Nested Food Processor Bowls With Frictional Detent Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric food processor designs with nested bowls lack secure attachment, causing internal bowls to fall when attempting to lift the exterior bowl, making it difficult to pour contents without spilling.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of frictional detent mechanisms on the inner and outer walls of nested bowls, allowing secure nesting and attachment between bowls, enabling safe handling and pouring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If bowls are nested without secure attachment mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of bowl attachment deteriorates causing internal bowls to fall out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebowl nesting structureVSAvoidbowl attachment security
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested bowl configuration where multiple bowls of different sizes are stacked within one another, with each bowl having an outer surface and inner surface that contact adjacent bowls. This nesting arrangement allows multiple bowls to be stored compactly while maintaining individual accessibility through the handle mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a handle mechanism as an intermediary component that engages with the outermost bowl and transmits lifting force through frictional contact. The handle acts as a mediator between the user and the nested bowl system, enabling secure manipulation of the entire nested assembly without requiring direct attachment between individual bowls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If frictional detent mechanisms are added to secure nested bowls, then the reliability of bowl attachment is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebowl attachment securityVSAvoiddetent mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes frictional detent mechanisms that rely on parameter changes in surface contact properties. The detents create variable friction zones between nested bowls, allowing the system to transition between locked and unlocked states based on applied force, thereby securing bowls during lifting while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures secure nesting and attachment of bowls, allowing users to lift the exterior bowl without spilling contents from internal bowls, enhancing user convenience and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The largest bowl has frictional detent mechanisms on its inner wall. The second largest bowl has frictional detent mechanisms on its inner wall and on its outer wall. The third bowl, smallest of the three, has frictional detent mechanisms on its outer wall.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2340753B1Nested bowl retention mechanisms for food processors
Publication Date: 2014.11.12 CONAIR CORP
  • EP2340753B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2340753B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A bowl assembly 1 includes a first bowl 2, a second bowl 3, and a third bowl 4. The first bowl 2 has the largest inner diameter of the three. The second bowl 3 has an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the first bowl 2. The third bowl 4 has an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the second bowl 3. Each bowl has at least one frictional detent mechanism to engage the adjacently placed bowl.