Blade assembly for food processor and food processor incorporating same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional food processor blade assemblies and goblet designs face inefficiencies in interacting with food materials, particularly due to the narrow 'throat' area and traditional blade configurations, which limit performance and lead to mechanical stress on the motor and incomplete processing.
Innovation Solution
A blade assembly with an elongate shaft and discoidal base, featuring first and second blade members angled in opposed radial directions, along with a stub-like portion to deflect foodstuffs, and a goblet with a smooth internal surface or constant diameter to accommodate the blade assembly, enhancing cutting performance and reducing mechanical load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional blade assemblies with blades formed from a single strip/plate of metal are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the cutting performance and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into multiple independent blade members (first blade member, second blade member, and stub-like blade portion) supported at different axial locations on the shaft. Each blade member can be independently designed and positioned, allowing optimized cutting geometries while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional planar blades to three-dimensional blade members with complex spatial orientations. The first blade member angles backward toward the base member while the second blade member angles forward, creating multi-directional cutting paths that enhance versatility without complicating the basic manufacturing process.
2Volume of moving object
If traditional goblet designs with narrow throat areas are used, then the structure is compact, but food trapping occurs and processing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly creates dynamic food movement through its multi-directional blade configuration. The combination of backward-angled first blade member, forward-angled second blade member, and stub-like deflecting portion generates complex food flow patterns that prevent trapping while maintaining compact goblet dimensions.
3Device complexity
If traditional blade configurations are used, then the mechanical structure is simple, but mechanical stress on the motor increases due to inefficient food processing
Solution Approach 1:
The stub-like blade portion performs preliminary action by deflecting foodstuffs into the operative area of the main blade members before they engage in cutting. This pre-positioning of food reduces the mechanical stress on the motor during the actual cutting operation, as food is already oriented favorably for efficient processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A blade assembly (10) for a food processing appliance comprises a shaft (12) and a base member (16) in which one end of the shaft (12) is journalled for rotation about its axis (14). First and second blade members (22, 24) are mounted to the shaft at respective axial locations (23, 25). These blade members (22, 24) extend radially and in opposite directions from their respective locations (23, 25) on the shaft (12), with the blade member (22) nearer the free end (28) of the shaft (12) being angled back along the shaft towards the base member (16) and the other blade member (24) angled forwardly along the shaft, towards the free end (28). The first blade member (22) further has associated therewith a relatively short and blunt stub-like blade portion (22a) angled forwardly from the support location (23) for the first blade member (22) and extending beyond the free end (28) of the shaft (12).