Juice Extractor Deflector for Splash-Free Soft Fruit Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preparation devices with rotary cutting tools struggle to efficiently process softer foods like tomatoes and red fruits, often resulting in low yield and splashing or dripping of juice, making them difficult to use, clean, and store.
Innovation Solution
A food preparation device with a rotary cutting tool featuring a deflector that can be pivoted to control juice flow, an elastomeric ring for sealing, and a scraping member to improve extraction efficiency, along with a pusher for enhanced processing, allowing for easy operation and cleaning while minimizing juice splashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotary cutting tool is used to process softer foods like tomatoes and red fruits, then juice extraction is possible, but juice splashing and dripping occur
Solution Approach 1:
A deflector element is introduced as an intermediary component between the cutting tool and the external environment. This deflector includes a retention zone that captures and redirects juice flow, preventing splashing while maintaining extraction efficiency. The deflector acts as a mediator that manages the juice flow path without interfering with the cutting action.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a deflector is added to control juice flow, then juice splashing is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it controls juice flow direction, creates a retention zone for splashing prevention, and can be integrated with the housing structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving effective juice control.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector incorporates an elastomeric ring that provides flexibility for mounting and sealing purposes. This flexible element allows the deflector to be easily installed and removed while maintaining effective sealing, reducing the complexity of assembly and disassembly operations.
3Ease of operation
If a deflector with flow outlet is mounted on the housing, then juice flow control is improved, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is designed with pivoting capability around the mounting opening, allowing the flow outlet position to be adjusted dynamically. This dynamic adjustment enables the user to control juice flow direction and interrupt flow as needed, improving ease of operation while maintaining a relatively simple mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric ring provides self-aligning and self-sealing properties during mounting. The resilient material automatically conforms to the mounting opening shape, creating an effective seal without requiring precise alignment or additional sealing components, thereby simplifying the mounting process.
4Reliability
If an elastomeric ring is used for sealing, then sealing quality is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric ring changes its physical parameters (shape, volume) in response to mounting forces, allowing it to conform to variations in the mounting opening dimensions. This parameter adaptability compensates for manufacturing tolerances in both the ring and the housing, ensuring reliable sealing without requiring extremely precise manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector combines a rigid shell structure with a flexible elastomeric ring, creating a composite assembly that benefits from both materials. The rigid shell provides structural integrity and flow control geometry, while the elastomeric ring provides sealing and mounting flexibility, together achieving reliable sealing with moderate manufacturing requirements.
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 device effectively processes softer foods with higher yield and reduced juice splashing, facilitating easy use, cleaning, and compact storage while maintaining a simple construction.
Implementation Method 1
the deflector has a resiliently deformable annular rim for engaging the housing around the mounting opening
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for preparing foodstuffs, comprising: -a rotary cutting tool (30) having a driving end (31) and a side wall (32) originating from the driving end (31), the side wall (32) having at least one external cutting member (34), -a casing (20) defining a housing (21) having a mounting opening for fitting the cutting tool (30) in the housing (21), the casing (20) having a hollow shaft (23) for introducing the foodstuffs to be cut, the hollow shaft (23) opening into the housing (21) at least partially opposite the or at least one of the external cutting members (34). In accordance with the invention: -the device for preparing foodstuffs comprises a deflector (60) mounted on the casing (20) around the mounting opening, the deflector (60) having a flow outlet (61), the deflector (60) being able to be pivoted in rotation about the mounting opening so as to change the position of the flow outlet (61) and to interrupt the flow.