Food Processor Lid-Lock Actuator for Safe Motor Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food processors may activate the motor before the lid is securely fixed, potentially causing injury or spills, and lack a secure connection between the container and base, leading to instability during use.
Innovation Solution
A food processor design featuring an actuator that only activates the motor when the lid is locked, and a container that can be securely locked to the base through sliding or rotational coupling, ensuring the lid is properly secured before motor activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the motor is allowed to activate when the container is simply placed on the base, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety is worsened because the lid may not be securely fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring the lid to be securely fixed to the container before the motor can be activated. The coupling mechanism between the lid and container must be established in advance, ensuring that the lid is properly positioned and secured before the blade assembly can operate. This prevents accidental activation while maintaining ease of use through a straightforward coupling process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a secure connection mechanism is added between the container and base, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling mechanism between the lid and container with the motor activation system. The same structural features that secure the lid to the container also serve as the trigger for motor activation. The coupling elements on the lid engage with corresponding elements on the container, and this engagement simultaneously activates the motor, combining two functions into one integrated mechanism.
3Reliability
If the actuator is designed to extend into the base housing to activate the switch, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture is worsened due to the need for precise alignment and receptacle features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary coupling mechanism that mediates between the lid and base housing. The actuator on the lid extends into a receptacle in the base housing, and this intermediary structure provides precise alignment and reliable switch activation. The receptacle features guide the actuator into the correct position, ensuring consistent engagement with the switch while simplifying the overall assembly process through self-alignment.
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.