Appliance Light Conductor Rod Form Locking for Reduced Light Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light conductor rod attachment methods for appliance lights, particularly in cooking apparatuses, suffer from ease of assembly issues and potential light loss due to friction locking connections, which are less preferred than form locking connections.
Innovation Solution
A light conductor rod with a circumferential annular protrusion, such as a flange, is used for positive form locking within a holder, ensuring secure attachment without light loss by integrating the protrusion into the fixing element's design, allowing for defined orientation and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If friction locking connection is used to attach the light conductor rod, then ease of assembly is improved, but light loss increases due to reduced cross section and introduced light exit surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is divided into two functional zones: a first portion that receives the light conductor rod with form locking to prevent sliding, and a second portion that provides friction locking through a clamping ring. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the fixing element have different structural qualities: the first portion has a precise geometric shape for form locking, while the second portion has a deformable sleeve structure for friction locking. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its intended function optimally.
2Loss of energy
If form locking connection is used to attach the light conductor rod, then light loss is reduced by maintaining full cross section, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to more complex fixation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element combines two fixation mechanisms in separate portions: form locking in the first portion and friction locking in the second portion. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both secure form locking for light efficiency and easy assembly through the friction locking component.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element merges form locking and friction locking mechanisms into a single integrated component. The clamping ring can be elastically deformed to facilitate assembly, then returns to its original shape to provide friction locking, while the first portion simultaneously provides form locking.
3Ease of operation
If circumferential relief cut is introduced into the light conductor rod for form locking, then ease of assembly is improved, but light loss increases due to reduced light conduction cross section
Solution Approach 1:
The relief cut is extracted from the light conductor rod and relocated to the fixing element. The first portion of the fixing element contains the circumferential relief cut, allowing the intact light conductor rod to be inserted and locked without any cuts, preserving the full light conduction cross section.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element acts as an intermediary that provides the relief cut structure needed for form locking, while the light conductor rod remains intact. The relief cut in the fixing element's first portion allows the rod to be secured without compromising the rod's light conduction capability.
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 form locking connection provides secure, light-efficient, and easy assembly of the light conductor rod, minimizing light loss and simplifying the attachment process while ensuring the rod remains fixed in the correct orientation.
Implementation Method 1
a light conductor rod (30) including a light entry surface (32) for light emitted by the LED
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance light including an illuminant formed by a circuit board and a LED arranged on the circuit board; a light conductor rod including a light entry surface for light emitted by the LED; a holder including a circuit board receiver arranged on a bottom side of the holder, a fixing element arranged on a top side of the holder opposite to the bottom side and configured to receive the light conductor rod, and a cut out arranged in a portion of the fixing element wherein light emitted by the LED arranged on the bottom side of the holder radiates through the cut out to the light conductor rod arranged on the top side of the holder; wherein the light conductor rod includes an essentially circumferential annular protrusion arranged in a radial plane and integrally provided in one piece with or bonded to the light conductor rod.