Pressure Cooker Lid Locking Handle With Retractable Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure cookers have a voluminous central knob that serves as both a locking mechanism and a handle, leading to compactness issues during storage and washing, and poses a risk of the user lifting the entire utensil instead of just the lid, which can result in mechanical stress and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A control member that moves between a deployed position for manual handling when the lid is unlocked and a retracted position that is more difficult to grasp when the lid is locked, preventing the user from lifting the entire utensil and reducing mechanical stress on the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a voluminous central knob is used for locking/unlocking control, then the user can easily grasp the lid, but the utensil becomes difficult to store and wash, and the user may mistakenly lift the entire utensil
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is designed to move between a retracted position (when the lid is locked) and a deployed position (when the lid is unlocked). This dynamic transformation allows the control member to be voluminous only when needed for operation, and compact when not needed, resolving the contradiction between ease of grasping and storage compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The control member is segmented into a fixed portion attached to the lid and a movable portion that can be retracted or deployed. This segmentation allows the grasping function to be separated from the locking function, enabling the control member to provide a handhold only when the lid is unlocked
2Ease of operation
If a voluminous central knob is used for locking/unlocking control, then the user can easily grasp the lid, but the locking mechanism is subjected to considerable mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The control member's movable portion is designed to be retractable, providing a handhold only when the lid is unlocked. When the lid is locked, the control member is retracted and cannot be used to lift the utensil, thereby preventing mechanical stress on the locking mechanism while maintaining ease of operation when needed
3Ease of operation
If the control member is always accessible, then the user can easily handle the lid, but the user may mistakenly lift the entire utensil instead of just the lid
Solution Approach 1:
The control member automatically changes its accessibility based on the locking state. When the lid is locked, the movable portion is retracted and becomes inaccessible, preventing mistaken lifting. When the lid is unlocked, the movable portion deploys to provide easy handling. This dynamic behavior ensures safety without compromising operability
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a utensil for cooking food under pressure, which utensil comprises firstly a vessel and a lid and secondly a control member (6) for controlling locking/unlocking of the lid relative to the vessel, said utensil being characterized in that said control member (6) is mounted to move on the lid between firstly a deployed position corresponding to the lid being unlocked, and in which said control member (6) is designed to be taken hold of manually in order to enable the lid to be handled, and secondly a retracted position corresponding to the lid being locked and in which said control member is designed to be more difficult to take hold of manually than it is in the deployed position. Utensils for cooking food under pressure.