Food Processor Lid-Driven Clamping for Compact Safe Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing and cooking devices suffer from excessive encumbrance and operational complexity due to either excessive structural bulk or complicated positioning and coordination requirements in safety mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A food processing device with a kinematic system that transforms the lid's rotational movement into a reversible translation stroke, using a transmission rod and arms to engage clamping elements and micro-switches for safe and efficient container positioning and electric feed activation, reducing bulk and improving usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vertical elongation is added to the base to house the clamping mechanism, then the mechanical clamping function is achieved, but the device becomes excessively encumbering and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clamping mechanism housing with the container structure itself. The container's lateral wall incorporates the clamping mechanism housing, eliminating the need for a separate vertical elongation on the base. This integration achieves mechanical clamping functionality while maintaining a compact device footprint.
2Reliability
If the container positioning requires both translation and rotation movements, then the container can be securely positioned, but the operation becomes complicated and coordination between safety mechanisms becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container's own structure serves as part of the positioning and clamping mechanism. The container laterally engages with the clamping mechanism housing through its wall structure, enabling self-positioning and self-clamping without requiring complex coordinated movements or external assistance.
3Volume of moving object
If the clamping mechanism housing is integrated into the container's lateral wall, then the device structure becomes compact, but the mechanical clamping force may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism housing is strategically positioned at specific locations on the container's lateral wall where clamping force is most needed. The housing incorporates clamping elements that concentrate and apply force locally at critical engagement points, ensuring adequate clamping force despite the integrated compact structure.
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 provides a compact, user-friendly, and functionally precise device that ensures mechanical and electrical safety while simplifying the operation of food processing and cooking, maintaining a compact structure and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a cam (31) of the lid (7) able to transform a reversible rotation of the lid (7) between its opening and closing position in a translation of a transmission rod (29)
Implementation Method 2
The container (3) can be heated through an electric resistance (11)
Data Source
AI summary
The device (1) for the processing and cooking of foodstuffs includes a base (2), a container (3) with, on the outer side of its bottom (4), a fixed protecting shell (5) by means of which the container (3) stands in a positioning housing (6) provided on said base (2), a lid (7) to close said container (3), electrical heating means supported by said container (3), a shaft (12) carrying tools (13) rotatably supported inside said container (3), electric means for powering said shaft (12), and safety means at least capable of mechanically clamping the container (3) into its positioning housing (6) and of activating the electric feed of said powering means when said lid (7) moves from an open position to a closed position of said container (3) positioned in said positioning housing (6), the safety means comprising kinematic system for reversibly transforming the movement of the lid (7) between its open position and its closed position into a reversible translation stroke of a first clamping element (26) between a withdrawn position within said protecting shell (5) and an extended position outside said shell (5) wherein said first clamping element (26) engages a first clamp housing (27) provided in said positioning housing (6) and triggers a first micro-switch (28) generating a signal to activate said electric feed of said powering means.