Cooking apparatus light with form locking light conductor rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking apparatus lights require complex and force-intensive mounting processes for the light conductor rod, particularly due to the use of clamping rings that need to be expanded against spring tension, which can damage the receiving spout and is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A form locking connection is implemented using a carrier with a receiving spout and a light conductor rod featuring a circumferential relief cut, allowing for zero-force insertion and alignment through a support element or interlocking element, such as a spring-loaded plug or retaining ring, to securely fix the light conductor rod without damaging it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamping ring is used to fix the light conductor rod in the receiving spout, then the light conductor rod is securely fixed, but the mounting process becomes complex and requires high assembly forces that can damage the receiving spout
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving spout is divided into two functional parts: a friction locking section for initial insertion and positioning, and a form locking section with a relief cut for secure fixation. This segmentation allows the mounting process to progress from easy insertion to secure locking without requiring excessive force throughout the entire process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a clamping ring that expands against spring tension to grip the light conductor rod, the invention inverts the approach by having the light conductor rod itself engage with a form locking feature (relief cut) in the receiving spout. This reversal eliminates the need for high assembly forces and complex clamping mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a clamping ring is used to fix the light conductor rod, then secure fixation is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The form locking feature (relief cut) is integrated directly into the receiving spout structure, merging the fixation function with the existing mounting structure. This eliminates the need for separate clamping rings and reduces device complexity while maintaining secure fixation of the light conductor rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex clamping ring mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler form locking feature. By removing the unnecessary clamping ring component and retaining only the essential form locking geometry in the receiving spout, the device complexity is significantly reduced while achieving the same fixation reliability.
3Reliability
If a clamping ring is used to fix the light conductor rod, then the light conductor rod is held firmly, but the mounting process becomes time-consuming and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving spout is pre-configured with the form locking feature (relief cut) during manufacturing, so that during assembly the light conductor rod can be directly inserted and locked without requiring additional steps. This preliminary preparation of the locking feature significantly speeds up the assembly process while ensuring reliable fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus light including a carrier that forms an illuminant receiver wherein an illuminant configured as a circuit board including at least one LED is received in the illuminant receiver, wherein the carrier includes a receiving spout that is connected through an opening with the illuminant receiver; and a light conductor rod that is received in the receiving spout and fed light emitted by the illuminant through the opening between the receiving spout and the illuminant receiver, wherein the light conductor rod is fixed in the carrier in an axial direction of the light conductor rod by a form locking connection.