Washing Machine Bottom Cover With Integrated Hydraulic Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines face challenges in assembly time, space utilization, and accessibility of hydraulic elements, leading to inefficiencies and complexities in the installation and maintenance of hydraulic systems.

Innovation Solution

Integration of hydraulic elements such as pumps and wash liquid ducts into the bottom cover of the washing machine, allowing for predetermined positioning and easier assembly, improved space utilization, and reduced noise and vibrations, along with a detachable bottom cover for enhanced accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If hydraulic elements are installed separately in conventional washing machines, then assembly and maintenance require more time and effort, but disassembling the entire appliance is necessary for access

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of hydraulic elementsVSAvoidAssembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the hydraulic system with the bottom cover by incorporating pump motors and wash liquid ducts directly into the bottom cover structure. This merging allows hydraulic elements to be accessed by simply removing the bottom cover, eliminating the need to disassemble the entire washing machine while reducing assembly complexity through predetermined positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If hydraulic elements are positioned freely in the washing machine interior, then installation flexibility is provided, but assembly time and positioning accuracy decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAssembly efficiencyVSAvoidPositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic elements (pump motors and wash liquid ducts) are pre-integrated into the bottom cover during manufacturing, with predetermined positioning and interconnection. This preliminary action ensures precise positioning is achieved during manufacturing rather than during final assembly, significantly improving assembly efficiency while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If pumps are arranged separately from the bottom cover, then maintenance access is difficult, but noise and vibrations are transmitted to the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNoise and vibrationsVSAvoidMaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pump motors are integrated into the bottom cover structure, which serves as a noise and vibration isolation chamber. This merging provides dual benefits: the bottom cover absorbs and isolates noise and vibrations from the housing, while simultaneously enabling easy maintenance access by simply removing the bottom cover to reach the pumps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integration reduces assembly time, enhances space efficiency, and provides design flexibility, facilitating easier maintenance and assembly while minimizing noise and vibrations, thus improving the overall performance and usability of the washing machine.

Implementation Method 1

reduces the transmission of noise and vibrations generated by the pump or pumps

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2889425B1Washing machine with bottom cover
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2889425B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2889425B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2889425B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Washing machine 1 comprising a housing with a bottom cover 21, and a hydraulic washing system, wherein at least a portion of at least one hydraulic element selected from the wash liquid ducts 42 and pump motors 40, 41 is integrated into the bottom cover 21.