Handheld kitchen appliance assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld kitchen appliances with motors require additional space due to their size and need separate charging stations, which increases storage requirements and clutter in kitchens.
Innovation Solution
A handheld kitchen appliance assembly with a rechargeable battery-powered motor and a detachable tool system, where the drive unit can be connected to various tools and charged within a base unit that includes a charging cavity and cradles for tool storage, allowing for flexible tool attachment and simultaneous charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handheld kitchen appliances are battery operated to eliminate power cords, then cordless operation is achieved, but additional storage space is required for batteries and charging stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging function with the storage base into a single integrated unit. The base contains recesses that simultaneously store multiple battery-operated appliances and provide charging contacts to recharge their batteries, eliminating the need for separate charging stations and reducing overall storage space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The base serves multiple functions: it stores multiple different battery-operated kitchen appliances, charges their batteries through integrated contacts, and organizes them in an accessible manner. This multi-functional design replaces what would otherwise require separate storage and charging solutions for each appliance.
2Ease of operation
If multiple battery-operated appliances are stored separately, then each appliance is easily accessible, but storage space and clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple separate recesses, each designed to hold a specific battery-operated appliance. This segmentation allows each appliance to be easily accessed individually while maintaining an organized, space-efficient storage configuration that prevents clutter.
3Ease of operation
If appliances are designed with motors for automatic operation, then manual effort is reduced, but the size and weight of the appliances increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses small, lightweight rechargeable batteries that provide dynamic power to the motor-operated appliances. The batteries can be recharged multiple times, providing sustained automatic operation capability while keeping the individual appliance weights manageable compared to larger corded motor units.
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
The solution allows for compact storage and charging of multiple tools with a single drive unit, reducing space requirements and simplifying kitchen organization by enabling tools to be easily swapped and charged without additional charging stations.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing, and a motor disposed within the housing and powered by the battery
Implementation Method 2
The charging unit includes a power supply and is configured to send a charging current to the battery of the drive unit to recharge the battery when the drive unit is received within the cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A handheld kitchen appliance assembly (10) including a drive unit (20) having a housing (55), a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing (55), and a motor disposed within the housing (55) and powered by the battery. The handheld appliance (15) assembly also includes a tool (25) having an attachment portion (35) for releasably connecting the tool (25) to the drive unit (20). The tool (25) is selectively driven by the drive unit (20) when the tool (25) is connected to the drive unit (20). A charging unit (120) includes a cavity (140) sized and shaped to receive a portion of the drive unit (20). The charging unit (120) includes a power supply and is configured to send a charging current to the battery of the drive unit (20) to recharge the battery when the drive unit (20) is received within the cavity (140). A cradle (125A, 125B, 125C, 125) includes an opening (175) sized and shaped to support the tool (25) when the tool (25) is disconnected from the drive unit (20). The cradle (125A, 125B, 125C, 125) includes a linkage (180) that is engageable with the charging unit (120) for selectively connecting the cradle (125A, 125B, 125C, 125) to the charging unit (120).