Dishwasher Rack Display Layout for Visible Cycle Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fully integrated dishwashers, the display device for operating and program information is difficult to read due to its location at the upper front edge when the door is closed, and becomes obscured when dish racks are moved for loading or unloading, making it inconvenient for users to access and react to displayed values during the washing cycle.

Innovation Solution

Assigning a display device to the washing basket, allowing users to easily view information without partially closing the door, with features like pressure-sensitive piezo arrangements for weight determination and wireless communication for data transmission, enabling users to react to load imbalances and program sequences before the door is closed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the display device is located at the upper front edge of the door, then it can be integrated into the door structure, but it becomes difficult to read when the door is open and obscured when dish racks are moved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor integrationVSAvoiddisplay readability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is segmented from the door structure and assigned to the dish rack instead. This allows the display to move with the rack and remain visible during loading/unloading operations, resolving the contradiction between door integration and readability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display device is repositioned from a fixed location on the door to a movable location on the dish rack. This dimensional change in positioning allows the display to maintain visibility across different door and rack configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the dish rack is moved forward for loading or unloading, then accessibility is improved, but the display becomes obscured by the rack itself

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading accessibilityVSAvoiddisplay visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is merged with the dish rack structure, so they move together as a single unit. This ensures the display remains visible and accessible whenever the rack is in the loading position, eliminating the obscuration problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If the door is partially closed to read the display, then the display is visible, but the user cannot load or unload items simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidloading efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is positioned on the dish rack in advance, so it is visible during the entire loading process. Users can read the display information before closing the door, allowing them to make decisions about load distribution and program selection without interrupting the loading workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of information

If multiple display devices are assigned to multiple dish racks, then information visibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple dish racks are equipped with identical display devices that provide the same information. This universal approach allows any rack to display relevant information, improving accessibility without requiring a complex centralized display system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates easier interaction with the dishwasher's parameters during loading and unloading, allowing users to optimize the washing cycle by redistributing items based on weight and resource levels, improving user experience and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Weight determination can be carried out in a structurally simple and reliable manner, in particular via pressure-sensitive piezo arrangements within the roller tracks of at least one dish basket.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2374398B1Dishwasher with an optical display device
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2374398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2374398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2374398B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The dishwasher (1) has a door (3) for closing a washing container (2) that receives items to be cleaned. The container has an upper washing rack (4) and a lower washing rack (5) for supporting the items. The racks are moved from a treatment position to an access position, where the compartment is closed in the treatment position, and the items are loaded and unloaded into/from the dishwasher in the access position. Optical display devices (10, 11) visually notify operation information and program information of the dishwasher, where the display devices are assigned to the racks.