Interlock mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen machines for spiralizing ingredients are often user-intensive, suffer from usability issues, and are dedicated single-purpose devices, limiting their ability to process multiple ingredients continuously.
Innovation Solution
An adaptor for a food processor that includes a rotating drive and a cutting tool, where the cutting tool picks up drive from the rotating drive at a location offset from its axis of rotation, allowing continuous processing and integration with standard kitchen appliances like stand mixers, enabling efficient spiralizing of ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated single-purpose spiralizing device is used, then spiralizing function is achieved, but device complexity and lack of versatility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal adaptor that can be attached to various existing kitchen appliances (food processors, stand mixers) to enable spiralizing functionality. The adaptor includes a mounting formation that cooperates with different appliance types and a support structure that holds the cutting tool, allowing one device to serve multiple purposes across different appliance platforms without requiring dedicated single-purpose equipment
2Productivity
If manual reloading is required after processing one ingredient, then simple device structure is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous processing by allowing multiple cutting tools to be mounted on the adaptor simultaneously or sequentially. The support structure is designed to hold cutting tools in a manner that facilitates continuous operation, eliminating the need to stop and reload after processing one ingredient, thereby maintaining productive action throughout
3Ease of operation
If high levels of user input are required, then device simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is designed to self-align and self-secure to the appliance through its mounting formation, reducing the need for precise user alignment. The support structure automatically positions the cutting tool correctly once mounted, and the engagement formation with the rotating drive creates a self-regulating system that maintains proper engagement without constant user adjustment
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting tool picks up drive at the axis of rotation, then direct drive is achieved, but adaptability to offset mounting locations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary engagement formation that acts as a mediator between the rotating drive of the appliance and the cutting tool. This engagement formation is positioned at a location spaced apart from the axis of rotation and transfers rotational motion to the cutting tool, enabling the cutting tool to be mounted at offset locations while still receiving effective drive without requiring direct axial alignment
Data Source
AI summary
A drive interlock mechanism for an accessory for a food processor having a rotating drive, comprising: an engagement formation for engaging the rotating drive; a cooperating member for cooperating with the accessory so as to move the engagement formation into engagement with the rotating drive; and means for urging the engagement member away from the rotating drive so as to disengage the engagement member from the rotating drive.