Cooking Appliance Panel Hinge Design for Integrated Water Tank Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam ovens face design challenges in accommodating a water tank and controller without compromising size or aesthetics, often requiring complex hinge structures that increase component count and detract from the appliance's appearance.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance design where the panel unit covers and opens the water tank entrance, allowing it to be positioned rearward of the controller, eliminating the need for a large hinge structure and maintaining a sleek appearance by integrating the panel unit and water tank access within the appliance's front surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the water tank entrance is disposed at the upper portion of the cooking appliance to avoid interference with the door, then the door and water tank do not interfere with each other, but the controller size is limited and the appliance size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the water tank entrance from the upper portion to the front surface of the cooking appliance, changing the spatial dimension of access. This allows the water tank to be accessed from the front rather than from above, eliminating the need to increase appliance height or limit controller size while avoiding door interference.
2Reliability
If a separate cover is provided to cover the water tank entrance, then the water tank is protected, but the cover protrudes forward and harms the aesthetic of the cooking appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the water tank entrance directly into the front surface of the cooking appliance, merging the protective function with the appliance's aesthetic design. The entrance is formed as a recessed opening in the front surface, eliminating the need for a protruding separate cover while maintaining protection and visual appeal.
3Ease of operation
If the water tank entrance is exposed on the front surface, then user accessibility is improved, but the aesthetic of the cooking appliance is harmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a recessed entrance region in the front surface that is visually distinct from the surrounding smooth surface. This localized design element provides easy user access while the recessed nature and integration with the front surface minimize aesthetic impact, making the entrance a subtle part of the overall design rather than a protruding feature.
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 enhances user accessibility, maintains aesthetic appeal, and simplifies assembly by reducing the number of components and exposure of internal structures, while ensuring efficient operation of the steam oven.
Implementation Method 1
the water flowing into the steam generator is heated by a heater of the steam generator to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
the water flowing into the steam generator is heated by a heater of the steam generator to generate steam
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance may include a casing having a cavity and an upper space divided from the cavity, a door disposed at a front of the casing and configured to open and close the cavity, a panel disposed at the front of the casing at a height different from a height of the door, and configured to be moved from a first position to a second position, and a hinge that connects the casing and the panel to each other and is disposed in the upper space of the casing. The hinge may include a drive arm. The drive arm may protrude forward from the upper space to be connected to the panel, and the drive arm may be connected to a plurality of hinge coupled portions provided in the panel.