Insert module for a pot of a kitchen appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances with processing chambers experience material displacement during operation, leading to uneven processing and requiring user intervention, especially with small quantities, and necessitate material-specific adaptive solutions, increasing cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An insert module with a disc-shaped base element adapted to the pot's dimensions, limiting the usable space and stabilizing the material against the functional element, reducing upward movement and enhancing processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pot's usable space is large to accommodate various quantities of material, then the appliance can handle diverse processing needs, but material moves upwards during processing reducing engagement with the functional element
Solution Approach 1:
The insert module segments the pot's interior space into a processing zone (below the insert) and a storage/warm-keeping zone (above the insert). This segmentation creates a defined usable space that prevents material from moving upward while maintaining the pot's overall capacity for various quantities of material.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert module introduces a vertical dimension constraint by placing a physical barrier at a specific height within the pot. This dimensional intervention limits the vertical movement of material while preserving horizontal processing space, effectively controlling material position without reducing overall pot capacity.
2Reliability
If material-specific adaptive means are provided to move upward-moving material downwards, then processing consistency is improved, but the number of different means increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The insert module serves multiple functions: it limits usable space to prevent material upward movement, creates a defined processing zone, and can be used across different processing operations regardless of material type. This universal solution eliminates the need for material-specific adaptive means while maintaining processing consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert module passively prevents material from moving upward by creating a physical boundary, eliminating the need for active mechanisms to push material downward. The system self-regulates material position through the geometric constraint provided by the insert, reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the insert module limits the usable space to reduce upward movement, then material engagement is improved, but the available processing volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert module segments the pot interior into two functional zones: a lower processing zone with limited volume where material is constrained for reliable engagement, and an upper zone above the insert that can be used for storage or keeping food warm, effectively expanding the pot's overall functionality beyond just processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
An insert module (20) for a pot (30) of a kitchen appliance is disclosed. The insert module (20) has a disc-shaped base element (70), wherein an outer diameter (dA) of the base element (70) is adapted to an inner diameter (dI) of the pot (30) that decreases towards the bottom (36) of the pot (30) such that the insert module (20) rests against an inner wall (37) of the pot (30) at a working height (h), spaced apart from the bottom (36) of the pot (30). An outer contour of the base element (70) is adapted to an inner contour of the inner wall (37) at the working height (h). The insert module (20) is designed to define a usable space (100) within the pot (30) when inserted into the pot (30).