Oven Door Latching Assembly With EMI-Shielded PCB Connector
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromechanical assemblies for large appliances like cooking ranges and ovens face challenges in connecting wire-harness connectors, suffer from electromagnetic interference causing false signals, and require complex point-to-point wiring, leading to increased assembly time and errors.
Innovation Solution
The oven door latching assembly features a rectangular sheet metal chassis with flanges, electrical switches, a motor, and actuator rods, along with a printed circuit board with a conductive ground plane to shield against electromagnetic interference, and a simplified connector port design that reduces the number of parts and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wire-harness connectors are used with multiple connection points, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but assembly time increases and assembly errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wire-harness connectors into a single integrated connector assembly that connects to a single socket port on the control board. This merging of multiple connection points into one unified interface eliminates the need for multiple separate connection operations, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity for all functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single socket port on the control board is designed to accommodate multiple electrical connections simultaneously, serving multiple functions through a universal interface. This multi-functional design allows power, control signals, and status feedback to be transmitted through one connector, simplifying the assembly process and reducing the likelihood of assembly errors.
2Reliability
If point-to-point wiring is used for each electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex point-to-point wiring with a single integrated connector assembly that consolidates multiple electrical pathways. This merging approach maintains reliable electrical connectivity for all components while dramatically reducing wiring complexity and the number of individual connection points that need to be managed during assembly.
3Ease of operation
If motors are placed on or near the electromechanical assembly, then actuation function is achieved, but electromagnetic interference causes false signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor component from proximity to the control board and sensitive electrical connections. By relocating the motor to a position where it does not generate electromagnetic interference near the control electronics, the latching function is preserved while eliminating the harmful electromagnetic effects that cause false signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shielding and grounding structures as intermediary elements between the motor and the control board. These intermediaries act as barriers that block or redirect electromagnetic interference, allowing the motor to operate nearby without causing false signals in the sensitive electrical connections.
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
This solution significantly reduces assembly time, minimizes errors, and enhances operational performance by preventing electromagnetic interference and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a printed circuit board with a conductive ground plane to shield against electromagnetic interference
Data Source
AI summary
A latching assembly uses a flat sheet metal chassis with a first and a second electrical switches, an electrical motor driving an eccentric cam, a push rod, a hook, a spring, and a first and a second actuator rods. When the push rod is moved axially by an outside force it opens a circuit connection held closed by the spring on the push rod. This allows current flow to a motor which drives the eccentric cam and pushes an actuator rod to move axially against a hook causing it to move from a first, non-latching position to a second, latching position. The assembly is useful for latching an oven when at high temperature.