Panel mounted power-cable system for an appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional appliances face difficulties in efficiently installing, removing, or replacing power cords due to their integration within the housing assembly, requiring partial disassembly for access and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A panel-mounted power-cable system featuring a recessed portion in the appliance's rear panel with a power connector and a cover, allowing easy installation and removal of the power cable without disassembling the appliance, and incorporating a gasket and lip for a sealed interface to protect against fluid ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the power cord is integrated within the housing assembly, then the appliance structure is compact and protected, but the power cord installation and replacement require partial disassembly of the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The housing assembly is segmented into a main housing and a separate access panel that can be independently removed. The power connector is mounted on the rear panel, which is accessible by removing only the access panel rather than disassembling the entire housing. This segmentation allows easy power cord replacement while maintaining the compact integrated structure of the main housing assembly.
2Ease of operation
If the power connector is accessible for easy replacement, then power cord installation is simplified, but the appliance structure becomes more complex requiring additional panels and mounting components
Solution Approach 1:
The power connector and cable engagement section are extracted and mounted on the rear panel, which is a separate removable component from the main housing. This extraction allows the power connector to be easily accessible for power cord replacement while keeping the main housing structure simple and compact. The rear panel acts as an independent access point that can be removed without affecting the main housing assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the rear panel is recessed to accommodate the power connector, then the power cable can be easily accessed and replaced, but the panel structure becomes more complex with offset surfaces and apertures
Solution Approach 1:
The rear panel is pre-formed with a recessed portion that accommodates the power connector before final assembly. The recessed portion includes an aperture and offset surface that are precisely formed during panel manufacturing, allowing the power connector to be easily accessible while maintaining manufacturing precision. The mounting flange with pre-formed engagement features further simplifies the assembly process by providing predetermined mounting locations.
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance includes a cabinet with a rear panel. The rear panel defines a recessed portion with an offset surface and an aperture defined on the offset surface. A power connector is disposed in the aperture. The power connector includes a cable engagement section configured to engage a power cable and a source engagement section opposing the cable engagement section. The source engagement section extends through the rear panel to engage a power receiver within the cabinet. A mounting flange is disposed between the cable engagement section and the source engagement section and operably couples to the offset surface. A cover is coupled to the rear panel over the recessed portion. The cover includes an outer rim and a body protruding outward from the outer rim. An opening is defined between a bottom section of the body and the rear panel through which the power cable is configured to extend.