Spring-Clamped Grounding Assembly to Prevent Visible Welding Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance grounding methods, such as welding, result in visible burns or dents and increased space requirements, and do not allow for secure, invisible electrical connection of conductive components.
Innovation Solution
A spring element with a plug section is used to establish an electrical connection between a conductive component and a grounding line, clamped between the conductive component and an insulating attachment surface, allowing for secure and space-efficient grounding without visible penetration or bulges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding is used to ground conductive components, then electrical connection is achieved, but visible burn marks and dents are created
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the grounding function from the visible outer surface by placing the grounding connection in a recessed area. The grounding element is positioned in a recess of the housing, so that the connection points are not visible from the outside, thus achieving reliable electrical connection without visible burn marks or dents on the external surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a grounding element as an intermediary component that facilitates the electrical connection between the heating element and the housing. This grounding element can be a conductive adhesive layer, metal foil, or separate conductor that is positioned in a recess, serving as a mediator that achieves reliable grounding without requiring direct welding on visible surfaces.
2Reliability
If grounding elements are attached to components, then electrical grounding is achieved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding element is nested within a recess of the housing structure. Instead of adding external grounding components that would increase overall dimensions, the grounding connection is integrated into the existing housing volume by utilizing recessed areas, thus achieving reliable grounding without increasing the appliance's external size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin conductive elements such as metal foil or conductive adhesive layers for grounding. These thin-film grounding solutions require minimal space compared to traditional bulky grounding components, allowing effective grounding while maintaining compact installation space within the housing structure.
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
This method enables reliable and cost-effective grounding of conductive components, preventing visible damage and saving installation space, while ensuring the component remains safe to touch and voltage-free.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element has a plug section for connecting an earthing conductor... establishes an electrical connection between a conductive component and a grounding line
Implementation Method 2
a spring element, wherein the spring element is at least partially clamped in the receiving space and the first component and the second component are in contact between them
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly (105) for a household appliance (100). The assembly (105) has a first component (110) with an outside (112) and a rear side (114) facing away from the outside (112). When the household appliance (100) is in an installed state, the outside (112) of the first component (110) can be touched at least partially from outside the household appliance (100). The first component (110) is formed from an electrically conductive material. The assembly (105) also has a second component (120). The second component can (120) be fastened or is fastened to the rear side (114) of the first component (110). When the second component (120) is fastened to the first component (110), a receiving space is arranged between the first component (110) and the second component (120). The assembly (105) also has a spring element (130). The spring element (130) can be arranged or is arranged at least partially in the receiving space and the first component (110) and the second component (120) are clamped in contact between them. The spring element (130) is formed from an electrically conductive material. The spring element has a plug section for connecting a grounding line (140, 150).