Laser-Projected Home Appliance Interface for Compact Panel Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home appliances, such as washing machines, are hindered by physical buttons that occupy significant panel space, limiting their compactness and user experience.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a laser projection assembly to generate a virtual function interface, allowing for control operations without physical buttons, thereby reducing panel space and enhancing user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical buttons are provided on the home appliance panel, then the control function is reliable and easy to operate, but the panel space is occupied and the product volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol operationVSAvoidpanel space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button system with a laser projection system that displays virtual interface elements on the panel surface. Users interact by touching the projected laser points, substituting physical mechanical buttons with optical projection and touch detection, thereby eliminating the need for bulky physical buttons while maintaining control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the control interface by projecting laser points that represent functional buttons. Instead of manufacturing physical button components, the system projects optical copies of button interfaces onto the panel, allowing users to interact with these virtual representations through touch, thus saving panel space while preserving control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If physical buttons are provided on the home appliance panel, then the control interface is tangible and easy to locate, but the product volume increases and compactness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface locationVSAvoidproduct volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the mechanical button structure with an optical projection system. The laser projection assembly projects virtual interface elements onto the panel surface, and touch-sensitive sensors detect user interactions. This replacement eliminates the need for raised physical buttons, allowing for a flatter, more compact appliance design while maintaining intuitive control through tactile feedback on the projected points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If the panel space is reduced to minimize appliance volume, then the product becomes more compact, but providing adequate control interfaces becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappliance volumeVSAvoidcontrol interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the control interface from a two-dimensional physical button layout to a projected optical dimension. By projecting laser points onto the panel surface, the system creates a virtual interface layer that does not consume physical panel space. This dimensional transition allows the control interface to be superimposed on the existing panel surface without requiring additional physical space, enabling compact appliance design while maintaining full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 use of a laser projection assembly to display virtual function interfaces reduces the physical panel space, minimizing the appliance's volume and improving user interaction.

Implementation Method 1

a laser projection assembly is provided in the washing device to project a virtual function interface in a target projection region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP4682647A1Device control method and apparatus, home appliance device and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MASCH CO LTD

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AI summary

Provided are a device control method and apparatus, a home appliance, and a storage medium, relating to the technical field of intelligent control. The method includes: generating a virtual function interface through a laser projection assembly and displaying the virtual function interface in a target projection region; and receiving a selection operation for the virtual function interface to determine a target program and controlling the home appliance to execute the target program. In this manner, the panel space of the home appliance can be saved, thereby reducing the product volume of the home appliance, reducing the space occupied by the home appliance, and enhancing the user experience in using the home appliance.