A home appliance having a support element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home appliances face challenges with front panels that are prone to bending and deformation under force due to lack of adequate support, requiring additional welding and increasing costs, and are not easily repairable when deterioration occurs.

Innovation Solution

A support element is introduced that fills the clearance between the flange and the panel, featuring coupling tabs and a channel system for secure fixation, preventing rearward bending and deformation by transferring forces to the flange, and allowing for easy installation and potential material savings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sheet pieces are used to connect the panel to the flange, then the panel can provide resistance to forces, but additional welding operations are needed and the design becomes complicated increasing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel resistance to forcesVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the support function from the panel itself and places it on a separate support element (flange) positioned behind the panel. This allows the panel to remain simple while the flange provides the necessary structural support and force resistance through its bracket configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the panel for front-facing operations, the flange for structural support, and brackets for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall design complexity while maintaining strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If sheet pieces are welded to the panel, then the panel can be securely attached, but the panel cannot be easily replaced when deterioration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidpanel replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system transitions from a static welded joint to a dynamic, reversible mechanical connection using brackets and fasteners. This allows the panel to be securely attached during operation while enabling easy removal and replacement when needed, providing both reliability and repairability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of substance

If the front panel is made thinner to reduce cost, then material usage decreases, but the panel becomes more prone to bending and deformation under force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidpanel resistance to bending

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flange acts as an intermediary structural element between the panel and the appliance body. It provides the necessary rigidity and force resistance that would otherwise require a thicker panel, allowing the use of thinner, more cost-effective panel materials while maintaining overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3037733B1A home appliance having a support element

Publication Date: 2019.10.23 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

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Figure 3a~4b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a home appliance (1) having a body (10), a flange (11) provided on said body (10), and a panel (30) connected to said flange (11). As an improvement, the present invention is characterized in that, it comprises a support element (40) which at least partially fills the clearance left between the flange (11) and a front wall (31) of the panel (30) when the panel (30) is mounted to the flange (11).