Concave Food Cutter Layout for Continuous and Sequential Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food cutting devices are cumbersome to install and maintain, particularly those with a concave axial portion for spiral cutting, as they require a weight for food centering and have complex mechanisms for continuous cutting.
Innovation Solution
A food cutting device with a frame-mounted working tool driven by a motor, featuring a concave axial portion for centering and a duct for guiding food, along with a pusher for complete cutting, allowing for simple operation and compact design, enabling both continuous and sequential cutting modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a weight is mounted on a slide to maintain food in the upper position, then food centering is achieved, but the device becomes more complex and installation becomes tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the weight and slide mechanism from the device structure. Instead of using a mechanical weight to maintain food position, the invention relies on the geometric shape of the concave axial portion and the pushing action to achieve food centering and positioning, thereby eliminating the complex weight-slide assembly while maintaining the centering function
Solution Approach 2:
The concave axial portion is designed to automatically center the food through its geometric shape alone, without requiring external weights or mechanical assistance. The food is centered by the shape of the concave portion itself, and the pushing action naturally guides the food into the correct position, making the system self-centering
2Productivity
If a concave axial portion with a passage for food evacuation is used, then continuous cutting is enabled, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the centering function and the food evacuation function into a single integrated concave axial portion structure. The same concave portion that centers the food also contains the passage for food evacuation, eliminating the need for separate centering mechanisms and separate evacuation channels, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining continuous cutting capability
Solution Approach 2:
The concave axial portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it centers the food, guides the food during cutting, and provides a passage for food evacuation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall device structure while enabling continuous cutting
3Ease of operation
If the duct is positioned axially for continuous cutting, then food guidance is improved, but the device cannot perform sequential cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the duct position dynamic rather than fixed. The duct can be moved between an axial position (for continuous cutting with improved food guidance) and a lateral position (for sequential cutting). This dynamic repositioning capability allows the device to adapt to different cutting modes while maintaining optimal food guidance when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The duct is designed to serve multiple cutting modes by being repositionable. In the axial position, it provides excellent food guidance for continuous cutting. When moved to the lateral position, it enables sequential cutting operations. This single duct structure performing multiple functions through repositioning provides versatility without requiring separate ducts for each cutting mode
4Volume of moving object
If the device is designed for compact size, then space efficiency is improved, but food collection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the food collection receptacle underneath the working tool, nesting it within the overall device structure. This vertical arrangement allows the receptacle to be integrated into the compact device volume without requiring additional horizontal space, maintaining both compact size and effective food collection capability
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cutting food, comprising a frame (1) having a working tool (2) that is peripherally rotated about an axis (9) by a motor (23), wherein the working tool (2) has a concave axial portion (40) that comprises a continuous cutting member (41) extending up until the axis (9) and provided with a passage (42) for discharging the food cut up by said working tool (2). In accordance with the invention, the concave axial portion (40) is arranged opposite a channel (6) provided for inserting food therethrough. The invention also relates to a multifunctional appliance for culinary preparation including a cover (4) comprising a mobile part including a channel (6) provided for inserting food therethrough, said mobile part being movable, relative to the axis (9), between an axial position of the channel (6) and a lateral position of the channel (6).