Dispenser and household cooling appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice-liquid dispensers in household cooling appliances lack an improved mechanical setup for components that can be directly acted upon by mechanical forces, leading to inefficient user interaction and dispenser functionality.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with a switch featuring a protrusion and a separate actuation paddle connected via a releasable and self-locking click-stop connection, allowing for easy mechanical activation and acoustic signaling, enhancing user interaction and dispenser functionality without additional fixing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple slot-and-protrusion connection is used between the actuation paddle and the switch, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of the mechanical connection deteriorates due to lack of secure locking
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into two functional parts: a simple slot-and-protrusion guide structure for ease of assembly, and a separate click-stop locking mechanism for secure connection. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The click-stop mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the actuation paddle and the switch protrusion. It provides the necessary locking function without complicating the basic slot-and-protrusion guide structure, mediating between the simplicity of insertion and the security of locking.
2Reliability
If additional fixing elements are added to secure the actuation paddle to the switch, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The click-stop mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock when the actuation paddle is inserted into the switch protrusion. The user simply needs to perform the insertion action, and the locking mechanism serves itself by automatically securing the connection without requiring additional fixing elements or complex assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding function (slot-and-protrusion) and the locking function (click-stop) are merged into a single integrated connection system. This combination eliminates the need for separate fixing elements while maintaining both ease of operation and connection reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the actuation paddle is directly connected to the switch without a releasable connection, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the ease of repair and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic releasable connection. The click-stop mechanism provides stable locking during operation while allowing easy release when needed, enabling the system to adapt between stable operation and easy maintenance/repair states.
Solution Approach 2:
The releasable click-stop connection allows the actuation paddle to be easily removed (discarded from the assembly) for repair or replacement, and then recovered by simply re-inserting it into the switch protrusion where the click-stop mechanism automatically secures it again.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser (5) for dispensing of at least one of ice or liquid and for mounting into a household cooling appliance (1), comprising:an output niche (6),at least one of an ice passage (7) or liquid outlet (8),a switch (9), which activates an output of at least one of ice or liquid out of the dispenser (5), wherein the switch (9) comprises a protrusion (10),a separate actuation paddle (11) which is attached to the protrusion (10), whereinthe actuation paddle (11) projects into the output niche (6) in order to be pressed by an object held into the output niche (6), anda releasable and self-locking connection (12) whereinthe actuation paddle (11) and the protrusion (10) are connected by said releasable and self-locking connection (12), wherein the releasable and self-locking connection (12) is a click-stop connection (13).A household cooling appliance (1) comprising a dispenser (5) for dispensing of at least one of ice or liquid (5).