Device for cracking a shell of a food item

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for cracking food items with strong shells and soft cores, such as crab claws, often damage the edible core during cracking and pose a risk of injury to the user due to sudden movement of the pliers.

Innovation Solution

A device with an acceleration-dependent locking mechanism that prevents the pliers from rotating further once a certain acceleration threshold is reached, locking the rotation to protect the core and prevent user injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high force is applied to crack the shell of difficult food items, then the shell can be opened, but the soft core is compressed and spoiled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecracking forceVSAvoidcore damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device dynamically responds to the cracking process by detecting acceleration thresholds. When the shell cracks and causes sudden plier movement, the acceleration sensor triggers the locking mechanism to engage, preventing excessive compression of the core while allowing controlled cracking force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses acceleration feedback from the pliers' movement to control the locking mechanism. The acceleration sensor continuously monitors plier motion and provides feedback to the locking device, which engages or disengages based on detected acceleration patterns, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents core damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Strength

If high force is applied to crack the shell, then the shell can be opened, but the user risks finger injury from sudden plier movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecracking forceVSAvoiduser injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device provides dynamic protection by monitoring plier acceleration in real-time. When sudden movement indicating shell cracking is detected, the mechanism automatically engages to lock the pliers, preventing uncontrolled movement that could injure the user's fingers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism acts as a protective cushion by being pre-positioned to engage when acceleration thresholds are exceeded. This beforehand prepared safety mechanism prevents harmful sudden movements before they can cause injury, cushioning the user from the effects of uncontrolled plier motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the pliers are designed with sufficient leverage to crack hard shells, then cracking becomes easier, but the pliers cannot be stopped before damaging the core

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecracking easeVSAvoidcore compression

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device introduces dynamic control to the cracking process. The acceleration-dependent locking mechanism allows the pliers to maintain leverage for easy cracking while automatically engaging when the shell cracks, preventing the pliers from continuing to compress the core

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the pliers by introducing acceleration-based control. The locking device monitors acceleration parameters and adjusts the pliers' state accordingly, allowing free movement during controlled cracking but locking when acceleration exceeds safe thresholds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively cracks food items without damaging the core and reduces the risk of user injury by immobilizing the pliers when high force is applied, ensuring controlled operation.

Implementation Method 1

an acceleration dependent locking device adapted to permit the rotation of the two pliers towards each other if an acceleration of the rotation is below a threshold value and adapted to lock the rotation of the two pliers towards each other if the acceleration of the rotation is equal to or exceeding said threshold value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS10455962B2Device for cracking a shell of a food item

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 NOCT AS

AI summary

A device is for cracking a shell of a food item. The device has a first plier, a second plier and a pivot rotatably connecting the first plier with the second plier for enabling the food item, when arranged between the pliers, to be compressed between the pliers by a rotation of the pliers towards each other. The device further comprises a lockable spacing arrangement having an acceleration dependent locking device adapted to permit the rotation of the two pliers towards each other if an acceleration of the rotation is below a threshold value and adapted to lock the rotation of the two pliers towards each other if the acceleration of the rotation is equal to or exceeding said threshold value.