Adjustable Grinder Rotary Slide for Continuous Grind Size Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grinding devices for grain-like condiments lack continuous adjustment capabilities, making it difficult for users to select desired grinding fineness due to the integration of the rotor with the adjusting element, which limits customization according to individual taste preferences.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable grinder design featuring a rotor with teeth and fingers, a stator, and a rotary slide with inclined surfaces and catches, allowing for continuous adjustment of grain size through a mechanism with visual and acoustic indicators, enabling precise control of grinding fineness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the rotor is made integral with the adjusting element (as in WO 2004/037057), then the device structure is simplified, but continuous adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting mechanism is segmented into separate components: the rotary element (11) that rotates independently, the follower element (10) that converts rotational motion to axial motion, and the rotor (4) that remains separate from the adjusting mechanism. This segmentation allows continuous adjustment while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The follower element (10) acts as an intermediary between the rotary element (11) and the rotor (4). It receives rotational input from the rotary element and converts it to axial displacement of the rotor, enabling continuous adjustment without requiring the rotor to be integral with the adjusting element.
2Device complexity
If a screw system is used for adjustment, then the mechanism is simple, but positioning marks and identification of grinding fineness cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The drum (5) incorporates visual feedback through openings (14) and marks (15-17) that allow users to see and identify the current grinding fineness setting. The pointer (13) provides visual feedback by indicating the selected setting on the drum, enabling users to identify and reproduce their preferred grinding fineness.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum features visual indicators including marks (15-17) and openings (14) that provide visual feedback about the current setting. These visual elements allow users to identify the grinding fineness level without complex instrumentation.
3Ease of operation
If the rotor and stator are frustoconical bodies with different conicities, then adjustment is achieved through axial displacement, but the mechanism lacks continuous variability
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting mechanism transforms the static frustoconical geometry into a dynamic system. The rotary element (11) with inclined surface (8) and follower element (10) enable continuous axial displacement of the rotor (4) relative to the stator (3), creating continuous variability in grain size while maintaining the simple frustoconical geometry of the grinding components.
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
Enables continuous and precise adjustment of grain size, allowing users to select desired fineness with ease, ensuring accurate production of ground condiments in various sizes, from fine to coarse, enhancing user experience and customization.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary slide (11) has at least one inclined surface (8) formed on a lower face of an internal peripheral collar (9) of the drum (5)... the rotational movement of the slide (11) down the inclined surface (8) corresponds to an adjustment of the spacing between the rotor (4) and the stator (3)
Implementation Method 2
at least one follower element (10) is integrated with a rotary slide (11)... the follower element (10) and the inclined surface (8) cooperate in such a way that the rotational movement of the slide (11) down the inclined surface (8) corresponds to an adjustment of the spacing between the rotor (4) and the stator (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
Figure 9~13
AI summary
An adjustable grinder, includes a container, a stator, a rotor, a drum, and a rotary slide. The container can hold a product to be ground. The stator is positioned on the container. The rotor is positioned opposite to the stator and can rotate with respect to the stator. The drum is positioned around the rotor. The rotary slide includes a pointer that can be adjusted such that a distance between the stator and the rotor increases or decreases.