Appliance Power Switch Recess with Rear-Inclined Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric appliances with power switches on side surfaces face issues of erroneous operation due to visibility and operability challenges, especially when the power switch is recessed with an inclined surface pointing to the front, leading to difficulties in accessing and avoiding dust accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A recess with a front inclined surface pointing to the rear is integrated into the side surface of the appliance main body, housing a power switch that does not protrude beyond the side surface, allowing for easier operation with improved ergonomics and reduced dust accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the power switch is arranged on the front surface, then visibility and operability are improved, but erroneous operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoiderroneous operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is designed with different inclined surfaces having different orientations: the front inclined surface points to the rear surface side for easy operation, while the rear inclined surface points to the front surface side to prevent erroneous operation. This local differentiation of surface orientations resolves the contradiction between operability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The recess employs asymmetric inclined surfaces where the front inclined surface and rear inclined surface have different orientations relative to the side surface. This asymmetry allows the power switch to be easily accessible while preventing accidental activation from the rear side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the power switch is arranged inside the recess with inclined surface pointing to front, then erroneous operation is reduced, but operability and accessibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerroneous operationVSAvoidoperability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the inclined surface point to the front (conventional design), the front inclined surface is inverted to point to the rear surface side. This inversion improves operability by allowing easy access from the front while the rear inclined surface prevents erroneous operation from the back.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the power switch protrudes beyond the side surface, then operability is improved, but dust accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperabilityVSAvoiddust accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power switch is nested within the recess formed in the side surface, with the switch body positioned inside the recess space. This nesting arrangement allows the switch to be accessible through the opening while preventing dust accumulation on protruding surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The recess is designed with specific dimensional characteristics: the front inclined surface and rear inclined surface create a three-dimensional space that accommodates the power switch. This dimensional arrangement allows easy front-side access while preventing dust accumulation on protruding surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10242812B2Electric appliance

Publication Date: 2019.03.26 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An electric appliance includes an appliance main body, a recess, and a power switch. The recess is arranged in a side surface of the appliance main body, and has a front surface-side inclined surface which is inclined to the side surface and which points to the rear surface side of the appliance main body. The power switch is arranged on the front surface-side inclined surface not to protrude out beyond the side surface.