Automatic can opener

Abstract

The invention provides an automatic can opener which comprises a cutter feeding and retracting assembly and a first shell, the cutter feeding and retracting assembly is arranged on the first shell, the first shell is provided with a stopping part, the cutter feeding and retracting assembly comprises a movable part, an idle wheel, a cutting wheel, an elastic part, an eccentric wheel and an eccentric seat, the movable part is provided with a cutting knife, the idle wheel is rotatably arranged on one side of the movable part, and the elastic part is arranged on the other side of the movable part. The eccentric wheel is arranged on the eccentric seat and is in transmission connection with the idle wheel, the eccentric seat is in transmission connection with the cutting knife, and the eccentric wheel can drive the eccentric seat to rotate forwards so as to shorten the distance between the cutting knife and the cutting wheel; the elastic piece is arranged on the eccentric wheel and rotates along with the eccentric wheel, one end of the elastic piece can abut against the stop part to drive the eccentric wheel to rotate reversely, and the eccentric wheel can rotate by a preset angle relative to the eccentric seat; a rigid gap between the cutting wheel and the cutting knife can be stably kept, and can opening reliability is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of can openers, and more specifically to an automatic can opener. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous maturation and advancement of dry cell and low-voltage, low-power rechargeable battery application technologies, electric can openers have transformed from their original high-power-dependent structural form to a new low-voltage-power-supply structure, offering significant advantages such as smaller footprint, lower cost, and higher energy efficiency.

[0003] In existing technologies, low-pressure electric can openers can open cans normally and retract the blade. However, it is difficult to maintain a rigid gap between the can opening cutting wheel and the cutting blade during the cutting process. This increases the gap between the cutting blade and the cutting wheel, which can lead to problems such as cutting failure, can jamming, iron filings from incomplete cutting entering the can and contaminating the food, or slippage during idling. These issues cause the can opener to malfunction and fail to complete the cutting task smoothly, thus affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic can opener that can stably maintain a rigid gap between the cutting wheel and the cutting blade and ensure reliable can opening.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an automatic can opener, comprising an advance / retractable blade assembly and a first housing. The advance / retractable blade assembly is disposed on the first housing, and the first housing is provided with a stop portion. The advance / retractable blade assembly includes a movable component, an idler wheel, a cutting wheel, an elastic component, an eccentric wheel, and an eccentric seat. A cutting blade is disposed on the movable component. The idler wheel is rotatably disposed on one side of the movable component. The eccentric wheel is disposed on the eccentric seat and is drivenly connected to the idler wheel. The eccentric seat is drivenly connected to the cutting blade. The eccentric wheel can drive the eccentric seat to rotate forward to reduce the distance between the cutting blade and the cutting wheel. The elastic component is disposed on the eccentric wheel and rotates with the eccentric wheel. One end of the elastic component can abut against the stop portion to drive the eccentric wheel to rotate in the opposite direction. The eccentric wheel can rotate relative to the eccentric seat by a preset angle.

[0006] As can be seen from the above scheme, during the feed, the idler wheel rotates counterclockwise to drive the eccentric wheel to rotate clockwise. The eccentric wheel drives the eccentric seat to rotate clockwise, thereby closing the distance between the cutting blade and the cutting wheel and achieving the feed purpose. At this time, the idler wheel continues to rotate counterclockwise, and the idler wheel and the eccentric wheel are in a slipping state. Because one end of the elastic element abuts against the stop and compresses and stores energy, the elastic element can drive the eccentric wheel to rotate in the opposite direction, so that the eccentric wheel can touch the idler wheel. Since the idler wheel continues to rotate counterclockwise, when the eccentric wheel contacts the idler wheel, it can drive the eccentric wheel to rotate clockwise again. Therefore, the eccentric wheel switches back and forth between clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. During this process, since the eccentric wheel can rotate relative to the eccentric seat by a preset angle, when the eccentric wheel rotates in the opposite direction by a preset angle, the eccentric seat remains fixed, and the distance between the cutting blade and the cutting wheel (i.e., the rigid gap) remains unchanged, so as to ensure the smooth completion of the cutting task. This invention, through its separate structure design of eccentric wheel and eccentric seat, can effectively maintain a constant distance between the cutting blade and the cutting wheel, while eliminating the need for special restrictions on the slippage speed of the eccentric wheel. This design is not only simple in structure but also stable and reliable in operation, significantly improving the operational performance and service life of the automatic can opener. A further design is to have a protrusion on the first side of the eccentric seat, and a groove on the eccentric wheel, with the protrusion located inside the groove and able to slide along the extension direction of the groove.

