Food cooling apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable fans and hair dryers require a hand for operation, limiting hands-free use, and food cooling apparatuses are unsafe and inefficient, often causing issues like diaper rash due to improper airflow direction and attachment.
Innovation Solution
A pear-shaped food cooling apparatus with a hidden electric fan, rechargeable battery, and adjustable design that can be used handheld or hands-free, featuring a weighted bottom for stability and safe operation, allowing for directed airflow without visible blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional portable fans and hair dryers are used, then cooling function is provided, but one hand must be used to hold and support the device, limiting hands-free use
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from traditional handheld 3D structure to a 2D flat configuration that can be attached to surfaces, freeing both hands for other tasks while maintaining cooling functionality through strategic airflow direction
Solution Approach 2:
A surface attachment mechanism serves as an intermediary between the cooling device and the user's hands, allowing the device to be secured to tables or other surfaces rather than requiring direct hand holding
2Productivity
If micro-fans are attached to spoons and chopsticks for food cooling, then small amounts of food can be cooled, but the fans and hot foods are brought dangerously near the face and hair of the user
Solution Approach 1:
The dangerous micro-fan component is extracted from proximity to the user's face and hair, relocating it to a surface-mounted position where airflow can be directed at food without creating safety hazards to surrounding areas
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling airflow is localized and directed precisely at the food item through strategic outlet positioning, preventing the airflow from reaching the user's face and hair while maintaining effective cooling at the target location
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional food cooling apparatus are used, then cooling function is provided, but the device lacks the ability to easily attach and detach to external surfaces near the article intended to be cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a universal surface attachment mechanism that can adhere to various external surfaces (tables, countertops, etc.) using multiple attachment methods, enabling versatile deployment in different dining environments without complicating the overall device structure
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
Enables safe, efficient, and adjustable cooling of food items, preventing issues like diaper rash by providing hands-free operation and ensuring safe airflow direction, with the device automatically correcting its orientation and allowing easy attachment to surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an electric fan connected to an interior wall of the generally pear shaped housing and operative to draw air into an air inlet and out an air outlet
Implementation Method 2
a rechargeable battery supported within the bottom portion... The rechargeable battery operationally providing power to the electric fan
Implementation Method 3
The lower portion has a greater mass than the middle and top portions such that the center of gravity of the generally pear shaped housing is lowered
Data Source
AI summary
A food cooling apparatus, including a generally pear shaped housing having a bottom portion connected to a middle portion tapering to a top portion, an electric fan connected to an interior wall of the housing and operative to draw air into an air inlet and out an air outlet, and a rechargeable battery supported within the bottom portion. A connector portion configured to attach to an external surface extends downward from the bottom portion. The housing has a generally hollow interior with the air inlet located on the middle portion or bottom portion and the air outlet located on the top portion. The air outlet is generally perpendicular to the housing in an upright position. The electric fan is not visible from the outside of the generally pear shaped housing. The rechargeable battery operationally provides power to the electric fan. The lower portion has a greater mass than the middle and top portions such that the center of gravity of the housing is lowered.