Microwave Bearing Bushing Assembly for Thin-Wall Vapor-Tight Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances, such as microwave ovens, face challenges in achieving mechanical stability and vapor tightness due to the need for thin muffle walls that accommodate bearing bushes and other components, which requires innovative solutions for attachment and fastening that also ensure microwave tightness.
Innovation Solution
A device with a plate-like base body featuring a hollow body that extends through a hole, surrounded by a flange, which provides mechanical stability and protection, and includes a deformation area for clamping without additional fastening elements, along with a seal for enhanced vapor and microwave tightness, utilizing materials like stainless steel and silicon dioxide coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the muffle walls are made thin to reduce weight and material usage, then the weight and material consumption decrease, but the mechanical stability and fastening options deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow body is arranged within the hole in the muffle wall, creating a nested structure where the hollow body fits inside the wall thickness. This allows the attachment to be accommodated within the existing wall structure without requiring additional external space or thicker walls, thus maintaining weight efficiency while providing stable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional surface attachment problem to a three-dimensional volumetric solution by creating a hollow body within the hole. This dimensional transition allows the attachment to engage with the hollow body's internal space, providing mechanical stability through volumetric engagement rather than surface-level fastening, which is particularly effective when wall thickness is limited.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional fastening elements are added to improve mechanical stability, then the mechanical stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow body integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the attachment receptacle and the fastening mechanism. The flange provides structural support and positioning, while the deformation area creates the fastening action, eliminating the need for separate fastening elements like screws or clips.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow body is designed to be self-fastening through its deformation area that can be plastically shortened to create a clamping connection. The structure performs its own fastening function without requiring external fastening elements, reducing assembly complexity and the number of parts.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hollow body extends through the hole to provide mechanical support, then the mechanical stability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow body is pre-formed with the deformation area and flange features before installation. This preliminary formation of the fastening structure allows for simpler assembly on-site, as the complex shaping is done during manufacturing rather than during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow body utilizes plastic deformation of the material in the deformation area to create the fastening connection. By changing the physical state of the material through plastic shortening, the structure achieves a secure clamping connection without requiring complex joining processes like welding or threading.
4Reliability
If a seal is added in the hollow body to improve vapor tightness, then the vapor tightness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is integrated into the hollow body structure, combining the sealing function with the existing attachment and support structure. The seal works in conjunction with the flange and deformation area to provide both mechanical fastening and vapor sealing in a unified assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary element between the hollow body and the attachment, creating a vapor-tight interface. The seal material bridges the gap between the rigid hollow body structure and the attachment, providing the necessary sealing function without requiring complex sealing mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The bearing bushing (20) has connecting portion for insertion into a recess of the household appliance component (12). The connection region has two bending flaps (45) or bending lug which is bent by an installer or an automated assembly device, after insertion of the bearing bush into the recess for securing the bearing bush against household appliance component. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) mounting assembly of bearing bushing; and (2) method for mounting bearing bushing in wall.