Rotatable Reservoir Carrier in Oven Control Panels for Easy Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances with reservoirs for operating liquids, such as ovens, often occupy significant space and lack efficient liquid level visibility and refilling mechanisms, leading to potential operational interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A horizontally arranged storage area on the control panel for the reservoir, combined with a fluid coupling system and a sunken carrier element, allows for easy access and visibility of the liquid level, increased internal space, and automatic notification of liquid needs, while maintaining a visually appealing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reservoir is arranged inside the household appliance like a drawer, then it is easily accessible, but it occupies significant space inside the appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is extracted from the interior of the household appliance and positioned on the control panel instead. This allows the reservoir to remain easily accessible to users while freeing up valuable internal space for other components and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir arrangement transitions from a horizontal drawer-like configuration inside the appliance to a vertical placement on the control panel. This dimensional change optimizes space utilization by using the control panel surface area rather than consuming internal volume.
2Ease of operation
If the control panel has a protruding storage area for the reservoir, then the reservoir is easily accessible and visible, but the control panel becomes visually less appealing
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier element is nested within a recess in the control panel, creating a sunken storage area. When the reservoir is placed on the carrier element, it protrudes slightly to remain visible and accessible, but the carrier element itself is concealed within the control panel, maintaining a clean and appealing visual appearance.
3Volume of stationary object
If the carrier element is made narrower to increase installation space, then more space is available in the switch room, but the reservoir stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier element is designed with predetermined geometric features including specific surface areas and engagement structures that provide adequate stability for the reservoir. The design calculations were performed in advance to ensure that even with a narrower profile, the carrier element maintains sufficient stability through optimized surface area and structural configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The appliance has a door (2), and a door handle (4) comprising a control panel (6). Operating elements (10) and a display element (12) are arranged at the control panel, and a storage container is provided for operating liquid. The control panel has a storage surface (14) for the storage container, where the surface projects over the control panel. The storage surface is arranged on a horizontally arranged supporting element (16) that is arranged in the control panel in a rotatable manner, where a front side of the supporting element is designed in a rectangular-shape.