Juice Extractor Hopper Outlet Segmentation to Prevent Screw Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional juice extractors require pre-cutting of ingredients due to limited inlet sizes, leading to inefficient juice extraction and potential screw overload, and fail to preserve flavor and nutrients during high-speed crushing.
Innovation Solution
A juice extractor with a hopper containing a cutting unit that pre-cuts ingredients, a screw with a touch portion to guide ingredients through a reduced outlet, and a screw structure that ensures efficient ingredient transfer and separation of juice from pomace.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the size of the outlet formed in the bottom surface of the hopper is reduced to control the amount of juice extraction ingredient introduced, then the screw is less likely to be overloaded, but the juice extraction ingredient is not well introduced downward
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is segmented into multiple through-holes instead of a single large opening. This allows control over the amount of ingredient introduced while maintaining adequate flow. The multiple smaller holes prevent screw overload by limiting the volume of ingredients entering the extraction drum at any given time, while still allowing smooth downward movement of ingredients.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet structure incorporates an inclined surface at the bottom of the hopper that directs ingredients toward the through-holes. This local structural modification improves the flow of ingredients into the reduced outlet area, ensuring that ingredients are well-introduced downward despite the smaller overall outlet size.
2Productivity
If the diameter of the screw increases to process more juice extraction ingredient, then processing capacity increases, but torque generated by the motor decreases and the screw may be overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is divided into multiple through-holes that collectively provide the necessary processing capacity while distributing the load. This segmentation allows the screw to process adequate amounts of ingredients without requiring a large diameter that would reduce motor torque and increase overload risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet structure parameters (number of through-holes, their sizes, and arrangement) are optimized to balance processing capacity with motor torque requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves adequate productivity while maintaining sufficient torque generation to prevent screw overload.
3Ease of operation
If a large juice extraction ingredient is introduced through a small inlet, then pre-cutting is avoided, but the ingredient cannot be properly transferred to the juice extraction drum
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is segmented into multiple through-holes that accommodate ingredients of various sizes. This segmentation allows whole fruits and large ingredients to be introduced without pre-cutting, while the multiple holes ensure proper transfer to the extraction drum by distributing the ingredient flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet structure utilizes the vertical dimension with an inclined surface that guides ingredients downward toward the through-holes. This dimensional approach allows large ingredients to be properly transferred to the drum without requiring horizontal pre-cutting, maintaining both ease of operation and transfer efficiency.
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
Improves juice extraction efficiency by allowing smooth ingredient transfer and reducing the need for pre-cutting, while preserving flavor and nutrients, and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a cutting unit disposed in the hopper, the cutting unit being configured to pre-cut the juice extraction ingredient and to transfer the pre-cut juice extraction ingredient to a screw under the hopper by rotation
Implementation Method 2
the screw includes a touch portion protruding upward above a screw body, the touch portion being configured to touch the juice extraction ingredient caught in a through-hole formed in a bottom surface of the hopper
Implementation Method 3
squeezing and crushing ingredients between a mesh drum and a screw rotating at a low speed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a juice extractor comprising a cutting portion which preliminarily cuts ingredients to be extracted in a hopper on a screw through rotation, and in the juice extractor according to the present invention, a discharge portion which is formed in the bottom surface of the hopper and transports the cut ingredients to be extracted to the lower portion comprises: a through hole penetrating therethrough in the up-and-down direction and formed in the circumferential direction; and a stepped portion which is recessed downward from the bottom inner surface in the outer side of the through-hole so as to form a stepped protrusion in the rotating direction of the cutting portion.