Food processor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Kitchen appliances are increasingly required to be multitasking to save space, but existing food processors lack flexibility in operation and storage, occupying unnecessary horizontal space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A detachable food processing assembly that selectively engages with a blender base to drive a rotary shaft, allowing for multiple blade configurations for food manipulation and compact storage by interlocking components, minimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the food processor is designed as a detachable assembly that can be stored in multiple configurations, then storage space efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple interlocking components and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The food processor is divided into separate detachable components including a base unit with motor, a processing assembly with bowl and lid, and interchangeable blade components. This segmentation allows each component to be independently stored and reconfigured, enabling compact vertical storage while maintaining operational flexibility when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The food processor assembly is designed with dynamic reconfigurability, allowing it to transition between operational configuration (with all components assembled) and compact storage configuration (with components detached and stored vertically). The interchangeable blade system and detachable lid enable the structure to adapt its form based on usage needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the food processor assembly is designed with multiple interchangeable blades and configurations for different food manipulation tasks, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components and interlocking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A single base unit with motor is designed to support multiple processing assemblies and interchangeable blade types, enabling one core device to perform multiple food manipulation functions including chopping, slicing, and blending. The universal coupling mechanism allows different blade attachments while maintaining a consistent base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different blade components are designed with specific local characteristics optimized for particular food manipulation tasks (e.g., toothed blades for chopping, smooth blades for blending). The processing assembly allows selection of appropriate blade types based on the specific food processing requirement, providing localized functionality within the universal system.
3Ease of operation
If the components are designed to interlock in multiple ways for different configurations, then ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper interlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanisms between components are designed with asymmetric features including keyed connections and oriented mounting positions. This asymmetry provides built-in alignment guidance that simplifies assembly by preventing incorrect orientation, while the asymmetric geometry inherently defines precise engagement points that reduce tolerance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking components are designed with mating surfaces and engagement features that distribute mechanical loads evenly across multiple contact points. This equipotential design ensures uniform stress distribution during assembly and operation, reducing the impact of minor manufacturing variations while maintaining secure connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A food processor assembly is disclosed. An example food processor assembly includes an assembly base, a bowl base, a bow, a lid, and a blade storage container. The assembly base includes a rotary input shaft that selectively couples to a coupler of a blender base. The bowl base selectively couples to the assembly base with the rotary input shaft extending through the bowl based. The bowl includes a body and a central column integrally formed with the body though which the rotary input shaft extends. The lid selectively couples to the bowl. The lid includes a feed tube to receive food items. The lid having a first vertical orientation to selectively couple to the bowl and a second vertical orientation to selectively couple to the bowl. The blade storage container selectively couples to the lid when the lid in coupled to the bowl in the second vertical orientation.