Food preparation device including at least one working tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food preparation devices are complex to manufacture due to mechanical stresses and weight issues caused by a gooseneck design, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity, especially in the feed chute mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A food preparation device with a housing that has a drive device and a support portion forming a support plane with the axis of rotation angled between 0° to 20°, eliminating the need for a gooseneck and allowing the working tool to be driven peripherally, simplifying the internal structure and reducing mechanical stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gooseneck design with recess is used to collect worked food, then food collection is improved, but mechanical stresses and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood collectionVSAvoidappliance weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having food fall downward into a recess (gooseneck design), the patent inverts the approach by having the working tool rotate horizontally at the periphery, allowing food to be worked and discharged laterally through an orifice in the housing wall. This eliminates the need for a downward recess structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a vertical food collection approach (gooseneck recess) to a horizontal working approach. The working tool rotates in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the support plane, discharging food laterally through an orifice, thereby eliminating the need for vertical recess structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If a gooseneck design with recess is used to collect worked food, then food collection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood collectionVSAvoidinternal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having food fall downward into a recess (gooseneck design), the patent inverts the approach by having the working tool rotate horizontally at the periphery, allowing food to be worked and discharged laterally through an orifice in the housing wall. This eliminates the need for a downward recess structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a vertical food collection approach (gooseneck recess) to a horizontal working approach. The working tool rotates in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the support plane, discharging food laterally through an orifice, thereby eliminating the need for vertical recess structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a pivotable feed chute is used to occupy different positions, then feeding flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeeding flexibilityVSAvoidfeed chute mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the drive mechanism, and incorporates an orifice for food discharge. The peripheral rotation of the working tool allows the same structure to handle both working and discharge functions without requiring separate pivotable feed chutes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the axis of rotation is vertical, then working tool stability is improved, but housing structure complexity increases due to gooseneck requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking tool stabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation of the rotation axis from vertical to horizontal, with the axis of rotation being perpendicular to the support plane. This allows the working tool to rotate in a vertical plane, maintaining stability while eliminating the need for a gooseneck housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the working tool rotate vertically around a vertical axis (requiring gooseneck), the patent inverts the approach by having the working tool rotate around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the support plane, allowing food to be discharged laterally through an orifice in the housing wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2957201B1Food preparation device including at least one working tool
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 SEB SA
  • EP2957201B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a food preparation device comprising: - a housing (10) having a drive device, - at least one working tool (20) having a peripheral ring (25) arranged to be driven by the drive device around a rotation axis (31a), - the housing (10) having a support portion (19) arranged to define a support plane (15) on which the food preparation device can rest. According to the invention, the rotation axis (31a) forms an angle α with a line of intersection (16a) of the support plane (15) with another plane (16) perpendicular to the support plane (15) and comprising the rotation axis (31a), the angle α being within a range of values ​​from 0° to 20°.