Water drawer and appliance comprising a water drawer

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water drawers in cooking appliances with steamer functions have handles that protrude, complicating cleaning and assembly, and require manual pulling to reach the filling position, disrupting the appliance's aesthetic and making the process cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A water drawer with a driving element that automatically moves the drawer element to a maximum extraction position for filling, using a resilient and damping system for smooth operation, and a siphon assembly to prevent steam backflow, allowing for easy assembly and operation without manual pulling and maintaining a flush design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a handle is arranged outside the filling element to pull it out, then the filling element can be easily operated, but the outer plane form of the appliance is disturbed and cleaning is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidouter plane form

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The handle function is merged with the drawer element itself. The drawer element is designed with a front surface that serves as both the structural component and the gripping surface, eliminating the need for a separate external handle. This integration maintains the flush outer plane form while providing adequate grip for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a handle is arranged outside the filling element to pull it out, then the filling element can be easily operated, but cleaning operation is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcleaning operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The handle function is merged with the drawer element itself. The drawer element is designed with a front surface that serves as both the structural component and the gripping surface, eliminating the need for a separate external handle. This integration maintains the flush outer plane form while providing adequate grip for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the drawer element is moved manually to the filling position, then the structure can be simple, but the operation becomes cumbersome and the aesthetic is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidoperation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer element is equipped with a driving mechanism that enables automatic movement to the filling position. When activated, the driving element propels the drawer element outward without requiring manual pulling, making the system self-serving and eliminating the need for cumbersome manual operation while maintaining aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the drawer element is driven automatically to the maximum extraction position, then the operation becomes easier and aesthetic is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoperationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer element is equipped with a driving mechanism that enables automatic movement to the filling position. When activated, the driving element propels the drawer element outward without requiring manual pulling, making the system self-serving and eliminating the need for cumbersome manual operation while maintaining aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 simplifies the operation and assembly of the water drawer, reduces contamination during use, and ensures a smooth, efficient filling process while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design, with enhanced noise reduction and secure steam management.

Implementation Method 1

the resilient force and the damping force in combination define the speed and force of the translational movement of the drawer element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

at least one driving device is provided which comprises at least one damper means for providing a damping force affecting on the drawer element when it is moved in a translational movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping force: Damping

Implementation Method 3

The driving device comprises a spring, in particular a coil spring, which is provided for slowing down the translational movement of the drawer element at least in one direction of the translational movement in the last section of the translational movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9814343B2Water drawer and appliance comprising a water drawer

Publication Date: 2017.11.14 ELECTROLUX HOME PROD CORP NV

AI summary

The invention relates to a water drawer (1), comprising a housing element (2) and a drawer element (3), wherein the drawer element (3) is movably guided within the housing element (2) and wherein water can be filled into a water receiving space of the drawer element (3), wherein the drawer element (3) can be moved in a translational movement between a first inner position (IN) and a second outer position (OUT), characterized in that the water drawer (1) further comprises at least one driving element (16) for providing a driving force for driving the drawer element (3) to move into the second outer position (OUT).