Dishwasher Wall Lighting Layout for Uniform Glare-Free Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashers have inadequate lighting in the washing chamber, leading to insufficient illumination, glare, and reduced usable space due to protruding point light sources, which also pose challenges in maintaining a leak-proof and chemically resistant environment.

Innovation Solution

The integration of planar lighting elements covering a significant portion of the washing chamber walls, including the rear wall, with reinforcing members to provide both illumination and structural rigidity, allowing for extensive, uniform, and glare-free lighting without compromising space or durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional point light source is mounted on a side wall of the washing chamber, then illumination is provided, but the housing protrudes into the washing chamber reducing useful space and causing glare

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination of washing chamberVSAvoiduseful space of washing chamber

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The washing chamber wall is segmented into multiple aperture regions, each covered by a planar lighting element. This segmentation allows the lighting function to be distributed across the wall surface rather than concentrated in a single protruding housing, eliminating space occupation while maintaining illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting solution transitions from a three-dimensional protruding point source into the washing chamber to a two-dimensional planar element integrated into the wall surface. This dimensional change eliminates the protrusion that reduces useful space while providing extensive illumination coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If a conventional point light source is mounted on a side wall of the washing chamber, then illumination is provided, but the light source dazzles the user when loading or unloading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination of washing chamberVSAvoidglare to user

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the washing chamber wall are equipped with planar lighting elements that provide localized illumination. The light is emitted from the wall surface itself rather than from a protruding source, creating a diffuse lighting pattern that eliminates glare while maintaining adequate illumination for user operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If an electrical light source is provided in the washing chamber, then illumination is improved, but protective barriers and power cables are required complicating the structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination of washing chamberVSAvoidprotective barrier and power cable requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The planar lighting elements are integrated directly into the wall structure of the washing chamber, merging the lighting function with the existing structural components. This integration eliminates the need for separate protective barriers and simplifies power cable routing compared to conventional protruding light sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Illumination intensity

If planar lighting elements cover large areas of the washing chamber walls, then uniform illumination is achieved, but wall structural rigidity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform illumination of washing chamberVSAvoidstructural rigidity of washing chamber wall

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The wall surface is segmented into multiple aperture regions covered by planar lighting elements, with reinforcing members positioned between the apertures. This segmentation allows extensive lighting coverage while the reinforcing members maintain the structural rigidity of the wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall structure combines planar lighting elements with reinforcing members to create a composite structure that provides both extensive illumination coverage and maintained structural rigidity. The reinforcing members compensate for any strength reduction from the aperture openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10045679B2Dishwasher having at least two luminous surface elements

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A dishwasher includes a washing container having a plurality of walls and enclosing a washing chamber. At least one of the walls of the washing container has at least two apertures which are covered by planar lighting elements, respectively. The apertures are separated from one another by a reinforcing member, with the planar lighting elements having a total surface area that equals at least 20% of a wall surface area of the at least one wall.