Pressure Cooker Lid Control Member Retention for Stable Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure cookers have unstable control member positioning, leading to potential misalignment and increased user effort due to the lack of reliable and robust mechanisms to maintain the control member in its locking position.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating retractable holding means with a cam track mechanism that exerts a return force to maintain the control member in its locking position, reducing the need for excessive user force and stabilizing the control member's position throughout its travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If movable fingers with spring thrust are used to engage the control member in its vertical position, then the control member can be retained in the vertical position, but the control member becomes unstable and may leave its folded position and occupy a projecting position above the lid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the holding force variable rather than constant. The holding means are designed to exert a holding force that varies depending on the control member's position: stronger when the control member is in the projecting position (to push it back to folded position) and weaker when it is in the folded position (to maintain stability). This dynamic adjustment of force resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of holding force magnitude based on the control member's position. The holding means adjust the force parameter dynamically - exerting greater force when the control member deviates from the folded position and reducing force when it is properly positioned. This parameter change enables the system to maintain stability while preventing unwanted position changes.
2Ease of operation
If the control member is completely free to move in its locking position, then the user can easily actuate it, but the control member cannot be maintained stably in the locking position
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means provide dynamic support to the control member during operation. When the user actuates the control member, the holding means temporarily yield to allow movement, then automatically engage to maintain the control member in the desired locking position. This dynamic behavior enables both easy actuation and stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding means act as an intermediary between the user's actuation force and the control member's positioning. The spring-based holding means mediate the interaction by providing controlled resistance during movement and stable engagement during positioning, enabling both ease of operation and positioning 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 control member remains securely locked, reducing the risk of misalignment and minimizing user effort required to maintain the locking position, enhancing the stability and usability of the pressure cooker.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic engagement of the movable fingers keeps the control member in a substantially vertical position
Implementation Method 2
movable fingers which are mounted in the cover and which engage, by means of the thrust of a spring, the control member when it occupies its vertical position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
The apparatus has a control unit (15) for controlling locking/unlocking of a lid on a container, moving according to a race and extending between unlocking and locking positions. The control unit is in kinematic connection with a locking mechanism and mounted to move on the lid to move the mechanism and ensure locking/unlocking of the lid. A retractable holding unit (20) exerts holding force on the control unit when the control unit is in the unlocking position. The holding unit exerts return force on the control unit when the control unit is in locking position to maintain locking position.