Blender Lid Detection Using Transparent Conductive Induction Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blenders require separate components for lid detection, which can be contaminated, interfere magnetically, and spoil the transparent design, necessitating high power transmission and complex coil configurations.

Innovation Solution

A blender design using a single induction coil in the main body and container body for inductive coupling, with a transparent conductive member for electrical connection, allowing accurate lid detection with low power and maintaining transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional blender is used to blend hot liquids, then the blending function is provided, but the risk of injury to the user increases due to ejection of hot liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblending functionVSAvoidrisk of injury from hot liquid ejection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a vented lid with a removable cap that allows controlled steam escape before blending hot liquids. This prevents pressure buildup and potential ejection of hot liquid during operation, cushioning the user against injury risk while maintaining the blending function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the vented lid with removable cap - that mediates between the hot liquid inside the container and the external environment. This intermediary allows controlled steam venting while preventing uncontrolled ejection of hot liquid, thus protecting the user during hot liquid blending operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the blender container is made larger to accommodate more ingredients, then the blending capacity increases, but the stability of the blender base decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblending capacityVSAvoidblender base stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses stability by adding a handle to the container, which provides an additional dimension for user control and balancing. This allows users to manually stabilize the container during operation, compensating for the reduced stability caused by larger container size while maintaining increased blending capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the blender container is made transparent to monitor blending progress, then the visibility improves, but the strength of the container decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of blending progressVSAvoidcontainer strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making only the side walls of the container transparent while keeping the base and lid opaque. This allows visibility of blending progress through the sides while maintaining structural strength through the opaque base and lid, which bear the primary mechanical loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed lid is used on the blender container to prevent spillage, then the containment improves, but the ability to access ingredients during blending is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid containmentVSAvoidaccess to ingredients
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by providing a lid that can be opened during operation. The lid transitions from a closed state (providing containment) to an open state (allowing ingredient access), enabling the system to adapt between these two requirements during the blending process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the lid into a main lid body and a removable cap component. This segmentation allows the cap to be removed for ingredient access while the main lid body remains in place to maintain containment, enabling both functions to coexist through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Ease of repair

If the blender container is designed for easy disassembly to clean parts, then the ease of repair improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the container into distinct components (container body, lid, cap, handle) that can be easily separated from each other. This segmentation enables easy disassembly for cleaning without requiring complex mechanisms, as each part can be independently removed and cleaned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid serves multiple functions: it provides containment during blending, allows steam venting when the cap is removed, and can be opened during operation for ingredient access. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, maintaining simplicity while enabling easy disassembly for cleaning.

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

Enables simple, accurate, and contamination-resistant lid detection with easy coil replacement, preserving the transparent design and reducing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

heating element (142) positioned at the base of the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

blade assembly (132) positioned above the heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 3

motor (120) positioned within the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4014818B1blender
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4014818B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4014818B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4014818B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Proposed is a blender (1) in which when the closure of a container lid (20) of a container body (10) is detected, a main body (30) operates. In the blender (1), a transparent conductive member (161) is disposed to electrically connect an upper end part of the container body (10) with a lower end part of the container body (10), and when the closure of the container lid (20) is detected, power is transmitted from a first induction coil (101) of the main body (30) to a second induction coil (201) of the container body (10), and when receiving the change of the current of the first induction coil (101) caused by a magnetic field of the second induction coil (201) generated by the power transmitted to the second induction coil, the main body (30) recognizes the closure of the container lid (20) and operates.