Cross-brace Assembly for Household Appliance Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cross-brace assemblies for packaging household appliances are time-consuming to assemble and often require multiple operators due to their complex component assembly, which can include multiple pieces of tape and folding of cardboard holders.
Innovation Solution
A simplified cross-brace assembly design featuring a holder with moveable inner tabs and apertures that receive a brace, allowing for easy assembly without adhesives or supplemental fasteners, and a method of assembling the cross-brace by bending the tabs to secure the brace in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional cross-brace assemblies use multiple components including folded cardboard holders and multiple pieces of tape, then the structural strength and protection are improved, but the assembly time and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (holder body, tabs, and bracing elements) into a single integrated cardboard holder structure. The holder includes integrally formed first and second tabs that extend from opposite sides of the holder body, eliminating the need for separate tape pieces and multiple assembled components. This merging reduces assembly steps while maintaining the structural strength needed to protect the appliance during shipping.
2Reliability
If conventional cross-brace assemblies require multiple pieces of tape and folded cardboard holders, then the bracing function is achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed as a single integrated component where the holder body and both tabs are formed from one piece of cardboard. The first tab extends from the first side and the second tab extends from the second side, both integrally connected to the holder body. This eliminates the need for multiple separate components and adhesives, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable bracing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs are configured to automatically engage with the appliance or packaging structure when the holder is inserted. The first tab engages with a first surface and the second tab engages with a second surface, providing self-securing functionality without requiring additional fasteners, tape, or complex assembly steps. The structure serves itself to achieve the bracing function.
Data Source
AI summary
A cross-brace assembly for a package for a household appliance and method of assembling are provided. The cross-brace assembly can include a holder having a body having opposing first and second sides. The body includes first and second inner tabs that include first and second apertures, respectively. A first outer tab projects from the first side of the body, adjacent to the first inner tab, and a second outer tab projects from the second side of the body, adjacent to the second inner tab. A brace having opposing first and second ends can be received within the first and second apertures such that the first end of the brace is disposed adjacent the first outer tab and the second end of the brace is disposed adjacent the second outer tab to retain the brace relative to the holder.