Hand Mixer Cord Guide Locking Assembly for Stable Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand mixers face challenges in managing the electrical cord, particularly in providing secure and convenient positioning to prevent tangling and strain, while allowing for easy repositioning during use.
Innovation Solution
A cord attachment assembly featuring a pivotable cord guide and a retaining clip with a locking mechanism, which secures the electrical cord to the hand mixer's casing, allowing for cord repositioning and strain relief through a pivot axis and multiple locking positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical cord is rigidly fixed to the hand mixer casing, then cord positioning is secure and stable, but the cord cannot be repositioned and may tangle or strain during use
Solution Approach 1:
The cord guide is made pivotable about a pivot axis, transforming the cord attachment from a static rigid connection to a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the cord to be repositioned to different angles and orientations while maintaining secure attachment through the locking mechanism when positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord attachment assembly is divided into separate functional components: the cord guide, the retaining clip, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the cord guide to pivot independently while the locking mechanism provides discrete locked positions, combining flexibility with stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cord guide is made pivotable to allow repositioning, then cord management flexibility improves, but the cord positioning stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cord guide is designed with pivotability for adjustment during setup, but the locking mechanism provides discrete locked positions that stabilize the cord guide during actual mixing operations, achieving both flexibility and stability through dynamic-static transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to engage the tab at predetermined positions before use, preventing unintended movement or drift of the cord guide during operation. This pre-established stabilization ensures the cord remains securely positioned once adjusted.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the cord guide at specific positions, then cord positioning stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tab on the cord guide acts as an intermediary element that engages with the locking mechanism. This simple geometric feature provides the locking function without requiring complex actuation systems, motors, or electronic controls, thereby minimizing added complexity while achieving stable positioning.
4Ease of manufacture
If the retaining clip uses a simple snap-fit design, then ease of manufacture improves, but the cord guide may not be securely retained at specific positions
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip maintains a simple snap-fit design for ease of manufacture, but incorporates a locking mechanism that provides discrete locked positions. The clip's arms can flex to accommodate the tab during insertion, then the locking engagement provides secure retention, combining manufacturing simplicity with reliable positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand mixer includes an outer casing and a mixing element coupled to an electric motor. The hand mixer includes a cord guide that is configured to pivot about a pivot axis, an electrical cord extending through the cord guide, and a retaining clip that engages the cord guide to couple the cord guide to the outer casing. The hand mixer also includes a locking mechanism operable to retain the cord guide in a first position about the pivot axis.