Digital Shower Controller Hiding Light Source

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital shower controllers face issues with mechanical input wear, debris buildup, and aesthetic concerns due to visible light sources and edges, limiting user interaction and appearance.

Innovation Solution

A digital shower controller with a display featuring a light source, semi-transparent layer, and touch interface, where the semi-transparent layer absorbs or reflects light when not in use, hiding the light source and improving aesthetics while allowing touch input through capacitive, resistive, or infrared interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light source is provided in the display to illuminate information, then visibility of display information is improved, but the light source becomes visible under ambient lighting conditions resulting in an undesirable appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay information visibilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A semi-transparent layer is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the ambient environment. This layer selectively transmits light from the display while reflecting or absorbing ambient light, thereby maintaining display visibility while hiding the light source structure under ambient lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The semi-transparent layer exhibits different optical properties depending on lighting conditions. Under ambient lighting, it appears opaque or semi-opaque to hide the light source, while under display illumination, it becomes more transparent to allow light transmission, effectively changing its visual appearance based on the active state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If a mechanical input portion is provided for user interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but parts wear over time and debris builds up between moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidcomponent durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical input portion with a capacitive touch interface. This eliminates moving parts entirely, substituting the mechanical system with an electrical field-based detection system that senses user input through capacitance changes, thereby preventing wear and debris accumulation while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical input portion with multiple inputs is provided, then adaptability is improved, but the number of inputs is fixed and cannot be easily modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of input functionsVSAvoidinput configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input interface transitions from a static mechanical configuration with fixed functions to a dynamic capacitive touch interface where input functions can be software-defined and modified. The capacitive surface can recognize multiple touch points and gestures, allowing the number and type of inputs to be changed through software updates without hardware modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances user interaction by hiding the light source under ambient lighting, reducing dirt visibility and improving the controller's appearance, while maintaining functionality and structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The light source and the semi-transparent layer are configured such that the semi-transparent layer absorbs or reflects light transmitted towards the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The light source and the semi-transparent layer are configured such that the semi-transparent layer absorbs or reflects light transmitted towards the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

allows light transmitted from the light source to be transmitted from the display

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 4

touch interface configured to provide an input to the controller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive detection: Capacitance

Implementation Method 5

allowing touch input through capacitive, resistive, or infrared interfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4033295B1Digital shower controller for a shower

Publication Date: 2024.11.06 KOHLER MIRA LTD

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AI summary

A controller for use in a wet environment such as an ablutionary setting includes a display for displaying information related to the operation of a fluid delivery system. The display includes a light source, a semi-transparent layer, and a touch interface configured to provide an input to the controller. The light source and the semi-transparent layer are configured such that the semi-transparent layer absorbs or reflects light transmitted towards the light source and allows light transmitted from the light source to be transmitted from the display, such that the light source appears hidden when light is not transmitted from the light source.