Drink maker with detachably connectable mixing vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frozen drink makers require significant force to install and uninstall the mixing vessel, making it difficult for users to engage the large radial seal, which strains the plastic and necessitates substantial effort.
Innovation Solution
A lever mechanism with a flexible seal is introduced, allowing the mixing vessel to be easily coupled and decoupled with minimal force, using a one-handed operation, and featuring a cam system to secure the vessel to the housing while maintaining a watertight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large radial seal is used to ensure a watertight connection between the mixing vessel and housing, then sealing reliability is improved, but the force required to install and uninstall the vessel increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The seal engagement process is segmented into two distinct phases: a shallow engagement phase for initial positioning and alignment, and a deeper engagement phase for final sealing. This is achieved through the lever mechanism that controls the mixing vessel's movement in stages, allowing the seal to engage gradually rather than requiring full force simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static seal engagement to a dynamic, controlled engagement process. The lever mechanism provides dynamic control over the mixing vessel's positioning, allowing the user to engage the vessel in stages - first achieving alignment with minimal force, then securing the seal with controlled movement of the lever.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a secure coupling mechanism is used to ensure the mixing vessel remains firmly attached during operation, then connection stability is improved, but the difficulty of uninstallation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic release state through lever operation. During operation, the lever maintains the vessel in a secure locked position. For uninstallation, the user simply moves the lever to the release position, which dynamically changes the coupling state from locked to unlocked, allowing easy removal without excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the coupling system. It provides mechanical advantage and controlled movement to engage and disengage the coupling mechanism. The lever translates small user inputs into the necessary movements to secure or release the mixing vessel, making both installation and uninstallation easier while maintaining operational stability.
3Strength
If a cam mechanism is used to provide compression and secure the mixing vessel, then connection strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls the mixing vessel's positioning, engages the cam mechanism for compression, secures the seal, and provides a visual indicator of the coupling state. By consolidating these functions into a single lever operation, the design achieves strong connections without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism changes the geometric parameters of the coupling interface during engagement. As the lever moves the mixing vessel into position, the cam profile transforms the movement parameters, providing progressive compression and secure locking. This parameter change approach achieves strong connections through geometric design rather than additional components.
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
The lever mechanism simplifies the installation and removal process, reducing user effort and ensuring a secure, watertight connection with reduced resistance, enhancing user convenience and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible seal positioned between the upper housing section and the mixing vessel
Implementation Method 2
The lever can include a cam feature, which provides significant compression
Data Source
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AI summary
A frozen drink maker is described that includes a housing, a mixing vessel to mix a drink product, and a flexible seal. The housing includes an upper housing section and a lever moveable relative to the upper housing section between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. The flexible seal is between the upper housing section and the mixing vessel. The lever couples the mixing vessel to the upper housing section when in the coupled position and uncouples the mixing vessel from the upper housing section when in the uncoupled position. When the lever is in the coupled position, the mixing vessel is sealed against the upper housing section by the flexible seal.