Cooking Appliance Panel Unit Rotation for Front Water Tank Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances face issues with water tank accessibility, increased size due to interference with control panels, and complex, costly mechanisms for opening and closing the water tank entrance, which compromise user convenience and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
The water tank is positioned at the rear of a panel unit, and the panel unit is rotated downwards to open the entrance, utilizing a simplified opening device that operates with gravity and minimal force, independent of the hinge modules, to maintain appliance height and avoid interference with kitchen systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the water tank entrance is disposed at the upper portion of the cooking appliance to avoid interference with the door, then interference between the water tank and door is avoided, but the appliance height is increased and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank entrance is repositioned from the upper portion to the front portion of the cooking appliance, changing the spatial dimension of access. This allows the water tank to be removed and installed from the front direction, avoiding the need to increase appliance height while still preventing interference with the door mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel is designed with movable characteristics, capable of being opened or shifted to expose the water tank entrance when needed. This dynamic design allows the entrance to be accessible from the front when the control panel is open, while maintaining a compact closed appearance that does not increase overall appliance height.
2Reliability
If the control panel is disposed at the upper portion to avoid interference with the door, then interference is avoided, but the appliance height is increased and installation space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is designed as a movable component that can be opened or shifted to expose the water tank entrance. When closed, it maintains a compact appearance at the front portion of the appliance without increasing overall height. When opened, it provides access to the water tank while avoiding interference with the door mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel serves dual functions: as the operational control interface and as a cover for the water tank entrance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate covers or additional structural elements that would increase appliance height, while still providing protection and access control.
3Reliability
If a separate cover is provided to cover the water tank entrance, then the entrance is protected, but the structure becomes complex and aesthetics are harmed due to protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is merged with the function of covering the water tank entrance. Instead of being a separate cover component, the control panel itself serves as the protective cover when closed. This integration eliminates the need for additional cover structures, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining protection and aesthetic appearance.
4Ease of operation
If the water tank entrance is exposed, then accessibility is improved, but aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is designed as a dynamic cover that can be opened to expose the water tank entrance when access is needed, and closed to conceal it for aesthetic purposes. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between accessibility and aesthetic appearance based on operational requirements, without compromising either aspect permanently.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The disclosure refers to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance may include a casing (100, 200) including a cavity (S1) and a tank chamber (450a) therein, and a door (300) opening and closing the cavity (S1). Furthermore, a water tank (450) may be discharged forwards of the casing (100, 200) through an entrance of the tank chamber. A panel unit (500) may be disposed in front of the casing (100, 200) at a different height from the door (300). At this point, the panel unit (500) may be moved from a first position in which the panel unit (500) covers the entrance of the tank chamber to a second position in which the panel unit (500) opens the entrance of the tank chamber. The panel unit (500) may be moved from the first position to the second position as an upper end of the panel unit (500) is rotated to be moved downwards.