Dual-Passage Food Processor Feed Tube for Mixed-Size Ingredients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food processors face issues with processing vegetables and fruits of different sizes, as thinner items can escape the introduced pipe and require additional funnels or containers for granules, leading to inconvenience and increased manufacturing costs, with residual food causing operational interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A food processor with an upper cover featuring two interconnected passageways in the introduced pipe allows for controlled processing of various sizes without the need for additional funnels, using a material-pushing plunger to manage the volume and prevent food from escaping or incomplete grinding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large diameter introduced pipe is used to process more vegetables and fruit each time, then processing efficiency is improved, but thinner vegetables and fruit can escape through the pipe causing operational problems
Solution Approach 1:
The introduced pipe is divided into two separate passageways: a first passageway for larger vegetables and fruit, and a second passageway for thinner vegetables and fruit. This segmentation allows each passageway to be optimized for its specific function, preventing food escape while maintaining high processing efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If a funnel or amount-control container is added to control granule processing, then processing control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first introduced passageway serves multiple functions: it can process larger vegetables and fruit directly, and also function as an amount-control container for granules like soybeans and rice. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate funnels or control containers, reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If the processor stops when containers are full to prevent residual food issues, then food safety is improved, but operational continuity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The material-pushing plunger is designed to automatically push residual food out of the introduced pipe before the processor stops or before new food is added. This preliminary action prevents residual food from causing safety issues while allowing continuous operation without interruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A food processor comprises a body provided therein with an operating motor, a cutting seat, and an upper cover. The cutting seat is disposed within a space formed above the body and is linked with the operating motor, so that the cutting seat and the operating motor are rotated simultaneously. The upper cover is mounted on an upper end of the body and is provided with an introduced pipe extending downwardly from its surface. The introduced pipe includes a first introduced passageway and a second introduced passageway, which are interconnected with each other. Vegetables, fruit, or other food is introduced into a material inlet of the two passageways and pushed tightly with a material-pushing plunger to render the vegetables, fruit, or other food cut by the cutting seat at a material outlet at the bottom of the introduced pipe.