Food Preparation Device Removable Agitation Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing popcorn popping devices are unstable, difficult to clean, and occupy valuable kitchen space, with agitation mechanisms that increase the risk of spilling and splattering hot contents, limiting their usability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A food preparation device with a removable agitation assembly and stabilizing mechanism, featuring a crank shaft, drive shaft, and gear assembly that allows for safe and efficient stirring while being easy to disassemble and clean, and a transparent lid for improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an agitation mechanism is incorporated into the lid, then the food can be stirred and mixed, but the lid becomes unstable and easily moved or separated during agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation mechanism is separated from the lid and placed in the base. The lid and base are divided into independent components with distinct functions, allowing the lid to remain stable while the agitation mechanism operates in the base.
Solution Approach 2:
A removable agitation mechanism acts as an intermediary component that can be placed in the base when needed and removed when not needed. This mediator enables stirring functionality without permanently compromising lid stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a solid lid is used to contain hot contents, then splatter is prevented, but the view of the food being cooked is completely blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The lid transitions from being entirely solid to having localized transparent sections. This allows different parts of the lid to have different properties - the majority remains solid for containment while specific areas become transparent for viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid material changes from opaque to transparent in specific regions, allowing light to pass through so the user can observe the cooking process without removing the lid or compromising containment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the agitation mechanism is permanently attached to the device, then stirring function is always available, but the device becomes difficult to clean and occupies more storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The agitation mechanism changes from a static, permanently attached component to a dynamic, removable component. This allows the system to adapt between having stirring functionality and being easy to clean based on the user's immediate needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation mechanism can be discarded (removed) from the base when not needed for cleaning or storage, and recovered (reattached) when stirring functionality is required. This temporary attachment and detachment cycle enables both cleaning ease and functional versatility.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the crank mechanism is not easily removable, then the device structure is more stable, but the device is difficult to clean and convert for other uses
Solution Approach 1:
The crank mechanism transitions from a fixed, stable component to a dynamic, easily removable component. This allows the system to switch between stable operation during use and easy disassembly for cleaning or conversion to other uses.
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 device stabilizes the agitation process, reduces the risk of spilling and splattering, and allows for easy conversion between uses, enhancing safety and usability while facilitating cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
A gear assembly is mechanically linked to the drive shaft and to the agitation shaft to transfer rotation about the first axis of rotation to the second axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A food preparation device with a stirring mechanism is disclosed. The food preparation device includes a container having an attached handle, an aperture extending longitudinally through the handle and through a sidewall of the container, a crank shaft extending through the aperture, and having a hand crank on a first end of the crank shaft, the second end of the crank shaft extending into the container and removably connecting to a horizontal drive shaft, the horizontal drive shaft being engaged with a gear assembly that translates rotational movement from the horizontal crank shaft and drive shaft to rotational movement of a vertical agitation shaft engaged with the gear assembly. The crank shaft is removable from the horizontal drive shaft and the agitation assembly via a quick connect/disconnect mechanism. A rigid transparent lid separable from the container is also provided. An agitation assembly is also disclosed.