Set of attachment devices for household appliances

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection kits for household appliances, such as those used to mount a tumble dryer on a washing machine, face challenges in achieving precise alignment of wall elements, leading to aesthetic issues and potential unhygienic gaps that allow dirt and germs to enter.

Innovation Solution

A connection kit featuring wall elements with web-like projections and groove-like depressions that engage for enhanced stability and alignment, preventing gaps and ensuring a closed appearance while sealing against dirt and germs, with conical side walls providing additional centering and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If individual wall elements are butt-joined together in known connection kits, then the assembly is simple and can be manufactured easily, but the alignment of wall elements is imprecise and gaps form between them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of wall elementsVSAvoidcomplexity of connection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection kit is divided into multiple wall elements that can be assembled separately, with each element containing specific connection features (protrusions and recesses) that enable precise alignment when joined together

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection elements with protrusions and recesses act as intermediaries between wall elements, providing precise alignment and preventing gaps without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wall elements are connected with gaps in known connection kits, then the connection structure allows for some flexibility in assembly, but dirt and germs can penetrate through the gaps into the interior

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against dirt and germ ingressVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful gap space between wall elements is eliminated by extracting the void and replacing it with interlocking connection features that prevent dirt and germ penetration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Wall elements are merged through engagement of protrusions and recesses to form a continuous, gap-free connection that prevents harmful factors from entering the interior space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If wall elements are connected in known connection kits, then the basic structural connection is achieved, but the connection lacks stability and aesthetic appearance due to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of wall element connectionVSAvoidalignment precision of wall elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Conical shaping of connection surfaces provides self-centering action during assembly, guiding wall elements into precise alignment and ensuring stable, gap-free connections without requiring high-precision manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection geometry transitions from simple butt-joining to interlocking protrusion-recess engagement with conical surfaces, changing the connection parameters to achieve both stability and precise alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2792784B1Set of attachment devices for household appliances
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2792784B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2792784B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a connecting kit for household appliances, with which, for example, a clothes dryer can be mounted on a washing machine, wherein the connecting kit (1) has several wall elements (4, 5) which can be connected to one another to form a frame. At least one wall element (4) has at least one rib-like projection (6) and at least one other wall element (5) has at least one channel-like recess (7). The rib-like projection (6) and the channel-like recess (7) are arranged on the wall elements (4, 5) such that they can engage with one another.