Meat Mincer Magnetic Coupling for Safe Blade Stopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing meat mincers pose safety hazards due to the mincing cutter head and conveying screw continuing to rotate when the front cover is removed, risking user injury.
Innovation Solution
A meat mincing apparatus with a transmission mechanism using mutually repelling magnets to decouple the transmission shaft from the drive when the mincer head is moved away, ensuring the blades stop rotating and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the front cover is screwed off and the blade plate is removed for cleaning or maintenance, then the user can access the internal components, but the mincing cutter head and conveying screw continue to rotate which poses safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by automatically stopping the transmission shaft before the user can be exposed to rotating blades. The magnetic coupling mechanism is designed to decouple the transmission shaft from the drive shaft when the mincer head is removed, preventing the blades from rotating even though the drive continues to operate. This ensures safety is established before any cleaning or maintenance activity begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic coupling as an intermediary mechanism between the drive shaft and transmission shaft. The magnets create a flexible connection that allows automatic disengagement when the mincer head is removed, serving as a mediator that protects the user from rotating blades while maintaining ease of operation for cleaning and maintenance.
2Reliability
If a mechanical coupling mechanism is used to stop the transmission shaft, then the blades stop rotating when the mincer head is removed, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a complex mechanical coupling mechanism with a magnetic field-based coupling system. Instead of using mechanical interlocks, gears, or clutches that require multiple moving parts and precise alignment, the invention uses magnets to create a simple yet reliable coupling that automatically disengages when the mincer head is removed, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or parameter of the coupling mechanism from a permanent mechanical connection to a magnetic field-based connection that can be easily activated or deactivated. By using magnetic coupling, the system transitions between engaged and disengaged states based on the presence or absence of the mincer head, simplifying the overall mechanism while ensuring reliable blade stopping.
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
Prevents user injury by automatically stopping the blades when the mincer head is removed, utilizing non-contact repulsive forces between magnets for reliable and consistent decoupling.
Implementation Method 1
The transmission mechanism comprises at least two mutually repelling magnets including a first magnet coupled to the transmission shaft and a second magnet coupled to the drive. The two magnets are arranged to decouple the transmission shaft from the drive when the mincer head is moved away from the retaining position.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for meat mincing, the apparatus comprising: a drive, a meat mincing chamber, one or more blades, a transmission shaft, a mincer head, and a transmission mechanism. The blades are placed in the meat mincing chamber for mincing meat; the transmission shaft is used for rotating the blades; the mincer head is positionable at an outlet of the meat mincing chamber in a retaining position, in which the transmission shaft is retained in the meat mincing chamber; and the transmission mechanism is used for coupling the transmission shaft to the drive. Wherein the transmission mechanism comprises at least two mutually repelling magnets including a first magnet coupled to the transmission shaft and a second magnet coupled to the drive. The two magnets are arranged to decouple the transmission shaft from the drive when the mincer head is moved away from the retaining position. A meat mincing accessory is further provided for attachment to a kitchen appliance having a motor.