Food Processor Vessel Locking With Cover-Actuated Control Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preparation appliances with sliding covers face issues such as scratches, manufacturing complexity, and increased costs due to high tolerances, while also compromising safety and ergonomics with complex start-up control mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A food preparation appliance design featuring a movable working container with a control rod and elastic elements that automatically lock the container in place, ensuring the cover does not need to slide to control the electric motor, enhancing safety and ergonomics by requiring continuous user input for motor operation and preventing incorrect assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cover slides relative to the working container to control the electric motor, then the motor control function is achieved, but scratches occur on the surfaces and the appearance quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
A control rod is introduced as an intermediary element between the cover and the working container. The control rod transmits the control movement from the cover to the switch without requiring direct sliding contact between the cover and container, thereby eliminating surface scratches while maintaining motor control functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the cover slides relative to the working container to control the electric motor, then the motor control function is achieved, but manufacturing tolerances must be increased and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod serves as a mediator that decouples the tight tolerance requirements between the cover and working container. By introducing this intermediate component, the system allows for more relaxed manufacturing tolerances on the main mating surfaces while still achieving precise control switch actuation.
3Ease of operation
If the cover slides relative to the working container to control the electric motor, then the motor control function is achieved, but impurities may slip between the two parts causing wedging
Solution Approach 1:
The control rod acts as a protected intermediary that transmits control force without requiring a continuous sliding interface between the cover and container. This reduces the risk of impurity infiltration and wedging, as the control rod can be sealed or protected within its housing.
4Reliability
If the working container is locked in the stop position when the control rod is not engaged with the lid, then incorrect assembly is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the cover to actively unlock the container, the system is inverted so that the container is locked by default and only unlocks when the control rod is properly engaged with the cover. This passive locking approach simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining safety.
5Reliability
If the elastic element pushes the working container from the operating position to the stop position, then automatic return is achieved improving safety, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element provides self-service by automatically returning the working container to the stop position without requiring additional actuators or control systems. This passive mechanical reset mechanism improves safety by ensuring the container returns to a safe state while adding minimal complexity.
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
Simplifies start-up control, improves safety and ergonomics by ensuring the cover is correctly mounted and preventing accidental cover removal during operation, while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic element arranged to be put under stress during the movement of control and push the working container from the operating position to the stop position
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention concerns a food preparation appliance comprising a support housing (10), an electric motor, a working vessel (20), at least one working tool (30), an internal switch, a cover (50), the working vessel (20) mounted on the support housing (10) being movable relative to the support housing (10) from a stop position to an operating position, in order to control the internal switch, when a control movement is triggered by a user. According to the invention, the appliance comprises a control rod (60) arranged to engage with the cover (50) during the movement of mounting the cover (50) on the working vessel (20), and the control rod (60), engaged with the cover (50) mounted on the working vessel (20), is arranged to be moved by the cover (50) in order to control the internal switch, during the control movement of the working vessel (20).