Drive mechanism for a multi-function food processor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard multi-function food processors have a large size due to their drive mechanisms, which cannot efficiently accommodate different food processing speeds required for various food types, and they often have long horizontal force transmission distances.
Innovation Solution
A compact drive mechanism with three distinct drive outlets, utilizing a motor with a cone gear set and worm gear, along with gear trains, allows for different speed outputs to each outlet, enabling operation of multiple food processing components at various speeds from a single motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gear train is used to provide different speed outputs, then multiple processing speeds are achieved, but the overall volume of the drive mechanism becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a planetary gear set where planet gears are nested around a central sun gear, and the entire planetary assembly is contained within a ring gear. This nested configuration allows multiple gear ratios to be achieved within a compact cylindrical volume, resolving the contradiction between providing multiple speeds and maintaining small size.
Solution Approach 2:
The single drive mechanism with planetary gears serves multiple functions by providing different speed outputs through various gear engagement configurations. The same mechanical structure achieves both speed reduction and speed multiplication functions, eliminating the need for separate drive mechanisms for different processing speeds.
2Volume of stationary object
If a single speed output is provided, then the drive mechanism remains compact, but it cannot meet the needs of processing different foods at different speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the drive mechanism dynamically adaptable by allowing the planetary gear set to engage in different configurations. The carrier can be locked or unlocked, and different gears can be engaged to change the output speed ratio, enabling the compact mechanism to provide multiple processing speeds as needed.
3Device complexity
If horizontal force transmission is used, then the structure is simple, but the transmission distance becomes long and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal force transmission to vertical force transmission through the planetary gear arrangement. The motor drives the planetary gear set vertically, with force transmitted through the sun gear to the planet gears and then to the output carrier. This vertical arrangement shortens the transmission path and improves efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 solution provides a compact, stable, and efficient food processor with multiple speed options, allowing for different food processing tasks without the need for multiple devices, improving working efficiency and reducing the overall size and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a first central drive shaft comprising a second cone gear of the cone gear set that meshes with the first cone gear of the motor output shaft
Implementation Method 2
a second central drive shaft comprising a worm gear that is driven by the worm of the motor output shaft
Implementation Method 3
a first reduction gear arrangement, said arrangement comprising a first gear train that meshes with a sun gear sleeved on the first central drive shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a drive mechanism for a multi-function food processor with three drive outlets that can each be coupled separately to a food processing component. The drive mechanism comprising: a motor with a motor output shaft disposed at one end of the motor, wherein the motor output shaft comprises a first cone gear of a cone gear set and a worm; a first central drive shaft comprising a second cone gear of the cone gear set that meshes with the first cone gear of the motor output shaft, wherein the first central drive shaft is associated with the first drive outlet and the second drive outlet; wherein the second drive outlet is associated with the first central drive shaft by way of a first reduction gear arrangement, said arrangement comprising a first gear train that meshes with a sun gear sleeved on the first central drive shaft; a second central drive shaft comprising a worm gear that is driven by the worm of the motor output shaft, wherein the second central drive shaft is associated with the third drive outlet; wherein the third drive outlet is associated with the second central drive shaft by way of a second gear reduction arrangement. By adopting the described arrangement of the motor output shaft, the cone gear set and the worm gear, the overall structure of the drive mechanism is made more compact.