[0007] As can be seen from the above scheme, by cooperating with the protrusion and the slide, on the one hand, the eccentric wheel can drive the eccentric seat to rotate in both directions, and on the other hand, the eccentric wheel can rotate at a preset angle relative to the eccentric seat.

[0008] A further design involves making both the protrusion and the groove into arc-shaped structures, with the arc length of the groove being greater than that of the protrusion, so that there is a gap between the protrusion and the groove in their extending direction.

[0009] As can be seen from the above scheme, the gap setting is designed to allow sufficient space for the eccentric wheel to rotate relative to the eccentric seat, ensuring that the eccentric wheel will not drive the eccentric seat to rotate within the preset angle.

[0010] A further design involves providing an arc-shaped groove on the first housing, with a stop located at one end of the arc-shaped groove, allowing the elastic element to move back and forth within the groove.

[0011] A further design involves providing a toothed section, a mounting section, and a smooth toothed section on the peripheral wall of the eccentric wheel. The smooth toothed section and the mounting section are located at opposite ends of the toothed section. The toothed section can be connected to the idler wheel for transmission. There is a safe distance between the smooth toothed section and the idler wheel. An elastic element is located on the mounting section.

[0012] As can be seen from the above scheme, through the above settings, during the feed or retraction process, the idler wheel is connected to the toothed part to ensure that the eccentric wheel can be driven to rotate; in the feed cutting state, the idler wheel corresponds to the toothed part, so that the idler wheel and the eccentric wheel are in a slipping state, avoiding excessive feed.

[0013] A further design involves providing a guide groove on the first housing, with the movable component positioned within the guide groove; and providing an eccentric portion on the second side of the eccentric seat, which drives the movable component to move linearly.

[0014] As can be seen from the above scheme, through the above settings, the eccentric part provides power to the moving part, so that the moving part moves linearly along the length direction of the guide groove.

[0015] A further option is that the tool advance and retraction assembly also includes a double-ring component, which is set on the movable part and connected to the eccentric part. The double-ring component converts the rotational motion of the eccentric seat into the linear motion of the movable part.

[0016] A further design includes a feed / retractor assembly that also includes a drive wheel and a spindle. Both the drive wheel and the cutting wheel are mounted on the spindle, with the drive wheel driving the cutting wheel to rotate via the spindle. The idler wheel includes a drive wheel and a driven wheel, with the drive wheel being connected to the drive wheel and the driven wheel being connected to the eccentric wheel.

[0017] A further design involves a first housing having a support section, with the middle of the main shaft inserted into the support section, the drive wheel located on the first side of the support section, and the eccentric wheel and eccentric seat both located on the second side of the support section.

[0018] As can be seen from the above scheme, the main shaft is supported by the support part to avoid the main shaft position from shifting and to ensure that the eccentric wheel always rotates in a constant position.

[0019] A further option is that the automatic can opener also includes a drive assembly, which is mounted on the first housing and is connected to the pusher assembly via a transmission connection. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram from a first perspective of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram from a second perspective of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Sectional view at point AA.

