Device for closing an opening on the bottom of a container of a household appliance for culinary preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household food preparation appliances face challenges in easily removing and cleaning the rotating spindle or cap after use, particularly when preparing simmered or browned recipes, due to the robust quarter-turn or bayonet-type locking mechanism that is restrictive during removal.
Innovation Solution
A closure device with flexible tabs and a locking ring system that allows easy assembly and disassembly by flexing the tabs to release the locking mechanism, ensuring a secure seal during cooking and facilitating cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robust quarter-turn or bayonet-type locking member is used to firmly hold the rotating spindle or cap, then the fixing reliability is improved, but the ease of removal for cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple flexible tabs distributed around the locking ring, each independently engaging with the body. This segmentation allows the user to release the locking mechanism by flexing one or more tabs, rather than requiring significant force to disengage a single robust lock, thus improving ease of removal while maintaining fixing reliability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking tabs are designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing them to dynamically change state between locked (engaged) and unlocked (disengaged) positions. The flexibility enables easy manual manipulation for release while maintaining secure engagement during cooking, resolving the contradiction between reliable fixing and easy removal.
2Ease of operation
If a flexible tab with lug is added to the plug body for engagement with the locking ring, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tabs are integrated directly into the body of the plug as a unified structure, rather than being separate components. This merging reduces the number of parts and simplifies manufacturing while providing the necessary engagement features for easy operation with the locking ring.
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 device simplifies the removal of the cap for cleaning, reduces force exertion, and maintains a secure seal during cooking, enhancing user convenience and appliance maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one flexible tab to flex until the lug on said flexible tab reaches the inside shoulder where said at least one flexible tab can then return to its normal position under the effect of its flexibility
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for plugging an opening in a bottom (110) of a container (101) of a household appliance for food preparation. The plugging device (1) comprises a cap (2) that has a body and a head, plugging the opening by bearing on the bottom (110) via a seal (3). The body comprises at least one flexible tab (21) having an outer surface provided with a lug (23). The plugging device (1) comprises a locking ring (4) that is provided with an internal shoulder (40) and is arranged to receive the body and to fasten the lug (23) by snapping onto said internal shoulder (40) when the locking ring (4) engages around said body. The locking ring (4) and the head grasp the bottom (110) when the lug (23) is snap-fastened onto the internal shoulder (40). The flexible tabs (21) are of a suitable length to protrude beyond the locking ring (4) that is snap-fastened onto the body.