GB2455513A

GB2455513A - Viewing element for domestic appliance switchable between transparent and non-transparent.

Info

Publication number: GB2455513A
Application number: GB0724110A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Patrick Martins; Jukka-Pekka Mattila
Original assignee: MYCAFE INTERNAT PLC
Current assignee: MYCAFE INTERNAT PLC
Priority date: 2007-12-10
Filing date: 2007-12-10
Publication date: 2009-06-17
Also published as: GB0724110D0

Abstract

A domestic appliance viewing element 15 is fitted to a domestic appliance 10 such as a microwave oven, refrigerator, washing machine, vacuum cleaner or oven such that object 18 may be viewed through element 15 when light 14 illuminates the space inside the appliance sufficiently that the intra appliance luminosity is greater than the extra appliance luminosity and thus the viewing element, window or door pane 15 is transparent when backlight 14 is illuminated and is non-transparent or opaque when backlight 14 is not lit. Preferably the light 14 is operated by a touch sensitive element or switch 11 or by a motion detector and remains lit for a predetermined time period and different parts of the appliance or the element may be switched from opaque to transparent at different internal light intensities. The method for operating the change in transparency is separately claimed, preferably with a switching device controlled by a computer program.

Description

1 2455513

AN ARRANGEMENT IN A HOUSING FOR AN APPLIANCE

The present invention relates to appliances, for example electric appliances for domestic or commercial use, and more particular, to an arrangement for a housing of an appliance comprising element that provides a possibility to see within the appliance.

An appliance can be a kitchen appliance such as a refrigerator, freezer, a microwave oven, a washing machine, a dishwasher, or any other domestic appliance that is typically located in a kitchen. Other types of appliances are also known, such as vacuum cleaners (central and standalone cleaners), heaters, drying machines, for example tumble dryers, and so on. Non-limiting examples of commercial electrical appliances include refrigerator, freezer and heating and other display devices in shops, heavy duty washing and drying machines in laundries and so on. An appliance is typically provided with a housing enclosing the internal parts thereof and giving the appliance a desired appearance.

Typically the housing of an appliance, and more particularly the different elements of the housing cover are made from steal and/or plastic.

A common, although not necessary, cover element is a cover element which provides a door, lid, hatch or similar closable part to cover an opening for allowing items such as food, clothes and so on be put into and taken out from the appliance housing. Other cover elements typically comprise side, rear, top and bottom panels. Internal functional components of an appliance, such as wiring, resistors, connectors and other electrical components, water conduits and so on are typically hidden behind non-transparent parts of the housing.

The appliance housing can also be provided with elements or portions which are transparent so that the user can see through what is inside and portions which are non-transparent, for example painted in black, white, silver of any other colour. Examples of cover elements including transparent parts include washing machine doors and microwave oven doors.

Opening a door of an appliance, or at least opening the door too often, may not always be desirable. For example, for the reasons of energy efficiency any unnecessary opening of the door of a refrigerator, a freezer or the like should be avoided.

In addition to the basic function of making life easier, more comfortable and/or safer, appliances may also have a decorative function. That is, one of the selling points of an appliance is the way it looks. Commercial appliances often have to meet the considerations of attractiveness at the same time as the cost of running them and/or safety public safety issues need to be considered. Anything that adds to the visual impact and/or decorative character of an appliance may make it more attractive from the consumer's point of view.

There are occasions when a user might wish to inspect or for other reason see inside the appliance while the internal parts and items within the appliance should not be visible all the time. Also, an appliance where certain parts would be non-transparent, for example giving an impression of a painted part, when the user does not want to see within it and which could be changed to transparent when there is a need to have a look inside, could add to the decorative value and give some wow factor for the appliance. For example, special effect sales displays are often used to attract customers to particular products in shops.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to address one or several of the above shortcomings.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for a housing of an appliance, comprising an element provided such that at least one part of the element is configured to change its appearance, when viewed from a first side of the element, between non-transparent and transparent depending on the lighting by at least one light source provided on the second side of the element: and control means configured to change the level of lighting by the at least one light source to facilitate selective change of the appearance of the at least one part between the non-transparent and transparent appearances.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for providing a change in appearance of at least one part of an appliance, comprising actuating a switch of at least one light source to selectively provide lighting within the appliance; and in response to the lighting within the appliance becoming stronger than the lighting outside the appliance, changing the appearance of at least a part of the appliance from non-transparent to transparent to selectively enable visual inspection of at least a part of the interior of the appliance.

