Handheld kitchen appliance assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld kitchen appliances with motors require increased space due to their size and need separate charging stations for batteries, which adds to storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A handheld kitchen appliance assembly with a rechargeable battery-powered motor and a charging unit that allows for tool attachment and simultaneous charging, featuring a base with cradles for tool storage and a charging unit that supports the drive unit, enabling efficient use and storage of multiple tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handheld kitchen appliances are battery operated to eliminate power cords, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but additional storage space is required for charging stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging station and tool storage cradle into a single integrated base unit. The charging station includes a cavity for receiving the power tool and a cradle portion with linkages that engage with the cavity to hold multiple tools. This merging eliminates the need for separate charging stations and tool storage, reducing overall storage space requirements while maintaining battery operation portability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit serves multiple functions: it charges the power tool battery, stores multiple tools in its cradle portion, and provides a centralized docking station. The charging station cavity receives the power tool, and the cradle linkages engage with the cavity to securely hold tools. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated spaces for charging and storage.
2Device complexity
If multiple tools are used with a single drive unit, then device complexity is reduced, but storage and organization of tools becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station integrates both charging functionality and tool storage into a single unit. The cradle portion is structurally connected to the charging cavity through linkages, creating a unified system that handles both power delivery and tool organization. This eliminates the need for separate tool racks or storage solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle linkages act as intermediaries between the charging cavity and the tools. These linkages engage with the cavity structure to provide secure tool holding positions, mediating between the charging function and the storage function. This intermediary mechanism enables organized tool storage while maintaining the charging capability.
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 enhancing usability by enabling easy switching between tools and charging, while maintaining efficient operation.
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 cavity includes a second electrical contact, in which the second electrical contact is configured to engage with the first electrical contact of the drive unit when the drive unit is received within the charging unit
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld kitchen appliance assembly including a drive unit having a housing, a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing, and a motor disposed within the housing and powered by the battery. The handheld appliance assembly also includes a tool having an attachment portion for releasably connecting the tool to the drive unit. The tool is selectively driven by the drive unit when the tool is connected to the drive unit. A charging unit includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive a portion of the drive unit. 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. A cradle includes an opening sized and shaped to support the tool when the tool is disconnected from the drive unit. The cradle includes a linkage that is engagable with the charging unit for selectively connecting the cradle to the charging unit.