Washing Tub Drain Valve Integration for Leak-Tight Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machines face leakage issues due to complex and difficult-to-mount drain pipes with separate valve parts, which can lead to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

A simplified drain pipe system where the valve part is integrated with the washing tub, eliminating separate joints and using a cylindrical pipe connected via conventional flanges, with a buoyant valve that floats to close or open the drain port based on water presence, ensuring tightness and easy assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate valve part is used in the drain pipe, then the drainage function can be achieved, but the complexity of the drain pipe increases and mounting becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mountingVSAvoidcomplexity of drain pipe
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve part is integrated directly into the drain pipe as a single component, eliminating the need for separate valve assemblies and flange connections. This merging of the valve function into the pipe structure itself simplifies the overall drain pipe design and makes installation straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separate valve part is used in the drain pipe, then the drainage function can be achieved, but leakage problems occur due to multiple joints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetightness of drain pipeVSAvoidcomplexity of drain pipe
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve part is integrated directly into the drain pipe as a single component, eliminating the need for separate valve assemblies and flange connections. This merging of the valve function into the pipe structure itself simplifies the overall drain pipe design and makes installation straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a complex valve part is used, then the drainage control function is achieved, but the manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of valve part
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve part is integrated directly into the drain pipe as a single component, eliminating the need for separate valve assemblies and flange connections. This merging of the valve function into the pipe structure itself simplifies the overall drain pipe design and makes installation straightforward.

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 design enhances the tightness and ease of mounting the drain pipe, reducing leakage risks and maintaining efficient operation by integrating the valve part with the tub, allowing for better control over the drainage process.

Implementation Method 1

a drain valve buoyant in the wash water, movably disposed inside the valve member to close the drain port when there is wash water inside the tub and the drain pump is at rest, or to open the drain port when there is no washing water inside the tub or the drain pump is operating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP2376699B1Washing machine
Publication Date: 2016.08.03 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2376699B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2376699B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2376699B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a washing machine, comprising a wash tub (30) that is filled with wash water and that has a drain opening (38), a drain pump (40), a drain line (50) that connects the water in the wash tub (30) to the drain pump (40), a valve part (52) that is connected to the wash tub in a sealed fashion, and comprising a pipe part (54) that is connected to the drain pump for water transfer; also a drain valve (60) that can float in the wash water, said valve being disposed moveably inside the valve part in order to seal the drain opening (38) in a closed position (B) when wash water is located inside the wash tub and when the drain pump (40) is idle, or in order to open the drain opening to an opened position (A) when no wash water is located inside the wash tub or when the drain pump is operating. The valve part (52) is designed in one piece together with the wash tub (30) and the pipe part (54) is connected to an outlet connection (56) of the valve part (52).