Electrically operable kitchen appliance with a rotary switch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated kitchen appliances with rotary switches have unstable setting positions that require manual holding, which can be inconvenient and inefficient for users, as they need to maintain the switch in these positions to operate the appliance effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an active means, such as an electromechanical agent, to generate an external holding force that temporarily stabilizes the turntable in unstable setting positions, allowing users to release manual control and enabling the appliance to operate automatically for predefined time intervals without constant user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unstable setting positions are used in the rotary switch, then the appliance can be operated in multiple modes, but the user must manually hold the turntable in position which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The active means (electromechanical agent) automatically maintains the turntable in the selected unstable setting position without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting the turntable position and activating the holding force automatically, freeing the user from manual holding while preserving multiple operating modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual holding system with an electromechanical active means. Instead of relying on friction or mechanical detents alone, an electromechanical agent (such as an electromagnetic actuator) is introduced to actively maintain the turntable position, substituting manual mechanical effort with automated electromechanical control.
2Device complexity
If manual holding is required for unstable positions, then device complexity remains low, but productivity decreases due to constant user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The active means operates autonomously to maintain the turntable position once selected. The system monitors its own state and automatically activates the holding force without requiring the user to continuously intervene, thereby reducing productivity loss while adding only minimal complexity through the electromechanical agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical agent is pre-positioned and ready to activate immediately when the turntable reaches an unstable setting position. This preliminary preparation allows the system to respond automatically without requiring user action during operation, improving productivity while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If unstable setting positions are implemented, then the appliance can function as intended, but safety is reduced as the turntable may slip from position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive mechanical position-maintaining mechanisms with an active electromechanical agent that can dynamically adjust and maintain holding force. This substitution provides more reliable position stability compared to passive mechanical means, preventing accidental slippage while preserving multiple setting positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates position detection feedback to determine when the turntable is in an unstable setting position. Based on this feedback, the active means automatically activates or adjusts the holding force, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures position stability. This feedback mechanism prevents accidental slippage while maintaining the versatility of multiple setting positions.
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
This solution enhances user-friendliness by allowing users to perform other tasks while the appliance operates automatically, improving efficiency and safety by ensuring the appliance automatically switches off or returns to a stable position upon power failure.
Implementation Method 1
the kitchen appliance has an active means for generating an external holding force by which the turntable can be temporarily held in one or more unstable set positions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically operable kitchen appliance comprising a rotary switch (1) which has a rotary disk (3), the rotary switch (1) having two or more setting positions for the rotary disk (3), one or more setting positions of which unstable adjustment positions for the turntable (3) are set up, in which or in which the turntable (3) can remain temporarily under the influence of an external holding force. It is provided that the kitchen appliance has an active means (6) for generating an external holding force, by means of which the turntable (3) can be temporarily held in one or more unstable setting positions. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a special rotary switch in an electrically operable kitchen appliance. The user-friendliness of the kitchen appliance can be improved by the invention because a user no longer has to manually hold the turntable (3) in the unstable position or positions.