Juice Extractor Lever-Actuated Bayonet Coupling for Easy Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing juice extractors, such as horizontal macerating juicers, require cumbersome operations for connecting and disconnecting the hopper from the drive motor, which can be difficult for users due to the need to rotate the whole hopper or apply large forces with a small diameter nut or lock ring.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical coupling system using a lever arrangement with a pivot shaft and locking wheel, allowing for easy connection and disconnection by rotating the lever, which provides a mechanical advantage and reduces the force required, eliminating the need to rotate the entire food processing chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bayonet fitting is used to connect the hopper to the drive motor, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the connection and disconnection operations become cumbersome and difficult for users
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a locking member with locking surfaces that engages with the hopper, and a lever arrangement that actuates the locking member. This segmentation allows the locking function to be reliable while the operation to engage/disengage it to be simple, as users only need to move the lever rather than manually manipulate the locking surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arrangement acts as an intermediary between the user and the locking member. When the lever is moved, it automatically actuates the locking member to engage or disengage from the hopper. This intermediary mechanism translates a simple lever movement into the complex locking action, making the operation easy while maintaining secure connection.
2Force
If the lever arrangement is positioned close to the pivot shaft to maximize mechanical advantage, then the force required is minimized, but the space required for lever operation may be constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arrangement is configured to move in a direction that optimizes mechanical advantage while accommodating spatial constraints. By orienting the lever's path of motion appropriately and positioning it at a suitable distance from the pivot shaft, the design achieves effective force multiplication without requiring excessive space, resolving the conflict between mechanical advantage and available operating space.
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 solution simplifies the connection and disconnection process, making it easier and less force-intensive for users, while maintaining a compact and aesthetically pleasing design, allowing for efficient cleaning and operation of the juice extractor.
Implementation Method 1
The lever arrangement gives mechanical advantage and also makes the release process less fiddly for the user
Implementation Method 2
The locking wheel comprising a ring of notches adapted to receive projections at a mating part of the food processing chamber, wherein the rotation of the locking wheel moves the ring of notches into and out of alignment with the projections
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention provides a juice extractor (100) comprising a hopper (130) and a drivetrain (160) releasably coupled together. The releasable coupling comprises a lever arrangement (200) which pivots to operate a locking member (208), thereby to open or close a bayonet type coupling.