Household appliance support base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance support bases made of solid blocks of foamed polystyrene have a significant environmental impact due to the use of hydrofluorocarbons, require high energy for production, are difficult to recycle, and are not eco-friendly, while cardboard bases are damaged by moisture and cannot recover their shape after impact.
Innovation Solution
A support base composed of plastic conformable sheets with reinforcement columns surrounded by air, which are easily recyclable and require less energy to produce, providing cushioning and shape recovery, reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If solid blocks of foamed polystyrene are used for support base, then mechanical strength and cushioning ability are improved, but environmental impact increases due to hydrofluorocarbons and difficulty in recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses air chambers (porous structure) instead of solid foamed polystyrene. The air chambers provide cushioning through air compression while being environmentally friendly, eliminating hydrofluorocarbons and improving recyclability while maintaining mechanical strength through the combination of air chambers and reinforcement columns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining plastic sheets with reinforcement columns and air chambers. This composite design achieves the mechanical strength of solid materials while incorporating the cushioning properties of air, resolving the contradiction between strength and environmental impact.
2Reliability
If solid blocks of foamed polystyrene are used for support base, then cushioning and shape recovery ability are improved, but energy consumption during production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air chambers provide cushioning through air compression and decompression, enabling shape recovery without the energy-intensive foaming process. The porous air structure naturally absorbs impact energy and returns to its original state, eliminating the need for high-energy thermal expansion processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses air chambers to provide cushioning through pneumatic principles. The compressible air inside the chambers absorbs impact forces during drops or shocks and naturally rebounds, providing reliable cushioning and shape recovery with minimal production energy input compared to foamed materials.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If reinforcement columns are surrounded by air instead of solid material, then environmental friendliness and recyclability are improved, but mechanical strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines plastic sheets with reinforcement columns and air chambers to create a composite structure. The reinforcement columns provide the necessary mechanical strength and structural integrity, while the air chambers provide cushioning and environmental friendliness, achieving both strength and environmental sustainability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the support base: reinforcement columns are placed in specific locations where mechanical strength is needed, while air chambers are positioned in areas where cushioning is required. This local differentiation allows the structure to achieve overall strength while maintaining environmental friendliness.
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
The support base effectively supports and cushions household appliances, recovers shape after impact, and minimizes environmental footprint by using less energy and being easily recyclable.
Implementation Method 1
the reinforcement columns of each support part strategically distributed along the corresponding lateral side distribute the vertical stresses and help to maintain the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface of the support part when the support base is supporting the weight of at least one household appliance, while at the same time cushioning the weight of said household appliance
Data Source
AI summary
Household appliance rectangular support base for supporting at least one household appliance. The support base includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a front side and a rear side. The support base also includes first and second support parts that is each configured to support at least part of an opposite side of a base of the household appliance. In addition, the support base is formed by a plastic conformable upper sheet having the upper surface and a plastic conformable lower sheet having the lower surface. Each of the first and second support parts includes a plurality of reinforcement columns respectively distributed along the first and second lateral sides and surrounded by air, each extending between the upper surface and the lower surface.