Modular food processing and preparation device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing devices, such as combination peelers and slicers, face limitations in handling large and heavy food items due to the eccentricity of the advancing screw, which can lead to sagging and require lengthy processes for retracting cores and inserting new items, resulting in inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A food processing device with a gear housing, frame arm, and drive screw mechanism that enables synchronized rotational and linear movement, allowing for efficient peeling, slicing, and coring of food items, including larger ones, by using a retention hub and input hub to drive the carrier along the frame arm, which is powered by a motor-driven system for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a traditional unanchored drive screw is used to advance food items, then the device can process food items, but the screw sags under heavy weight causing eccentricity that limits the size and weight of processable items
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is segmented into a stationary anchored drive screw and a separate movable carrier assembly. The drive screw remains fixed in position while the carrier moves along it, separating the functions of power transmission and food advancement to prevent sagging and maintain stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary between the anchored drive screw and the food item. It transfers the rotational motion from the screw to linear motion of the food item without requiring the screw itself to move or support the food weight directly, eliminating eccentricity issues.
2Productivity
If traditional hand-operated or powered devices with unanchored screws are used, then food processing can be performed, but lengthy time is required for retracting cores and advancing new food items
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is pre-positioned and remains engaged with the drive screw throughout the process. The core is automatically retracted as the carrier moves forward, and the mechanism is ready to immediately accept and advance the next food item without manual repositioning or core removal steps, eliminating idle time between processing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchored drive screw provides continuous rotational motion that continuously advances the carrier and processes food items without interruption. The system maintains constant motion and processing action, eliminating the start-stop cycles and manual intervention periods inherent in traditional devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional devices are used, then basic peeling and slicing can be performed, but the eccentricity of the advancing screw limits the size and weight of items that can be processed
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the stationary drive screw from the movable carrier, the system can handle larger and heavier food items without compromising the stability of the drive mechanism. The anchored screw provides a stable power source while the carrier handles the variable loads of different food items.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchored drive screw and carrier mechanism provide a universal platform that can process food items of various sizes and weights. The stable anchored mechanism eliminates the size limitations of traditional systems, allowing the same device to handle everything from small vegetables to large melons and pumpkins.
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 efficiently processes a variety of food items, including larger ones, by ensuring synchronized rotational and linear movement, reducing processing time and improving handling capacity, while allowing for easy attachment and detachment of cutting implements for modular functionality.
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... 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
Data Source
AI summary
A food processing system includes a base unit having a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end of the frame arm, and a retention fitting extending from the gear housing. An input hub extends from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention fitting and is operably engaged with both the drive screw and the retention hub to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing. A carrier is slidably coupled with the frame arm and is operably engaged with the drive screw. The system further includes a first cutting implement and a second cutting implement, each being alternately coupleable with the carrier.