Suspension lid opener mechanism and container therefor

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of suspension type uncovering mechanism and its container, including pot cover component, pot body and middle ring. Pot cover component includes top panel, locking mechanism, top panel does not contain uncovering button, the bottom of locking mechanism is exposed to the bottom of pot cover component, for and mortise joint with lock tongue. Top panel has suspension gap between locking mechanism, when top panel is pressed down, top panel is pressed on locking mechanism. The utility model can realize two actions of closing and uncovering by directly pressing the position area of corresponding locking mechanism on panel, without designing any uncovering button on panel, top panel can be designed as completely flat, smooth structure on surface, without obvious button area, make the appearance of electric rice cooker more simple and beautiful, meet the requirement of current simple style, applicable to the requirement of high-end household appliances. Meanwhile, the utility model has smaller operating hand feeling, and operation is more convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliances, specifically to a suspended lid opening mechanism and a container including such a suspended lid opening mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Rice cookers and other household appliances with lids are equipped with a lid-opening mechanism to allow the lid to be opened and closed. This mechanism is typically a hinged structure, with the lid hinged to the pot body via a pivot. To close the lid, the user presses it down, and a locking mechanism on the pot body locks the lid securely. To open the lid, the user presses an open button on the pot body or lid. The pressure on the button releases the locking mechanism, releasing the lid. A spring on the pivot then returns the lid open, exposing the interior of the pot.

[0003] Existing lid-opening mechanisms typically involve a button on the top of the lid or the side of the pot. To unlock, the user must press the button with their finger until it retracts, then release the finger, and the button automatically springs back to its original position. However, with the development of rice cooker products, people have increasingly higher aesthetic demands regarding the product's texture, appearance, and visual appeal. Product designs are also trending towards simplicity, better aligning with the current consumer aesthetic.

[0004] However, the design of the lid-opening button divides and exposes a noticeable area on the panel, and the button's travel distance during unlocking is concave, making the rice cooker's appearance neither clean nor aesthetically pleasing, severely hindering the product's design and development towards a more streamlined aesthetic. Conversely, designing the lid-opening button to be too small makes it difficult for users to press accurately, and the force required to open the lid is too great, resulting in a large travel distance and a poor user experience, which is not only unattractive but also detrimental to the overall appearance. Utility Model Content

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, one of the objectives of this utility model is to provide a floating lid opening component, and the other is to provide a container including such a floating lid opening component, which can solve the problems of the existing container lid opening components being not simple and beautiful, having a large force to open the lid, and having a poor user experience.

[0006] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0007] A suspended lid opening mechanism includes: a lid assembly, comprising: a top panel and a locking mechanism; the top panel does not have a lid opening button; the locking mechanism is located inside the lid assembly and exposed at the bottom of the lid assembly; there is a gap between the top panel and the locking mechanism, and when the top panel is pressed down, the top panel bends and presses against the locking mechanism; a pot body, the lid assembly is hinged to the pot body via a lid opening pivot, the lid opening pivot is also provided with a lid opening torsion spring, the potential energy of the lid opening torsion spring drives the lid assembly to move in the lid opening direction; a middle ring, fixed to the upper part of the pot body; a protruding locking tongue is fixed on the middle ring, the locking tongue is adapted to lock with the locking mechanism; when the locking tongue and the locking mechanism are locked with each other, the locking mechanism is fastened to the locking tongue; when the locking mechanism presses down on the locking tongue, the locking mechanism releases the locking with the locking tongue.

[0008] Furthermore, the locking mechanism is a press-type self-locking mechanism.

[0009] Furthermore, the press-type self-locking mechanism includes: an outer sleeve, a sliding terminal, a latch, a latch torsion spring, a terminal spring, and a hook; the sliding terminal is slidably disposed inside the outer sleeve, and the two ends of the terminal spring respectively abut against the outer sleeve and the sliding terminal; a limiting groove is formed on the sliding terminal, and the limiting groove has a first limiting end and a second limiting end distributed in the vertical direction; one end of the hook is fixed to the outer sleeve, and the other end switches between being hung on the first limiting end and the second limiting end; the two latches are rotatably disposed on the sliding terminal, and the latch torsion spring drives the latches to move outward, so that the latches switch between an inward and outward state.

