Blender Coupling Unit with Down-Force Element to Reduce Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blender systems experience vibrations and noise due to excessive clearance between coupling components, leading to misalignment and degradation, which affects efficiency and performance, especially in commercial settings where speed and accuracy are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The blender system incorporates a coupling unit with a tapered base coupler and blade shaft coupler that self-center and minimize clearance through a down-force element, such as helical splines, snap-fit connectors, or magnets, to ensure secure attachment and reduce noise and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If clearance is maintained between mating components of the coupling unit, then efficient coupling and cost-effective manufacturing are achieved, but unwanted vibrations and potential misalignment occur during blending
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling unit employs a dynamic down-force element that applies continuous downward pressure on the blade shaft coupler, allowing the system to adapt between manufacturing ease and operational stability. This dynamic force ensures minimal clearance during blending while maintaining straightforward assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating a down-force element that modifies the clearance parameter between mating components during operation. This allows the system to transition from a static clearance design to a dynamic one where clearance is optimized during actual blending operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If clearance is maintained between mating components of the coupling unit, then cost-effective manufacturing is achieved, but misalignment and noise increase during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The down-force element creates a dynamic compression force that eliminates excessive clearance during operation, thereby reducing noise and misalignment without requiring tighter manufacturing tolerances. This maintains cost-effectiveness while improving operational performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of clearance (which facilitates easy manufacturing) into a benefit by using the down-force element to control and optimize that clearance during operation, thereby reducing noise while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If clearance is maintained between mating components of the coupling unit, then assembly simplicity is achieved, but coupling stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The down-force element introduces a dynamic stabilizing force that maintains coupling stability during operation without complicating the assembly process. The simplicity of assembly is preserved while operational stability is enhanced through the applied downward force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the clearance parameter dynamically through the down-force element, allowing the coupling to be simple to assemble with standard tolerances while achieving stable operation through the controlled reduction of clearance during blending.
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
This design enhances the attachment and removal efficiency of mixing containers, reduces noise and vibration, and minimizes misalignment, resulting in improved performance and extended system longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a down-force element that exerts a downward force on the blade shaft coupler to minimize the clearance between the base coupler and the blade shaft coupler during operation
Implementation Method 2
The blade shaft coupler includes a conical recess and has a corresponding tapered skirt shaped to receive the tapered first portion of the base coupler. In so doing, the base coupler and the blade shaft coupler interface and rotate together.
Data Source
AI summary
A blender system is provided that includes a blade assembly, a blender base containing a motor and a motor shaft operatively coupled to the motor, and a coupling unit. The coupling unit includes a base coupler operatively coupled to the motor shaft and extending from the blender base, a blade shaft coupler coupled to the blade assembly, and a down-force element. The down-force element exerts a downward force on the blade shaft coupler to minimize a clearance between the base coupler and the blade shaft coupler during operation.