Cooking device with retractable control element

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Solution Overview

Problem

In gas-powered cooking devices, the alignment of retractable knobs and gas tap spindles can be challenging due to shifted axes, requiring additional work for coaxial alignment, and existing solutions do not allow independent operation of the control knob relative to the tap spindle.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance design featuring a movement transmission element with a rotatably mounted arm and a joint with a spherical head, allowing the joint to move freely within a recess, which decouples axial displacements of the spindle from the knob, enabling independent operation and easy assembly regardless of spindle position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the gas tap stem and control knob are positioned coaxially in the outer shell, then the alignment is simplified, but the control knob cannot operate independently when the spindle axis is shifted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment simplicityVSAvoidindependent operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the connecting element movable rather than fixed. The connecting element can adjust its position and orientation dynamically to accommodate shifts in the spindle axis while maintaining the coaxial positioning of the control knob and gas tap stem. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by allowing both simplified coaxial alignment and independent operation when the spindle axis is shifted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the connecting element is rigidly fixed between the control button and gas tap stem, then the structure is stable, but the button becomes bent or overstressed when axes are misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstress on control button
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the parameter changes principle by transforming the connecting element from a rigid fixed structure to a movable adjustable structure. This change in the positional parameter of the connecting element allows it to accommodate axis misalignment without transmitting stress to the control button, while still maintaining structural stability for force transmission during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If additional work is performed for coaxial alignment of the spindle and knob, then precise alignment is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the connecting element to automatically adjust and align itself with the spindle axis when installed. The connecting element's movable nature allows it to self-position correctly without requiring complex external alignment procedures or additional adjustment work during assembly, thereby achieving precise alignment while simplifying the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2587161B1Cooking device with retractable control element
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2587161B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2587161B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2587161B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooking appliance (100) with an outer shell (400) positioned in a control unit (200); at least one retractable control button (300) which is movable within the outer shell (400) in the direction of a position that can be reached by the operator; a gas tap (500) controlled by a control knob (300); a gas pipe (600) having one end connected to the gas tap (500) and the other end connected to a burner; and a connector (700) having a motion transmission member (710) rotatable in an opening formed in the outer shell (400). is mounted and a joint (720) which is movably mounted within the recess (712) of the movement transmission element (710).