Front panel system for a cooking device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing panel systems for cooking appliances face limitations in design freedom, require additional processing steps for attachment, and incur higher costs due to the use of double-sided adhesive tape and complex assembly processes, especially when accommodating different materials with varying thermal expansion coefficients.

Innovation Solution

A panel system utilizing self-supporting panels with integrated first and second connecting means that allow linear displacement and pivoting of attachments, eliminating the need for a screen carrier and double-sided adhesive tape, and enabling easy repositioning of components without gluing or welding, thus simplifying assembly and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If sandwich construction with double-sided adhesive tape is used, then design freedom is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign freedomVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the aperture carrier from the sandwich construction, leaving only the self-supporting screen with integrated connecting elements. This extraction eliminates the need for double-sided adhesive tape and complex assembly steps while maintaining design freedom through the integrated connecting elements that allow linear displacement and pivoting of attachments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements are integrated directly into the self-supporting screen, merging the functions of the screen and the mounting structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate aperture carriers and adhesive tapes, simplifying the overall construction while preserving the ability to accommodate various design requirements through linear displacement and pivoting movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If double-sided adhesive tape is used to compensate for thermal expansion, then reliability is improved, but cost and tolerances worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion compensationVSAvoidtolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements are designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing linear displacement and pivoting movements. This dynamic design naturally accommodates thermal expansion differences between materials without requiring thick adhesive tapes, thereby maintaining reliability while improving manufacturing precision and reducing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If self-supporting switch front is used, then device complexity is reduced, but design freedom is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements integrated into the self-supporting screen are designed to allow linear displacement and pivoting of attachments. This dynamic capability enables the simple self-supporting construction to accommodate various design requirements, including retractable control handles and repositionable components, thereby providing design freedom without increasing construction complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional elements are attached to base component, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing precision worsens due to welding or bonding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidattachment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements allow attachments to be positioned with linear displacement and pivoting movements before being fixed in place. This dynamic positioning capability enables precise attachment of additional elements without requiring welding or bonding processes, thereby improving manufacturing precision while maintaining attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4130578A1Front panel system for a cooking device
Publication Date: 2023.02.08 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4130578A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4130578A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4130578A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A blind system (2) for a cooking appliance (1), comprising at least one first and one second connecting means (13, 14, 15, 16), a self-supporting blind (6) which, in a state of mounting the blind system (2) on the cooking appliance (1), obscures the user's view of the at least one first and second connecting means (13, 14, 15, 16), and at least one attachment (11, 21, 25) which is attached to the blind (6) by means of the at least one first and second connecting means (13, 14, 15, 16), wherein the first connecting means (13) holds the at least one attachment (11, 21, 25) linearly displaceable and/or pivotable between at least one first and one second position (I, II), and the second connecting means (14, 15, 16) is configured to hold the at least one attachment (11, 21, 25) in its first and/or to fix the second position (I, II).