[0010] Furthermore, two connecting slots are connected between the first limiting end and the second limiting end. The connecting slots are adapted for the hook to slide within them, so that the hook can switch between being hung on the first limiting end and the second limiting end.

[0011] Furthermore, the latch includes: a support neck and a top cover portion located at the upper end of the support neck and extending and opening along both sides; a slot structure suitable for latch engagement is formed between the support neck and the top cover portion.

[0012] Furthermore, when the lid assembly is in the closed state, there is a gap between the lid assembly and the central ring.

[0013] Furthermore, the pot lid assembly also includes: a top cover and an inner cover assembly; the locking mechanism is fixed to the inner cover assembly, with the bottom of the locking mechanism exposed at the bottom of the inner cover assembly; the top cover is fitted onto the inner cover assembly; and the top panel is fastened to the top of the top cover.

[0014] Furthermore, the middle ring is also provided with a rotating shaft mounting groove; the rotating shaft mounting groove has a cavity, the opening rotating shaft is rotatably disposed in the cavity of the rotating shaft mounting groove, one end of the opening torsion spring is fixedly connected to the pot lid assembly, and the other end is fixed to the rotating shaft mounting groove.

[0015] A container including the aforementioned suspended opening mechanism.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects that this utility model can achieve are as follows:

[0017] When closing the lid, the user gently presses the area near the locking mechanism on the top panel. The top panel bends under pressure and presses against the locking mechanism. Then, the lid assembly gradually approaches the pot body, and the locking tongue on the middle ring pushes into the locking mechanism to achieve a latching and locking action. At this time, the lid-opening torsion spring is compressed. After closing the lid, the user releases their hand, and the locking mechanism and locking tongue remain locked. The top panel elastically returns to its original position and moves away from the locking mechanism, and a gap reappears between the two.

[0018] When opening the lid, the user presses the area of ​​the top panel near the locking mechanism again. The top panel bends and presses against the locking mechanism, which presses down on the latch and releases the latch. The lid opening torsion spring resets, causing the lid assembly to flip in the opening direction. After the user releases the pressure, the top panel resets and moves away from the locking mechanism, and a gap reappears between the two.

[0019] In this invention, both closing and opening the lid can be achieved by directly pressing the area corresponding to the locking mechanism on the panel, eliminating the need for any lid-opening buttons. This allows the top panel to be designed with a completely flat and smooth surface, concealing any obvious button area and resulting in a simpler, more aesthetically pleasing, and higher-quality appearance for the rice cooker, meeting the requirements of current minimalist appliance design and suitable for high-end home appliances. Furthermore, due to the relatively large pressing area, users can directly press down with their palm, requiring less force compared to the previous method of accurately pressing small buttons with fingers. This invention offers a more convenient and comfortable operating experience. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 The diagram shows a rice cooker with the lid closed.

[0021] Figure 2 The diagram shows a rice cooker with the lid open.

[0022] Figure 3 The diagram shown is an exploded view of a rice cooker.

[0023] Figure 4 The image shown is a cross-sectional view of the inside of a rice cooker.

[0024] Figure 5 The diagram shows the pressing area of ​​the rice cooker.

[0025] Figure 6 The diagram shows the cooperation between the locking mechanism and the locking tongue.

[0026] Figure 7 The image shown is a front view of the internal structure of the locking mechanism;

[0027] Figure 8 The diagram shown is a schematic of the internal structure of the locking mechanism;

[0028] Figure 9 The diagram shown is a schematic of the sliding terminal.

[0029] Figure 10 The diagram shown is a schematic of the locking tongue.

[0030] Figure 11 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the pot lid assembly.

