Automatic lemon squeezer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lemon squeezers require manual force, making them inaccessible to individuals who cannot exert the necessary effort, highlighting a need for an automatic and user-force-free solution.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight automatic lemon squeezer with a rectangular frame, lead screw actuators, motors, and spring systems that allow for effortless lemon squeezing via a simple push-button operation, eliminating the need for manual force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual force is required to squeeze lemons, then the device structure can be simple, but the device becomes inaccessible to individuals who cannot exert the necessary effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical squeezing system with an automated electromechanical system. Motors drive lead screw actuators to compress the lemon halves automatically, eliminating the need for users to apply manual force while maintaining the core squeezing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs the squeezing action autonomously once the lemon halves are placed in the receivers and the button is pressed. The system self-regulates the compression process through springs and actuators, requiring minimal user intervention beyond loading the lemons and pressing the control button.
2Ease of operation
If the device is made automatic with motors and actuators, then user force requirement is eliminated, but the device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a frame structure, four independent lead screw actuators, motors, spring systems, and removable trays. This segmentation allows for efficient space utilization and reduces overall weight by only including necessary automated elements rather than a fully robust heavy-duty construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lead screw actuators with high mechanical advantage to generate sufficient squeezing force from small motor outputs. The spring systems store and release energy efficiently, allowing lightweight construction while maintaining adequate compression force for lemon extraction.
3Ease of operation
If the device is made automatic with motors and actuators, then user force requirement is eliminated, but the device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lead screw actuators serve multiple functions: they provide the primary squeezing force, guide the compression motion, and work in conjunction with the spring systems to maintain consistent pressure. The motors are controlled by a single button interface that manages the entire squeezing sequence, reducing control complexity despite the mechanical complexity of the actuators.
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
Enables efficient and effortless lemon squeezing without user intervention, providing a compact and lightweight design that is accessible to a broader range of users.
Implementation Method 1
Four lead screw actuators attach to the bottom side of the frame and to the top side of the frame. Four motors attach to the four led screw actuators
Implementation Method 2
Four lead screw actuators attach to the bottom side of the frame and to the top side of the frame
Implementation Method 3
A left spring system attaches to the left side of the rectangular pan. A right spring system attaches to the right side of the rectangular pan
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic lemon squeezer comprises of a frame. A controller attaches to the frame. A top tray attaches to the frame, the top tray defines a plurality of paraboloid receivers. Four lead screw actuators attach to the bottom side of the frame and to the top side of the frame. Four motors attach to the four led screw actuators and are controlled by the controller. A press support mounts on the four led screw actuators. A rectangular pan rests on the press support and defines a plurality of paraboloids and a drain. A left spring system attaches to the left side of the rectangular pan. A right spring system attaches to the right side of the rectangular pan. A compressing tray rests above a middle support of the left spring system and a middle support of the right spring system. And, a cover attaches to the frame.