Induction Coil Snap Connection for Shorter Cooker Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing induction cooking devices face challenges in achieving a firm and efficient electrical and mechanical connection between the heating element and the carrier element, which complicates assembly and maintenance, and can lead to inefficient operation due to long wire lengths.

Innovation Solution

A connection member made of sheet metal with resilient protrusions that form a snap-connection with recesses in the reception element, ensuring a secure and easy assembly and disassembly of the induction coil, utilizing a V-shaped contour for the protrusions and a flat basis structure, and an electrical wrap connection for efficient high-frequency decoupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional connection methods are used to ensure firm mechanical and electrical connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection means are divided into separate components: a connection member with resilient protrusions and a reception element with recesses. This segmentation allows for simple assembly by snapping the components together while maintaining firm mechanical and electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection member integrates both mechanical connection functions (protrusions for snap-fit) and electrical connection functions (contact for electrical wire) into a single component. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanical fasteners and electrical connectors, simplifying assembly while ensuring reliable combined mechanical-electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional wiring methods are used, then electrical connection is established, but wire length increases reducing operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection function is extracted from the traditional long-wire routing and integrated directly into the connection member. The electrical contact on the connection member provides a short, direct electrical path, eliminating the need for long wires and improving operational efficiency while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If complex connection methods are used to ensure firm connection, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection member uses resilient protrusions made from sheet metal with modified physical parameters (elasticity, shape). The protrusions are designed with specific resilience characteristics that enable strong snap-fit connection while being manufactured from simple sheet metal through punching and bending operations, keeping manufacturing costs low while achieving strong connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 simplifies the assembly and maintenance of induction cooking devices, reduces production and mounting costs, and ensures a short, efficient electrical connection, improving the operational efficiency of the induction heating element by providing a secure mechanical and electrical link.

Implementation Method 1

the protrusions are arranged resiliently relatively to the basis structure and wherein the protrusions lock into the undercuts in a mounted state of the connection means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1980793B1Cooking device, especially domestic cooking device
Publication Date: 2010.08.11 ELECTROLUX HOME PROD CORP NV
  • EP1980793B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1980793B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1980793B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooking device, having an electrical heating element (1) arranged on a carrier element (2), wherein at least on electrical wire (3) is connected with the carrier element (2) by connection means (4,5). To facilitate the assembly of the cooking device, the invention is characterized in that the connection means (4,5) comprise a reception element (4) having two recesses (6,7) forming undercuts and that the connection means (4,5) comprise a connection member (5) with a basis structure (8) and an electrical contact (9) for engagement with the wire (3), wherein the connection member (5) has two protrusions (10,11) extending from the basis structure (8) of the connection member (5) and being arranged to be inserted into the recesses (6,7).