Oven Cavity Panel Assembly Using Integrated Positioning Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of cooking cavities made from panels in domestic ovens is complex and time-consuming, requiring expensive assembly jigs due to the lack of positioning elements for screwing, leading to increased costs and prolonged assembly times.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of holding means on the panels that allow for initial insertion and subsequent sliding, enabling pre-assembly of sub-assemblies without complex jigs, ensuring accurate positioning for screwing and reducing assembly time and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If panels are assembled using fixing screws with coupling portions facing each other, then the panels can be securely fastened, but complex assembly jigs are required to position the coupling portions accurately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel fastening securityVSAvoidassembly jig complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling portions are provided with built-in positioning elements (protrusions and recesses) that enable preliminary positioning of panels before screw fastening. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex external assembly jigs, as the positioning is integrated into the coupling portions themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling portions are designed to be self-positioning through integrated protrusions and recesses that automatically align panels during assembly. The system serves itself by incorporating positioning functionality directly into the fastening components, eliminating dependency on external positioning devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple positioning operations are performed to assemble panels accurately, then the panels can be properly aligned, but the assembly time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel alignment accuracyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning elements (protrusions and recesses) are pre-integrated into the coupling portions, allowing panels to be positioned and aligned in a single operation during the fastening process itself, rather than requiring multiple separate positioning steps before assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning function and fastening function are merged into a single integrated operation. The protrusions and recesses enable both positioning and subsequent screw fastening to occur during the same assembly step, eliminating the need for separate positioning and fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex assembly jigs are used to position panels, then accurate positioning is achieved, but the investment cost for assembly equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling portion positioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly equipment investment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling portions incorporate self-positioning capabilities through built-in protrusions and recesses, making the assembly system self-sufficient. This eliminates the need for expensive external positioning equipment and assembly jigs, as the positioning function is inherent to the coupling components themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning functionality is integrated into simple, inexpensive coupling portions rather than requiring costly, complex assembly jigs. The protrusions and recesses provide accurate positioning at minimal cost, replacing expensive equipment with simple integrated features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2781840B1Cooking cavity of cooking oven, cooking oven and related assembly method
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 GRP BRANDT
  • EP2781840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2781840B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2781840B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The cavity (1) has a holding unit (7) of each of side panels (3) cooperating initially with other holding units (8, 9) of respective lower and upper panels (2, 4) by insertion for supporting an edge (10) of one of the side panels relative to edges (11, 12) of the respective lower and upper panels, and by a sliding motion for aligning a front face (13) of one of the side panels with front faces (14, 15) of the respective lower and upper panels. The side panels, the lower panel and the upper panel are assembled together to form a pre-assembled subset. An independent claim is also included for a method for assembly of a cooking cavity of a cooking oven.