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'''BSH Wiki:''' AquaStop reliably protects against water damage. How does it work and what are its distinguishing features?
'''BSH Wiki:''' AquaStop reliably protects against water damage. How does it work and what are its distinguishing features?


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'''Ernst Stickel:''' We didn’t tell the customer how it works, but rather what damage it prevents and how convenient it is. Nevertheless, it’s a very simple concept. A second inlet valve is connected to the faucet and sleeving is pushed over the inlet hose. If there’s a leak in the inlet hose, the water is guided to the appliance's base tray and an electrical signal is sent to the inlet valve, which closes immediately. In addition, the float switch in the base tray then switches on the lye pump. The device has always worked with 100% reliability, as was confirmed by TÜV and the testing bodies on behalf of the insurance industry.
'''Ernst Stickel:''' Wir haben den Kunden nicht erklärt, wie er funktioniert, sondern welche Schäden er verhindert und wie bequem er ist. Aber es ist eine sehr einfache Idee. Ein zweites Einlassventil wird am Wasserhahn angebracht und ein Hüllschlauch über den Zulaufschlauch geschoben. Im Falle eines Lecks am Zulaufschlauch wird das Wasser in die Gerätebodenwanne geleitet und es geht ein elektrisches Signal an das Einlassventil, das sofort schließt. Außerdem schaltet der Schwimmerschalter in der Bodenwanne noch die Laugenpumpe ein. Die Vorrichtung funktionierte immer zu einhundert Prozent. Das wurde vom TÜV und den Prüfungsinstituten der Versicherungen bestätigt.
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'''BSH Wiki:''' Innovations such as this surely take off quickly?
'''BSH-Wiki:''' Eine solche Innovation setzt sich sicher schnell durch?
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'''Ernst Stickel:''' Unfortunately, it’s not always that fast. There was much discussion initially as to whether AquaStop was too expensive or could give the impression that our products are faulty. However, Helmut Plettner, the then Chairman of the Board, ensured that the project was right at the top of the priority list. AquaStop was ultimately a complete success and all competitors were also very quick to acquire a license from us.
'''Ernst Stickel''': Manchmal geht es leider nicht ganz so schnell. Am Anfang wurde viel darüber diskutiert, dass der AquaStop zu teuer sei oder den Eindruck erwecken könnte, dass unsere Produkte fehlerhaft seien. Helmut Plettner, der damalige Vorsitzende der Geschäftsführung, sorgte dann allerdings dafür, dass das Projekt ganz oben auf der Prioritätenliste stand. Letzten Endes war der AquaStop ein voller Erfolg und auch alle Wettbewerber haben sehr schnell Lizenz bei uns genommen.
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'''BSH Wiki:''' New ideas naturally often break with longstanding traditions.
'''BSH-Wiki:''' Neue Ideen brechen natürlich oft mit langen Traditionen.
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'''Ernst Stickel''': Another example is the 45 cm dishwasher. The width of 45 cm, which emerged as the desired width based on a survey of singles and employees from two-person households, was not included in the AMK (Modern Kitchen Working Group) standard. As a result, installation in customary kitchens was initially difficult. However, we quickly found a solution, and there were no protests from the kitchen furniture industry either. Thanks to the introduction of the 45 cm dishwasher, sales of small kitchens even increased on previous figures. Ultimately, this innovation was also a major success for us and we were struggling to keep up with delivery of all the orders.
'''Ernst Stickel:''' Ein weiteres Beispiel ist der sogenannte 45er Geschirrspüler. Die Breite von 45 cm, die laut einer Befragung von Singles und Mitarbeitern aus 2-Personenhaushalten gewünscht wurde, kam in der AMK (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Moderne Küchen) Norm nicht vor. Zu Anfang gestaltete sich deshalb der Einbau in gängige Küchen schwierig. Wir fanden jedoch schnell eine Lösung und es gab auch keine Proteste der Küchenmöbelindustrie. Durch die Einführung des 45er Spülers wurden sogar mehr kleine Küchen verkauft als vorher. Am Ende war auch diese Innovation für uns ein großer Erfolg und wir kamen kaum mit der Lieferung der Bestellungen hinterher.
