Oven Heating Element Fastening Structure for Deformation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current oven designs lack secure and stable fastening mechanisms for heating elements, which can lead to deformation under high temperatures, compromising heat resistance operation.

Innovation Solution

A rod-like member is interlocked with the muffle walls using coupling means like U-bolts or clamps, with projections on the upper wall allowing the rod-like member to engage securely, suspending the heating element and controlling deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the rod-like member is simply rested on the shaped protrusions on the side walls of the muffle, then the structure is simple and easy to assemble, but the support is unstable and unreliable under high temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of fastening meansVSAvoidcomplexity of fastening mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is divided into separate components: the rod-like member (8) and the shaped protrusions (11) on the muffle walls. This segmentation allows the rod to be inserted through the protrusions, creating a more reliable mechanical interlock while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly for maintenance purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the heating element is supported by a simple resting mechanism on protrusions, then the device complexity is low, but the heating element deforms under high temperature and weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport strength for heating elementVSAvoidcomplexity of support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rod-like member (8) is pre-positioned to engage with the shaped protrusions (11) before the heating element is installed. This preliminary action ensures that the support structure is already in place to bear the weight and prevent deformation of the heating element during operation, rather than relying on the element to find its own support position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the rod-like member passes through the walls to create an interlocking fastening, then the reliability of support is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the muffle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of fastening meansVSAvoidease of manufacturing muffle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shaped protrusions (11) are added only at specific locations on the muffle walls where fastening is required, rather than changing the entire muffle structure. This local modification approach maintains the overall simplicity of muffle manufacturing while providing enhanced fastening reliability at critical points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2746671B1Cooking oven comprising a heating element fastened with fastening means

Publication Date: 2016.08.03 WHIRLPOOL EMEA SPA

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AI summary

Cooking oven comprising a muffle (1) which comprises in turn at least a front opening and a plurality of walls (2,3,4,5,7), at least one electrical resistance (9) placed inside the muffle (1) for its heating, fastening means to assemble the electrical heat resistance (9) in a stable position, and wherein said fastening means comprise a rod-like element (8) which is engaged with at least one wall (2,3,4,5, 7) of the muffle (1), so that, at least a part of one end (81) of said rod-like element (8) protrudes externally to the muffle (1).