A food processing device, comprising a jar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food processing devices face challenges in achieving a sealed engagement between vacuum conduits, which can lead to air leakage and potential damage during assembly, compromising the effectiveness of the vacuum mechanism.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates displaceable engaging ends for the first and second vacuum conduits, allowing for engagement only when correctly aligned, utilizing a driven actuator and resilient members to ensure secure connection and minimize risk of damage, with optional modular and flexible components for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spigot and socket joint is used to seal the vacuum conduits, then air leakage is prevented, but the risk of damage during assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealed engagementVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a displaceable engagement mechanism with a cushioning element that absorbs impact forces during assembly. The engaging end can move relative to the conduit body, allowing misaligned or forceful assembly attempts to be cushioned rather than causing damage to the spigot and socket joint. This prior cushioning protection maintains the reliability of the sealed engagement while reducing assembly damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the vacuum conduits are rigidly connected, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to assembly variations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic engagement system where the engaging end of the vacuum conduit can displace relative to the main conduit body. This displacement capability allows the rigid conduit structure to adapt to assembly variations and tolerances while maintaining structural stability during operation. The dynamic element provides flexibility during assembly but ensures rigidity when engaged, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and assembly adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the engaging ends are fixed in position, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation during assembly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement precisionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The displaceable engaging end allows operators to easily assemble the vacuum conduit system without requiring high precision alignment, while the engagement mechanism itself maintains precise sealing when connected. The dynamic displacement capability absorbs alignment tolerances during assembly, making operation easier, while the engaged position ensures manufacturing precision for the sealed connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary displaceable element between the fixed conduit body and the engaging end. This intermediary component absorbs the complexity of precision positioning, allowing the main conduit structure to remain simple and fixed while the intermediary element handles the precise engagement and sealing function, improving both ease of operation and maintaining engagement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution ensures a reliable sealed engagement between the vacuum conduits, reducing air leakage and risk of damage, while allowing for efficient operation and easy maintenance, maintaining the vacuum condition effectively during food processing.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member configured to bias the at least one engaging end of the first vacuum conduit and the second vacuum conduit to the outward position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3612064B1A food processing device, comprising a jar
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3612064B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3612064B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3612064B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a food processing device (100), comprising: a jar (10), a base unit (20), a vacuum mechanism (30) for sucking air from the jar (10), comprising a vacuum pump (31) arranged in the base unit (20) and a first vacuum conduit (32) extending through the base unit (20), and a lid (40) for covering the jar (10) and realizing air communication between the jar (10) and the base unit (20), wherein the vacuum mechanism (30) further comprises a second vacuum conduit (33) extending through the lid (40), wherein the respective vacuum conduits (32, 33) are engageable to each other through respective engaging ends (34, 35) thereof, and wherein at least one of the engaging ends (34, 35) of the respective vacuum conduits (32, 33) is displaceable between an outward position and a retracted position in the respective one of the base unit (20) and the lid (40).