Dishwasher Door Handle Projection Display for Visible Cycle Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-conducting domestic appliances, such as dishwashers, face challenges in displaying their operating state when the door is closed, especially in quiet models, as external light signals are often obscured by floor coverings, making it difficult for operators to determine if a cycle has completed without opening the door and interrupting the process.
Innovation Solution
The integration of display means within the handle of the appliance, which projects light onto the door, ensuring maximum visibility of the operating state without affecting the appliance's aesthetic appearance, using electric lamps, laser diodes, or LEDs connected to a control unit via electrical or optical waveguides, allowing for color and intensity variations to convey information like remaining run times, and incorporating sensor switches for activation upon handle interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If display means are integrated in the door end face, then the operating state can be displayed when the door is closed, but the aesthetic appearance of the appliance is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The display means are extracted from the door end face and relocated to the handle. This allows the display function to be separated from the aesthetic door surface, maintaining the clean appearance while still providing operating state information through light projection onto the door.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle serves as an intermediary carrier for the display means. By placing the display device in the handle rather than directly on the door, the aesthetic appearance is preserved while the display function is enabled through projection onto the door surface.
2Loss of information
If illuminating means project light onto the floor, then the operating state can be displayed, but the visibility is reduced due to poor optical properties of floor coverings
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of projecting light onto the floor (downward direction), the display means project light onto the door (upward/forward direction). This inversion of the projection target overcomes the problem of poor floor surface optical properties and ensures reliable visibility of the operating state.
3Loss of information
If display means are placed on the front face of the appliance, then the operating state is visible, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The display means are extracted from the front face and relocated to the handle. This allows the appliance front to maintain its clean aesthetic appearance while the display function is preserved through the handle-based projection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The display function is moved from a two-dimensional front face to a three-dimensional handle structure. This dimensional transition allows the display means to be positioned in a location that does not compromise the aesthetic appearance of the appliance front while still providing visible feedback.
4Loss of information
If the door is opened to check the operating state, then the status can be determined, but the wash program is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The light projection serves as an intermediary that conveys operating state information without requiring physical access to the appliance interior. Users can determine the wash status by observing the projected light on the door, eliminating the need to open the door and interrupt the program.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system provides self-service information about the operating state through visual projection. The appliance communicates its status autonomously to the user without requiring door opening or physical interaction with the interior, allowing continuous operation of the wash program.
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 ensures reliable visibility of the operating state projection regardless of ambient conditions, maintaining the appliance's appearance while allowing operators to verify the status without interrupting the cycle, and includes features to prevent accidental door opening during operation.
Implementation Method 1
display means (26) for displaying the operating state by means of light projection
Implementation Method 2
The illuminating means can be configured to generate light of different colors and/or intensities
Implementation Method 3
The display means can be electric lamps, laser diodes, luminescent diodes, LEDs or other suitable illuminating means
Implementation Method 4
Provision is made for the display means to be connected to a control unit of the domestic appliance by means of an optical waveguide
Implementation Method 5
incorporating sensor switches for activation upon handle interaction
Data Source
AI summary
A water-conducting domestic appliance including a door having a handle, and display means for displaying an operating state of the domestic appliance by projecting a light projection, wherein the display means are disposed in the handle of the door.