Household appliance with a rotational user interface element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances with rotatable user interfaces, such as washing machines and dryers, require large rotational movements when the number of selections is limited, leading to uncomfortable operation and a negative user experience.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable user interface element that engages in discrete rotational positions with a larger number of positions than the number of light elements, allowing for sequential illumination changes based on rotation and movement, providing intuitive and efficient access to settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the number of rotational positions of the user interface element is equal to the number of light elements, then each light element can be directly associated with a rotational position, but the user must perform large rotational movements to access all selections, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control interface into two independent components: a rotatable user interface element with multiple discrete rotational positions and a separate group of light elements for indication. This segmentation allows the rotational element to have more positions than light elements, enabling finer control resolution without requiring a proportional increase in indicator elements, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension to the control interface by adding multiple rotational positions beyond the number of light elements. This dimensional expansion allows the user interface element to provide more granular selection options (e.g., 24 positions) without requiring a corresponding increase in the number of light indicators (e.g., 12 elements), thereby improving operational ease without linearly increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the number of rotational positions is increased to provide more selection options, then the precision of selection is improved, but the rotational movement required becomes larger, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements excessive action by providing more rotational positions (24) than the number of light elements (12). This allows the user interface element to engage in discrete rotational positions with higher precision while the light elements provide sufficient visual feedback. The excess rotational positions enable fine-tuned selection without requiring proportionally more indicators, resolving the contradiction between selection precision and ease of operation.
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 configuration enhances user comfort and convenience by allowing direct and responsive selection of options, improving the overall perception and quality of the appliance's user interface.
Implementation Method 1
a group comprising a plurality of light elements, wherein the household appliance is configured such that the light elements are illuminated and/or can be activated depending on the rotational state and/or movement of the rotatable user interface element
Data Source
AI summary
Household appliance (2) has a rotatable user interface element (44) which during a rotation by one full round engages in a discrete number of defined rotational positions. At least one group (50) of light elements (54) is provided. The appliance (2) is configured such that the light elements are illuminated and/or can be activated depending on the rotational state and/or movement of said rotatable user interface element (44) wherein the number of rotational position is larger than the number of light elements in said group (50).