Multi-Cook Appliance Interlock for Heating and Mixing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current food processing appliances lack a comprehensive solution for multi-cook functionality that integrates heating, stirring, and mixing operations efficiently, with limited control over interlock systems and attachment security.

Innovation Solution

A cooking and processing appliance with a container and lid system that includes a stirring mechanism, heating structure, and interlock system, where the lid's rotational position activates and deactivates the stirring and heating mechanisms, ensuring secure attachment and operation of multiple processing attachments through a spiral-type blade shaft and interlock mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processing attachments are integrated into a single appliance with heating and stirring mechanisms, then food processing versatility and efficiency are improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood processing versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance integrates multiple processing attachments (slicing, dicing, shredding, etc.) with heating and stirring mechanisms into a single device. The universal shaft system accepts various attachments, allowing one appliance to perform multiple food processing functions that would traditionally require separate devices, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into modular components: a universal shaft that accepts different attachments, a separable container system, and independent heating/stirring mechanisms. This segmentation allows users to attach only the processing function needed for each task, reducing operational complexity while maintaining overall versatility of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an interlock system is implemented to control activation of heating and stirring mechanisms based on lid position, then operational safety and controlled operation are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interlock system automatically detects lid position and controls activation of heating and stirring mechanisms without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates by monitoring whether the lid is closed and automatically enabling or disabling functions, providing safety and controlled operation while minimizing the complexity of user interaction with the control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a spiral-type blade shaft is used to secure processing attachments, then attachment security and processing effectiveness are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex locking mechanisms to secure attachments, the design uses a spiral-type blade shaft where the attachment is secured by the rotational force and spiral geometry itself. The spiral structure naturally engages with the attachment, providing secure fastening through its geometric form rather than additional locking components, thus improving attachment security while keeping manufacturing relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 efficient multi-cook functionality with secure attachment and controlled operation of processing attachments, enhancing food processing efficiency and versatility by integrating heating, stirring, and mixing functions within a single appliance.

Implementation Method 1

A heating structure is disposed within the housing and a wall of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

A heating structure is disposed within the housing and a wall of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

A housing having a receptacle for receiving the container and having a motor in communication with the stirring mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10085599B2Multi-cook and food processing prep product

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A cooking and processing appliance includes a container having a lid and a stirring mechanism for rotating at least one processing attachment of a plurality of processing attachments, a housing having a receptacle for receiving the container and having a motor in communication with the stirring mechanism, a heating structure disposed within the housing and a wall of the container, a heating activation system included within the housing and the container, wherein the heating structure defines a heating-active state when the container is received within the receptacle, a mixing activation system, wherein the motor defines a mixing active state when the container is received within the receptacle and the lid is in a closed position and a control in communication with the heating structure and the stirring mechanism.