Dishwasher Display Timeout for Lower Standby Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances, such as dishwashers, continue to consume energy after a treatment cycle is complete due to the persistent activation of visual display means, increasing their annual energy consumption unless manually deactivated by the user.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a delay element in the controller to automatically deactivate the visual display means for a predefined time period after a treatment cycle, allowing users to set the duration, which can range from 0 to 60 minutes, and providing an option for immediate deactivation or permanent activation, thereby reducing energy consumption by disconnecting the appliance from the power supply when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the visual display means remain activated after completion of a treatment cycle, then the user can easily see that the cycle is complete and access information, but the energy consumption of the household appliance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display means are activated periodically - during the treatment cycle to show operational status, and briefly after completion to signal cycle end. The display is automatically deactivated after a predefined time period (e.g., 30 seconds to 5 minutes) following cycle completion, creating a periodic on-off pattern that balances user information needs with energy conservation
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is configured to automatically deactivate the display means after a predefined time period following cycle completion. This preliminary automatic deactivation occurs before the user would need to manually intervene, ensuring energy savings are achieved without requiring user action while still providing sufficient time for the user to observe the completion signal
2Use of energy by moving object
If the display means are deactivated immediately after treatment cycle completion, then energy consumption is reduced, but the user may not notice the cycle completion or important information
Solution Approach 1:
The display means remain activated for a predefined time period after treatment cycle completion before being automatically deactivated. This periodic extension ensures users have adequate time to observe the completion signal and any displayed information, while still limiting total display duration to conserve energy
Solution Approach 2:
The display means provide visual feedback to the user indicating treatment cycle completion and other operational information. By maintaining activation for a predefined period after completion, the system ensures this feedback is delivered to the user before automatic deactivation occurs, preventing information loss
3Speed
If the household appliance remains connected to the power supply network after treatment cycle completion, then the appliance can be quickly restarted, but energy consumption continues unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically issues a deactivation command to the display means after a predefined time period following treatment cycle completion. This preliminary automatic deactivation occurs without requiring user intervention, ensuring energy savings are achieved while the appliance remains electrically connected and ready for quick restart
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, includes an operating display unit having at least one visual and/or acoustic display, which is activated at least to display and/or signal a completion of a treatment cycle for a predefined time period on or after completion of the treatment cycle. The time period is hereby set by a delay element.