Removable Accessory Mounting Under a Food Processor Working Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food preparation appliances face challenges in safely storing cutting tools, as their sharp edges can cause injuries and storage solutions often lead to clogging or obstruction.

Innovation Solution

A food preparation appliance with a removable support system that includes magnetic or mechanical suspension means for securing the storage support under the working head, allowing for easy storage and visibility of accessories, and a design that optimizes the device's size when not in use, featuring a compartment for cleaning accessories and transparent display for checking contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cutting tools are stored in a fixed location on the appliance, then accessibility is improved, but the appliance size increases and sharp edges pose injury risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of cutting toolsVSAvoidappliance size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be suspended under the working head during storage and removed or repositioned during operation. This dynamic configuration enables the appliance to adapt its structure between storage and operational states, optimizing space utilization while maintaining tool accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support is positioned in the vertical dimension under the working head rather than extending horizontally, which optimizes the appliance's footprint and reduces its overall size while still providing accessible storage for cutting tools.

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

2Ease of operation

If cutting tools are stored in a fixed location on the appliance, then accessibility is improved, but safety deteriorates due to exposed sharp edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of cutting toolsVSAvoidinjury risk from sharp edges
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting tools are extracted from the main appliance body and placed in a separate, removable support structure. This separation allows the tools to be stored securely when not in use while maintaining easy accessibility when needed, effectively isolating the hazard from the operational appliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The removable support acts as an intermediary between the user and the sharp cutting edges. It provides a controlled interface for accessing tools while allowing the appliance to be used without exposing users to unnecessary injury risks from permanently mounted sharp edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a removable support system is used for storing cutting tools, then safety and size optimization are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjury risk from sharp edgesVSAvoidsupport suspension mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension mechanism replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with simpler magnetic or elastic attachment methods. This substitution maintains the removable and repositionable functionality of the support while significantly reducing the complexity of the attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The support system is designed to be easily attached and detached by the user without requiring complex tools or mechanisms. The self-service nature of the attachment system minimizes operational complexity while maintaining safety and accessibility benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides a safe and efficient storage system for cutting tools, preventing injuries and optimizing the appliance's size for storage, while ensuring easy access and visibility of accessories, enhancing user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the suspension means comprise magnetic attachment means, part of which is carried by the working head and another part by the support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attachment: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2941161B1Food-preparation appliance having a mounting for storing removable work accessories
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 SEB SA
  • EP2941161B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2941161B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2941161B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a food-preparation appliance which includes: a frame (1) which includes a body (2), intended for being placed on a work surface, and a working head (3) extending from the body (2) such as to include a region (3a) that is offset relative to the body (2) and overhanging the work surface while being spaced apart from the work surface; and at least one working accessory (131; 132; 133; 134; 135; 136) intended for being removably adapted to the frame (1). According to the invention, the appliance includes a removable mounting (110) for storing at least one of the working accessories (131; 132; 133; 134; 135; 136), the mounting (110) is supported by the frame (1), and the mounting (110) is arranged mainly below the working head (3) in the region (3a).