[0024] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the moving part and the first housing in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram from a first-view perspective of the retraction state of the tool advance and retraction assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the tool advance and retraction assembly in the retraction state from a second perspective in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the eccentric seat and the moving part in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of the eccentric seat and eccentric wheel in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 10 This is an exploded view of the eccentric seat and eccentric wheel in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a top view of the tool advance and retraction assembly in the tool advance state in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 12 This is a top view of the tool retraction state of the tool advance and retraction assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the instruction manual: 1-First housing, 11-Guide groove, 12-Support part, 121-Annular support part, 122-Support center hole, 13-Arc groove, 14-Stop part; 2-Moving part, 21-Allowing hole, 22-Flange, 23-Moving groove; 3-Idler wheel, 31-Drive wheel, 32-Driven wheel; 4-Elastic element; 5-Eccentric wheel, 51-Slide groove, 511-First slide groove, 52-Second center hole, 53-Tooth part, 54-Mounting part, 55-Smooth tooth part; 6-Eccentric seat, 61-Protrusion, 62-Annular flange, 63-Eccentric part; 7-Cut blade; 8-Cutting wheel; 9-Double ring part, 91-First ring part, 92-Second ring part; 10-Drive wheel; 20 - Spindle. Detailed Implementation

[0034] See Figures 1 to 7The automatic can opener provided in this embodiment includes a first housing 1, a second housing (not shown in the figure), a blade advance / retract assembly, and a drive assembly (not shown in the figure). The blade advance / retract assembly and the drive assembly are both disposed between the first housing 1 and the second housing; the drive assembly includes a motor and a transmission gear set, and the motor is connected to the blade advance / retract assembly through the transmission gear set to realize blade advance and retraction.

[0035] The first housing 1 is provided with a guide groove 11, a support portion 12, an arc-shaped groove 13, and a stop portion 14. The guide groove 11 and the arc-shaped groove 13 are both located on the first side of the support portion 12. The support portion 12 is provided with an annular support portion 121 and a support center hole 122 penetrating the annular support portion 121. The support center hole 122 communicates with the guide groove 11, and a sleeve is installed inside the support center hole 122. The guide groove 11 and the arc-shaped groove 13 are arranged and communicate along the axial direction of the support center hole 122. The stop portion 14 is located at one end of the arc-shaped groove 13 in the extending direction.

[0036] The feed and retraction assembly includes a moving part 2, an idler wheel 3, an elastic part 4, an eccentric wheel 5, an eccentric seat 6, a cutting blade 7, a cutting wheel 8, a double ring part 9, a drive wheel 10, and a spindle 20.

[0037] The central part of the main shaft 20 is rotatably inserted into the support center hole 122 and then into the sleeve. The drive wheel 10, eccentric wheel 5, eccentric seat 6, and cutting wheel 8 are all mounted on the main shaft 20. The eccentric wheel 5 and eccentric seat 6 are both mounted on the first side of the support portion 12, and the eccentric seat 6 is sleeved on the outer side of the annular support portion 121. The drive wheel 10 is mounted on the second side of the support portion 12, and the drive wheel 10 is meshed with the transmission gear of the drive assembly. The drive wheel 10 drives the cutting wheel 8 to rotate via the main shaft 20.

[0038] The movable part 2 is disposed within the guide groove 11 and can move linearly along the length of the guide groove 11. The cutting blade 7 is disposed on the movable part 2 and moves linearly with the movable part 2. A clearance hole 21 is provided on the movable part 2, and the main shaft 20 is disposed within the clearance hole 21.

[0039] The idler wheel 3 is rotatably disposed on one side of the movable part 2. The idler wheel 3 includes a drive wheel 31 and a driven wheel 32. The drive wheel 10 is connected to the drive wheel 31 in a transmission manner, and the driven wheel 32 is connected to the eccentric wheel 5 in a transmission manner.

[0040] The eccentric wheel 5 is mounted on the eccentric seat 6. The eccentric wheel 5 is connected to the idler wheel 3, and the eccentric seat 6 is connected to the cutting blade 7.

