Thermal device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal engineering devices face challenges in easy assembly and long-term secure positioning of functional components, often requiring additional fixing elements and risking slippage during operation.

Innovation Solution

The integration of first and second form-fitting elements on the receiving area and functional component, respectively, provides axial fixation in addition to radial fixation, eliminating the need for additional fixing elements and ensuring secure positioning without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only radial fixation is used for the functional component in the receiving area, then the device structure remains simple, but the functional component may slip during operation and requires additional fixation elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidfixation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines radial fixation and axial fixation into a unified form-locking system. The receiving area features both a radial form-locking element (groove) and an axial form-locking element (protrusion), which work together to secure the functional component without requiring separate fixation elements, thus improving reliability while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-dimensional radial fixation to two-dimensional fixation by adding axial fixation. The form-locking elements extend the securing mechanism from one dimension (radial) to two dimensions (radial + axial), preventing slippage in multiple directions without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If additional fixation elements are used to secure the functional component, then positioning stability improves, but assembly complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation securityVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The form-locking elements are integrated directly into the insulating body's receiving area, allowing the structure to secure itself. The functional component's form-locking element automatically engages with the receiving area's form-locking features during assembly, eliminating the need for separate fixation elements and simplifying the assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the fixation function into the existing insulating body structure. The receiving area is designed with integrated form-locking elements that combine both radial and axial securing functions, eliminating the need for additional separate fixation elements and reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4477960A1Thermal device
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 VIESSMANN HOLDING INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP4477960A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4477960A1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4477960A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a thermal device comprising a housing (1), an insulating body (2) arranged in the housing (1), a receiving area (2.1) formed on the insulating body (2), and a functional component (3) of the thermal device arranged in the receiving area (2.1) and having a longitudinal axis (3.1). According to the invention, a first positive locking element (2.1.1) is provided on the receiving area (2.1), and a second positive locking element (3.2) is provided on the functional component (3) for fixing it in the direction of its longitudinal axis (3.1) and for aligning it with the first positive locking element (2.1.1).