Food Processor Lid Locking Mechanism for High-Pressure Seal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food processors face challenges in securely locking lids during high-pressure cooking processes, particularly when a liquid column acts on the lid, leading to potential lid lifting and loss of seal.

Innovation Solution

A rod-like locking part with a fixed mounting section and a rotatable locking section, designed to extend over the lid and vessel rim, providing a secure locking mechanism that can be easily actuated by hand or an electric motor, featuring a segmented circular cross-section for efficient engagement and distribution of forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is designed to securely lock the lid during high-pressure cooking, then the lid security and seal reliability are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid securityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking part is divided into two functional sections: a fixed mounting section that provides structural support and bearing, and a rotatable locking section that performs the locking action. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of mounting the locking part at multiple points along its length, the invention inverts the approach by mounting only at one end (the mounting section), allowing the locking part to extend freely over the lid and vessel rim. This reduces mounting complexity while maintaining locking effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the locking part is designed to extend over the lid and vessel rim for secure engagement, then the locking effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking effectivenessVSAvoidlocking part precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the locking part into a fixed mounting section and a rotatable locking section, the invention reduces manufacturing precision requirements. The mounting section provides stable structural support, while the locking section can be simpler in design, focusing only on engagement functionality rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire locking part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If a robust locking mechanism is used to absorb high bearing forces, then the force absorption capability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce absorptionVSAvoidlocking operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The division into fixed mounting section and rotatable locking section allows the mounting section to handle high bearing forces structurally, while the lighter locking section can be easily rotated by hand or low-power motor. This segmentation decouples force absorption from operational effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting section acts as an intermediary that transfers and absorbs high bearing forces between the locking section and the food processor housing. This mediator allows the locking section to remain lightweight and easy to operate while still handling high forces through the mounting interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the locking part is mounted at both ends for stability, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking part stabilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by mounting the locking part at only one end (the mounting section) rather than both ends. The mounting section is designed to provide sufficient stability through its structural connection to the housing, eliminating the need for a second mounting point and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2630900B1Electrically operated kitchen
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP2630900B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2630900B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2630900B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The food processor (1) has a vessel (6) which is locked with lid in closed position. The vessel includes vessel wall (12) extended upwardly, and projection edge which is radially protruded from vessel wall. The lid (10) has a lid rim which covers the projection edge in closed position, and locking element (17) which is moved between a release position and a locking position. The locking element has a housing side insertion extended in axial direction.