Blender Container Threadless Latch Mechanism for Secure Blade Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional helical threads used to attach blade assemblies to containers in blenders and food processors are costly to manufacture, prone to mold wear, and inconvenient to attach and detach, posing safety hazards due to the need for multiple revolutions and potential for accidental detachment during operation.

Innovation Solution

A threadless latch mechanism featuring a blade assembly with slots and a tongue protrusion that engages with a collar and trench, providing a secure and audible locking system with progressive secure positions, and a safety mechanism to prevent accidental detachment during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional helical threads are used to attach the blade assembly to the container, then the attachment is secure, but the manufacturing cost increases and the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is segmented into discrete components: a collar with latch fingers on the blade assembly and corresponding lugs on the container. These segmented elements engage through simple linear motion and rotation, eliminating the need for continuous threaded engagement while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using traditional threaded fastening where the male thread rotates into the female thread, the invention inverts the approach by using a collar that rotates to engage lugs protruding from the container wall. This reversal simplifies the engagement process to a single rotational motion rather than multiple revolutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If conventional helical threads are used to attach the blade assembly to the container, then the attachment is secure, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex threaded fastening system is extracted and replaced with simpler geometric features: a collar with integrated latch fingers and lugs protruding from the container. This extraction eliminates the need for precise thread molding while maintaining attachment security through the latch-lug engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar and latch mechanism are designed as simple, easily manufacturable components that can be produced through basic molding processes. The simplified geometry reduces mold complexity and manufacturing costs compared to precision-threaded components, making the system more economical even if individual components have shorter service lives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If conventional helical threads are used to attach the blade assembly to the container, then the attachment is secure, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collar integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, incorporates latch fingers for engagement, and enables rotational attachment. This merging of functions reduces the overall number of parts and simplifies the attachment mechanism compared to separate threaded fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar serves multiple purposes: it anchors the blade assembly, provides a rotational interface for attachment/detachment, and incorporates latch fingers that engage with container lugs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 latch mechanism securely attaches and detaches the blade assembly with ease, preventing leaks and ensuring safety by providing a progressive locking system with audible feedback, reducing manufacturing costs and operational hazards.

Implementation Method 1

a spring (228) that applies a resilient force to maintain the latch (220) in the locked position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The user is instructed to remove the container from the blade assembly by rubbing their hands together and placing them over the opening of the container to melt an ice cube that is preventing engagement of the latch with the locking surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10893775B2Blender container with latch release

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 CAPBRAN HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A system for attaching a blender container to a blade assembly, which comprises a first mechanism to secure a blender container to a blade assembly. Some embodiments of the system include a second latch mechanism to lock the blender container to the blade assembly while the container and blade assembly are mounted to a base for operation of the blender.