Kitchen Appliance Proximity Sensor for Jar Detection and Blade Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances with magnetic drive couplings face challenges in implementing jar detection systems due to the absence of suitable mounting features for micro switches, complicating the prevention of blade rotation without a jar, which poses safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A kitchen appliance with a magnetic drive coupling and a proximity sensor system that uses a displaced component in the tool holder, which is moved by the jar's attachment, to detect the presence of the jar and control the rotary tool's rotation, utilizing inductive or optical proximity sensing to ensure the jar is always present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a magnetic drive coupling is used between the base and tool holder, then the contact surfaces can be substantially flat and easy to clean, but there is no suitable mounting feature for micro switches to detect jar presence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical micro switch detection system with an optical detection system. The flat contact surface of the magnetic drive coupling is maintained, while an optical sensor and light source detect jar presence by sensing changes in light reflection or transmission when the jar is mounted, eliminating the need for mechanical interlocking features.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light source and optical sensor) between the base and tool holder to detect jar presence. This intermediary system allows detection without modifying the magnetic drive coupling's flat surface structure, resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and detection capability.
2Reliability
If a mechanical micro switch is implemented for jar detection, then blade rotation can be prevented without a jar, but the design requires mechanical interlocking features that complicate the flat surface design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical micro switch with an optical sensing system that maintains the flat surface design. The optical sensor detects jar presence through light interaction (reflection or transmission) without requiring mechanical interlocking features, thus preserving both safety and aesthetic flat surface design.
3Ease of operation
If the tool holder is placed on the base without a jar, then the blade can rotate creating safety risks, but implementing detection adds complexity to the magnetic coupling design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with a simpler optical sensing system. The optical sensor and light source can be integrated into the existing magnetic drive coupling structure without requiring additional mechanical interlocking features, maintaining simple mounting while enabling safety detection.
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
Prevents the rotary tool from rotating if the jar is not securely attached, enhancing user safety by ensuring the jar is always present as a protective cover, without mechanical interlocking and maintaining a flat, easy-to-clean surface design.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic drive coupling between the base and the tool holder... the motor in the base may drive a ring of opposite polarity magnets, and the tool holder has a corresponding ring of opposite polarity magnets which rotate by magnetic coupling between the two rings
Implementation Method 2
a proximity sensor arrangement in the base for detecting a proximity of the component
Data Source
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AI summary
A kitchen appliance has a base, a tool holder for mounting on the base and a jar. A magnetic drive coupling is between the base and the tool holder. A sensor is used to sense whether or not the jar is mounted over the tool holder, and rotation of the rotary tool is enabled in dependence on the sensing by the sensor. The sensor comprises a component which is displaced by the mounting of the jar to the tool holder and a proximity sensor arrangement for detecting a proximity of the component. This kitchen appliance thus has remote proximity sensing of when a jar is coupled to the tool holder. The rotary tool can be stopped as soon as it is detected that the jar is disconnected from the tool holder.