Hand Blender Wand Head With Bluff-Body Protrusions for Vortex Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand blender tools face issues such as high power requirements, splashing or ejection of foodstuffs, strong vortices that can suck the tool down, and incomplete processing due to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A wand-like tool with a rotatable drive shaft and a processing head featuring three convexly curved blades and bluff-body protrusions on the internal surface of the housing, which create turbulence to reduce vortex strength and lower torque requirements, along with a castellated open end for efficient ingredient interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional smooth internal surfaces are used in the processing head, then laminar flow is maintained, but strong vortices are generated that suck the tool down onto the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The internal surface of the processing head is modified by adding protrusions that change the flow parameters from laminar to turbulent, thereby reducing vortex strength and preventing the tool from being sucked down onto the receptacle
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on the internal surface create turbulence that converts the harmful vortex flow into beneficial turbulent mixing, reducing the suction effect while improving blending efficiency
2Productivity
If high power levels are used to effect certain processes, then processing capability is improved, but the risk of over-processing and foodstuff ejection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions on the internal surface create turbulence that enhances mixing efficiency, allowing for reduced power levels while maintaining processing capability and preventing foodstuff ejection
3Productivity
If conventional blade configurations are used, then simple structure is maintained, but incomplete processing occurs due to inefficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are configured with specific angles and orientations that optimize cutting and mixing efficiency, working in conjunction with the turbulent flow created by the protrusions to achieve complete processing
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 solution significantly reduces vortex strength, lowers torque requirements, and enhances blending efficiency by disturbing laminar flow and creating turbulent patterns, preventing the tool from being sucked down and ensuring complete processing.
Implementation Method 1
the provision of the bluff-body protrusions (i.e. protrusions which present a steep, non-streamlined surface to flowing material) is beneficial in disturbing laminar flow and creating turbulence, thereby significantly reducing the strength of a vortex which tends to be generated within the housing during use of the tool
Data Source
Figure 1(a)
Figure 1(b)
Figure 2
AI summary
A wand-like tool (20) for a hand blender comprises an elongate, tubular housing (22) containing a rotatable drive shaft (23). The tool is adapted at one end to permit the shaft (23) to pick up rotary drive from a hand- held driver unit, and carries a foodstuff-processing head at its other end; the processing head comprising a bladed member (26), coupled to the shaft (23) and having at least three blades (32a, 32b, 32c). The bladed member rotates within a processor head housing (27) having a tubular side-wall (30) formed with a roof (36) where the processor head housing (27) joins the tubular shaft housing (22) and being open at its opposite end, and the internal surface (38) of the side-wall (30) bears protrusions (40) facing the tips of the blades (32a, 32b, 32c). Each protrusion (40) presents a respective bluff body to foodstuffs flowing past it. In some embodiments of the invention, the side-wall (30) is castellated (44, 46) and the protrusions (40) are formed only in non-castellated regions of said side-wall (30). In a preferred embodiment, the shaft housing (22) is formed of metal, such as stainless steel, whereas the head housing (27) is of plastics material, thereby to permit the protrusions (40) and the castellations (44, 46) to be readily formed by moulding, and a stainless steel dome (50) is provided to overlay the roof member (36) of the plastic housing (27) and/or the junction between the stainless steel and plastic component parts (22, 27) for cosmetic reasons.