Kitchen Utensil Coupling Release with Single-Button Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen utensils with exchangeable accessories require manual handling and grasping to release accessories from the power unit, which can be cumbersome, especially when dealing with hot or greasy food.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system with a release mechanism featuring locking members and release levers that move perpendicular to the direction of the release lever, utilizing inclined surfaces and attracting/repelling members to facilitate easy locking and unlocking, allowing for automatic ejection of accessories without manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual grasping and wriggling is required to remove the accessory, then the release mechanism can be simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates especially when handling hot or greasy food
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory is equipped with an automatic ejection mechanism that uses a spring-loaded plunger to automatically push the accessory away from the power unit when the release button is pressed. This eliminates the need for manual grasping and handling of the accessory, allowing users to operate the release mechanism without touching hot or greasy surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A release lever acts as an intermediary between the user's finger and the accessory. When the user presses the release button, the lever translates this action into movement of the locking member and triggers the automatic ejection mechanism, providing indirect contact and improving ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If one button is used instead of two buttons for release, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the locking mechanism may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever combines multiple functions into a single component: it acts as the release button, connects to the locking member to trigger unlocking, and activates the automatic ejection mechanism. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components while maintaining reliable operation through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single release button is functionally segmented into multiple actions: pressing it moves the release lever, which simultaneously disengages the locking member from the locking recess and triggers the spring-loaded plunger for automatic ejection. This segmentation of functions within a single component maintains reliability while reducing complexity.
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
Enables effortless attachment and detachment of accessories, preventing finger burns when handling hot items and ensuring the utensil is easy to clean and maintain, with automatic ejection and secure locking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more locking member(s) and/or release lever(s) may be communicating with one or more attracting/repelling member(s)
Implementation Method 2
These attracting/repelling member(s) may be mounted in connection with the locking member
Implementation Method 3
the one or more release lever(s) and/or the one or more locking member(s) may further comprise inclined sliding surfaces, which are inclined in relation to the one or more locking member(s)' direction of movement
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to release system for a kitchen utensil (1) comprising a coupling system (2) for connecting an accessory (3) to a power unit (4) of the kitchen utensil (1). A release mechanism on the coupling system (2) for connecting the accessory (3) comprise one or more locking member(s) (6) and one or more release lever(s). These parts (6) are adapted to move between a locked position and a release position where they slidably connect(s) with one another. Hereby the accessory (3) can be separated from the power unit (4) by only pushing a single release button (5) on the kitchen utensils' (1) power unit (4).