Oven Rear Wire Cover Brace for Deflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oven appliances face issues with the rear wire cover deflecting or bending when force is applied, leading to moisture, grease, and contaminant ingress into the control components, which is not adequately addressed by minimal fasteners used to secure the cover.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating control brackets with braces that stabilize the rear wire cover in its closed position, allowing it to be freestanding without physical support during assembly, and ensuring it remains secure without interfering with rotation, thus preventing deflection and maintaining a sealed environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If minimal fasteners are used to secure the rear wire cover, then part count and cost are reduced, but the rear wire cover deflects and bends when force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple discrete support features (first support feature, second support feature, third support feature) distributed across the rear wire cover. Each support feature provides localized reinforcement at critical areas, allowing the cover to maintain stability without requiring numerous fasteners throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Support features are strategically positioned at specific locations on the rear wire cover where deflection is most likely to occur. The first support feature is positioned near the first edge, the second support feature near the second edge, and the third support feature near the third edge, providing localized reinforcement exactly where needed rather than uniform reinforcement across the entire cover.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rear wire cover is secured with fasteners, then stability is improved, but rotation during assembly is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fasteners that extend through the entire thickness of the rear wire cover (perpendicular dimension), the support features are configured to extend only partially through the thickness of the cover. This dimensional modification allows the cover to rotate during assembly while the support features provide sufficient stability to prevent excessive deflection, resolving the conflict between stability and ease of assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If the rear wire cover is allowed to deflect, then assembly is simpler, but moisture and contaminants can ingress into control components
Solution Approach 1:
The support features are pre-configured into the rear wire cover structure before assembly, creating a pre-reinforced cover that maintains its structural integrity and sealed environment from the outset. This preliminary reinforcement prevents deflection that would otherwise allow contaminant ingress, while requiring minimal additional assembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An oven appliance may include a cabinet that defines a top side and a back side. In addition, the oven appliance may include a control assembly that may be positioned at the top side and the back side of the cabinet. Further, the oven appliance may include a rear wire cover connected to the control assembly. In addition, the oven appliance may include a control bracket attached to the control assembly, the control bracket comprising a brace.