Kitchen Container Coupling with Mandrel-Groove Orientation Lock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Kitchen appliances lack a simple and cost-effective mechanism to ensure the processing vessel is coupled in the correct orientation, which is essential for proper operation and safety, especially when using actuating elements that require specific detection.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system featuring a mandrel or groove arrangement on the coupling plate and processing vessel, allowing engagement only in a specific orientation through a bayonet lock or threaded mechanism, ensuring correct positioning and preventing incorrect coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a coupling plate with coupling points is used to attach a processing vessel, then the vessel can be detachably coupled to the appliance, but there is no mechanism to ensure correct orientation of coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric features (mandrel and groove) into the otherwise symmetric coupling system. The mandrel protrudes from the center of the coupling plate while the groove is positioned off-center on the processing vessel base, creating an asymmetric relationship that only permits coupling in the correct orientation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of coupling through simple geometric features while ensuring reliable correct orientation through asymmetry.
2Reliability
If magnetic safety locks or complex detection systems are used to monitor proper positioning, then correct orientation can be ensured, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism performs its own orientation verification function through the mandrel-groove geometric constraint. The asymmetric features automatically prevent incorrect orientation without requiring external detection systems or complex control mechanisms. The system is self-sufficient in ensuring proper positioning, resolving the contradiction by achieving reliable orientation monitoring through simple passive geometric features rather than active complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple, inexpensive geometric features (mandrel and groove) instead of expensive magnetic sensors, detectors, or complex electronic monitoring systems. These basic mechanical elements provide reliable orientation control at minimal cost, resolving the contradiction between ensuring proper positioning and maintaining low device complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If symmetric coupling points are used around the coupling axis, then the coupling device is simple and versatile, but multiple orientations are possible including incorrect ones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the symmetric arrangement of multiple coupling points around the coupling axis for versatility and ease of manufacture, but introduces asymmetric mandrel and groove features that break the rotational symmetry. This allows the coupling system to remain adaptable and compatible while the asymmetric features ensure that only the correct orientation is mechanically possible, resolving the contradiction between versatility and orientation reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a kitchen appliance (1) having a coupling plate (5) for a processing container (6), wherein the coupling plate (5) comprises coupling points (7) of a coupling device at the edge thereof for removably coupling the processing container (6). The coupling plate (5) comprises, in the inner region thereof enclosed by the edge, either a pin (12) protruding in the coupling direction that can engage in a groove (13) in the base (10) of the processing container (6), or a groove (13) in which a pin (12) protruding out of the base (10) of the processing container (6) in the coupling direction can engage. The invention further relates to a processing container (6) for a kitchen appliance (1), wherein a base (10) of the processing container comprises mating coupling points (9) of a mating coupling device at the edge thereof for removably attaching to a coupling plate (5) of the kitchen appliance (1). The base (10) comprises, in the inner region thereof enclosed by the edge, either a pin (12) protruding in the coupling direction that can engage in a groove (13) in the coupling plate (5) of the kitchen appliance (1), or a groove (13) in which a pin (12) protruding out of the coupling plate (5) of the kitchen appliance (1) in the coupling direction can engage. The improved kitchen appliance and the improved processing device can prevent incorrect orientation when coupling the processing container to the kitchen appliance. The solution can be implemented simply and inexpensively and is easy to use.