Home Appliance Insert with Tool-Free Fixing Unit for Flexible Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home appliance devices lack flexibility and ease of component replacement, requiring tools and being limited in adaptability to different architectures and topologies.

Innovation Solution

A home appliance device with an insertable base element and a receptacle fixed using a unique fixing unit with offset fixing elements, allowing tool-free attachment and detachment, and incorporating a lighting unit for improved visibility and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fixing methods are used for the receptacle to the base element, then the connection is stable, but the device lacks flexibility and requires tools for assembly/disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidease of component replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing unit is divided into multiple fixing elements (first fixing element and second fixing element) arranged at different positions. Each fixing element independently contributes to holding the receptacle, allowing the system to be segmented into modular components that can be easily assembled and disassembled without tools while maintaining stable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the fixing unit encompasses the base element and receptacle, then the connection is secure, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidfixing unit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing unit is designed with multiple fixing elements that serve dual purposes: they provide secure connection by encompassing both the base element and receptacle, while also enabling easy tool-free assembly and disassembly. The same structural elements that ensure connection stability also facilitate simplicity of operation, achieving multi-functionality that reduces overall device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3327389B1Home appliance device
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3327389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3327389B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3327389B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

For the purpose of improving flexibility a home appliance device, in particular a home appliance chiller device, is proposed comprising: an insert (10) which is insertable into a storage space, a base element (14), a receptacle (16) fixable to the base element and a fixing unit (18) for fixing the receptacle and the base element to each other, having a first fixing element (20) and a second fixing element (22) which are arranged offset in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction with respect to each other and which together at least partly encompass the base element and/or the receptacle in a mounted state.