Backing Piece Sealing Lip Assembly Without Adhesive Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backing parts for fastening electrical components to the housing wall of domestic appliances are complex to attach and often fail to achieve a reliable, permanent seal, requiring gluing and resulting in assembly challenges and cost inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A backing part with an integrated elastic sealing lip and distributed holding elements that press against the housing wall, eliminating the need for gluing and ensuring a reliable, foam-tight seal, made from cold-resistant plastic material with flat, spring-elastic holding elements for easy assembly and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gluing is used to secure and seal the backing piece to the housing wall, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (gluing) with a mechanical fastening system. The backing piece incorporates a rim with integrating locking elements that engage with corresponding structures on the housing wall, providing both mechanical retention and sealing through pure mechanical means without requiring adhesives.
Solution Approach 2:
The rim of the backing piece is segmented into multiple locking elements distributed around its circumference. Each locking element independently engages with the housing wall, distributing the fastening and sealing functions across multiple contact points. This segmentation provides reliable sealing while simplifying assembly, as the modular locking elements can be engaged individually during installation.
2Reliability
If gluing is used to attach the backing piece, then sealing is achieved, but assembly time and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming gluing process with a rapid mechanical snap-fit or click-in mechanism. The locking elements on the rim engage with the housing wall through simple insertion and engagement motions, eliminating the need for adhesive application, curing time, and associated quality control steps, thereby significantly increasing assembly productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are pre-formed as integral parts of the rim during molding, rather than being added as separate components or requiring post-assembly operations. This preliminary integration of the fastening mechanism into the rim structure allows for one-step installation that simultaneously achieves both mechanical attachment and sealing, maximizing assembly speed.
3Reliability
If adhesive is used to secure the backing piece, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent chemical bonding with reversible mechanical engagement. The locking elements are designed to engage firmly during assembly to ensure reliable sealing, but can be disengaged through controlled application of force or simple manipulation, allowing the backing piece to be removed and reinstalled without damage or special tools.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple rim structure is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is segmented into multiple locking elements that are integrated during the molding process. While the overall structure remains a single molded piece (maintaining manufacturing simplicity), the segmented locking features provide enhanced sealing reliability by creating multiple contact points and distribution of sealing pressure around the entire perimeter of the backing piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function and the fastening function into a single integrated rim structure. The locking elements serve dual purposes: mechanically securing the backing piece to the housing wall while simultaneously creating the seal. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate sealing components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving reliable sealing.
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 easy and cost-effective attachment and disassembly of electrical components with a reliable, permanent seal, preventing foam penetration and accommodating varying wall thicknesses, enhancing the assembly process and ensuring airtight sealing.
Implementation Method 1
The circumferential rim is designed as an elastic sealing lip that is pressed against the rear of the housing wall to create a seal
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a backing piece (10) for attaching an electrical component to a housing wall (20) of an electrical household appliance, wherein said backing piece (10) is arranged behind a matching opening (30) in the housing wall (20) and is supported with an elastic sealing lip (12), which extends peripherally around the opening (30), against the rear side of the housing wall. The backing piece (10) is designed with a plurality of holding elements (14a-14h) which project from the body (11) and form a gap (x, y) between themselves and the sealing lip (12), wherein said gap is designed to receive a section of the housing wall (20) at the edge (31-34) of the opening (30). Said holding elements (14a-14h) are distributed such that a sufficiently high pressing pressure is introduced into each section of the sealing lip (12). The invention further relates to an electrical household appliance and to a method for installing the backing piece.