Micro Puree Machine With Vertical Blade Plunging for Home Frozen Foods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen devices for processing frozen ingredients are either impractical for home use due to their size, complexity, and cost, or require excessive time and effort for ice cream and dessert production, while micro-puree machines are commercial-grade and not suitable for everyday consumption.
Innovation Solution
A compact kitchen device with a gearbox assembly, drive motor, and position motor that enables vertical movement of a rotating blade assembly for efficient processing of frozen ingredients, featuring a disposable bowl and improved blade design with alternating grooves for enhanced cutting efficiency.
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 device is divided into separate functional modules: a stationary base unit containing the motor and gearbox, and a removable bowl assembly containing the blade mechanism. This segmentation allows the heavy processing components to be isolated in a compact base while the bowl remains lightweight and portable, resolving the contradiction between processing capability and device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly utilizes vertical plunging motion combined with rotational cutting, adding a vertical dimension to the traditional horizontal cutting approach. This dimensional change allows for more efficient processing in a compact footprint, maintaining high productivity while reducing the horizontal space and weight requirements.
2Productivity
If commercial-grade micro-puree machines are used, then processing capability is improved, but device complexity increases making them difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the bowl assembly from the base unit with simple mechanical interfaces, the system reduces complexity in each individual component. The bowl assembly becomes a simple removable container with blade attachment, while the base unit contains the motor and transmission, making both easier to maintain independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly is designed as an inexpensive, easily replaceable component that can be detached and cleaned separately or replaced if worn. This disposable-like approach to the blade assembly simplifies maintenance by eliminating the need for complex repair procedures on critical cutting components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ice cream making machines are used, then dessert preparation is enabled, but time and effort required by user increase
Solution Approach 1:
Ingredients are pre-frozen in the bowl before processing begins. This preliminary freezing action eliminates the need for the machine to freeze ingredients during operation, significantly reducing processing time and user intervention requirements while maintaining dessert preparation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly continuously processes ingredients through repeated plunging and rotating motions without interruption. This continuous action eliminates idle time between freezing and mixing operations, reducing total preparation time while maintaining the ability to create various dessert products.
4Adaptability or versatility
If micro-puree machines are used, then frozen dessert and non-dessert products can be prepared, but cost and accessibility for home use decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the expensive motor and gearbox into a stationary base from the simpler bowl assembly allows the majority of units to be manufactured as inexpensive bowls, dramatically reducing per-unit manufacturing cost while maintaining versatility through the capable base unit.
Solution Approach 2:
A single blade assembly design with alternating groove patterns can process multiple types of frozen ingredients for both dessert and non-dessert applications. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized machines, reducing overall manufacturing and acquisition costs for consumers.
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 allows for efficient and practical home processing of frozen foods and drinks, reducing user effort and cost while providing versatile functionality for various frozen dessert and non-dessert products.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor assembly... that enables vertical movement of a rotating blade assembly
Implementation Method 2
The position motor enables vertical movement of the gearbox assembly and drive motor assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A micro puree machine including a housing, a platform, a position motor and a drive motor. The platform is movably positioned in the housing between a first position and a second position. The position motor is mounted on housing and coupled to the platform such that the position motor is operable to move the platform between the first position and the second position. The drive motor is operable to rotate a power shaft relative to the platform. The drive motor is mounted on the platform such that the drive motor and the power shaft move with the platform between the first position and the second position in response to the position motor.