Sealed Electronic Board Housing for Replaceable Household Appliances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliances face difficulties in replacing electronic boards due to exposure to moisture, steam, and contaminants, leading to malfunctions, and require complex assembly processes with numerous components.

Innovation Solution

A sealed connection between the receptacle and cover using a gasket co-molded to the cover, along with a removable design for easy replacement of the electronic board, and a simplified assembly process with fewer components, utilizing a box-like receptacle and a cover with a groove for the gasket, and snap connections for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electronic board is arranged in a receptacle closed by a cover, then the electronic board is protected against moisture and contaminants, but the replacement of the electronic board becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electronic boardVSAvoidreplacement of electronic board

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a receptacle and a cover that can be separated. The cover is detachably connected to the receptacle via fixing means (screws or snap-fit mechanisms), allowing the cover to be removed for electronic board replacement while providing protection when attached. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by making the protective enclosure separable rather than permanent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a sealing element is provided between the receptacle and cover, then protection against moisture and contaminants is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against moistureVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is integrated into the cover as a unitary component rather than being a separate removable part. The gasket is co-molded with the cover using injection molding, creating a single integrated piece that combines the cover structure with the sealing function. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining effective sealing between the receptacle and cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible gasket (sealing element) is used to create the seal between the receptacle and cover. The gasket can be made of elastomeric material that deforms to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and provides reliable sealing. This flexible sealing approach achieves effective moisture protection without requiring complex rigid sealing structures or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If the electronic board is exposed to moisture and steam, then the assembly process is simplified, but the electronic board malfunctions due to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidelectronic board operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is pre-integrated into the cover during the cover manufacturing process (co-molding). This preliminary action ensures that the sealing capability is built into the cover before assembly, so that when the cover is attached to the receptacle containing the electronic board, protection is immediately established. The electronic board is protected from the outset against moisture and contaminants while allowing straightforward assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The solution provides reliable protection against humidity and contaminants, simplifies the assembly process, and prolongs the lifespan of electronic components by ensuring a tight and secure connection between the electronic board and the cover, allowing for convenient and non-destructive replacement.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing element which seals the connection between receptacle and cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

a gasket co-molded to the cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCo-molding:

Data Source

PatentEP3187647B1Household appliance with an electronic board and method for manufacturing a household appliance

Publication Date: 2022.02.23 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

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AI summary

Household appliance (2), comprising an electronic board (72) and a receptacle (68) which receives said electronic board (72), further comprising a cover (78) for closing said receptacle (68), whereby said cover (78) in an assembled state is connected to said receptacle (68), whereby fixing means are provided for a connection between said receptacle (68) and said cover, and whereby a sealing element (180) is provided for providing a sealed connection between said receptacle (68) and said cover (78) in an assembled state.