Dishwasher External Drain Hose Routing to Reduce Assembly Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-carrying household appliances, such as dishwashers, face challenges in managing the drain hose to prevent unintended water leakage and require complex hose guides and additional components, which complicate assembly and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

A water-carrying household appliance with a first and second holding device on its outer wall to securely hold the drain hose, allowing it to be routed externally and eliminating the need for additional components like risers, while providing flexibility in placement and protection from damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex hose guide with additional components is used to route the drain hose, then the hose can be securely held and water leakage is prevented, but the assembly process becomes more complex and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of water leakageVSAvoidcomplexity of hose guide
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the hose guide function directly into the rear wall structure of the washing machine. The rear wall includes an integrated guide channel that routes the drain hose from the pump to the discharge point, eliminating the need for separate hose guide components. This integration maintains reliable hose routing while simplifying the overall device structure and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If additional components like risers are used to route the hose, then proper hose positioning is achieved, but manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose routing flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide channel for the drain hose is integrated directly into the rear wall structure of the washing machine. This eliminates the need for separate riser components or additional hose routing accessories. The rear wall itself provides the necessary structural support and routing path, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining proper hose positioning and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the hose is routed internally within the appliance, then it is protected from damage, but the appliance dimensions increase and assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from hose damageVSAvoidappliance dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The drain hose is routed externally along the rear wall of the washing machine rather than being completely enclosed within the appliance body. The hose follows the outer contour of the rear wall, which provides protection from damage while maintaining compact appliance dimensions. This external routing along the rear wall avoids the need for additional internal space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2849626B1Domestic appliance having an external upward extending pipe
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2849626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2849626B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2849626B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, comprising a first maintaining device which is arranged on an outer wall and which is provided to maintain a pipe on the outer wall when the domestic appliance is in operation.