Household appliance comprising an operating device configured as an external or internal touchscreen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances with touchscreens face challenges in user operation due to complex hierarchies of programs and settings, leading to confusion and inefficient use of energy and resources, particularly in appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, where numerous options and settings can overwhelm users.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance with a touchscreen interface that displays control variables as flat, touch-sensitive operating elements on multiple screen displays of different hierarchies, allowing users to select treatment programs on a higher hierarchy screen and set program parameters on a lower hierarchy screen, with elongated sensor elements for continuous parameter adjustments, and featuring visual and acoustic signals for program progression and status updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touchscreen with multiple hierarchy levels is used to display numerous program options and parameters, then the completeness of control variables is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to user confusion and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The touchscreen interface is segmented into multiple hierarchy levels (first hierarchy for program selection, second hierarchy for parameter settings). This segmentation allows comprehensive control variables to be organized across different levels, preventing information overload on a single screen while maintaining access to all functions through structured navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface transitions from a two-dimensional flat display to a multi-dimensional hierarchical structure. Users navigate through hierarchy levels using touch interactions, adding a temporal and spatial dimension to the interface navigation. This allows complex control variables to be distributed across multiple levels rather than crowded into a single plane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive program options and parameters are provided, then the adaptability of the appliance is improved, but the device complexity increases leading to overwhelming users
Solution Approach 1:
The comprehensive program options and parameters are segmented across two hierarchy levels. The first hierarchy presents program selections, while the second hierarchy contains detailed parameter settings. This segmentation reduces the apparent complexity at any given moment while preserving full adaptability across the complete system.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface implements a nested hierarchical structure where the second hierarchy (parameter settings) is nested within the context of the first hierarchy (program selections). Each program level contains its specific parameter level, creating a nested organization that manages complexity by grouping related controls together in concentric layers.
3Loss of information
If multiple screen displays with different hierarchies are used, then the organization of control variables is improved, but the loss of time increases due to navigation between screens
Solution Approach 1:
The interface uses hierarchy levels as an additional organizational dimension beyond the spatial arrangement on screen. Navigation between hierarchy levels provides clear organizational structure while the touchscreen design optimizes transition speed, balancing organizational clarity with acceptable navigation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and pre-loads content for hierarchy level transitions, so that when users navigate between levels, the information is already ready for display. This preliminary preparation reduces the actual navigation time experienced by users while maintaining clear hierarchical organization.
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 simplifies the operation of household appliances, enhances user safety by providing intuitive program selection and monitoring, and optimizes energy and resource usage through clear and efficient parameter setting and program execution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one capacitive sensor electrode as part of a touch capacitor, which is arranged to overlap with the display unit and to overlap with a touch-sensitive actuation surface of the operating and display facility, the at least one sensor electrode being configured from a transparent and electrically conductive lacquer or adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance for treating objects has a control device and an operating device being a touchscreen. First and second adjustable control variables are displayed as flat touch-sensitive operating elements that are separated from each other on the touchscreen on at least two screen displays of different hierarchy. First adjustable control variables are treatment programs and second control variables are program parameters associated with the treatment programs. First operating elements are displayed on a hierarchically higher screen display with a hierarchy and are associated with treatment programs which are selected by touching an associated operating element. Second operating elements are displayed on hierarchically lower screen display and enable the program parameters to be adjusted. The hierarchically lower screen display follows the hierarchically higher screen display if a first operating element is selected by touch. The second operating elements have elongated sensor elements for adjusting the associated parameter value by touch.