Home appliance including knob assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing knob assembly structures for home appliances face challenges in accurate alignment and assembly, leading to inconvenient management and repairs due to misalignment of rotation centers between the knob and valve, and the need for disassembly of multiple components for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A knob assembly with a single bracket integrating components supporting the universal joint and the knob adjustment shaft, featuring elastic leaf spring structures for correct alignment and easy assembly, allowing the knob and universal joint to be aligned and supported without disassembling the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the component supporting the universal joint and the component supporting the knob shaft are implemented individually and fixed to different portions, then the alignment of the knob can be easily achieved, but the assembly and alignment of the knob becomes inconvenient and requires disassembly of multiple components for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the component supporting the universal joint and the component supporting the knob shaft into a single integrated bracket. This bracket is fixed to the front panel and provides unified support for both the universal joint and the knob shaft, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining alignment accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the component supporting the universal joint is fixed to the rear surface of the front panel and the component supporting the knob is disposed at the front, then the structural stability is improved, but the management and repairs of the universal joint or valve require disassembly of almost all components of the knob assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an integrated bracket as an intermediary component that is fixed to the front panel and provides accessible support for both the universal joint and knob shaft. This bracket serves as a mediator that maintains structural stability while enabling easy access to the universal joint and valve components for maintenance and repair operations without requiring disassembly of the entire knob assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rotation center of the valve installed in the housing is not accurately aligned with the rotation center of the knob disposed outside the panel, then the design flexibility is improved, but the knob cannot operate smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal joint as an intermediary mechanism between the valve shaft and the knob shaft. This universal joint compensates for misalignment between the rotation centers of the valve and the knob, allowing the knob to operate smoothly even when the rotation centers are not perfectly aligned, thereby maintaining design flexibility while ensuring operational smoothness.
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 ensures accurate alignment of the knob, improves aesthetic appeal, simplifies assembly and maintenance, and allows for easy management and repairs without disassembling the appliance's housing.
Implementation Method 1
a first leaf spring structure elastically supporting the first adjustment shaft in a direction in which the first adjustment shaft of the knob is aligned correctly
Implementation Method 2
a second leaf spring structure elastically supporting the universal joint in a direction in which the universal joint is aligned correctly
Data Source
AI summary
A home appliance may include a first panel having a through hole; a bracket disposed outside of the first panel, configured to cover the through hole, and fixed to the first panel; a shaft support provided on the bracket, extending in a frontward-rearward direction, and formed in the shape of a tube; a knob disposed outside of the first panel; a knob ring connected to the bracket and surrounding a circumference of the knob; a joint support connected to an end of a rear of the shaft support; a universal joint rotatably supported by the joint support; a valve assembly disposed at a rear of the universal joint; a first adjustment shaft; and a second adjustment shaft having a front end connected to a second end of the universal joint and a rear end connected to the valve assembly.