Vertical locking mechanism on household appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors require a cumbersome double movement for locking the appliance to the motor block, which complicates the connection process and makes it time-consuming and difficult to handle.
Innovation Solution
Retractable locking pins that move parallel to their longitudinal axis, allowing for vertical movement only during attachment and providing a 'click' feedback for secure locking, along with a pushbutton mechanism for easy release and improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bayonet locking system is used, then the appliance is securely locked to the motor block, but the connection process becomes cumbersome requiring both vertical and rotational movements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the appliance to rotate relative to the motor block during connection, the locking pins are designed to retract automatically during the vertical attachment movement. This inverts the conventional bayonet mechanism by eliminating the rotational component while maintaining secure locking through the retraction and engagement of pins during simple vertical placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pins are pre-positioned and designed to retract automatically when the appliance is vertically placed on the motor block. This preliminary positioning ensures that the locking action occurs automatically during the attachment process without requiring additional rotational movements from the user, thereby simplifying the connection operation while maintaining secure locking.
2Reliability
If a bayonet locking system requiring rotational movement is used, then secure locking is achieved, but the connection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is inverted from a rotational bayonet system to a vertical retraction system. The locking pins retract during the vertical attachment movement itself, converting the locking action into part of the primary attachment motion rather than a separate rotational step, thereby reducing connection time while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pins are pre-configured to retract automatically upon vertical placement of the appliance. This preliminary arrangement ensures that locking occurs simultaneously with attachment rather than requiring a separate rotational step, eliminating time loss associated with manual rotation and achieving quick secure connection.
3Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms with multiple movement components are used, then secure locking is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational movement component is extracted from the locking mechanism. By removing the bayonet rotation requirement and retaining only the essential locking function through retractable pins that engage during vertical attachment, the mechanism complexity is reduced while maintaining secure locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged with the vertical attachment movement. The retraction of locking pins occurs automatically during the same vertical motion used to attach the appliance to the motor block, combining two functions (attachment and locking) into a single motion sequence, thereby simplifying the overall mechanism.
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
Facilitates quick and easy connection of the appliance to the motor block, eliminates the need for a turning movement, enhances user feedback, and simplifies cleaning with smooth surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the locking pins are spring-loaded to engage with the locking slots
Implementation Method 2
using a magnet and a cooperating metal part that are provided at the pushbutton and at the appliance indicator, respectively
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a food processor with a motor block (1) and an appliance (3) being separable from the motor block (1) for what the motor block (1) has a connection section (2) and the appliance (3) has a connection region (4) corresponding with the connection section (2) and with locking pins (7) cooperating with locking slots (8) being situated at the connection section (2) or the connection region (4), respectively. The known food processors of this kind have the motor block (1) and the appliance (3) connected by locking mechanisms in the form of bayonet systems. To facilitate the handling when locking or releasing the appliance (3) to the motor block (1) it is proposed to provide locking pins (7) that are retractable from said locking slots (8). Accordingly the appliance (3) can be connected to or lifted from the motor block (1) without having to rotate it during this process. In a preferred embodiment the locking pins (7) are retracted by use of a pushbutton (10).