Kneading Machine Safety Shield with Removable Bearing-Mounted Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kneading and mixing machines do not adequately ensure operator safety and facilitate easy cleaning of the safety shield, particularly when handling hot and sticky substances.
Innovation Solution
The machine features a safety shield with enlarged arms and a central bearing system that allows for easy removal and reattachment, along with a magnetically activatable safety switch that prevents motor operation when the shield is not in the shielding position, and a removable, flexible covering element for the funnel-shaped portion to protect and simplify cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the safety shield is permanently fixed to the machine, then operator safety is ensured, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The safety shield is divided into multiple arms that can be independently removed from the bearing. Each arm can be detached by withdrawing it from the bearing's central portion through the entry slit, allowing selective removal for cleaning while maintaining the overall shield structure when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The safety shield transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic removable structure. The arms can be inserted into and removed from the bearing, allowing the shield to be easily disassembled for cleaning and reassembled for operation, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and cleaning ease
2Ease of operation
If the safety shield is easily removable for cleaning, then maintenance becomes simple, but operator safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A safety switch provides feedback on whether the safety shield is properly in place before allowing motor operation. The switch is positioned to detect the presence of the shield, and the control system receives this feedback to enable or disable motor operation, ensuring safety is maintained even though the shield is easily removable
Solution Approach 2:
The safety switch acts as an intermediary between the safety shield position and the motor operation. It mediates the relationship by preventing motor operation when the shield is removed, thus maintaining safety while allowing easy removal for cleaning purposes
3Reliability
If a safety switch is added to prevent motor operation when the shield is away, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety switch automatically detects whether the safety shield is in place and autonomously controls motor operation accordingly. The system serves itself by using the shield's own position to trigger the safety mechanism, eliminating the need for additional complex control systems or manual safety monitoring
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 operator safety by ensuring the motor is only operational when the shield is in place and allows for easy cleaning and handling of various substances, including hot ones, by enabling simple removal and replacement of the shield components.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetically activatable safety switch that prevents motor operation when the shield is not in the shielding position
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a kneading or mixing machine (1) comprising: a housing (3) with opposite side walls (5),a motor (2) in said housing (3) for driving a kneading or mixing tool,a safety shield (4a) mounted to bearings (50), for turning about an axis (A),said safety shield (4a) being adapted to at least partly shield said tool when the safety shield (4a) is turned to a shielding position,said safety shield (4a) including a pair of arms (16),characterised in each arm (16) having a head (16a) at a free end thereof,a central portion (51) of each bearing (50) receiving said head (16a) to allow for said turning, and said central portion (51) of each bearing (50) communicating with an entry slit (52) configured for insertion of said head (16a) into said central portion (51) in a direction transverse to said axis (A).