Food Processor Swivel Arm Locking to Prevent Accessory Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors pose a risk of injury and damage due to the need for manual monitoring to ensure no accessories are coupled to the pivoting arm before it is swiveled, leading to potential accidents and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A food processor with a swivel arm locking device that automatically locks when an external accessory device is inserted, preventing unintentional swiveling and ensuring the swivel arm cannot be folded up, thereby preventing damage and injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the swivel arm is made pivotable to allow mixing bowl removal and accessory attachment, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of unintentional swiveling during processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is actuated in advance to secure the swivel arm in the locked position before processing begins. The control element is positioned to engage the locking mechanism preliminarily, preventing unintentional swiveling during operation while maintaining ease of access for bowl removal and accessory attachment when needed.
2Device complexity
If manual monitoring is required to ensure no accessories are coupled before swiveling, then device complexity is reduced, but the risk of injury and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring through the control element's position-dependent blocking function. The blocking element automatically prevents swivel arm movement when the control element indicates an accessory is coupled, eliminating the need for manual monitoring while preventing injury and damage through automatic safety intervention.
3Reliability
If a locking device is added to prevent unintentional swiveling, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is merged with the existing control element for mixing bowl removal. The control element serves dual functions: it controls the locking mechanism and simultaneously blocks the swivel arm when positioned in the first position. This integration prevents unnecessary complexity while maintaining safety through the combined functionality of the control element and locking device.
Data Source
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AI summary
A food processor (1) comprises a pivoting arm (4), on which is provided a coupling (7) for an external accessory (7), and a pivoting-arm-arresting device (11) for locking and unlocking the pivoting arm (4). There are means (10) provided for blocking the pivoting-arm-arresting device (11) in the locking position, it being possible for said means to be activated when the external accessory (7) has been inserted into the coupling (7). The pivoting arm (4) has thus been blocked and can no longer be pivoted, even if the user actuates a lever and actually intends to carry out a pivoting movement. The safety mechanism safeguards the food processor (1) and the user. The food processor has the advantage that the safety mechanism prevents the pivoting arm from being swung upwards when an accessory is located thereon. Damage to the food processor, and any possible injury to the person using the food processor, by an excessive upward-swinging action can be prevented.