Domestic appliance and method for installing same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliance devices face challenges in securely fixing power supply cables, leading to potential damage and short circuits due to uncontrolled cable removal, which can result in significant damage to electronic units.

Innovation Solution

A household appliance device design where the carrier unit and strain relief unit are formed at least partially in one piece, allowing for a tension-resistant and rotation-proof fixation of cables, eliminating the need for additional structural units and simplifying assembly, while incorporating a pivotable strain relief element and fixing elements to adapt to different cable diameters and prevent uncontrolled detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the carrier unit and strain relief unit are designed as separate components, then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity and assembly errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the carrier unit and strain relief unit into a single integrated component. The strain relief unit is formed as one piece with the carrier unit, eliminating the need for separate assembly of these two components. This integration reduces the total number of parts, simplifies the assembly process, and reduces assembly errors while maintaining the functional benefits of both units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional structural units are added for cable guiding and fixing, then cable fixation reliability is improved, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable fixation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated carrier unit serves multiple functions: it supports the electronic unit, guides the cable through its structure, and provides strain relief through the integrated strain relief unit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate cable guiding structures and fixation components, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable cable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The strain relief unit is integrated into the carrier unit as a single piece, combining cable support, cable guiding, and strain relief functions into one component. This integration eliminates additional structural units that would otherwise be needed for cable management, thereby reducing device complexity and costs while ensuring reliable cable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the cable is fixed with a simple structure, then device complexity is reduced, but cable damage risk and uncontrolled removal increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcable connection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The strain relief unit is formed as one piece with the carrier unit, creating an integrated structure that provides robust cable fixation. The strain relief unit includes features specifically designed to secure the cable in a tension-resistant and rotation-proof manner, preventing uncontrolled removal and cable damage while maintaining overall device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated strain relief unit is pre-formed as part of the carrier unit structure, with built-in features for cable fixation. This preliminary integration ensures that the cable is properly guided and secured from the outset, preventing damage and uncontrolled removal without requiring additional complex fixation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If separate strain relief unit is used, then cable fixation reliability is improved, but assembly time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable fixation reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The strain relief unit is integrated into the carrier unit as a single piece, eliminating the need to assemble separate components. This integration allows the entire assembly to be installed in one operation, significantly reducing assembly time and costs while maintaining the reliable cable fixation provided by the strain relief unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4012267A1Domestic appliance and method for installing same
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4012267A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4012267A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4012267A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a household appliance device (12), in particular a cooktop device, comprising at least one support unit (14) designed to carry at least one electronic unit (16), and at least one strain relief unit (18) designed to securely fix at least one cable (20) in a tensile state when assembled. To provide a generic device with improved design features, it is proposed that the support unit (14) be at least partially formed integrally with the strain relief unit (18).