Dishwasher Power Isolation Circuit for Zero-Standby End Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances, such as dishwashers, continue to consume energy after completing a treatment cycle due to remaining connected to the power supply, leading to increased energy consumption in the annual energy balance sheet, especially when visual display means remain active without operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a self-deactivation device with a self-holding contact circuit that automatically isolates the appliance from the power supply network after a treatment cycle, allowing visual display means to convey operating states without energy consumption by using electronic paper, mechanical displays, or low-power LEDs, which can be powered independently or through energy storage units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the household appliance remains connected to the power supply network after completion of a treatment cycle to maintain visual display functionality, then the display can indicate operating states, but energy consumption increases due to standby losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply connection from the post-treatment state by automatically disconnecting the appliance from the power supply network after treatment completion. The visual display means are designed to retain their indication capability without continuous power supply, using stored energy or passive display mechanisms to show the completed state without requiring ongoing electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual display means operate periodically rather than continuously - they are activated during treatment to show operational status, then switch to a passive or stored-state indication after treatment completion. This periodic operation allows the display to convey necessary information while minimizing energy consumption by remaining disconnected from the power supply during idle periods.
2Ease of operation
If the main switch is not deactivated after treatment cycle completion, then the appliance remains ready for quick restart, but standby losses increase energy consumption in the annual energy balance sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance performs self-deactivation automatically upon treatment completion through a self-holding contact circuit that triggers disconnection from the power supply without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates standby losses while maintaining operational readiness, as the appliance can be quickly restarted by simply pressing the start button without needing to manually reset switches or controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is configured to automatically initiate the deactivation sequence immediately upon detecting treatment completion, before the user has a chance to leave the appliance running. This preliminary action ensures the appliance transitions to the energy-saving disconnected state without prolonged standby operation, thereby preventing unnecessary energy consumption in the annual balance sheet.
3Loss of information
If visual display means remain activated after treatment cycle to show program end, then information about operating state is conveyed, but energy consumption is tangibly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs display mechanisms that provide temporary indication of program completion without requiring sustained energy input. These may include transient visual indicators that show the completed state briefly after treatment, then transition to a passive state. The display means are designed to convey the necessary information (program end, operational status) during active periods without incurring continuous energy costs during the disconnected standby state.
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 reduces energy consumption to zero after the completion of a treatment cycle, significantly lowering the overall annual energy consumption by ensuring the appliance is completely isolated from the power supply, even when displaying the end of a program or readiness for the next cycle.
Implementation Method 1
a self-deactivation device, which has a self-holding contact circuit, which brings about automatic isolation of the household appliance from the power supply network
Implementation Method 2
the display means can have an electronic paper, which can display text and/or images permanently without a power supply, in other words a conservation voltage
Implementation Method 3
the display means can be fed by means of a capacitor in a state that is independent of the power supply network
Implementation Method 4
the display means themselves can be configured here in an energy-saving manner as what are known as low-power LEDs
Implementation Method 5
the display means can have a memory metal element, which when current is flowing through take up a first position and in the power-free state take up a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, includes an operating display unit having at least one visual display, and a power supply network for supply of electrical energy. The household appliance is isolated from the power supply network after completion of a treatment cycle, and the visual display is configured to display at least the completion of the completed treatment cycle as a first operating state.