Washing Drum Lighting Through a Light-Permeable Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry machine lighting systems fail to effectively illuminate the inside of the drum during loading and unloading operations, due to difficulties in electrical connection, obstruction by laundry items, and inefficient light distribution, especially in larger machines with increased size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with a light-emitting element positioned on a stationary part of the machine, such as the washing tub or casing, and a light-permeable portion in the drum wall, combined with a transparent element inside the drum to direct and diffuse light radiation for thorough illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light-emitting element is arranged inside the drum, then the drum can be illuminated, but the light-emitting element is difficult to electrically connect with the stationary supply assembly and may be covered by laundry items
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the light source inside the rotating drum, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the light-emitting element on the stationary washing tub and using a light-permeable portion in the drum wall to transmit light into the drum interior. This eliminates the electrical connection problem between rotating and stationary parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light-permeable portion as an intermediary element between the stationary light source and the rotating drum interior. This mediator allows light transmission while maintaining the structural separation between stationary and rotating components.
2Quantity of substance
If the drum size is increased to ensure high laundry capacity, then more laundry can be accommodated, but the lighting system becomes less effective and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a point-source lighting model to a distributed linear lighting model by using an elongated light-permeable portion that extends along the drum circumference. This dimensional change allows light to reach deeper into larger drums more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-permeable portion is strategically positioned and dimensioned to provide localized illumination zones that can be optimized for different drum sizes and shapes, ensuring effective lighting throughout the drum interior regardless of scale.
3Illumination intensity
If light is transmitted through small bores in the drum, then the drum can be illuminated, but the light radiation is scattered and has low intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces small circular bores with an elongated light-permeable portion that has increased surface area and extended geometry. This dimensional transformation allows light to pass through a larger effective area, reducing scattering and increasing intensity.
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
Facilitates easier inspection and operation by providing effective and uniform lighting within the drum, overcoming previous drawbacks of installation complexity, light obstruction, and low intensity issues, while maintaining robustness and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent element mounted inside the drum in correspondence of the light-permeable portion; the transparent element allows the light radiation emitted by the light-emitting element, and crossing the light-permeable portion, to reach and thoroughly enlightening the inside of the drum
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A laundry machine (100) for treating laundry items is proposed. The laundry machine (100) comprises an outer casing (105), which rotatably houses a drum (130) for accommodating the items to be treated, and a lighting system (165,310) for enlightening the inside of the drum (130). The lighting system includes a light-emitting element (165) provided on a stationary portion (110a) of the laundry machine (100), for emitting a light radiation towards a drum wall (130a). In the solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, the drum comprises at least one light-permeable portion (202) formed in the drum wall (130a). Moreover, the lightning system further comprises a transparent element (310) mounted inside the drum (130) in correspondence of said light-permeable portion (202), adapted to allow the light radiation emitted by said light-emitting element (165), and crossing said light-permeable portion (202), to reach the inside of the drum (130).