Mixer Lid Surface Element for Adjustable Vortex Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mixer household appliances emit noise during operation due to the rotor element, and existing solutions do not adequately reduce noise levels or provide flexible noise reduction methods for varying foodstuff conditions.

Innovation Solution

A mixer appliance with a device featuring a surface element that can be positioned in two different distances from the rotor element within the container, allowing it to cover part of the vortex formed during mixing, blending, or cutting, thereby reducing noise transmission. The device is adjustable and can be used as a scraper, with a shaft and lid configuration enabling its movement and fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed noise reduction device is positioned in the container, then noise transmission is reduced, but the device cannot adapt to varying vortex sizes under different operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise transmissionVSAvoidadaptability to varying operating conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The noise reduction device is made adjustable and repositionable, allowing it to adapt to different vortex sizes formed during mixing, blending, or cutting operations. The device can be positioned at different distances from the rotor element (first position and second position) to effectively cover the varying vortex cone and reduce noise transmission under different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device is made adjustable with multiple positions, then adaptability to different operating conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying operating conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed with a shaft that can be positioned at different fixed locations (first position and second position) relative to the rotor element. This segmentation of the adjustment mechanism into discrete positions provides adaptability while keeping the structure relatively simple compared to continuous adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 adjustable device effectively reduces noise levels by closing off the vortex, achieving a noise reduction of about 2 dB in various operating conditions, improving the appliance's noise performance compared to previous designs.

Implementation Method 1

noise emanating from the rotor element during mixing, blending, or cutting foodstuff is transmitted via a cone of air inside a vortex formed in the foodstuff being rotated by the rotor element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex formation: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2814366B1Mixer household appliance
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 AB ELECTROLUX
  • EP2814366B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2814366B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2814366B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

A mixer household appliance (2) comprising a container unit (6) and a base unit is provided. The container unit (6) comprises a container (8) for foodstuff and a rotor element (18) arranged inside the container (8) at a first end (22) of the container unit (6). The appliance (2) further comprises a lid (28) for at least partially covering an opening (12) of the container unit (6). A device (32) extends into the container (8) via the lid (28) and comprising a surface element (34). The device (32) is arranged to be fixedly positioned in at least a first position and a second position. In the first position of the device (32) the surface element (34) is arranged at a first distance from the rotor element (18). In the second position of the device (32) the surface element (34) is arranged at a second distance from the rotor element (18).