Food processor with attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food processors often lack secure lid fixation, leading to potential injuries and spills, and provide an insecure connection between the container and base, which can result in unstable operation.
Innovation Solution
A food processor design featuring a lid that locks securely to the container using a handle mechanism and a container that can be slidably or rotatably coupled to the base, with an actuator ensuring motor activation only when the lid is properly secured, enhancing safety and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional blender design is used with a simple lid and container connection, then the device complexity is low, but the lid fixation is insecure leading to potential injuries and spills
Solution Approach 1:
The lid locking mechanism performs the locking action automatically when the lid is placed on the container, before operation begins. The handle mechanism pre-positions the locking elements to engage with the container, ensuring secure fixation is established in advance of use without requiring additional user actions during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock when the lid is placed on the container, without requiring separate manual locking actions. The mechanical interaction between the lid handle and container automatically engages the locking elements, making the system self-servicing and reducing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If a conventional blender with simple container-base connection is used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the connection between container and base is insecure resulting in unstable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The container coupling mechanism pre-positions engagement elements on the container bottom that automatically align with and engage corresponding elements on the base when the container is placed on the base, establishing secure connection in advance of operation without requiring additional assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The container-base coupling mechanism automatically engages when the container is placed on the base, with mechanical elements that self-align and lock into position without requiring manual adjustment or complex assembly procedures, making the system self-servicing.
3Ease of operation
If motor activation is allowed without lid securement, then the ease of operation is high, but user safety is compromised due to potential injuries from unsecured lids
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism prevents motor activation by blocking the activation path until the lid is properly secured. This preliminary protective action occurs before motor startup, automatically ensuring the lid is locked in place before operation begins, eliminating the need for separate safety checks by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator provides feedback about the lid securing status to the motor control system. The mechanism detects whether the lid is properly locked through mechanical or electrical signals, and only permits motor activation when the feedback confirms secure lid fixation, creating a closed-loop safety system.
Data Source
AI summary
A blending apparatus is provided which includes a container defining a cavity having a center axis and a substantially rectangular cross section through the center axis. The blending apparatus further includes a lid to cover the cavity defined by the container, and an attachment to fit within the cavity and rotate about the center axis of the cavity. In some arrangements, a set of sides of the container defines (i) a substantially octagonal interior cross section through the center axis at a location adjacent a bottom of the container to prevent lodging of food products at the bottom of the container when the attachment rotates within the cavity; and (ii) a substantially square interior cross section through the center axis at a location further from the bottom of the container.