Enhanced Kitchen Appliance Positioning System
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved device and base unit for efficiently positioning kitchen appliances on a working surface, addressing limitations in prior art solutions.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent relates to a device for positioning a kitchen appliance on a working surface. However, the existing solution has limitations, such as inefficient displacement and noise during operation. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing adjustable stamp-shaped foot units, gear mechanisms, and sensor systems to enable efficient, precise, and quiet positioning of heavy kitchen appliances.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced kitchen appliance positioning system consists of a device with a displacement element featuring adjustable stamp-shaped foot units, which provide improved stability and grip on the working surface. The gear mechanism is designed for high-torque applications, enabling efficient positioning of heavy kitchen appliances. Additionally, the system incorporates a sensor system for detecting the position and orientation of the kitchen appliance, ensuring high-accuracy detection and precise positioning. The base unit further comprises a linear drive and an electric motor with a high-torque gearbox, facilitating rapid adjustment and low-vibration operation.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces the combination of adjustable stamp-shaped foot units, gear mechanisms, and sensor systems, which provides a significant improvement over the prior art solutions. The high-torque gear mechanism and electric motor with a high-torque gearbox enable efficient and rapid positioning, while the sensor system ensures precise detection and orientation of the kitchen appliance.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include different shapes and sizes of the stamp-shaped foot units, varying gear mechanism designs, or the integration of additional sensors for enhanced detection capabilities. The base unit could also be adapted for use with various types of kitchen appliances or working surfaces.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced kitchen appliance positioning system has significant commercial potential in the kitchen appliance industry, particularly for high-end or commercial kitchen applications. The improved efficiency, precision, and quiet operation of the system make it an attractive solution for manufacturers and users seeking to optimize their kitchen workflows.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A47 | A47J47/16 |
| F | F16 | F16M11/045 |
| F | F16 | F16M11/046 |
| F | F16 | F16M11/08 |
| F | F16 | F16M11/18 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Mechanical engineering for kitchen appliance positioning systems, focusing on base units with displacement mechanisms for repositioning heavy kitchen equipment on working surfaces
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A mechanical engineer with expertise in appliance design, mechanical positioning systems, gear mechanisms, and linear drive technologies, familiar with industrial design challenges in kitchen equipment mobility
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's core positioning device concept. The additional features like stamp-shaped foot units, sensor systems, and high-torque gear mechanisms are logical extensions of the original patent's fundamental approach to kitchen appliance mobility. These modifications represent standard design optimization techniques within the mechanical positioning system domain.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,118 |
|---|---|
| Title | Device for positioning a kitchen appliance, base unit including the device, and method of using the base unit |
| Assignee(s) | Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH |