Food Processor Actuator Interlock for Safe Motor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food processors may activate the motor before the lid is securely fixed, posing safety risks and making it difficult to determine if the lid is properly locked, and they lack a secure connection between the container and base.
Innovation Solution
A food processor design featuring a movable actuator that only activates the motor when the lid is securely locked, with a handle mechanism to ensure lid alignment and a secure locking system, and a container that can be slidably or rotatably coupled to the base for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the motor is activated when the container is placed on the base, then the food processor can operate, but the motor may activate before the lid is securely fixed, posing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The lid locking mechanism is designed to engage the lid securely to the container before the motor can be activated. The actuator must be in the retracted position (indicating secure lid locking) for motor activation to occur, ensuring the lid is properly secured before operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
An actuator mechanism serves as an intermediary between the lid locking system and the motor activation system. The actuator translates the lid locking state into a signal that enables or disables motor activation, preventing operation unless the lid is securely locked.
2Reliability
If a secure locking system is implemented to ensure lid is locked before motor activation, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid locking mechanism is integrated with the handle assembly, combining the locking function with the existing structural element. The actuator is incorporated into the handle, merging multiple functions (locking, indicating, and controlling motor activation) into a single integrated mechanism rather than adding separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the locking action to secure the lid, houses the actuator that detects the locked state, and potentially serves as a user interface for operation control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A food processor is provided which includes a container, a blade assembly, and a base arranged such that the container is coupleable to the base. The base includes a housing and a motor configured to drive the blade assembly. The food processor further includes an actuator included with the container moveable between a first position and a second, extended position. When the container is coupled to the base and the actuator is in the second, extended position, the actuator is configured to actuate a switch to permit activation of the motor, and the base is constructed such that the container can be coupled to the base when the actuator is in the second, extended position.