Spring-Loaded Telescopic Support Element for Appliance Gap Fitting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing longitudinal support elements for household appliances in kitchen worktops are difficult to install quickly and efficiently, especially when dealing with varying depth and height dimensions, often requiring manual adjustment and potentially leaving gaps between appliances.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic longitudinal support element with an elastic adjustment mechanism, featuring a spring-loaded connection between two longitudinal bodies that automatically adjusts to fit different opening sizes, along with height adjustment elements and secure fastening options, ensuring easy and secure installation without manual dimensioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic support element is used to adapt to different opening sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The support element employs a telescopic mechanism with two longitudinal bodies (inner and outer) that can move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. The inner longitudinal body can slide within the outer longitudinal body, allowing the support element to dynamically adjust its length to fit different opening sizes while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The inner longitudinal body is nested within the outer longitudinal body, forming a telescopic structure. This nesting arrangement allows one support element to accommodate multiple size requirements without requiring multiple separate support elements, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving adaptability
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment is required to fit different depth dimensions, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex installation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element automatically adjusts the telescopic support element to the correct length by exerting a restoring force that pushes the inner longitudinal body against the stop element. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual measurement and adjustment, allowing the support element to self-fit to different opening sizes while maintaining precise depth dimension alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides continuous mechanical feedback by maintaining constant contact force between the inner longitudinal body and the stop element. This feedback mechanism ensures that the support element automatically compensates for variations in opening dimensions, maintaining precise fit without requiring manual intervention during installation
3Reliability
If the support element is made secure with multiple fastening options, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The support element integrates multiple fastening capabilities into a single unified structure. The longitudinal bodies are designed with features that accommodate different fastening methods (screws, adhesive, clips) without requiring separate fastening systems, thereby improving reliability across different installation scenarios while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening features are merged directly into the longitudinal bodies themselves rather than being separate components. The outer and inner longitudinal bodies incorporate integrated fastening elements that work together with the telescopic mechanism, combining the support and fastening functions into a single unified structure that improves reliability without adding device complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If the telescopic support element is used to cover gaps between appliances, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain due to variable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The support element changes its longitudinal dimension parameter dynamically through the telescopic mechanism. By adjusting the length of the inner longitudinal body relative to the outer longitudinal body, the support element can adapt to different gap sizes between appliances while maintaining precise positioning, as the spring element ensures consistent contact force and alignment throughout the adjustment range
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, reliable, and versatile installation of support elements across various sizes, ensuring proper alignment and stability of appliances with reduced gaps and enhanced security through elastic force and adjustable features.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient longitudinal adjustment means arranged between the two longitudinal bodies and exerting a force in a longitudinal direction of the support element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The support element has an internal longitudinal body joined with an external longitudinal body (12) in a longitudinal direction of a carrier element (10) so that the bodies are moved in the longitudinal direction. Longitudinal support element ends are distant from each other and converged to each other. An elastic longitudinal adjustment unit (16) i.e. spiral spring, is provided between the bodies. The adjustment unit is actuated by pressure in the longitudinal direction to exert an insertion force in a displacement direction of the ends in an insertion position of the carrier element.