Household appliance for preparing food with a turning knob multi-functionally occupied in a rotational position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances for food preparation face limitations in the number of operating functions due to mechanical and electrical constraints on rotary knobs, leading to complex wiring and increased risk of errors and interference.
Innovation Solution
A rotary knob with discrete rotational positions assigned to multiple operating functions, allowing at least one position to control two functions, and an additional selection unit to prioritize or select between them, minimizing mechanical and electrical complexity while maintaining a safe and intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete rotational positions are defined for a rotary knob to control different operating functions, then the number of selectable functions increases, but the mechanical and electrical components become more complex and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single rotary knob position to control multiple operating functions. Instead of requiring separate positions for each function, the system allows one position to activate several functions simultaneously or selectively, thereby increasing the number of available operating functions without proportionally increasing the number of rotational positions or associated mechanical and electrical components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotary knob is designed with many discrete rotational positions to accommodate multiple operating functions, then more functions can be selected, but the wiring and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple operating functions into a single rotary knob position. Instead of having separate wiring and control circuits for each function at different positions, the system combines multiple functions to be activated by one position, thereby reducing the overall wiring complexity and control structure while still providing access to numerous operating functions.
3Measurement precision
If discrete rotational positions are assigned to specific functional units, then precise function selection is achieved, but the number of positions is limited by mechanical constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making each rotary knob position universal, capable of controlling multiple functional units or operating functions. This approach maintains precise function selection (as each position remains clearly defined) while dramatically increasing the total number of accessible functions through the multi-functionality of each position.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance (1) for preparing food, with an operating device (4) which has a rotary knob (5) which is rotatably mounted about a rotary axis (A), wherein several discrete rotary positions (18) are specified in the direction of rotation about the rotary axis (A), at each of which at least one specific functional unit (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 25) of the household appliance (1) and an operating function of the household appliance (1) associated with the functional unit (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 25) can be selected, wherein at least one rotary position is assigned at least one further operating function of the household appliance (1) that differs from the first operating function.