Micro Puree Machine with Modular Blade Assembly and Magnetic Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home-use machines for making frozen foods and desserts are impractical due to their complexity, size, cost, and maintenance requirements, and lack efficiency in processing time and effort.
Innovation Solution
A compact micro puree machine with a gearbox assembly, drive motor assembly, and position motor for vertical movement, featuring a blade assembly with alternating grooves for improved power management and a detection system using a magnetic field sensor to ensure proper blade engagement, allowing for efficient processing of frozen ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If commercial-grade micro-puree machines are used, then processing capability is improved, but device size and weight increase making them impractical for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into separate functional modules: a removable blade assembly, a bowl assembly, a drive motor assembly, and a base unit. This segmentation allows the heavy processing components to be distributed and removed when not in use, reducing the effective weight of the stationary base while maintaining full processing capability when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is designed to be vertically removable from the bowl, changing the spatial arrangement from a fixed horizontal layout to a vertical assembly/disassembly configuration. This allows the heavy blade component to be stored separately or removed, reducing the footprint and effective weight of the operating machine.
2Productivity
If commercial-grade micro-puree machines are used, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The machine uses modular components that can be easily separated and reassembled. The blade assembly detaches from the bowl, the bowl removes from the base, and the drive motor separates from the housing. This segmentation simplifies maintenance by allowing individual components to be cleaned, inspected, or replaced without disassembling the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables users to perform basic maintenance tasks themselves through simple assembly and disengagement of modular parts. The blade assembly can be removed for cleaning, the bowl can be washed, and the drive motor can be accessed without specialized tools or knowledge, making the system self-maintainable by consumers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ice cream machines are used, then frozen dessert production is enabled, but user time and effort requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Ingredients are pre-frozen in the bowl before the blending operation. This preliminary freezing step eliminates the need for continuous churning and refrigeration during processing, significantly reducing the time and manual effort required compared to traditional ice cream machines that must simultaneously churn and freeze.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine operates in periodic cycles: ingredients are pre-frozen, then the blade assembly is engaged for a short blending period, followed by disengagement and removal. This periodic operation replaces the continuous, time-consuming churning process of traditional machines with brief, high-intensity blending intervals.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ice cream machines are used, then frozen dessert production is enabled, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex refrigeration and churning mechanisms of traditional ice cream machines are extracted and replaced with a simpler pre-freezing approach. Only essential components remain: a blade assembly, a bowl, and a basic drive motor, eliminating expensive refrigeration systems while maintaining frozen dessert production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that the blade assembly and bowl may require periodic replacement due to wear from processing frozen ingredients. By designing these as separate, easily replaceable components rather than permanent integrated parts, the overall system cost is reduced while maintaining functionality.
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 machine provides efficient processing of frozen ingredients into desserts and non-dessert purees with reduced user effort and time, offering a practical and cost-effective solution for home use by ensuring proper blade engagement and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a detection system using a magnetic field sensor to ensure proper blade engagement
Data Source
AI summary
A micro puree machine including a housing, a power shaft, a bowl assembly and a platform. The power shaft extends from the housing. The bowl assembly including at least one locking bowl element. The platform includes at least one complementary locking platform element that is configured to engage the at least one locking bowl element such that rotation of the bowl assembly relative to the platform is prevented at times the bowl assembly is positioned thereon. The platform is rotatable from a first position to a second position relative to the housing such that the platform raises the bowl assembly towards the power shaft during the rotation of the bowl assembly and platform. The raising of the bowl assembly facilitates connection between the power shaft and a blade assembly that is positioned in a lid assembly on the bowl assembly. A blade assembly detection system detects proper positioning of the blade assembly within the lid assembly.