Modular Food Processor with Synchronized Drive Screw and Retention Hub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing devices, such as combination peelers and slicers, often face limitations due to the eccentricity of the advancing screw, which restricts the size and weight of items that can be processed, and require lengthy time for retracting the core and advancing a new food item, leading to inefficiencies in processing.
Innovation Solution
A food processing device with a gear housing, drive screw, retention hub, and carrier that enables synchronized rotational and linear movement, allowing for efficient peeling, slicing, and coring of food items, with a modular design that includes a stand-based mixing device and interchangeable cutting implements, facilitating the processing of various food products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a traditional advancing screw mechanism is used to drive food items through peeling and slicing blades, then the device can process food items, but the eccentricity of the screw under heavy weight limits the size and weight of items that can be processed
Solution Approach 1:
A gear housing with synchronized drive mechanism acts as an intermediary between the motor and the food processing components. The gear housing contains a drive screw and a retention hub that rotate synchronously, eliminating the eccentricity problems of traditional unanchored screws while enabling the processing of larger, heavier food items.
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the drive function into two independent synchronized components: a drive screw for linear advancement and a retention hub for rotational movement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the retention hub providing stable rotational support that prevents the drive screw from sagging under heavy loads.
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 the core and advancing a new food item
Solution Approach 1:
The core is automatically advanced through the processing blades during the initial rotation of the retention hub, before the user needs to manually retract it. The synchronized drive mechanism ensures the core is positioned and processed in advance, reducing the time required for manual intervention between processing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear housing maintains continuous synchronized rotation of the drive screw and retention hub, ensuring the food item continuously engages with the peeling and slicing blades throughout the rotation. This eliminates idle time and ensures uninterrupted processing, improving overall productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed cutting implements are used in traditional devices, then peeling and slicing can be performed, but the device lacks versatility for different food items and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting implements are made interchangeable and removable, allowing users to dynamically change blades according to different food items and processing requirements. The carrier design accommodates various cutting implement configurations, enabling the same base device to adapt to different processing tasks without requiring multiple dedicated devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear housing and carrier design serve multiple functions: they provide synchronized drive mechanisms, support various cutting implement types, and enable different processing modes (peeling, slicing, coring). This multi-functionality is achieved through a universal interface system that accommodates various cutting implements while maintaining a consistent drive mechanism.
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 range of food items, including larger ones, by ensuring synchronized rotational and linear movement, reducing processing time and allowing for easy collection of prepared food, while the modular design enhances versatility and ease of use.
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 with respect to the gear housing
Data Source
AI summary
A food processing device includes a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, and a drive screw operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end. The device further includes a retention hub operably coupled with the gear housing and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw and 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. 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. The carrier defines at least one cutting implement thereon.