Cover for a domestic appliance, and domestic appliance having a cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliance claddings lack flexibility in design and production, as they often require additional components for structural support and external appearance, making them costly and difficult to modify or replace.

Innovation Solution

A self-supporting cladding system where a support frame is completely covered by cladding elements, allowing for flexible design and production without additional components, with the cladding elements being responsible for the external appearance and load-bearing functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional casing structure with separate support components and cladding elements is used, then the structural support function is achieved, but the design flexibility and production cost are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidcasing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the support frame and cladding elements into an integrated casing structure where the cladding elements are directly attached to the support frame, forming a unified assembly that provides both structural support and external appearance functions simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of separate components and improving design flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If additional components are used for structural support and cladding, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the production cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame and cladding elements are combined into a single integrated structure, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering production costs and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated casing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously - the cladding elements provide both the external appearance and contribute to structural support, eliminating the need for separate dedicated support components and reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Shape

If the support frame is exposed, then the structural function is visible, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal appearanceVSAvoidcasing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cladding elements are directly attached to the support frame in an integrated design, allowing the aesthetic covering to be seamlessly combined with the structural framework, thereby achieving good appearance without requiring a completely separate complex casing structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2993430B1Cover for a domestic appliance, and domestic appliance having a cover

Publication Date: 2023.04.26 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

Cover for a household appliance (24), the cover comprising a self-supporting support frame (1) for accommodating the household appliance (24) and comprising at least one cover element (25a-f) arranged on the support frame (1). According to the invention, the support frame (1) is essentially completely covered by the at least one covering element (25a-f).