Interlacing Food Grinder Teeth for Precise Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food grinding technologies lack efficient mechanisms for interlacing teeth to effectively chop and grind food items without interference and slippage, especially when rotating parts are coupled together.
Innovation Solution
A food grinder design featuring interlacing top and bottom shells with toothed regions, alignment indicators, and a plunger system that allows for precise alignment and movement to facilitate grinding, with teeth arranged in arc patterns and converging surfaces to define cutting edges, ensuring effective grinding without slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If teeth are arranged to interlace for effective grinding, then grinding efficiency is improved, but alignment precision and interference prevention become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth are arranged in asymmetric arc patterns rather than symmetric radial patterns. The top shell has teeth arranged in a first arc pattern while the bottom shell has teeth arranged in a second arc pattern, creating complementary asymmetric geometries that guide precise alignment and prevent interference during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The teeth are positioned along curved arc patterns rather than straight radial lines. This curvature allows the teeth to follow a controlled path during rotation, improving interlacing contact for grinding while the arc geometry itself serves as an alignment mechanism that prevents misalignment and interference.
2Ease of manufacture
If teeth are arranged in radial patterns for simple manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but interference and slippage occur during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple radial tooth arrangements with curved arc patterns. This curvature ensures that teeth engage in a controlled manner during rotation, preventing slippage and interference while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding or machining processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging teeth in simple radial patterns (one-dimensional from center), the patent positions teeth along curved arc paths that add a second dimensional component. This arc-based arrangement creates a more complex engagement pattern that eliminates slippage and interference while remaining manufacturable.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment indicators are added for precise positioning, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual alignment indicators (such as colored marks or contrasting features) on the top and bottom shells. These indicators provide clear visual feedback for proper alignment during assembly, improving precision without requiring complex mechanical alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment indicators are designed to be self-explanatory and self-aligning. The user simply needs to match the visual indicators, and the system automatically achieves proper alignment without requiring additional tools, measurements, or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A grinder for a food item includes a top shell having a top axis, a top inner surface disposed about the top axis, and a plurality of top teeth extending downwardly from the top inner surface. The grinder further includes a bottom shell having a bottom axis, a bottom inner surface disposed about the bottom axis, and a plurality of bottom teeth extending upwardly from the bottom inner surface. A plunger is slidable within the cavity between a retracted position and an advanced position, the plunger having an upper surface directed away from the bottom inner surface, the upper surface having a perimeter configured for slidable engagement with an inner surface of the sidewall and a plurality of apertures in registration with the plurality of bottom teeth.


