Hand-Held Blender Safety Interlock With Pressure-Based Speed Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held blenders have safety concerns due to accidental start-ups, complex speed adjustment procedures, and low operating safety, as users must hold the device tightly to adjust speed, increasing the risk of accidental power activation and harm.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held blender design incorporating a microprocessor, pressure sensor, safety switches, and a security processing chip that requires sequential activation of safety switches to unlock the circuit for operation, allowing safe start-up and stepless speed control via pressure button adjustments, with safety switches and signal lights for user feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a power switch is added to start the blender, then the blender can be activated, but accidental activation may harm the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of startingVSAvoidaccidental activation harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a preliminary safety check by requiring the user to press the safety button before the power switch becomes effective. This preliminary action ensures that the user intentionally prepares the device for operation, preventing accidental activation while maintaining ease of use through a simple two-step process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a speed control knob is added to adjust stirring speed, then speed adjustment is enabled, but the structure becomes complex and operation procedure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed adjustment capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical speed control knob with an electronic control system. The microprocessor receives signals from the pressure sensor and automatically adjusts the motor speed based on the detected pressure, eliminating the need for mechanical knobs and complex switching operations while providing precise speed control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically adjusting the stirring speed based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. The microprocessor processes the sensor signal and controls the motor speed without requiring manual intervention, simplifying the operation to just pressing the power button after the safety button

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If the blender starts immediately after power switch activation, then the response is fast, but user safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart response speedVSAvoiduser safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent requires a preliminary safety button press before the power switch can activate the blender. This preliminary action creates a deliberate pause in the activation process, ensuring user intent while maintaining fast response once the safety condition is met, as the blender starts immediately after both buttons are pressed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If users must hold the blender tightly to adjust speed during stirring, then speed adjustment is possible, but operating safety decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed adjustment during operationVSAvoidoperating safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical speed adjustment method (requiring manual knob turning while holding the device) with an electronic pressure-sensing system. Users simply press the power button with varying pressure to adjust speed, eliminating the need to hold the blender tightly and adjust knobs during operation, thereby improving safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances user safety by preventing accidental start-ups and simplifying speed adjustments, allowing single-handed operation while ensuring the blender remains secure and energy-efficient.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure sensor, a pressure button, a driving device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure sensor detection: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10173188B2Hand-held blender

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 HUIYANG ALLAN PLASTIC & ELECTRIC INDS

AI summary

A hand-held blender includes a housing and a body. The body is disposed in the housing, and the body comprises a microprocessor, a pressure sensor, a pressure button, a driving device, a coupling, a stirring rod, a power switch and a safety protection device; the coupling is connected with the stirring rod and driving device, respectively; the microprocessor is connected with the driving device. The safety protection device includes a safety switch and a security processing chip; the security processing chip is connected with the safety switch and the microprocessor, respectively; the microprocessor unlocks or locks the whole circuit of the hand-held blender only after receiving the signal of unlocking or locking from the security processing chip; the pressure sensor is connected with the pressure button and the microprocessor, respectively; the microprocessor controls the voltage provided to the driving device in accordance with the pressure applied on the pressure button.