Cooktop Fixing Member With Snapping Tongue for Simpler Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooktop fixing members are bulky, complex to assemble, and require numerous components, leading to increased material consumption and maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A simplified fixing member design featuring a base plate, connecting plate, and fixing plate with a snapping tongue, which allows for stable and efficient assembly of brackets in a cooktop, utilizing a bolt for mounting and a snapping groove for secure clamping, reducing material usage and assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fixing members are used with multiple plate segments and bolts, then the heating unit can be securely fixed, but the structure becomes complicated and material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing stabilityVSAvoidassembling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate fixing components (first plate segment, second plate segment, third plate segment, and bolts) into a single integrated fixing member. This fixing member includes a base plate with mounting holes and an elastic plate with a snapping tongue, eliminating the need for multiple separate parts and complex assembly procedures while maintaining secure fixing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing member is designed to serve multiple functions: the base plate provides mounting attachment points, the elastic plate provides flexible positioning and absorption of dimensional variations, and the snapping tongue provides secure clamping. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple specialized components in the traditional assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple assembling brackets and fixing plates are welded and mounted, then the heating unit is securely attached, but the production cost and material consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the functions of multiple separate components (assembling brackets, fixing plates, and fasteners) into a single fixing member that is directly mounted on the cooktop plate. This integration significantly reduces material consumption by eliminating redundant structural elements and fastening components required in traditional multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the traditional assembly process. By using a single fixing member with integrated mounting holes and elastic clamping features, the design removes the need for separate assembling brackets and multiple fixing plates, thereby reducing material usage while maintaining attachment security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If traditional fixing members with multiple bolts and plates are used, then the heating unit is firmly fixed, but the assembly and maintenance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing firmnessVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fastening operations into a single assembly action. The fixing member integrates mounting holes for direct attachment and an elastic plate with snapping tongue for automatic clamping, allowing the heating unit to be secured in one operation rather than requiring multiple separate fastening steps with multiple bolts and plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic plate is pre-formed with the snapping tongue configuration during manufacturing, so that during assembly it automatically provides the clamping force when the heating unit is installed. This preliminary preparation of the elastic deformation capability eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment and multiple fastening operations during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If three or more fixing members are used for each heating unit, then the heating unit is securely mounted, but the device complexity and quantity of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates the functions of three or more separate fixing members into a single integrated fixing member. This single component includes a base plate with mounting holes for secure attachment and an elastic plate with snapping tongue for firm clamping of the heating unit, thereby reducing the component quantity from three or more parts to one part while maintaining or improving mounting security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2957836B1Fixing member, cooktop and cooking range with the same
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 GUANGDONG MIDEA KITCHEN APPLIANCES MFG CO LTD
  • EP2957836B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2957836B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2957836B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A fixing member, a cooking range and an oven with the same are provided. The fixing member includes: a base plate (10) defining a mounting hole (101); a connecting plate (20) comprising a first plate segment (201) connected at a first side of the base plate (10), a second plate segment (202), and a third plate segment (203) substantially parallel to the base plate (10), the second plate segment (202) being connected between the first and third plate segments; and a fixing plate (30) defining a first end connected at a second side of the base plate (10) and perpendicular to the base plate (10), and a second end having a snapping tongue (301) bent and extended in a direction away from the connecting plate (20), a vertical distance between a free end of the snapping tongue (301) and the base plate (10) being equal to or greater than that between the third plate segment (203) and the base plate (10).