Food Processor Pivot Lock with Internal Anti-Pinch Locking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processor locking devices with externally accessible flexible locking bars pose a risk of injury as users' fingers can unintentionally get crushed between the locking web and the housing during manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A food processor design with a displaceable locking element integrated within the housing, allowing actuation through a mechanism that avoids direct manual contact and reduces the force required for unlocking, using an elastically bendable web supported by a fixed blocking element inside the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manually actuated blocking device with an externally accessible flexible locking bar is used, then the locking device is easy to operate, but users risk injury as fingers can get crushed between the locking web and the housing during manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the housing structure with integrated locking elements) that mediates between the user's manual operation and the locking function. The locking elements are built into the housing walls, creating a safe intermediary structure that eliminates direct finger contact with moving locking parts while still allowing manual actuation through the housing's locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are nested within the housing structure itself, with the locking bars and webs integrated into the housing walls. This nesting arrangement allows the locking mechanism to be contained within the housing, providing protection while maintaining functionality. The locking elements are embedded in the housing rather than being externally exposed, creating a safe nested configuration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the locking elements are integrated within the housing, then user safety is improved by preventing finger injury, but the locking mechanism becomes less accessible for manual actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: accessible actuation elements on the housing exterior and locking elements integrated within the housing structure. This segmentation allows the user interface to remain accessible while the dangerous locking components are concealed within the housing, separating the safe operational interface from the potentially harmful mechanical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a two-dimensional external arrangement to a three-dimensional integrated structure within the housing. The locking elements are positioned in the third dimension (within the housing volume) rather than being exposed on the surface, allowing manual actuation through the housing walls while keeping the critical locking components protected in the internal dimensional space.
3Device complexity
If a flexible locking web is used for the blocking device, then the locking mechanism is simple in structure, but it creates a pinching hazard during manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of the flexible locking web into a benefit by integrating it within the housing structure. The same flexible web that could pinch fingers is now contained within the housing, where its flexibility is maintained for locking functionality but its危险性 is eliminated by the protective housing enclosure. The harm is transformed into a safe operational feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible locking web is implemented as a thin film element integrated into the housing structure. This thin film maintains its flexibility for effective locking while being enclosed within the housing walls, preventing direct contact with user fingers. The flexible shell approach allows the locking web to function while being protected from causing injury.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents user injury by keeping the locking mechanism inaccessible and reduces the manual force needed for actuation, ensuring safe and efficient operation of the pivotable holding device.
Implementation Method 1
the displaceable blocking element is moved by an actuating element in the method according to the invention, it can advantageously be avoided that the displaceable blocking element has to be touched directly by hand. In addition, by changing the direction of movement, actuating forces for displacing the displaceable blocking element must be significantly lower
Implementation Method 2
The displaceable locking element of the swivel lock is constructed in a particularly simple manner when the displaceable locking element includes an elastically bendable web
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
In a food processor (1) having a housing (9), comprising a unit (9) that is supported pivotably thereto for holding an external processing device, and having a pivot lock (11) for the holding unit (5), wherein the pivot lock (11) comprises a locking element (23) displaceable relative to the housing (9), said locking element interacting with the housing (9) for the purpose of locking the holding unit (5), the displaceable locking element (23) is disposed inside the housing (9). The risk of injury while operating the displaceable locking element (23) is substantially reduced by the displaceable locking element (23) being disposed within the housing (9).