Heating Device Separating Element for Housing Alignment and Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heaters lack a stable and efficient mechanism for positioning and assembling the water reservoir and heat cell housing structures, leading to potential misalignment and increased complexity in assembly.

Innovation Solution

A separating element with means for holding and positioning both housing structures, featuring bent surfaces and recesses for precise alignment, along with a securing element for enhanced stability and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a simple frame connection is used between housing structures, then manufacturing is simpler, but positioning precision and structural stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The separating element is divided into multiple functional zones: holding means with recesses for positioning, connecting elements for structural linkage, and securing elements for fixation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separating element acts as an intermediary component between the first and second housing structures. It provides integrated positioning means, connecting elements, and securing mechanisms that mediate the connection between housing structures, ensuring precise positioning without complex direct connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple separate components are used for holding and positioning, then positioning precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional components are merged into a single separating element: holding means with recesses, connecting elements, and securing elements all integrate into one piece. This reduces the number of separate components while maintaining precise positioning capabilities and simplifies assembly to a single operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The separating element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates housing structures, positions the second housing structure precisely through recesses, connects components via connecting elements, and secures the assembly with securing elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If housing structures are rigidly fixed, then structural stability improves, but ease of assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The separating element is pre-formed with integrated holding means, connecting elements, and securing elements during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid assembly without requiring complex assembly operations, achieving both structural stability and ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The separating element's design with recesses and securing elements allows the housing structures to self-align and self-secure during assembly. The components guide themselves into the correct positions through the geometric features of the separating element, reducing the need for complex assembly procedures while ensuring stable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3587953B1Heating device
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3587953B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3587953B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3587953B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a heating device (10) comprising a first housing structure (12) for holding a water storage tank (14) and a second housing structure (16) for holding a heat cell (18), wherein the first housing structure (12) and the second housing structure (16) are arranged one above the other, and a separating element (20) is formed which separates the first housing structure (12) from the second housing structure (16). It is proposed that the separating element (20) comprises at least one means (22) for holding the second housing structure (12) and at least one means (24) for positioning the water storage tank (14).