Dishwasher Passive Illuminants for Basket and Spray Arm Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face challenges in providing effective lighting for operational components and improving visibility of functional parts without the need for complex electrical setups or active light sources, especially when ambient lighting is insufficient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating passive illuminants within the dishwasher's interior, which utilize ambient light or a dedicated light source to reflect and emit light, eliminating the need for power lines and complex electrical insulation, and allowing for flexible placement to enhance visibility of functional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If active light sources (LEDs, bulbs) are installed inside the dishwasher to illuminate functional components, then visibility of operational parts is improved, but device complexity and electrical safety requirements increase due to the need for power lines and insulation in wet areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces passive illuminants (reflective elements, photoluminescent materials) as intermediaries that convert ambient light into directed illumination. These materials are placed strategically inside the dishwasher to reflect or re-emit light toward functional components, eliminating the need for electrical wiring while maintaining visibility. The passive illuminant acts as a mediator between the ambient light source and the target areas requiring illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical lighting system (bulbs, LEDs, power lines, insulation) with an optical system based on passive illuminants. Instead of using active light sources that require electrical infrastructure, the solution employs reflective surfaces and photoluminescent materials that passively manipulate ambient light, thereby substituting a complex electrical system with a simpler optical arrangement.
2Device complexity
If passive illuminants are used instead of active light sources, then device complexity is reduced and electrical safety is improved, but illumination reliability may worsen under poor ambient lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the passive illuminants to serve multiple functions: they reflect ambient light during daytime or when kitchen lighting is on, and they can be combined with optional active light sources for nighttime or low-light conditions. This multi-functionality ensures that the illumination system remains reliable across different ambient lighting conditions while maintaining the simplicity benefits of passive illuminants in normal operation.
3Reliability
If light sources are arranged outside the washing tub to illuminate the interior, then electrical safety is improved by avoiding wet area wiring, but the lighting effect may be insufficient or create glare for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies passive illuminants with specific reflective properties at localized positions inside the dishwasher where illumination is needed. By strategically placing reflective elements on interior surfaces, spray arms, and functional components, the system creates localized pools of light that highlight specific areas without requiring the light source to be positioned outside the tub. This local quality approach ensures effective illumination while maintaining electrical safety.
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 improved visibility of operational components and functional parts without the complexity of active lighting systems, ensuring reliable illumination independent of ambient conditions and reducing assembly and design challenges.
Implementation Method 1
The passive illuminant also includes, in particular, reflector material that reflects light rays striking it back in a preferred direction
Implementation Method 2
A passive illuminant is to be understood as an illuminant that does not illuminate under its own power, such as an LED, but which spectrally changes the light of the light source interacting with it or emits it again unchanged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3
AI summary
Inside a dishwasher (1) at least one passive light source (6a - 6m) emitting light as a result of illumination by at least one light source, at least when the door (5) is open, is provided on at least one receiving basket (7, 7') for items to be washed, which can be moved forward out of and into the washing container (3), and/or by a spray arm (4) which is at least partially formed from or provided with a passive light source (6j).