Electrical kitchen appliance comprising an intermediate cover

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household food preparation appliances lack ergonomic design, simplicity in construction, and safety features, particularly in the locking mechanism of the upper motorized box and intermediate cover, which complicates user interaction and device operation.

Innovation Solution

A household food preparation appliance design featuring a working receptacle with a rotary accessory driven by an upper motorized box, where the intermediate cover is locked in rotation with the receptacle and the upper motorized box is secured using attachment members with elastic return elements, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and a locking mechanism that prevents accidental removal of the upper motorized box.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the upper motorized housing is simply placed on the intermediate cover without a locking mechanism, then the construction remains simple, but the upper motorized housing can be accidentally removed by lifting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental removalVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching member is designed to automatically engage with the retaining member when the upper motorized housing is placed on the intermediate cover, without requiring manual intervention. The elastic return element provides automatic resetting action, making the locking mechanism self-operating and thus reliable without adding complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic return element acts as an intermediary between the latching member and the retaining member, providing the necessary force to engage and disengage the locking mechanism. This intermediary component simplifies the overall design by using elastic energy storage and release rather than requiring active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the upper motorized housing is locked with multiple attachment members and retaining members, then the locking becomes secure, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latching member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to flex during the engagement and disengagement process. This dynamic design enables secure locking when engaged, while allowing easy release when force is applied to the release member, thus maintaining both security and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: attachment members on the upper motorized housing, retaining members on the intermediate cover, latching members that provide the locking action, and a release member for disengagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall operation despite the multi-component system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the intermediate cover is prevented from rotating relative to the work container, then the positioning becomes stable, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational stabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment members and retaining members are positioned asymmetrically on their respective components, creating a unique engagement geometry that prevents rotation. The chamfered surfaces are oriented at specific angles that guide the assembly process and provide inherent anti-rotation capability, eliminating the need for additional rotational restraint mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design enhances user ergonomics, simplifies construction, and improves safety by allowing for easy attachment and detachment of components, ensuring secure locking and preventing accidental removal of the upper motorized box, while maintaining a robust and simple construction.

Implementation Method 1

mounted movably in a plane mainly perpendicular to the axis of rotation against an elastic return element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3311717B1Electrical kitchen appliance comprising an intermediate cover
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 SEB SA
  • EP3311717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3311717B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3311717B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

- The invention relates to a household appliance for food preparation comprising a working receptacle (2), a rotating working accessory, an upper motorized box (4) placed on the working receptacle (2) to rotate the rotary work along an axis of rotation, the upper motorized box (4) being arranged on an intermediate cover (3) carried by the working receptacle (2). - According to the invention, the upper motorized housing (4) comprises at least one attachment member (70), the intermediate cover (3) comprises at least one retaining member (76), and the attachment member ( 70) comes into engagement with the retainer (76) when the upper motorized box (4) is placed on the intermediate cover (3) in a direction mainly parallel to the axis of rotation, to lift the intermediate cover (3) with the upper motorized box (4) when the upper motorized box (4) is removed from the working vessel (2).