Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines have inadequate display of operation state and remaining time, making it difficult for users to determine the current state from a distance, and expose wire harnesses that are aesthetically unpleasing and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with a breathing light group on the door body, controlled by a computer program to change the ratio of bright to dimmed breathing lights, which are hidden within the door hinge, allowing for clear operation state indication and aesthetic enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional indicator lights and text displays are used on the control panel, then the washing machine can display operation states, but the display is not clearly visible from a distance and lacks visual impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing LED lights arranged in different patterns (single color, two colors, gradient colors) to display operation states. The breathing light effect creates vivid visual impact that is clearly visible from a distance, replacing traditional monochromatic indicator lights and text displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D panel displays to a spatial arrangement of lights on the door body surface. The breathing lights are arranged in specific patterns that create visual depth and dimensionality, enhancing visibility and aesthetic appeal while maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If wire harnesses are exposed to connect electrical devices on the door body, then power supply is achieved, but the aesthetic property is affected and the wire harness is easily damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the wire harness within the door hinge structure. The hinge serves as a housing that contains and protects the wire harness, concealing it from external view while maintaining electrical connectivity. This nested arrangement protects the wire harness from damage and preserves the aesthetic appearance of the door body.
Solution Approach 2:
The door hinge acts as an intermediary element that simultaneously provides mechanical connection (hinge function) and electrical connection (wire harness routing). This mediator structure eliminates the need for exposed wiring while maintaining both functional requirements.
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
Enables users to easily determine the operation state and remaining time from a distance, while protecting and hiding the wire harness, resulting in improved user experience and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
A washing machine is provided, which includes a breathing light group arranged on a door body, wherein the breathing light group includes a plurality of breathing lights
Data Source
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AI summary
A washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a breathing light group, a door body (22), a door hinge (26), a housing (21) and a computer program controller. The breathing light group is arranged on the door body (22), and includes a plurality of breathing lights (25). The computer program controller is configured to change a quantity ratio of bright breathing lights to dimmed breathing lights among the breathing lights in the breathing light group according to a change of a working progress of the washing machine. The door body (22) is connected to the housing (21) via the door hinge (26). The door hinge (26) has a passage through which a wire harness of the breathing light group penetrates. The wire harness penetrates through the housing (21) through the passage and is connected to the computer program controller. When the washing machine is used, a user can easily and roughly deduce a real-time operation state of the washing machine according to the quantity ratio of bright breathing lights to dimmed breathing lights in the breathing light group even if the user is too far away from the washing machine to see contents displayed on a display screen clearly. The wire harness is hidden in the door hinge (26). On one hand, the wire harness is effectively fixed and protected. On the other hand, the user will not see the wire harness from outside, so that the washing machine has a nice appearance.