Display unit and household appliance having display unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The illuminated area on the display panel of household appliances is limited by the arrangement of the backlight apparatus, preventing the display from extending beyond the outer surface of the peripheral wall.

Innovation Solution

A display unit design incorporating a light guide member that directs light from the first light-emitting elements to illuminate the edge of the display panel, with a light outgoing surface closer to the edge than the light incident surface, allowing the illuminated area to extend beyond the peripheral wall and enhance integration with the appliance's design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a conventional backlight apparatus is used to illuminate the display panel, then the display panel can be illuminated, but the illuminated area is limited by the arrangement range of the backlight apparatus and cannot extend beyond the outer surface of the peripheral wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveilluminated areaVSAvoidbacklight apparatus arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the light-emitting element and the display panel. The light guide member includes a light incident surface facing the light-emitting element and a light outgoing surface facing the rear surface of the display panel, with the light outgoing surface positioned closer to the edge of the display panel than the light incident surface. This intermediary structure redirects light to extend the illuminated area beyond the conventional backlight arrangement range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the illuminated area is extended to the edge of the display panel, then seamless integration with the appliance outline is achieved, but the backlight apparatus requires more complex arrangement to achieve this coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration with appliance outlineVSAvoidbacklight apparatus arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide member serves as a mediator that simplifies the overall system arrangement while achieving edge-to-edge illumination. By positioning the light outgoing surface closer to the edge of the display panel than the light incident surface, the light guide member redirects light paths to cover the entire display panel area including edges,实现seamless integration without requiring complex backlight apparatus arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If the light outgoing surface is positioned closer to the edge of the display panel than the light incident surface, then the illuminated area can extend beyond the peripheral wall, but the light guide member requires precise positioning and configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveilluminated areaVSAvoidlight guide member positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide member is designed as an integrated intermediary component with specific geometric features: a light incident surface facing the light-emitting element and a light outgoing surface facing the rear surface of the display panel. The light outgoing surface is positioned closer to the edge of the display panel than the light incident surface, creating a built-in light redirection mechanism that achieves extended illumination coverage while maintaining manufacturability through standardized component design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The solution enables the display panel to be illuminated along its edge, providing a seamless integration with the appliance's outline without visible gaps, enhancing the overall aesthetic and functional integration.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide member, including a light incident surface facing the first light-emitting element and a light outgoing surface facing a rear surface of the display panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4579126A1Display unit and household appliance having display unit
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4579126A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4579126A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4579126A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display unit and a household appliance having the display unit. The display unit includes: a display panel (54); a printed circuit board (53), including at least one first light-emitting element (531) configured to illuminate the display panel; and a light guide member (57), including a light incident surface (571) facing the first light-emitting element and a light outgoing surface (572) facing a rear side of the display panel, where the light outgoing surface is closer to an edge of the display panel than the light incident surface in a direction parallel to the printed circuit board.