Modular Food Processor with Adjustable Slicing and Nesting Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors are limited by fixed blade sizes, bowl shapes, and feed chute configurations, leading to increased storage needs and costs due to the requirement for interchangeable components.
Innovation Solution
A modular food processor design featuring a removable feed tube, adjustable slicing disc, extensible shaft for mounting blades at various heights, and a double-sided grating disc, allowing for versatile processing operations without the need for additional storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable components are provided for different blade sizes and shapes, then processing versatility is improved, but storage space requirements and overall expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feed tube is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple blade types (slicing blades, shredding blades, grating discs) through a single interface. The extensible shaft mechanism allows the same feed tube to work with blades of different sizes and configurations, eliminating the need for separate feed tubes for each blade type.
Solution Approach 2:
The extensible shaft is designed to be nested within the feed tube structure, allowing it to extend to different lengths as needed. When not in use, the shaft retracts into the feed tube, minimizing storage space. This nested design allows the system to maintain versatility while reducing the volume required for storage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable components are provided for different blade sizes and shapes, then processing versatility is improved, but overall expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed tube and shaft assembly is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple blade types (slicing blades, shredding blades, grating discs) through a single interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need to purchase separate feed tubes and shafts for different blade types, thereby lowering the overall expense while maintaining processing versatility.
3Device complexity
If fixed blade size and shape configurations are used, then device complexity is reduced, but processing versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The feed tube is divided into functional segments: a base portion, an extensible shaft portion, and a blade mounting interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The extensible shaft can be extended or retracted as needed, providing versatility without requiring a completely different feed tube design for each blade type.
Solution Approach 2:
The extensible shaft introduces a dynamic element to the otherwise fixed feed tube structure. The shaft can extend to different lengths and positions depending on the blade being used, allowing the system to adapt to different processing requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base structure. This dynamic capability provides versatility without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A food processor (100) includes one or more of a removable feed tubes (155), a cover or lid (156) for a feed tube opening (154), a double sided grating disc (190), a bowl or receptacle (110) having a pour spout and a complimentary hinged spout lid (140s) on the bowl cover (140), a bowl mounted drive shaft (115), an extensible shaft for mounting various blades or discs at various heights, and an adjustable thickness slicing disc (180).