One-Piece Plastic Window Ring and Recessed Grip for Appliance Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional household appliance doors require separate manufacturing and assembly of window rings and handle elements, increasing production costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece design integrating a plastic window ring and recessed grip simplifies manufacturing by eliminating additional components and assembly steps, providing a stable and cost-effective appliance door with enhanced mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the window ring and handle element are manufactured as separate components and connected by screw or plug connection, then the appliance door can be assembled with separate functional elements, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional elementsVSAvoidassembly effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the window ring and handle element into a single integrally formed component made of plastic. This merging eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps, reducing both manufacturing complexity and assembly effort while maintaining all necessary functions in one unified structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate components are used for window ring and handle element, then each component can be optimized independently, but the production costs increase due to additional components and assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrally formed design allows the window ring and handle element to be produced as a single component in one manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate production lines, inventory management, and quality control for multiple parts, thereby reducing overall production costs despite sacrificing some independent optimization flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the window ring and recessed grip are integrally formed, then the manufacturing process is simplified and assembly costs are reduced, but the design flexibility for separate component optimization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoiddesign flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single plastic component serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides the structural window ring, the operational handle element, and the aesthetic exterior surface. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would traditionally require multiple specialized components into one universal element, achieving both manufacturing simplicity and functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3440256B1Domestic appliance having a recessed grip

Publication Date: 2020.01.29 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a domestic appliance (100) comprising a base body (103), said base body (103) having an opening (105), and an appliance door (107) for closing the opening (105). The appliance door (107) comprises a plastic window ring (109) for maintaining the window (111) and a plastic recessed grip (113) for operating the appliance door (107). Said window ring (109) and the recessed grip (113) are provided as a single piece.