Split electric rice cooker with weighing device and press cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing split electric rice cookers lack a mechanism to ensure proper matching between the base and cooker body, leading to mismatch issues that affect normal usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a weighing function with a base-mounted weighing device and cantilever weighing portion, supported by a support leg, which allows the base to accurately weigh the cooker body and ensure proper fitting through a press cover that shields the weighing sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a weighing device is added to the base to enable matching recognition, then the reliability of base-cooker body matching is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical matching recognition mechanisms with a weighing device that uses electrical/electronic weight sensing. The base incorporates a weighing sensor that electronically detects the weight of the cooker body, automatically determining compatibility without requiring complex mechanical interlocks or manual verification procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing device acts as an intermediary between the base and cooker body, providing an indirect method of verification. Instead of direct mechanical engagement checks, the system uses weight measurement as a mediator to infer compatibility, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the weighing sensor is exposed for functional access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the weighing sensor is vulnerable to damage and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing sensor is nested within the base structure, specifically integrated into the weighing-device mounting groove. This nested arrangement allows the sensor to be functionally accessible (the base can still weigh the cooker body) while being physically protected within the housing, preventing direct exposure to damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure itself serves as an intermediary protective layer between the weighing sensor and the external environment. The sensor is embedded in the base, using the base's own structure as protection, while still maintaining its weighing function through the support leg mechanism that passes through the press cover.
3Reliability
If the press cover fully encloses the weighing-device mounting groove for protection, then the weighing sensor is protected, but the support leg cannot pass through and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The press cover is segmented with a specific clearance hole (press-cover clearance hole) that divides the cover into functional zones. This segmentation allows the support leg to pass through while the rest of the press cover maintains its protective enclosure, achieving both protection and functionality without requiring complex alternative structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the press cover completely enclosed and then adding complex mechanisms for support leg access, the design inverts the approach by intentionally leaving a clearance hole in the press cover. This simplifies the overall structure by accepting that full enclosure is not necessary, as the weighing sensor remains protected within the base's mounting groove while the support leg freely passes through the designated opening.
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 enables accurate matching of the base and cooker body, enhances the stability and reliability of the split electric rice cooker, and protects the weighing sensor while providing a compact and aesthetically pleasing design.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing device provided in the weighing-device mounting groove, and including a weighing sensor and a support leg connected to the weighing sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A split electric rice cooker includes: a base (100) provided with a weighing-device mounting groove (120) at a bottom thereof; a cooker body configured to rest on the base (100) and separable with respect to the base (100); a weighing device (500) provided in the weighing-device mounting groove (120), the weighing device (500) comprising a weighing sensor (510) and a support leg (520); a press cover (600) provided to the bottom of the base (100) and shielding the weighing-device mounting groove (120), the press cover (600) being provided with a press-cover clearance hole (601) for the support leg (520) to pass downwards, and the support leg (520) being connected to the weighing sensor (510); or the support leg (520) being integrally provided to the press cover (600) and able to push the weighing sensor (520) along with deformation of the press cover.