Appliance with integrated agitator assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food preparation appliances require cumbersome assembly of multiple components for the agitator assembly, which can be time-consuming and difficult for consumers to install and maintain.

Innovation Solution

An integrated one-piece agitator assembly is designed for easy installation on a blending container, comprising an agitator nut with a groove, an agitator base with blades, and a seal that secures the base into the nut, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly for cleaning or replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple components (agitator nut, agitator base, seal) are assembled separately on the blending container, then the agitator assembly can be securely attached, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming for consumers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of agitator assemblyVSAvoidease of assembly for consumer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the agitator base and agitator nut into a pre-assembled integrated unit that is attached to the blending container as a single piece. This merging of components simplifies the assembly process for consumers while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated design of the base and nut components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple components are assembled separately, then each component can be individually secured, but the overall assembly time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure component attachmentVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The agitator base and agitator nut are pre-assembled into an integrated unit before being attached to the blending container. This preliminary assembly action reduces the time required during final installation, as consumers only need to attach the pre-assembled unit rather than assembling multiple separate components at the time of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the agitator assembly is made as a single integrated unit, then installation becomes easier, but disassembly for cleaning or replacement may become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidease of disassembly for cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

While the agitator base and nut form an integrated assembly unit for installation purposes, the design allows for segmentation during maintenance. The integrated unit can be removed as one piece from the blending container, and then the base and nut can be separated from each other to facilitate cleaning of individual components or replacement of worn parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3217852B1Appliance with integrated agitator assembly
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 SUNBEAN PROD INC
  • EP3217852B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3217852B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3217852B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The Is provided an appliance including a food preparation container, an agitator assembly for attachment to a blending container, the agitator assembly including: an agiiator nut configured to secure the agitator assembly to the blending container, an agitator base including at least one agitator blade mounted thereon and configured to be seated in the agitator nut prior to the agitator assembly being secured to the blending container, a groove formed in an inner wall of the agitator nut, and a seal having an outer periphery that when inserted into the groove secures the agitator base into the agitator nut.