Food Processor Lid Locking Geometry for Secure Vessel Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors face challenges in securely locking the lid during operation, particularly when high forces are generated due to agitator and fluid dynamics, leading to potential lid separation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a locking part with a radially inward-facing contour that deviates from a circular shape, featuring a convex curvature and a straight section, which interacts with the lid edge to guide it into a vertical contact position, ensuring secure closure and self-locking through a torque mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a circular locking part design is used, then the lid can be placed in a non-directional manner, but the lid cannot be securely locked under high operational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking part's inner edge is designed with an asymmetric cross-section that deviates from a circular shape, featuring a convex curvature on one side and a flatter region on the opposite side. This asymmetric geometry creates a directional locking action where the convex curvature actively engages and presses the lid edge against the vessel edge during rotation, providing secure locking under high forces while still allowing non-directional initial placement of the lid
2Ease of operation
If the lid is placed at an angle to the vessel opening, then placement flexibility is maintained, but proper vertical alignment is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The locking part is designed with a convex curvature on its inner edge that actively pushes the lid into proper vertical alignment during the locking rotation process. This preliminary alignment action occurs automatically as the locking part rotates into its locking position, correcting any angular misalignment of the lid relative to the vessel opening before final locking engagement is achieved
3Device complexity
If a conventional circular locking part is used, then the structure is simple, but the lid edge cannot be guided into proper contact position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking part features a locally differentiated geometry where only specific portions of the inner edge have particular characteristics: a convex curvature region that actively guides and presses the lid edge into proper contact position, and a flatter region that provides stable engagement. This localized geometric variation achieves precise lid positioning without requiring complete redesign of the entire locking part 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
This configuration effectively locks the lid in place, even under high operational forces, preventing separation and maintaining a fluid-tight seal, while allowing for precise alignment and mobility of the cooking vessel.
Implementation Method 1
a lid moves out of the closed position that has not yet been reached by means of elastically flexible wall and / or sealing areas the locking position can be pulled through the locking part
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically operated food processor (1) with a cooking vessel (6) and a lid (10) for the cooking vessel (6), wherein the lid (10) can be locked against the cooking vessel (6) in the closed position, wherein the cooking vessel (6) further comprises a cooking vessel base and a vessel wall (12) extending upwards from the cooking vessel base, the vessel wall (12) transitioning into a radially projecting vessel rim (13), the lid (10) having a lid rim (16) which, in the closed position, overlaps the vessel rim (16), the locking mechanism is formed by a locking element (17) for engaging the lid (10), which can be moved from a release position to the locking position and vice versa by rotating it about an axis (y), and the locking element (17) is elongated in the direction of extension of the axis (y) and, in the locking position, engages under the vessel rim (13) and the lid rim (16) extends.To provide an advantageous locking mechanism for the lid on the cooking vessel, it is proposed that the lid (10) has a downwardly projecting edge in cross-section which, in the locked state, radially overlaps the projecting vessel rim (13), that the axis (y) lies radially inward to an outermost edge (27) of the vessel rim (13), and that when the lid (10) is in place but not yet in the closed position, a convex curvature (30) of the lid rim (16) meets an inner edge of the locking part (17) which deviates in cross-section from a circular shape, and that the lid (10) can be pulled from the not yet reached closed position into the closed position by means of elastically compliant wall and/or sealing areas through the locking part (17).