Dishwasher Door Lighting for Basket Loading Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwasher lighting systems primarily illuminate the washing compartment, failing to provide adequate illumination for the area in front of the compartment during loading and unloading processes, which can be challenging, especially in low-light environments.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system that directs the light beam away from the washing compartment towards the open door, illuminating the area in front of the washing compartment, including dishwasher baskets and a cutlery drawer, with an automatic switch-on feature when the door is opened and an LED light source with a lens for precise beam deflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional lamp is used to illuminate the washing compartment, then the lighting system is simple, but the light distribution does not adapt to loading and unloading requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of lighting systemVSAvoidadaptability to loading and unloading
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light guide device as an intermediary between the light source and the target area. This device includes optical elements that redirect and shape the light beam, enabling the system to adapt to different operational modes (washing compartment illumination vs. loading area illumination) without requiring multiple light sources or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates easier loading and unloading of dishwasher baskets and cutlery by providing targeted illumination in front of the washing compartment, enhancing user handling and reducing the need for external lighting.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide device (10), with a light source (13) emitting a light beam (17) with a main beam direction (17) with a vertical emission direction when in use

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the light-guiding device is designed such that the main direction of the light beam is directed away from the washing compartment towards the dishwasher door

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2394557B1Dishwasher with a lighting system
Publication Date: 2013.05.08 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2394557B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2394557B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2394557B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The dishwasher (4) has a washing area (6), whose opening (60) is closed by a door (8) that is pivotable in lower area, where an illumination system is provided with an illumination unit (2) that is arranged in the area of an upper edge (61) of the opening. A light conducting device is formed such that the main beam direction of the light beam is directed from the washing area away in direction on the door.