Household steam oven
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of steam ovens is challenging due to the disconnect between the water reservoir and the liquid port, which requires complex pipework and ergonomic considerations, leading to increased effort and potential issues with kinks and stagnant water during the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped coupling element with flexible sections and stiffening ribs is used to connect the liquid port to the liquid receiving entity, allowing for easier assembly by extending during manufacturing and restoring to its shape post-assembly, ensuring a stable and inclined position for efficient liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated pipework system is used to connect the water reservoir to the liquid port, then the liquid connection is stable, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is divided into a rigid portion and a flexible portion, allowing the rigid part to provide stable connection while the flexible part enables easy assembly and adaptation to different positions of the liquid port
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element incorporates a flexible portion that can deform during assembly to reach the liquid port at different positions, then maintains a stable liquid-tight connection once assembled, reducing assembly complexity while ensuring connection reliability
2Ease of operation
If the liquid port is positioned at a distance from the liquid receiving entity for ergonomic reasons, then the dashboard is easily accessible, but the connection between them becomes more difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element transitions from a static rigid pipe to a dynamic structure with flexible portions that can adapt their shape during assembly, enabling connection between components at different positions while maintaining ease of assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element changes its physical state from flexible during assembly to rigid during operation, allowing it to adapt to different positions of the liquid port while maintaining a stable connection once assembled
3Reliability
If a rigid pipe is used to connect the liquid port to the liquid receiving entity, then the connection is stable, but it cannot adapt to position variations and may cause kinks
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is segmented into rigid and flexible portions, where the rigid portion ensures stable connection and the flexible portion provides adaptability to position variations, preventing kinks while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the coupling element have different mechanical properties - the rigid portion provides stability where needed, while the flexible portion provides adaptability where position variations occur, optimizing both connection stability and position adaptation
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 reduces manufacturing effort and ensures a stable, kink-free connection between the liquid port and the liquid receiving entity, facilitating assembly and maintaining a desired slope for smooth liquid flow, thus enhancing the assembly process and preventing water stagnation.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling element comprises at least one flexible section and at least one leg portion comprises stiffening means for stiffening the leg portion
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance comprising a liquid receiving entity (2) for storing liquid, a liquid port (3) for supplying liquid to the liquid receiving entity (2) and a coupling element (4) adapted to provide a liquid connection between the liquid receiving entity (2) and the liquid port (3), the coupling element (4) comprising a U-shape or essentially a U-shape with a first and a second leg portion (4.1, 4.2) and a curved portion (4.3) connecting the first and the second leg portion (4.1, 4.2), wherein the coupling element (4) comprises at least one flexible section and wherein at least one leg portion (4.1, 4.2) comprises stiffening means (5) for stiffening the leg portion (4.1, 4.2).