EP3945978B1

EP3945978B1 - A dishwasher for emitting light onto a floor

Info

Publication number: EP3945978B1
Application number: EP20706713.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet DIKSAN; Serkan Yalcin
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2019-04-05
Filing date: 2020-02-24
Publication date: 2023-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-24
Also published as: PL3945978T3; EP3945978A1; WO2020200583A1

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher for emitting light onto the floor.
Dishwashers provide the cleaning of kitchen utensils with detergent and water at high temperatures. By means of the control panels on the dishwashers, the user can adjust parameters such as temperature, duration, etc. By means of the illumination elements on the control panels, the user is informed of the program being run by the dishwasher or the remaining time. In order to reduce the space occupied by the dishwashers in the kitchen, nowadays the use of built-in dishwashers becomes widespread. The built-in dishwashers are installed into a gap provided between the kitchen cupboards. Thus, the built-in dishwasher gains a harmonious appearance with the kitchen furniture and occupies less space. In the built-in dishwashers decorative panels are used on the door. By means of the decorative panels, the dishwasher does not stand out and gains a harmonious appearance with the respect to the kitchen environment. However, due to the decorative panel mounted onto the door, the use of control panel on the dishwasher becomes impossible. Therefore, in the built-in dishwashers the control elements which enable the user to select the washing parameters and to be informed are moved to the upper surface of the door. However, the user cannot know at what stage the program is while away from the dishwasher or without opening the door, nor cannot recognize the start or end of a program. This causes difficulty of use.
In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP1586632 , a dishwasher enabling the program information to be reflected onto the floor by means of light is disclosed.
In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP2363055 , a projector adapted to be installed on a domestic or household appliance, such as a dishwashing machine is disclosed.
In the state of the art American Patent Document No. US2008178916 , dishwasher devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus for monitoring the operation of a dishwasher device and associated system and method is disclosed.
In the state of the art International Patent Document No. WO2017072642 , a dish washing machine, and more preferably to a built-in dish washing machine comprising a pivotable door having a decorative front panel, said door comprising an operation indicator having at least one light source and at least one receiving optical means that redirects a light beam from said light source to the front of the dish washing machine is disclosed. DE20221965U1 discloses a dishwasher having a decorative front panel placed on its door and optical means displaying program information on a floor in front of the dishwasher.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher which provides ease of use.
The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body, a washing tub disposed in the body, and a door. The door prevents the contact of the washing tub with the outer environment. A decorative panel can be mounted onto the door as per the user preference. By means of the decorative panel, the dishwasher gains an appearance matching the decoration of the kitchen. A control unit is installed onto the door. When the decorative panel is mounted, the control unit remains between the decorative panel and the door. Thus, the appearance is prevented from being adversely affected and the service personnel is enabled to easily access the control unit.
The dishwasher of the present invention comprises an optical system having at least one light source connected to the control unit. Thus, the washing steps managed by the control unit can be transmitted to the light source, enabling the light source to be turned on/off. At least one shape plate is provided in front of the light source. The shapes provided on the shape plate are illuminated by means of the light source. By means of the transparent structure of the shape plate, the light passes through the shape plate to be reflected onto the floor by means of at least one reflective lens.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one condenser lens which is disposed between the light source and the shape plate. By means of the condenser lens, the light emitted by the light source is enabled to be transmitted to the shape plate without scattering.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a plurality of shapes which are arranged on the shape plate. The shapes are designed so as to allow the user to monitor the washing steps. The shapes can be composed of shaded circle segments, bars or numbers which can show the washing steps.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a transmission member which is disposed between the shape plate and the reflective lens. A plurality of channels which extend from the shape plate towards the reflective lens are provided on the transmission member. By means of the channels, the light beams passing through the shapes do not mix with each other.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least one separator plate which is disposed between the light sources. By means of the separator plate, the light beams emitted by the light sources do not mix with each other or do not scatter.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the reflective lens and the condenser lens which are produced from glass. By means of glass, the reflective lens delivers an image with higher quality onto the floor. Thus, the economic life of the lenses is prolonged.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the reflective lens and the condenser lens which are produced from silicon. By means of silicon, ease of production is provided and the cost of the reflective lens is decreased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the reflective lens and the condenser lens which are produced from plastic.
By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, comprises an optical system which projects the washing steps onto the floor. Thus, the user can see the current washing step performed by the dishwasher without getting close to the dishwasher.
The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 -: is the perspective view of the dishwasher.
Figure 2 -: is the perspective view of the optical system.
Figure 3 -: is the front view of the shape plate.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1-: Dishwasher
2-: Body
3-: Washing tub
4-: Door
5-: Decorative panel
6-: Control unit
7-: Light source
8-: Shape plate
9-: Reflective lens
10-: Optical system
11-: Condenser lens
12-: Shape
13-: Channel
14-: Transmission member
15-: Separator plate

