Integrated Fastening and Grounding Element for Hob PCB Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances, such as hobs, have complex and cost-intensive assembly processes due to the use of multiple components for grounding, which increases complexity and susceptibility to faults.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance design featuring a partially electrically conductive main component with integrated fastening and grounding elements, allowing for indirect or direct attachment of a printed circuit board via a single fastening element, eliminating the need for cables and reducing component count, while ensuring reliable grounding and high mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components (cable, cable lug, connection element, screws) are used for grounding, then grounding can be established, but assembly complexity increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fastening element and grounding contact element into a single integrated component. The fastening element has a first contact area for mechanical attachment and a second contact area for electrical grounding, eliminating the need for separate cables, lugs, and connection elements. This merging reduces the number of components and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliable grounding.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical fastening through the first contact area and establishes electrical grounding through the second contact area. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated grounding components, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable grounding connection.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for grounding, then grounding can be established, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fastening element and grounding contact element into a single component, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled. This integration reduces material costs, manufacturing complexity, and assembly costs while maintaining effective grounding through the integrated second contact area.
3Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for grounding, then grounding can be established, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of fastening and grounding functions into a single element eliminates multiple assembly steps. Instead of separately installing cables, lugs, and connection elements, the integrated fastening element can be installed in one operation, simultaneously providing both mechanical attachment and electrical grounding, thus significantly improving assembly speed.
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 design simplifies assembly, reduces costs, enhances reliability, and achieves high electromagnetic compatibility and safety against electrical discharge, meeting standards like CISPR14 and IEC55014, while maintaining mechanical strength and rigidity.
Implementation Method 1
the fastening element (18) has a first contact area (14) with which the printed circuit board (16) can be brought into contact in the assembled state in order to establish grounding
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is based on a household appliance device (10a-c), in particular a hob device, with at least one at least partially electrically conductive main component (12a-c) which has at least one fastening element (18a-c) and at least one grounding contact element (70a-c). , and with at least one printed circuit board (16a-c), which in at least one assembled state is attached to the at least one main component (12a-c) via the at least one fastening element (18a-c) and which has at least one conductor track which is used for the production an electrical ground is electrically conductively connected to the at least one ground contact element (70a-c). In order to provide a generic household appliance device with an advantageously low complexity, it is proposed that the at least one fastening element (18a-c) and the at least one grounding contact element (70a-c) are at least partially integrally formed.