Foldable Cooking Surface Interlock for Safe Power Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable cooking apparatuses with folding legs pose safety risks due to the potential for unsafe connections to power sources and leg collapse when used with temperature-control devices, as existing safety mechanisms do not prevent connection or collapse effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus with foldable legs incorporates a barrier element that obstructs the power source inlet when the legs are folded, allowing connection only when the legs are extended and upright, preventing unsafe connections and collapses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If folding legs are used to improve portability and storage, then ease of storage is improved, but safety risk increases due to potential unsafe connections when legs are folded
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier element is positioned to proactively prevent connection of the temperature-control device when the support member is folded, before any harmful effect can occur. This preliminary protective action blocks the inlet port, ensuring that even if the device is accidentally connected in a folded state, the heating element cannot be activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier element serves as an intermediary component between the support member and the inlet port. It mediates the interaction by physically blocking the connection path when the support member is in the folded position, and moving out of the way when the support member is extended, thus enabling safe operation only in the appropriate configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the inlet port is accessible to allow temperature-control device connection, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of collapse increases when legs are folded
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier element's position is made dynamic, changing automatically with the position of the support member. When the support member is folded, the barrier element blocks the inlet port; when the support member is extended, the barrier element moves to allow access. This dynamic behavior ensures that connection is only possible when the structure is stable.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If barrier element blocks inlet port when legs are folded, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier element is integrated with the support member as a single unified component. This merging of functions means that the support member simultaneously provides structural support and operates the barrier element through its own motion, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member's own motion automatically operates the barrier element. When the support member is folded or extended, it directly causes the barrier element to block or unblock the inlet port respectively. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, sensors, or additional actuators.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus powered by a detachable electrical control, the apparatus having a cooking surface and a support member hingedly attached to the cooking surface. The support member has a folded position generally parallel to the cooking surface and an extended position generally perpendicular to the cooking surface. A barrier element extends generally perpendicularly from the support member. An inlet port is disposed on the cooking surface, defining an opening, and having a connector sized to fit the detachable electrical control. The inlet port is electrically connected to the heating element and disposed on the cooking surface proximate the barrier element such that the barrier element obstructs the inlet port's connector when the support member is folded under the cooking surface and the barrier element does not obstruct the inlet port's connector when the support member is unfolded and generally perpendicular to the cooking surface.