Locking Lid Handle Interlock for Food Processor Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food processors may activate the blade before the lid is securely locked, posing safety risks and potential spills, and lack a secure connection between the container and base, leading to instability during use.
Innovation Solution
A food processor design featuring a handle on the lid that moves between positions to lock the lid to the container and prevent motor activation until the lid is secured, along with a secure coupling mechanism between the container and base, including a rotatable or slidable connection for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor is configured to drive the blade when the container is placed on the base, then the device can process food, but the blade may be driven before the lid is secured to the container, causing injury or spills
Solution Approach 1:
The lid must be secured to the container before the motor can be activated. The coupling mechanism ensures that the lid is properly positioned and locked in place prior to allowing motor operation, preventing premature blade activation that could cause injury or spills.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the lid and container, providing a physical connection that must be established before motor activation. This intermediary component ensures proper lid positioning and prevents motor operation until the lid is securely attached.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a handle is added to the lid to enable locking and control motor activation, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is integrated into the lid structure, combining the gripping function with the locking function. The handle serves multiple purposes: it allows user manipulation of the lid, provides the locking action when moved to the locked position, and acts as a physical indicator of lid status. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle performs multiple functions: it serves as a gripping element for lifting and positioning the lid, a locking mechanism when moved to the locked position, and a visual indicator of lid status. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid is made lockable to the container, then spills are prevented, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional locking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to be movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. This dynamic element allows the lid to transition between easily removable and securely locked states. The movable handle provides clear tactile and visual feedback to the user about the lid's status, making the locking and unlocking actions intuitive.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a secure coupling mechanism is added between container and base, then stability during use is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate components: a coupling element on the container and a corresponding receiving structure on the base. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design by distributing the coupling function across multiple discrete elements rather than a single complex mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A food processor is provided which includes a container, a blade assembly, a lid configured to cover the top of the container, and a handle attached to the lid. The handle may be movable between at least a first position and a second position with respect to the lid, where when the handle is in the first position, the lid is capable of being coupled to the container, and when the handle is in the second position, the lid is locked to the container. When the handle is in the first position, the motor may be prevented from being activated, and when the handle is in the second position activation of the motor may be permitted. A release button on the lid may be configured to move the handle out of the second position.