Dishwasher, in particular domestic dishwasher with a controllable operating display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully integrated household appliances, such as dishwashers, face challenges in maintaining visibility of optical operating displays when the front door is closed, as the displays are often obscured by the appliance panel or worktop, making it difficult for users to check the operating state.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a controllable operating display featuring intermittently operating illumination elements, arranged on the side surface or border of the front door, which can change intensity and color to signal the lack of additives or malfunctions, and can be controlled to differentiate between various operational states using different flashing patterns and frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the illumination elements operate continuously, then the operating state is always visible, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination elements are operated intermittently with periodic on/off cycles instead of continuously. The control unit activates illumination elements only at specific intervals to signal operating states, particularly when additives are needed. This periodic operation maintains information visibility while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous illumination.
2Loss of information
If the illumination elements are arranged on the front surface, then the operating state is visible, but the appliance cannot be fully integrated into furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination elements are arranged on the side surfaces of the appliance rather than the front surface. This spatial relocation to a different dimension (side vs. front) allows the appliance to be fully integrated into furniture while maintaining visibility of the operating state through side illumination that can be perceived from the front area.
3Loss of information
If a light guide is used to direct light to the front, then the operating display is visible, but the signal light is difficult to see due to worktop coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination elements are extracted from the traditional light guide system and directly mounted on the side surfaces of the appliance. This extraction eliminates the need for light guides that are covered by worktops, providing direct illumination that is clearly visible to users without being obscured by furniture elements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the light guide is made displaceable to adapt to cover element thickness, then adaptability improves, but the coupled out light varies with position
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination elements are positioned on the side surfaces rather than within the front panel thickness dimension. This relocation to a different spatial dimension eliminates the problem of varying light coupling with cover element thickness, providing consistent illumination intensity regardless of panel depth while maintaining adaptability to different furniture configurations.
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
Ensures better visibility of the operating state by drawing attention to the display, reducing energy consumption, and allowing users to easily distinguish between additive deficiencies and other operational states, while maintaining even illumination of the appliance outlines and gaps between the dishwasher and neighboring components.
Implementation Method 1
one or more illumination elements for emitting light beams
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, is described with a controllable operating display, which has a number of illumination elements for emitting light beams. If there is a shortage of an additional agent required for regular operation, intermittent operation of a number or all of the illumination elements (5, 6, 7) of the operating progress display can be effected.