Movable Holding Element for User Interface Contact Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance devices lack a flexible and efficient mechanism for securely holding user interface elements, such as touch-sensitive sensors, which limits their construction and assembly processes, leading to increased production costs and potential for user interface element slippage during operation.
Innovation Solution
A holding unit with a base element and movable, rigid holding elements that can be adapted to hold various user interface elements, featuring a meandering connecting element and a spring unit for secure positioning and contact pressure, allowing for flexible design and assembly without significant modifications to the base element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed holding mechanism is used for user interface elements, then the base element structure is simple, but the adaptability to different user interface elements is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed to be movable relative to the base element, transitioning from a first position during assembly to a second position for securing the user interface element. This dynamic capability allows the same holding unit structure to adapt to different user interface elements while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding unit with its movable holding element can accommodate multiple types of user interface elements (such as touch-sensitive sensors, displays, or control panels) without requiring modifications to the base element, achieving universality while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Reliability
If a rigid fixed holding structure is used, then the assembly process is simple, but the ability to maintain contact pressure over time is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element's position parameter is changed from a fixed state to a movable state, enabling it to transition between assembly position and securing position. This allows the system to maintain reliable contact pressure over time while keeping the assembly process relatively simple through the natural movement of the holding element.
3Manufacturing precision
If custom holding structures are designed for each user interface element type, then the holding precision is high, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal holding unit design with a movable holding element can securely hold different types of user interface elements with appropriate precision, eliminating the need to manufacture custom holding structures for each element type and thereby reducing production costs.
4Ease of operation
If the holding element is fixed in position, then the structural stability is high, but the flexibility for assembly and disassembly is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element is designed to be movable relative to the base element, allowing easy assembly and disassembly operations. When moved to the second position, it provides stable holding of the user interface element, thus achieving both operational flexibility and structural stability.
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 solution enables a flexible and secure holding mechanism for user interface elements, ensuring correct detection of operating commands and reducing production costs by allowing for adaptable design and simplified assembly, while preventing user interface element slippage and maintaining contact pressure over long-term use.
Implementation Method 1
a spring unit (24) which is arranged below the holding element (18) and which is intended to provide a contact pressure for the user interface element (14)
Implementation Method 2
The connecting element (22) can be deflected relative to the base element (16) and/or the holding element (18)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance device (10), in particular a cooktop device, with a holding unit (12) which is designed to hold at least one user interface element (14). To improve the design, it is proposed that the holding unit (12) has a base element (16) and at least one rigid holding element (18) which is designed to hold the user interface element (14) and is movable relative to the base element (16).