Household appliance with an electronic module mounted in the machine room and method of assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances face challenges in mechanically and electrically securing electronic modules within the machine room, particularly in ensuring stable grounding and space-efficient mounting while maintaining accessibility.
Innovation Solution
The electronic module is mounted on the side wall of the machine room with a grounding contact that is electrically and mechanically connected to a conductive side wall element using a clamping mechanism, providing a secure and stable grounding connection and additional pre-fixing position for easier assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electronic module is mounted on the side wall of the machine room, then space-saving installation and advantageous accessibility are achieved, but reliable grounding and stable mechanical positioning are difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the grounding contact and mechanical clamping function into a single integrated component. The grounding contact serves dual purposes: establishing electrical ground connection and providing mechanical clamping force to secure the electronic module to the side wall, eliminating the need for separate grounding screws and fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding contact is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously performs electrical grounding, mechanical fastening, and positioning functions. This universal component replaces multiple separate components (grounding screw, clamp, and positioning element), achieving reliable grounding and stable mounting through a single integrated solution.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional mounting methods are used, then mechanical fastening is achieved, but additional separate grounding connections are required increasing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the grounding function and mechanical fastening function into a single grounding contact component. This integration eliminates the need for separate grounding screws and fasteners, reducing the total component count and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining both mechanical stability and electrical grounding.
Solution Approach 2:
The grounding contact is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously: electrical grounding, mechanical clamping, and positioning. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by replacing multiple specialized components with a single integrated element, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures safe and reliable grounding of the electronic module, enhances mechanical stability, and simplifies the assembly process by creating a self-retaining pre-fixing position, reducing the need for additional fastening during final assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The grounding contact (24) is electrically and mechanically connected to an electrically conductive element (17a) of the side wall (8), specifically by clamping
Implementation Method 2
This grounding contact is electrically and mechanically connected to an electrically conductive element (17a) of the side wall (8), specifically by clamping
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a housing (2) and a machine compartment (6) formed in a lower (5) and rear region (7) of the housing (2), wherein the machine compartment (6) is bounded by at least one side wall (8) of the housing (2), and comprising an electronic module (9) arranged in the machine compartment (6) on the side wall (8), wherein a grounding contact (24) is arranged on a housing (10) of the electronic module (9), which is electrically conductive and mechanically clamped to an electrically conductive sub-element (17a) of the side wall (8). The invention also relates to a method.