Drive structure for moving an articulated control panel on a cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional articulated control panels for cooking appliances are complex, noisy, and prone to stress and wear due to small motor size and confined space constraints, making them inefficient and prone to fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A drive structure featuring a mounting bracket with a movably mounted frame and guide, a curved slot, and a rotatably affixed drive mechanism with a shaft that extends to move the control panel away from the appliance, utilizing a worm gear type drive mechanism to reduce strain and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional screw drive assembly is used, then the control panel can be moved, but the structure becomes complex and noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a motor assembly, a screw shaft, and a nut mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex conventional screw drive assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of linear motion from the complex screw drive assembly and implements it through a simplified motor-screw-nut mechanism. This extraction removes unnecessary structural elements while maintaining the core functionality of moving the control panel.
2Volume of stationary object
If a small motor is used to move the control panel, then the drive mechanism can fit in confined space, but the motor becomes strained and generates wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the strained small motor system with a more efficient mechanical advantage system using a screw mechanism and nut. This substitution allows a larger motor to be used effectively, reducing strain while the screw-nut mechanism provides mechanical advantage to move the control panel with less motor power required.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a movable shaft that can extend and retract, and a rotatably affixed motor assembly. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to space constraints while maintaining optimal motor performance and reducing strain during operation.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional drive mechanism is used in confined space, then the control panel can be actuated, but the structure creates stress points resulting in fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic mounting configurations where the motor assembly is rotatably affixed and the shaft is moveable between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic design distributes mechanical stresses more evenly throughout the structure, eliminating fixed stress points that would lead to fatigue and failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism allows for parameter changes in the form of shaft extension and retraction, as well as motor assembly rotation. These parameter changes enable the system to operate effectively in confined spaces while maintaining structural integrity by adjusting the mechanical configuration to avoid stress concentration.
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 allows for a larger drive mechanism in a limited space, reducing strain and noise, and enabling smooth, orthogonal movement of the control panel, enhancing usability and durability.
Implementation Method 1
A drive mechanism is rotatably affixed to the mounting bracket and attached to the control panel. The drive mechanism includes a shaft, the shaft moveable to extend from a first, withdrawn, position to a second, extended, position in a direction substantially parallel to the control panel
Data Source
AI summary
A drive structure for moving an articulated control panel on a cooking appliance includes a mounting bracket fixed in position relative to the cooking appliance. A frame is movably mounted to the mounting bracket. The frame includes a guide. A curved slot is formed within the guide; the curved slot engaging the mounting bracket to travel along the mounting bracket. A control panel is affixed to the frame to move therewith. A drive mechanism is rotatably affixed to the mounting bracket and attached to the control panel. The drive mechanism includes a shaft, the shaft moveable to extend from a first, withdrawn, position to a second, extended, position in a direction substantially parallel to the control panel causing the control panel to move relative to the mounting bracket.