Induction Module Snap-In Housing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing assembly methods for induction cooking hobs are costly and labor-intensive due to the use of screws for fixing the housing to the induction coil carrier.
Innovation Solution
A snap-in mechanism using vertical sheet elements with cut-outs and protruding elements, such as U-shaped die-cuts bent into tongue-shaped elements, allows for tool-free assembly of the housing to the induction coil carrier, optionally supplemented with screws for additional fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are used to fix the housing to the induction coil carrier, then the fixation is secure and reliable, but the assembly expenditure and labor cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the screw-based mechanical fixation system with a snap-in mechanism consisting of hooks integrated into the housing and corresponding recesses in the induction coil carrier. This substitution eliminates the need for separate fastening components and tools, reducing assembly complexity and cost while maintaining secure fixation through the interlocking geometry of the hooks and recesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fixation function directly into the housing structure by integrating hooks as integral parts of the housing. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate screws and fastening components, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps while ensuring that the housing itself provides the necessary securing mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If screws are used to fix the housing to the induction coil carrier, then the connection is strong and stable, but the assembly time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming screw fastening process with a quick snap-in mechanism where the housing is simply lowered onto the induction coil carrier, allowing the hooks to engage with the recesses automatically. This eliminates the need for tool handling and manual screw tightening, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining connection stability through the interlocking design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates the fixation elements (hooks and recesses) into the design of the housing and induction coil carrier during the manufacturing stage. This preliminary integration ensures that the fixation capability is built-in and ready for immediate engagement during assembly, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations and reducing assembly time.
3Reliability
If multiple screws and fastening components are used, then the fixation is secure, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fixation functions into a single integrated housing structure with built-in hooks. This consolidation reduces the number of discrete parts from multiple screws, washers, and fasteners to just the housing and induction coil carrier with integrated engagement features, simplifying the overall device while maintaining fixation security through the interlocking hook-recess mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential fixation function from the complex assembly of screw-based fastening components and reimplements it through a simplified hook-recess mechanism. This extraction removes unnecessary parts and complexity while retaining the core function of secure fixation, resulting in a cleaner design with fewer components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an induction module for an induction cooking hob comprising an induction coil carrier (10) made of metal and a housing (12) made of plastics. The induction coil carrier (10) is provided for supporting at least one induction coil. The housing (12) is provided for covering and/or enclosing the at least one induction coil. The housing (12) is fixed or fixable to a bottom side of the induction coil carrier (10) and comprises a bottom wall, one or more side walls and an open top side. At least one hook element (16) is formed at one or more side walls of the housing (12). The induction coil carrier (10) includes a horizontal main panel and at least one vertical sheet element (20) extending downwards from the horizontal main panel. At least one cut-out (18) is formed in the vertical sheet element (20). The hook element (16) and the corresponding cut-out (18) form a snap-in mechanism for fixing the housing (12) to the induction coil carrier (10), wherein the side wall of the housing (12) is adjacent to the corresponding vertical sheet element (20) of the induction coil carrier (10). Further, the present invention relates to an induction cooking hob comprising at least one induction module.