Mixer Fast-Stop Control for Hand Contact Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food mixers often require users to learn through trial and error, struggle with mixing small volumes, and have issues with ingredient splashing and visibility, leading to inefficient and wasteful mixing processes.
Innovation Solution
A food mixing machine with a tilted bowl and adjustable lid, featuring a motor-driven mixing tool that can rotate within the bowl, along with a control system that detects attachments and automatically adjusts operational settings, and a fast-stop mechanism for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a lid is attached to the bowl to prevent ingredient expulsion, then ingredient containment is improved, but access and vision of the bowl interior deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a transparent or translucent lid made of flexible material that allows users to view the mixing process while preventing ingredient expulsion. The transparency provides visual access without requiring physical access, resolving the contradiction between containment and visibility.
2Productivity
If the mixer tool is configured to reach tightly against the bottom surface of the bowl, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of tool damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing tool is designed with adjustable depth control and flexible positioning mechanisms that allow it to reach close to the bottom surface for effective mixing while preventing excessive force that could cause damage. The system dynamically adjusts the tool's position based on bowl contents and mixing stage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users manually learn through trial and error how to operate the mixer, then operational flexibility is maintained, but time consumption and ingredient waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer incorporates automatic detection systems that identify the type of attachment tool and bowl configuration, then automatically adjust mixing parameters such as speed, duration, and sequence. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for users to learn through trial and error while maintaining operational flexibility for different recipes.
4Productivity
If the mixer operates at high speeds to improve mixing efficiency, then productivity increases, but ingredient splashing and expulsion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer employs variable speed cycling that alternates between high-speed mixing phases and lower-speed incorporation phases. This periodic speed variation maintains high overall mixing efficiency while reducing continuous high-speed operation that causes splashing and ingredient expulsion.
Data Source
AI summary
A food preparation apparatus is presented that has fast-stop capability. It includes a base unit, a mixing container attached to the base unit, a mixing tool configured to extend into and move within the mixing container, and a motor within the base unit. The motor is configured to provide a torque to the mixing tool. A control unit within the base unit is connected to the motor. A contact sensor is connected to the control unit, and the control unit is configured to stop rotation of the motor when the contact sensor detects a touch of a human hand. In some cases, contact with the mixing tool stops the motor, and in other cases, contact with an outer surface or user interface of the base unit stops the motor.