Cooking Device Cover with Integrated Hinge Electrical Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking devices face challenges in providing reliable and efficient electrical transmission to functional members on hinged covers, particularly in household appliances like microwaves and refrigerators, where conventional cables are cumbersome and prior solutions like magnetic induction or sliding contacts have limitations.

Innovation Solution

A cooking device design featuring a switch with a first terminal attached to the body and a second terminal on the cover, engaging to complete an electrical transmission circuit, utilizing conductive strips or cables for low-voltage power distribution to functional members like LEDs or motors, with secure and durable connections through various embodiments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cables are used for electrical transmission to the cover, then electrical power can be transmitted, but the structure becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcable structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical transmission function from the conventional cable system and integrates it directly into the hinge structure. The hinge itself becomes the electrical connection medium, eliminating the need for separate cables and reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable power transmission to the cover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the mechanical hinge function with the electrical transmission function into a single integrated structure. The hinge assembly simultaneously provides mechanical support for rotating the cover and conducts electrical power to functional members on the cover, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If magnetic induction or sliding contacts are used for electrical transmission, then power can be transmitted without cables, but reliability and efficiency are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical transmission structureVSAvoidelectrical transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces unreliable magnetic induction and sliding contact systems with a direct mechanical-electrical integration where the hinge structure itself serves as the electrical conductor. This substitution eliminates the inefficiencies of indirect transmission methods while maintaining mechanical simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrical transmission members are integrated into the cover, then functional members can be powered, but the cover becomes harder to clean and less aesthetic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional member power supplyVSAvoidcover cleaning and aesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical transmission path from the cover surface by routing it through the hinge structure. This separation allows the cover to maintain its smooth, cleanable surface and aesthetic appearance while still providing electrical power to functional members through the integrated hinge system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables reliable and efficient electrical or signal transmission to functional members on hinged covers, ensuring consistent power supply to components such as motors, sensors, or illumination devices, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and ease of cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

at least one switch having a first terminal (31) fixed to the body (11) and a second terminal (321) fixed to the cover (19) correspondingly to the first terminal (31), engaging to each other for completing an electrical circuit for providing electrical transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3012533B1A cooking device having a cover with an electrical connection
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3012533B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3012533B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3012533B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a household appliance (1) having a body (11); a cover (19) hinged to the body (11) and; a functional member (20) disposed on the cover (19). The household appliance (1) comprises at least one switch (3) having a first terminal (31) attached to the body (11) and a second terminal (321) attached to the cover (19) corresponding to the first terminal (31), engaging with each other and completing an electrical transmission circuit for transmitting electric to the functional member (20).