Washing Machine Reservoir Mounting Using Shared Body Fixings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines face challenges in economically and reliably attaching a reservoir to the outside of the bodywork, requiring costly modifications and potentially compromising mechanical reliability.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing existing fixing elements to securely attach a reservoir to the outer face of the washing machine's bodywork, allowing for temporary or permanent fixation without altering the machine's structure, thus enabling standardized design with or without the reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If new fasteners or modified structure are added to fix a tank to the bodywork, then the tank can be attached, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing fixing elements that serve dual purposes: they permanently fix structural elements of the washing machine bodywork during manufacturing, and simultaneously serve as attachment points for optionally fixing a reservoir tank to the external face of the bodywork. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated tank fasteners, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining mechanical reliability.
2Reliability
If the washing machine structure is modified and adapted to add a tank, then the tank can be fixed, but the structural complexity and number of parts increase without added value
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing elements are designed to perform multiple functions within the existing washing machine structure. They permanently secure bodywork elements during manufacturing and can additionally attach a reservoir tank when desired. This approach avoids adding separate dedicated tank mounting structures, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring reliable tank fixation when implemented.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing fixing elements are reused to fix the reservoir, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the mechanical reliability of the fixing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the fixing elements with universal functionality to permanently fix both structural bodywork elements and optionally attach reservoir tanks. By integrating tank attachment capability into the existing permanent fixing elements rather than using separate temporary fasteners, the solution maintains mechanical reliability while reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing elements are pre-configured during manufacturing to serve dual purposes. The structural elements are permanently fixed using these elements, and the same elements are designed to simultaneously provide attachment points for the reservoir tank, ensuring that the fixing capacity is established in advance rather than requiring additional modifications later.
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine (1) has a body (2), a tank (5), and fixing elements formed of clamping bolts (6b, 7), screwing mast and positioning holes for fixing an element formed of upper wall (2d) and control panel (4) constituting the machine across the body. The body encloses a wash-tank. The tank is fixed on an external face of rear wall (2b) of the body using the fixing elements for temporarily or permanently fixing the element constituting the machine. The tank is fixed on the rear wall of the body of the machine.