A food processor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors lack an adjustable flow disturbing mechanism that effectively manages liquid levels during operation, leading to suboptimal performance when varying amounts of food material are processed.
Innovation Solution
A food processor with a position-adjustable flow disturbing casing, featuring a screw mechanism that interacts with threaded portions to alter the position of flow disturbing ribs, combined with a seal and vent holes for efficient gas venting, ensuring optimal liquid management and enhanced processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If food items are processed in batches using conventional processors, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is reduced due to repeated loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The food processor is divided into multiple independently operable processing bowls arranged vertically on a single shaft. Each bowl can be loaded and processed independently, allowing continuous operation where one bowl is being processed while another is being loaded, thereby eliminating idle time and increasing overall productivity without requiring multiple separate processors
Solution Approach 2:
A single processor unit with multiple bowls serves multiple processing functions simultaneously. The processor can handle different food items in different bowls at the same time, and each bowl can be used for various processing operations (chopping, mixing, pureeing) depending on the attachment used, making the device highly versatile and productive
2Ease of operation
If food items are left in the processor bowl after use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the food items become contaminated by bacteria growing in the moist environment
Solution Approach 1:
The processing bowls are designed to be easily removable from the processor unit. After use, the bowls can be quickly taken out and placed in a dishwasher for cleaning, ensuring that food residues are thoroughly removed and no bacteria can grow. This separation of the processing container from the motor unit simplifies the cleaning process while maintaining food safety
Solution Approach 2:
The processor is designed to be self-cleaning ready, with bowls that can be directly placed in a dishwasher without manual pre-cleaning. The removable bowl design allows the system to utilize the dishwasher's cleaning capability, ensuring thorough sanitization without requiring additional manual intervention from the user
3Loss of time
If a single processor handles multiple food items sequentially, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time increases due to repeated cleaning and reloading
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing bowls are vertically stacked on a single shaft, allowing simultaneous preparation of different food items. While one bowl is being processed, another can be loaded or cleaned, eliminating the sequential wait time and significantly reducing the total cycle time for preparing multiple dishes
Solution Approach 2:
The processor maintains continuous productive operation by allowing overlapping cycles - one bowl can be processed while another is being loaded or cleaned. This eliminates idle time between processing cycles and ensures the motor and attachments are continuously utilized, maximizing the efficiency of each processing session
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 enhances the refinement of slurry and increases processing efficiency by adjusting flow disturbing ribs and venting steam, preventing overflow and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a blade, which can be used to chop, mix or puree a food item
Implementation Method 2
a reamer, which can be used to remove outer layers of a food item
Implementation Method 3
a slicer, which can be used to portion a food item
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A food processor comprising a base (1) and a bowl (2) provided on the base (1). The bowl (2) is provided with a bowl cover (22). The bowl (2) is provided, inside, with a crushing assembly (3) and a flow disturbing casing (4) positioned outside the crushing assembly (3). The flow disturbing casing (4) comprises a body portion (40) and a narrowed portion (41) formed by upwardly extending from the body portion (40). The narrowed portion (41) is provided with a first thread (411). The bowl cover (22) is provided with a screw (5) adapted to the narrowed portion (41) so as to adjust the position of the flow disturbing casing (4) in the bowl (2). In the invention, by the cooperation between the screw (5) and the narrowed portion (41), a rotation of the screw (5) drives the flow disturbing casing (4) to move up and down along an axial direction of the bowl (2), achieving the adjustment of the position of a flow disturbing rib (401, 402, 403), thus achieving the best effect of flow disturbing on a food material in the bowl (2).