External Slicing Disc Adjustment for In-Process Thickness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing devices require users to turn them off and disassemble the blade assembly to manually adjust the slicing thickness, which is inconvenient and limits their ease of use and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A food processor with an external slicing disc adjustment mechanism, featuring a rotatable lever accessible from outside the work bowl that adjusts the spacing between the slicing disc body and blade, allowing for external control of slice thickness without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the blade assembly is made fixed and integrated into the bowl, then the structural stability and safety are improved, but the ease of operation for adjusting slicing thickness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into a fixed portion attached to the bowl and an adjustable portion that can be independently positioned. The slicing disc is divided into a stationary disc body and a movable blade component, allowing the blade to be adjusted relative to the fixed disc body while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary adjustment mechanism is introduced between the fixed blade assembly and the slicing disc. This mechanism includes a lever system with linkages that mediates the adjustment process, allowing external control of blade position without requiring disassembly of the fixed blade assembly.
2Device complexity
If the slicing thickness adjustment mechanism is made internal and integrated, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to required disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism extends into a third dimension by protruding through the bowl wall. The lever and linkage system is positioned externally, allowing adjustment operations to occur in a different spatial dimension without interfering with the internal bowl structure or requiring disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary lever mechanism serves as a mediator between the user's external control action and the internal blade adjustment. This lever system with linkages translates external rotational motion into internal linear displacement of the blade, maintaining structural simplicity while improving operational ease.
3Productivity
If the blade assembly is made fixed and integrated, then the productivity is improved by eliminating disassembly steps, but the ease of operation for adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into fixed and adjustable components, allowing the majority of the structure to remain fixed for continuous processing while only the specific slicing blade portion requires adjustment. This segmentation enables quick adjustment without disassembling the entire blade assembly, maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary lever mechanism enables rapid adjustment of slicing thickness without interrupting the processing operation. The external lever system allows users to make adjustments quickly and easily, minimizing downtime and maintaining high productivity while improving operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A food processor having an external slicing disc adjustment mechanism is provided. The food processor includes a work bowl and a lid configured to be selectively removable therefrom. The food processor further includes a slicing disc having a disc body and a slicing blade internal to the work bowl, and a mechanism for adjusting a spacing between the disc body and slicing blade. The mechanism includes a rotatable lever accessible form outside the work bowl.