Control Panel Plug Assembly for Dishwasher Door Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for electrically connecting a control panel with buttons, switches, and display devices to the inner door section of household appliances, such as dishwashers, are labor-intensive and costly due to the need for manual intervention in connecting electrical components via multiple cables, which complicates the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

An automated method using a single plug connection with complementary plug parts, where one part is fixed to the control panel and the other to the inner door, allowing them to automatically engage during assembly, simplifying the electrical connection and reducing manual labor by pivoting the inner door onto the control panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual connection methods are used for electrical components, then connection reliability can be ensured, but assembly time and labor costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate electrical connections (power supply, control signals, display signals) are merged into a single integrated plug connection. The plug part on the control panel and the socket part on the inner door section establish all necessary electrical contacts simultaneously through one insertion action, eliminating the need for multiple separate connection operations while maintaining reliable electrical contact for all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug connection is designed to automatically establish reliable electrical contact without requiring manual intervention for each connection point. The structural design of the plug and socket parts ensures that upon insertion, the electrical contacts are automatically engaged and secured, making the connection process self-completing and eliminating labor-intensive manual wiring operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If multiple separate connections are made for electrical components, then each connection can be individually secured, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual connection securityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate electrical connections are combined into a single integrated plug assembly. The plug part contains all necessary male contacts and the socket part contains all corresponding female contacts, allowing power supply, control signals, and display signals to be connected simultaneously through one insertion action, dramatically simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single plug connection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power supply connection, control signal transmission, and display signal connection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate connection mechanisms for each electrical component, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining individual connection security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional mechanical installation methods are used, then structural stability is achieved, but electrical connection requires additional manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of electrical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical mounting structure and electrical connection are merged into a single integrated operation. The control panel is mounted to the inner door section using mechanical fastening elements that provide structural stability, while the plug connection for electrical components is simultaneously established during the same assembly action, eliminating the need for separate manual electrical connection steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug connection is pre-positioned and pre-aligned on both the control panel and inner door section during the design and manufacturing phase. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the control panel is mechanically mounted, the plug and socket parts are already in correct alignment and can engage automatically without requiring additional manual intervention for electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2792289B1Household appliance with at least one control panel
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2792289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2792289B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

For the electrically contacting connection of a control panel (3), the control panel (3) being assigned buttons (4), switches (5) and/or similar selection elements and/or possibly a display device (6), with an inner door section ( 2a) of a door (2) of a household appliance (1), in particular a dishwasher, at least one plug connection (9) is automatically closed during assembly, which comprises a first plug part (9a) which is assigned to the control panel (3) and which a second connector part (9b) associated with the inner door portion (2a).