Multifunctional food processor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunctional food processors with heat sources located at the bottom of the vessel suffer from poor heat distribution and the risk of food leakage into electrical parts, leading to hazardous short circuits and prolonged cooking times.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional automatic food processor with a grinder housing, a detachable bottom pan, and a top pan coupled with a microwave producing device, allowing for even heat distribution and simultaneous cooking, stirring, blending, and grinding using both microwave and induction heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat source is located at the bottom of the vessel in a mixer/blender, then the device can heat food, but heat distribution becomes poor and cooking time extends to 15-20 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces microwave radiation as a third dimension of heating, complementing the conventional bottom heating. The microwave generator emits electromagnetic waves that penetrate and heat food volumetrically from all directions, transforming the traditional one-dimensional bottom heating into a multi-dimensional heating system that achieves uniform and rapid heating throughout the food.
2Temperature
If electrical conduction is used to heat food in a mixer/blender, then the device can cook food, but food leakage into electrical parts causes hazardous short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces microwave radiation as an intermediary heating mechanism that eliminates direct contact between electrical components and food. The microwave generator produces electromagnetic waves that heat food through dielectric heating without requiring electrical elements to be in contact with or near the food, thus preventing food leakage-induced short circuits while maintaining heating capability.
3Productivity
If a microwave producing device is added to a food processor, then cooking time is reduced and heat distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates a microwave generator into the existing food processor structure, enabling the device to perform multiple functions: conventional blending/grinding using the motor-driven blades, microwave heating using the microwave generator, and combined microwave-assisted blending. This multi-functionality allows rapid cooking and improved heat distribution without requiring separate appliances, effectively managing the complexity trade-off.
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 device enables efficient and safe cooking, reducing cooking time and preventing electrical hazards by using microwave and induction heating for uniform heat distribution and allowing for easy operation and cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
the top pan is coupled with at least one microwave producing device, such as a magnetron, that acts as a source of microwaves, thereby allowing contents of the bottom pan to be heated
Implementation Method 2
the bottom pan (300) can incorporate one or more induction coils
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A multifunctional food processor is disclosed, comprising: a grinder housing with a mechanism for driving a grinding blade; and a bottom pan that is detachably attached to grinder housing, and incorporates the grinding blade. Bottom pan, when attached to grinder housing, gets coupled to the mechanism for driving the grinding blade. A top pan is provided to cover the bottom pan, and is coupled with at least one magnetron or microwave producing device that acts as a source of microwaves for heating contents of the bottom pan. The bottom pan also incorporates one or more induction coils to heat the contents of the bottom pan by induction. The magnetron or microwave producing device and the induction coils allow contents of the bottom pan to be heated in addition to any one or more of stirring, blending and grinding.