Ergonomic Whisk Impeller with Dynamic Positioning for Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliances for frothing milk-based beverages are not ergonomic, hygienic, or well-suited for mechanical food conditioning, often requiring cumbersome cleaning and being prone to encrustation, with fixed stirring mechanisms that are difficult to clean and costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a ergonomic impeller configuration that can be used as a standalone unit or integrated into a food processor, featuring a thermally insulating container, a rotating impeller that adjusts its position for efficient frothing and heating/cooling, and a magnetic drive system for reduced mechanical and electrical components, facilitating easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed stirring mechanism is used in existing appliances, then the stirring function is achieved, but the cleaning becomes troublesome and encrustation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of rotating between a working position for stirring and a retracted position for cleaning. This dynamic configuration allows the impeller to be moved out of the way, facilitating easy cleaning of the tank while maintaining effective stirring function during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirring mechanism is segmented into a removable impeller component and the tank. The impeller can be detached or retracted from the tank, allowing separate cleaning of both components. This segmentation eliminates the problem of encrustation on fixed internal mechanisms and simplifies the cleaning process.
2Ease of operation
If multiple components are used for drive and stirring mechanisms, then the stirring function is achieved, but the cost increases and cleaning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism and stirring function are merged into a single integrated impeller assembly. The magnetic drive system directly couples to the impeller without requiring intermediate mechanical components such as shafts, gears, or seals that would intrude into the tank. This reduction in component count simplifies cleaning and reduces cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical drive system is replaced with a magnetic drive mechanism. The magnetic field transmits rotational force through the tank wall without requiring physical penetration or complex mechanical linkages inside the tank. This substitution eliminates multiple mechanical components, simplifies the structure, and makes cleaning straightforward.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed stirring mechanism is used, then the stirring function is achieved, but the removal and refitting time is significant
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be quickly retracted or removed from the tank. The simplified single-component structure enables rapid removal and refitting operations compared to complex fixed mechanisms, significantly reducing maintenance time.
4Ease of operation
If the stirring mechanism intrudes into the tank, then the stirring function is achieved, but the mechanism becomes soiled more quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring mechanism is extracted from the tank interior and positioned externally. The magnetic drive system operates through the tank wall without intruding components inside the liquid. This extraction prevents the stirring mechanism from coming into direct contact with the liquid and food particles, thereby reducing soiling and cleaning frequency.
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 machine provides a hygienic and efficient means of frothing milk by incorporating air bubbles, heating, or cooling, with a design that minimizes encrustation and simplifies cleaning, while maintaining high mechanical efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic drive system for reduced mechanical and electrical components
Implementation Method 2
a thermally insulating container
Implementation Method 3
The machine provides a hygienic and efficient means of frothing milk by incorporating air bubbles
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
A machine (1) for stirring a liquid food substance has: a container (10) delimiting a cavity (11) with a bottom (12) and a peripheral wall (13) for containing said liquid food substance to be stirred, the cavity (11) extending generally along a generally upright central container axis (14) and having a mouth (15) for removing from the container (10) said liquid food substance upon stirring; and an impeller (20) comprising an impelling member (21) which is configured to be rotated in the cavity (11) against said liquid food substance about an impeller axis (22) that is generally identical or generally parallel to the container axis ( 14 ). The impelling member (21) is configured to be spaced above the cavity's bottom (12) by: a maximum stirring distance (H) when the impelling member (21) is rotated at at a maximum stirring speed about the impeller axis (22); and a resting distance (h), smaller than the maximum stirring distance (H), when the impelling member (21) stands still.