Cooking Appliance Handle Fastening for Tolerance-Compensated Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances with handle elements face issues due to full-surface compression of securing elements, leading to low holding forces and precise manufacturing tolerances, making assembly challenging and prone to play or misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of projections within the fastening opening allows for zone-like contact between the securing element and the fastening opening, concentrating contact forces and enabling easier assembly with larger manufacturing tolerances, while barbed teeth are arranged between projections to prevent folding and enhance tolerance compensation, and recesses on the connecting element facilitate elastic deformation for increased frictional connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If full-surface compression of the securing element is used, then the handle element can be attached to the connection element, but the barb teeth are folded over and holding forces are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface between the securing element and fastening opening is segmented into discrete contact zones at the projections, rather than full-surface compression. This segmentation prevents the barb teeth from being compressed and folded, maintaining their geometric configuration and holding force capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element has different functional zones: the barb teeth region maintains its original shape for optimal holding forces, while the side walls are allowed to deform elastically in the contact zones at the projections. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between maintaining tooth shape and achieving secure attachment.
2Reliability
If full-surface pressing of the securing element is used, then attachment is achieved, but very precise production with low manufacturing tolerances is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical behavior of the securing element is changed by allowing elastic deformation of the side walls in the contact zones, while maintaining the rigid barb teeth geometry. This parameter change enables tolerance compensation through elasticity, reducing the need for precise manufacturing while maintaining reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic side walls act as a cushioning element that compensates for manufacturing tolerances before assembly is completed. This beforehand cushioning effect absorbs dimensional variations, allowing assembly with larger tolerances while still achieving reliable attachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If larger manufacturing tolerances are used, then production cost is reduced, but play between connection elements occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element's side walls are designed to be elastically deformable in the contact zones, changing their mechanical parameter from rigid to flexible. This allows the assembly to accommodate larger manufacturing tolerances without developing play, maintaining stability while enabling cost-effective production with relaxed tolerances.
4Manufacturing precision
If the barb teeth are arranged between projections, then tolerance compensation is improved, but the securing element design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The securing element is segmented into distinct functional regions: barb teeth for holding, side walls for elastic deformation in contact zones, and gaps for tolerance accommodation. This segmentation achieves effective tolerance compensation while keeping the overall design relatively simple and manufacturable.
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 solution allows for secure and play-free attachment of the handle element to the cooking appliance, even with larger manufacturing tolerances, enhancing holding forces and assembly reliability without requiring precise production tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
The barb teeth are arranged in such a way that they lie between the projections, so that the barb teeth cannot be pressed when the grip element is pushed onto the connection element. The projections, in cooperation with the at least slightly elastically deforming barb teeth, ensure improved tolerance compensation during assembly of the grip element.
Implementation Method 2
the contact between the securing element and the inside of the fastening opening is no longer over the entire surface, but rather there is only zone-like contact on the outside of the projections. Furthermore, a gap is then formed between the side walls of the securing element and the inside of the fastening opening between the projections. In this respect, the contact forces between the securing element and the fastening opening are concentrated on the contact zones on the projections.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The method for separating of material track (10) that has an upper side (OS) and a lower side (US) which is guided via a guide region (12) of guide elements (13). During the separation of the material track in the region of the guide region of the guide elements, a free space is created between the guide element and the upper side of the material track. The material track is at least arranged in the region of the free space and perpendicular to the running direction (L) of the material track?s movable separation system.