Modular food processing and preparation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing devices, such as combination peelers and slicers, face limitations in handling large or heavy food items due to the eccentricity of the advancing screw, requiring lengthy time for core retrieval and item repositioning, and often result in inefficient processing.
Innovation Solution
A food processing device with a gear housing, frame arm, and drive screw, coupled with a retention hub and input hub, enables synchronized rotational and linear movement, allowing for efficient peeling, slicing, and coring through a carrier with integrated cutting implements, and can be integrated with a stand-based mixer for enhanced power and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional unanchored drive screw is used to advance the food item, then the device structure is simpler, but the screw sags under heavyweight causing eccentricity and limiting the size and weight of processable items
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is segmented into a two-component system: a stationary gear housing that anchors the drive screw to prevent sagging, and a movable carrier that travels along the frame arm. This segmentation allows the heavy-duty anchored screw structure to support large food items while the separate carrier handles the processing functions, distributing the mechanical load effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary between the anchored drive screw and the cutting implements. It translates the rotational movement of the screw into linear movement of the cutting tools, allowing the heavy-duty screw structure to indirectly drive the processing functions without the screw itself needing to directly hold or move the cutting elements.
2Productivity
If the food item is advanced through a conventional device, then processing can be performed, but lengthy time is required for retracting the core from the corer and advancing a new food item
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of advancing the food item through a stationary cutting mechanism, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the food item stationary on the anchored retention device and advancing the carrier with cutting implements through the food item. This inversion eliminates the need to retract and reposition heavy food items, significantly reducing cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier automatically returns to its starting position after completing a cutting cycle, ready to immediately process the next food item. The anchored retention device continuously holds food items in place, eliminating downtime between processing cycles and enabling continuous operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the drive screw is eccentric due to sagging, then the device can be simpler, but the size and weight of items to be processed are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the support function (anchored gear housing and retention device) from the processing function (movable carrier with cutting implements). This segmentation allows the anchored structure to provide stable, eccentricity-free support for large, heavy food items while the lighter carrier handles the dynamic processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier moves along the longitudinal axis of the frame arm, adding a linear movement dimension to the rotational movement of the drive screw. This dimensional change allows the processing tools to traverse the length of large food items without requiring the entire drive mechanism to move, enabling processing of oversized items.
4Productivity
If conventional processing devices are used, then basic peeling and slicing can be performed, but synchronized rotational and linear movement for efficient processing is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex multi-axis mechanical synchronization systems with a simpler screw-mechanism-based system. The threaded engagement between the drive screw and carrier automatically converts rotational movement into linear movement with precise, inherent synchronization, eliminating the need for separate motors, belts, or gears to coordinate multiple movements.
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 facilitates efficient processing of various food items, including larger ones, by ensuring synchronized rotational and linear movement, reducing processing time and improving handling capabilities, while allowing for easy collection of processed food without interference from the drive mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end of the frame arm. A carrier is slidably coupled with the frame arm and is further operably engaged with the drive screw such that the rotational movement thereof drives corresponding linear movement of the carrier along the frame arm
Implementation Method 2
an input hub extending from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention hub and operably engaged with both the drive screw and the retention hub to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 4
AI summary
A food processing device (10) includes a gear housing (12), a frame arm (14) extending from the gear housing (12) on a first lateral side thereof, and a drive screw (16) operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing (12) and a support end (18). The device (10) further includes a retention hub (20) operably coupled with the gear housing (12) and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw (16) and an input hub (34) extending from the gear housing (12) opposite the drive screw (16) and the retention hub (20) and operably engaged with both the drive screw (16) and the retention hub (20) to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing (12). A carrier (24) is slidably coupled with the frame arm (14) and is further operably engaged with the drive screw (16) such that the rotational movement thereof drives corresponding linear movement of the carrier (24) along the frame arm (14). The carrier (24) defines at least one cutting implement (28,70,72,74) thereon.