Dishwasher Coupling System for Adjustable Furniture Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated appliance installation procedures, such as dishwashers, are inefficient due to the risk of misalignment and damage from fastening screws piercing the appliance walls, making it difficult to achieve a flush and aesthetically satisfactory integration with surrounding furniture.

Innovation Solution

The dishwasher is equipped with adjustable coupling systems that include a support element and a regulation screw, allowing for movement and fine-tuning of the appliance's position after initial fastening, enabling precise alignment and secure fixing without damaging the appliance or furniture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fastening screws are used to secure the dishwasher to the niche, then the dishwasher is firmly fixed to the furniture, but the screws may pierce the lateral walls causing misalignment holes and damaging the aesthetic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidwall piercing damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling system is introduced as an intermediary component between the dishwasher and the niche wall. This coupling system includes a support element that receives the fastening screw and a regulation element that allows positional adjustment, thereby mediating the connection to avoid direct piercing damage to the lateral walls while maintaining secure fastening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening function is segmented into two independent components: the support element for receiving fastening screws and the regulation element for positional adjustment. This segmentation allows the fastening operation to be separated from the alignment operation, enabling secure mounting without compromising aesthetic appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the dishwasher position is adjusted to align edges with furniture panels, then aesthetic integration is achieved, but the position may be incorrect when fastening screws are applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system transforms the static fastening process into a dynamic adjustment process. The regulation element enables the dishwasher to be positioned and adjusted along the lateral wall after fastening, allowing alignment precision to be achieved without compromising installation ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support element is pre-positioned on the lateral wall before the dishwasher is fully secured. This preliminary positioning allows the dishwasher to be fastened in a rough position and then adjusted to precise alignment, separating the fastening action from the alignment action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If fastening screws are strongly screwed to secure the dishwasher, then firm fixation is achieved, but misalignment holes are created in the lateral walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidhole positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling system acts as a mediator that absorbs the misalignment caused by strong screwing. The regulation element allows the dishwasher to be shifted after fastening, so the fastening screws can be strongly screwed for stability without creating visible misalignment holes in the lateral wall

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment function is extracted from the fastening operation. The regulation element separately handles the alignment task after the fastening screws have provided stable fixation, allowing strong screwing without compromising hole positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3478888B1dishwasher
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP3478888B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3478888B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3478888B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

A dishwasher (100) is disclosed. The dishwasher comprises a frame (112) defining a treatment chamber (115) for items to be washed, and at least one coupling system (150) for coupling the frame (112) to furniture walls. Each one of said at least one coupling system (150) comprises: - a support element (205) coupled with the frame (112) with the possibility of moving with respect to the frame (112), the support element (205) being further adapted to be fixed to a corresponding furniture wall by means of a fastening member (208); - a regulation element (215) coupled with the support element (205) and operable to cause a movement of the frame (112) with respect to the support element (205) after the support element (205) is fixed to said corresponding furniture wall.