A kitchen appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances with magnetic drive couplings face difficulty in removing the food container from the base for cleaning due to increased strength required for torque transfer, making it hard for users to detach the container without straining or causing accidents.
Innovation Solution
A kitchen appliance design featuring a pivotable lever with mechanical advantage within the container to axially separate the magnetic drive coupling, allowing for easier release of the coupling force without external movement, enabling the container to be removed more easily while maintaining strong torque transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stronger magnets are used in the magnetic drive coupling to increase torque transfer strength, then the coupling strength is improved, but the container becomes difficult to remove from the base
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic drive coupling is segmented into two separate portions: a first portion in the base and a second portion in the container. This segmentation allows the magnetic coupling strength to be optimized for torque transfer while introducing a separator arrangement that can axially separate the portions to reduce coupling force during removal, thus resolving the contradiction between strong coupling and easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator arrangement dynamically adjusts the axial separation between the first and second portions of the magnetic drive coupling. During operation, the portions are closely aligned for strong torque transfer. During removal, the separator arrangement axially separates the portions to reduce magnetic coupling force, enabling easy container removal while maintaining strong coupling during use.
2Strength
If a mechanical coupling is used to attach the container to the base, then the container can be securely attached, but the design becomes complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical coupling system with a magnetic drive coupling system. Instead of using mechanical interlocking features such as bayonet couplings or threaded connections, the invention uses magnetic attraction between the first portion in the base and the second portion in the container. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical structures, simplifies the design, and creates smooth surfaces that are easier to clean, while still providing secure attachment and strong torque transfer 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 design reduces the force needed to detach the container, minimizing the risk of accidents and strain injuries while maintaining a strong magnetic coupling for effective torque transfer, allowing for easier cleaning and handling.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of a magnetic drive coupling beneath the upper surface, wherein the first portion comprises a first magnet arrangement; a second portion of the magnetic drive coupling for magnetically coupling with the first portion
Implementation Method 2
a separator arrangement for axially separating the first portion of the magnetic drive coupling from the second portion of the magnetic drive coupling, wherein the separator arrangement comprises a pivotable lever with mechanical advantage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A kitchen appliance comprises a base with first portion of a magnetic drive coupling and a container with a second portion of a magnetic drive coupling. A separator arrangement is provided for axially separating the first portion of the magnetic drive coupling from the second portion of the magnetic drive coupling. The separator arrangement comprises a pivotable lever with mechanical advantage for moving up and down the first portion of the magnetic coupling within the container. Axial separation of the two portions of the drive coupling is used to provide a partial release of the coupling force, so that the container may be more easily removed from the base.