Hob Touch-Control Mounting with Variable Spring Hardness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for assembling household appliances, such as hobs, face challenges in achieving an inexpensive design with improved properties, particularly in terms of storage costs and flexibility in mounting touch control units with varying weights and spring constants.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a base body made of plastic, designed to absorb the weight of touch control units and hold them in a fixed position, with different spring constants for each type of touch control unit, allowing for flexible storage and configuration, and featuring spring elements and spacer elements for precise positioning and force application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If different types of touch control units with varying weights and spring constants are used, then functionality and signal detection precision are improved, but storage costs and logistics complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection precisionVSAvoidlogistics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base body is designed as a universal mounting structure that can accommodate multiple types of touch control units (first type with lower weight and spring constant, second type with higher weight and spring constant) through a standardized interface. This allows the same base body to support different touch control unit configurations without requiring separate mounting structures for each type, thereby reducing logistics complexity while maintaining the ability to detect signals precisely from different unit types

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If touch control units are mounted with different spring constants, then adaptability to different unit types is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different unit typesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The base body incorporates a dynamic spring element with adjustable stiffness characteristics that can adapt to different touch control unit types. The spring element is designed to provide appropriate mounting forces for both first type (lower weight) and second type (higher weight) touch control units through its inherent elastic properties, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mounting structures and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring constant of the mounting system is optimized to accommodate different touch control unit weights and requirements. By designing the spring element with specific stiffness parameters that can handle both lighter first type units and heavier second type units, the system achieves versatility without requiring complex manufacturing processes or multiple component variants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If a standardized base body is used for all touch control units, then storage costs are reduced, but mounting precision for different unit types may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidmounting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

While the base body maintains a standardized overall structure for efficient storage and handling, it incorporates localized adaptive features such as adjustable spring elements and configurable mounting positions that can be optimized for specific touch control unit types during assembly. This allows a single standardized base body design to be used across different unit types while still achieving precise mounting for each specific configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables an inexpensive and flexible design with reduced storage and logistics costs, allowing for different types of touch control units to be used with the same base body, achieving high functionality and precise signal detection.

Implementation Method 1

The base body has a spring element which is provided for supporting the first touch control unit resiliently with respect to the base body, at least in the installed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The second touch control unit of the second type is provided for pressing, at least in the installed state, with a force onto at least one touch-sensitive operating element of the base body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2843315B1Method for putting together at least one domestic appliance and domestic appliance
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2843315B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843315B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2843315B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention is based on a system for putting together at least one household appliance device (10), in particular a hob device, which has at least one base body (12), at least one first touch control unit (14) of a first type and at least one second touch control unit (16 ) of a second type, at least one of the touch control units (14, 16) being held by the base body (12) at least in the assembled state. In order to provide a system for putting together at least one generic domestic appliance device with improved properties in terms of an inexpensive design, it is proposed that the base body (12) be provided, depending on the type of touch control unit (14) held by the base body (12). , 16) to spring the touch control unit (14, 16) with different degrees of hardness.