Adjustable Food Processor Blade Assembly With Locking Thickness Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Food processors lack an efficient mechanism to adjust the cutting thickness of food items, limiting the versatility in producing thicker or thinner pieces.
Innovation Solution
A food processor design featuring a rotating disk that is upwardly and downwardly movable relative to a cutting blade, with a user-operated pin and locking mechanism allowing for adjustable cutting thickness by changing the distance between the cutting blade and the rotating disk, enabling the user to lock the disk in various positions for different cutting thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed cutting blade assembly is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the cutting thickness cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade assembly is designed with a rotating disk that can move vertically between multiple predetermined positions, transforming a static structure into a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the cutting thickness to be changed by rotating the disk to different positions, while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of a spring-loaded locking mechanism that automatically secures the blade at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is segmented into a rotating disk with multiple predetermined positions, allowing independent adjustment of cutting thickness. Each position on the rotating disk represents a discrete cutting thickness option, enabling users to select the desired thickness without redesigning the entire blade assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rotating disk is made movable to adjust cutting thickness, then versatility is improved, but the risk of accidental movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spring-loaded locking mechanism is pre-positioned to engage with the rotating disk at predetermined positions. The spring continuously applies locking force to secure the blade assembly in its current position, preventing accidental movement during operation. Users must deliberately disengage the locking mechanism by applying sufficient force to compress the spring and rotate the disk to a new position.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental movement, then reliability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the rotating disk. As the user rotates the disk to a new position, the spring automatically locks the blade at the nearest predetermined position without requiring additional manual intervention. This self-locking feature maintains ease of operation while ensuring reliable positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a blade assembly. A rotating disk is adjustable relative to the blade assembly to vary the thickness of the food items cut by the blade assembly. A user-operated pin is positioned below the rotating disk and is moveable between a first position in which the rotating disk is prevented from moving upwardly and downwardly, and a second position in which the rotating disk is permitted to move upwardly and downwardly.