Chopper Accessory Splash Guard to Prevent Coupling Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chopper accessories for hand-held kitchen appliances often require systematic cleaning due to food particles reaching the coupling mechanism, making the cleaning process cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A chopper accessory design featuring a splash guard that covers the food processing space, preventing particles from reaching the coupling piece and allowing for easy detachment and separate cleaning, combined with a detachable coupling mechanism using frictional or form-fit connections for secure attachment and easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coupling piece is made detachable for easy assembly and disassembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but food particles can reach the coupling mechanism requiring systematic cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidfood particles contaminating coupling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A splash guard is introduced as an intermediary component between the food processing space and the coupling piece. The splash guard prevents food particles from reaching the coupling mechanism while allowing the coupling piece to remain detachable for easy assembly and disassembly. This mediator protects the coupling mechanism from contamination without compromising the ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the splash guard is made detachable for easy cleaning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidnumber of detachable components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chopper accessory is divided into separable components: the coupling piece, the container, and the splash guard. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the splash guard can be detached for easy cleaning, while the coupling piece maintains its detachable connection for ease of assembly. The segmentation enables targeted cleaning of only the food-contact surfaces without requiring disassembly of the entire mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the coupling piece is designed with clutch components and gearing for secure tool coupling, then the reliability is improved, but the difficulty of cleaning increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure tool couplingVSAvoidfood particles accumulating in coupling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The splash guard serves as a protective intermediary that shields the complex clutch components and gearing from food particle contamination. By positioning the splash guard between the food processing space and the coupling mechanism, food particles are prevented from entering the coupling piece, thereby maintaining the reliability of the clutch and gearing without requiring extensive cleaning of these sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Facilitates convenient and efficient food chopping by keeping the coupling mechanism clean, reducing the need for systematic cleaning and enhancing user experience by allowing dishwasher-safe components.

Implementation Method 1

the coupling piece and the container preferably secure the rotatable tool in an operation position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

by means for a form-fit connection (such as at least one snap-lock means and/or at least one bayonet joint)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForm-fit connection: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

the splash guard thus at least partially delimits the processing space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4190213A1Chopper accessory for hand-held kitchen appliance, and hand-held kitchen appliance with chopper accessory
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP4190213A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4190213A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4190213A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a chopper accessory 100 for or of a hand-held kitchen appliance 1. The chopper accessory comprises a coupling piece 10, a splash guard 20, a rotatable tool 30, and a container 40. The rotatable tool 30 is configured to be coupled, by means of the coupling piece 10, to a drive unit 200 of the kitchen appliance 1. The coupling piece 10 is detachably fixable to the container 40, so as to cap the container 40, with the rotatable tool 30 extending into the container 40. The splash guard is configured to be detachably attached to the coupling piece 10, so as to at least partially cover a food processing space S within the container 40.