Food Waste Disposer Foreign Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food waste disposers often allow foreign objects like silverware to inadvertently enter the grinding mechanism, especially during continuous or batch feeding processes, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A food waste disposer system equipped with a detector that senses the presence of foreign electrically conductive objects by detecting electrical continuity between the stationary grind ring and the rotatable shredder plate, which deenergizes the motor if such objects are detected, preventing operation and thus preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a baffle is used to prevent foreign objects from entering the disposer, then foreign object prevention is improved, but the baffle may not prevent all unwanted items during hurried cleanup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical baffle system with an electrical detection system. The detector senses foreign objects through electrical continuity detection between the grind ring and shredder plate, eliminating the need for physical barriers like baffles or stoppers that impede normal sink operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system that senses the presence of foreign objects without physically blocking the sink opening. The detector acts as an intermediary between the foreign object and the motor, detecting continuity and preventing motor operation when foreign objects are present.
2Reliability
If a stopper device is used to block the drain opening, then foreign object prevention is improved, but the stopper must be in place during use which is inconvenient for normal sink operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stopper device with an electrical detection system. Instead of physically blocking the drain opening, the system uses electrical continuity detection to sense foreign objects, allowing the sink to remain fully accessible for normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector system automatically detects foreign objects and prevents motor operation without requiring user intervention to place or remove physical barriers. The system self-regulates based on electrical continuity detection.
3Productivity
If the motor runs continuously to process food waste, then productivity is improved, but foreign objects can cause damage during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of foreign objects before the motor operates. The detector checks for electrical continuity between the grind ring and shredder plate before allowing motor startup, preventing foreign objects from causing damage during continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the detector continuously monitors for foreign objects and provides feedback to the motor control. When foreign objects are detected through electrical continuity, the system immediately stops or prevents motor operation, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism.
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 prevents foreign objects from being processed, ensuring safe operation and reducing the risk of damage to the disposer, while allowing normal operation when no foreign objects are present.
Implementation Method 1
the detector detects that a foreign electrically conductive object is in the grinding mechanism upon sensing that an electrical circuit has been completed between the stationary grind ring and the rotatable shredder plate by the foreign electrically conductive object
Data Source
AI summary
A food waste disposer system includes a grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism includes a stationary grind ring and a rotatable shredder plate assembly. A detector is connected to the grinding mechanism to detect the presence of a foreign electrically conductive object in the grinding mechanism. In an aspect, the detector detects that a foreign electrically conductive object is in the grinding mechanism upon sensing that an electrical circuit has been completed between the stationary grind ring and the rotatable shredder plate.