In accordance with a more specific embodiment the control means comprise at least one touch sensitive element. The control means may also or alternatively comprise a motion detector and/or a remote controller. The control means may be configured to switch the at least one light source on for a predefined length of time.

The arrangement may comprise at least two different parts each configured to change between non-transparency and transparency depending on lighting within the appliance. The at least two different parts form segments of the element. The at least two different parts may be provided by at least two different elements.

The arrangement may comprise a user interlace. The user interface may be integrated with the at least one part so that the user interface appears visible when the at least one light source is illuminated. The user interface may comprise a touch-screen display.

The embodiments of the invention may provide various advantages. For example, unnecessary opening of cooling machines such as refrigerators and freezers can be avoided. Inspection of contents of an appliance can be provided so that the interior thereof is visible only when so desired. The decorative value of an appliance may be improved.

For better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 4A to 4C, 5A, 5B, 6 and 7 show schematic presentations of various exemplifying embodiments of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a cross section of a possible element providing transparent and non-transparent properties depending on lighting conditions; and Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating operation in accordance with of one embodiment.

Reference is first made to Figures IA and B showing an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, Figure 1A shows a microwave oven 10 in accordance with an embodiment. The operation and basic parts of a microwave oven are known, and are therefore not explained in any great detail herein. It is sufficient to note that a microwave over, or any other typical oven for that matter, typically has a cover part 12 of some description for enclosing the internal components thereof, for preventing the user from burning and/or otherwise hurting him/herself and for protecting the surroundings from the microwaves and/or heat generated. A door 12 is typically provided in one side of the oven to enable food to be put into and removed from the oven. A switch 11 or a number of switches is also typically provided to operate the oven.

In Figure IA the oven of the present invention is in a state where, although in use, it dopes not allow the user to see inside the oven. That is, unlike in conventional ovens, the door 12 is in an opaque i.e. transparent state where the interior of the oven is not visible. For example the door 12 may appear as silver, white, red or any other appropriate colour. The colour of the door element 12 may or may not be the same as the overall colour of the appliance 10.

Figure lB shows the oven 10 of Figure 1A in a state the user has operated the switch 11 so that a light source 14 illuminating the chamber 15 is switched on.

As a result, a portion 13 of door 12 of the oven 10 has now turned transparent.

That is, from the non-transparent state of the door 12 shown Figure IA a transparent portion 13 has appeared. The appearance of the transparent portion 13 is caused by illumination of the light source 14. The light source can be provided by any appropriate lighting element, for example by means of a light emitting diode (LED), an appropriate lamp or any other illuminating / light emitting device.

An example for a cover element suitable for providing the transparent element of the door 12 will be described later with reference to Figure 8.

The arrangement is thus such that the food chamber 15 and food item 18 become visible from outside only when the light source 14 is switched on.

Because of this the user can select if he wants to see the chamber or not.

The light source 14 can be switched on whenever so wished, independently of the operational status of the oven 10. According to a possibility a press on a push button lights the light on, and another press turns them off, i.e. the switch is provided by a toggle. According to a possibility the light source is illuminated for a predetermined period after it has been switched on, or the oven is switched off. The light source may even be left on even when the oven is not in use, for example to provide a decorative effect.

The lighting of the interior of the oven can be controlled by a microprocessor or other logic, and/or various timer arrangements.

In accordance with an embodiment the door 12 and portion 13 are provided such that the user cannot see the difference between the frame section 17 of the door 12 and portion 13, unless the light 14 is switched on. According to an alternative areas 17 and 13 look different even when the light source is not switched on.

In Figure 1 any such components of the oven that are considered as not been desirable to be seen can be hidden behind the non-transparent portions of the housing and only the desired and visible attractive parts of the interior, in the example the food chamber, can be made visible.

Figures 2A and 2B show a variant of the embodiment of Figure 1. In Figure 2 embodiment at least a considerable portion of the housing of the oven 20 is provided with the capability of transforming between transparent and non-transparent states, in addition to the door element 22. According to a possibility one or some of the side panels and/or the rear and/or the bottom panel are non-transparent, while the majority of the visible panel area is selectively transparent, i.e. transparent when the light source 14 is switched on.

