Universal Side Trim Mounting for Fastener-Free Range Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional domestic cooking ranges with side wall trims often require unsightly fasteners that pierce the cooking space, compromising aesthetics and increasing manufacturing and inventory costs, as existing solutions do not provide a compact, esthetically pleasing mounting system that avoids piercing the side wall of the cooking space.
Innovation Solution
A side wall trim system that uses brackets attached with fasteners outside the cooking space, employing a friction fit mechanism for secure attachment without visible fasteners, allowing universal parts to be used on both sides of the appliance, reducing manufacturing and inventory costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fasteners are used to attach side wall trim through the side wall, then the trim is securely attached to the appliance, but the fasteners become visible and compromise the aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the side wall trim and the appliance chassis. The bracket is attached to the appliance at locations away from the cooking space zone, and the trim is then attached to the bracket. This intermediary allows secure attachment without fasteners piercing the side wall in the cooking space zone, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while ensuring structural security.
2Device complexity
If the side wall trim extends forward beyond the cabinetry, then it provides a clean appearance, but it requires fasteners that pierce the cooking space zone
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into multiple components: a mounting bracket attached to the appliance chassis, and the side wall trim attached to the bracket. This segmentation allows the trim to extend forward for aesthetic purposes while the fasteners are confined to attaching the bracket to the appliance at locations outside the cooking space zone, eliminating the harmful effect of fasteners in the cooking space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different parts are used for left and right sides of the appliance, then the mounting can be optimized for each side, but the manufacturing and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component that can be used on both the left and right sides of the appliance. The bracket's geometry and attachment features are symmetric or adaptable, allowing the same part to serve both sides. This universality reduces the number of different parts that need to be manufactured and inventoried, lowering costs while still providing optimized mounting functionality for each side.
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 an aesthetically pleasing, compact, and secure side wall trim system that attaches without piercing the cooking space, enhancing the appliance's appearance and reducing manufacturing and inventory costs through universal part usage.
Implementation Method 1
a left side trim panel attached to the left side first mounting bracket and the left side of the domestic cooking appliance, the left side trim panel attaching to the left side first mounting bracket by a friction fit
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic cooking appliance having a side trim panel system. The appliance includes a mounting bracket attached to the appliance, the mounting bracket being of a universal configuration such that it can be attached to either the left or right side of the appliance outside of a zone adjacent to a cooking space; and a side trim panel that attaches to the mounting bracket and the appliance, the side trim panel being of a universal configuration such that it can be attached to the mounting bracket and the appliance when the first mounting bracket is attached to either the left or right side of the appliance. The side trim panel attaches to the mounting bracket by a friction fit, and where the side trim panel attaches directly to the appliance, it only attaches to the appliance outside of the zone.