Horizontal Dough Hook Geometry for Stable High-Viscosity Kneading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance mixing arrangements are not optimized for mixing and kneading high-viscosity foodstuff like dough, leading to instability and inadequate gluten development, as the hook design is not suitable for such applications.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance mixing arrangement with a hook having a curved elongated portion and a horizontal axis of rotation, where the curved portion extends in a direction forming an angle α with the axis of rotation, allowing thorough mixing and kneading of foodstuff along the elongated portion, and a mixing container with an oblate spheroid inner surface that cooperates with the hook to enhance ingredient integration and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vertically arranged hook is used in conventional mixing arrangements, then the drive arrangement can be positioned above the mixing container, but the mixing effectiveness for high-viscosity foodstuff deteriorates and the appliance becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional vertical arrangement by implementing a horizontal axis of rotation. The hook rotates around a horizontal axis that passes through the side wall of the mixing container, rather than rotating vertically around an axis above the container. This inversion fundamentally changes the mixing dynamics, allowing the hook to effectively knead high-viscosity foodstuff while maintaining appliance stability through a lowered center of gravity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the rotation axis from vertical to horizontal. This parameter change transforms the mixing action from a simple rotational motion to a more effective kneading motion that follows the curvature of the mixing container, significantly improving mixing effectiveness for dough and other high-viscosity foodstuff.
2Device complexity
If a conventional hook design is used, then the structure is simple, but the gluten development and ingredient integration deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the hook with a specific geometry that follows the curved inner surface of the mixing container. The hook's elongated shape and its rotation around a horizontal axis enable it to trace a curved path along the container wall, creating effective kneading action that thoroughly integrates ingredients and develops gluten strands in high-viscosity foodstuff.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hook rotates around a vertical axis, then the drive arrangement is easily positioned, but foodstuff climbs along the hook and mixing thoroughness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the rotation axis orientation from vertical to horizontal. This inversion prevents foodstuff from climbing along the hook by changing the direction of the centrifugal force and the relative motion between the hook and foodstuff. The horizontal rotation creates a kneading action that pushes foodstuff against the container wall rather than allowing it to climb, significantly improving mixing thoroughness.
4Ease of operation
If a horizontal axis of rotation is implemented, then mixing and kneading effectiveness improves, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized attachment mechanism at the proximal end of the hook that interfaces with the drive arrangement. The attachment portion includes a through-hole that receives the drive shaft, allowing the hook to be securely mounted for horizontal rotation. This localized complex attachment at one end enables the overall simple horizontal rotation mechanism to achieve effective kneading.
Data Source
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AI summary
A household appliance mixing arrangement (1) is provided. The arrangement (1) comprises a mixing container (2) and a hook (3) with a curved elongated portion (6). The hook (3) is attachable to a drive arrangement (16) via a through hole (2') in a first inner surface portion (10) of the mixing container (2) such that the hook (3) is rotatable around an axis of rotation (A) within the mixing container (2). The curved elongated portion (6) extends in a first direction (F), being downwards from the axis of rotation (A), substantially in parallel with the first inner surface portion (10) of the mixing container (2), and at least a part of the curved elongated portion (6) extends in a second direction (S), forming an angle (α) with a first plane (P) defined by the first direction (F) and the axis of rotation (A).