Method for mounting a towing device and assembly kit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of household appliances, particularly built-in refrigeration appliances, faces challenges in aligning and securely fastening the door with the furniture front panel without causing damage, as existing methods require drilling into the door and can be error-prone and time-consuming, especially for lay users.

Innovation Solution

A method and assembly kit that includes a guide element attached to the door and a slide rail attached to the furniture front panel, where the guide element is pre-assembled with a screw on the door, allowing precise positioning and secure attachment without drilling into the door, and a stop part to set the slide rail's distance from the panel, simplifying the assembly process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the guide element is attached to the door using existing methods, then the door can be connected to the furniture front panel, but drilling into the door causes damage and is error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoiddoor damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Screw holes are pre-drilled in the door during manufacturing before delivery to the end user. The guide element is then attached using these pre-prepared holes, eliminating the need for end users to drill into the door and preventing damage from improper drilling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary assembly process where the guide element is pre-assembled with screws in a controlled manufacturing environment. This intermediary step allows precise positioning and prevents damage that would occur if end users attempted to drill and assemble directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the guide element position is determined after slide rail attachment, then flexibility is maintained, but the assembly process becomes more troublesome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The position for attaching the guide element is predetermined during manufacturing by pre-drilling screw holes at the correct locations. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming measurements and positioning during installation, while still allowing flexibility in the overall assembly sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If screws are not pre-assembled on the door, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but screw assignment becomes confusing and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew assignment clarityVSAvoidassembly accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces pre-assembled screws as an intermediary element that bridges the guide element and the door. The screws are temporarily attached to the door in specific positions, serving as visual guides and ensuring that end users attach the guide element to the correct locations without confusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If the slide rail position is not predetermined, then adjustment flexibility is maintained, but precise alignment becomes difficult and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidalignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a stop part as an intermediary alignment tool. The stop part temporarily holds the slide rail at the correct position relative to the furniture front panel during assembly, ensuring precise alignment without requiring complex measurement procedures. After assembly, the stop part is removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3032022B1Method for mounting a towing device and assembly kit
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3032022B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3032022B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3032022B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for installing a towing device (9) which is designed to couple and carry a door (5) of a household appliance to a furniture front panel (8) arranged on the front in front of the door (5). A guide element (20) of the towing device (9) is attached to the door (5) of the household appliance and a slide rail (10) of the towing device (9) to the furniture front panel (8). The guide element (20) and the slide rail (10) are positioned relative to one another in such a way that the slide rail (10) can be brought into engagement with the guide element (20). In a first step, the guide element (20) is fixed to the door (5) and in a second step, which follows the first step in terms of time, the slide rail (10) is fixed to the furniture front panel (8). The invention also relates to an assembly kit for a towing device (9).