Dishwasher having a light signal projector
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsMario Lippera, Roberto Giorcelli, Giacomo Marvardi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dishwasher comprising a projection means having a concentration lens for concentrating a light beam coming from the light source, said concentration lens being external to the door and solidly constrained to a frame that encloses said access opening. The light beam is projected by the lens towards the exterior of the dishwasher. Downstream of the lens, the light beam extends in a substantially horizontal direction. Downstream of the lens, the light beam intersects an imaginary vertical upwards projection of an upper edge (30) of the door (3) considered in the closed position.
Claims13
A dishwasher, comprising:
- a washing compartment for washing dishes;
- a door selectively movable between an opened position, wherein the door enables access to the washing compartment, and a closed position, wherein the door is substantially vertical and closes an access opening to the washing compartment;
- a frame at least partially enclosing the access opening;
- a projector configured to project at least one pre-established light signal on a surface external to the dishwasher, the at least one pre-established light signal being associated with at least one of a washing state in progress or with achievement of an end-of-wash state, the projector, comprising:
- a light source configured to emit a light beam;
- and
- a concentration lens located external to and above the door when the door is in the closed position, the concentration lens configured for concentrating the light beam;
- and
- a bracket for connecting the dishwasher to a work top that is located over the bracket, with the projector being supported by the bracket, the bracket comprises:
- a vertical wall operably coupled to the frame, the vertical wall including a window aligned with the concentration lens along the direction of the light beam so as to permit passage thereof;
- a wall extending horizontally and comprising a hole;
- and
- a fastener for connecting the bracket and the work top and that passes through the hole,
- wherein the light beam projected downstream of the concentration lens extends in a substantially horizontal direction.
A dishwasher comprising:
- a washing compartment for washing dishes;
- a door that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the door is substantially vertical and closes an access opening to the washing compartment;
- a projector configured to project at least one pre-established light signal on a surface external to the dishwasher, the light signal being particularly associated with a washing state in progress or with an achievement of an end-of-wash state, the projector comprising:
- a light source, a concentration lens for concentrating a light beam coming from the light source, the concentration lens being external to the door and solidly constrained to a frame that encloses the access opening wherein the light beam downstream of the concentration lens extends in a substantially horizontal direction;
- and
- a bracket for connecting the dishwasher to a work top that is located over the bracket, with the projector being supported by the bracket and where the bracket is an angle bracket located at a junction of two edges of a perimeter of the access opening and the bracket comprises:
- a vertical wall secured to both of the two edges of the perimeter of the access opening and including a window aligned with the concentration lens along the direction of the light beam so as to permit passage thereof;
- a wall extending horizontally and comprising a hole;
- and
- the dishwasher comprising a fastener for connecting the bracket and the work top and that passes through the hole.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.