Adjustable mounting system for a control panel of a home cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visible mounting of control panels on home cooking appliances complicates assembly and servicing processes, leading to undesirable gaps between components due to differences in part tolerances and manufacturing techniques, and makes it difficult to conceal mounting hardware from view.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable mounting system with a mounting pin, a concealed mounting box, and a locking device that allows for precise positioning and alignment of the control panel, minimizing gaps between the control panel and other components, while being hidden from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the control panel is mounted with visible mounting hardware to simplify assembly and servicing, then ease of manufacture and ease of repair are improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting hardware (mounting box and locking device) is extracted and concealed behind the control panel, removing the visual distraction from the front view while maintaining its functional role in securing the panel to the housing
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting box acts as an intermediary component that receives and conceals the locking device, allowing the control panel to be securely mounted while hiding the mounting hardware from view
2Shape
If the control panel is mounted with concealed mounting hardware to improve aesthetic appearance, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in assembly and servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into separate components (control panel, mounting box, locking device) that can be independently assembled and serviced, with the mounting box providing access to the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to be adjustable and movable, allowing it to be engaged and disengaged to facilitate assembly and servicing while maintaining a concealed appearance during normal operation
3Device complexity
If the control panel is mounted with fixed mounting hardware to simplify the mounting structure, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to gaps from tolerance differences
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to be adjustable within the mounting box, allowing it to move and adapt to tolerance variations between the control panel and housing, thereby eliminating gaps without requiring complex pre-engineered fixed mounting structures
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the locking device can be changed and adjusted to accommodate variations in manufacturing tolerances, allowing the control panel to be securely mounted with proper alignment despite differences in component dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable mounting system for mounting a control panel on a housing of a home cooking appliance, and a home cooking appliance having an adjustable mounting system, are provided. The adjustable mounting system includes a control panel having a mounting pin extending from a rear surface of the control panel and a mounting box fixed on the housing. The mounting box has a first opening that receives the mounting pin into an interior of the mounting box. The adjustable mounting system includes a locking device that engages the mounting pin and the mounting box and secures the mounting pin in the interior of the mounting box, which secures the control panel to the housing. A movement of the locking device with respect to the mounting box adjusts a position of the control panel with respect to the housing.