[0031] In the diagram: 10. Lid assembly; 11. Top panel; 111. Pressing area; 12. Top cover; 13. Inner cover assembly; 20. Middle ring; 21. Rotary shaft mounting groove; 30. Pot body; 40. Locking mechanism; 41. Outer sleeve; 42. Sliding terminal; 421. First limiting end; 422. Second limiting end; 423. Connecting through groove; 43. Lock; 44. Lock torsion spring; 45. Terminal spring; 46. Hook; 50. Locking tongue; 51. Support neck; 52. Top cover; 53. Slot structure; 60. Lid opening pivot; 70. Lid opening torsion spring. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] This utility model discloses a suspended lid opening mechanism, which can be applied to containers or household appliances such as rice cookers that need to achieve lid opening and closing functions.

[0037] See Figures 1-4 This floating lid opening mechanism includes a lid assembly 10, a pot body 30, and a central ring 20. The lid assembly 10 includes a top panel 11 and a locking mechanism 40. The top panel 11 is a flat, smooth plate structure without any lid opening buttons or corresponding button travel grooves. The locking mechanism 40 is located inside the lid assembly 10, with its bottom exposed to facilitate engagement with the locking tongue 50. A certain floating gap exists between the top panel 11 and the locking mechanism 40. When the top panel 11 is pressed down, especially when the area above the locking mechanism 40 is pressed, the top panel 11 bends downwards, the gap disappears, and the top panel 11 presses against the locking mechanism 40.

[0038] See Figures 3-4 The lid assembly 10 is hinged to the pot body 30 via an opening hinge 60, allowing it to rotate along the edge of the pot body 30. An opening torsion spring 70 is fitted onto the opening hinge 60, and the elastic potential energy of the opening torsion spring 70 drives the lid assembly 10 to move in the opening direction. A middle ring 20 is fixed to the upper part of the pot body 30, and a protruding locking tongue 50 is fixedly provided on the middle ring 20. The locking tongue 50 is adapted to lock with the locking mechanism 40. The locking mechanism 40 can specifically be a press-type self-locking mechanism. When the locking mechanism 40 and the locking tongue 50 are locked together, the locking mechanism 40 fastens to the locking tongue 50, causing the lid assembly 10 to close onto the pot body 30; when the locking mechanism 40 presses down on the locking tongue 50, the locking mechanism 40 releases the lock with the locking tongue 50.

[0039] When closing the lid, the user gently presses the pressing area 111 on the top panel 11 near the locking mechanism 40 (see...). Figure 5 The top panel 11 is bent under pressure and presses against the locking mechanism 40. Then the lid assembly 10 gradually approaches the pot body 30, and the locking tongue 50 on the middle ring 20 pushes into the locking mechanism 40 to achieve a latching and locking. At this time, the lid opening torsion spring 70 is compressed. After the lid is closed, the user releases his hand, and the locking mechanism 40 and the locking tongue 50 remain locked. The top panel 11 elastically resets and moves away from the locking mechanism 40, and a gap reappears between the two.

[0040] When opening the lid, the user presses the top panel 11 again near the pressing area 111 of the locking mechanism 40. The top panel 11 bends and presses against the locking mechanism 40. The locking mechanism 40 presses down on the latch 50 and releases the lock from the latch 50. The lid opening torsion spring 70 returns to its original position, causing the lid assembly 10 to flip in the opening direction. After the user releases the pressure, the top panel 11 returns to its original position and moves away from the locking mechanism 40, and a gap reappears between the two.

[0041] In this invention, both closing and opening the lid can be achieved by directly pressing the area corresponding to the locking mechanism 40 on the panel, eliminating the need for any lid-opening buttons. This allows the top panel 11 to be designed with a completely flat and smooth surface, concealing any obvious button area. This makes the rice cooker appear more concise, aesthetically pleasing, and of higher quality, meeting the requirements of current minimalist appliance design and suitable for high-end home appliances. Furthermore, because the pressing area 111 is relatively large, users can directly press down with their palm. Compared to the previous method of accurately pressing small buttons with fingers, this invention requires less force, making operation more convenient and comfortable.

