One-Handed Fruit Squeezer With Screened Pulp Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit squeezers require two hands to operate, making them difficult, time-consuming, and messy, and often result in contamination and the inclusion of fruit pulp and pits in the juice.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed fruit squeezer with a mechanism that automatically collects and wipes pulp and pits using a screen, allowing for quick and clean juice extraction without hand contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional fruit squeezer is used, then juice can be extracted from fruit, but two hands are required to operate it
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a fixed U-shaped jaw, a movable pressing plate, a screen assembly, and a wiper assembly. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the complex task of one-handed operation to be achieved through coordinated simple parts
Solution Approach 2:
The screen and wiper assemblies are designed to automatically perform their functions during the squeezing operation. The screen automatically moves into position to catch pulp and pits, and the wiper automatically wipes the screen clean, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling one-handed operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fruit is squeezed by hand, then juice can be extracted, but bacteria and germs contaminate the juice
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces an intermediary mechanism (the automated screen and wiper system) between the user's hand and the fruit. This intermediary automatically handles the fruit, extracts juice, and removes contaminants without requiring direct hand contact, thus preventing contamination while maintaining ease of operation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fruit is squeezed by hand, then juice can be extracted, but fruit pulp and pits fall into the food
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts not only the juice but also automatically removes the unwanted pulp and pits through the screen assembly. The screen is positioned to intercept and retain solid contaminants while allowing juice to pass through, and the wiper automatically cleans the screen, ensuring continuous efficient operation without manual intervention
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a screen is added to collect pulp and pits, then juice purity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen assembly and wiper assembly are merged into a single integrated unit that performs both screening and cleaning functions. This unified design achieves high juice purity while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining multiple functions into one coordinated 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
Enables efficient, one-handed operation for juice extraction, maintaining cleanliness, and separating juice from pulp and pits, addressing the inefficiencies and contamination issues of prior devices.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing spring is connected between the first and second handles for biasing the top and bottom portions of the handles apart and against a squeezing force that is applied to move the top portions of the handles together
Implementation Method 2
The screen disk or crank rotates at a second pivot axis and facilitates rotation of the screen arm and hence the screen to a screening position below a piece of fruit to be squeezed between the jaws for screening solids from liquids squeezed from the item
Data Source
AI summary
A fruit squeezer for squeezing juice picks up, squeezes and discards the squeezed fruit with use of a single hand. The squeezer has a first handle and a second handle that are rotatably connected to each other. Each handle has a top portion and a bottom portion. A biasing spring biases the top and bottom portions apart. A U-shaped jaw is fixed to the bottom end of the second handle. A pressing plate jaw is pivotally mounted to the bottom end of the first handle. Squeezing the top ends of the handles toward each other against the force of a spring moves the jaws for squeezing the fruit. A screen operatively connected to the handles simultaneously rotates at a second pivot axis from a rest position to a screening position below the fruit for screening solids from the squeezed juice.