Removable bracket assembly for an oven appliance manifold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mounting and servicing valves and switches in cooktop appliances are challenging due to difficult access, requiring removal of the valve from the fuel manifold and potential damage to the gas line.

Innovation Solution

A bracket assembly with a panel bracket and manifold bracket system that allows easy access to control systems by being removably coupled to the fuel supply line and control panel, eliminating the need for gas line disconnection during servicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the valve is removed from the fuel manifold to access the ignition switch, then the ignition switch can be serviced, but the gas line may be damaged and service time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to ignition switchVSAvoidgas line integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket assembly is divided into a manifold bracket portion attached to the fuel manifold and a panel bracket portion attached to the control panel, connected by a connecting portion. This segmentation allows the control panel to be accessed independently without removing the valve from the gas line, thus servicing the ignition switch while maintaining gas line integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the valve is removed from the fuel manifold to access the ignition switch, then the ignition switch can be serviced, but service time and tool requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to ignition switchVSAvoidservice time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the bracket assembly is removably coupled to allow easy access, then servicing is simplified, but the structural connection may be less stable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to control systemsVSAvoidbracket connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket assembly employs removable and reconfigurable connections between the manifold bracket portion, panel bracket portion, and connecting portion. This dynamic design allows the assembly to be easily disassembled for servicing while maintaining stable structural connection during normal operation through proper engagement of the connecting portion with both bracket portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240230106A1Removable bracket assembly for an oven appliance manifold

Publication Date: 2024.07.11 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An oven appliance includes a cabinet defining a cooking chamber; a control panel provided on the cabinet; a fuel supply line provided at the cabinet; and a bracket. The bracket includes a first flange selectively coupled to the fuel supply line; a second flange extending from the first flange at a predetermined angle, the second flange being selectively coupled to the control panel; a vertical protrusion protruding from the first flange along the vertical direction toward the fuel supply line to locate the bracket with respect to the fuel supply line; and a horizontal locating protrusion protruding from the second flange away from the fuel supply line to locate the bracket with respect to the control panel.