Steam Oven Panel Unit Layout for Easy Water Tank Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances with steam ovens face challenges in design, where the placement of a water tank and control panel interferes with the door, leading to increased height, complex structures, and reduced user convenience due to the need for large external forces to open the control panel, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The water tank is positioned behind the panel unit, allowing the panel unit to rotate downwards to open the entrance opening, utilizing a cam mechanism for automatic opening and gravity-assisted movement, optimizing the installation height and structure of the opening device, and separating the opening device from the hinge modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the water tank and control panel are disposed side by side above the door, then user accessibility is improved, but the controlling unit is limited to a small size and a separate cover is required which harms the aesthetic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control panel and water tank into a single integrated panel unit that can be opened together. The panel unit includes both the control panel disposed at the front of the cooking appliance and the water tank disposed at the rear, allowing both components to be accessed through one opening action rather than requiring separate covers or independent access points.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the entrance opening of the water tank is disposed with a sufficient distance to the door, then interference between the water tank and door is avoided, but the area where to provide the controlling unit and entrance opening is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement (side by side above the door) to a vertical arrangement (front to back depth direction). The control panel is disposed at the front of the cooking appliance while the water tank is disposed at the rear, utilizing the depth dimension of the cooking appliance to accommodate both components without increasing the front-to-back distance requirement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate cover is required to cover the entrance opening of the water tank, then interference between the cover and control panel is avoided, but the aesthetic is harmed as the cover protrudes forwards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control panel and water tank into a single integrated panel unit with a unified opening mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate covers that would protrude forward, as both components are accessed through one integrated panel opening action, maintaining a flush and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
4Force
If the panel unit is opened using large external forces, then the opening mechanism can overcome the weight and friction, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cam mechanism that utilizes the weight of the panel unit itself and gravitational force to assist in the opening operation. The cam mechanism converts rotational motion into linear motion that leverages gravity to reduce the external force required by the user, thereby simplifying the opening mechanism while maintaining effective opening capability.
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 configuration maintains a compact design, reduces installation height, simplifies the opening mechanism, enhances user convenience, and lowers manufacturing costs by allowing the panel unit to open with less force, while ensuring intuitive access to the water tank and reducing the complexity of the automatic opening device.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cam mechanism for automatic opening
Implementation Method 2
gravity-assisted movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Cooking appliance including a casing (100, 200) including a cavity (S 1) and a tank chamber therein, and a door (300) for opening and closing the cavity (S 1). Furthermore, a water tank (450) may be discharged forwards of the casing (100, 200) through an entrance opening of the tank chamber. A panel unit (500) is disposed in front of the casing (100, 200) at a different height from the door (300). At this point, the panel unit (500) may be moved from a first position in which the panel unit (500) covers the entrance opening of the tank chamber to a second position in which the panel unit (500) opens the entrance opening of the tank chamber. The panel unit (500) may be moved from the first position to the second position as an upper end of the panel unit (500) is rotated to be moved downwards.