Adjustable food processing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blenders often fail to achieve a smooth and consistent texture when blending non-liquid food items due to them sticking to the container walls, leading to unblended portions and requiring unsafe or cumbersome user interventions to rectify.
Innovation Solution
A vertically adjustable rotating metal blade mechanism that allows the blade to be moved up and down within the container while in operation, with a buffer mechanism to prevent abrasion and a sealing system to maintain a low-friction fluidic seal, enabling more even blending and preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the blade is fixed at the bottom of the container, then the structure is simple and stable, but non-liquid food items stick to the container walls and evade the blade, resulting in unblended portions and choppy texture
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is made movable along the vertical axis instead of being fixed, allowing it to be dynamically adjusted to different heights. This enables the blade to process food items at various levels within the container, preventing food from evading the blade by sticking to walls, and ensuring consistent blending throughout the entire food volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The blending process is divided into multiple stages by moving the blade to different vertical positions. The blade can process food at the bottom level, then be raised to process food at intermediate and upper levels, effectively segmenting the blending operation to ensure all food portions are uniformly processed.
2Ease of operation
If the user picks up the blender including container and base while the blade is in operation to shake the unit, then food manipulation is achieved, but upper body strength is required and user safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The blade's vertical adjustability allows food manipulation without requiring the user to lift or shake the heavy blender assembly. The user can simply move the blade vertically to access and process food at different levels, making the operation safe and accessible to users of all strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade mechanism serves itself by being directly adjustable by the user without requiring the entire blender unit to be moved. The food processing function is self-sufficient through blade position changes, eliminating the need for user-intensive shaking or lifting actions.
3Reliability
If the blade is raised vertically towards the lid of the container, then blending coverage is improved, but the blade may abrade the lid of the container
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer mechanism is installed between the blade and the container lid to prevent direct contact. This buffer cushioning element allows the blade to be raised to high positions for improved blending coverage while preventing the blade from abrading or damaging the lid, thus protecting the container structure.
4Productivity
If the blade is vertically adjustable along the container, then blending efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases with buffer mechanism and sealing system
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical adjustability of the blade enables processing of food items at multiple height levels, significantly improving blending efficiency and ensuring uniform processing throughout the entire food volume. This dynamic positioning capability allows the blade to reach all portions of the food, making the increased mechanical complexity worthwhile for the productivity gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer mechanism provides protective cushioning between the blade and lid, preventing damage while allowing full vertical travel for optimal blending coverage. This cushioning element is a simple addition that enables the blade to reach maximum height without causing abrasion, justifying the minor increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable food processing system is provided comprising a food item container comprising a drive shaft sheath. The system may comprise an elongate shaft comprising a drive shaft cavity disposed therein, wherein a handling knob is disposed upon the elongate shaft, and the drive shaft cavity is disposed along a common vertical axis. Further, the system may comprise a drive mechanism comprising a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is shaped complimentary to a shape of the drive shaft cavity, and the drive shaft is disposed along the common vertical axis. The system may further comprise a lid comprising an aperture centered about the common vertical axis.