Washing Machine Multi-Angle Status Light for Remote Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing and/or drying machines lack effective visual status indication that is visible from multiple angles without increasing the machine's volume, limiting their ability to convey a wide range of color and intensity changes synchronized with operating processes.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a light emitting device, such as an RGB LED, within a protective cover on the upper, side, and front panels, allowing visibility from aerial, front, and side views, with an electronic control board for synchronized color, gradation, and intensity control, and compatibility with a camera system for centralized monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light emitting device is integrated in the home appliance, then the visual status indication is provided, but the device is not visible from aerial view and cannot display wide range of colors and intensities
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting device is repositioned from the front panel to the upper panel of the washing machine, changing its spatial dimension. This allows the light to be visible from aerial views and multiple angles simultaneously, resolving the limitation of single-direction visibility while maintaining color and intensity variation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The light emitting device is divided into multiple independent light sources (first, second, and third light emitting devices) positioned at different locations on the upper panel. Each light source can be controlled independently to display different colors and intensities, enabling wide color range and simultaneous multi-angle visibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light emitting devices are positioned on upper panel, then visibility from aerial and front views is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to control multiple light emitting devices with a single control signal, allowing one control unit to manage the color and intensity of all light sources. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate control systems for each light device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multi-angle visibility capability
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
Facilitates easy status recognition by users and enables remote monitoring and record-keeping of machine activity, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience in multi-machine settings like laundromats.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device which is programmed and synchronized with a chosen series of statuses and/or processes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing and/or drying machine with status indication and a control system for controlling a group of washing and/or drying machines, said fabric washing and/or drying machine comprising a casing (10) defining a front panel (11), an upper panel (12), two side panels (13), and a rear panel, and containing a compartment (15) for treating fabrics accessible through an opening of the casing provided with a door (16); and a light emitting element (20) protected by a cover (25) transparent or translucent to light, closing an opening of said panel, said light emitting element (20) being configured for emitting light indicative of an operating status of the machine to the outside of the casing (10), said cover being integrated at least in the front panel (11).