Household Water Tank Profiling for Visible Fill Level Marks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water tanks for household appliances face challenges in manufacturing a simple and visually appealing filling level mark, as current methods like printing and hot stamping are complex and result in unattractive indicators.
Innovation Solution
The filling level marking is integrated into the side wall of the tank container through profiling, produced during the injection molding process, which eliminates post-processing steps and creates an optically appealing effect using light control, with angled surfaces and groove-shaped recesses for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If printing or hot stamping is used to apply filling level marks, then the marks can be applied to the tank container, but the production process becomes complex and the visual appearance is unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The filling level mark is merged with the side wall structure itself through profiling during injection molding. The mark is not applied as a separate layer but is formed as an integral part of the tank container wall, combining the structural forming process with the marking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling level mark is formed during the injection molding process itself, before the tank container is completed and before any post-processing steps. The profiling is created as part of the initial shaping process, eliminating the need for subsequent printing or stamping operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If printing or hot stamping is used to apply filling level marks, then the marks can be applied to the tank container, but the visual appearance becomes unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall is given different local qualities: most of the side wall remains smooth and uniform, while specific localized areas are profiled to create the filling level marks. This localized structuring creates visual interest and functional marking without compromising the overall aesthetic of the tank container.
Solution Approach 2:
The profiling creates curved and angled surfaces on the side wall that interact with light to produce visually appealing effects. The use of angles greater than 30° and groove-shaped recesses with concave curvature creates dynamic light refraction patterns that enhance visual appearance.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the profiling depth is increased to enhance visibility, then the mark becomes more visible, but the structural integrity of the side wall may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The profiling depth is optimized to provide sufficient visibility enhancement without excessive depth that would compromise structural integrity. The depth range of 0.2-1.0mm represents a balanced compromise between achieving adequate visual contrast and maintaining the mechanical strength of the side wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The visibility of the mark is enhanced not primarily through increased depth but through changes in other parameters: the angle of the profiling surfaces (greater than 30°), the groove-shaped cross-section, and the interaction with light sources. These parameter changes achieve visibility enhancement while preserving structural integrity.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a light source is added to illuminate the filling level marking, then visibility is enhanced, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filling level mark is designed to be self-illuminating through its interaction with ambient light. The profiling structure naturally refracts and reflects light to create visible contrast, eliminating the need for active lighting components while maintaining high visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical appearance of the marking changes based on light interaction: the profiling creates variations in light reflection and refraction that produce visually distinct patterns. The mark appears different under various lighting conditions, enhancing visibility without requiring additional light sources.
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 solution simplifies manufacturing and provides a visually appealing and legible filling level indication, remaining clearly visible even from a distance, while allowing for efficient production using transparent or translucent plastic materials.
Implementation Method 1
the refraction of light differs significantly from the rest of the flat surface of the side wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A water tank for a household appliance (1), in particular for preparing drinks, with a tank container (2) which has a base (11) and side walls (10, 12), a fill level marking (13) being provided on at least one side wall (10). , wherein the filling level marking (13) is formed integrally with the side wall (10) by a profile (14, 15, 16).