Dishwasher Door Accelerometer for Hidden Gesture and Fault Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers face challenges in optimizing component design to reduce costs and overall dimensions while providing intuitive user interaction and malfunction detection without visible controls or buttons.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a MEMS-type accelerometer sensor in the door to detect gravity acceleration components along multiple axes, enabling door position detection, user command recognition through vibrations, and abnormal vibration monitoring, with integrated acoustic and lighting responses for user communication and malfunction alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate sensors and control components are used for door position detection, user interaction, and malfunction detection, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines door position detection, user command recognition, and malfunction detection functions into a single accelerometer sensor integrated in the door. This single sensor replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate sensors and control components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities through the sensor's ability to measure acceleration along multiple axes
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer sensor serves multiple functions simultaneously: detecting door position by measuring gravity acceleration components, recognizing user commands through vibration patterns, and monitoring for abnormal vibrations indicating malfunctions. This multi-functionality allows one component to perform what would traditionally require several separate systems
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional contact sensors and tilt sensors are used for door position detection, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple detection functions into a single accelerometer component mounted in the door, replacing traditional separate contact sensors and tilt sensors. This consolidation reduces the overall volume required for the sensor system while maintaining comprehensive door position and status detection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact sensors and tilt sensors with an accelerometer-based detection system. This substitution uses electronic acceleration sensing instead of mechanical contact elements or tilt mechanisms, reducing the physical space required for sensor components while enabling more sophisticated detection capabilities
3Ease of operation
If visible controls and buttons are provided on the dishwasher, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and aesthetic integration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the dishwasher to recognize user commands through vibration patterns detected by the accelerometer, allowing the appliance to interpret user intent without requiring visible buttons or controls. Users can interact with the dishwasher through tactile gestures on the door surface, and the system autonomously interprets these gestures as commands, eliminating the need for traditional control interfaces
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
Enables simplified and intuitive user interaction, efficient door position control, and real-time malfunction detection using a single sensor, reducing the need for visible controls and enhancing user experience and machine reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (4) which takes a measurement representing the gravity acceleration component at least along a first axis (40) which is integral with the door (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
A dishwasher comprising: - a washing compartment (2); - a door (3) giving access to the washing compartment (2). The door (3) comprises a sensor (4) which detects the gravity acceleration component at least along a first axis (40), which is integral with the door (3), in order to detect the inclination of the door (3) and/or abnormal internal vibrations and/or shocks from the outside and associated with predetermined user commands.