Curved Dough Mixing Paddle Geometry for Lower-Torque Kneading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing tools for food processors are costly, complex, and inefficient in mixing stiff doughs, often requiring high torque and being limited in versatility across different mixing bowls.
Innovation Solution
A mixing tool with a hub element that rotates around a drive axis, featuring radially extending mixing paddles with curved impact surfaces that have different impact directions, including inclined surfaces, which allows for effective mixing and chopping with reduced torque requirements and compatibility with various mixing bowls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mixing tools use large mixing blades tailored to specific mixing bowls, then thorough mixing is achieved, but the tool cannot be used with other mixing bowls and requires considerable torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the mixing blades, specifically the impact angle relative to the direction of rotation. The impact surface is designed with a specific angle relationship to the rotational direction that enables effective mixing across different bowl types without requiring high torque, thus resolving the contradiction between mixing effectiveness and adaptability.
2Reliability
If mixing tools use complex forms with multiple blades and claws, then effective mixing is achieved, but the tool is costly to produce and requires metal material for stability
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing tool is segmented into functional zones on the blade surfaces. Different portions of the impact surface have different geometric characteristics relative to the direction of rotation, allowing each zone to perform specific mixing functions. This segmentation achieves effective mixing with a simpler, more cost-effective design than complex multi-blade structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the mixing blades, specifically the impact angle relative to the direction of rotation. The impact surface is designed with a specific angle relationship to the rotational direction that enables effective mixing across different bowl types without requiring high torque, thus resolving the contradiction between mixing effectiveness and adaptability.
3Productivity
If mixing tools use blades oriented opposite to the direction of rotation, then chopping capability is improved, but considerable torque is required to achieve both mixing and chopping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the impact angle parameter of the mixing blades relative to the direction of rotation. By carefully selecting this angle, the design achieves effective chopping action without requiring blades to be oriented opposite to the rotation direction, thereby reducing the torque requirement while maintaining chopping capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a mixing tool, preferably for a food processor. A mixing tool, in particular for mixing dough, having a hub element able to rotate around a drive axis in a direction of rotation from which at least one mixing paddle extends radially to the drive axis, having an impact surface that is curved and has different directions of impact, in each case perpendicular to the impact surface, wherein a radially interior portion of the impact surface has a direction of impact essentially parallel to the direction of rotation, an adjacent radially exterior portion has a direction of impact essentially perpendicular to the direction of rotation, and a radially outer end region of the impact surface has a component of the direction of impact oriented opposite to the direction of rotation. In addition, the invention relates to a motor driven food processor having such a mixing tool.