Motorized Lid Hinge for Securely Locked Cooking Vessels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors face challenges in securely locking and easily handling the lid during high-pressure cooking processes, which can lead to difficulties in accessing the interior of the cooking vessel and maintaining a secure seal.
Innovation Solution
An electric motor-operated pivoting part is integrated to pivot the lid from a closed to an open position, allowing for non-destructive removal and reattachment, enhancing user convenience and safety by reducing direct contact with the lid during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is provided to securely lock the lid against the cooking vessel during high-pressure cooking, then the reliability of the cooking process is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing the interior of the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic unlocked state through motor-driven rotation of the locking arm. The system dynamically adjusts between locked and unlocked positions based on operational requirements, allowing secure cooking when locked and easy access when unlocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical locking operation is replaced with an electric motor-driven system. The motor rotates the locking arm to engage or disengage the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for users to manually manipulate complex locking components and making the process simpler and safer.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is provided to secure the lid during high-pressure cooking, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm serves multiple functions: it acts as both the locking element that secures the lid during cooking and the leverage point for motor-driven rotation. The spring component provides both the locking force and the return mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism automatically engages the locking position when the lid is closed and can automatically return to the unlocked position when the motor reverses rotation. The system uses its own components (spring force, motor torque) to perform the locking and unlocking actions without requiring external tools or complex actuation mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the lid is securely locked during cooking, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in removing the lid for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical effort required to break the seal and remove the lid is replaced with motor-driven rotation of the locking arm. The motor provides sufficient torque to overcome the spring force and seal adhesion, making lid removal as easy as pressing a button rather than forcing the lid off.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor acts as an intermediary between the user's simple action (pressing a button or switching) and the complex task of breaking the seal and removing the lid. The motor translates electrical energy into mechanical rotation that smoothly disengages the locking mechanism and lifts the lid away from the sealing surface.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically operated kitchen appliance (1) with a cooking vessel (6) and a lid (10) for the cooking vessel (6), wherein: the lid (10) can be locked in the closed position against the cooking vessel (6); the cooking vessel (6) has a cooking vessel base and a cooking vessel wall (12) extending upwards from the base; the cooking vessel wall (12) transitions into a radially projecting cooking vessel edge (13); the lid (10) has a lid edge (15), which covers the cooking vessel edge (13) in the closed position; and the lock is formed by a locking part (16) acting on the lid (10). 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 (30), which can be operated by an electric motor, is provided to interact with the lid edge (15), such that the lid (10) can be pivoted by the motor out of a closed position into an open position and the lid (10) can be removed from the hinged section (30) by the user non-destructively.