Sink System Placed on Laundry Appliance for Shared Plumbing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Classic sinks waste space and require complex and costly plumbing installations, especially in small rooms like bathrooms or laundry rooms, and integrated sinks with washing machines increase appliance complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A sink system designed to be placed on top of a separate laundry appliance, sharing water supply and drainage with the appliance, simplifying plumbing and reducing installation costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a classic sink is fixed to a wall or placed on a support cabinet with dedicated water supply and drainage lines, then the sink can function independently, but it causes significant waste of space and increases installation complexity and costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent sink functionVSAvoidroom space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sink is merged with the laundry appliance to form an integrated unit, where the sink utilizes the appliance's existing water supply and drainage connections. This eliminates the need for separate plumbing infrastructure, thereby saving significant space in small rooms while maintaining independent sink functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The laundry appliance serves dual purposes: its primary function (washing) and as a support structure with integrated water supply and drainage for the sink. This multi-functionality allows the sink to operate independently without requiring dedicated plumbing, thus optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a classic sink is installed with dedicated water supply and drainage connections, then the sink has independent functionality, but the installation requires complex masonry and plumbing work with high costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent sink functionVSAvoidplumbing installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sink is merged with the laundry appliance to form an integrated unit, where the sink utilizes the appliance's existing water supply and drainage connections. This eliminates the need for separate plumbing infrastructure, thereby saving significant space in small rooms while maintaining independent sink functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The laundry appliance serves dual purposes: its primary function (washing) and as a support structure with integrated water supply and drainage for the sink. This multi-functionality allows the sink to operate independently without requiring dedicated plumbing, thus optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If a sink is integrated into the washing machine itself, then space is optimized and plumbing is simplified, but the appliance becomes more complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroom spaceVSAvoidappliance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into separate components: the laundry appliance maintains its original structure and functionality, while the sink is a separate unit that places on top of the appliance. This segmentation avoids increasing the complexity of the appliance itself while still achieving space optimization and plumbing simplification through shared connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If a sink is placed on a support cabinet, then the sink has stable support, but significant space is wasted in small rooms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesink support stabilityVSAvoidroom space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sink is merged with the laundry appliance to form an integrated unit, where the sink utilizes the appliance's existing water supply and drainage connections. This eliminates the need for separate plumbing infrastructure, thereby saving significant space in small rooms while maintaining independent sink functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The laundry appliance serves dual purposes: its primary function (washing) and as a support structure with integrated water supply and drainage for the sink. This multi-functionality allows the sink to operate independently without requiring dedicated plumbing, thus optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4717810A1Improved sink system
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 MONGARDI EDOARDO
  • EP4717810A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4717810A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4717810A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An improved sink system is described, comprising at least one sink body (1) designed to be placed in support of at least one laundry appliance.