Pressure Cooker Lid Locking Slide for Safe Steam Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking devices, such as electric pressure rice cookers, do not ensure safe operation when the lid is not completely closed, as they fail to manage steam pressure effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a locking slide mechanism and pressure controller that allows for adjustable pressure settings and includes a safety structure to guide steam pressure outside even when the lid is not fully closed, ensuring safe operation and multi-stage pressure adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is not completely closed, then the device can be operated more conveniently, but steam pressure cannot be managed safely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-stage pressure adjustment by varying the blocking degree of the inner flow path through the pressure adjusting rod. The pressure controller can adjust pressure to different levels (first pressure higher than second pressure) based on the position of the pressure adjusting protrusion relative to step portions of the locking slide. This allows safe operation with adjustable pressure parameters even when the lid is not completely closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure adjusting rod acts as an intermediary mechanism between the locking slide position and the inner flow path blocking. The pressure adjusting protrusion on the pressure adjusting rod interacts with step portions of the locking slide to control the blocking degree, thereby mediating the relationship between lid closing state and steam pressure management.
2Device complexity
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the device structure is simpler, but pressure adjustment capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking slide is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both as a locking mechanism (with engagement protrusion and flange portion) and as a pressure adjustment mechanism (with multi-step structure having plurality of step portions). The same component performs multiple functions, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining pressure adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the locking function and pressure adjustment function into a single integrated locking slide structure. The engagement protrusion provides locking while the multi-step structure with step portions provides pressure adjustment levels. This combination eliminates the need for separate mechanisms.
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 locking slide coupled on the top plate so as to be linearly movable in a first direction; and a locking structure including an engagement protrusion which is configured to be engaged with a flange portion of the inner pot. The locking structure is configured to be linearly moved, depending on a position of the locking slide performing a linear movement in the first direction, between a locking position where the engagement protrusion is positioned so as to overlap with the flange portion of the inner pot in a vertical direction and an unlocking position spaced apart from the locking position toward an outside of the top plate.