Motor-Driven Hinged Lid for Pressure Cooker Locking and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances face challenges in effectively managing the lid during high-pressure cooking processes, particularly in heatable vessels, where the lid must be securely locked to accommodate internal pressures without complicating user handling or maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A hinged section operated by an electric motor pivots the lid from a closed to an open position, allowing non-destructive removal and reattachment, simplifying lid handling and enabling easy cleaning, with a positive locking or frictional connection to secure the lid in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid is securely locked to the cooking vessel using a bayonet-like twistlock or hinged section, then the lid can accommodate high pressures and forces during cooking operations, but the lid handling becomes complex and difficult for users to operate manually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical locking system (twistlock or hinged section requiring user force) with an electric motor-driven system. The motor automatically engages the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for users to manually overcome high locking forces while maintaining secure lid attachment during high-pressure cooking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the electric motor, which automatically performs the locking action without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by using the motor's rotational force to engage the bayonet-like twistlock or hinged section, making the complex locking operation automatic rather than manual.
2Reliability
If the lid is securely locked during high-pressure cooking operations, then the lid remains firmly attached to the cooking vessel, but the lid cannot be easily removed for cleaning without tools or destructive methods
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state through electric motor actuation. The motor can reversibly engage and disengage the bayonet-like twistlock or hinged section, allowing the lid to be securely attached during cooking and easily removed for cleaning by simply reversing the motor action, without requiring tools or destructive methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual tool-based removal process is replaced with an electric motor-driven release mechanism. The motor electronically controls the unlocking action, enabling users to remove the lid easily for cleaning without needing specialized tools or resorting to destructive methods, while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
3Reliability
If a hinged section with roller arrangement is used to lock the lid, then the lid can be secured vertically on the top, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking and pivoting functions into a single integrated bayonet-like twistlock mechanism. Instead of separate components for locking and pivoting (such as a hinged section with roller arrangement), the twisted lock simultaneously provides both securing and rotational movement capabilities, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet-like twistlock mechanism serves multiple functions: it locks the lid securely in place, allows controlled pivoting movement, and enables easy unlocking. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable lid securing capability.
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 solution enhances the serviceability and safety of kitchen appliances by reducing direct user contact with hot lids, facilitating easy cleaning, and ensuring secure locking during cooking operations, while providing overload protection and minimizing storage needs.
Implementation Method 1
a hinged section, which interacts with the lid edge and which can be operated by an electric motor, for pivoting the lid from a closed position into an open position
Implementation Method 2
the hinged section to act on the lid edge by means of a positive locking or frictional connection for holding the lid
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically operated kitchen appliance with a cooking vessel and a lid for the cooking vessel, wherein: the lid can be locked in the closed position against the cooking vessel; the cooking vessel has a cooking vessel base and a cooking vessel wall extending upwards from the base; the cooking vessel wall transitions into a radially projecting cooking vessel edge; the lid has a lid edge, which covers the cooking vessel edge in the closed position; and the lock is formed by a locking part acting on the lid. In order to further improve a kitchen appliance of the type mentioned, particularly with respect to handling the lid of the cooking vessel, according to the invention a hinged section, which can be operated by an electric motor, is provided to interact with the lid edge, such that the lid can be pivoted by the motor out of a closed position into an open position and the lid can be removed from the hinged section by the user non-destructively.