Magnetic Food Processor Interlock for Contamination-Free Lid Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical interlock safety mechanisms in food processors are susceptible to contamination from liquids and food substrates, leading to impaired functionality and cleaning difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact interlock system utilizing magnetic members and a sealed cavity to ensure reliable operation, where a plunger moves between at-rest and actuated positions due to magnetic repulsion forces, triggering a magnetically controlled switch to enable or disable the motor, keeping the interlock system clean and free from contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical interlock mechanisms are used to prevent motor operation when the lid is not properly seated, then safety interlock functionality is provided, but the mechanisms are susceptible to contamination from liquids and food substrates which impedes functionality and makes cleaning difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterlock safety mechanismVSAvoidcontamination from liquids and food substrates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical contact-based interlock system with a magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetically actuated plunger and magnetic sensor detect lid closure status through magnetic interaction without physical contact, eliminating mechanical components that would be exposed to food and liquid contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the lid closure mechanism and the motor control system. The magnetic plunger transmits closure information through magnetic field interaction rather than direct mechanical contact, allowing the interlock function to be performed without exposing components to contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If mechanical interlock components are exposed to the food processing environment, then the interlock can detect lid closure, but food and water can become trapped in the mechanism making it difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid closure detectionVSAvoidcleaning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical contact components with a magnetic sensing system where the plunger is actuated by magnetic forces rather than direct mechanical engagement. This allows the detection mechanism to remain isolated from the food processing environment while still detecting lid closure accurately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the critical sensing function from the contaminated environment by using magnetic field interaction that can detect lid closure status without requiring components to be physically present in the food processing chamber, thereby separating the detection function from the contamination source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 magnetic interlock system provides a reliable and clean solution by maintaining the interlock mechanism's integrity, ensuring proper motor operation while preventing food and liquid from entering the sealed cavity, thus enhancing the appliance's safety and ease of cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member of the latch mechanism and the upper magnetic member of the plunger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic repulsion force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The lower magnetic member moves into the detection zone of the magnetically controlled switch to close the switch and the electric control circuit when the plunger is in the actuated position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10610055B2Food processor non-contact interlock

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A food processing container includes a food processing chamber and a cover assembly with a latch mechanism operable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a first magnetic member disposed therein. An interlock assembly is disposed outside of and adjacent to the food processing chamber and includes a sealed cavity with a plunger member moveable disposed within the sealed cavity. The plunger is operable between at-rest and actuated positions within the sealed cavity and includes upper and lower magnetic members disposed at opposite ends of the plunger member. The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member and the upper magnetic member, and further wherein the lower magnetic member moves into the lower portion of the sealed cavity as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position.