Bread Slicer Linkage Mechanism for Safe Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bread slicers often pose a risk of incidental contact with stationary blades during bread loading, and manually operated models require cumbersome hand coordination for loading and controlling the slicer.
Innovation Solution
A bread slicer design featuring a hollow infeed assembly with a pusher and linkage system that moves bread along a defined path, preventing operator contact with slicing blades and allowing for ergonomic, safe loading and slicing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators manually load bread into the slicer, then loading flexibility is maintained, but risk of incidental contact with stationary blades increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the linkage system with movable infeed assembly) that mediates between the operator and the blades. The infeed assembly acts as a protective intermediary that guides bread into position while preventing direct operator contact with the stationary blades during the loading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the linkage system to pre-position the infeed assembly and pusher before bread is loaded. The infeed assembly is moved to the predetermined position ahead of time, creating a safe pathway that prevents blade contact risk before the operator's hands can accidentally contact the blades.
2Ease of operation
If operators use both hands for loading and control, then operational control is maintained, but hand coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the linkage system to automatically coordinate the movement of the infeed assembly and pusher based on a single operator input. The system serves itself by translating one hand's input into coordinated multi-component movement, eliminating the need for complex two-handed coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions (infeed assembly movement, pusher operation, and bread guidance) into a single integrated linkage system. This consolidation allows the operator to control all these functions with one hand, reducing hand coordination complexity while maintaining operational control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If infeed assembly is moved to predetermined position before bread loading, then blade contact prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the linkage system to perform multiple functions: it moves the infeed assembly to the predetermined position, positions the pusher, and guides bread through the same mechanical system. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive blade contact prevention through a single integrated mechanism.
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
Enhances operator safety and ergonomics by preventing blade contact during loading and enabling easier, hands-free operation, improving the overall user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a linkage connected to the pusher, the linkage adapted to move the infeed assembly from a bread receiving position to a predetermined position of a bread path, the linkage adapted to then move the pusher and the bread to be sliced along the bread path
Implementation Method 2
the linkage adapted to move the infeed assembly from a bread receiving position to a predetermined position of a downward bread path, the bread to be sliced moving by force of gravity along the downward bread path from the predetermined position to a delivery area
Data Source
AI summary
A bread slicer includes an infeed side and a hollow infeed assembly positioned in the infeed side, the infeed assembly having an open end and a closed end defining a chamber for receiving bread to be sliced. The bread slicer further includes a pusher for pushing the bread to be sliced along the infeed assembly, and a linkage connected to the pusher, the linkage adapted to move the infeed assembly from a bread receiving position to a predetermined position of a bread path, the linkage adapted to then move the pusher and the bread to be sliced along the bread path from the predetermined position to a delivery area. The bread slicer further includes slicing blades having sharp edges to slice bread moving along the bread path.