Fruit cutting apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit cutting appliances are either large or require multiple blade assemblies to achieve various cutting styles, making them inconvenient for home users who want to easily prepare fruits like apples into different configurations.
Innovation Solution
A compact fruit cutting apparatus with a single cutting blade that can be oriented and operated under software control, featuring a rotating platform with prongs to secure the fruit and a movable blade that can be actuated to cut fruits into wedges, slices, cubes, rings, or slaw without changing blade assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple blade assemblies are used to achieve various cutting styles, then cutting versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is made dynamically adjustable rather than static. The blade can be rotated to different orientations (horizontal, vertical, angled) and positioned at various locations relative to the fruit using motors and control systems. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single blade to perform multiple cutting functions that would otherwise require multiple fixed blade assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
A single universal blade assembly is designed to perform multiple cutting functions through software control and mechanical adjustment. The blade can be programmed to execute different cutting patterns (slices, wedges, cubes, spirals, etc.) by adjusting its orientation, position, and motion parameters, making one blade assembly replace multiple specialized blades.
2Device complexity
If a single blade is used to cut various fruit configurations, then device complexity is reduced, but cutting versatility may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is made dynamically adjustable rather than static. The blade can be rotated to different orientations (horizontal, vertical, angled) and positioned at various locations relative to the fruit using motors and control systems. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single blade to perform multiple cutting functions that would otherwise require multiple fixed blade assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting parameters of the blade (orientation angle, position coordinates, motion speed, cutting depth) are made variable and programmable. By changing these parameters under software control, the same physical blade can produce different cutting styles and patterns, achieving versatility through parameter variation rather than physical blade changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If software control is implemented to operate the blade and rotating platform, then cutting precision and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust blade position, orientation, and rotating platform movement in real-time. Sensors detect the actual positions and make corrections to achieve precise cutting results, ensuring accuracy while managing the complexity of the control system through intelligent regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms are replaced with automated motor-driven systems controlled by software. The processor executes programmed instructions to automatically position the blade and rotate the platform with precise control, substituting complex manual mechanical operations with programmable automated control for improved precision.
4Ease of operation
If the blade is made movable between deployed and retracted configurations, then safety and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is made dynamically adjustable rather than static. The blade can be rotated to different orientations (horizontal, vertical, angled) and positioned at various locations relative to the fruit using motors and control systems. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single blade to perform multiple cutting functions that would otherwise require multiple fixed blade assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly incorporates automated deployment and retraction mechanisms that operate without manual intervention. The system automatically positions the blade for cutting operations and retracts it when not in use or when operation is complete, providing self-service functionality that improves safety while managing mechanical complexity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A fruit cutting apparatus includes an appliance housing having a bottom wall a body portion extending upwardly therefrom. A cutting chamber is coupled to the appliance housing and includes a continuous side wall defining an open top and bottom. A rotating platform assembly is coupled to the appliance housing and has a second portion extending upwardly into the cutting chamber, the rotating platform assembly including a support surface having a plurality of prongs configured to impale and secure the fruit piece. A cutting blade is positioned in the body portion and is slidably movable between deployed and retracted configurations. An input assembly enables selection of a cutting style, each selection being associated with programming instructions that cause a processor to selectively actuate the blade to deploy, orient its blade tip, and actuate the rotating platform to rotate the fruit piece as it is cut as selected.