Micro Puree Blade Retention for Compact Frozen Ingredient Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home-use machines for making frozen foods and drinks are impractical due to time and effort requirements, and commercial-grade micro-puree machines are too large, expensive, and cumbersome for home use.
Innovation Solution
A compact kitchen device with a gearbox assembly, drive motor, and position motor for vertical movement, featuring a rotating blade assembly with alternating grooves for efficient processing, and a disposable bowl assembly for easy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If commercial-grade micro-puree machines are used, then processing efficiency and power management are improved, but device size, weight, and cost increase making them impractical for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a removable bowl assembly containing the blade assembly, a base unit with motor and gearbox, and a lifting platform. This segmentation allows the heavy processing components to be isolated in a removable bowl that can be easily handled and cleaned, while the base unit remains stationary and compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is designed to move vertically along the power shaft rather than horizontally. The position motor controls vertical movement of the blade assembly through the frozen ingredients, creating a plunging action that improves processing efficiency while keeping the overall device footprint compact.
2Productivity
If commercial-grade micro-puree machines are used, then processing efficiency and power management are improved, but device size, weight, and cost increase making them impractical for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a removable bowl assembly containing the blade assembly, a base unit with motor and gearbox, and a lifting platform. This segmentation allows the heavy processing components to be isolated in a removable bowl that can be easily handled and cleaned, while the base unit remains stationary and compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is designed to be self-contained within the bowl assembly, which can be easily removed and cleaned by the user without disassembling complex mechanical components. The disposable or easily replaceable blade design allows users to maintain processing efficiency without requiring technical expertise.
3Adaptability or versatility
If home-use machines with refrigeration mechanisms are used, then frozen foods can be made, but time and effort requirements increase making them impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to process pre-frozen ingredients directly. Users freeze ingredients in advance in the removable bowl assembly, then simply attach the bowl to the base unit for quick processing. This eliminates the need for built-in refrigeration mechanisms and lengthy freezing cycles, reducing overall preparation time while maintaining frozen food making capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigeration function is extracted from the main device by using pre-frozen ingredients stored in a home freezer. The removable bowl assembly serves only as a container for these pre-frozen ingredients, eliminating the need for integrated refrigeration systems that would add time and complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If home-use machines with refrigeration mechanisms are used, then frozen foods can be made, but time and effort requirements increase making them impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to process pre-frozen ingredients directly. Users freeze ingredients in advance in the removable bowl assembly, then simply attach the bowl to the base unit for quick processing. This eliminates the need for built-in refrigeration mechanisms and lengthy freezing cycles, reducing overall preparation time while maintaining frozen food making capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly dynamically adjusts its position vertically along the power shaft during operation. The position motor controls the blade's descent through the frozen ingredients at variable speeds, allowing the device to adapt to different ingredient types and desired textures, thereby reducing the need for manual intervention and improving ease of operation.
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 device efficiently processes frozen ingredients into frozen foods and drinks with improved power management and processing efficiency, making it practical for home use while being compact and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor assembly, as well as a position motor. The position motor enables vertical movement of the gearbox assembly and drive motor assembly. The drive motor assembly provides power to a power shaft and coupling connected to a rotating blade assembly
Implementation Method 2
a rotating blade assembly that engages with ingredients for processing
Implementation Method 3
The position motor enables vertical movement of the gearbox assembly and drive motor assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a micro puree machine that includes a blade assembly, a lid assembly, and a clip mechanism. The blade assembly has a central support hub, a blade, and an undercut. The lid assembly is configured to cooperate with a bowl assembly and includes a lid and a clip mechanism. The clip mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position and cooperates with the undercut at times the clip mechanism is the in the first position. The blade assembly is retained in the lid assembly at times the clip mechanism is in or near the first position, and the blade assembly is disengaged from the undercut and removable from the lid assembly at times the clip mechanism is in or near the second position.