Integrated Food Processor Weighing With Low-Slung Rail Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food processors lack the broad functionality of stand-mixers due to design and pricing constraints, and they require external weighing scales, leading to clutter and storage issues, with prior attempts to integrate scales being costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A food processor arrangement with an integrated weighing system, featuring a casing with an electric motor and drive system, transverse rails, load cells, and a low-slung bowl-supporting platform, allowing for compact and stable operation with visual weight display, enabling convenient ingredient measurement without additional equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If weighing scales are integrated into the food processor, then functionality is improved and clutter is reduced, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the weighing function and food processing function into a single integrated device. The weighing scale components (load cells, display) are merged with the food processor structure, allowing users to weigh ingredients directly in the bowl without needing separate weighing scales, thereby reducing clutter while adding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The food processor bowl is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the processing container and the weighing platform. The load cells are positioned to measure weight through the bowl structure, enabling the same component to fulfill dual purposes and reducing the need for additional separate equipment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the drive system is mounted above the rails, then structural stability is improved, but operating height increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the drive system above the rails as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the drive system below the rails. The motor and transmission components are located in the lower portion of the casing, with the drive shaft extending upward to engage the bowl, thereby reducing overall height while maintaining structural stability through the rail support structure.
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 compact, stable, and user-friendly food processor with integrated weighing capabilities, reducing clutter and cost, while maintaining a low operating height for improved user convenience and accuracy in measuring ingredient weights.
Implementation Method 1
at least one load cell mounted upon each said rail; the load cells being disposed and configured to support the food processor and generate electrical signals indicative of weight sensed thereby
Data Source
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AI summary
Food processor arrangements are provided having an integral capability for weighing ingredients to be processed by the arrangement; such arrangements including a casing (20,50) containing an electric motor and an associated drive system coupled to a drive outlet, located on a bowl- supporting surface (41,51) of the casing (20,50), for driving a food processing tool in the bowl (42,62). First and second rail members (71,72), disposed to either side of the casing (20,50), are supported on standing feet (73,74,75,76) for the food processor arrangement, and one or more load cells (81,82) are mounted upon each rail (71,72). The rails (71,72) support the food processor and the load cells (81,82) provide electrical signals that can be processed to indicate on a display the weight of ingredients in the bowl (42,62). The drive system is low-slung, as it includes components disposed between the rails (71,72), and thereby permits the bowl-supporting platform (41,51) to be provided at an operational height that is conveniently low for a user.