Foodstuff-grinding attachment for a kitchen machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current foodstuff grinding attachments face difficulties in cleaning, particularly the cavity within the main body, due to operational forces and pressures, which complicates maintenance without compromising performance.

Innovation Solution

The attachment is designed with a split main body that allows for easy disassembly and cleaning, featuring a sliding or hinged configuration with tongue and groove mechanisms and flexible seals to secure and seal the parts, ensuring accessibility and resistance to operational forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the main body is made as a single strong component to resist operational forces, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidease of cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The main body is divided into two separable components: a stationary component and a removable component. This segmentation allows the removable component to be detached for easy cleaning of the cavity while the stationary component remains to maintain structural strength during operation. The split design enables access to previously hard-to-reach areas without compromising the overall strength of the attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the main body is split into separable components to facilitate cleaning, then the ease of cleaning is improved, but the ability to resist operational forces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidstrength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the stationary and removable components uses a dynamic fastening system with a fastening element that can be easily engaged and disengaged. During operation, the components are securely fastened together to withstand high forces and pressures. During cleaning, the fastening element can be quickly released to separate the components. This dynamic approach allows the same structure to provide both strength during operation and ease of cleaning during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If tool-free disassembly is implemented for cleaning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of securing components together deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of disassemblyVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element is designed to be manually operable without requiring external tools. The user can directly engage and disengage the fastening element through simple hand operations. This self-service mechanism maintains reliability during operation through secure mechanical engagement while providing tool-free disassembly for cleaning. The design eliminates the need for wrenches, screwdrivers, or other tools, making maintenance accessible to all users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3060092B1Foodstuff-grinding attachment for a kitchen machine
Publication Date: 2018.02.07 KENWOOD LTD
  • EP3060092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3060092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3060092B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A foodstuff grinding attachment (200) for connection to a rotary drive outlet (102, 152) presented by a host device (100, 150); the attachment (200) comprising a main body (204) part having a generally tubular hollowed portion ((206) for attachment to the host device (100, 150); a rotatable scroll- type extruding tool (210) capable of rotating within a cavity (212) formed in said tubular portion (206) of the main body (204) part and provided with means to couple (218, 222) with said rotary drive outlet (102, 152) when the main body (204) part is attached to the host device (100, 150); means permitting foodstuff to be introduced into the cavity (212) of said tubular body portion (206) and into engagement with the extruding tool (210) for grinding and transport towards an outlet port of the attachment; wherein said main body (204) part comprises first (330) and second (340) separable components configured to be secured together for operation of the attachment (200) and wherein said components are adapted to be separable from one another to provide access to said cavity (212) for cleaning.