Figure 2A shows also a touch sensitive sensor 21 that can be used for switching between the transparent and non-transparent states. The sensor 21 can be integrated on the surface of the cover so that it is not visible, or is only faintly visible. According to an embodiment entire area, or a large portion, of at least a panel is made touch sensitive so that a user can control the light source and hence the transparency by simply touching the panel surface. Various types of touch sensitive sensors are known, and these will not be explained in any great detail herein. It is sufficient to note that the detection of user actuation may be based on detection of changes in current, ultrasonic waves, capacitance, mechanical pressure, or based on infrared, acoustic pulse recognition, internal reflection and so on. What is important is that a touch by the user provides an appropriate control signal to control the lighting within the appliance, and hence the transparency of the selectively transparent cover element.

Figure 3 shows schematically a fridge-freezer 30 when the internal lights 14 are switched on. The door element 32 is closed but the user can see the goods 18 on a shelf 34 because the entire door 32 is provided from material that can be selectively transferred into transparent state. The switching may be controlled base on appropriate control arrangement, such as based on a touch sensitive sensor arrangement. The embodiment provides particular advantage in that that the user does not need to open the door to see what is in the refrigerator.

Figures 4A to 4C show another embodiment which is explained with reference to a door 42 of a refrigerator, but could be provided in other context too. Figure 4A shows how the door 42 is divided into a plurality of segments 43 to 47.

Segments 43 and 47 are in the example provided such that they will always appear non-transparent, to hide away internal component of the refrigerator that the user may not wish to see. Segments 44, 45 and 46, instead, are provided such that they can be selectively made transparent upon user actuation.

Figure 4B illustrates situation where the user has selected the lowest inspection segment 46 to be illuminated. This may be done by simply touching the segment where after a touch sensitive sensor arrangement on the segment surface sends a signal to a lighting controller 48. In response to the signal from the touch sensitive sensor arrangement the controller then switches the light sources 14 on. Lighting may be provided as long as the user keeps his hand on the segment, for a predefined period, or until the user touches the surface again.

In Figure 4C the user has selected the middle segment 45 to be illuminated.

Two segments may be illuminated at the same time, or selection of another segment will switch off the previous selection.

The segments, and more particularly the lighting from the light sources in each segment, may be separated e.g. by the shelves of the refrigerator so that an impression of segmentation is provided. According to a possibility the wavelength of the lighting provided in different segments is made different. The material on the door in each segment is selected such that only lighting of appropriate wavelength, and hence from correct light source, causes the transformation from non-transparent to transparent state.

In accordance with a use scenario the door is arranged such that a user may slide his/hers hand on the door and only that segment he/she is touching at the moment is illuminated.

Figure 5A and 5B show another embodiment described with reference to a door 52 of a refrigerator. In Figure 5A the lighting is not switched on, and the door is in transparent state. In an embodiment nothing is visible. In accordance with an embodiment a user interface such as a touch screen display 54 is faintly or fully visible on the door.

Figure 5B shows schematically the appearance of the door 52 after the lights 14 have been switched on. The user can see a touch screen display 54 provided on the door 52. More particularly, the touch-screen display is integrated with the transparent portion 53 of the door 52.

User interfaces that are provided by touch screen displays that are only visible when activated are known, and therefore need no detailed explanation. It is sufficient to note that similar technologies than those listed above in connection with the touch sensitive sensors can be used, for example.

Figure 6 shows an example of a yet another embodiment described with reference to a dishwasher 60. The elements already described above such as a light source 14 and a selectively transparent portion 63 provided in the door 62 of the dishwasher require no further explanation. What is different in this embodiment is that the control of the light source 14 is provided by a wireless remote controller 66. The remote controller can send and also possibly receive signals from the appliance via a wireless communication element 65 of the appliance.

Figure 7 shows an appliance 70 that can be used, for example, for display of food in shops, and more particularly, a refrigerated display device. The display device has a plurality of doors 71 to 74. The transparency state of each of the doors can be independently controlled by a control unit 79.

Figure 7 shows also motion detectors 75 to 78 each connected to the control unit 79. The motion or movement detectors are arranged to detect if anyone is standing in front of or approaching the particular door, and to switch the lights on within the appropriate segment, or a segment and predefined neighbouring segments. Motion detectors as such as well know, and will therefore not be explained in any great detail. Typically a motion detector is provided by an electronic device that quantifies and measures changes in a given environment based on e.g. optical or acoustic detection.

