Dishwasher Door Touch Panel Layout for Clean Looks and Stable Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers have inconvenient door operation due to low height and a cluttered appearance with exposed buttons, leading to degraded usability and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A dish washer design featuring a metal door with a touch-operable operating unit on the upper surface, incorporating a PCB assembly with touch sensors and an elastic member for stable support, and a mounting bracket for secure fixation, enhancing user experience and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If buttons are exposed on the front surface of the door for operation, then the operating function is provided, but the appearance becomes complicated and degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The operating unit is extracted from the front surface of the door and relocated to the upper surface. This removes the visual clutter of exposed buttons from the front appearance while maintaining the operating function on the upper surface where it does not compromise the aesthetic design of the front facade.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating unit is moved from the two-dimensional front surface to the upper surface, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the operating buttons to be accessible and functional while being positioned in a location that does not interfere with the overall aesthetic appearance of the door's front surface.
2Extent of automation
If touch sensors are mounted on the PCB assembly, then touch input function is provided, but the touch recognition rate is insufficient without stable support
Solution Approach 1:
An elastic member is introduced as an intermediary between the mounting bracket and the PCB assembly. This elastic member provides stable support and ensures reliable contact between the touch sensors and the operating unit, thereby improving touch recognition rate while maintaining the automated touch input function.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is pre-installed between the mounting bracket and PCB assembly to provide beforehand cushioning and stable support. This ensures that the touch sensors maintain consistent contact with the operating unit, improving reliability of touch recognition before any actual touch input occurs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting bracket is fixed to the door, then stable support is provided, but damage or deformation may occur due to excessive touch operation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is installed beforehand between the mounting bracket and PCB assembly to absorb and cushion excessive forces from touch operations. This prevents direct transmission of excessive stress to the mounting bracket, thereby preventing damage or deformation while maintaining stable support under normal operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes its physical parameters (compression, elasticity) in response to applied forces from touch operations. Under normal operation, it maintains stable support; under excessive force, it deforms to absorb energy and protect the mounting bracket from damage, thus improving durability.
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
Improves touch recognition rate, simplifies the appearance, and increases durability by positioning the operating unit on the upper surface, reducing button clutter and providing a stable operating mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which is mounted on the mounting bracket and presses and supports the PCB assembly to the a rear surface of the operating unit
Data Source
AI summary
A dish washer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet which forms a dish washing space; a door which opens and closes an opened front surface of the cabinet; wherein door includes an out plate which is made of metal plate material and forms the front surface of the door and at least a portion of appearance of a peripheral surface of the door by being bent the front surface, an operating unit which is formed on the peripheral surface of the door so that a user operates by touch, a PCB assembly which is in close contact with a rear surface of the operating unit and on which a plurality of touch sensors detecting displacement of the operating unit are mounted, a mounting bracket which is mounted to be fixed to an inside surface of the out plate, and an elastic member which is mounted on the mounting bracket and presses and supports the PCB assembly to the a rear surface of the operating unit.