Micro puree machine with selectable food processing routines and automated motor control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro puree machines are large, cumbersome, and lack flexibility in motor control, making them impractical for home use and limiting the ability to process various food types, including solid or semi-solid ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A micro puree machine with programmable motor control that allows for varying rotational speeds and blade positions, controlled by a controller to execute optimized processing sequences for different food types, including solid or semi-solid ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If micro-puree machines are designed for commercial-grade performance, then processing capability is improved, but device size and weight increase making them impractical for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a removable processing bowl, a base unit with motor, and a blade assembly that can be detached. This segmentation allows the heavy motor component to remain stationary in the base while only the lighter bowl and blade are handled during operation, effectively reducing the weight of movable parts while maintaining commercial-grade processing capability in the base unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from portable handheld designs to a stationary base unit with vertical bowl placement. By changing the operational dimension from horizontal handheld use to vertical stationary processing, the device can accommodate more powerful motors and larger capacity bowls without compromising user comfort, achieving commercial-grade performance while remaining suitable for home kitchen countertops.
2Ease of operation
If motor control is simplified for ease of use, then ease of operation is improved, but flexibility in processing different food types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control system dynamically adjusts blade rotation speed based on the selected food type. The controller automatically varies the rotational velocity to optimize processing for different materials - slower speeds for hard frozen ingredients, faster speeds for softer foods. This dynamic adaptation provides both simplicity (automatic adjustment) and flexibility (customized parameters for each food type).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including rotation speed, processing time, and blade depth based on pre-programmed settings for different food types. Users simply select the food category, and the controller automatically adjusts all parameters, maintaining ease of operation while achieving versatile processing capability across multiple food types.
3Ease of operation
If blade rotation speed is kept constant for simplicity, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision of food texture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor blade rotation speed and automatically adjust to maintain optimal processing conditions. Sensors detect the resistance and load on the motor, and the controller modulates power delivery to maintain consistent rotational speed and processing quality, ensuring precise food texture control while keeping the user interface simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using constant speed, the system employs dynamic speed variation during the processing cycle. The motor accelerates to optimal speed, maintains it during active processing, and decelerates during transitions. This dynamic control ensures consistent food texture while the automated nature keeps operation simple for users.
4Ease of manufacture
If the machine is designed for single-function ice cream making, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to process other food types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed as a universal food processor that can handle multiple food types including frozen desserts, fresh fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients. The processing bowl, blade assembly, and motor are configured to accommodate various food consistencies and types, while the controller provides pre-programmed settings for different food categories. This multi-functionality is achieved without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity through modular design and standardized components.
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 flexible and precise processing of various food types, enhancing food preparation efficiency and convenience for home use.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor coupled to a drive shaft via at least one gear. The drive motor is arranged to rotate a drive shaft and blade assembly attached thereto
Implementation Method 2
A position motor is operable to change a position of the drive shaft via rotation of the position motor
Data Source
AI summary
A micro puree machine including a drive motor coupled to a drive shaft via at least one gear. The drive motor is arranged to rotate a drive shaft and blade assembly. A position motor is operable to change a position of the drive shaft via rotation of the position. A user interface is arranged to: i) receive a user input to select a first routine associated with processing a first food type, and ii) display a status of the processing of the first food type while the first routine is running. A controller is arranged to: i) receive the user input selecting the first routine and retrieve the configuration data associated with the first routine, ii) control operations of the drive motor based on the configuration data associated with the first routine, and iii) control operations of the position motor based on the configuration data associated with the first routine.