Rotating Lid Lock Structure for Safe Steam Release in Cookers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking devices, such as electric pressure rice cookers, do not ensure safety when the lid is incompletely closed, as they fail to effectively manage steam pressure, potentially leading to accidents.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a rotation cover and locking structure that allows for safe steam pressure management by moving between locking and unlocking positions, featuring a guide groove and protrusion system, a pressure control device, and a safety cover to prevent unnecessary rotation, ensuring steam is guided out even if the lid is not fully closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid is incompletely closed in conventional cooking devices, then the device structure remains simple, but steam pressure cannot be effectively managed leading to safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control device is pre-configured with a first inner passage that can be opened in advance when the guide protrusion moves to the second region, releasing steam pressure before it builds up to dangerous levels. This preliminary action prevents safety hazards by proactively managing pressure rather than reacting to it.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide protrusion acts as an intermediary mechanism that detects the lid closure state and triggers the pressure control device accordingly. When the lid is incompletely closed, the guide protrusion moves to the second region, which activates the first inner passage to release pressure, thereby mediating between the lid position and pressure management.
2Reliability
If a locking structure is added to ensure safety when the lid is incompletely closed, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional locking/unlocking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The locking structure is merged with the rotation cover assembly, where the engagement protrusion on the rotation cover directly interacts with the guide groove on the inner pot lid. This integration allows the locking and unlocking functions to be combined with the normal opening/closing operation, reducing the need for separate locking steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking structure operates automatically based on the rotation cover's position. When the rotation cover is rotated to the locked position, the engagement protrusion automatically engages with the guide groove, providing self-locking without requiring additional user action. Similarly, rotating the cover to the unlocked position automatically disengages the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If the engagement protrusion is positioned to overlap the flange in vertical direction for locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement protrusion and guide groove are designed with complementary shapes and dimensions that create a natural fit when positioned correctly. The vertical overlap positioning creates an equipotential state where the locking force is evenly distributed, ensuring reliable engagement without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or precise manufacturing tolerances.
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 device provides enhanced safety by ensuring steam pressure is released externally when the lid is incompletely closed, preventing accidents and maintaining a safe cooking environment.
Implementation Method 1
a weight provided on the cylinder and configured to open/close the first inner passage depending on a steam pressure of the accommodation space
Implementation Method 2
An induction heating-type or hot plate-type heater is provided in the main body to transfer heat to the cooking ingredients accommodated in the inner pot
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a main body in which an inner pot is accommodated; a top plate provided in a lid cover coupled to the main body; a rotation cover coupled to the top plate to be rotatable along an edge of the top plate; a locking structure comprising a locking structure comprising an engagement protrusion configured to be engaged with a flange of the inner pot, wherein the locking structure is configured to linearly move, depending on a rotation angle of the rotation cover, between a locking position at which the engagement protrusion is located to overlap the flange of the inner pot in a vertical direction and an unlocking position spaced apart outward from the locking position in a radial direction.