Control Box Assembly for Faster Refrigerator Door Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing assembly process for electrical household appliances, such as refrigerators, is time-consuming and costly due to the complexity of multiple components and the need for precise screw threading through reinforcement plates.
Innovation Solution
A design featuring a single, molded plastic control box with integrated threaded elements that secure the supporting means and bracket, allowing for faster assembly and reduced component count, including the use of threaded elements that cut into the control box during installation, simplifying the assembly process and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple components (bracket, reinforcement plate, screws) are used to secure supporting means, then the assembly is structurally sound, but the assembly time and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bracket and reinforcement plate into a single integrated control box structure. The control box is designed with internal reinforcement features and integrated mounting structures that eliminate the need for separate reinforcement plates and multiple screws, while maintaining structural integrity and securing the supporting means effectively.
2Strength
If multiple components (bracket, reinforcement plate, screws) are used to secure supporting means, then the assembly is structurally sound, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (bracket, reinforcement plate, screws) into a single molded control box. This integration reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining the necessary structural strength through integrated reinforcement features.
Solution Approach 2:
The control box serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the control electronics, provides structural reinforcement, and acts as the mounting structure for the supporting means. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reinforcement plates and brackets, reducing both component count and production cost.
3Reliability
If a reinforcement plate with threaded holes is used, then the supporting means are securely fastened, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reinforcement plate functionality directly into the control box structure. The control box is molded with internal reinforcement ribs and integrated mounting features that provide the same secure attachment capability as a separate reinforcement plate, but without the complexity of assembling multiple separate components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall assembly requires more steps and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components into a single molded control box that is produced using injection molding technology. This allows for high-volume production of the integrated structure in a single manufacturing step, significantly increasing productivity and assembly speed while still allowing design optimization for the specific application requirements.
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
This design significantly speeds up the assembly process and lowers production costs by minimizing the number of components and simplifying the assembly steps, while ensuring secure attachment of the door and control box components.
Implementation Method 1
threaded elements that cut into the control box during installation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An electrical household appliance comprising: -a facia (2) comprising a user interface (20); -a control box (3) which, in combination with the facia (2), defines a housing compartment (4) for control means; -a bracket (6) which at least partly frames the facia (2); -first supporting means (7) to which a door giving access to a space (90) inside the electrical household appliance (1) can be hinged; characterized in that it comprises a first threaded element (81) which passes through the bracket (6) and connects the first supporting means (7) and the control box (3); the control box (3) comprising at least a first cavity (31) for receiving the first threaded element (81).