[0042] Specifically, the locking mechanism 40 can be a push-button self-locking mechanism as follows. See also... Figures 6-10 The locking mechanism 40 includes: an outer sleeve 41, a sliding terminal 42, a latch 43, a latch 43 spring, a terminal spring 45, and a hook 46. The sliding terminal 42 is slidably disposed inside the outer sleeve 41. The two ends of the terminal spring 45 abut against the outer sleeve 41 and the sliding terminal 42, respectively. The elastic potential energy of the terminal spring 45 drives the sliding terminal 42 to move out of the outer sleeve 41. A limiting groove is formed on the surface of the sliding terminal 42, and the limiting groove has a first limiting end 421 and a second limiting end 422 distributed in the vertical direction. More specifically, see [reference needed]. Figure 9The limiting groove has a diamond-shaped structure, and the first limiting end 421 and the second limiting end 422 are connected by two connecting through grooves 423. One end of the hook 46 is fixed to the outer sleeve 41, and the other end is hung on the first limiting end 421 or the second limiting end 422. Two latches 43 are rotatably mounted on the sliding terminal 42, and the two latches 43 are arranged opposite each other. Each latch 43 is fitted with a latch torsion spring 44, and the elastic potential energy of the latch torsion spring 44 drives the latch 43 to move outward.

[0043] More specifically, see Figure 6 and Figure 10 The latch 50 includes a support neck 51 and a top cover 52 located at the upper end of the support neck 51 and extending and opening along both sides; a slot structure 53 suitable for the latch 43 to engage is formed between the support neck 51 and the top cover 52.

[0044] The locking mechanism 40 works as follows: (See attached diagram) Figures 7-9 When the cover is open, the terminal spring 45 pushes the sliding terminal 42 downward, causing the two locking tongues 50 to exit the outer sleeve 41. Under the action of the locking tongue 50 torsion spring, the two locking tongues 50 open outward in a wing-like shape. At this time, the lower end of the hook 46 is hooked in the first limiting end 421, and the action of the terminal spring 45 makes the lower end of the hook 46 fasten in the first limiting end 421. When closing the lid, the operator presses the top panel 11 to flip the lid assembly 10. The top panel 11 pushes down the locking mechanism 40 until the locking tongue 50 contacts the locking mechanism 40. Since the locking tongue 50 is in a fixed position, it pushes the sliding terminal 42 into the outer sleeve 41. At this time, both locking tongues 50 retract and enter the inner sleeve, compressing the terminal spring 45. The lower end of the hook 46 slides along the connecting groove 423 of the limiting groove and enters the second limiting end 422 to hook and stop wobbling. This also locks the terminal spring 45, preventing it from pushing the sliding terminal 42 downward. After retracting, the two locking tongues 50 are locked in the slot structures 53 on both sides below the top cover part 52 of the locking tongue 50, forming a locking relationship, thereby locking the lid assembly 10 onto the middle ring 20. When unlocking, the operator presses the top panel 11, the locking tongue 50 pushes the sliding terminal 42 upward, the lower end of the hook 46 exits from the second limit end 422, releasing the restriction on the terminal spring 45. Under the reset action of the terminal spring 45, the terminal spring 45 pushes the sliding terminal 42 downward, the lower end of the hook 46 slides along the connecting groove 423 and re-enters the first limit end 421 to hook tightly, the locking tongue 50 exits the outer sleeve 41 and opens to both sides, releasing the engagement of the locking tongue 50. Therefore, under the reset action of the lid opening torsion spring 70, the pot lid assembly 10 flips over, realizing the opening of the lid.

[0045] Since the locking mechanism 40 and the locking tongue 50 will come into contact and press against each other during the lid closing process, in order to avoid interference and wear between the lid assembly 10 and the middle ring 20, preferably, there is a gap between the lid assembly 10 and the middle ring 20 in the closed state.

