Leaf-Spring Fastener for Tool-Free Cooking Hob Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fastening elements for attaching a cooking hob to a supporting element require complex mounting processes involving auxiliary tools, such as pressing devices or hammers, to secure the spring in place, which complicates the installation and may lead to unreliable fixation.
Innovation Solution
A leaf-shaped spring with a width-reduced end that fits into a slit-shaped recess in the supporting element, allowing the spring to pivot into a secure locking position without tools, utilizing a T-shaped locking element formed from the spring material and optimized recess geometry for reliable engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional spring with a lug-like projection is used to secure the spring in the support frame, then the spring can be secured in a defined position, but auxiliary means such as pressing devices or hammers are required for mounting, increasing device complexity and mounting difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The spring end geometry is changed by reducing its width to create a width-reduced end portion. This parameter change allows the spring to be inserted into a slit-shaped recess and pivot into its mounting position without requiring auxiliary pressing devices or hammers, thereby reducing mounting complexity while maintaining securing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is designed to pivot dynamically from an inserted position to a mounted position. The width-reduced end portion enables this rotational movement within the slit-shaped recess, allowing the spring to automatically secure itself without requiring external forcing tools, thus simplifying the mounting process while ensuring reliable fixation
2Ease of operation
If the spring is designed with a width-reduced end to enable tool-free mounting, then mounting becomes simpler without auxiliary means, but the securing reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The width-reduced end portion of the spring is nested within the slit-shaped recess of the support frame. This nesting arrangement allows the spring to be easily inserted and pivoted into position while the recess walls provide guidance and constraint, ensuring reliable securing without requiring complex mounting tools
Solution Approach 2:
The spring design enables self-service mounting where the width-reduced end portion automatically engages with the slit-shaped recess and pivots into the correct mounting position under its own elastic deformation. The spring secures itself without requiring external auxiliary means, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining securing reliability through its self-actuating mechanism
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
Enables simple and tool-free mounting of the spring, ensuring a secure and reliable fit of the cooking hob without auxiliary means, while maintaining a cost-effective and adaptable fastening solution for various installation scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (3) which can be secured to the supporting element (2) by engaging a locking element (4) which is disposed on the spring (3) into a first recess (5) in the supporting element (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening element for attaching a part such as a cooking hob to a supporting element, such as a frame supporting/surrounding the cooking hob, can include a spring secured to the supporting element. In one implementation, the fastening element can be secured by engaging a locking element of the spring into a first recess in the supporting element. In the mounted state, the spring has at its free end a gripping portion for holding the part, and the spring being embodied, as an element which is bent in a leaf-shaped manner. For ease in mounting the spring, the spring can have at the other end a width-reduced end that can penetrate a second slit-shaped recess in the supporting element. The width-reduced end and the slit-shaped recess are narrower than the region of the spring that is bent in a leaf-shaped manner.