Glass Door Control Panel Mounting With Adhesive Frame Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mounting control panels on glass decorative panels for household appliances, such as refrigerator doors, is labor-intensive and costly due to the need for precise mechanical operations, and existing solutions face challenges in maintaining stability and adjusting the distance between the glass panel and the control panel.

Innovation Solution

A frame is adhered to the glass panel, with a cover securing the control panel, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment of the panel's distance without mechanical operations on the glass, using snap-fitting or tight-fitting methods, and pivotable design for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control panels are mounted directly on glass panels using mechanical operations, then the control panel can be securely fixed, but the glass panel is at risk of damage and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol panel fixation stabilityVSAvoidglass panel damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A frame structure is introduced as an intermediary between the glass panel and the control panel. The frame is adhered to the glass panel using adhesive, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners that could damage the glass. The control panel is then mounted on the frame, which provides a secure fixation while protecting the glass surface from mechanical operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical fastening elements are used to secure the control panel on the glass panel, then the assembly is stable, but the glass panel may be damaged and labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol panel assembly stabilityVSAvoidassembly process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical fastening system (screws, clips, or other mechanical fasteners) is replaced with an adhesive bonding system. The frame is adhered to the glass panel using adhesive, and the control panel is secured to the frame through non-mechanical means. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical operations on the glass surface while maintaining assembly stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the control panel is temporarily mounted on the glass panel, then the assembly process is flexible, but additional mechanisms are needed to maintain stability and precise positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly process flexibilityVSAvoidstability maintenance mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is pre-assembled and adhered to the glass panel before the control panel is installed. This preliminary action creates a stable base structure that simplifies the subsequent mounting of the control panel. The frame pre-establishes the positioning and stability requirements, eliminating the need for complex temporary mounting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If mechanical operations are performed on the glass panel to mount the control panel, then precise positioning can be achieved, but labor time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol panel positioning precisionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Adhesive bonding is used instead of mechanical operations to achieve precise positioning of the control panel on the glass panel. The adhesive system allows for precise alignment and secure fixation without requiring time-consuming mechanical fastening operations, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Facilitates easy and precise mounting of touch screen control panels on glass doors, reducing labor and time costs, preventing glass damage, and providing aesthetic appeal by maintaining the glass's integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a frame (7) adhered on the inner surface (5) of the glass panel (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2321598B1A household appliance
Publication Date: 2012.02.01 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2321598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2321598B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2321598B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) that comprises a cabinet (17), a door (2) mounted on the cabinet (17) and allowing access into the cabinet (17), a glass panel (4) having an inner surface (5) and a decorative outer surface (6), mounted on the door (2), and a control panel (3), enabling the user to change various parameters, adjust and/or monitor various functions of the household appliance (1).