Food Processor Grinding Mechanism with Elastic Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric motor-operated food processors lack an efficient and integrated grinding mechanism that can handle various food materials without the need for separate grinders, and existing grinders often produce noise and do not allow for precise control over grinding.

Innovation Solution

A food processor with a grinding element connected to the rotation element via a coupling element featuring a spring element, allowing for flexible movement to compensate for axial inclination and radial displacement, enabling gentle grinding with adjustable precision and reducing noise through sound-absorbing arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid coupling element is used to connect the grinding element to the rotation element, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to compensate for axial inclination and radial displacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidability to compensate for axial inclination and radial displacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element is designed with elastic partial regions that allow dynamic adaptation. The spring element provides a range of movement both parallel to the rotation axis and perpendicular to it, enabling the grinding element to automatically adjust its position to compensate for axial inclination and radial displacement while maintaining stable operation during grinding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the grinding element is rigidly fixed to the rotation element, then the grinding precision is improved, but the dampening of shocks during crushing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding precisionVSAvoidshocks during crushing
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling element incorporates elastic partial regions and spring elements that act as cushioning mechanisms before shocks are transmitted to the rotation element. These elastic components absorb and dampen the shocks that occur during the crushing of starting products, protecting the rotation element and motor from damage while maintaining grinding precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a separate grinder is used for grinding operations, then the grinding function is improved, but the device complexity and need for multiple accessories deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding functionVSAvoidnumber of separate accessories
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grinding function is integrated into the food processor by connecting the grinding element to the rotation element through the flexible coupling element. This merging of functions allows the single device to perform both mixing and grinding operations, eliminating the need for separate grinders and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatile functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 versatile, quiet, and precise grinding capability within the food processor, eliminating the need for separate grinders and allowing for simultaneous grinding and mixing operations, with the ability to fine-tune grinding results and integrate with other accessories.

Implementation Method 1

the coupling element having a spring element which provides a range of movement both parallel to a longitudinal extent of a rotation axis of the rotation element and perpendicular thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

shocks from the grinder that occur when the starting products are crushed are also dampened

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3469968B1Kitchen appliance operated by an electric motor with a grinding device
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3469968B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3469968B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3469968B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrically operated food processor (1) comprising a base unit (2) with an electric motor and a preparation vessel (3) connectable to the base unit (2), into which a rotating element (5) projectes, which can be rotated by means of the electric motor. A grinding element (6) can be connected to the rotating element (5), and the grinding element (6) forms a grinding mechanism (9) with a grinding section (7) of a grinding vessel (8) held on the preparation vessel (3). To further enhance the food processor (1), it is proposed that the grinding element (6) be connected to the rotating element (5) via a coupling element (10) having at least one elastic section.