Compact Smokable Product Apparatus with Reversible Size Reducer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices are inefficient in quickly and easily preparing smokeable products from gross-sized feed material, lacking portability and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus with an upper and lower chamber, featuring a rotatable size reducer powered by a motor, a controller for reversing direction, and a fan to facilitate the movement of feed material through a grate from the upper to the lower chamber, allowing for rapid size reduction and filling of smokeable material into a wrapper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional smokeable product preparation device is used, then the device can process feed material, but the preparation time is long and the device is not portable
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into an upper chamber for feeding and cutting, and a lower chamber for receiving processed material, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple functions in compact spaces. The chamber separation enables independent optimization of each zone for speed and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (cutting, grinding, sifting, and material transport) are merged into a single integrated device with shared components like the motor and power source, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity through coordinated operation of combined functions.
2Productivity
If a size reducer rotates in one direction only, then the structure is simple, but the size reduction efficiency is insufficient when encountering resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The size reducer's rotation direction is dynamically changed by the controller when resistance is detected, allowing the cutting mechanism to adapt to varying material conditions. This dynamic adjustment maintains high size reduction efficiency without requiring an overly complex mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors the operation of the size reducer and provides feedback by detecting resistance, then automatically reverses the rotation direction to maintain efficient size reduction. This feedback mechanism optimizes productivity without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If feed material is not actively moved within the chamber, then the device structure is simpler, but the material processing speed and uniformity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fan moves feed material within the upper chamber using the same power source that drives the size reducer, creating a self-service system where excess power is utilized to enhance material processing speed and uniformity without adding independent power systems or excessive complexity.
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
Enables the rapid production of smokeable products in under 10 seconds, providing a portable, user-friendly solution from raw feed material to a final product, with adjustable features and visibility of material levels.
Implementation Method 1
a motor configured to rotate the feed material cutting mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a fan in the uppermost chamber configured to move feed material within the uppermost chamber to a lowermost chamber
Implementation Method 3
a size reducer positioned within the chamber and configured to reduce smokeable material size
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for preparing a smokeable product is provided. The apparatus includes an upper chamber configured to receive feed material, a feed material cutting mechanism comprising a size reducer configured to rotate in two directions, a motor configured to rotate the feed material cutting mechanism, a controller configured to selectively reverse direction of rotation of the feed material cutting mechanism, a power source configured to drive the motor, a switch for turning the power source off and on, and a fan in the uppermost chamber configured to move feed material within the uppermost chamber to a lowermost chamber.