Feed chute assembly for a food processor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food processors with large feed chutes for convenience often require safety mechanisms that complicate cleaning due to their design.
Innovation Solution
A feed chute assembly with a lid and linkage cover that houses a linkage component, featuring a channel for the pusher's rib to engage, allowing motor activation only when the pusher is inserted, and facilitating easy cleaning by design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety mechanism is added to prevent injury, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the safety mechanism with the motor activation system by using the pusher's rib engaging with the linkage component's channel as a single integrated safety-and-control mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate safety devices while ensuring the motor only operates when the pusher is properly inserted, thus improving safety without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If a linkage cover housing a linkage component is added, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage cover is designed as a separate, removable component that houses the linkage mechanism. This segmentation allows users to easily remove the linkage cover and pusher for cleaning purposes, while still maintaining the safety function when assembled. The modular design reduces the operational barrier despite adding safety features.
3Reliability
If the channel is positioned within the inside perimeter of the feed chute, then safety is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The channel is nested within the inside perimeter of the feed chute, with the linkage component positioned inside the linkage cover that attaches to the feed chute. This nested arrangement ensures that the safety mechanism is contained within the existing feed chute structure, minimizing additional manufacturing steps while maintaining safety functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A feed chute assembly includes a lid coupleable to a container of a food processing system. The lid has a feed chute for introducing food towards rotating blades at the top of the container. A linkage cover housing a linkage component for activating the motor couples to the feed chute. The linkage cover defines a channel within an inside perimeter of the feed chute. A user inserts a pusher into the feed chute such that a rib on the pusher extends into the channel, operatively engaging the linkage component to activate the motor. When the user removes the pusher from the feed chute, the motor stops the spinning blades.