Cooking Appliance Terminal Box for Error-Proof Cable Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking devices face challenges in efficiently and easily assembling cables that carry electricity to electrically operated elements, leading to potential assembly errors and increased time and costs.

Innovation Solution

A terminal box mounted to the cooking device's wall, with cylindrical extensions and a locking mechanism, allows cables to be connected from the outer surface while preventing erroneous assembly, using a retaining member to keep cables aligned and secure, and a conductive clamp for efficient electricity transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cable assembly methods are used, then cables can be connected to electrically operated elements, but assembly errors increase and assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly accuracyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal box is pre-configured with multiple holes positioned at specific locations corresponding to each cable's destination. Cables are pre-assembled with connection ends before installation, and the terminal box structure is prepared in advance with locking mechanisms and retaining members already in place, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly adjustments and reducing assembly errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cable assembly system is divided into separate functional components: the terminal box structure, individual cables with connection ends, locking mechanisms for each cable, and retaining members for cable management. This segmentation allows each component to be independently assembled and tested before final integration, improving overall assembly accuracy and reducing errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional cable connection methods are used, then electricity can be transmitted to electrically operated elements, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidcable assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal box merges multiple cable connection functions into a single integrated structure. Multiple cables are gathered and connected through one terminal box unit rather than requiring separate connection points distributed throughout the appliance. The locking mechanisms and retaining members are integrated into the terminal box structure, simplifying the overall assembly process despite the multiple cables involved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If cables are allowed to move freely, then cable routing is flexible, but cables may contact walls causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing flexibilityVSAvoidcable contact with walls
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Retaining members act as intermediary elements between the cables and the terminal box structure. These retaining members guide and secure cables in proper positions, preventing direct contact between cables and the appliance walls while maintaining flexible routing. The retaining members are positioned to allow cable movement within safe boundaries while blocking paths that would lead to wall contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2371035B1A cooking device comprising cables which carry electricity
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 ARCELIK AS
  • EP2371035B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2371035B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2371035B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a cooking volume (2) wherein foods to be cooked are disposed, walls (3) which surround the cooking volume (2), an opening (4) which is located on one of the walls (3), cables (5) which have a connection end (6) that carries electricity to the electrically operated elements, a terminal box (7) which is mounted to the opening (4) and whereon the cables (5) are mounted from the wall (3) side that faces the outer environment and whereto the electrically operated elements are connected for electricity transmission from the wall (3) side that faces the cooking volume (2).