Household appliance including a wall which has an integrated raised coupling element for coupling to a backing part mounted thereon, and method for mounting the coupling element on the wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household refrigeration appliances face challenges in accurately positioning backing parts due to manufacturing and mounting tolerances, which can impair system functionality and allow dust, dirt, and thermal insulation material to penetrate through gaps, compromising the structural integrity and insulation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A household refrigeration appliance design featuring a backing part with an integrated coupling element that couples to a counter-coupling element, which is a raised cup without holes, ensuring stability and preventing dust, dirt, and insulation material from penetrating, while allowing for precise positioning through geometric variations in the coupling elements and receptacles, such as funnel-shaped holes and cups, to compensate for tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hole is designed in the wall for coupling the backing part, then the backing part can be fastened to the wall, but dust, dirt, and thermal insulation material can penetrate through the hole
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is nested within the wall structure, with the fastening portion positioned in a recess of the wall and the coupling portion extending through a controlled opening. This nesting arrangement allows the coupling function while minimizing exposure to harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure is designed with different local qualities: a recessed area for the coupling element that is protected from contamination, and a minimal controlled opening that allows coupling while limiting penetration of dust and insulation material. The opening is specifically sized and positioned to maintain local protection qualities.
2Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing and mounting tolerances are present, then production is easier and more cost-effective, but the positioning accuracy of the backing part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element features an asymmetric geometry with a specific orientation relative to the wall surface. The fastening portion in the recess and the coupling portion extending through the opening create an asymmetric configuration that provides inherent positioning guidance, compensating for manufacturing and mounting tolerances while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Strength
If a metal backing part is used to increase load-bearing capacity, then weight forces can be better absorbed, but the direct fastening to plastic walls is still limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element merges the fastening function and the coupling function into a single integrated component. The fastening portion in the wall recess and the coupling portion extending through the opening are combined in one element, simplifying the overall fastening system while maintaining the load-bearing capacity of the metal backing part.
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance, in particular a household refrigerator, includes a receiving space, in particular for food, which is delimited by walls of the household appliance. A backing part is mounted on an outer side of one of the walls facing away from the receiving space. The backing part has a coupling element which, when the backing part is mounted on the outer side, is coupled to a counter-coupling element which is on the outer side. The counter-coupling element is constructed as a raised cup without holes, and the coupling element is constructed as a receptacle through which the cup extends in the mounted state. A method for mounting a backing part on a wall of a household appliance is also provided.