Dishwasher Water Feed Integrated Lighting for Uniform Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwasher lighting requires separate openings in the washing compartment for installation, leading to increased costs and uneven illumination due to isolated, punctiform light sources, causing shadows and highlights.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a lighting device into the water supply system within the dishwasher, where a line of illumination follows the water supply direction, providing uniform and symmetrical lighting without the need for separate wall openings, using LED light sources or light guides for efficient and aesthetically pleasing illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If separate wall openings are created for lighting installation, then lighting can be provided in the washing compartment, but installation effort and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting provisionVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is integrated into the water supply system by incorporating light sources directly into the water supply channels. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate wall openings, as the water supply structure itself serves as the mounting platform for the lighting devices, thereby reducing installation complexity and costs while providing effective illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Illumination intensity

If punctiform light sources are used, then lighting can be provided, but illumination becomes uneven with shadows and highlights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting provisionVSAvoidillumination uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is segmented into multiple light sources distributed along the water supply channels. Instead of using isolated punctiform sources, the invention divides the illumination into multiple segments that collectively provide uniform lighting across the washing compartment, eliminating shadows and highlights through distributed illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting transitions from punctiform (point sources) to linear illumination by integrating light sources along the extended water supply channels. This dimensional change from points to lines creates a continuous light distribution that uniformly illuminates the washing compartment without creating harsh shadows or highlights.

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

3Illumination intensity

If multiple separate lighting components are installed, then illumination can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting provisionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the lighting function with the existing water supply system. By integrating light sources into the water supply channels, the patent eliminates the need for separate lighting components and mounting structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The water supply system serves dual functions: delivering water to the washing compartment and providing structural support for the lighting devices. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed, as the water supply structure simultaneously performs its primary function and serves as the mounting platform for illumination.

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

This solution reduces installation effort and costs while achieving a large-area, homogeneous illumination that is both energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing, with minimal installation space required, and the lighting is indirect to avoid user discomfort.

Implementation Method 1

using LED light sources or light guides for efficient and aesthetically pleasing illumination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3599965B1Dishwasher having at least one water feed
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3599965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3599965B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3599965B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dishwasher (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher, comprising a washing container (2) for holding goods to be washed and comprising at least one water feed (15) extending completely or partially in the washing container for a water distribution means arranged in the washing container, in particular in the upper half of the washing container (2). Said dishwasher is designed in such a way that at least one lighting device, in particular at least one lighting line (17; 18; 19; 20) along the guiding direction (16) of the water feed, is associated with the water feed (15).