Adjustable Rotating Blade Assembly With Lockable Cutting Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for cutting, peeling, and slicing fruits and vegetables lack the ability to adjust and secure the cutting assembly at desired angles, limiting versatility and efficiency in food preparation.
Innovation Solution
A rotating blade assembly with a handle and frame, secured by a shaft or pin assembly, allowing the blade assembly to be adjusted and fixed at various angles for efficient cutting, peeling, and slicing, and enabling easy substitution of different blade configurations for various food products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed blade assembly is used in existing cutting devices, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot be adjusted to cut at different angles or positions
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is made dynamically adjustable through a rotation mechanism with indexing positions. The blade can be rotated to different angular positions (0°, 45°, 90°, etc.) and locked in place using a detent mechanism with springs and cam followers, transforming a static fixed blade into a dynamically adjustable cutting tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is segmented into modular components including the blade element, frame, rotation mechanism, and indexing system. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and enables the blade to be adjusted to different positions without affecting the overall device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cutting devices are used for different food products, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the user must maintain and switch between multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates universal blade assemblies that can be interchanged to handle different food products. The frame and mounting mechanism are designed to accommodate various blade types (slicing blades, peeling blades, grating blades) through standardized attachment points, allowing one device to perform multiple cutting functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly includes a quick-release mechanism with springs and detents that allows rapid substitution of different blade elements. Users can quickly switch between blade configurations without complex tools or procedures, maintaining ease of operation while achieving versatility across different food preparation tasks.
3Ease of operation
If the blade assembly is made adjustable and rotatable, then cutting can be performed at desired angles, but the mechanism for adjustment and fixation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism incorporates self-locking features through spring-loaded detents and cam followers that automatically engage with indexing positions. The springs provide continuous pressure to maintain positive engagement, and the cam followers automatically snap into detent positions during rotation, eliminating the need for manual locking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses intermediary elements such as cam followers, detents, and springs to mediate between the user's rotation action and the blade's final positioned state. These intermediaries translate simple rotational motion into precise, locked angular positions without requiring complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating blade food preparation device (10) for cutting, shaving, slicing, and peeling, vegetables and fruits, cheese, tofu, bread, and other food products, includes a handle (12), a frame element (16) connected to the handle (12), and a rotating blade assembly (28) operably secured to the frame. The rotating blade assembly (28) has one or more cutting elements (30) for cutting, slicing, shaving and peeling fruits, vegetables, cheese and other foods. The rotating blade assembly (28) is operably secured to the frame (16) by a shaft (18) allowing both movement and positioning of the blade assembly at various angles in relation to the frame (16), and fixing the rotating blade assembly (28) in a desired position for use.