Coupling system of a removable visor for a pressure cooker

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure cookers with fixed transparent visors pose safety risks due to material dilation and stress under heat and pressure, making them difficult to clean and reassemble correctly, leading to potential malfunctions and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A removable visor coupling system using a non-toxic elastomer material sleeve with micro sealing rings and a flat glass component, designed for safe and efficient mounting and sealing within the pressure cooker lid, eliminating the need for metal fasteners and adhesives, and ensuring proper alignment and sealing to prevent pressure leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed transparent visors are used in pressure cookers, then users can view the cooking process, but material dilation and stress under heat and pressure cause safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The visor is divided into separate components: a glass viewing panel and a removable sealing ring, allowing the sealing function to be independently maintained and replaced without compromising the viewing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring is designed to be removable and replaceable, transforming a static fixed visor into a dynamic system where the sealing component can be maintained independently to ensure safety under varying thermal and pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If fixed transparent visors are used in pressure cookers, then users can view the cooking process, but cleaning and reassembly become difficult and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The visor assembly is segmented into the glass panel and removable sealing ring, enabling the sealing ring to be detached for cleaning without removing the entire visor assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring can be easily removed and reattached by users without specialized tools or knowledge, enabling simple maintenance and cleaning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If metal fasteners or adhesives are used to secure the visor, then the visor is firmly fixed, but material dilation causes cracks and tension under heat and pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring made of elastomeric material provides a flexible sealing solution that can accommodate thermal expansion and pressure variations without cracking, replacing rigid metal fasteners and adhesives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The visor assembly combines glass (for viewing) with elastomeric material (for sealing), creating a composite structure where each material performs its optimal function while resisting the effects of heat and pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of repair

If the visor is made removable for cleaning, then maintenance becomes easier, but proper alignment and sealing may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring has an asymmetric cross-section with a唇 (lip) structure that provides directional insertion, ensuring proper alignment and orientation when reattaching the visor assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring's design with integrated lip and sealing surfaces enables users to achieve proper alignment and sealing through simple snap-fit installation without requiring specialized tools or precision alignment skills

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution provides a safe and efficient way to maintain and clean pressure cookers, reducing user risk and ensuring proper sealing, while allowing for faster and more uniform heating, and meeting safety and quality standards.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomer material sleeve (5) and a part of flat glass (2)... The elastomer material sleeve (5) is designed to seal and prevent any possibility of leakage, escape and/or loss of pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the metals when heated become dilated and may cause cracks and guts between materials... eliminating the need for metal fasteners and adhesives

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10455976B2Coupling system of a removable visor for a pressure cooker

Publication Date: 2019.10.29

AI summary

This utility model belongs to the technological sector of housewares and refers specifically to a coupling system of a visor for a pressure cooker that can be removed for cleaning and safely reassembled by the user without safety risks for the user. In summary, the developed solution consists basically of an elastomer material sleeve and a flat glass part. The arrangement of the parts of the visor coupling system still has the differential of avoiding the user to reverse the visor at the time of reassembly. It also features as a differential the use of grips of the elastomer to dismiss the use of screws, nuts, vulcanization, etc. to couple and seal the visor when performing the tightness of the pressure cooker.