[0041] The idler wheel 3 can drive the eccentric wheel 5 to rotate in both directions, which in turn drives the eccentric seat 6 to rotate in both directions. When the eccentric seat 6 rotates in the forward direction, it can bring the cutting blade 7 and the cutting wheel 8 closer together, realizing the cutting operation; when the eccentric seat 6 rotates in the reverse direction, it can increase the distance between the cutting blade 7 and the cutting wheel 8, realizing the cutting operation. In this embodiment, the forward rotation is clockwise rotation, and the reverse rotation is counterclockwise rotation.

[0042] The elastic element 4 is positioned tangentially to the eccentric wheel 5 and can move back and forth within the arc-shaped groove 13. When the eccentric wheel 5 rotates forward, one end of the elastic element 4 abuts against the stop part 14, at which point the elastic element 4 is compressed and stores energy. The compressed elastic element 4 can drive the eccentric wheel 5 to rotate in the opposite direction. At this time, the eccentric wheel 5 can rotate a preset angle relative to the eccentric seat 6 around its own axis. That is, during the process of the eccentric wheel 5 rotating in the opposite direction by a preset angle, the eccentric seat 6 remains stationary, ensuring that the distance between the cutting blade 7 and the cutting wheel 8 remains unchanged, i.e., the rigid gap between the two remains unchanged, ensuring that the automatic can opener can cut smoothly.

[0043] See Figures 8 to 10 The eccentric seat 6 has a first mating part and two protrusions 61 on its first side. The first mating part is located at the center of the eccentric seat 6, and the two protrusions 61 are respectively located on both sides of the first mating part. The first mating part can be a first central hole or an annular flange 62, and the latter is preferred in this embodiment. The protrusions 61 extend in an arc shape and are coaxially arranged with the annular flange 62.

[0044] The eccentric wheel 5 is provided with a second mating part and two sliding grooves 51. The second mating part is located at the center of the eccentric wheel 5 and is connected to the first mating part. When the first mating part is an annular flange 62, the second mating part is a second central hole 52. The two sliding grooves 51 are respectively located on both sides of the second central hole 52, and the sliding grooves 51 extend in an arc shape and are coaxial with the second central hole 52. The extension length of the sliding groove 51 is greater than the extension length of the protrusion 61, that is, the arc length of the sliding groove 51 is greater than the arc length of the protrusion 61, so that there is a gap between the protrusion 61 and the sliding groove 51 in its extension direction, and the protrusion 61 can slide in the sliding groove 51 along the extension direction of the sliding groove 51.

[0045] The eccentric wheel 5 has a toothed portion 53, a mounting portion 54, and a smooth toothed portion 55 on its peripheral wall. The mounting portion 54 and the smooth toothed portion 55 are respectively located at both ends of the toothed portion 53. The toothed portion 53 can mesh with the idler wheel 3. There is a safe distance between the smooth toothed portion 55 and the idler wheel 3. In this embodiment, the smooth toothed portion 55 refers to the surface area on the eccentric wheel 5 that has not been cut to have a tooth profile curved surface for meshing or transmission. When the eccentric wheel 5 rotates until the smooth toothed portion 55 corresponds to the idler wheel 3, the idler wheel 3 disengages from the eccentric wheel 5 and slippage occurs.

[0046] The mounting portion 54 extends tangentially along the eccentric wheel 5. The first end of the elastic member 4 is disposed on the mounting portion 54, and the second end of the elastic member 4 extends tangentially along the eccentric wheel 5. The elastic member 4 is preferably a compression spring. When the eccentric wheel 5 rotates in the forward direction, the second end of the elastic member 4 can abut against the stop portion 14.

[0047] Combination Figure 8 and Figure 9 and combined Figure 2 The first housing 1 is provided with a guide groove 11, the length direction of which is parallel to the line connecting the cutting blade 7 and the cutting wheel 8.

