Food-processor device provided with a system for attaching a tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food processing devices face issues with secure attachment to cooking vessels, as insufficient tightening leads to instability and excessive tightening complicates adjustments, making them difficult to use and adapt to different vessel sizes.

Innovation Solution

A food processing device with non-circular drive shaft portions and complementary housings allows for secure attachment and easy adjustment between working positions, using a movable locking element and spring mechanism for tool assembly/disassembly without tools, ensuring ergonomic and economical operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screws are used to attach the tool to the drive shaft, then the tool can be immobilized, but insufficient tightening leads to instability and excessive tightening makes adjustment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding stabilityVSAvoidadjustment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element automatically engages with the drive shaft and tool housing without requiring user intervention for tightening. The spring mechanism provides automatic engagement force, eliminating the need for manual screw tightening while ensuring reliable holding stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual screw tightening mechanism is replaced with an automatic locking element system that uses spring force and geometric interlocking (non-circular cross sections) to provide both secure attachment and easy adjustment capabilities simultaneously.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tool is made adjustable for different working positions, then adaptability to different container sizes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to container sizesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive shaft is divided into distinct segments with different cross-sectional shapes (first portion with non-circular cross section for locking, second portion with circular cross section for adjustment). This segmentation allows the tool to be positioned at multiple discrete working positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the drive shaft have different geometric properties: the first portion has a non-circular cross section that complements the housing shape for secure locking, while the second portion has a circular cross section that allows free rotation for adjustment. This local differentiation provides both adaptability and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the drive shaft has a non-circular cross section for secure locking, then rotational slippage is prevented, but assembly and disassembly become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational transmissionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drive shaft is segmented into a first portion with non-circular cross section for rotational locking and a second portion with circular cross section and smaller diameter for easy insertion through lateral openings. This segmentation allows the non-circular portion to prevent slippage while the circular portion facilitates assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly approach moves from axial insertion to lateral insertion through openings in the housing. The second portion of the drive shaft is inserted through a lateral opening, allowing the non-circular first portion to engage with the housing without requiring complex assembly operations.

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

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 device provides stable and adjustable food processing capabilities across various vessel sizes, ensuring effective food treatment and easy adaptation, with automatic locking and precise positioning, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the locking element is subjected to a return force from the release position to the holding position, in particular under the action of a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3320818B1Food-processor device provided with a system for attaching a tool
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 SEB SA
  • EP3320818B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3320818B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3320818B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for processing food placed in a cooking receptacle (50a, 50b), said device (1) comprising fixing means (3, 4) on said receptacle (50a, 50b) of cooking which allow coupling/uncoupling of said device (1) on the cooking receptacle (50a, 50b), and a drive shaft (20) of a rotary tool (40) intended to cooperate with said food, the tool (40) being movable transversely to a vertical axis (21) of extension of the drive shaft (20) between first and second working positions. According to the invention, the rotary tool (40) comprises at least first and second housings (41, 42) for receiving the drive shaft (20) which are arranged side by side, the tool being in the first working position when the drive shaft (20) is arranged in the first housing (41) and the tool (40) being in the second working position when the drive shaft (20) is arranged in the second housing (42) and the tool (40) is immobilized on the drive shaft (20) by holding means (28, 39) allowing assembly/disassembly of the tool (40) with respect to to the drive shaft (20) without tools.