Automatic Blender with Internal Water-Jet Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fruit and vegetable blending machines require user intervention for the entire blending and cleaning process, including selecting ingredients, loading, blending, and cleaning, which is inefficient and not fully automated.
Innovation Solution
An automatic blender system with an annular internal cleaning element that uses water projection holes to automatically clean the blending area and ducts, connected to a water supply system, allowing for automated waste removal and preparation of a smoothie without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the blender machine is designed to be fully automatic including cleaning, then the extent of automation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional cleaning components
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher tube is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a pushing mechanism during blending and as a cleaning element during the cleaning phase. The same component that pushes food during operation is used to spray water and remove waste, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-cleaning by using its own components (pusher tube, water reservoir, pump) to clean itself automatically after blending. The pusher tube sprays water through its own structure to flush waste from the ducts, and the system manages the entire cleaning process without external intervention, achieving self-service functionality.
2Device complexity
If manual cleaning is required after blending, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases due to user intervention for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by flushing water through the ducts and blending area immediately after the blending cycle completes. The pusher tube sprays water to prevent waste from drying and adhering to surfaces, and the pump actively removes waste before the user needs to intervene, saving time while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles by employing a pump to circulate water through the cleaning system. Water is pressurized and sprayed through the pusher tube to effectively remove waste from ducts and the blending area, enabling automated cleaning without requiring complex mechanical scraping or brushing mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If the pusher tube remains in the feeding duct, then the device complexity is reduced, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to waste accumulation in the ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The system switches between blending mode and cleaning mode periodically. During the cleaning phase, the pusher tube performs a cleaning action by spraying water through its structure, flushing waste from the feeding duct. This periodic cleaning action prevents waste accumulation while keeping the pusher tube in place, maintaining simplicity without generating harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher tube, which would normally just push food during blending, is designed to also function as a cleaning spray nozzle. The same structure that contacts food during operation becomes the delivery mechanism for cleaning water, converting a potential source of contamination into a beneficial cleaning tool that prevents waste accumulation.
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
The system fully automates the blending and cleaning process, reducing user involvement and ensuring efficient preparation and cleanup, allowing users to simply place ingredients and retrieve the blended drink.
Implementation Method 1
water projection holes, configured to project water to drag the waste present in the ducts and in the blending area
Data Source
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AI summary
Automatic cleaning system for a blender that includes a feeding duct, configured to locate the food inside it; food blending media; a pusher element, configured to bring the food closer and obtain the blend; and a dispensing conduit configured to lead the liquid obtained to a container that comprises a cleaning system with internal cleaning elements with: at least one water projection hole; means for conducting water from an internal and/or external supply; and means for propelling water from the feed to the orifices for projecting water through the conduction means; where the cleaning elements are configured to act automatically and/or manually after a food blending procedure, spray water through the water projection holes, and drag the remains of the blended food out of the blender.