[0048] The movable part 2 is disposed in the guide groove 11 and slides along the length of the guide groove 11. The movable part 2 is provided with a flange 22 and a movable groove 23, and the flange 22 is disposed at the opening of the movable groove 23.

[0049] The double-ring component 9 is disposed on the movable component 2, and the double-ring component 9 is provided with a first ring portion 91 and a second ring portion 92. The first ring portion 91 is movably sleeved on the outside of the flange portion 22, and the second ring portion 92 is movably disposed in the movable groove 23.

[0050] An eccentric part 63 is provided on the second side of the eccentric seat 6, that is, the side facing away from the eccentric wheel 5. The eccentric part 63 is eccentrically positioned to the axis of the eccentric seat 6. The eccentric part 63 is disposed inside the second ring 92 and is connected to the second ring 92 for transmission, and is used to drive the linear movement of the moving part 2.

[0051] When the eccentric seat 6 rotates in both directions, the eccentric part 63 performs eccentric rotational motion, and the eccentric part 63 drives the movable part 2 to perform linear motion in the guide groove 11 through the double ring part 9.

[0052] See Figure 11 and combined Figure 5 As shown by the arrow in the figure, the idler wheel 3 rotates counterclockwise to drive the eccentric wheel 5 to rotate clockwise. The eccentric wheel 5 drives the eccentric seat 6 to rotate clockwise through the cooperation of the groove 51 and the protrusion 61, realizing the feed operation. When one end of the elastic element 4 abuts against the stop part 14, the elastic element 4 is compressed and stores energy. At this time, the idler wheel 3 acts on the tooth of the tooth part 53 closest to the tooth part 55. When the idler wheel 3 continues to rotate counterclockwise, at the moment when the idler wheel 3 separates from the tooth part 53, under the elastic force of the elastic element 4, the eccentric wheel 5 rotates in the opposite direction. Rotate until the toothed portion 53 contacts the idler wheel 3 again; during this process, since there is a sufficient gap between the slide groove 51 and the protrusion 61, the eccentric wheel 5 can rotate relative to the eccentric seat 6 by a preset angle. This preset angle is greater than or equal to the central angle between two adjacent teeth on the toothed portion 53, ensuring that when the tooth of the toothed portion 53 closest to the light toothed portion 55 contacts the idler wheel 3, the first groove wall 511 of the slide groove 51 and the end of the protrusion 61 have a gap or just contact, thus preventing the eccentric wheel 5 from driving the eccentric seat 6 to rotate in the opposite direction.

[0053] This embodiment uses a split structure design of eccentric wheel 5 and eccentric seat 6, and connects them with the groove 51 through the cooperation of the protrusion 61. This allows both to rotate synchronously and to rotate relative to each other when the cutting tool slips. This helps to ensure that the rigid gap between the cutting blade 7 and the cutting wheel 8 remains constant, thus ensuring smooth cutting.

[0054] See Figure 12 and combined Figure 5 As shown by the arrow in the figure, the idler wheel 3 rotates clockwise to drive the eccentric wheel 5 to rotate in the opposite direction. The eccentric wheel 5 drives the eccentric seat 6 to rotate in the opposite direction through the cooperation of the groove 51 and the protrusion 61, thereby realizing the tool retraction operation.

