Removable Food Mill Blade Assembly With Quick-Release Latch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food mills face difficulties in easily removing and reinserting the blade assembly due to high tension in the spring between the plate and support, making it cumbersome for users to clean and process food.
Innovation Solution
A food mill with a removable blade assembly featuring a quick release latch mechanism, including a support arm with a slot and a latch that can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing for easy one-handed removal and reinsertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spring tension between the plate and support is increased to secure the blade assembly, then the blade assembly is held firmly in position, but it becomes difficult to remove and reinsert the blade assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can slide relative to each other along the slot. This segmentation allows the movable portion to be displaced outward for easy removal, while the spring maintains firm retention when engaged
Solution Approach 2:
The slot acts as an intermediary mechanism between the support arm and the container flange. The movable portion slides within the slot, providing a controlled path for removal and reinsertion that overcomes the spring tension without requiring excessive force
2Stability of the object's composition
If the support arm is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the blade assembly is securely positioned, but it cannot be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is segmented into fixed and movable portions, allowing the movable portion to slide for removal while the fixed portion maintains structural integrity and stability during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the movable portion can slide along the slot. This dynamic capability enables easy removal when needed while maintaining stability during food processing
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
The quick release latch simplifies the process of removing and reinserting the blade assembly, reducing user effort and improving efficiency in food mill operations.
Implementation Method 1
a bias member connected to the base. The bias member is adapted to bias the base towards the second flange
Implementation Method 2
a lever movably connected to the base and a bias member connected to the base
Data Source
AI summary
A food mill including a container having a first flange and an opposing second flange, and a blade assembly removably connected to the container. The blade assembly includes a support arm having a first end defining a slot engageable with the first flange, and a second end including a latch. The latch is movable between a first condition, where the latch is disengaged from the second flange, and a second condition, where the latch is engaged with the second flange.