Centrifugal Weight Locking for Removable Food Processor Tool Hubs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing appliances face challenges in securely locking removable rotary tools to the driving head for reliable, durable, and silent operation, especially under strong transverse stresses and uneven food distribution.
Innovation Solution
The use of centrifugal weights that move under rotation to engage with the driven hub, providing a secure and stable locking mechanism while allowing easy disengagement for cleaning, utilizing a driving hub and driven hub design with specific geometries and pivoting weights to transmit torque and maintain alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a removable tool is used for cleaning purposes, then ease of maintenance is improved, but locking reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses dynamically movable centrifugal weights that automatically change position based on rotational speed. At low speeds (standstill), weights are in a first position allowing easy tool removal. At operational speeds, weights move to a second position providing secure locking. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between ease of maintenance and locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal weights automatically lock the tool at operational speeds without manual intervention, and automatically release it at standstill for easy removal. The system serves itself by using the rotational energy to engage and disengage the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking/unlocking actions.
2Reliability
If strong locking force is applied to meet reliability requirements, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is self-actuating through centrifugal force generated by the rotating weights. The system uses the rotational energy itself to create the locking action, eliminating the need for external actuators, springs, or complex control systems. This maintains reliability while minimizing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking force is automatically adjusted based on rotational speed parameters. At low speeds, the locking force is minimal allowing easy removal. At operational speeds, the centrifugal force increases proportionally, providing stronger locking force. This parameter-based adaptation achieves reliable locking without complex force control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If centrifugal weights are used for locking, then locking reliability is improved, but noise level worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal weights move dynamically between two positions based on rotational speed. During operation, they settle into a stable second position where they effectively lock the tool. This dynamic stabilization reduces vibrations and noise compared to static locking mechanisms that must constantly counteract centrifugal forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal force, which could be considered a harmful factor causing imbalance and noise, is converted into a beneficial locking mechanism. The same force that tends to throw weights outward is used to press them against the tool hub, creating effective locking while the weights move smoothly in controlled positions rather than creating chaotic vibrations.
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 solution ensures reliable and efficient operation with high stability and silence, even under uneven loads, and facilitates easy tool maintenance by allowing disengagement without interference from the centrifugal weights when stationary.
Implementation Method 1
said centrifugal weights being moveable, under the effect of a centrifugal force resulting from the setting into rotation of the driving head around the central axis by the motor shaft
Data Source
AI summary
This device comprises a driving shaft, which is rotary on itself around a central axis and which is secured to a head for driving the tool into rotation around the axis, the tool being added onto the driving head in a removable way. The driving head includes a driving hub which is adapted so as to be engaged with a driven hub of the tool in order to transmit a rotary movement between them. The driving head is provided with locking centrifugal weights for the tool on the driving head, said centrifugal weights being moveable, under the effect of a centrifugal force resulting from the setting into rotation of the driving head by the driving shaft, between a rest position, in which the centrifugal weights do not interfere with the driven hub, and a position of use, in which a portion of each of the centrifugal weights is brought closer to the central axis and mechanically cooperates with the driven hub in order to maintain it engaged with the driving hub.