Micro Puree Machine Depth Control for Partial Ingredient Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing micro puree machines require processing entire containers of pre-frozen ingredients at once, which can compromise culinary quality if not consumed immediately, and lack flexibility for partial processing.

Innovation Solution

A micro puree machine with a mixing shaft and blade system controlled by a gear and rotation sensor, allowing partial processing of ingredients based on a pre-selected rotation count, using a controller to determine the mixing shaft's position and stop at a target depth, enabling partial processing without affecting quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the entire container of pre-frozen ingredients is processed at once, then the processing speed is improved, but the culinary quality of remaining ingredients is compromised when re-freezing and reprocessing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidculinarily quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The processing system is segmented into controllable portions through the depth control mechanism. The mixing shaft can be lowered to specific depths to process only predetermined portions of ingredients, allowing the container to be divided into processed and unprocessed segments. This enables users to process only what is needed while preserving the quality of remaining ingredients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables partial action by allowing processing to stop at predetermined depths before all ingredients are processed. The mixing shaft can be raised at any point during descent, and the controller can stop the motor at specific rotation counts or depth positions, enabling users to process exactly the portion needed without over-processing the entire container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Quantity of substance

If the mixing shaft descends to process all ingredients, then the quantity of processed ingredients is maximized, but the ability to preserve remaining ingredients for later use is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of processed ingredientsVSAvoidflexibility in ingredient usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces dynamic control over the mixing shaft position and processing depth. The depth control mechanism allows the mixing shaft to be lowered to variable depths, and the motor can be stopped at different rotation counts based on user needs. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt between processing all ingredients or only portions, providing versatility in ingredient usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through depth sensors and rotation sensors that monitor the mixing shaft position and gear rotations. This feedback allows the controller to precisely control when to stop processing, ensuring that the desired quantity of ingredients is processed while leaving the remainder untouched for later use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If a depth control mechanism with sensors and controllers is added, then the precision of partial processing is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of partial processingVSAvoidcomplexity of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical depth measurement mechanisms with electronic sensors and digital control. Instead of using mechanical stops or complex linkages to control depth, the invention uses depth sensors combined with motor rotation counting to achieve precise control. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 consumers to process only a portion of ingredients, preserving culinary quality by allowing partial processing and re-freezing, thus avoiding quality degradation.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet is coupled to the gear and a rotation sensor is mounted on the machine housing. As the mixing shaft descends into the pre-frozen ingredients, the rotation sensor detects a magnetic field of the magnet as the gear rotates and generates a rotation signal in response

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4278935B1Micro puree machine with partial depth processing

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

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AI summary

A micro puree machine includes a mixing shaft coupled to a blade and rotatable by means of a gear. A magnet is coupled to the gear and a rotation sensor is mounted on the machine housing. As the mixing shaft descends into the pre-frozen ingredients, the rotation sensor detects a magnetic field of the magnet as the gear rotates and generates a rotation signal in response. A controller receives the rotation signal and determines a rotation count associated with the gear, causing the mixing shaft to ascend back toward the housing once a pre-selected rotation count has been reached. The pre-selected rotation count correlates with the partial processing of the ingredients.