Snap-Fit Venting Duct Assembly for Household Appliance Housing Walls
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for mounting venting ducts in household appliances, such as ranges and ovens, face challenges in providing a fast, secure, and tool-free mounting process that accommodates varying housing wall thicknesses and materials, limiting flexibility across different appliance models and types.
Innovation Solution
A snap-fit connection assembly featuring a connector member with resilient tabs and a molded plastic design, allowing for easy assembly and secure attachment to housing walls of varying thickness, using snap-fit connections between the connector member and both the outlet and venting duct, eliminating the need for additional fixing means and accommodating different housing materials like stainless steel and enameled metal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mounting methods are used for venting ducts, then secure attachment is achieved, but mounting process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a connector member with resilient tabs for attachment to the housing wall, an outlet member for the venting duct connection, and a mounting portion for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector member incorporates resilient tabs that automatically engage with the housing wall through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for additional fixing means such as screws or clips. The biasing means within the connector member provides self-contained mounting functionality, reducing device complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed mounting design is used for venting ducts, then secure attachment is achieved, but adaptability to different housing wall thicknesses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector member is designed with resilient tabs that can dynamically adjust to different housing wall thicknesses through elastic deformation. The biasing means allows the connector to flex and adapt its position while maintaining secure engagement, enabling the same assembly to reliably mount on housing walls of varying thicknesses without compromising attachment security.
3Ease of operation
If tool-free mounting is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but mounting precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The manual tool-based fastening system is replaced with an elastic deformation-based snap-fit mechanism. The resilient tabs utilize material elasticity to create a self-locking connection that achieves precise positioning and secure attachment without requiring external tools, maintaining both ease of operation and mounting precision.
4Reliability
If multiple fixing means are used for secure attachment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixing functions are merged into a single integrated connector member that combines the attachment to the housing wall, positioning on the housing surface, and connection to the venting duct outlet into one component. The resilient tabs and biasing means work together as a unified system to provide secure attachment without requiring separate fixing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector member incorporates self-contained biasing means that automatically provide the necessary mounting force and maintain secure attachment without requiring additional external fixing means. The elastic deformation of the resilient tabs creates self-locking engagement that ensures reliable attachment while eliminating the need for complex multi-component fixing systems.
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
Enables quick, tool-free, and secure mounting of venting ducts on household appliances with varying wall thicknesses and materials, ensuring a play-free attachment and flexibility across different models, enhancing ease of use and compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
the connector member comprising biasing means, which in the assembled state rests resiliently against the inner side of the housing wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An assembly for mounting a venting duct (10) in a housing wall (12) of a household appliance, comprising: (a) an outlet member (14) comprising a venting outlet (22), a generally tubular mounting portion (18), and an abutment member (30) for abutment against the exterior side of said housing wall (12); (b) a connector member (16) comprising an inlet end (34) adapted for fixing said venting duct (10), and an outlet end (32) adapted for attachment to the mounting portion (18) of the outlet member (14); (c) wherein the outlet end (32) of said connector member (16) and the mounting portion (18) of said outlet member (14) are adapted for snap-fit connection, and (e) said connector member (16) comprises biasing means (40) adapted to rest resiliently against the inner side of said housing wall (12) so as to exert a force which biases the connector member away from said housing wall.