Food Processor Lid Fastener with Rotatable Lock for Operation Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food processors lack effective safety mechanisms to prevent the lid from being shaken off during high-speed operation, posing a safety risk, especially when processing large amounts of food in large-capacity bowls.

Innovation Solution

A lidded device with a fastener that rotates between locking and unlocking positions, featuring a grip portion with a circular through hole and protruding column, and fastening members with hook portions, which securely locks the lid to the bowl, allowing the food processor to start only when properly locked, and stops operation when unlocked.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If only a simple lid covering mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the lid may be shaken off during high-speed operation

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

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener incorporates a rotatable grip portion that dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked states. The grip portion can be rotated to engage or disengage the fastening members from the bowl coupling parts, providing a dynamic control mechanism that adapts to different operational states while maintaining lid security during high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the grip portion for user interaction, the fastening members for engagement, and the coupling parts on the bowl. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable lid security through coordinated action of multiple specialized parts rather than a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a fastener with multiple fastening members is added to lock the lid, then the lid security is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid securityVSAvoidlid fastening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fastening members are merged into a single rotatable grip portion assembly. Instead of requiring separate operations for each fastening member, the user simply rotates the grip portion, which simultaneously engages or disengages all fastening members. This merging of multiple fastening actions into one simple rotational motion maintains lid security while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the safety mechanism only triggers when lid is covered, then the device complexity is low, but the safety is insufficient under high kinetic energy conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsafety mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening mechanism performs preliminary action by locking the lid to the bowl before the food processor operates at high speed. The fastening members engage with the bowl coupling parts in advance, creating a secure connection that prevents the lid from being shaken off during high-kinetimc-energy operation. This preliminary securing action enhances safety without requiring complex safety mechanisms during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3245923B1A lidded device of a food processor
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 HOME CULTURE APPLIANCES SHENZHEN
  • EP3245923B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3245923B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3245923B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lidded device of a food processor includes a bowl (12, 22) and a lid (13, 23) of the bowl (12, 22), wherein the bowl (12, 22) has a safety mechanism (16, 26). The lidded device ischaracterized byfurther including a fastener (14, 24) attached to the lid (13, 23). The fastener (14, 24) is horizontally rotatable with respect to the lid (13, 23) between a first and a second extreme position (1312, 2312). When the fastener (14, 24) is at the first extreme position (1311, 2311), the lid (13, 23) covers the bowl (12, 22) precisely, and the safety mechanism (16, 26) is in a locking state to prevent the food processor from being started. When the fastener (14, 24) is at the second extreme position (1312, 2312), the lid (13, 23) is locked to the bowl (12, 22), and the safety mechanism (16, 26) is in an unlocking state, allowing the food processor to be started. The lidded device effectively enhances the safety of use of the food processor by keeping the lid (13, 23) locked to the bowl (12, 22) while the food processor is in operation.