Household appliance or commercial appliance and carrier system therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household and commercial appliances, such as ovens and refrigerators, face safety issues due to unintended movement of rail systems when support devices are removed, particularly when rotated or tilted during cleaning, which can lead to accidents or damage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a locking unit with multiple locking elements that can engage positively with each other, allowing the rail system to be blocked in various orientations, including usage and reverse orientations, ensuring the rail system cannot be inadvertently pulled out, even when the support device is tilted or rotated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single locking element is used to block the rail system, then the structure is simple, but it cannot prevent unintended movement when the support device is rotated or tilted during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is divided into multiple locking elements (first locking element and second locking element) that can independently engage with different components of the rail system. This segmentation allows each locking element to perform a specific locking function in different orientations, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are designed to be rotatable relative to the support device, allowing them to dynamically adjust their engagement state based on the orientation of the support device. When the support device is in usage orientation, the locking elements engage to prevent movement; when rotated or tilted during cleaning, they can disengage to allow movement, thus adapting to different operational states.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the locking element is fixed in position, then the structure is stable, but it cannot adapt to different orientations of the support device during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are designed to be rotatable relative to the support device, allowing them to dynamically adjust their engagement state based on the orientation of the support device. When the support device is in usage orientation, the locking elements engage to prevent movement; when rotated or tilted during cleaning, they can disengage to allow movement, thus adapting to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements automatically engage or disengage based on the orientation of the support device through their rotatable mounting. The system self-adjusts to the current state without requiring external control, providing stable locking during normal use and automatic release during cleaning operations.
3Ease of operation
If the locking element automatically engages based on weight force, then the operation is simple, but it may inadvertently release when the support device is rotated upside down
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple locking elements that can engage with different components of the rail system. This segmentation ensures that even if one locking element releases due to orientation changes, other locking elements maintain the locked state, preventing inadvertent rail release while preserving automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are designed to be rotatable and can independently respond to orientation changes. When the support device is rotated upside down, the locking elements can rotate to maintain engagement, preventing inadvertent release while still allowing automatic engagement during normal operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances operational safety by preventing unintended rail system movement, ensuring the appliance remains secure during cleaning and usage, regardless of the support device's orientation, thus reducing the risk of accidents and damage.
Implementation Method 1
a line of action of the weight force acting on it due to the dead weight of the locking element runs under a lever arm with respect to the axis of rotation of the locking element, so that the locking element can be transferred from its free position in the direction of a blocking position based solely on the weight force acting on it
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance or commercial appliance includes a housing surrounding an interior and a support device removable from the interior and a rail system with at least two rails connected to one another and movable relative to one another, and a support element. When the support device is in an installed state, the rail system is mounted on the housing such that the support element is movable relative to the housing by pulling out the rail system. A locking unit arranged on the support device has at least one locking element that can be transferred between a blocking state and a free state. When the support device is in its removed state physically separated from the housing, the locking unit blocks the rail system from being pulled out. When the support device is in its installed state, the locking element allows the rail system to be pulled out.