Food Processor Spindle Gear Assembly to Reduce Vibration and Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors face issues with excessive forces and vibrations during high-speed operations, leading to wear and potential safety hazards, and have compatibility problems with accessories across different models, resulting in inefficient processing and reduced accessory longevity.
Innovation Solution
A food processor with a spindle assembly featuring a gear assembly that reduces the accessory speed to one-sixth of the motor speed, using a bayonet connection for secure engagement, and a disc design with adjustable orientations for dicing and chipping operations, ensuring stable operation and compatibility with various accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the accessory rotates at high speed for blending or liquefying operations, then processing efficiency is improved, but excessive forces and vibrations are generated causing wear and potential safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic speed control system that adjusts the rotation speed of the accessory based on the specific food processing operation being performed. The motor can operate at high speeds for blending/liquefying while automatically reducing to lower speeds for slicing/dicing operations, thereby preventing excessive forces and vibrations during appropriate operations while maintaining high productivity when needed.
2Loss of energy
If a single speed motor is used to reduce cost and improve efficiency, then operating cost is reduced, but the processor cannot optimize speed for different food processing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a single motor with dynamic speed adjustment capability that can adapt its rotation speed according to the specific operation requirements. This allows the processor to optimize speed for different food processing operations (high speed for blending, low speed for slicing) while using a single motor design that reduces overall operating costs and energy loss.
3Productivity
If the cutting disc rotates at speeds higher than optimal for slicing or dicing, then processing speed is improved, but excessive forces cause wobbling and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the motor speed to match the optimal rotation speed for slicing and dicing operations. By preventing the cutting disc from rotating at excessively high speeds during these operations, the system maintains operational stability and prevents wobbling and vibration while still achieving efficient processing through proper speed optimization.
4Device complexity
If the drive spindle directly engages the motor output socket for simple design, then device complexity is reduced, but the spindle can be disengaged from the drive coupling under excessive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pre-designed engagement mechanism between the drive spindle and motor output socket that incorporates protective features to prevent disengagement. The mechanism includes provisions for handling excessive forces before they can cause disengagement, such as reinforced coupling structures or force-distributing elements that were designed in advance to cushion against the harmful effects of excessive operational forces.
5Ease of operation
If accessories are mounted with simple engagement to the spindle, then ease of operation is improved, but incorrect positioning causes wear against internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory mounting mechanism incorporates pre-designed positioning features and alignment guides that ensure correct positioning of the accessory on the spindle. These features were designed in advance to prevent incorrect positioning that could lead to wear against internal surfaces, while maintaining ease of operation through simple snap-fit or bayonet-style mounting procedures.
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 solution provides stable and efficient food processing by reducing excessive forces and vibrations, enhancing accessory longevity, and ensuring compatibility with multiple accessories, resulting in uniform food processing and reduced operational risks.
Implementation Method 1
a spindle assembly featuring a gear assembly that reduces the accessory speed to one-sixth of the motor speed
Implementation Method 2
using a bayonet connection for secure engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A food processor (100) with a food preparation vessel (102), a base (104) housing a drive motor (111) and a spindle assembly (140) for detachable engagement with an accessory (109) for rotation in the preparation vessel (102). The spindle assembly (140) has a gear assembly such that the accessory (109) is driven at a speed that differs from that of the drive motor (111).