Microwave door push button assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave oven door push button assemblies often require high force to open and can be noisy, with potential wobbling issues due to loose parts and complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A push button assembly design featuring a button, button base, button support with channels and bearings for smooth sliding, a lever with an ejector pin, and a support pin for reduced wobble, allowing for a lower operational force and noiseless operation, with a simplified assembly and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional push button assembly is used, then the door can be opened, but high force (approximately 10 pounds) is required and the operation is noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical friction-based components with magnetic components. Magnets are positioned to interact with ferromagnetic materials during door opening, providing a magnetic assist force that reduces the mechanical force required by the user from approximately 10 pounds to 4.5-6 pounds. This magnetic field interaction also eliminates the friction and impact noises associated with conventional mechanical push button assemblies.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional push button assembly is used, then the door can be opened, but wobble and instability occur due to loose parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple components into a unified, tightly coupled assembly. The button, button support, magnets, and housing are positioned and secured relative to each other to eliminate loose parts. The button support is coupled to the button, and magnets are positioned within the housing to interact with ferromagnetic materials on the button support, creating a stable, integrated system that prevents wobble during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the button assembly by introducing magnetic fields and ferromagnetic materials. The magnets generate magnetic fields that interact with ferromagnetic materials on the button support, creating magnetic attraction forces that stabilize the button position and eliminate wobble. This changes the interaction from purely mechanical contact to a combination of magnetic and mechanical forces.
3Ease of manufacture
If a conventional push button assembly is used, then the door can be opened, but the assembly process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the push button assembly into distinct, modular components: a button, a button support, a housing with magnets, and ferromagnetic materials. Each component can be manufactured separately and then assembled by coupling the button support to the button and positioning the housing components. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process compared to conventional integrated designs that require complex machining and fitting.
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
The design reduces the opening force from approximately 10 pounds to 4.5 to 6 pounds, provides smooth and noiseless operation, minimizes wobble, and simplifies assembly and maintenance by eliminating loose parts and allowing for easy replacement.
Implementation Method 1
A bearing is slidably received within the channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A push button assembly (10) for a cooking appliance (12) may include a button (14), a button base (16) coupled to the button (14) defining an interior (18), and a button support (20) coupled to the button (14) and disposed within the interior (18). The button support (20) may include a boss (22) defining a channel (24). A support pin (26) may be rotatably coupled with the button support (20). A pin (28) may be coupled with the button base (16) and slidably received within the channel (24). The push button assembly (10) may further include a lever (30) having a first end (30a) and second end (30b). The lever (30) may define an aperture (32) configured to receive the pin (28).