Dishwasher having interior lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher lighting solutions, such as individual bulbs, are inadequate due to shadowed areas caused by dish racks and items, and large light sources face mechanical stability and liquid-tightness challenges when subjected to pressure from inside the dishwasher.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a flat lighting unit placed in a through-hole with mechanical force application elements that press the lighting unit against the edge region, ensuring stability and sealing without the need for adhesives, allowing for large lighting units that can occupy over 30% of the wall surface without compromising tightness or stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large lighting unit is used to provide comprehensive illumination, then illumination quality is improved, but mechanical stability and liquid-tightness deteriorate under pressure from inside
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit is divided into multiple separate lighting elements or modules that can be independently secured to the wall. This segmentation allows each element to be smaller and more easily stabilized while collectively providing comprehensive illumination coverage without compromising mechanical stability or sealing integrity under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lighting unit are designed with different properties - the lighting elements themselves are optimized for light emission, while the mounting regions incorporate enhanced mechanical features such as recesses, locking mechanisms, or sealing elements that provide local structural reinforcement and liquid-tight sealing without affecting the overall illumination quality.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive mounting is used for the lighting unit, then installation is simplified, but mechanical stability under pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure is pre-formed with integrated mounting features such as recesses, clips, or locking mechanisms during the manufacturing process. These pre-prepared structural elements enable the lighting unit to be mechanically secured with high stability under pressure, while still maintaining relatively simple installation procedures through snap-fit or tool-free mounting mechanisms.
3Illumination intensity
If the lighting unit projects far into the interior, then illumination coverage is improved, but available space for wash items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit utilizes the wall surface area (two-dimensional space) rather than projecting into the interior volume (three-dimensional space). By mounting the lighting elements flat against or within the wall surface, the solution provides comprehensive illumination coverage while minimizing intrusion into the valuable interior space available for wash items.
4Volume of moving object
If multiple small bulbs are used, then space requirements are reduced, but illumination quality deteriorates due to shadowed areas
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lighting elements are merged or integrated into a unified lighting unit that functions as a coordinated system. This merging allows the individual elements to work together to eliminate shadowed areas and provide uniform illumination coverage, while the integrated design optimizes space utilization by consolidating mounting requirements and structural support needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, includes a dishwasher cavity for cleaning dishes, glasses, cutlery or similar wash items. The dishwasher cavity has a plurality of walls that delimit it, with at least one of the walls including a through-hole. A flat lighting unit is configured for placement in the through-hole such as to be pressed by a mechanical force application element against edge regions surrounding the through-hole.