[0055] In summary, during the feed of the present invention, the idler wheel 3 rotates counterclockwise to drive the eccentric wheel 5 to rotate clockwise. The eccentric wheel 5 drives the eccentric seat 6 to rotate clockwise, thereby reducing the distance between the cutting blade 7 and the cutting wheel 8 and achieving the feed purpose. At this time, the idler wheel 3 continues to rotate counterclockwise, and the idler wheel 3 and the eccentric wheel 5 are in a slipping state. Since one end of the elastic element 4 abuts against the stop part 14 and compresses and stores energy, the elastic element 4 can drive the eccentric wheel 5 to rotate in the opposite direction, so that the eccentric wheel 5 can engage with the idler wheel. 3. Upon contact, since the idler wheel 3 maintains counterclockwise rotation, when the eccentric wheel 5 contacts the idler wheel 3, it can drive the eccentric wheel 5 to rotate forward again. Therefore, the eccentric wheel 5 switches back and forth between forward and reverse rotation. During this process, since the eccentric wheel 5 can rotate around its own axis relative to the eccentric seat 6 by a preset angle, when the eccentric wheel 5 rotates in the reverse direction by a preset angle, the eccentric seat 6 remains fixed, so that the distance (i.e., rigid gap) between the cutting blade 7 and the cutting wheel 8 remains unchanged, ensuring that the cutting task is completed smoothly.

[0056] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic can opener, comprising an advance / retractable blade assembly and a first housing, the advance / retractable blade assembly being disposed on the first housing, the first housing being provided with a stop portion, the advance / retractable blade assembly comprising a movable component, an idler wheel, a cutting wheel, and an elastic component, the movable component being provided with a cutting blade, and the idler wheel being rotatably disposed on one side of the movable component, characterized in that: The advance and retraction blade assembly also includes an eccentric wheel and an eccentric seat. The eccentric wheel is disposed on the eccentric seat and is drivenly connected to the idler wheel. The eccentric seat is drivenly connected to the cutting blade. The eccentric wheel can drive the eccentric seat to rotate in the forward direction to shorten the distance between the cutting blade and the cutting wheel. The elastic element is disposed on the eccentric wheel and rotates with the eccentric wheel. One end of the elastic element can abut against the stop part to drive the eccentric wheel to rotate in the opposite direction. The eccentric wheel can rotate relative to the eccentric seat by a preset angle.

2. The automatic can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first side of the eccentric seat is provided with a protrusion, and the eccentric wheel is provided with a sliding groove. The protrusion is disposed in the sliding groove and can slide along the extension direction of the sliding groove.

3. The automatic can opener according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both the protrusion and the groove are designed as arc-shaped structures, and the arc length of the groove is greater than the arc length of the protrusion, so that there is a gap between the protrusion and the groove in its extending direction.

4. The automatic can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first housing is provided with an arc-shaped groove, the stop is provided at one end of the arc-shaped groove, and the elastic element can move back and forth in the arc-shaped groove.

5. The automatic can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that: The eccentric wheel has a toothed portion, a mounting portion, and a smooth toothed portion on its peripheral wall. The smooth toothed portion and the mounting portion are respectively located at both ends of the toothed portion. The toothed portion can be connected to the idler wheel for transmission. There is a safe distance between the smooth toothed portion and the idler wheel. The elastic element is located on the mounting portion.

6. The automatic can opener according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first housing is provided with a guide groove, and the movable part is disposed in the guide groove; An eccentric part is provided on the second side of the eccentric seat, and the eccentric part is used to drive the moving part to move linearly.

7. The automatic can opener according to claim 6, characterized in that: The feed and retraction tool assembly also includes a double-ring component, which is disposed on the movable component and connected to the eccentric part. The double-ring component converts the rotational motion of the eccentric seat into the linear motion of the movable component.

8. The automatic can opener according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The feed and retraction assembly also includes a drive wheel and a spindle. Both the drive wheel and the cutting wheel are mounted on the spindle. The drive wheel drives the cutting wheel to rotate via the spindle. The idler wheel includes a drive wheel and a driven wheel. The drive wheel is connected to the drive wheel, and the driven wheel is connected to the eccentric wheel.

9. The automatic can opener according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first housing is provided with a support portion, the middle part of the main shaft is inserted into the support portion, the drive wheel is provided on the first side of the support portion, and the eccentric wheel and the eccentric seat are both provided on the second side of the support portion.

10. The automatic can opener according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The automatic can opener also includes a drive assembly, which is disposed on the first housing and is connected to the advance and retraction blade assembly.

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