Compact Frozen Beverage Blender With Elevator Cupholder Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for a compact, rugged, and affordable blender for home use that can efficiently blend frozen smoothies and milkshakes, addressing the challenges of space constraints and the need for a reliable, yet cost-effective, kitchen appliance that can handle frozen ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A compact blender design featuring a cupholder receiving area, an elevator assembly with clamping jaws, and a spindle assembly with rotating cutter blades, which lifts the cupholder to ensure effective blending while preventing spillage and incorporating safety features like anti-rotational surfaces and sensors for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a commercial size blender is used to blend frozen beverages, then blending effectiveness is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blender is divided into functionally independent modules: a motor assembly, a blade assembly, and a cup holder assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall device compact. The motor can be positioned remotely from the blade through a drive shaft, separating the heavy motor from the blending zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is nested within the cup holder structure, with the blades positioned at the bottom of the cup holder. The cup holder itself is nested within the main blender housing. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization and creates a compact vertical profile suitable for home kitchens.
2Strength
If heavy duty materials like stainless steel are used, then durability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different materials are used for different components based on their specific functional requirements. The blade assembly uses hardened stainless steel for cutting durability, while the housing uses impact-resistant polymers for structural strength at lower cost. The motor housing uses aluminum or plastic for adequate protection without the expense of full stainless steel construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The blender incorporates composite construction with metal components (blades, motor housing) combined with engineered plastics and polymers. This composite approach provides the necessary strength and durability of metal while reducing overall manufacturing cost through the use of cheaper plastic components for non-critical structural elements.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is implemented for home use, then space utilization is improved, but blending power may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is designed to rotate at high speeds with variable control, allowing the motor to deliver maximum power when needed. The elevation mechanism dynamically adjusts the cup holder position during operation, optimizing the blending action. This dynamic operation allows a smaller motor to achieve the blending effectiveness of larger units through optimized motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The blender uses vertical elevation of the cup holder as an additional dimension for blending control, rather than relying solely on horizontal blade movement. By moving the cup holder up and down during operation, the blades continuously engage fresh material, compensating for the reduced motor power through mechanical advantage and optimized material flow.
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 blender effectively blends frozen beverages to desired consistency, is safe to use, and easy to clean, fitting within tight kitchen spaces while being affordable and durable, meeting the needs of home users for a reliable and efficient blending experience.
Implementation Method 1
a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder upward
Implementation Method 2
a cup cover will be pressed over the top opening of the cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly make contact with the frozen beverage. The rotating cutter blades of the spindle assembly will cut through layers of the frozen beverage
Implementation Method 3
the rotating cutter blades are mixing frozen beverage at the bottom of the cup
Data Source
AI summary
A blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door; that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.