Kitchen Lever Actuator Layout for Precise Pivot Arm Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances with lever devices for supporting pivoting movements of swivel arms face challenges in user-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and precision due to manufacturing and assembly-related tolerances, leading to inconsistent functional behavior.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a linearly translatable actuator within the lever device to adjust the pivoting movement support, allowing for a wider range of adjustment values and enabling precise force control, which can be actuated through a simple and cost-effective mechanism such as a screw or gear transmission, without the need for additional covers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable actuator is used to adjust the lever device, then the lever device can be adjusted, but the adjustment range is limited and additional covers are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional rotatable actuator mechanism by using a linearly movable actuator instead. This inversion allows the actuator to move in a straight line rather than rotating, thereby expanding the adjustment range without requiring additional covers or complex mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the movement parameter of the actuator from rotational motion to linear motion. This parameter change enables the actuator to achieve a greater adjustment range (50-150mm) compared to rotational actuators, while simplifying the overall device structure by eliminating the need for additional protective covers.
2Reliability
If manufacturing and assembly tolerances are not compensated, then the functional behavior varies, but adjustment mechanisms increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The linear actuator is designed to self-adjust within its extended movement range to compensate for manufacturing and assembly tolerances. The actuator automatically finds the correct position to ensure consistent functional behavior across different kitchen appliances, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the actuator's movement from rotational to linear, the system gains an additional degree of freedom that allows it to compensate for tolerance variations. The linear movement enables fine-tuning of the lever device position to achieve reliable and consistent functionality despite manufacturing variations.
3Measurement precision
If the actuator moves a short distance, then the device is compact, but the adjustment precision and force control are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The linear actuator is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to extend over a longer distance (50-150mm) while maintaining compactness when retracted. This dynamic extension enables precise adjustment of the lever device with fine control over the adjustment force, achieving both high precision and adequate stroke length.
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
This solution enhances user-friendliness, reduces costs, and improves precision in adjusting the lever device, ensuring consistent support for the swivel arm movement across different components and operational conditions, while maintaining aesthetic simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator (6) which is linearly translatable in order to adjust the lever device (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a kitchen appliance (1) with a base body (2), a pivoting arm (3) which is arranged pivotably on the base body (3), a lever device (4) for supporting a pivoting movement of the pivoting arm (3), and a means for Adjusting the lever device (4). The means for adjusting the lever device (4) comprises an actuator (6) which can be translated in order to adjust the lever device (4). The invention also relates to a method for adjusting a lever device (4) of a kitchen appliance (1), the lever device (4) being set up to support a pivoting movement of a pivot arm (3) of a kitchen appliance (1). Among other things, the user-friendliness of the kitchen appliance (1) can be improved by the invention because the adjustment of the lever device (4) can be carried out more precisely and cover elements can be omitted so that they are no longer displaced before and after the adjustment of the lever device (4). have to.