Aluminum Control Panel Extrusion for Household Appliance Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances with control panels face challenges in durability, design matching, and efficient manufacturing processes, leading to increased production time and costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of aluminum materials for control panels, subjected to extrusion, heat treatment, cutting, CNC processing, hairline, and anodizing processes, with assembly methods like welding or screwing, to create durable and design-matched panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional materials and manufacturing processes are used for control panels, then production flexibility is maintained, but durability and design matching are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from traditional materials to aluminum material and implementing a standardized multi-step manufacturing process (extrusion → heat treatment → cutting → CNC processing → molding). This systematic parameter change in material properties and process parameters resolves the contradiction by achieving superior durability through aluminum's inherent properties while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through process standardization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by using aluminum material with specific properties (durability, design matchability) to create control panels that simultaneously satisfy multiple requirements. The aluminum material serves as a composite solution that integrates structural integrity, aesthetic properties, and manufacturability, resolving the contradiction between durability improvement and manufacturing complexity
2Shape
If multiple different materials are used for control panel components, then design flexibility is improved, but design coherence and matching deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity principle by using the same aluminum material for all control panel components (first panel, second panel, control panel bracket). This material uniformity ensures design coherence and visual matching across all components while maintaining sufficient design flexibility through the versatility of aluminum material and standardized processing methods, effectively resolving the contradiction
3Manufacturing precision
If complex manufacturing processes are used for control panels, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation principle by dividing the control panel manufacturing into distinct sequential stages: extrusion → heat treatment → cutting → CNC processing → molding. Each stage focuses on a specific aspect of fabrication, allowing for optimized precision at each step while maintaining overall production efficiency through process modularity and standardization. This segmented approach resolves the contradiction by achieving high precision without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing extrusion and heat treatment processes before cutting and CNC processing. These preliminary steps prepare the aluminum material with optimal properties (shape, strength, dimensional stability) that facilitate subsequent precision operations. By preparing the material in advance with appropriate properties, the patent achieves high manufacturing precision while avoiding rework and minimizing production time
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
The solution enhances the durability and design coherence of control panels while simplifying the manufacturing process, reducing production time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first panel formed by a process of extruding an aluminum (Al) material
Implementation Method 2
The first panel obtained by extruding the aluminum (Al) material may be sequentially subject to a heat treatment
Implementation Method 3
The first panel may be molded by performing at least one process of a hairline process and an anodizing process
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance including a control panel includes a body and a control panel provided on an outer side of the body, wherein the control panel includes a first panel formed by a process of extrusion of an aluminum (Al) material and provided with at least one surface thereof exposed to an outside thereof, and a second panel provided to be coupled to the first panel and made of the same material as the first panel.