Kitchen appliance with locking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors lack a reliable method to ensure proper assembly and locking of the locking device, which can lead to safety concerns and operational issues due to the lack of direct detection of the locking lever's position and potential misalignment or absence of the securing element.
Innovation Solution
A detection device is integrated with the locking lever or linkage to directly or indirectly detect the position of the locking lever, utilizing sensors such as acoustic or optical sensors to verify the correct installation of the securing element, preventing the food processor from starting if the locking device is not properly assembled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device with locking element and locking lever is used, then the lid can be securely locked to the vessel, but there is no reliable method to detect the position of the locking lever and verify proper assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A detection device is introduced as an intermediary component that indirectly detects the position of the locking lever by monitoring the position of the locking linkage. The detection device includes a sensor that detects the position of an end region of the locking linkage, which is operatively connected to the locking lever. This intermediary detection method resolves the difficulty of directly detecting the locking lever position while maintaining locking reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the locking element and locking lever are connected in a rotationally fixed manner, then the locking mechanism is more stable, but it cannot be easily disassembled for maintenance or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the locking element and locking lever is designed to be dynamically changeable. A securing element can be inserted to establish a rotationally fixed connection for stable operation, or removed to allow relative rotation for disassembly and maintenance. This dynamic connection state resolves the contradiction between connection stability and ease of repair.
3Device complexity
If no detection device is integrated, then the device complexity is lower, but the safety and operational reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device replaces complex mechanical verification mechanisms with a simpler sensor-based detection system. The sensor detects the position of the locking linkage to indirectly determine the locking lever position, providing operational safety with minimal addition to device complexity. This substitution resolves the contradiction between device simplicity and operational reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a food processor (1) with a housing (2) on which a vessel can be arranged, the housing (2) having a locking device for locking the vessel to a lid, the locking device having at least one pivotable locking element (3), a locking lever (4) which can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the locking element (3) and an actuator (5), the locking lever (4) and the actuator (5) being operatively connected in such a way that the locking lever (4) moves as a result of actuation of the actuator ( 5) pivotable from an open position to a locked position and vice versa. In order to ensure that the position of the locking lever is detected in a favorable manner, the invention proposes that the locking device be assigned a detection device (6) which is set up to detect a position of the locking lever (4) and that the detection device (6) at least is partially arranged on the housing (2).