Dishwasher with visually improved indication means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwasher front panels lack intuitive visibility for operational status, with textual markings becoming indistinct over time and insufficient lighting for clear indication of machine states, especially in varying light conditions.
Innovation Solution
The dishwasher features a front panel with screen-printed textual indications that are only visible when back-lit, combined with a handle containing two distinct LED illuminating means: a direct illumination for door status and an indirect illumination for operational status, enhancing visibility in different lighting environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dark textual markings are used on the front panel, then the panel structure remains simple, but the markings become indistinct over time and are barely noticeable without backlighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies backlighting to change the visual appearance of the panel. When the backlight is off, the panel appears dark with invisible markings. When the backlight is on, the textual indications become illuminated and clearly visible. This dynamic visual change resolves the contradiction by ensuring reliability of information display without requiring complex permanent markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The backlighting system is activated in advance of when information needs to be read. The panel is designed to illuminate the textual indications before the user needs to check the operational status, ensuring that the information is always visible when needed without requiring the user to search for dim or faded markings.
2Loss of information
If a single illuminating means is used in the handle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the visibility of different operational states cannot be differentiated
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system in the handle is segmented into two distinct illuminating means: a first illuminating means for indicating door status and a second illuminating means for indicating operational status. This segmentation allows different types of information to be conveyed through separate visual signals, preventing information loss while maintaining clear differentiation between various operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the handle are assigned different illumination characteristics. The first illuminating means is positioned to illuminate the lower portion of the handle, while the second illuminating means illuminates the upper portion. This local differentiation in illumination quality allows users to distinguish between door status and operational status based on which portion of the handle is illuminated.
3Illumination intensity
If the first illuminating means provides strong direct illumination, then visibility in daylight is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system applies partial illumination rather than full illumination in all conditions. The first illuminating means provides strong direct illumination when needed for daylight visibility, but the system overall consumes less energy by using only the necessary illumination level for the current operating condition rather than continuously providing maximum illumination.
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 provides a more intuitive and durable display of operational status, ensuring clear visibility of door and washing program states, even in daylight or darkness, by using back-lit markings and strategically positioned LEDs within the handle.
Implementation Method 1
The handle has a first and a second illuminating means arranged at an inner surface of said handle. These two illuminating means are different in that the first one is immediately behind the handle and directly on its inner surface where a handle cavity is provided for holding said handle
Implementation Method 2
These effects may be enhanced even further by means of a slightly transparent handle surface.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A dishwasher for washing dishes comprising a front panel (1) for providing information display and operation control in respect of operation of said dishwasher. Said front panel (1) has a screen printed inlay with textual indications (4, 5). Said front panel (1) also comprises a handle with an illuminating means (6) arranged at an inner surface of the handle cavity.