In accordance with an embodiment the above described touch sensitive sensor arrangements can be used for the actuation of the light control system.

Figure 8 shows a cross section of an element that is configured to transform between non-transparent i.e. opaque and transparent states in response to appropriate light from a light source 14. In this embodiment transparent material 84, for example a glass plate or another transparent substrate, is coated with coating material 82 providing either non-transparent or transparent properties depending on the light coming from the light source. The transparent substrate may comprise, for example glass, cast glass or transparent plastic. The coating material 82 can be selected such that it allows transparency whenever the lighting is brighter on the side of the light source 14 than on the side of the viewer 86.

The threshold for becoming translucent can be when the strength or level of lighting inside the appliance becomes the same or higher than is the strength of lighting outside the appliance. The level of lighting can be expressed by means of a luminance factor. In response to exceeding the threshold the interior of the kitchen accessory becomes visible. Appropriate substrates and coating materials as such are commercially available.

The element may also be provided with properties that only allow transparency when enough light of a predefined wavelength or predefined range of wavelengths is provided. This can be provided based on optical technologies such as diffraction and/or refraction.

Because of this phenomenon switching on a light within the appliance and adapted to produce enough luminance inside, for example, a refrigerator, the interior thereof becomes visible without opening the door.

Figure 9 shows a flow chart in accordance with an embodiment. In the beginning the user decides to have a look inside an appliance, for example a refrigerator.

The user actuates at 100 an appropriate control switch thereby causing a control system to switch on a light source provided within the appliance. The interior, or at least a part thereof, of the appliance will then be illuminated by at least one light source, see step 102. In response to the illumination, if the luminance value of the light generated within the appliance becomes than the luminance value outside the appliance, at least a part of the cover of the appliance becomes transparent. For example, in the above example a door of a refrigerator can be made transparent. This is illustrated by steps 104 and 106 in Figure 9. The user can now inspect the content of the refrigerator without opening the door.

The lighting arrangement and/or state of transparency of at least a part of the cover element, for example a door or a side panel, can be controlled, at least switched on and off and/or dimmed, by an appropriate data processing arrangement, for example a processor chip or a logic circuit. An appropriately adapted computer program code product may be used controlling various controllable entities, when loaded to a computing device such as a processor.

The required data processing functions may be provided by means of one or more data processor entities. All required processing may be provided in a controller, such as a controller 48 of Figure 4B. Appropriately adapted computer program code product may be used for implementing the embodiments, when loaded to a computer, for example for computations required when monitoring if switching or and/or off at least light is required. The program code product for providing the operation may be stored on and provided by means of a carrier medium such as a carrier disc, card or tape. A possibility is to download the program code product via a data network. Implementation may be provided with appropriate software in a server.

It is noted that the above disclosed solution is applicable to a wide variety of appliances. For example, in addition to ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers, washing machines and so on, a component in accordance with the principles of this invention can be provided in an appliance such as a dryer, a heater, a boiler, a vacuum cleaner, a steam cleaner and so on. It should also be appreciated that whilst embodiments of the present invention have been described in relation to appliances what are commonly known as white goods" or domestic appliances, embodiments of the present invention are applicable to any other suitable type of appliance where visibility to the internal parts might be desired from time to time.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes exemplifying embodiments of the invention, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 1 2455513

AN ARRANGEMENT IN A HOUSING FOR AN APPLIANCE

As a result, a portion 13 of door 12 of the oven 10 has now turned transparent.

Because of this the user can select if he wants to see the chamber or not.

