Dishwasher machine comprising at least one optical display associated with a functional component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers have limited capabilities in providing optical displays for functional components, often requiring complex integration of light sources, which is difficult for movable components and results in limited information density and user guidance.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device is positioned independently of functional components, using a directed light beam to create a light spot that can be controlled to selectively illuminate specific areas, allowing for greater design flexibility and information density, including the use of multiple light sources or pivotable elements to indicate different operating states and actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a light source is integrated directly on or in the immediate vicinity of a functional component, then the user receives direct optical feedback about the component's operating state, but the structural complexity and difficulty of integration increase significantly, especially for movable components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system consisting of a light source, optical guide (fiber optic cable), and optical output element. This mediator transmits optical information from a centralized control location to the functional component without requiring direct integration of a light source at the component itself, thus reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective optical feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The optical output element creates a visual copy or representation of the operating state information received through the optical guide. This allows the user to perceive component status through a projected or displayed visual signal rather than requiring the actual component to emit light directly, simplifying the physical integration requirements
2Loss of information
If multiple light sources are integrated into different functional components, then each component can be independently monitored, but the manufacturing and assembly effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal optical feedback system where a single light source and optical guide infrastructure serves multiple functional components. The optical guide can be routed to different locations and the optical output elements can be positioned at various components, allowing one centralized light source to monitor and provide feedback for multiple components, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly effort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light source function into a centralized location rather than distributing it across multiple components. By combining the illumination function into a single unit and using optical guides to distribute the light to multiple output points, the system reduces the total number of light sources needed and simplifies manufacturing while still providing independent monitoring of each component
3Device complexity
If the lighting device is positioned at a distance from the functional component, then design flexibility and ease of integration improve, but the precision of optical feedback to the specific component decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical guide acts as a precise intermediary that transmits optical signals from the distant light source directly to the specific functional component location. This maintains optical feedback precision by ensuring the light reaches the exact target area, even though the light source itself is positioned at a distance for easier integration
Solution Approach 2:
The optical output element is positioned locally at or near the functional component to provide localized optical feedback. This ensures that even though the light source is distant, the actual illumination and visual feedback occur precisely at the relevant component location, maintaining the local quality and precision needed for accurate user feedback
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 enables a broader spectrum of optical displays, including images and moving spots, improving user guidance by clearly indicating required actions and resource levels without the need for structural adjustments, and reducing manufacturing and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light spot (14) which covers at least a partial surface of the functional component (5) or a part which is visible when looking into the washing compartment (2) or onto the inside of the door (4), is generated by a directed light beam (16) of a lighting device (17)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwasher machine (1) that comprises a dishwashing chamber (2) enclosed by a dishwashing container (3) and a door (4), as well as a plurality of functional components (5) arranged in said dishwashing chamber and/or on the door, an optical display being associated with at least one functional component and indicating the operating state thereof and/or indicating a potential operation able to be implemented therewith. The optical display is formed from at least one spot of light (14) at least on a subsurface of said functional component (5) or its immediate surroundings, this spot of light (14) being produced from the light beam (16) directed from a lighting device (17) that is arranged at a distance from the functional component (5), and said lighting device (17) being controllable by a control device (18) such that it selectively illuminates the functional component (5) and/or its immediate environment, forming the spot of light (14).