Modular Oven Front Frame for Flexible Cavity Opening Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing oven front frames require individualized tooling for specific models, leading to high costs, material waste, and slow delivery of model changes due to the inability to adjust tooling for different configurations, which limits flexibility and increases production time.
Innovation Solution
A modular frame structure for ovens comprising interchangeable vertical and horizontal sections that can be assembled and welded to create various cavity openings, allowing for shared tooling and adjustable dimensions to accommodate different cooking compartment sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individualized tooling is used for each specific model, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of substance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a modular frame system where a single set of base components (upper frame section, lower frame section, and vertical frame sections) can be configured to produce multiple different cavity opening sizes. The vertical frame sections come in different lengths and can be interchanged to accommodate various model requirements, eliminating the need for separate individualized tooling for each model while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized connection mechanisms and welding procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the front frame structure into modular components: an upper frame section, a lower frame section, and multiple vertical frame sections that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows the same base components to be reconfigured for different models by simply changing the vertical section lengths, reducing material waste from creating entirely new tooling sets for each model while preserving manufacturing precision through controlled assembly and welding of standardized parts.
2Manufacturing precision
If individualized tooling is created for each model, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular frame system enables a single tooling set to produce multiple model configurations by interchangeably assembling different length vertical frame sections. This universality allows rapid model changes without creating new individualized tooling for each model, significantly improving productivity and model change delivery speed while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized connection and welding procedures for the modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the frame configuration adaptable and changeable through interchangeable vertical frame sections of different lengths. This dynamic modular assembly approach allows the manufacturing system to quickly reconfigure for different models without fixed individualized tooling, improving productivity and response time for model changes while preserving precision through controlled assembly and welding of standardized components.
3Manufacturing precision
If individualized tooling is used for each model, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by replacing multiple individualized tooling die sets with a single universal modular frame system. The same upper frame section, lower frame section, and vertical frame sections can be reconfigured for different models by simply changing the vertical section lengths, eliminating the need for separate complex individualized tooling for each model while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized assembly and welding procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the frame into modular components (upper section, lower section, and interchangeable vertical sections), the patent simplifies the overall tooling system. Instead of creating entirely new complex individualized tooling for each model, the segmented modular approach allows precise configuration changes through simple assembly of standardized parts, reducing device complexity while preserving manufacturing precision.
4Manufacturing precision
If individualized tooling is created for each model, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular frame system eliminates the need for time-consuming retooling by allowing a single universal tooling set to produce multiple model configurations. Different cavity opening sizes are achieved by simply assembling different length vertical frame sections with the same upper and lower frame sections, drastically reducing retooling time while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized connection and welding procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic modular assembly approach allows rapid reconfiguration of the frame for different models by interchangeably assembling vertical sections of different lengths. This eliminates the static, time-consuming process of creating new individualized tooling for each model, reducing retooling time significantly while preserving manufacturing precision through controlled assembly and welding of standardized components.
5Manufacturing precision
If individualized tooling is used for each model, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies frame structure complexity by designing a universal modular frame where the same upper and lower frame sections can work with multiple vertical section lengths to create different models. This universal approach reduces structural complexity compared to creating entirely new individualized frame structures for each model, while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized connection mechanisms and welding procedures for the modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the frame into standardized modular components (upper section, lower section, and interchangeable vertical sections), the patent reduces frame structure complexity. The segmented design allows precise configuration for different models through simple assembly of standardized parts rather than creating complex individualized structures, maintaining manufacturing precision while simplifying the overall frame structure.
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
This approach reduces production costs, minimizes material waste, and speeds up the delivery of model changes by enabling the use of shared tooling and allowing for quick adjustments to meet different cooking compartment dimensions, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the step of assembling the upper front frame section, the lower front frame section, and the pair of vertical front frame sections may include welding the upper front frame section, the lower front frame section, and the pair of vertical front frame sections to each other
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable modular frame for a cooking appliance. The modular frame may be a front frame structure having a plurality of members or sections. The front frame may include an upper front frame section and a lower front frame section connected by a pair of front frame sections to define an outer periphery for a cavity opening. The dimensions and/or shape of the front frame structure may be adjusted to be used in a variety of applications.