Blender Locking Ring Stop System to Prevent Inadvertent Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blender devices face security issues due to the locking ring's potential disassembly during use, leading to risks of electrocution and burns, especially with hot preparations, as they do not ensure proper assembly and can unlock inadvertently.

Innovation Solution

A blender device design that includes a bowl with an open bottom, a knife holder, and a locking ring, featuring a first assembly system between the bowl and the locking ring, and a second assembly system between the bowl and the base, ensuring secure engagement and preventing the locking ring's rotation during operation, thus ensuring complete assembly and preventing disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the locking ring is designed to be removable for cleaning and maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential inadvertent disassembly during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of disassembly for cleaningVSAvoidsecurity against inadvertent disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a preliminary locking action where the locking ring must be actively engaged with the bowl through a specific rotational movement before operation. The stop system is pre-configured to block the locking ring at assembly positions, ensuring that proper assembly has occurred before the device is activated. This preliminary securing action prevents inadvertent disassembly during operation while maintaining the ability to intentionally disassemble for cleaning when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the locking ring is blocked on the motorized base to prevent rotation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional assembly systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of locking ring rotationVSAvoidnumber of assembly systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the locking function with the existing assembly structure by integrating the stop system into the relationship between the locking ring and the bowl. Rather than adding a separate blocking mechanism on the motorized base, the invention uses the bowl's structure and the locking ring's geometry to create the stop system. This combining approach prevents locking ring rotation during operation while minimizing additional complexity by reusing existing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a stop system is integrated between the locking ring and the bowl, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete assembly guaranteeVSAvoidassembly positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric geometry in the stop system design, where the stop protrusion and its corresponding recess are positioned and shaped asymmetrically relative to the locking ring and bowl. This asymmetric configuration creates a unique assembly position that is easily recognizable and achievable through simple user actions. The asymmetry ensures that the components can only assemble in the correct orientation, guaranteeing reliable assembly while tolerating variations in manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3624657B1Mixing and blending apparatus for liquid or pasty food preparations, such as a blender, provided with a device for locking the blades on the bowl
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 SEB SA
  • EP3624657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3624657B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3624657B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a mixing and blending apparatus (1) for food preparations, comprising a bowl (13), a blade-holder (14), a locking ring (15) retaining the blade-holder (14) on the bowl (13) by means of a first assembly system for assembling the bowl (13) and the locking ring (15), as well as a base (2) provided with rotation means (5) and a receiving area (7) configured to receive a premounted assembly (3) consisting of the bowl (13), the blade-holder (14) and the locking ring (15). According to the invention, the apparatus (1) comprises a second assembly system for assembling the bowl (13) and the base (2), and a stop system (12), located between the receiving area (7) and the locking ring (15), for locking the locking ring (15) in the assembled position on the bowl (13), the second assembly system and the stop system (12) being set in place when the premounted assembly (3) is mounted on the base (2).