Connector assembly for a kitchen machine and kitchen machine with connector assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Kitchen machines lack an effective connector assembly that ensures secure attachment of the jug unit to the motor base, leading to potential leakage and safety hazards during food processing, especially with hot foods, and fails to maintain pressure balance during detachment.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a housing with bayonet mount and screw thread connections, a movable tool holder with elastic elements for sealing and pressure balance, and a clutch unit to prevent accidental operation of the tool, requiring a specific force to transition from a first to a second tool holder position for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the jug unit is detachably connected to the motor base for easy cleaning and tool exchange, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential leakage and incomplete sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holder is designed to move dynamically between a first position (when jug unit is detached) and a second position (when jug unit is attached). This dynamic movement ensures the sealing element is properly positioned only when the jug unit is securely attached, maintaining sealing reliability while allowing easy detachment for cleaning and tool exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the jug unit and the connector assembly. This sealing element ensures reliable sealing during operation while allowing the detachable connection to remain easy to operate. The sealing element can be pressed against the jug unit by the tool holder during attachment.
2Reliability
If the connector assembly ensures secure attachment with strong sealing force, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional elastic elements and movable components
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holder and sealing mechanism are merged into a single integrated component. The tool holder itself performs the function of pressing the sealing element against the jug unit, eliminating the need for separate actuating mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment of the jug unit to the connector assembly automatically triggers the sealing action. As the jug unit is attached, it automatically moves the tool holder to press the sealing element, without requiring additional controls or complex mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the attachment motion to activate the sealing function.
3Reliability
If the tool holder is held in a first position by elastic elements to maintain sealing, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to increased force required for detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is segmented into distinct functional zones: the bayonet mount for primary attachment, the screw thread for securing, and the elastic element for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to its specific function without creating excessive resistance during detachment, as the sealing function is separated from the primary attachment/detachment mechanism.
4Reliability
If the connector assembly includes both bayonet mount and screw thread for secure fixing, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is designed with multi-functional connection means that can perform both bayonet mounting and screw threading functions. This universal design achieves reliable attachment security while avoiding the need for completely separate and complex mounting systems, as the same connector structure serves multiple fixation purposes.
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
Prevents leakage and ensures user safety by maintaining a secure seal and pressure balance during attachment and detachment, and prevents accidental tool operation by requiring a specific force for engagement, enhancing overall safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the tool holder is configured to be moved, by the jug unit when the jug unit is being fixed to the connector assembly - and against an elastic force of the one or more elastic element/s - from a first tool holder position to a second tool holder position
Implementation Method 2
During the transfer, due to the elastic force of the one or more elastic element/s, the tool holder presses the sealing means against the jug unit
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
Disclosed is a connector assembly 10 for connecting a jug unit 20 with a motor base 30 of a kitchen machine 1. The connector assembly 10 comprises a housing 11, a movable tool holder 12, sealing means 13 and at least one elastic element 14. The tool holder 12 is configured to be moved, by the jug unit 20 when the jug unit is being fixed to the connector assembly 10 - and against an elastic force of the one or more elastic element/s 14 - from a first tool holder position to a second tool holder position, and to meanwhile press the sealing means 13 against the jug unit 20. Further disclosed is a kitchen machine 1 comprising a connector assembly 10, a motor base 30 and a jug unit 20.