Food processing device attachment recognition systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing devices are limited in their ability to recognize and accommodate various attachments, leading to a need for multiple devices to handle different food processing tasks, and they lack scalability and forward compatibility for new attachments.
Innovation Solution
A food processing device with a base housing and attachment receiver that uses both passive and active attachment detection methods, including electrical contacts and processor communication, to identify and control various attachments, enabling scalable and forward-compatible attachment recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a food processing device uses a fixed mechanical layout and limited attachment interface, then the device structure remains simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the device can only serve a small number of food processing needs and requires multiple devices to be purchased
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a universal attachment interface with multiple electrical contacts that can accommodate various types of attachments (mixing, blending, whisking, etc.). The standardized interface design allows a single base device to support multiple food processing functions through interchangeable attachments, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment interface is segmented into multiple independent electrical contacts (first through sixth contacts), each capable of carrying specific signals. This segmentation allows the system to encode attachment information through different contact configurations, enabling recognition of multiple attachment types without increasing overall interface complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing kitchen tools use basic attachment identification methods, then the device structure remains simple, but the number of attachments that can be identified is limited and forward compatibility to new attachments is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements active attachment detection where the processor sends poll signals through electrical contacts and receives identification signals in response. This feedback mechanism allows the processor to dynamically determine attachment presence and type, enabling recognition of current and future attachment types without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses voltage monitoring at multiple electrical contacts to detect attachment characteristics. By measuring voltage parameters at different contacts and comparing them against expected patterns, the processor can identify attachment types. This parameter-based detection approach allows flexible recognition without requiring dedicated detection hardware for each attachment type.
3Reliability
If passive attachment detection alone is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to provide forward compatibility and identify new attachment types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines both passive detection (voltage monitoring at electrical contacts) and active detection (poll signal transmission and identification signal reception) methods into a unified attachment recognition system. This hybrid approach leverages the simplicity of passive detection while adding the forward compatibility and reliability of active communication between the processor and attachments.
Data Source
AI summary
A food processing device includes a base housing having an attachment receiver arranged to receive a food processing attachment that is configured to perform a food processing operation. The attachment receiver includes an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical contacts. The device includes a first processor having a plurality of ports where each port of the plurality of ports is in electrical communication with each of the plurality of electrical contacts. The first processor is configured to: i) receive an identification signal at a first port of the plurality of ports via the electrical connector from a second processor in the received food processing attachment to identify the received food processing attachment, and ii) when an identification signal is not received, monitor a voltage at each of the plurality of ports to identify the received food processing attachment.