Juicing Accessory Switch Assembly for Accurate Fruit Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-operated motorized citrus juicers face challenges in positioning citrus fruits due to high torque motors, and existing designs often require a safety switch associated with the drive shaft, limiting compatibility with other appliances.

Innovation Solution

A juicing accessory with a spring-loaded reamer assembly and a static actuation element that engages a switch assembly on the motorized base, allowing operation without additional external force and enabling compatibility with various appliances by using a threshold force to actuate the motor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a high torque motor is used in the motorized base, then the juicing power is improved, but the ease of positioning citrus fruits deteriorates due to immediate rotation of the reamer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejuicing powerVSAvoidease of positioning citrus fruits

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The switch assembly is designed to require preliminary manual actuation by the user before the motor can operate. This preliminary action (pressing the switch) separates the power activation from the reamer rotation, allowing the user to position the fruit first, then activate the motor independently, thus resolving the contradiction between high power and ease of positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a safety switch is mechanically associated with the drive shaft, then the operational safety is improved, but the adaptability to different appliances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidcompatibility with different appliances

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The switch assembly is segmented into a separate component that can be independently actuated, rather than being mechanically integrated with the drive shaft. This segmentation allows the safety switch to be decoupled from the specific motorized base design, enabling the juicing accessory to be adapted to different appliances while maintaining safety through the separate switch mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables accurate fruit positioning, improved manual control during juicing, and compatibility with different appliances, enhancing juice yield and safety without requiring user-activated switch actuation.

Implementation Method 1

the motor engaging mechanism comprises a coil spring to bias the first reamer element in a direction away from the filter tray

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the static actuation element adapted to engage a switch assembly when the juicing accessory is coupled to the motorized base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical contact actuation:

Data Source

PatentUS20240225338A9Juicing accessory and apparatus incorporating the same

Publication Date: 2024.07.11 NAMAWELL LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to food-processing assemblies, particularly juicing assemblies, and apparatuses incorporating the same. In an exemplary embodiment, a food-processing apparatus comprises: a food-processing accessory; an engaging portion of a motorized base adapted to receive the food-processing accessory; a motor drive extending from the engaging portion, the motor drive adapted to drive the food-processing accessory when mechanically coupled thereto; and a switch assembly disposed on the engaging portion of the motorized base, the switch assembly adapted to be actuated by a static actuation element of the food-processing accessory.