Cooking Device Alignment Assembly for Coupler Connection Reliability
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric pressure cookers face alignment issues between the inner and outer pot couplers, leading to incorrect connections and potential damage, which complicates the installation process and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device design featuring an inner pot assembly, alignment assembly, outer pot, accommodation groove, and second coupler, where the alignment assembly is placed in the accommodation groove to ensure accurate alignment and electrical connection of the first and second couplers, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If upper and lower couplers are provided to realize electrical connection between inner pot and outer pot, then electrical connection is achieved, but alignment difficulty increases and risk of damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation groove is pre-formed in the outer pot to guide and position the alignment assembly before the coupling operation. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when the inner pot is placed into the outer pot, the couplers automatically align through the groove's geometric constraints, eliminating the need for manual alignment adjustments and preventing misconnection damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If alignment assembly is added to ensure correct coupler alignment, then alignment accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment assembly is merged with the handle of the inner pot, forming an integrated structure. The handle serves dual functions: as a gripping element for handling the inner pot and as an alignment element that fits into the accommodation groove. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment components, maintaining alignment precision while avoiding additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle of the inner pot is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a gripping element for user handling, as a structural support element, and as an alignment element through its integration with the alignment assembly. The accommodation groove in the outer pot similarly serves as both a structural feature and an alignment guide. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components while maintaining alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking device includes an outer pot having a mounting cavity, an inner pot assembly removably arranged in the mounting cavity, a first coupler arranged at the inner pot assembly, an accommodation groove arranged at one of the inner pot assembly and the outer pot, an alignment assembly arranged at another one of the inner pot assembly and the outer pot and configured to be arranged in the accommodation groove, and a second coupler arranged at the outer pot and configured to be plugged with the first coupler.