Dishwasher

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwasher door assemblies face challenges in integrating user interfaces and protecting electronic components from fluid exposure while maintaining compact design and efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a door assembly with a controller, light source, optical waveguide, and fluid channel that directs light and prevents fluid contact with electronic components, utilizing an actuator mechanism to actuate switches from a different direction, ensuring both user interface accessibility and component protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the user interface is integrated into the door assembly with the controller positioned within the interior space, then the user interface placement flexibility is improved and assembly costs are reduced, but the electronic components become vulnerable to fluid exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly costVSAvoidfluid exposure to electronics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: the controller housing containing electronics, the fluid channel pathway, and the user interface elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the controller is protected within its housing while the fluid channel serves its washing function, resolving the contradiction between integration benefits and protection needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate protective structures including the controller housing, seals, and gaskets that act as mediators between the fluid environment and electronic components. These intermediaries allow the controller to be positioned within the door assembly interior while preventing direct fluid contact, thus maintaining both cost efficiency and component protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the switch is made inaccessible from the exterior of the door and actuatable only by movement in a first direction, then the electronic component protection is improved, but the user interface operability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid exposure to switchVSAvoidswitch accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the switch directly accessible from the exterior (traditional approach), the patent inverts the actuation mechanism: the actuator is accessible from the exterior and mechanically coupled to the inaccessible switch. This allows users to operate the switch through the actuator while the switch itself remains protected inside the controller housing, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator serves as an intermediary element between the user's exterior access and the protected interior switch. It transmits mechanical force or motion from the accessible exterior position to the inaccessible interior switch, enabling operation while maintaining protection of the electronic component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If the optical waveguide is used to direct emitted light out of the interior space, then the user interface visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight visibilityVSAvoidoptical component integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical waveguide is integrated into the existing door assembly structure, serving multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the door and an optical element for light guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall device complexity while achieving improved light visibility for the user interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the optical waveguide function with the existing door assembly and controller housing structures. Rather than adding a completely separate optical system, the waveguide is combined with available structural elements, reducing overall complexity while achieving the desired light direction and visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration enhances user interface placement on space-limited areas, reduces assembly costs, improves switch functionality, and protects internal electronics from fluid exposure, offering a more efficient and reliable dishwasher door assembly.

Implementation Method 1

an optical waveguide coupled to the door and configured to direct emitted light from the light source out of the interior space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12053134B2Dishwasher

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A dishwasher door assembly can include a door with an exterior surface bounding an interior space, a controller, a light source electronically coupled to the controller and positioned within the interior space, and an optical waveguide coupled to the door and configured to direct emitted light from the light source out of the interior space.