Food processor optimized dicing kit system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processor appliances with dicing accessories face challenges in easy connection and removal, often requiring multiple parts disassembly and posing safety risks due to blades.
Innovation Solution
A dicing assembly for food processors with a limited number of parts that can be quickly and safely removed, featuring a blade unit with a driven hub, arms, and a guide rail system that allows for easy insertion and alignment, including a guide rail with overlapping flanges and trolleys for secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dicing accessory is releasably connected to the food processing appliance, then various accessories may be connected to a single food processing appliance for various types of food processing, but the connection and removal of the accessory can often times be difficult, requiring disassembling the accessory in several parts that must be reassembled after cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The dicing accessory is divided into separable components (blade unit with arm assembly, outer ring with guide rail, trolley assembly) that can be independently removed and cleaned. The blade unit can be detached from the outer ring, and the arm assembly can be separated from the blade, allowing each component to be cleaned separately without requiring complete disassembly and reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The trolley assembly acts as an intermediary component that facilitates easy connection and removal. The trolley with flanges engages with the guide rail in the outer ring, providing a simple interface that allows the blade unit to be quickly attached and detached without complex assembly steps.
2Ease of manufacture
If the accessory includes a blade, then dicing and cutting functions are achieved, but user safety must be considered due to the presence of sharp blades
Solution Approach 1:
The blade unit is extracted as a separate, removable component from the main appliance body. The blade can be completely removed from the arm assembly and outer ring, allowing users to avoid contact with sharp edges during cleaning and storage. The blade is taken out as a distinct element that can be handled separately when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade unit is designed to be pre-removed from the appliance before cleaning begins. By separating the blade from the arm assembly and outer ring beforehand, users eliminate the safety hazard of handling sharp blades during the cleaning process, allowing safe washing of other components.
3Reliability
If the accessory must be removed to thoroughly clean the accessory and interfacing surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory is segmented into components (blade unit, outer ring, trolley assembly) that can be independently removed and cleaned. Each component can be washed separately in the dishwasher or by hand, allowing thorough cleaning of all surfaces including interfacing areas without requiring complete disassembly and reassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The components are designed to be easily separable and reassemblable by the user without requiring technical expertise or special tools. The simple connection interfaces allow users to quickly detach and reattach components themselves, reducing the time and effort needed for cleaning maintenance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dicer assembly (12, 112, 212) for a food processor appliance (10) includes a blade unit (14, 114, 214) that has a driven hub (16, 116, 216), a first arm (18, 118, 218) that extends from the driven hub (16, 116, 216), and a second arm (20, 120, 220) that extends from the driven hub (16, 116, 216) opposite the first arm (18, 118, 218). A first blade is connected to and extends along the first arm (18, 118, 218). A first trolley (24, 124, 224) extends from the first arm (18, 118, 218) opposite the driven hub (16, 116, 216) and a second trolley (26, 126, 226) extends from the second arm (20, 120, 220) opposite the driven hub (16, 116, 216). An outer ring (28, 128, 228) defines a guide rail (30, 130, 230) slidably coupled with the first trolley (24, 124, 224) and the second trolley (26, 126, 226).