Grating disc for a food processor and a food processor comprising a grating disc
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food processors have suboptimal juice yield and require cumbersome cleaning due to food particles adhering to grating discs with undercut teeth, posing a hazard and increasing cleaning complexity.
Innovation Solution
A grating disc with uninterrupted, continuous envelope surfaces and angled grating teeth, where the front surface forms a 90-100 degree angle with the disc surface and the rear surface forms a 120-135 degree angle, preventing food particles from adhering and facilitating easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional grating teeth with undercut shape are used, then grating function is achieved, but food particles adhere to the teeth causing cleaning difficulty and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional grating tooth design by eliminating undercuts and using only convex surfaces. The grating tooth comprises a front surface extending from the disc surface to a distal end, delimited by grating edges, and a rear surface meeting the disc surface at an angle of 120-135 degrees, with all surfaces being convex to prevent particle adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the grating tooth surfaces, specifically setting the front surface angle with the disc surface at 90-100 degrees and the rear surface angle at 120-135 degrees. These parameter changes ensure continuous convex envelope surfaces that prevent food particles from adhering while maintaining effective grating function.
2Productivity
If conventional grating discs are used, then basic grating function is provided, but juice yield is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes juice yield by changing the geometric parameters of the grating tooth surfaces. The front surface forms an angle of 90-100 degrees with the disc surface, and the rear surface forms an angle of 120-135 degrees with the disc surface. These parameter optimizations enhance juice extraction efficiency while the continuous convex surfaces simplify manufacturing by eliminating undercuts.
3Ease of operation
If thorough cleaning of grating disc is performed using brushes or fingers, then food particles are removed, but user safety is compromised due to cutting hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of sharp grating edges into a benefit by designing all surfaces as convex with continuous envelope surfaces. The grating tooth has a front surface delimited by grating edges and a rear surface, both convex, which prevent food particles from adhering. This design eliminates the need for thorough manual cleaning with brushes or fingers, as particles simply do not stick to the convex surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The grating tooth design enables self-cleaning functionality through its convex surface geometry. Food particles naturally detach from the continuous convex envelope surfaces during operation and rinsing, without requiring manual intervention with brushes or fingers, thereby eliminating cutting hazards while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
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 design enhances juice yield by preventing particle adherence and simplifies cleaning, allowing for effective rinsing without brushes or fingers, reducing the risk of injury and improving processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The grated material and the juice are typically thrown upwardly and outwardly by centrifugal forces against the surface of a filter surrounding the grating disc.
Implementation Method 2
said envelope surface having a gradient which spatial derivative does not change sign, wherein said envelope surface comprises a front surface which front surface is, during use, the leading surface of said grating tooth, said front surface extending from said disc surface to a distal end of said grating tooth, and is adapted to be brought into contact with said food during use of said food processor, and wherein said front surface is delimited in one direction by said disc surface, and in at least one other direction by at least one grating edge, and said front surface (30; 330) and the disc surface (23) are at an angle (γ) of 90-100 degrees; and a rear surface (33; 333) located downstream said front surface (30; 330) with respect to a direction of rotation of said disc, said rear surface (33, 333) meeting said disc surface at an angle (β) of 120-135 degrees
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A grating disc (4) arranged to be mounted within a food processor (1) and to be rotated in a direction of rotation (26). The grating disc (4) comprising at least one grating tooth (24) for grating food to be processed which tooth protrudes from a surface of the grating disc. The tooth (24) has an uninterrupted, continuous envelope surface (29) forming an outer contour of said tooth (24) which surface has gradient which spatial derivative does not change sign. The envelope surface comprises a front surface (30) which is, during use, the leading surface of the grating tooth (24). The front surface (30) extends from the grating said disc surface (23) to a distal end of the grating tooth, and is adapted to be brought into contact with said food during use of said food processor (1). The front surface (30) is delimited in one direction by the grating disc surface, and in at least one other direction by at least one grating edge (32). Due to this improved grating disc less food particles remaining on the grating disc - i.e. less processed food being caught by the grating tooth - implying improved cleanability of the grating disc after use.