Dishwasher with integrated lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers often have lighting systems that create paths for leakage and collect food soil, as they are positioned to illuminate the tub rather than specifically lighting dishes, and lack efficient ways to power light sources on dish holders.
Innovation Solution
The integration of light sources into dish holders, which are powered by a conductor with slack to allow movement out of the treating chamber, ensuring dishes are illuminated regardless of position, and eliminating the need for separate tub-mounted assemblies that can collect food soils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light sources are mounted on the tub to illuminate the interior, then the tub interior is illuminated, but the lighting system creates paths for leakage and collects food soil
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is extracted from the tub structure and relocated to the dish holder. This removes the harmful elements (leakage paths and food soil accumulation points) from the tub interior while preserving the illumination function. The light sources are now mounted on the dish holder itself, which is removable and easier to clean.
Solution Approach 2:
The dish holder serves as an intermediary carrier for the light sources. Instead of mounting lights directly to the tub, they are mounted to the dish holder which then positions them optimally for illuminating dishes. This intermediary approach solves both the illumination need and the contamination problem.
2Illumination intensity
If light sources are integrated into dish holders, then dishes are specifically illuminated and tub space is optimized, but the electrical conductor must accommodate dish holder movement
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible electrical conductor is used to power the light sources on the movable dish holder. This flexible conductor can accommodate the dish holder's movement between loading and treating positions while maintaining continuous electrical connection. The conductor's flexibility allows it to bend and extend without breaking or creating tangled paths.
3Illumination intensity
If separate tub-mounted lighting assemblies are used, then the tub interior can be illuminated, but they collect food soils and require separate maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is merged with the dish holder, creating a single integrated unit. This combination means that when the dish holder is removed for cleaning or maintenance, the light sources are removed with it, eliminating the need for separate maintenance of tub-mounted lighting assemblies. The dish holder and lighting system are now maintained together as one unit.
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 allows for effective illumination of dishes, reduces the risk of leakage, and optimizes tub space by integrating lights into dish holders, enhancing user experience and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
having a light source provided on the dish holder and the light source adapted to initially direct light towards dishes within the dish holder for illuminating the dishes contained therein
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving dishes for treatment according to the cycle of operation and having an open face providing access to the treating chamber, a dish holder slidable relative to the tub through the open face between a loading position and a treating position and a light source provided on the dish holder for illuminating dishes contained in the dish holder.