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 motorized base to drive a rotary shaft, allowing for multiple blade configurations for food manipulation and interlocking components for efficient storage, minimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the food processor components are kept separate for easy cleaning and operation, then ease of operation and cleaning are improved, but the horizontal space occupied during storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to nest within the bowl when inverted, and the blade storage container nests within the lid assembly. This nested configuration allows all components to be stored in a compact vertical arrangement, minimizing horizontal storage space while maintaining separate components for ease of cleaning and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The food processor transitions from a horizontal spread-out configuration during operation to a vertical stacked configuration during storage. By utilizing the vertical dimension through stacking components (bowl base, lid, blade container) one on top of another, the design minimizes horizontal footprint while keeping components separate for easy cleaning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple blade types are provided for different food manipulation tasks, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade storage container serves multiple functions: it stores multiple blade types when not in use, and when attached to the lid, it becomes part of the operational food processing assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate storage solutions, maintaining versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade storage container is designed as a detachable module that can be separated from the lid assembly. This segmentation allows the blade storage function to be independent from the processing function, enabling users to attach only the necessary components for each task, thus managing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the food processing assembly is made detachable from the base for flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but reliability of connection may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly base features a rotatable input shaft that can selectively engage with different blade assemblies. This dynamic engagement mechanism allows the connection to be easily made and broken (improving flexibility) while maintaining a secure locked position during operation (maintaining reliability). The rotational locking mechanism ensures stable connection when engaged.
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.