Cooking Hob Housing With Integral Electric Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing induction cooking hobs face challenges in electrical safety and efficient manufacturing, particularly with separate electric terminals and fastening elements that can increase the risk of electrical hazards and complexity in assembly.

Innovation Solution

The integration of electric terminals and double-walled sections within the housing of the cooking hob, which simplifies the assembly of electrical components, enhances electrical safety by isolating fastening elements and reducing the number of parts required, and provides a secure connection for the mains supply cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate electric terminals are used in the housing, then electrical connections can be made, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electric terminal is merged with the housing structure itself, forming an integral part of the housing. The housing includes a housing body and an electric terminal that is formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate electric terminals and reducing the number of parts that need to be assembled together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate electric terminals are used, then electrical connections are possible, but assembly time and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The electric terminal is integrated into the housing structure, allowing both components to be manufactured as a single unit. This merging eliminates multiple assembly steps and reduces production time while maintaining electrical safety through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If fastening elements are not electrically isolated, then assembly is simpler, but electrical safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidelectrical hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A non-conductive partition wall is introduced as an intermediary element between the fastening element and the electric terminal. This partition wall electrically isolates the fastening element from the electric terminal, preventing electrical hazards while allowing the fastening element to perform its mechanical function without requiring additional electrical isolation measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If the housing is made fully from plastic material, then manufacturing is simpler and cost-effective, but electrical safety becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidelectrical safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electric terminal is merged with the plastic housing structure as an integral component. This allows the housing to maintain its fully plastic construction for manufacturing simplicity and cost-effectiveness, while the integrated electric terminal provides the necessary electrical connection functionality with proper safety isolation through the partition wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4106493B1Cooking hob with housing
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP4106493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4106493B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Cooking hob, in particular induction cooking hob, including a housing (10) having a housing bottom wall (12) and housing side walls (14a-d, 34) connected with a cooking hob plate of the cooking hob, wherein the housing (10) forms at least one interior space (16) in which electric and/or electronic components of the cooking hob are arrangeable or arranged, wherein the housing (10) comprises at least one electric terminal (28) being formed integrally to the housing (10) and/or wherein at least one section of one of the housing side walls (14a-d, 34) is a double-walled section (46) having an inner wall (48) and an outer wall (54), wherein the outer wall (54) comprises at least one opening (62).