Operating mechanism for a sliding support of a cooking appliance having a cooking chamber, and cooking appliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Cooking appliances with sliding supports lack effective protection against improper use, which can lead to damage and increased material and manufacturing costs due to tight tolerances, and require complex adjustments during assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An overload protection device in the form of a slip coupling with adjustable contact force, allowing for manual adjustment without removing the operating mechanism from the appliance, protecting against damage from excessive loads and improper operation while enabling cost-effective manufacturing with greater tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tight tolerances are used in manufacturing the operating mechanism, then reliability and precision of operation are improved, but manufacturing costs increase and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of operating mechanismVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an overload protection device with a slip coupling that allows controlled slippage under excessive load conditions. This beforehand cushioning mechanism protects the operating mechanism from damage during improper use (such as forced door closure), thereby maintaining reliability without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances. The slip coupling acts as a sacrificial element that fails safely under overload while protecting more critical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Manufacturing precision

If the overload protection device requires removal of the operating mechanism for adjustment, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but ease of operation and maintenance time are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of contact force adjustmentVSAvoidease of adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The overload protection device is designed with an adjusting element that enables users to manually adjust the contact force between the slip coupling surfaces without requiring removal of the operating mechanism from the cooking appliance. This self-service adjustment capability allows end-users or maintenance personnel to optimize the overload protection settings directly in the field, eliminating the need for complex disassembly procedures while maintaining adjustment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If manual adjustment of contact force is enabled without removing the operating mechanism, then ease of operation and maintenance time are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of on-site adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of overload protection device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting element is integrated into the existing slip coupling structure of the overload protection device, serving dual purposes: it enables manual adjustment of contact force for optimization while maintaining the core overload protection function. This multi-functionality approach allows the same component to provide both protection and adjustability without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 overload protection device effectively safeguards the operating mechanism from damage, allows for cost-effective and tolerant component manufacturing, and simplifies assembly and on-site adjustments, ensuring reliable operation and reduced material usage.

Implementation Method 1

each contact surface comprising at least one of a friction surface and/or an interlocking engagement surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a contact force between the first contact surface and the second contact surface is manually adjustable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20240151406A1Operating mechanism for a sliding support of a cooking appliance having a cooking chamber, and cooking appliance

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 MIELE & CO KG

AI summary

An operating mechanism for a sliding support of a cooking appliance having a cooking chamber which is closable by a cooking chamber door, the operating mechanism including: an overload protection device configured to protect the operating mechanism from being damaged by improper use of the cooking chamber door and/or of the sliding support, the overload protection device having a slip coupling having a first contact surface and a second contact surface which, in non-overload conditions, is force-transmittingly connected to the first contact surface, each contact surface including at least one of a friction surface and an interlocking engagement surface. The operating mechanism automatically operates the sliding support. A contact force between the first contact surface and the second contact surface is manually adjustable using an adjusting element of the overload protection device without any need to remove the operating mechanism from a remainder of the cooking appliance.