Appliance Door Support Element With Integrated Locking for Easy Dismantling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance doors with multiple panes are difficult to dismantle due to high locking force tolerances and user-unfriendly mechanisms, making cleaning and assembly cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A door design featuring a locking device integrated into the carrier part, which includes a hook and actuating element for indirect actuation, providing a form-fitting locking mechanism and reducing the number of components, allowing for smoother and safer disassembly and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-positive latching mechanism with bolts and clips is used to enable dismantling, then the door can be taken apart for cleaning, but the locking forces are subject to very high tolerances and the dismantling process becomes user-unfriendly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is integrated into the carrier part as a one-piece design, merging the locking mechanism with the support structure. This eliminates separate bolts and clips, reducing the number of components and eliminating tolerance accumulation between multiple parts, thereby achieving reliable positioning without high tolerance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
An actuating element is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the locking mechanism. This mediator allows indirect actuation of the locking device, improving accessibility and ease of operation while preventing direct contact with the locking mechanism, thereby making the dismantling process user-friendly without compromising locking reliability
2Loss of energy
If multiple door panes and door profiles are used to prevent thermal energy escape, then thermal insulation is improved, but the door structure becomes more complex and the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is merged with the carrier part in a one-piece design, significantly reducing the number of components in the door structure. This integration maintains the necessary functionality while simplifying the overall door construction and reducing weight
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier part serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the door panes, integrates the locking mechanism, and incorporates the actuating element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the door structure while maintaining thermal insulation performance
3Ease of operation
If direct actuation of the locking mechanism is used, then the locking can be engaged and disengaged, but excessive force may cause damage or pinching hazards to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element serves as an intermediary between the user's finger and the locking mechanism. It transmits the actuating force indirectly, allowing the user to operate the lock without direct contact, thereby eliminating pinching hazards and preventing damage to the locking mechanism from excessive force
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element is designed to cushion and distribute the force applied by the user before it reaches the locking mechanism. This pre-cushioning prevents excessive force from causing damage or injury, while still enabling reliable engagement and disengagement of the locking mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The part (9) has an integrated locking device (10) for lockingly retaining hooks, which are arranged at a door inner pane. The part is made of plastic. The locking device includes an actuating element (11) i.e. clicker mechanism, which is integrally arranged at a base carrier (12) and moved relative to the base carrier. The actuating element is connected with a locking clamp (13), which is deformable based on a movement of the actuating element. The locking clamp is bent in a U-shape. The actuating element and the locking clamp are coupled. An independent claim is also included for a door.