The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a door (4) which cuts the contact between the washing tub (3) and the outer environment; a decorative panel (5) which is mounted onto the door (4) as per the user preference; and a control unit (6) which is installed onto the door (4) and which remains between the decorative panel (5) and the door (4). The dishes placed into the washing tub (3) are washed and cleaned. By means of the decorative panel (5) mounted onto the door (4), the dishwasher (1) is in harmony with the kitchen furniture, thus providing an aesthetic appearance. The control unit (6) is installed onto the door (4). When the decorative panel (5) is mounted onto the door (4), the control unit (6) remains between the door (4) and the decorative panel (5).
The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises an optical system (10) having at least one light source (7) which is connected to the control unit (6), at least one shape plate (8) which is disposed in front of the light source (7) and which is transparent so as to allow the light emitted by the light source (7) to pass therethrough, and at least one reflective lens (9) which enables the light passing through the shape plate (8) to be reflected. The light source (7) is connected to the control unit (6). Thus, the light sources (7) provide illumination depending on the washing steps managed by the control unit (6). The light emitted by the light source (7) passes through the transparent shape plate (8) to be transmitted to the reflective lens (9). Then, the light is projected onto the floor by means of the reflective lens (9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the optical system (10) having at least one condenser lens (11) which is provided between the light source (7) and the shape plate (8) and which enables the light to be guided onto the shape plate (8). By means of the condenser lens (11) provided between the light source (7) and the shape plate (8), the light emitted by the light source (7) is enabled to be transmitted to the shape plate (8) without scattering.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a plurality of shapes (12) which are arranged on the shape plate (8) and which provide information on the operational steps. A plurality of shapes (12) are provided on the shape plate (8). The shapes (12) inform the user of the washing steps. The shapes (12) may be composed of a circle, bars or numbers advancing together with the washing steps.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a transmission member (14) which is provided between the shape plate (8) and the reflective lens (9) and which has a plurality of channels (13) extending from the shape plate (8) towards the reflective lens (9) so as to prevent the light beams passing through the shapes (12) from mixing with each other. A channel (13) aligning with each shape (12) is provided on the transmission member (14). By means of the channels (13), the light beams passing through the shapes (12) do not mix with each other.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one separator plate (15) which is disposed between the light sources (7) and which prevents the light beams from mixing with each other. By means of the separator plates (15), the light beams emitted by the light sources (7) are prevented from scattering and mixing with each other. Thus, the light is transmitted onto the shapes (12) with more intensity and the shapes (12) viewed by the user during the projection become more clear.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the reflective lens (9) and the condenser lens (11) which are produced from glass. By means of the glass structure of the reflective lens (9) and the condenser lens (11), a more clear image is projected onto the floor.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the reflective lens (9) and the condenser lens (11) which are produced from silicon. By means of silicon, the economic life of the reflective and condenser lenses (9 and 11) is prolonged.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the reflective lens (9) and the condenser lens (11) which are produced from plastic. By means of plastic, the production costs of the condenser lens (11) and the reflective lens (9) are decreased.
By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized wherein the user is informed of the washing steps by projecting light onto the floor. By means of an optical system (10) provided on the door (4), the washing steps can be shown with light. By means of the light projected onto the floor through the door (4) and the decorative panel (5), the user is informed of the current washing step of the dishwasher (1). Thus, ease of use is provided, and the user satisfaction is improved.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a door (4) which cuts the contact between the washing tub (3) and the outer environment; a decorative panel (5) which is mounted onto the door (4) as per the user preference; and a control unit (6) which is installed onto the door (4) and which remains between the decorative panel (5) and the door (4), an optical system (10) having at least one light source (7) which is connected to the control unit (6), at least one shape plate (8) which is disposed in front of the light source (7) and which is transparent so as to allow the light emitted by the light source (7) to pass therethrough, and at least one reflective lens (9) which enables the light passing through the shape plate (8) to be reflected characterized by a plurality of shapes (12) which are arranged on the shape plate (8) and which provide information on the operational steps, a transmission member (14) which is provided between the shape plate (8) and the reflective lens (9) and which has a plurality of channels (13) extending from the shape plate (8) towards the reflective lens (9) so as to prevent the light beams passing through the shapes (12) from mixing with each other.
A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the optical system (10) comprising at least one condenser lens (11) which is provided between the light source (7) and the shape plate (8) and which enables the light to be guided onto the shape plate (8).
A dishwasher (1) as in in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by at least one separator plate (15) which is disposed between the light sources (7) and which prevents the light beams from mixing with each other.
A dishwasher as in any one of Claims 2 to Claim 3, characterized by the reflective lens (9) and the condenser lens (11) which are produced from glass.
A dishwasher as in any one of Claims 2 to Claim 3, characterized by the reflective lens (9) and the condenser lens (11) which are produced from silicon.
A dishwasher as in any one of Claims 2 to Claim 3, characterized by the reflective lens (9) and the condenser lens (11) which are produced from plastic.