Modular Appliance Plug-and-Socket Layout for Interconnected Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular appliances lack the capability for mechanical and electrical interconnection with other appliances, limiting their functionality and efficiency in cooking and power distribution.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a base unit with a plug connector and a second socket connector for electrical coupling, along with inductive couplers for power transfer between appliances, allowing for mechanical and electrical interconnection, and enabling appliances to act as either a master or slave unit based on configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a slow cooker is designed as a standalone appliance with a fixed power cable, then it is simple to manufacture and operate, but it lacks the capability for mechanical and electrical interconnection with other appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The power cable assembly is segmented from the main appliance body, allowing it to be detached and reconfigured. The cable can be removed from an internal chamber and connected to socket connectors on other appliances, enabling interconnection while keeping the base unit relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance transitions from a static, fixed-cable design to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The lever mechanism allows the power cable to move between stored and extended positions, and the socket connectors enable dynamic reconfiguration of appliance connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable power cable is added to enable appliance interconnection, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity and potential points of failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power cable is pre-stored in an internal chamber and pre-connected to the appliance base unit. The lever mechanism is pre-configured to guide the cable from the chamber to the socket connector, ensuring proper connection before use and reducing the risk of improper assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the stored cable and the socket connector. It guides and secures the cable connection, ensuring reliable electrical contact while allowing controlled access to the cable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If socket connectors are added to the appliance base unit, then electrical interconnection with other appliances is enabled, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The socket connector is designed with universal functionality to accept plug connectors from various appliance types. The guide protrusion and aperture design create a universal interface that works across different appliance configurations, simplifying the manufacturing process by using standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector interface uses asymmetric design with a specific guide protrusion shape and corresponding aperture orientation. This asymmetric design prevents incorrect connections while ensuring proper alignment, reducing the need for complex alignment mechanisms during manufacturing.
4Manufacturing precision
If guide protrusions and apertures are added to facilitate connector alignment, then connection precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide protrusion has an asymmetric shape with specific geometric features that correspond to the aperture geometry. This asymmetric design provides automatic alignment during connection, ensuring precise mating of the plug and socket connectors without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide protrusion and aperture design enables self-alignment during the connection process. When the plug connector is inserted into the socket connector, the guide features automatically guide the components into proper alignment, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms.
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
Enables seamless interconnection and power distribution between appliances, enhancing cooking efficiency and flexibility by allowing appliances to operate as either a master or slave unit, ensuring efficient power usage and alignment during use.
Implementation Method 1
a first inductive coupler configured to inductively couple the second appliance to a first adjacent appliance
Data Source
AI summary
Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.