Electronic Control Assembly Snap-Fit Brackets for Fewer Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic control assemblies for appliances require numerous screws for assembly, leading to tedious and time-consuming processes, and the use of spring steel brackets can cause ergonomic issues in high production volume environments.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control assembly design that reduces the number of fasteners required for assembly by utilizing a control panel with flanges and brackets that engage through slots and step cutouts, allowing for secure attachment without screws, and incorporating a securing mechanism to ensure a sturdy fit and feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional electronic control assemblies use multiple screws to attach brackets to the control panel, then the assembly achieves a sturdy fit and feel, but the assembly process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for multiple screws by extracting the fastening function into a integrated snap-fit bracket design. The bracket includes a body that snaps directly onto the control panel, eliminating the separate screw fastening step while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the bracket's structural support function with its attachment function into a single integrated component. The bracket body simultaneously provides mechanical support for the electronic control board and attaches to the control panel through a snap-fit mechanism, eliminating the need for separate fasteners.
2Ease of manufacture
If spring steel brackets are used to avoid screws, then the number of fasteners is reduced, but a considerable amount of force is required to snap fit the brackets in place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from spring steel to a more compliant material that can be molded into an elastomeric or thermoplastic bracket. This material change allows the bracket to deform elastically during assembly and snap into place with minimal force, then maintain its shape for structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible bracket body made of elastomeric or thermoplastic material that can deform during assembly. The bracket's flexibility allows it to be inserted and snapped onto the control panel with minimal force, while still providing rigid structural support once assembled.
3Device complexity
If spring steel brackets are used to avoid screws, then assembly complexity is reduced, but ergonomic issues arise in high production volume environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material properties of the bracket from rigid spring steel to a more compliant elastomeric or thermoplastic material. This allows the bracket to be assembled with minimal force through a snap-fit mechanism, eliminating the ergonomic strain associated with forcing spring steel brackets into place while maintaining simple assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control assembly for an appliance can include features that provide for ergonomic assembly of the electronic control assembly, as well as a sturdy fit and feel when the electronic control assembly is fully assembled. Electronic control assembly can include features that reduce the number of fasteners, such as e.g., screws, required to assemble electronic control assembly.