Door Ring Light-Emitting Assembly for Real-Time Laundry State Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing apparatuses have difficulty displaying the real-time operation state effectively, especially in conditions of long distance or poor night vision, due to limited functionality of their light-emitting door rings, which can only indicate washing and drying states inadequately.

Innovation Solution

A door-ring light-emitting assembly with a main trim and auxiliary trim arranged to form a channel for the light source, allowing light rays to escape and be reflected, creating a blooming effect that enhances visual range and display, featuring a simple and compact structure with low manufacturing cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a display screen is used to show processing state, then information display capability is improved, but visibility under poor night vision or at long distance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing state informationVSAvoiddisplay visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electronic display screen with an optical light-emitting system. The door ring light-emitting assembly uses light sources (LEDs or other illuminants) to display processing states through different light patterns, colors, or intensities, eliminating the need for electronic screens and improving visibility in dark environments without requiring external power for screen illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color-changing light-emitting elements to indicate different processing states. By varying the color, intensity, or pattern of emitted light, the system conveys multiple pieces of information (washing, drying, standby, error states) through a single optical interface that remains highly visible under all lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Illumination intensity

If a light-emitting door ring is used to display processing state, then visibility is improved, but display functionality and real-time feedback capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor ring visibilityVSAvoidreal-time operation state feedback
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The door ring light-emitting assembly is divided into multiple independent light-emitting segments or zones around the door perimeter. Each segment can be independently controlled to display different information, enabling complex real-time feedback about various operational states (water level, temperature, cycle progress, errors) through spatially distributed light patterns that maintain high visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic or pulsing light emission patterns to encode real-time operational information. Different frequencies, durations, or sequences of light pulses convey different processing states, enabling dynamic feedback while maintaining energy efficiency and visual clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Illumination intensity

If trims are arranged to form a channel for light escape, then light escaping effect and visual range are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight escaping effectVSAvoidtrim structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the light-emitting elements directly into the door ring trim structure itself, eliminating the need for separate light housings or complex mounting assemblies. The trim serves dual functions as both structural component and light-guiding element, with channels formed by the trim geometry to direct and escape light efficiently, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining superior light escaping effect and visual range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 real-time operation state feedback, improves user observation, and enhances user experience by providing a clear and effective display of the washing apparatus's status, even in challenging visibility conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a light source (10) arranged adjacent to the main trim (20), wherein light rays generated by the light source (10) escape via a channel defined between the main trim (20) and the auxiliary trim (30)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

Document CN 204 311 247 U further discloses an auxiliary trim made of a light-reflecting material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3489408B1Door ring light-emitting assembly for laundry treating device, and laundry treating device having same
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 WUXI LITTLE SWAN ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3489408B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3489408B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3489408B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed are a door ring light-emitting assembly (100) for a laundry treating device and a laundry treating device having same. The door ring light-emitting assembly (100) for a laundry treating device comprises a main trim (20), an auxiliary trim (30) and a light source (10). The auxiliary trim (30) and the main trim (20) are spaced apart from each other. The light source (10) is arranged close to the main trim (20). Light rays generated by the light source (10) escape via a channel formed between the main trim (20) and the auxiliary trim (30).