Kitchen Appliance Pivot Arm Safety Device Integrated on Pivot Axis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances with swivel arms face challenges in providing an aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective safety device that prevents the pivoting arm from swiveling relative to the base part without disturbing the external appearance or requiring significant design changes.
Innovation Solution
A compact safety device is integrated directly on the pivot axis, utilizing a rotatably mounted activation element with a lever and connecting element, along with a spring mechanism to prevent pivoting, allowing for easy operation and secure locking without additional pivot axes visible on the appliance's housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking element is arranged to be translatable along the pivot axis to provide easy locking, then the locking function is simple and effective, but the safety device becomes visible and disturbs the external appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is nested within the activation element, which rotates on the pivot axis. The blocking element can translate along the pivot axis within the activation element's structure, making the locking mechanism invisible from the outside while maintaining its function. This nesting approach allows the safety device components to be hidden within the existing pivot axis structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device components (activation element, blocking element, spring element) are merged into the existing pivot axis structure. The activation element is rotatably mounted on the pivot axis, and the blocking element is integrated within it, combining the safety function with the existing mechanical structure without adding visible external components.
2Reliability
If a safety device with multiple components is added to prevent pivoting, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The activation element serves multiple functions: it acts as a locking mechanism when rotated to the blocked position, provides a visible indicator of the locked state, and allows easy actuation by the user. The spring element simultaneously provides the blocking force and returns the activation element to its initial position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically returns the activation element to its initial position after actuation, without requiring additional mechanisms or user intervention. The blocking element automatically engages with the pivot axis when the activation element is rotated, providing self-locking functionality that simplifies the overall device structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the safety device is integrated directly on the pivot axis, then the external appearance is maintained and production is simplified, but the mechanism requires precise alignment and manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is segmented into distinct functional components: the activation element (with bore for pivot axis), the blocking element (with guiding surface), and the spring element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled separately, reducing the need for complex precision machining of the entire pivot axis assembly while maintaining functional reliability.
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 ensures the safety device is inexpensive, simple to produce, and maintains the appliance's aesthetic appeal by minimizing visible components, effectively preventing unwanted pivoting of the swivel arm while allowing easy operation and folding.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (11) which is arranged to be under mechanical tension
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a kitchen appliance (1) comprising a pivot arm (3) and a securing device (6) for the pivot arm (3) in the working position. In the case of the kitchen appliance (1) according to the invention, the securing device (6) is coupled to the pivot axis (7) of the pivot arm (4). An activation element (7) of the securing device (6) is rotatably arranged on the pivot axis (4). By means of the invention, with a compact design of the securing device (6) and without a loss of safety during operation of the kitchen appliance (1), significant disruption of the outer appearance of the kitchen appliance (1) by the securing device (6) can be avoided.