Pressure Cooker Lid Locking Mechanism With Integrated Control Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure cookers require complex manufacturing, are prone to clogging, demand user dexterity, and compromise aesthetics due to external abutments and design constraints in their locking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A pressure cooking appliance with a locking mechanism where engagement means are integrated with the control member, allowing for simultaneous locking and unlocking through a central, compact mechanism, reducing external components and enhancing user accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external abutments are used on the cover for locking mechanism control, then the locking function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control function into the control member itself, eliminating the need for separate external abutments on the cover. The control member integrates both the gripping part for user operation and the stopping means for locking control, reducing the number of external components and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the locking function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If external abutments are used on the cover for locking mechanism control, then the locking function is achieved, but the cover becomes difficult to clean due to hollow contours and orifices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidcleanability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control function is merged into the control member, eliminating external abutments and their associated hollow contours and orifices on the cover. This integration removes the cleaning difficulty while preserving the locking function through the integrated stopping means on the control member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the control member requires dexterity for operation, then the locking control is precise, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking control precisionVSAvoiduser dexterity requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control member is designed to be self-explanatory and self-guiding through its integrated structure. The gripping part and stopping means are configured so that the user's natural grasping and rotating actions automatically engage the locking control without requiring specialized dexterity or attention. The design serves itself by making the operation intuitive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If engagement means are distributed on the control member, then the locking mechanism is robust, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism robustnessVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple engagement functions into a single integrated control member. The gripping part and stopping means are merged into one component rather than being separate, reducing the number of parts while maintaining robust locking through the coordinated action of these integrated features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2732736B1Appliance for cooking food under pressure comprising an improved control device
Publication Date: 2015.09.09 SEB SA
  • EP2732736B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2732736B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2732736B1 patent drawingFigure 6~11

AI summary

The apparatus has a control unit (15) for controlling locking/unlocking of a lid on a container and extending between unlocking and locking positions. The unit is mounted on the lid to move a locking mechanism into the unlocking and locking positions for locking/unlocking of the lid. The mechanism includes a reception unit to engage with an engagement unit (20) such that the engagement unit causes the displacement of the mechanism from the locking position to the unlocking position during the movement of the control unit from the locking position to the unlocking position.