Food Processor Accessory Storage Structure for Plunger Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household food preparation appliances with motorized accessories face challenges in compact storage and stability during handling, leading to bulkiness and potential accidents when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A compact food preparation accessory design featuring a support element with a notch and arms that can be mounted below the chute in an operating position, providing stability and minimizing forces on other support points, along with a drive member that simplifies cleaning and force distribution, allowing for a compact storage configuration and secure handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the support element is designed to remain below the chute in operating position, then forces are transmitted efficiently to the support element, but the accessory becomes bulky in storage configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmissionVSAvoidstorage bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is designed to change its position dynamically - it occupies a first position during operation to transmit forces, and a second, more compact position during storage. This dynamic repositioning allows the same component to satisfy both force transmission requirements and storage compactness requirements at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support element is divided into multiple parts including arms and a crosspiece that can be repositioned independently. The arms can be folded or repositioned relative to the crosspiece, allowing the structure to compact for storage while maintaining structural integrity for force transmission during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the support element is positioned to minimize forces on other support points, then stability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessory stabilityVSAvoidsupport element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element transitions between operational and storage positions dynamically, allowing it to optimize force distribution during operation while compacting for storage. This dynamic behavior provides stability during use without requiring a permanently complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functions are merged into the support element - it provides force transmission, structural stability, and storage compactness through its reconfigurable design. The arms and crosspiece work together as an integrated system that achieves stability through their coordinated arrangement rather than through separate stabilizing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of stationary object

If the pusher is retained by the support element in storage position, then the accessory becomes more compact, but handling becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage bulkVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support element dynamically changes position between operation and storage modes. During storage, it automatically retains the pusher in a compact position. During operation, the support element moves to its operational position, automatically releasing the pusher for easy handling. This dynamic behavior provides both compact storage and ease of operation without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2785230B1Food preparation accessory presenting a storage design
Publication Date: 2016.02.03 SEB SA
  • EP2785230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2785230B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2785230B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an accessory (2) for an electrical food preparation appliance, said accessory comprising a supporting element (30) carrying an accessory body (40) forming a housing (41) intended to receive a rotating work tool (3), said accessory body (40) comprising a chute (42) communicating with said housing (41), said chute (42) presenting an opening for introducing food (43) and suitable for receiving a plunger (44). According to the invention, the supporting element (30) can be mounted on the accessory body (40) in a storage position whereby the plunger (44), housed in the chute (42), is held in place by the supporting element (30). The invention also relates to an electrical food preparation appliance comprising a motorised unit assembled with an aforementioned accessory (2).