Pressure-Responsive Lid Locking Mechanism for Cooker Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances, particularly pressure cookers, face issues with complex and expensive closure mechanisms, potential for user injury due to high-pressure steam release, and inefficiencies from vent holes, which compromise safety and usability.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a locking mechanism that automatically becomes inoperable at high inner vessel pressures, featuring a resiliently compressible seal and a locking mechanism with a hook-shaped end to securely engage the lid, preventing opening during hazardous conditions, and allowing easy access and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is provided to secure the lid and prevent opening at high pressure, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safetyVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a locking member with a hook-shaped end portion on the lid, and a catch member on the vessel. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing robust safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism automatically responds to pressure changes without user intervention. The resiliently compressible seal member and locking mechanism work together to automatically lock the lid when pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold, eliminating the need for electronic sensors or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If vent holes are provided to alleviate pressure, then safety is improved, but heat and pressure loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure relief safetyVSAvoidheat and pressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism proactively prevents the harmful action of premature opening by automatically locking the lid when pressure reaches the predetermined threshold. This prevents the need for vent holes to relieve pressure, as the lid cannot be opened regardless of internal pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If complex closure mechanisms and safety valves are used, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components such as a resiliently compressible seal member and basic mechanical locking elements instead of expensive electronic control systems. These simple mechanical components are easy to manufacture and replace if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex electronic control systems with a purely mechanical locking mechanism that responds automatically to pressure changes. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for expensive electronics, sensors, and control circuitry while maintaining safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If electronic control systems are used for closure mechanisms, then precision control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure control precisionVSAvoidelectronic control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces electronic control systems with a mechanical pressure-responsive locking mechanism. The resiliently compressible seal member and locking mechanism automatically respond to pressure changes through mechanical means, eliminating the need for electronic sensors, microcontrollers, and power systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances user safety by preventing opening during potentially harmful pressures, simplifies construction and reduces costs, while maintaining operational efficiency by automatically switching between operable and inoperable states based on pressure levels.

Implementation Method 1

a resiliently compressible seal member interposed between said lid and said peripheral edge portion of said opening, so as to fluidly seal said vessel when said lid is in said closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

said cooking appliance is adapted to affect said locking mechanism into an inoperable state at an inner vessel pressure greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3766390B1Pressure safety closing system for pressure cooking appliance

Publication Date: 2022.11.09 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance comprises a pressure vessel, a lid, a locking mechanism comprising a locking member, and a resiliently compressible seal member. The cooking appliance is adapted to affect the locking mechanism into an inoperable state at an inner vessel pressure greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure when in a locked position.