Removable Pressure Cooker Decompression Control for Easy Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing domestic pressure cookers have difficulty in cleaning due to non-disassembleable pressure release components, leading to food particles interfering with the operation of the pressure release actuator, making them unreliable and hard to maintain.

Innovation Solution

A domestic pressure cooker design where the pressure release control member is removable from the lid, allowing easy access and cleaning, with guiding mechanisms for mechanical strength and precise movement, ensuring safe and reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the pressure release control member is integrated into the lid as a one-piece assembly, then the structural integrity and simplicity of the device is improved, but the ease of cleaning deteriorates due to inaccessibility of soiled parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure release control member is divided into separable components: the control member itself and the lid assembly. This segmentation allows the control member to be removed for cleaning while maintaining the integrated design during operation, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and cleaning accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a static one-piece assembly to a dynamic configuration where the control member can be selectively attached or detached. This dynamic capability enables easy cleaning when needed while maintaining structural integrity during use, addressing both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the control member has limited travel in decompression position, then the precision of pressure release control is improved, but the ease of uncoupling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure release control precisionVSAvoidease of uncoupling
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The design adds a second dimension of movement: the control member can move translationally within the handle for precise pressure control during cooking, and then move in a different dimension (beyond the decompression position) when the lid is detached to enable uncoupling. This multi-dimensional movement resolves the contradiction between precision and ease of uncoupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Facilitates easy cleaning and reliable operation by allowing the pressure release control member to be uncoupled and cleaned separately, preventing food residue from affecting the appliance's performance and ensuring safety during use.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure adjustment member inside the enclosure arranged on the lid, comprising a seat and a regulating valve allowing the establishment of a flow of steam leakage from the interior of the enclosure towards the exterior of the apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteam flow:

Implementation Method 2

the lid comprising a control member for releasing the pressure by lifting the valve, movable between a rest position where the valve rests freely on the seat and a decompression position where the valve is raised to open the leak conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure release: Depressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP2524633B1Household pressure-cooking appliance with decompression control member
Publication Date: 2014.10.22 SEB SA
  • EP2524633B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2524633B1 patent drawingFigure 2~6
  • EP2524633B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The appliance (1) has a lid (11) fixed on a vessel (2) for forming a cooking chamber. A pressure regulating unit has a seat and a regulation valve (17) to establish a flow of leakage of steam from the interior of the chamber toward the exterior of the appliance. The lid has a control unit (20) to control release of pressure in the chamber by lifting the valve. The control unit is removable from the lid when the lid is separated from the vessel. The control unit is supported against an abutment (10) of the vessel in a decompression position when the lid is fixed on the vessel.