Dishwasher Control Panel for Soiling-Based Program Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher controls either rely on poorly indicative sensor signals for determining the degree of soiling or overwhelm users with numerous program selection options, making operation complicated and prone to incorrect settings.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a control panel featuring a display and input elements that allow users to select the degree of soiling, which pre-selects a basic washing program and offers customizable program options, simplifying the operation by reducing the number of choices and allowing adjustments based on real-time sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users are provided with a large number of washing programs with various parameters, then the adaptability and versatility of the dishwasher is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control method segments the program selection process into two distinct stages: first selecting the degree of soiling (which determines the basic program), then optionally selecting from a limited set of program options. This segmentation reduces the perceived complexity by breaking down a large number of programs into manageable selection steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically preselecting a basic washing program based on the user's selection of soiling degree. This eliminates the need for users to manually navigate through numerous program parameters, as the system has already performed the complex task of matching soiling level to an appropriate basic program.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are provided with a large number of washing programs with various parameters, then the adaptability and versatility of the dishwasher is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control method segments the program selection process into two distinct stages: first selecting the degree of soiling (which determines the basic program), then optionally selecting from a limited set of program options. This segmentation reduces the perceived complexity by breaking down a large number of programs into manageable selection steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically preselecting a basic washing program based on the user's selection of soiling degree. This eliminates the need for users to manually navigate through numerous program parameters, as the system has already performed the complex task of matching soiling level to an appropriate basic program.
3Ease of operation
If sensor signals are used to automatically determine washing parameters, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary element - the user's manual selection of soiling degree - between the sensor signals and the final program parameters. The sensors provide initial input, but the user's explicit selection acts as a mediator that refines and corrects the interpretation of sensor data, improving measurement precision while maintaining automatic control benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by allowing users to review and adjust the preselected program based on their assessment of actual soiling conditions. This feedback loop enables correction of any inaccuracies in automatic sensor-based detection, improving overall measurement precision while preserving the ease of automatic operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
A washing machine has a control unit (4) with an entry pad for the selection of the washing programme including regulate programme parameters e.g. temperature profile for the individual programmes. The entry pad has a selection zone (2) with a display (3) and selector switches (11-19) one or more of which (11, 12) selects the degree of degree of soiling (21-29) to be processed. This selection (21-29) acts as a pre-selection for the base programme chosen from a range of possible programmes (21-29) linked to supplementary programme options.