein the front wall assembly (7, 107) comprises at least one front wall element (7a, 107a), characterised in that the viewing window (19, 119) of the door unit (13, 113) and the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a) are shaped from the same workpiece, and the projection area (20, 120) can be generated on the viewing window (19, 119) using a screen printing method, so that the projection area (20, 120) and the viewing window (19, 119) are furthermore substantially transparent.

2. Household appliance (1, 100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the viewing window (19, 119) and the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a) of the front wall assembly (7, 107) are substantially formed from glass and / or are substantially formed from at least one polymer, wherein the viewing window (19, 119) and the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a) of the front wall assembly (7, 107) are substantially colourless and transparent when in an unprocessed state.

3. Household appliance (1, 100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a masking border (27), a tint layer (25) and the projection area (20, 120) are substantially applied to the viewing window (19, 119), wherein the masking border (27) is arranged in the border area of the viewing window (19, 119) and is embodied as substantially circumferential.

4. Household appliance (1, 100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the tint layer (25) and / or the masking border (27) of the viewing window (19, 119) can be generated using the screen printing method, wherein the masking border (27) is substantially opaque and wherein the tint layer (25) is embodied as substantially transparent.

5. Household appliance (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the viewing window (19, 119) can be attached to the door unit (13, 113) and the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a) of the front wall assembly (7, 107) can be attached to the household appliance (1, 100).

6. Household appliance (1, 100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the tint layer (25) is applied to the viewing window (19, 119) at least in some sections.

7. Household appliance (1, 100) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the tint layer (25) extends substantially over the entire viewing window (19, 119).

8. Household appliance (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the projection area (20, 120) is applied to the viewing window (19, 119), at least in some sections.

9. Household appliance (1, 100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the projection area (20, 120) extends substantially over the entire viewing window (19, 119).

10. Method for producing a household appliance (1, 100) with a projection area (20, 120), wherein the household appliance (1, 100) substantially comprises a housing (5, 105) with an accommodating container (6, 106) and an opening (11, 111), a door unit (13, 113), a viewing window (19, 119), a projection area (20, 120) and a front wall assembly (7, 107) with at least one front wall element (7a, 107a), wherein the door unit (13, 113) is provided for closing off the opening (11, 111), wherein the viewing window (19, 119) is arranged substantially in the door unit (13, 113) and wherein the viewing window (19, 119) is embodied as substantially transparent, so that it is possible to look into the accommodating container (6, 106) when the opening (11, 111) is closed off, wherein the projection area (20, 120) is provided in the region of the viewing window (19, 119), and wherein the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a) is arranged on a front side (7b, 107b) of the household appliance (1, 100), wherein the method for producing a projection area (20, 120) comprises: - releasing the viewing window (19, 119) from the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a), so that a round viewing window (19, 119) substantially occurs and the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a) has the opening (11, 111), - applying the projection area (20, 120) to the viewing window (19, 119) using a screen printing method; - attaching the viewing window (19, 119) with the applied projection area (20, 120) to the door unit (13, 113); - mounting the door unit (13, 113) and the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a) to the household appliance (1, 100).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that the viewing window (19, 119) comprises a tint layer (25), wherein the tint layer (25) is applied to the viewing window (19, 119) using the screen printing method.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the tint layer (25) and the projection area (20, 120) are applied to the viewing window (19, 119), at least in some sections.

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a) has the opening (11, 111) once the viewing window (19, 119) has been released and a coating is applied to the at least one front wall element (7a, 107a).