Appliance Control Knob Lighting for Clear Function Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliance adjustment devices lack user comfort in clearly distinguishing and selecting appliance functions, particularly in terms of visibility and operational ease.

Innovation Solution

A household appliance adjustment device with a translationally and rotatably adjustable adjustment body, featuring display means and a lighting unit that highlights a selected function, utilizing a light transport unit for efficient illumination without impairing the adjustment mechanism, and operating at untransformed mains voltage for cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a lighting unit is added to highlight selected indicators, then visibility and user comfort are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of selected functionVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment device
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light transport unit is integrated within the receiving unit, nesting the lighting function inside the existing structural cavity. This eliminates the need for separate external lighting components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the visibility enhancement function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A light transport unit is introduced as an intermediary component that carries light from the light source to the indicator. This mediator enables efficient light delivery while keeping the light source separate from the indicator, allowing for flexible positioning and reduced complexity in the overall lighting system design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the adjustment element is made translationally and rotatably adjustable, then operational ease is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of selecting functionsVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment element serves multiple functions: it can be translationally adjusted to select between different function groups and rotatably adjusted to select specific functions within each group. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified mechanism that combines both adjustment modes, reducing the need for separate control elements and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment element is designed with dynamic capabilities, allowing it to switch between translational and rotational movement modes. This dynamic behavior enables the single element to perform multiple selection tasks, improving operational ease while avoiding the complexity of multiple static adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If a light transport unit is used for efficient illumination, then illumination efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of lighting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light transport unit is nested within the receiving unit structure, utilizing the existing structural space for light transport. This integration eliminates the need for separate light transport housings or mounting structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining efficient light delivery to the indicator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances user comfort by providing clear visibility of selected functions through targeted illumination, reducing operational complexity and costs while maintaining structural simplicity and stability.

Implementation Method 1

the lighting unit has a light transport unit for transporting a light beam to an emission point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transport: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP1939531B1Household device adjustment device
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP1939531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1939531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1939531B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention is based on a household appliance adjustment device with an adjustment body (18) which has at least two display means (26.1, 26.2, 26.3), each of which is provided for displaying a household appliance function, a receiving unit (32) for accommodating the adjustment body (18), which is mounted at least translationally adjustable relative to the recording unit (32) in the recorded state, and a lighting unit (30). In order to increase user comfort, it is proposed that the lighting unit (30) has a light unit (58) which is intended to highlight one of the display means (26.2) which is assigned to a set domestic appliance function, relative to the other display means (26.1, 26.3). .