One-Piece Coupling Element for Home Appliance Panel Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing assembly processes for home appliances, such as ovens, are complex and costly due to the need for additional pieces to connect the front panel to the flange, leading to increased production and assembly costs, and a risk of erroneous fixation.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece coupling element comprising a connection piece and a support piece, where the connection piece has a channel for the flange and an upper tab that engages with a slit on the flange, and a lower tab that fixes to the housing, allowing simultaneous manufacturing and assembly, reducing costs and preventing assembly faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate connection piece and support piece are used to connect panel to flange, then connection function is achieved, but assembly complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection piece and support piece are merged into a single integrated coupling element that connects the panel to the flange. This一体化 design eliminates the need for separate components and assembly steps, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the connection function through integrated structural features including the connection channel, support channel, and engagement tabs.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for panel connection, then connection functionality is achieved, but production and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element integrates multiple functional components (connection piece, support piece, engagement tabs) into a single manufactured part. This reduces the total number of components that need to be produced, stored, and assembled, thereby lowering production and assembly costs while maintaining all necessary connection and support functionalities.
3Reliability
If manual assembly of multiple parts is required, then connection is achieved, but risk of erroneous fixation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the connection and support functions into a single coupling element, the assembly process is simplified to installing one component rather than coordinating multiple parts. This integrated design eliminates assembly errors that could occur when assembling separate pieces, ensuring reliable and accurate fixation of the panel to the flange.
4Stability of the object's composition
If additional support structure is added to prevent panel movement, then panel stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is integrated into the coupling element through the support channel and support tabs that extend along the panel's height. This eliminates the need for separate support structures, providing panel stability while maintaining a simple and compact overall design.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a home appliance (1) comprising a body (10), at least one flange (20) provided on said body (10), a connection piece (50) for providing connection between the flange (20) and at least one panel (30), said connection piece (50) having at least one connection channel (56) wherein the flange (20) is partially placed and an upper channel (52) wherein at least one engagement tab (34) of the panel (30) is placed, and a support piece (60) which at least partially fills the clearance provided between the flange (20) and a front wall (31) of the panel (30). As an improvement, there is at least one coupling element (40) comprising the connection piece (50) and the support piece (60) in one-piece manner.