Domestic appliance device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household refrigeration appliances lack flexibility in electronic component arrangement, leading to complex assembly processes, high costs, and space inefficiencies due to the need for long connecting lines and rigid mounting options.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an electronics housing with connection elements that support additional electronics housings, allowing for partial or complete weight transfer and secure mounting, enabling flexible attachment and compact arrangement, along with guide elements for electrical lines and fastening units for various mounting options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronics housings are arranged separately with long connecting lines, then connection flexibility is maintained, but space efficiency decreases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the second electronics housing partially or completely inside the first electronics housing. The connection element extends through the wall of the first housing to provide electrical connection, allowing the second housing to be nested within the first while maintaining electrical connectivity. This eliminates the need for long external connecting lines and reduces overall space requirements while preserving connection flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If electronics housings are rigidly mounted, then structural stability is ensured, but assembly complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mounting function into separate modular components: a connection element with electrical connection, a support element for mechanical support, and an optional fastening element. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and assembled, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining structural stability. The support element can be a simple bracket or rail that provides stable mounting without complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element is designed to automatically provide both electrical connection and mechanical support functions. By integrating the electrical connector and mechanical support structure into a single self-service component, the system eliminates the need for separate complex mounting procedures while ensuring structural stability through the built-in support features.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate electronics housings are used, then functional flexibility is improved, but assembly costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mounting system where the connection element and support element can accommodate multiple different electronics housings through standardized interfaces. The fastening unit can attach to various mounting locations (front, rear, side walls) and the nested configuration works with different housing sizes and shapes. This multi-functionality allows functional flexibility while reducing assembly time through standardized, repeatable assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element and connection element are pre-configured with mounting features and electrical connections before final assembly. The nested housing arrangement is pre-planned with predetermined positioning, allowing rapid assembly by simply engaging the pre-prepared components rather than performing complex alignment and connection procedures during assembly.
4Reliability
If electronics housings are completely enclosed, then protection is improved, but accessibility for maintenance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested housing configuration provides protection while maintaining accessibility because the second housing can be partially or completely removed from the first housing without damaging either structure. The connection element extends through the wall to provide electrical connection that remains accessible even when the housing is enclosed. This allows the electronics to be protected during operation while enabling easy removal and replacement during maintenance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
In order to provide a generic device with improved properties with regard to high flexibility, the at least one electronics housing (12) includes at least one connecting element (14) which is provided for fastening at least one additional electronics housing (16) to the at least one electronics housing (12), and the at least one electronics housing (12) is provided for at least partly supporting the at least one additional electronics housing (16) in at least one assembled state.