Tilting Control Panel Element With Flush-Clean Snap-Hook Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances lack an effective and user-friendly control panel design that provides secure operation, easy cleaning, and efficient use of space while allowing for multiple actuation positions and integrated lighting without separate display areas.
Innovation Solution
A plate-shaped control element with snap hooks for secure attachment to the control panel, integrally formed spring elements for tilting and resetting, and embedded lighting elements with light guide boxes for uniform illumination, allowing the control element to be tilted into multiple positions and embedded within the panel for easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate spring elements are used to push the control element away from the control panel, then the control element can be reset to its initial position, but the device complexity increases due to additional separate components
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrally formed with the control element as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate spring components. This merging of the spring function into the control element itself reduces device complexity while maintaining the reset capability through elastic deformation of the integrated spring structure
2Ease of manufacture
If the control element is embedded flush with the control panel, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the control element cannot provide tactile feedback when not actuated
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is designed to be tiltable into multiple positions relative to the control panel. In the retracted position, it provides tactile feedback by protruding from the panel surface. When actuated, it tilts forward to actuate switches, and can be returned to a flush position for cleaning accessibility. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between tactile feedback and cleaning accessibility
3Ease of operation
If the control element protrudes from the control panel in the initial state, then tactile feedback is provided to users, but cleaning accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control element can dynamically change its position relative to the control panel surface. It protrudes in the initial state to provide tactile feedback, tilts forward during actuation, and can be returned to a flush position to improve cleaning accessibility. This dynamic behavior allows the system to satisfy both requirements at different operational states
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for the control element assembly, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly precision and play reduction become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and control element are formed as a single integral piece, eliminating gaps and potential play between separate components. This integration ensures precise positioning and eliminates assembly play while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through the ability to form complex geometries in a single manufacturing process
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
The solution provides enhanced user safety, secure operation, and improved cleaning accessibility by allowing the control element to be tilted into multiple positions while maintaining a flush or protruding state, with integrated lighting that ensures even illumination without visible hotspots, thus enhancing the overall user experience and appliance functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The plate-shaped control element has spring elements which are arranged between the plate-shaped control element and the control panel, and which are set up to push the plate-shaped control element away from the control panel
Implementation Method 2
The snap hooks on the plate-shaped control element deform preferably elastically and get caught in corresponding openings in the control panel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance (1) with a control panel (5) and a plate-shaped control element (6) for actuating a control device (16) of the household appliance (1), wherein the plate-shaped control element (6) is attached to the control panel (5) by means of snap hooks (7, 8) and wherein the plate-shaped control element (6) can be tilted into several different positions relative to the control panel (5) for actuating the control device (16).