[0046] Preferably, see Figure 11 The pot lid assembly 10 also includes a top cover 12 and an inner cover assembly 13; a locking mechanism 40 is fixed to the inner cover assembly 13, with the bottom of the locking mechanism 40 exposed at the bottom of the inner cover assembly 13; the top cover 12 covers the inner cover assembly 13; and the top panel 11 is fastened to the top of the top cover 12.

[0047] Preferably, see Figure 3 The central ring 20 is also provided with a rotating shaft mounting groove 21; the rotating shaft mounting groove 21 has a cavity, the opening rotating shaft 60 is rotatably set in the cavity of the rotating shaft mounting groove 21, one end of the opening torsion spring 70 is fixedly connected to the pot lid assembly 10, and the other end is fixed to the rotating shaft mounting groove 21.

[0048] This utility model also discloses a container, which can be a rice cooker or other household appliance with a lid-opening component. Any container that uses the same or substantially the same suspended lid-opening mechanism should be within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0049] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. Any non-substantial changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art based on this utility model shall fall within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

Claims

1. A suspended lid-opening mechanism, characterized in that, include: A pot lid assembly includes: a top panel and a locking mechanism; the top panel does not have an opening button; the locking mechanism is located inside the pot lid assembly and exposed at the bottom of the pot lid assembly; there is a gap between the top panel and the locking mechanism, and when the top panel is pressed down, the top panel bends and presses against the locking mechanism; The pot body, the pot lid assembly is hinged to the pot body via a lid opening pivot, the lid opening pivot is also provided with a lid opening torsion spring, the potential energy of the lid opening torsion spring drives the pot lid assembly to move in the lid opening direction. A middle ring is fixed to the upper part of the pot body; a protruding locking tongue is fixed on the middle ring, and the locking tongue is adapted to lock with the locking mechanism. When the latch and the locking mechanism are locked together, the locking mechanism is engaged with the latch; when the locking mechanism is pressed down on the latch, the locking mechanism is released from the latch.

2. The suspended lid-opening mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The locking mechanism is a press-type self-locking mechanism.

3. The suspended lid-opening mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The press-type self-locking mechanism includes: an outer sleeve, a sliding terminal, a latch, a latch torsion spring, a terminal spring, and a hook; The sliding terminal is slidably disposed inside the outer sleeve, and the two ends of the terminal spring abut against the outer sleeve and the sliding terminal respectively; a limiting groove is formed on the sliding terminal, and the limiting groove has a first limiting end and a second limiting end distributed in the vertical direction; one end of the hook is fixed to the outer sleeve, and the other end switches between being hung on the first limiting end and the second limiting end; The two latches are rotatably mounted on the sliding terminal, and the latch torsion spring drives the latches to move outward so that the latches switch between an inward and outward state.

4. The suspended lid-opening mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Two connecting slots are connected between the first limiting end and the second limiting end. The connecting slots are adapted for the hook to slide within them so that the hook can switch between being hung on the first limiting end and the second limiting end.

5. The suspended lid-opening mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The latch includes: a support neck and a top cover portion located at the upper end of the support neck and extending and opening along both sides; a slot structure suitable for latch engagement is formed between the support neck and the top cover portion.

6. The suspended lid-opening mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the lid assembly is in the closed state, there is a gap between the lid assembly and the central ring.

7. The suspended lid-opening mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pot lid assembly further includes: a top cover and an inner cover assembly; the locking mechanism is fixed to the inner cover assembly, and the bottom of the locking mechanism is exposed at the bottom of the inner cover assembly; the top cover is placed over the inner cover assembly; and the top panel is fastened to the top of the top cover.

8. The suspended lid-opening mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The middle ring is also provided with a rotating shaft mounting groove; the rotating shaft mounting groove has a cavity, and the opening rotating shaft is rotatably disposed in the cavity of the rotating shaft mounting groove. One end of the opening torsion spring is fixedly connected to the pot lid assembly, and the other end is fixed to the rotating shaft mounting groove.

9. A container, characterized in that, Includes the suspended lid opening mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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