Cooking Container Lid Locking Structure for High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors face challenges in securely locking lids during high-pressure cooking processes, particularly when a liquid column forms and exerts forces on the lid, leading to potential lifting and loss of the lid's sealing position.
Innovation Solution
An electrically operated food processor with a locking part that includes an insertion section on the housing side, which is axially extended and covers only a partial circular surface, allowing for rotary movement via a drive mechanism, and is divided into a fixed mounting section and a rotatable locking section, ensuring the lid is secured against vertical lifting by high pressures or liquid column forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking part is designed to securely lock the lid against high pressures and liquid column forces, then the lid securing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the divided structure with fixed mounting section and rotatable locking section
Solution Approach 1:
The locking part is divided into a fixed mounting section and a rotatable locking section, allowing the structure to be segmented into functional parts that can be independently optimized. The fixed mounting section provides stable attachment to the housing while the rotatable locking section performs the locking function, resolving the contradiction by distributing complexity across separate functional segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking part transitions from a static locking mechanism to a dynamic one where the locking section can rotate between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain reliability through active engagement while managing complexity through controlled movement rather than complex passive structures.
2Ease of operation
If the insertion section covers only a partial section of a circular surface, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing easy placement in any rotational position, but the locking strength may be reduced compared to a full circular engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion section engages only a partial section of the circular surface rather than requiring full circumferential engagement. This partial action is sufficient to achieve the locking function while dramatically improving ease of operation, allowing the lid to be placed without precise rotational alignment. The partial engagement provides adequate strength for the application while sacrificing minimal locking capability for significant operational ease.
3Ease of operation
If an electric motor drive is added to rotate the locking part, then the ease of operation is improved by enabling automated locking, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical locking operation is replaced with an electric motor drive system that automatically rotates the locking part into the locked position. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with an automated electric system improves ease of operation while the motor's simple rotational output keeps the added complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking part is designed to be self-actuating through the electric motor drive, which automatically performs the rotation and engagement without requiring manual manipulation. The system serves itself by using the motor to directly rotate the locking section into position, eliminating the need for complex manual actuation mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The food processor (1) has a vessel (6) which is locked with lid in closed position. The vessel includes vessel wall (12) extended upwardly, and projection edge which is radially protruded from vessel wall. The lid (10) has a lid rim which covers the projection edge in closed position, and locking element (17) which is moved between a release position and a locking position. The locking element has a housing side insertion extended in axial direction.