Centrifugal Juicer Feed Chute and Valve Design for Safer Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal juicers face issues such as rapid pulp buildup in filters, difficulty in cleaning, safety hazards due to large feed chutes, inefficient juice extraction, separation of juices, and cumbersome storage and use due to low pour spouts and lack of onboard juice collection.
Innovation Solution
A food processing device with an adjustable height base, a centrifugal juicer design featuring a valved outlet for liquid control, a mixing element to prevent juice separation, a rocking feed chute for efficient shredding, and safety features like a contoured pusher plunger and inward-directed ribs to prevent hand entry and food ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large feed chute is used to decrease food preparation time, then convenience is improved, but safety hazard increases due to child's hand access
Solution Approach 1:
The feed chute is divided into two distinct openings: a large opening for efficient food insertion and a small opening that serves as a safety barrier. The small opening is sized to prevent a child's hand from passing through while still allowing the pusher plunger to operate effectively. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining convenience through the large opening while eliminating safety hazards through the restrictive small opening.
2Reliability
If a truncated conical filter screen is used for juice separation, then liquid-solid separation is achieved, but pulp buildup occurs rapidly reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The filter screen incorporates self-cleaning features where the rotating motion of the shredding disc automatically prevents pulp accumulation. The design includes channels and surfaces that facilitate automatic pulp removal during operation, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining continuous high-efficiency juice extraction without periodic clogging.
3Length of stationary object
If a low pour spout is used in the juicer design, then device height is reduced for easier storage, but normal height glasses cannot be placed beneath it
Solution Approach 1:
The pour spout is designed with adjustable height capability, allowing it to be positioned dynamically. During storage, the spout can be lowered to reduce the overall device height profile. During operation, the spout can be raised to an elevated position that accommodates normal height glasses, thus resolving the contradiction between compact storage and proper glass placement.
4Productivity
If food is pushed harder on the pusher plunger to free jams, then food movement is improved, but food may be compacted making the problem worse
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher plunger incorporates a vibration mechanism that oscillates during operation. This vibration prevents food from compacting against the shredding disc by continuously disrupting the food mass, thereby freeing jams without requiring excessive pushing force. The vibration maintains food flow and prevents the compaction problem that occurs with steady pressure.
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
Enhances juice extraction efficiency, improves safety, allows for easier cleaning, and provides convenient storage and use by preventing pulp buildup, ensuring juice quality and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The shredded food is propelled outward radially from the center of the shredding disc by centrifugal force, until the shredded food hits a filter screen... The rotation of the truncated cone filter screen through centrifugal force, forces liquids, including juices, through the filter screen
Data Source
AI summary
The subject application is directed to a food processing device to extract juice. The device includes an inlet coupled to a disintegrator. The inlet is configured to accept food items and the disintegrator configured to disintegrate food items passed through the inlet. The device further includes a separator that accepts the disintegrated food items and separates out the liquid components from the food item. The device further includes a reservoir that is coupled to the separator for accepting and holding the liquid components. The reservoir includes a translucent member for viewing of liquid levels within the reservoir, and a valved outlet. The valved outlet is configured to allow or prevent the flow of liquid from the reservoir through the valved outlet.