Flexible User Panel Mounting with Multi-Slot PCB Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user panel systems for appliances require multiple designs to accommodate different models, lacking adaptability for universal mounting and configuration.

Innovation Solution

A user panel assembly comprising a printed circuit board, panel elements, flexible connectors, and a mounting element with multiple slots, along with interchangeable overlays, allowing for adjustable mounting and configuration to suit various appliance types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user panel system designs are created for different appliance models, then compatibility with various appliance types is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various appliance typesVSAvoidnumber of different panel system designs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element is designed with multiple slots that can accommodate different panel element configurations, allowing a single universal mounting element to serve multiple appliance models. The flexible connector enables the panel element to be positioned at various slots, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate designs for each appliance type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The user panel system is divided into separate modular components: a mounting element with multiple slots, panel elements, and flexible connectors. This segmentation allows the same mounting element to be used across different appliance models while only the panel elements need to be changed, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed mounting design is used for user panels, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different appliance models deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability for different appliance modelsVSAvoidmounting configuration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element transitions from a fixed design to a dynamic configuration system with multiple slots. Panel elements can be positioned at different slots along the mounting element, allowing the same manufactured component to adapt to various mounting positions and appliance models while maintaining precise alignment through the slot geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple panel configurations are supported, then versatility is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of panel configurationsVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple mounting positions are merged into a single mounting element with multiple slots. Instead of manufacturing separate mounting brackets for each position, all positions are integrated into one component, simplifying the manufacturing process while supporting multiple panel configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8441801B2Flexible mount system

Publication Date: 2013.05.14 ELECTROLUX CONSUMER PROD INC

AI summary

A user panel assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a panel element, a flexible connector and a mounting element. The flexible connector is configured to enable electrical communication between the panel element and the PCB. The mounting element includes a plurality of slots on which the panel element can be mounted. An overlay is configured to conceal a subset of the plurality of slots.