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'''BSH Wiki:''' Was the new width not also a challenge for the design? The narrower dishwasher delivers the same performance as the model with standard dimensions.
'''BSH-Wiki:''' War die neue Breite nicht auch eine Herausforderung für die Konstruktion? Der schmalere Geschirrspüler leistet ja dasselbe wie der Spüler mit dem Standardmaß.
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<div lang="de-x-formal" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr">
'''Ernst Stickel:''' The new 45 cm dishwasher was especially innovative. It was actually quite a challenge to accommodate all the required components, including a new heat exchanger, for example, in a 15 cm narrower washer. The key impetus came from a completely different industry: At the Hanover Fair in 1984, I was struck by the trucks whose engines could be accessed when the driver's cabs were tilted out. We also applied this technology to the 45 cm washers. We took a type of beer crate and filled its individual compartments with the relevant components. We then mounted the container on one side using a hinge and closed it, as with the driver's cab, thus clamping the components. This meant we needed fewer attachment components and screws, reduced our assembly costs and also integrated innovations, such as the instantaneous water heater and AquaStop.
'''Ernst Stickel:''' Der neue 45er Spüler war besonders innovativ. So war es in der Tat eine Herausforderung, alle erforderlichen Bauelemente, beispielsweise auch einen neuen Wärmetauscher, in einem 15 cm schmaleren Spüler unterzubringen. Die entscheidende Anregung kam aus einer ganz anderen Branche: Mir fielen bei der Hannover Messe 1984 die LKWs auf, deren Motoren durch die aufgeklappten Führerhäuser zugänglich waren. Diese Technik wendeten wir auch beim 45er Spüler an. Wir nahmen eine Art Bierkiste und befüllten deren einzelne Fächer mit den entsprechenden Bauelementen. Dann montierten wir den Behälter mit einem Scharnier auf der einen Seite und klappten ihn, ähnlich wie das Führerhaus, zu, wodurch die Bauteile festgeklemmt wurden. So benötigten wir weniger Befestigungsteile und Schrauben, sparten Montagekosten und integrierten Innovationen wie den Durchlauferhitzer und den AquaStop.
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'''BSH Wiki:''' Were all projects a success or did you also have flops?
'''BSH-Wiki:''' Waren alle Projekte von Erfolg gekrönt oder hatten Sie auch Reinfälle?
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<div lang="de-x-formal" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr">
'''Ernst Stickel:''' There were certainly one or two technical solutions that I would handle differently today, but we never really had any flops as such.
'''Ernst Stickel:''' Es gab zwar die eine oder andere technische Lösung, die ich heute anders machen würde, doch richtige Flops hatten wir nicht.
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'''BSH Wiki:''' Mr. Stickel, as we draw to a close we would like to come back to you personally. Is there a moment in your professional career that you look back on with particular fondness?
'''BSH-Wiki:''' Herr Stickel, gegen Ende wollen wir noch einmal auf Sie persönlich zurückkommen. Gibt es einen Moment in ihrem Berufsleben, an den Sie sich besonders gerne zurückerinnern?
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'''Ernst Stickel:''' There were actually two moments: First of all, the presentation of the innovation prize by the British trade journal ERT in London in 1988 for the new 45-cm Bosch dishwasher. Secondly, the presentation of the Environment Prize in 1998 by the then Minister for the Environment Angela Merkel. We were awarded this prize for our GV 630 dishwashers, which worked extremely efficiently for the time, saved resources and were part of an end-to-end recycling model.
'''Ernst Stickel:''' Da gibt es eigentlich zwei Momente: Zum einen die Verleihung des Innovationspreises der britischen Fachzeitschrift ERT in London 1988 für den neuen 45-cm-Geschirrspüler von Bosch. Zum anderen die Verleihung des Umweltpreises 1998 von der damaligen Umweltministerin Angela Merkel. Diesen Preis erhielten wir für unsere GV 630- Geschirrspüler, die für die damalige Zeit sehr effizient arbeiteten, Ressourcen schonten und in ein ganzheitliches Recyclingmodell eingebunden waren.
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Aktuelle Version vom 1. August 2023, 12:29 Uhr

