Oven Tray Support Rail Assembly for Easy Removal and Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oven support units are difficult for users to mount and dismount, especially for cleaning purposes, due to the need for multiple parts and lack of ease in handling, which increases production costs and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A support unit with guiding rods, a front connecting rod, a rear connecting rod, and hanger extensions that utilize a bearing means with an annular groove for sliding motion, allowing easy assembly and disassembly by providing a wide movement allowance and preventing tray collision with the rear wall, along with S-shaped bends and further extensions for alignment and engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional mounting methods with multiple parts are used, then the support unit can be securely mounted, but the user cannot easily mount and dismount it for cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mounting and dismountingVSAvoidnumber of mounting parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support unit is divided into separable components: the support unit body with guiding rods and the bearing means with hanger extensions. This segmentation allows the support unit to be easily detached from the side wall by pulling it outward, enabling simple removal for cleaning without requiring multiple fastening parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting function is extracted from complex multi-part assemblies and simplified to a friction-based engagement between the hanger extensions and the bearing means. The support unit can be easily taken out by pulling it outward, and the mounting is achieved by pushing it inward until the hanger extensions engage with the bearing means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the support unit is securely fixed to the side wall, then it remains stable during use, but it becomes difficult to remove for cleaning purposes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during useVSAvoidease of removal for cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic engagement that allows easy movement. The support unit can be freely pushed inward to mount (where friction and the annular groove provide stability) and pulled outward to dismount. The hanger extensions can slide along the bearing means during mounting but lock into position during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support unit's own weight and the friction between the hanger extensions and bearing means provide sufficient holding force during use, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms. The system self-regulates: during normal use, the support unit remains stable; during removal, a simple outward pull overcomes the friction and releases the mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple mounting parts are used, then the mounting is durable, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting durabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting function is merged into the basic structure of the support unit and side wall. The guiding rods of the support unit engage with the bearing means that is already integrated into the side wall structure. This eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets, screws, or fasteners, reducing part count and production cost while maintaining durability through the friction-based engagement and annular groove design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If the support unit allows free movement for easy mounting, then assembly is simple, but tray collision with the rear wall may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidtray collision damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rear connecting rod acts as an intermediary element between the support unit and the rear wall. It provides a physical barrier that prevents the support unit from moving too far backward, thereby preventing tray collision with the rear wall while allowing sufficient movement for easy assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2370741B1An oven comprising a tray carrying support unit

Publication Date: 2015.03.18 ARCELIK AS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an oven (1) that comprises a suppert unit (6) mounted removable on the inner surface of the side wall (4) facing the cooking cavity (2), having more than one guiding rod (10) that extend parallel to the side wall (4) from the front backwards in the horizontal direction, a front connecting rod (11) and a rear connecting rod (12). Two hanger extensions (13) are disposed in the support unit (6), parallel to each other and extending onwards towards the rear wall (3), being parallel to the inner surface of the side wall (4). A bearing means (14) are mounted to the riveted bolt (9) at the rear fitting hole (8), gripped from above and bellow by the hanger extensions (13) and bearing the hanger extensions (13) in the cooking cavity (2) such that their ends freelz extend towards the rear wall (3). The support unit (6) can be easily mounted and dismounted to the side wall (4) by the user.