Oven Tray Side-Bar Geometry for Vertical Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carrier designs for cooking trays in electrical ovens require multiple structural elements to restrict vertical movement, increasing material usage and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single side-bar with multiple bends, forming a 'C' shape, is used to constrain vertical movement of the cooking tray, eliminating the need for a pair of side-bars and optimizing material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pair of side-bars is used to restrict vertical movement of the cooking tray, then the tray guidance reliability is improved, but the material usage and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two separate side-bars into a single integrated side-bar structure. This single side-bar features multiple bends that create multiple constraint points, allowing it to perform the work of two straight side-bars while reducing overall structural complexity and material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The single side-bar is segmented into multiple functional sections through bends, creating distinct constraint zones. These bends divide the side-bar into segments that can independently constrain the tray at different locations, maintaining the guidance reliability previously achieved by two separate bars.
2Reliability
If a pair of side-bars is used to restrict vertical movement, then the tray constraint function is improved, but the manufacturing cost and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate side-bars are merged into one continuous side-bar with bends. This reduces the total quantity of material required while maintaining the dual-function constraint capability through the bent sections that create multiple constraint points along the tray's path.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple structural elements are used to constrain the cooking tray, then the tray stability is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple constraint elements are merged into a single side-bar component. This reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining tray stability through the integrated bent structure that provides multiple constraint points.
Solution Approach 2:
The side-bar incorporates bends (curvatures) to create the necessary constraint geometry. These curved sections allow the single bar to achieve the stabilizing effect of multiple straight elements by redirecting forces and creating mechanical constraints at bent locations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A carrier device (1) for an inner compartment of a household appliance is adapted to receive a cooking tray and to constrain a movement of the cooking tray essentially to a horizontal movement, wherein the carrier device (1) comprises at least one single side-bar (12) having a plurality of bends (3) formed such that the single side-bar (12) constrains a vertical movement of the cooking tray. A household device is provided with such carrier device.