Food Homogenizer Assembly for Soft Frozen Dessert Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for making frozen desserts at home from healthy ingredients, such as ice cream or sherbet, are challenging due to the complexity and difficulty in processing frozen fruits, nuts, and other non-frozen foods into a soft, consistent texture.
Innovation Solution
A compact, easy-to-use and clean food homogenizer with a motor-driven shredder and homogenizing chamber that processes frozen and non-frozen ingredients into a soft, uniform consistency, featuring a shredder with radially arranged blades and a non-symmetrical exit spout for efficient discharge into a bowl.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a food homogenizer processes frozen fruits, nuts, and chocolates into a soft texture, then the dessert quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The homogenizer is divided into separate functional components: a removable homogenizer assembly with shredder, a base with motor, and an exit spout system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying cleaning and maintenance, resolving the contradiction between achieving soft texture and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shredder is designed to rotate at variable speeds to dynamically adjust the homogenization process. The rotational support allows the shredder to move freely while maintaining engagement with the motor drive, enabling flexible control over texture consistency without requiring complex mechanical linkages
2Ease of operation
If the homogenizer assembly is removably coupled to the base, then the ease of cleaning is improved, but the reliability of connection may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The homogenizer assembly is designed as a removable unit that can be easily separated from the base for cleaning. The segmentation provides discrete cleanable surfaces and gaps between components, allowing thorough cleaning while maintaining a reliable connection during operation through the twist-lock coupler mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The twist-lock coupler creates a secure mechanical connection that maintains consistent engagement force during operation. The removable design allows easy separation for cleaning while the locking mechanism ensures reliable reconnection, balancing ease of cleaning with connection reliability
3Productivity
If the shredder rotates at high speed, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision of texture may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The shredder rotates at variable speeds controlled by the motor to optimize the homogenization process. Higher speeds increase productivity while lower speeds allow for finer texture control, enabling dynamic adjustment to achieve both high productivity and consistent texture based on the specific ingredients being processed
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous rotation of the shredder within the homogenizing chamber ensures constant processing action. The rotational support maintains continuous engagement between the shredder blades and the chamber walls, providing uninterrupted homogenization that achieves both high productivity and uniform texture consistency
4Ease of operation
If the exit spout is separate from the inlet chute, then the ease of cleaning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exit spout is designed as a separate component from the inlet chute, allowing each to be independently cleaned and maintained. This segmentation provides access to all surfaces requiring cleaning while the components are integrated through the homogenizing chamber, balancing ease of cleaning with structural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The homogenizer assembly with separate inlet and outlet components serves multiple functions: processing frozen ingredients, controlling texture, and facilitating easy cleaning. The modular design with separable components allows the same structure to achieve both operational versatility and maintenance simplicity
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 users to easily create healthy desserts with a soft texture similar to ice cream or sherbet from various ingredients, including frozen fruits, nuts, and chocolates, while being simple to operate and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
a base comprising a driving motor with a drive shaft
Implementation Method 2
a shredder disposed within the homogenizing chamber and driven by the driving motor for rotational movement within the homogenizing chamber
Implementation Method 3
The sealing element comprises a first sealing flange abutting and circumscribing the socket of the shredder to provide a generally continuous seal between the socket and the homogenizing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A food homogenizer is provided, including a base with a driving motor and a homogenizer assembly removably coupled to the base. The homogenizer assembly includes a homogenizing chamber, an inlet chute, and an exit spout. A shredder is disposed within the homogenizing chamber and is driven by the driving motor to homogenize food ingredients into a soft texture with a similar consistency as ice cream or sherbet.