Kitchen appliance, assembly and accessory therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern kitchen appliances with vacuum pumps lack effective mechanisms to prevent damage from accidental suction of moisture or particles, which can impair the vacuum pump's operation and reduce its durability.
Innovation Solution
An accessory with a transparent transition portion and collection receptacle, combined with a floater mechanism, that allows users to monitor air flow and liquid accumulation, preventing liquid from entering the vacuum pump and providing additional safety through a visual indicator and automatic blockage of the intake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum pump is used in kitchen appliances, then vacuum sealing function is added to extend storage life, but the risk of moisture or particles entering the pump increases, impairing its operation and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transition portion as an intermediary component between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump. This transition portion includes a collection receptacle that captures moisture and particles before they can reach the vacuum pump, thereby protecting the pump while maintaining the vacuum sealing function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful elements (moisture and particles) from the air stream by introducing a collection receptacle in the transition portion. This receptacle separates and collects the harmful factors, preventing them from entering the vacuum pump while allowing the vacuum function to continue operating
2Loss of information
If the transition portion is made transparent, then users can monitor air flow and detect moisture or particles, but the structural complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies transparency (an optical property) to the transition portion to enable visual monitoring of the air flow and detected contaminants. This allows users to observe the vacuum process and detect issues without adding complex electronic sensing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent transition portion serves as an intermediary that provides visual information about the vacuum process. By making this component transparent, users can directly observe the air flow and any contaminants, eliminating the need for additional sensors or complex monitoring systems
3Reliability
If a collection receptacle is added to collect liquid, then the vacuum pump is protected from liquid damage, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the collection receptacle within the transition portion structure. The collection receptacle is integrated into the existing transition portion, utilizing the available space efficiently without requiring additional external components or significantly increasing the overall device footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The collection receptacle acts as an intermediary structure that intercepts and collects liquid before it can reach the vacuum pump. By positioning this receptacle in the transition portion, the patent provides liquid protection while maintaining a compact integrated design
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 the safety and durability of kitchen appliances by allowing users to monitor and control the vacuum process, preventing damage from moisture and particles, and ensuring the vacuum pump operates within safe parameters.
Implementation Method 1
a floater configured to swim on liquid contained in the collection receptacle and obstruct an intake of the power unit, in particular of the vacuum pump, when the collection receptacle contains a predetermined amount of liquid
Data Source
Figure 1~3c
Figure 4~6b
AI summary
Disclosed is an accessory 10, 10', 10", 10"', 10'''' for a kitchen appliance comprising a power unit 20, 20'''' with a vacuum pump. The accessory is connected or connectable with the vacuum pump and comprises a mouth element 11, 11', 11", 11'", 11"" configured to be joined to an object a vacuum is to be applied to. Moreover, the accessory comprises a transition portion 12, 12', 12", 12''', 12'''' configured to conduct air pumped, in operation of the vacuum pump, from said object through said mouth element to the vacuum pump. The transition portion 12, 12', 12", 12''', 12'''' is at least partially transparent. Further disclosed are an assembly comprising at least one such accessory 10, 10', 10", 10''', 10'''' and a power unit 20, 20"". Moreover, a kitchen appliance comprising such assembly and at least one tool is disclosed.