Dishwasher Floor Projection System for Hidden Control Panel Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Built-in dishwashers with decorative panels on the door render the control panel inaccessible, making it difficult for users to monitor the washing program stages, start, or end without opening the door, as existing solutions do not effectively project program information onto the floor.
Innovation Solution
The dishwasher incorporates an optical system with a light source, shape plate, condenser lens, and reflective lens to project washing steps onto the floor, ensuring the control unit remains accessible and visible through the decorative panel, using materials like glass, silicon, or plastic for lenses to enhance image quality and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a decorative panel is mounted onto the door of a built-in dishwasher, then the aesthetic appearance and integration with kitchen furniture is improved, but the control panel becomes inaccessible and users cannot monitor washing program stages without opening the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system (light source, shape plate, and lens) that mediates between the control unit and the user. This system projects washing program information onto the floor as visual indicators, allowing users to monitor the washing process without opening the door or accessing the control panel directly, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and control accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the information display from the traditional two-dimensional control panel surface to a three-dimensional projection on the floor. By projecting light patterns onto the floor space in front of the dishwasher, the system provides another dimension for information display, enabling users to monitor washing stages from a distance without compromising the door's aesthetic appearance
2Shape
If control elements are moved to the upper surface of the door in built-in dishwashers, then the decorative panel can be mounted, but users cannot recognize the start or end of programs or monitor washing stages from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system acts as an intermediary that captures information from the control unit and transforms it into visible light projections on the floor. This intermediary system ensures that program status information is not lost or hidden,而是 made visible and accessible to users from a distance, maintaining both aesthetic appearance and information visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of displaying information on the control panel surface with an optical system that projects light patterns onto the floor. This substitution uses optical principles (light emission, shaping, and projection) instead of mechanical display elements, enabling information to be conveyed without compromising the decorative panel's appearance
3Ease of operation
If an optical system is introduced to project washing information onto the floor, then user monitoring capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into three distinct functional components: a light source unit, a shape plate with patterned openings, and a projection lens. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier installation, maintenance, and replacement, thereby reducing the practical complexity despite the added functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed to be self-regulating in terms of light projection. The shape plate's patterned openings automatically control the light distribution, and the projection lens naturally focuses the light patterns onto the floor without requiring active adjustment or complex control mechanisms, reducing operational complexity
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 solution allows users to easily monitor the washing steps without approaching the dishwasher, improving usability and aesthetic integration with kitchen furniture by projecting clear and focused light onto the floor, enhancing user satisfaction and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The light passes through the shape plate to be reflected onto the floor by means of at least one reflective lens
Implementation Method 2
the light passes through the shape plate to be reflected onto the floor by means of at least one reflective lens
Implementation Method 3
the dishwasher comprises at least one condenser lens which is disposed between the light source and the shape plate. By means of the condenser lens, the light emitted by the light source is enabled to be transmitted to the shape plate without scattering
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a door (4) which cuts the contact between the washing tub (3) and the outer environment; a decorative panel (5) which is mounted onto the door (4) as per the user preference; and a control unit (6) which is installed onto the door (4) and which remains between the decorative panel (5) and the door (4).