In Figure 4C the user has selected the middle segment 45 to be illuminated.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes exemplifying embodiments of the invention, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. An arrangement for a housing of an appliance, comprising: an element provided such that at least one part of the element is configured to change its appearance, when viewed from a first side of the element, between non-transparent and transparent depending on the lighting by at least one light source provided on the second side of the element; and control means configured to change the level of lighting by the at least one light source to facilitate selective change of the appearance of the at least one part between the non-transparent and transparent appearances.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means comprise at least one touch sensitive element.
3. An arrangement as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the control means comprise a motion detector.
4. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means comprise a remote controller.
5. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means are configured to switch the at least one light source on for a predefined length of time.
6. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising at least two different parts each configured to change between non-transparency and transparency depending on lighting within the appliance.
7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least two different parts form segments of the element.
8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least two different parts are provided by at least two different elements.
9. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the element comprises one of a door, a hatch, a lid, a side panel, a rear panel, a top panel, and a housing component of an appliance.
10. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a user interface.
11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the user interface is integrated with the at least one part so that the user interface appears visible when the at least one light source is illuminated.
12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the user interface comprises a touch-screen display.
13. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one part is configured to change into transparency in response to light of a predefined wavelength or wavelength range.
14. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one part comprises a transparent component and a coating component, the coating component being adapted to allow visibility to the interior of the appliance only when the at least one light source is illuminated.
15. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one part comprises at least one of glass, cast glass and transparent plastic.
16. An appliance comprising a housing provided with an arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim.
17. An appliance as claimed in claim 16, comprising one of a refrigerator, a freezer, a display device, an oven, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, a heater, a boiler, a vacuum cleaner, and a steam cleaner.
18. A method for providing a change in appearance of at least one part of an appliance, comprising actuating a switch of at least one light source to selectively provide lighting within the appliance; and in response to the lighting within the appliance becoming stronger than the lighting outside the appliance, changing the appearance of at least a part of the appliance from non-transparent to transparent to selectively enable visual inspection of at least a part of the interior of the appliance.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the actuating comprises at least one of touching a touch sensitive sensor, triggering a control signal by a motion detector, and sending a control signal from a remote controller.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or 19, comprising controlling the appliance by a user interface integrated with the at least one part of the appliance.
21. A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, comprising selecting a segment of an element of the appliance to be made transparent, and illuminating at least one light source associated with the selected segment.
22. A computer program comprising program code means adapted to cause the steps of any of claims 18 to 21 when the program is run on a processor.
23. An appliance constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. An appliance constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Claims 1. An arrangement for a housing of an appliance, comprising: an element provided such that at least one part of the element is configured to change its appearance, when viewed from a first side of the element, between non-transparent and transparent depending on the lighting by at least one light source provided on the second side of the element; and control means configured to change the level of lighting by the at least one light source to facilitate selective change of the appearance of the at least one part between the non-transparent and transparent appearances.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means comprise at least one touch sensitive element.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the control means comprise a motion detector.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means comprise a remote controller.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means are configured to switch the at least one light source on for a predefined length of time.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising at least two different parts each configured to change between non-transparency and transparency depending on lighting within the appliance.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least two different parts form segments of the element.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least two different parts are provided by at least two different elements.

9. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the element comprises one of a door, a hatch, a lid, a side panel, a rear panel, a top panel, and a housing component of an appliance.

10. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a user interface.

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the user interface is integrated with the at least one part so that the user interface appears visible when the at least one light source is illuminated.

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the user interface comprises a touch-screen display.

13. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one part is configured to change into transparency in response to light of a predefined wavelength or wavelength range.

14. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one part comprises a transparent component and a coating component, the coating component being adapted to allow visibility to the interior of the appliance only when the at least one light source is illuminated.

15. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one part comprises at least one of glass, cast glass and transparent plastic.

16. An appliance comprising a housing provided with an arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim.

17. An appliance as claimed in claim 16, comprising one of a refrigerator, a freezer, a display device, an oven, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, a heater, a boiler, a vacuum cleaner, and a steam cleaner.

18. A method for providing a change in appearance of at least one part of an appliance, comprising actuating a switch of at least one light source to selectively provide lighting within the appliance; and in response to the lighting within the appliance becoming stronger than the lighting outside the appliance, changing the appearance of at least a part of the appliance from non-transparent to transparent to selectively enable visual inspection of at least a part of the interior of the appliance.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the actuating comprises at least one of touching a touch sensitive sensor, triggering a control signal by a motion detector, and sending a control signal from a remote controller.

20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or 19, comprising controlling the appliance by a user interface integrated with the at least one part of the appliance.

21. A method as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, comprising selecting a segment of an element of the appliance to be made transparent, and illuminating at least one light source associated with the selected segment.

22. A computer program comprising program code means adapted to cause the steps of any of claims 18 to 21 when the program is run on a processor.