Control panel for an apparatus, in particular for a domestic appliance, and a method for assembling said control panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control panels for domestic appliances cannot be assembled automatically, resulting in a flush surface on the front sides of the front and inner panels.
Innovation Solution
A control panel design featuring a front panel with a cut-out, an inner panel with a peripheral rabbet forming a smaller flat front portion and a larger flat rear portion, and a support frame with a recess, allowing the inner panel to be directly connected between the front panel and the support frame for automatic assembly, with optional snap-in mechanisms and glue tracks for fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the inner panel is attached separately to the front panel and support frame, then the assembly process requires manual intervention, but the control panel cannot be assembled automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inner panel with the support frame by integrating the peripheral rabbet directly into the support frame structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate attachment steps, allowing the entire control panel to be assembled automatically in a single operation by a robot, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation capability and assembly process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The design implements nesting by placing the inner panel within the support frame's peripheral rabbet structure. The inner panel is nested into the recess formed by the rabbet, creating a integrated assembly that can be automatically positioned and fixed without manual intervention, enabling automatic assembly while maintaining structural integrity
2Manufacturing precision
If the inner panel is made larger to cover the cut-out completely, then the surface appears flush, but manufacturing tolerances cause misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a recess in the support frame at the specific location where the inner panel needs to be positioned. This localized recess structure provides precise positioning for the inner panel while accommodating manufacturing tolerances, allowing the surface to appear flush without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances across the entire panel
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral rabbet structure acts as an intermediary element between the inner panel and the support frame. This rabbet creates a recess that mediates the connection, providing both precise positioning and tolerance accommodation, thereby resolving the contradiction between surface alignment precision and ease of manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a control panel for an apparatus, in particular for a domestic appliance. The control panel (10) comprises at least one front panel (12) including at least one cut-out (14). The control panel (10) comprises at least one inner panel (16) including a peripheral rabbet (18). Said peripheral rabbet (18) encloses at least partially the circumference of the inner panel (16), so that a smaller flat front portion and a bigger flat rear portion of said inner panel (16) are formed. The control panel (10) comprises at least one support frame (20) including at least one recess (22) at its front side. The support frame (20) is connected or connectable to the rear side of the front panel (12). The inner panel (16) is arranged or arrangeable between the front panel (12) and the support frame (20), so that the flat front portion of the inner panel (16) is received or receivable by the cut-out (14) of the front panel (12), while the flat rear portion of the inner panel (16) is received or receivable by the recess (22) of the support frame (20). Further, the present invention relates to a method for assembling a control panel for an apparatus, in particular for a domestic appliance.