Sprachen:
Ernst Stickel, 1986 (source: BSH mediapool)

Innovations and in-house inventions have made BSH what it is today: a successful international company. When it comes to revolutionary innovations in the area of dishwasher technology, one name in stands out in particular at BSH: Ernst Stickel, long-serving designer and employee.


BSH Wiki: Mr. Stickel, you completed your training with Bosch. How would you describe your initial working years?

Ernst Stickel: I started off as a mechanic in tool manufacture, but felt somewhat under-challenged. Bosch was offering draftsman training at this time, which I ultimately completed, but I once again found myself dissatisfied (laughs). I therefore decided to attend technical college. I went on from there to design special machines, but soon realized that I had to train many young engineers along the way. Unfortunately, I didn’t graduate from high school, which meant that I hadn’t really thought about studying engineering. Finally, I was given the opportunity to take part in a pre-semester as the fourth-best Baden-Württemberg apprentice. That’s what I then did and completed the course in precision engineering at Ulm Technical University. I was hired again in 1965 as a designer for dishwashers. I am grateful to Bosch for repeatedly re-hiring and supporting me.

BSH Wiki: Your drive to improve continuously is also reflected in your designs. AquaStop, for example, was a groundbreaking innovation. How did it come about?

Ernst Stickel: In the past, washing machines and dishwashers could only be operated under supervision, and the faucet had to be turned off after use. While this may have been clearly stated in legal terms, nobody ever did it (laughs), so accidents and resulting water damage happened all the time. The pivotal moment was an incident with a director of a ball bearing factory in Schweinfurt, when the water level in his apartment rose to 10 cm above his precious carpets.

BSH Wiki: AquaStop reliably protects against water damage. How does it work and what are its distinguishing features?

Ernst Stickel: We didn’t tell the customer how it works, but rather what damage it prevents and how convenient it is. Nevertheless, it’s a very simple concept. A second inlet valve is connected to the faucet and sleeving is pushed over the inlet hose. If there’s a leak in the inlet hose, the water is guided to the appliance's base tray and an electrical signal is sent to the inlet valve, which closes immediately. In addition, the float switch in the base tray then switches on the lye pump. The device has always worked with 100% reliability, as was confirmed by TÜV and the testing bodies on behalf of the insurance industry.

BSH Wiki: Innovations such as this surely take off quickly?

Ernst Stickel: Unfortunately, it’s not always that fast. There was much discussion initially as to whether AquaStop was too expensive or could give the impression that our products are faulty. However, Helmut Plettner, the then Chairman of the Board, ensured that the project was right at the top of the priority list. AquaStop was ultimately a complete success and all competitors were also very quick to acquire a license from us.

BSH Wiki: New ideas naturally often break with longstanding traditions.

Ernst Stickel: Another example is the 45 cm dishwasher. The width of 45 cm, which emerged as the desired width based on a survey of singles and employees from two-person households, was not included in the AMK (Modern Kitchen Working Group) standard. As a result, installation in customary kitchens was initially difficult. However, we quickly found a solution, and there were no protests from the kitchen furniture industry either. Thanks to the introduction of the 45 cm dishwasher, sales of small kitchens even increased on previous figures. Ultimately, this innovation was also a major success for us and we were struggling to keep up with delivery of all the orders.

BSH Wiki: Was the new width not also a challenge for the design? The narrower dishwasher delivers the same performance as the model with standard dimensions.

Ernst Stickel: The new 45 cm dishwasher was especially innovative. It was actually quite a challenge to accommodate all the required components, including a new heat exchanger, for example, in a 15 cm narrower washer. The key impetus came from a completely different industry: At the Hanover Fair in 1984, I was struck by the trucks whose engines could be accessed when the driver's cabs were tilted out. We also applied this technology to the 45 cm washers. We took a type of beer crate and filled its individual compartments with the relevant components. We then mounted the container on one side using a hinge and closed it, as with the driver's cab, thus clamping the components. This meant we needed fewer attachment components and screws, reduced our assembly costs and also integrated innovations, such as the instantaneous water heater and AquaStop.

BSH Wiki: Were all projects a success or did you also have flops?

Ernst Stickel: There were certainly one or two technical solutions that I would handle differently today, but we never really had any flops as such.

BSH Wiki: Mr. Stickel, as we draw to a close we would like to come back to you personally. Is there a moment in your professional career that you look back on with particular fondness?

Ernst Stickel: There were actually two moments: First of all, the presentation of the innovation prize by the British trade journal ERT in London in 1988 for the new 45-cm Bosch dishwasher. Secondly, the presentation of the Environment Prize in 1998 by the then Minister for the Environment Angela Merkel. We were awarded this prize for our GV 630 dishwashers, which worked extremely efficiently for the time, saved resources and were part of an end-to-end recycling model.