Food Processor Vessel Locking for Precise Lid Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated food processors face challenges in precisely aligning and locking the cooking vessel relative to the receptacle, leading to potential misalignment and instability during operation, especially under high forces generated by the agitator or heating.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of positive locking means on both the cooking vessel and the locking part, which interact to predetermine a specific rotational angle orientation, allowing for a controlled range of rotation (0.5 to 5 degrees) and ensuring precise alignment, with the locking part being rotatable about an axis and featuring a support area and radially offset edges for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid is locked to the cooking vessel using conventional locking parts, then the lid is secured against the vessel, but misalignment and instability occur during operation under high forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing form-fitting means on both the cooking vessel and locking part that predetermine the rotational angle orientation before the locking operation is completed. The form-fitting means engage in advance to establish the correct angular relationship, ensuring proper alignment is achieved before the locking part fully secures the lid to the vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical alignment methods with a form-fitting engagement system that uses geometric complementary shapes on the cooking vessel and locking part. This form-fitting mechanism automatically establishes the correct rotational angle through physical interlocking, substituting for traditional mechanical alignment procedures.
2Ease of operation
If the cooking vessel is allowed to rotate freely in the receptacle, then ease of insertion is improved, but precise rotational angle alignment cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The form-fitting means are designed to automatically engage and predetermine the rotational angle orientation as the cooking vessel is inserted into the receptacle. This preliminary engagement occurs during the insertion process itself, eliminating the need for separate alignment steps while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The form-fitting means on the cooking vessel and locking part create a self-aligning system that automatically establishes the correct rotational angle orientation without requiring external intervention or complex adjustment mechanisms. The geometric complementary shapes guide the alignment automatically during insertion.
3Strength
If the locking part is made rigid for strong locking, then locking strength is improved, but accommodation of angular deviations and tolerance compensation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the locking part rotatable about an axis of rotation, allowing it to adapt its angular position dynamically. The form-fitting means maintain a predetermined rotational angle orientation while the locking part can rotate to accommodate angular deviations and tolerance variations, combining rigidity for strength with rotational flexibility for adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the locking part by allowing rotation about an axis, enabling the locking mechanism to adjust its orientation. This parameter change allows the rigid locking part to accommodate angular deviations while maintaining locking strength through the form-fitting engagement that predetermines the optimal rotational angle.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically operated food processor (1) with a cooking vessel (6) and a lid (10) for the cooking vessel (6), the lid (10) being lockable in the closed position against the cooking vessel (6), furthermore: Cooking vessel (6) has a cooking vessel base and a vessel wall (12) extending upwards from the base, the vessel wall (12) merging into a radially projecting vessel edge (13), the lid (10) further having a lid edge (16), which in the closed position lies in overlap with the edge of the vessel (16), the lock being further formed from a locking part (17) which is designed to grip over the lid (10) and which can be turned from a release position into the locking position by rotating about an axis (y). and vice versa can be moved, the locking part (17) being elongated in the direction of extension of the axis (y) and in the locking position reaching under the edge of the vessel (13) and over the edge of the lid (16). In order to improve the allocation position of the cooking vessel in the receptacle of the food processor, it is proposed that a specific rotation angle orientation of the cooking vessel (6) relative to the locking part (17) is achieved by positive locking means (28) formed on the cooking vessel (6) and the locking part (17). 29) is specified.