Food Preparation Tool with Bidirectional Locking for Reliable Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preparation devices with rotatable tools often restrict rotation to one direction, leading to inefficient food preparation and difficulties in removing food and cleaning the device, as the tool can loosen during reverse rotation and obstruct the removal of food.
Innovation Solution
A food preparation device with a rotatable tool that can be securely connected to a shaft for rotation in both directions, using a reluctance motor for reliable bidirectional operation, and a sealing mechanism to prevent liquid leakage, allowing for efficient food preparation and easy tool removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spiral guide is used to secure the blade radially and axially, then the blade is secured in one direction of rotation, but the blade loosens when turning in the wrong direction
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism employs asymmetric geometry where the locking element on the tool and the corresponding receptacle on the shaft are designed with non-symmetric profiles. This asymmetric design creates a mechanical interlock that prevents the tool from loosening regardless of rotation direction, while still allowing the tool to be securely locked during operation. The asymmetric shape ensures that centrifugal forces in either rotational direction press the locking element against the receptacle rather than allowing disengagement.
2Ease of repair
If the tool assembly is detached from the pot for cleaning, then the tool can be cleaned, but liquid leftover food escapes through the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: the tool assembly can be detached from the shaft for cleaning, while the shaft remains connected to the food preparation vessel. The shaft includes an opening that allows the tool to be inserted and removed, but this opening is positioned and designed such that it does not compromise the sealing of the vessel during operation. The segmentation allows the tool to be cleaned separately without requiring disassembly of the entire assembly, preventing liquid leakage while maintaining cleaning accessibility.
3Reliability
If the tool remains locked to the shaft during operation, then reliable chopping and mixing is achieved, but the tool obstructs removal of food from the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly is designed to be easily extractable from the shaft when not in use. The locking mechanism allows the tool to be securely locked during chopping and mixing operations, but can be quickly removed by the user when food needs to be removed from the vessel. This extraction capability eliminates the obstruction problem while maintaining operational reliability, as the tool is only present in the vessel during actual food preparation tasks.
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 reliable bidirectional rotation for effective chopping and mixing, ensures food can be prepared and removed without obstruction, and facilitates easy cleaning by maintaining a sealed connection during operation.
Implementation Method 1
the electric motor is a reluctance motor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a food preparation device comprising a food preparation vessel 1 and a rotatable tool 2 for chopping and/or mixing food within the food preparation vessel 1. The tool 2 can be detachably connected to a shaft 3, which is located at least partially outside the food preparation vessel 1, for rotation. A locking mechanism is provided for the secure connection of the tool 2 to the shaft 3. The locking mechanism is designed such that the tool 2 can be driven by the shaft 3 in both directions of rotation during operation for chopping and/or mixing food.