Cooking Basket Handle Linkage for Safe, Jam-Free Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking apparatuses face challenges with basket handling, including difficulty in inserting and removing the basket, risk of burns or scalds, poor fluidity in movement, and instability, due to inadequate ergonomic and spatial design of handles, leading to potential splashes and jamming issues.

Innovation Solution

A handle system with a pantograph mechanism and stable seating edge, allowing the basket to be positioned and controlled safely, with a grip and guide that collaborates in multiple positions, and clamping means to secure the basket's position, ensuring balanced and controlled movement without occupying unnecessary space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the handle is recessed inside the band of the containing body, then the lateral bulk is reduced, but the handle can be hit by steam and get hot, and the operator risks burns or scalds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral bulkVSAvoidsteam exposure and burn risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to be movable relative to the basket, allowing it to assume different positions (recessed inside the band or extended outside). This dynamic positioning enables the handle to be pulled outward during operations to maintain safety distance from steam and hot surfaces, while being recessed during storage to minimize lateral bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the handle is positioned close to the receptacle, then the lateral bulk is reduced, but the operator risks burns or scalds from splashes and hot surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral bulkVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle's position is made dynamic rather than fixed. It can be extended outward when the basket is being handled to provide operator safety, and retracted when not in use to minimize lateral bulk. This resolves the contradiction between compact storage and safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If many movement elements are connected to the basket, then the handle mechanism is more functional, but the bulk increases and cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle functionalityVSAvoidnumber of movement elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the support body, the guide element, and the movable handle portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and cleanable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is extracted as a separate component that constrains the handle's movement path. This extraction simplifies the overall mechanism by providing a clear geometric constraint rather than requiring multiple complex movement elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the handle does not have stable seating, then the structure is simpler, but the basket becomes unstable and difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle structureVSAvoidbasket stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support body acts as an intermediary element between the handle and the basket. It provides stable seating and positioning for the handle while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The support body translates handle movements into controlled basket movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Device complexity

If the basket lacks proper guidance, then the structure is simpler, but the basket jams along the lateral walls during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance mechanismVSAvoidbasket insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element acts as an intermediary that provides lateral guidance to the basket during insertion and removal. It constrains the basket's movement path to prevent jamming against the lateral walls, while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3167781B1Cooking apparatus for food and connected basket

Publication Date: 2019.01.02 DE LONGHI APPLIANCES SRL

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AI summary

Cooking apparatus for food comprising a containing body (12) including a compartment (13) and a lid (14), said compartment (13) cooperating with a heating unit (22) and with a basket (18) having a body (11) and equipped with a handle (20) having a support body (26), wherein the body (11) is associated with the handle (20) by means of levers, said handle (20) having said support body (26) and a grip (24), said grip (24) having two operating positions with respect to said support body (26), wherein said levers comprises at least one rod (30) hinged with a constraint of pure rotation around the center line of the upper longitudinal part of the body (11) and a guide (28) associated mobile longitudinally with the rear edge of the body (11), said at least one rod (30) being connected to the support body (26) and said guide (28) being solid with said support body (26).Said guide (28) has an arched profile and cooperates with a connection element (32) attached to said body (11).