Weight device for a washing machine with integrated fluid drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weight devices for washing machines interfere with fluid drainage due to their design, either requiring separation or reduced thickness, compromising stability and durability.

Innovation Solution

A weight device with an integrated fluid channel inside the weight body, allowing for continuous weight and stability while minimizing space interference, using a fluid tube with optional positioning ribs and sealing means for seamless fluid communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a weight device is provided surrounding the circular opening to stabilize vibrations, then stability is improved, but it interferes with fluid drainage guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidfluid drainage guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the weight device with the fluid guidance function by integrating a fluid guiding tube directly into the weight device structure. The tube is embedded within the weight body, allowing the single component to simultaneously provide vibrational stability through its mass and enable fluid drainage through its internal passage, eliminating the need for separate fluid guidance elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the weight device is separated into several parts to provide space for the guiding tube, then fluid drainage guidance is improved, but weight and stability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid drainage guidanceVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than separating the weight device into multiple parts, the patent merges the fluid guiding tube within the continuous weight body. This integration maintains the structural integrity and total weight of the device while providing the necessary space for fluid guidance through the embedded tube, thus preserving stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid guiding tube is nested within the weight body, with the tube positioned inside the mass of the weight device. This nesting arrangement allows the smaller tube to be contained within the larger weight structure, enabling fluid drainage functionality without compromising the external dimensions or mass distribution of the weight device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the weight device thickness is reduced to create a groove for the fluid tube, then fluid drainage guidance is improved, but weight and stability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid drainage guidanceVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid guiding tube is nested within the weight body's interior volume rather than creating an external groove. This approach utilizes the internal space of the weight device, eliminating the need to reduce the overall thickness or mass of the weight structure, thereby maintaining both weight and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of reducing thickness in one dimension to accommodate the tube, the patent positions the tube within the three-dimensional volume of the weight body. This spatial reorganization allows fluid guidance functionality to be achieved without compromising the dimensional integrity or mass of the weight device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the weight device is kept unified without separation, then stability is maintained, but space for fluid guiding tube is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidfluid drainage guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The unified weight device accommodates the fluid guiding tube by nesting it within the weight body's internal volume. This nesting enables the single, unified structure to provide both stabilizing mass and fluid guidance pathways without requiring separation or reduction of the weight device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250230597A1Weight device for a washing machine with integrated fluid drainage

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 ARMETON INT DMCC

AI summary

A weight device (10) for increasing stability of a washing drum (110) of a washing machine (100), includes a weight body (20) with a mounting interface (22) to be mounted at a counter-mounting-interface (122) of the washing machine (100), in particular a washing tub (160) of the washing machine (100), in a position at least partly surrounding an access opening (130) of the washing machine (100) providing access to the washing drum (110), characterised in that at least one fluid channel (30) is formed inside of the weight body (20) having a channel inlet (32) for fluid communication with a fluid source (140) of the washing machine (100) and a channel outlet (34) for fluid communication with a fluid drainage (150) of the washing machine (100).