Off-Centred Positioning Mechanism for Removable Food Processor Jug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk processing machines for frothing and heating milk are cumbersome to clean due to the presence of mechanical and electrical components, and user errors can lead to suboptimal operation, especially when incorrectly positioning the processing jug.
Innovation Solution
A milk processing machine with a removable, mechanically and electrically passive jug that includes a base with a thermal conditioner and actuator, featuring an off-centred projecting member and seat for secure positioning, and a control system to detect improper placement and prevent processing errors, ensuring easy cleaning and preventing damage from detergents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical stirring appliance with heating components is used to prepare frothed milk, then the milk can be frothed and heated, but the tank requires frequent cleaning to remove solid food residue and burnt protein deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance is divided into two main segments: a removable jug/container that can be easily detached and cleaned, and a base unit that houses the mechanical and electrical components. This segmentation allows the cleaning-prone parts to be separated from the component-heavy parts, making cleaning simpler and more frequent.
Solution Approach 2:
The jug is extracted as a separate, removable component from the base unit. This extraction allows the jug to be easily removed for cleaning without disassembling the base unit's complex components, and enables the jug to be cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand without risking damage to sensitive electronics or motors.
2Ease of operation
If the jug is made removable and passive (without mechanical/electrical components), then cleaning becomes easier, but positioning control and operational accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
An off-centred projecting member on the jug acts as a mechanical intermediary that engages with a corresponding seat on the base unit. This simple geometric feature ensures accurate positioning and alignment of the jug relative to the base, providing reliable control without requiring complex mechanical or electrical systems on the removable jug itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting member is deliberately positioned off-centre rather than at the centre of the jug. This asymmetric positioning creates a unique engagement point that ensures the jug can only be correctly positioned in one orientation on the base unit, providing foolproof positioning control through simple geometric constraints rather than complex active systems.
3Reliability
If an off-centred projecting member and seat are used for positioning, then proper jug placement is ensured, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire jug or base unit complex, the positioning feature is localized to a simple off-centred projecting member on the jug and a corresponding seat on the base. This localized geometric feature provides reliable positioning control without increasing the overall complexity of the appliance design, as it uses simple passive geometric constraints rather than active control systems.
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 solution allows for easy cleaning of the machine without risking damage to components and automatically prevents suboptimal processing by ensuring proper jug positioning, enhancing user safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a base (10) that has one or more walls (11) forming a seat (11') for removably receiving the container (21)
Implementation Method 2
Heat can be provided into the processing tank by using an induction system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A machine (1) for processing a liquid food substance includes: a jug (20) having a container (21) and delimiting a food cavity (21') for containing the liquid food substance; and a base (10) that has one or more walls (11) forming a seat (11') for removably receiving the container (21). The base (10) and the jug (20) comprise or delimit, respectively, an off-centred projecting member (33) and a corresponding off-centred seat (13) for the projecting member (33) or vice versa. The off-centred seat (13) is configured to receive the projecting member (33) when the container (21) is received by the base seat (11') such that the container (21) is in place for processing the liquid food substance. The off-centred projecting member (33) is configured to maintain the container (21) off its place for processing the liquid food substance in the cavity (21') when the projecting member (33) is off-set relative to the off-centred seat (13).