Kitchen Appliance Lid Filtration Layout for Cleaner Filter Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household cooking appliance lids with filtration sub-assemblies are prone to grease deposits, making it difficult to handle the gripping means, and the filtration efficiency is not optimized, leading to ergonomic and cleaning challenges.

Innovation Solution

The filtration sub-assembly is mounted in an opening on the outer periphery of the seal, away from cooking vapors, with a curved shape and integrated into the lid's design, including a viewing window and a filter holder, allowing for easier removal and improved filtration efficiency, and the lid is pivotally mounted with pivot members to reduce size and enhance access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the filtration sub-assembly is engaged in the inlet of the cooking vapor evacuation duct, then the filtration efficiency is improved, but the gripping means is exposed to cooking vapors causing grease deposits and handling difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidhandling of gripping means
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lid into distinct functional zones: the filtration sub-assembly is positioned in the lower face away from the duct inlet, while the gripping means is located on the outer face. This spatial segmentation prevents the gripping means from being exposed to cooking vapors while maintaining filtration functionality through the sub-assembly's position in the vapor path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the lid body) that separates the gripping means from the cooking vapors. The filtration sub-assembly passes through the lid, with its filtering portion in the vapor path and its gripping portion outside the vapor exposure zone, using the lid structure as a mediator to protect the gripping means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the filtration sub-assembly is engaged in the inlet of the cooking vapor evacuation duct, then the filtration function is achieved, but the outer face of the lid requires frequent cleaning due to exposed gripping means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidcleaning maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the gripping means from the vapor-exposed zone and relocates it to the outer face of the lid. This separation removes the source of grease contamination from the outer face, significantly reducing cleaning requirements while the filtration sub-assembly maintains its filtering function through its position in the lower face.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Length of stationary object

If the duct for discharging cooking vapors opens into the lower face, then the height of the cover can be reduced, but the gripping area may be exposed to vapors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight of coverVSAvoidvapor exposure to gripping area
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the spatial dimension of the gripping area placement. Instead of positioning the gripping means vertically above the duct inlet (which would expose it to vapors), it places the gripping means on the outer horizontal face of the lid, using a different spatial dimension to achieve both compact height and vapor protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design prevents grease deposits on the gripping area, enhances filtration efficiency, reduces the lid's height, and simplifies cleaning and filter renewal, while improving user comfort and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The lid (2) comprises a seal (18) provided to prevent the passage of cooking vapors between the lid (2) and the tank (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

a removable filtration sub-assembly (30) passing through the cooking vapors exhaust duct (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2147622B1Lid of an electrical kitchen appliance comprising a filtering sub-assembly
Publication Date: 2012.06.13 SEB SA
  • EP2147622B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2147622B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2147622B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The lid (2) has a cooking fume evacuating flue (10) connecting a lower face (11) and an upper face (12) of the lid. The lower face carries a seal (18) surrounding the entry of the flue. A curve shaped removable filtration subassembly (30) extends across the flue, and is mounted in an opening (19) of the lower face outside the periphery of the seal. The flue opens into a lateral wall (15) of the lower face. The sub-assembly presents a section curved towards a central part of the lid from the opening of the lower face. A stop cooperates with a retaining element of the sub-assembly. An independent claim is also included for an electrical kitchen appliance, comprising a vat arranged in a case.