Micro-Puree Machine Blade Release for Gravity-Assisted Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances for making frozen desserts like ice creams, gelatos, and sorbets are inefficient, requiring significant user time and effort, and are not practical for preparing non-dessert food products.
Innovation Solution
A micro-puree machine with a detachably connectable processing container and a bottom-driven shaft that extends through the lid, engaging a blade assembly to shave and mix frozen ingredients efficiently, assisted by gravity for improved texture and consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional ice cream maker with paddles is used, then frozen desserts can be made, but significant user time and effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is inverted and positioned at the bottom of the container rather than at the top, allowing the blade to engage frozen ingredients from below. This inversion enables gravity to assist the mixing process and allows the blade to be driven directly by the base unit without requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is designed to automatically engage with frozen ingredients through gravity-assisted descent, eliminating the need for manual operation. The blade simply needs to be positioned in the container, and the system automatically performs the mixing function when activated by the base unit.
2Ease of operation
If a bottom-driven blade assembly is used, then gravity assists the shaving and mixing process, but the blade assembly must be securely retained to prevent inadvertent disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is pre-positioned and retained in the lid before the container is inverted. The retention mechanism holds the blade assembly in place during the inversion process, ensuring it is properly positioned before gravity-assisted operation begins. This preliminary positioning prevents inadvertent disengagement during subsequent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be independently retained in the lid. This segmentation allows the blade assembly to be securely held in place while still permitting easy removal and cleaning. The retention mechanism engages with specific features on the blade assembly to prevent disengagement during operation.
3Productivity
If the container is inverted during operation, then gravity assists the mixing process, but the blade assembly must be securely held to prevent blade drop
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is pre-positioned and secured in the lid before the container is inverted. The retention mechanism ensures the blade assembly remains firmly held during the inversion process, eliminating the risk of blade drop. Only after secure retention is confirmed does the system proceed with gravity-assisted mixing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism is designed to provide continuous support and cushioning for the blade assembly throughout the inversion and operation process. This beforehand cushioning prevents any potential blade drop by maintaining constant engagement between the retention features and the blade assembly, even under gravitational stress.
4Ease of repair
If a detachable blade assembly is used, then the blade can be removed for cleaning, but the coupling mechanism must be simple yet secure
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is designed as a separate, detachable component with specific engagement features that interface with the lid. This segmentation allows the blade to be easily removed for cleaning while maintaining a secure connection during operation. The coupling mechanism uses simple geometric features rather than complex fasteners or adhesives.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is inverted and positioned with its engagement features facing upward, allowing easy access for removal and cleaning. This inverted configuration simplifies the coupling mechanism by enabling straightforward engagement with the lid from above, rather than requiring complex assembly from below.
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 micro-puree machine enables the production of frozen food products like ice cream in a more efficient, consistent, and user-friendly manner, with reduced risk of blade disengagement due to gravity-assisted operation.
Implementation Method 1
The mixing shaft, when extending through the lid, engages a blade assembly stored within the lid. The blade assembly includes at least one blade. The mixing shaft extends upward from the base unit into the container while also being rotated and, thereby, rotates the blade assembly so as to shave and/or mix frozen ingredients
Implementation Method 2
One technical advantage of using an inverted container and bottom driven blade assembly to shave and/or mix frozen ingredients is that gravity can assist the shaving and/or mixing process by applying a downward pressure or force on the frozen ingredients against the upwardly extending mixing shaft and blade assembly
Implementation Method 3
Another technical advantage of using a bottom driven blade assembly is that the possibility of inadvertent blade assembly disengagement from the mixing shaft (e.g., blade drop) is reduced during retraction of the blade assembly because gravity asserts a downward force on the blade assembly during retraction, which assists in keeping the blade assembly coupled to the end of the mixing shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative micro-puree machine is provided. The micro-puree machine includes a detachably connectable processing container including a lid having an opening configured to receive a mixing shaft. The lid includes a blade holder configured to hold a blade assembly to the lid. The blade holder is coupled to a release lever configured to control the blade holder to be disengaged from the blade assembly when the release lever is in a release position. A base unit includes a coupling interface arranged to couple with the lid of the detachably connectable processing container. The coupling interface includes at least a portion of the mixing shaft configured to extend through the lid and into the processing container when the processing container is coupled to the coupling interface. The coupling interface includes at least one radially extending arm forming a corresponding at least one slot, each of the at least one slot including at least one sidewall.