Flexible Textile Storage for Kitchen Appliance Tool Organization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen appliances face issues with storage solutions for processing tools, such as frequent drawer damage and high production costs, leading to inefficient and uneconomical storage options.

Innovation Solution

A kitchen appliance with a storage facility made of flexible textile material that can adapt to the shape of various tools, allowing for easy handling, cleaning, and space-saving storage within the processing bowl, featuring a cylindrical design with zipped compartments and a carrying handle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a drawer is used for storing tools, then storage capacity is provided, but the drawer can be damaged with frequent use and requires many production steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage durabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The storage function is extracted from the rigid drawer structure and transferred to a flexible textile bag, eliminating the need for complex drawer mechanisms while maintaining storage capability. The textile bag can be freely inserted and removed without structural damage risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The textile storage bag is designed as a simple, easily replaceable component that can be manufactured at low cost. If damaged or worn, the entire bag can be replaced without affecting the main appliance structure, unlike a damaged drawer that may compromise the entire unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If rigid storage containers are used, then tools are protected, but the containers are heavy and difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool protectionVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible textile bag is used instead of rigid containers, providing tool protection through soft enclosure while allowing easy cleaning. The textile material can be wiped down or machine-washed, unlike rigid containers with corners and crevices that trap debris.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Volume of stationary object

If tools are stored in the bowl, then space is saved, but the bowl may be scratched by sharp-edged tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidbowl damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The textile storage bag serves as an intermediary between sharp tools and the bowl surface. The soft textile material prevents direct contact between sharp-edged tools and the bowl, eliminating scratching risks while maintaining compact storage within the bowl space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a lid-attached housing is used for accessories, then tools are protected, but access requires opening the lid and the structure is complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool protectionVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage function is extracted from the complex lid-attached housing structure and implemented as a simple textile bag that can be freely placed and removed. This eliminates hinges, lids, and complex mounting mechanisms while maintaining tool protection through the enclosed bag design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2575578B1Kitchen appliance having a storage device
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2575578B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2575578B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2575578B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric motor-driven kitchen appliance, in particular to a kitchen machine, having at least one coupling site for a plurality of tools for processing foodstuffs. The kitchen appliance has a storage device made of a flexible material for the plurality of tools. The use of a flexible material for the storage device makes it easy for a user to handle said device because the storage device is relatively light and easy to clean. Because of the flexible material, various tools can be used for storage because the storage device can adapt flexibly to the outer shape of the tools. If the storage device holds no tools or only a small number of tools, it can easily be pressed or folded together, which also leads to a space-saving storage of the storage device itself.