Displaceable Vacuum Conduits for Food Processor Jar Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing devices face challenges in achieving a sealed engagement between vacuum conduits, which can lead to air leakage and potential damage during assembly, compromising the effectiveness of the vacuum mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates displaceable engaging ends for the first and second vacuum conduits, allowing for a linear engagement only when correctly aligned, utilizing a driven actuator and resilient members to ensure secure connection and minimize risk of damage, with optional modular and flexible components for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum conduits are rigidly connected to ensure sealed engagement, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damage during assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging end of the first vacuum conduit is made displaceable relative to the base unit, transforming a rigid static connection into a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the conduit to self-align during assembly, reducing damage risk while maintaining sealing effectiveness through controlled movement and elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes elastic deformation parameters of the vacuum conduit material to enable temporary displacement during assembly. The conduit can deform elastically to accommodate alignment variations, then returns to its original shape to maintain the sealed engagement, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and damage risk.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the engaging ends are fixed in position to ensure stable connection, then the connection stability is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates due to misalignment risks
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable engaging end provides dynamic adjustment capability during assembly, allowing the conduit to move and align itself with the second vacuum conduit. Once connected, the system maintains stable engagement through the elastic recovery force, thus achieving both ease of assembly and connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic conduit performs self-alignment during assembly through its own elastic deformation, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment or complex alignment mechanisms. The conduit automatically adjusts its position to achieve proper engagement, improving ease of assembly while maintaining connection stability.
3Ease of operation
If the vacuum conduit is made flexible to allow displacement, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the sealing reliability may deteriorate due to potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic properties of the conduit are carefully controlled within specific parameter ranges that allow sufficient displacement for easy assembly while maintaining enough rigidity to ensure proper alignment and sealing. The elastic modulus and geometry are designed to balance flexibility and sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformation of the conduit provides tactile feedback during assembly, allowing the user to sense when proper alignment and engagement are achieved. This feedback mechanism ensures that the flexible conduit maintains reliable sealing while being easy to assemble.
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
This solution ensures a reliable sealed engagement between the vacuum conduits, minimizing air leakage and risk of damage, while allowing for efficient vacuum operation and easy maintenance, maintaining the nutritional value and taste of food processed under vacuum conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member configured to bias the engaging end of the first vacuum conduit in the base unit to the retracted position
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum mechanism configured to suck air from the jar, comprising a vacuum pump arranged in the base unit
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a food processing device (100), comprising: a jar (10), a base unit (20), a vacuum mechanism (30) for sucking air from the jar (10), comprising a vacuum pump (31) arranged in the base unit (20) and a first vacuum conduit (32) extending through the base unit (20), and a lid (40) for covering the jar (10) and realizing air communication between the jar (10) and the base unit (20), wherein the vacuum mechanism (30) further comprises a second vacuum conduit (33) extending through the lid (40), wherein the respective vacuum conduits (32, 33) are engageable to each other through respective engaging ends (34, 35) thereof, and wherein at least one of the engaging ends (34, 35) of the respective vacuum conduits (32, 33) is displaceable between an outward position and a retracted position in the respective one of the base unit (20) and the lid (40).