A kitchen appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances with magnetic couplings face difficulty in removing the food container from the base for cleaning due to the increased strength required for torque transfer, which makes it hard to detach the container.
Innovation Solution
A decoupling arrangement is implemented in the magnetic drive coupling that allows for relative rotation between the base and container portions, reducing the magnetic coupling force by misaligning the magnets, enabling easier removal of the container by creating a repulsion force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stronger magnets are used to increase the strength of the magnetic coupling for higher torque transfer, then the torque transfer capability is improved, but the container becomes difficult to remove from the base for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the magnetic coupling strength variable rather than fixed. The decoupling arrangement allows the magnetic coupling to be dynamically adjusted between a strong coupled state during operation and a weak decoupled state during cleaning. This is achieved through a relative rotation mechanism that changes the angular alignment between magnets in the base and container, enabling the system to adapt its magnetic strength based on operational requirements.
2Power
If the magnetic coupling force is increased to enable higher torque transfer from motor to tool holder, then the power transmission is improved, but the contact surfaces become difficult to separate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the magnetic coupling to transition between strong and weak states. During power transmission, the magnets are aligned to maximize coupling strength and torque transfer from the motor to the tool holder. During cleaning, the decoupling arrangement rotates the container or base to misalign the magnets, dynamically reducing the coupling force and enabling easy separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the angular position parameter of the magnetic coupling. By rotating the container or base relative to the base or container, the angular alignment between corresponding magnets changes, which directly modifies the magnetic coupling force parameter. This allows the system to achieve both strong coupling for power transmission and weak coupling for easy separation by simply changing the angular parameter.
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
This design allows for easy removal of the container from the base while maintaining a strong magnetic coupling for torque transfer, enhancing user convenience and appliance maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of a magnetic drive coupling beneath the upper surface, wherein the first portion comprises a first magnet arrangement; a second portion of the magnetic drive coupling for magnetically coupling with the first portion
Implementation Method 2
a decoupling arrangement for rotating the first and second portions relative to each other such that a magnetic coupling force between the first and second portions of the magnetic drive coupling is reduced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A kitchen appliance comprises a base having a first portion of a magnetic drive coupling and a container for mounting on the base and having a second portion of the magnetic drive coupling and a tool. A decoupling arrangement is provided for rotating the first and second portions relative to each other such that a magnetic coupling force between the base and the container is reduced, for example even to provide a repulsion force. This then enables the container to be removed from the base more easily.