Juice extractor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric juice extractors are difficult to miniaturize due to the requirement for high torque and large motor-gearbox combinations to achieve efficient juice extraction, making them large and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A juice extractor design that uses a spindle with a helical cutting portion and a motor gearbox to rotate the spindle at higher speeds, reducing the need for high torque by shredding food into small portions and processing them at increased rotation speeds, allowing for a compact spindle geometry and miniaturization without compromising food throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high torque is applied to the spindle to mimic the human juicing process, then effective juice extraction is achieved, but the device size increases due to larger electromotor and gearbox requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by reducing spindle rotation speed from typical high speeds to a range of 50-200 RPM, which allows for reduced torque requirements. This parameter change enables the use of smaller motors and gearboxes while maintaining effective juice extraction through the modified operational regime
Solution Approach 2:
The food processing is segmented into two distinct sections: a food entry section with a cutting blade for initial food breakdown, and a food compression section for juice extraction. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, reducing the overall torque requirement compared to a single high-torque processing zone
2Volume of moving object
If the spindle rotates at low speed to reduce torque requirements, then device size can be reduced, but food throughput may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The food processing chamber is divided into a food entry section and a food compression section. The cutting blade in the entry section pre-processes food into smaller pieces, which then move to the compression section. This segmentation allows the low-speed spindle to effectively process food without compromising throughput, as the cutting action prepares food for easier compression and juice extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous food processing by maintaining a steady flow of food through the entry and compression sections. The cutting blade continuously breaks down food as it enters, and the compression section continuously extracts juice, ensuring that the low rotation speed does not create bottlenecks and productivity is maintained
3Reliability
If a large electromotor and gearbox are used to deliver high torque, then reliable juice extraction is achieved, but the drive train size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the torque and speed parameters of the drive train, operating the electromotor and gearbox at lower torque and lower speed (50-200 RPM). This parameter change allows for the selection of smaller, less complex motor and gearbox components while maintaining reliable juice extraction performance through the modified operational regime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the high-torque requirement from the overall system by introducing a separate cutting blade mechanism in the food entry section. This cutting blade performs the initial food breakdown that would otherwise require high torque, allowing the main spindle and drive train to operate at lower torque levels with reduced size and complexity
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 enables the miniaturization of juice extractors while maintaining comparable food throughput, using a lower-torque process with higher rotation speeds to effectively shred and extract juice, reducing the size of the drive train and facilitating the use of plastic spindles for cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a helical member extending from said body by a height of no more than 10 mm, said helical member including a helical cutting portion in the food entry section
Implementation Method 2
a motor including a gear box coupled to said spindle and adapted to rotate the spindle at a rotation speed of at least 250 rotations per minute
Implementation Method 3
a food compression section extending between the food entry section and the food pulp outlet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A juice extractor (100) is disclosed comprising a food processing chamber (110) including a food inlet (130), a juice outlet (140) and a pulp outlet (150), wherein the food processing chamber comprises a food entry section (112) including the food inlet and the juice outlet; and a food compression section (114) extending between the food entry section and the food pulp outlet; a spindle (120) extending through the food processing chamber for transporting food from the food entry section through the food compression section, said spindle comprising a body (122) and a helical member (123) extending from said body by a height (H) of no more than 10 mm, said helical member including a helical cutting portion (124) in the food entry section; and a motor (160) including a gear box coupled to said spindle and adapted to rotate the spindle at a rotation speed of at least 300 rotations per minute during operation of the juice extractor.