Portable food processor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors are inefficient and inconvenient due to complex structures and low chopping efficiency, requiring more effort to operate and resulting in increased size and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A portable food processor design featuring a container with a food processing member driven by a pull rod mechanism, including a transmission device with a gear rack and clutch system, which allows for easier operation and increased efficiency through a sliding track and handle system, enhancing the friction between food and processing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand knob is used to rotate the shaft with blades, then the food processor can be operated manually, but the structure becomes more complex and the size of the knob increases, making it more difficult to manufacture and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission device is divided into multiple gear components (driving gear member, driven gear member, driven shaft gear member) that work together through a series of meshing gears. This segmentation allows the complex transmission function to be distributed across simpler individual components, making the overall system easier to manufacture and assemble while maintaining manual operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
A clutch mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the pull rod and the driven shaft. This clutch acts as a mediator that selectively engages or disengages the power transmission path, simplifying the control mechanism while enabling easy manual operation through the pull rod without requiring a complex direct drive system
2Power
If a higher drive ratio is required, then the transmission capability is improved, but the size of the knob increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The high drive ratio is achieved through a segmented gear train system with multiple stages of gear reduction. Instead of using a single large knob with complex internal mechanisms, the power transmission is divided into multiple gear meshing stages (driving gear to driven gear, driven gear to driven shaft gear), each with manageable size and standard manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission system utilizes the radial dimension within the cover by arranging gears in a compact circular pattern around the central axis. This dimensional arrangement allows the accumulation of gear ratios through radial stacking of gear stages rather than increasing the axial length of a single knob, maintaining compactness while achieving high drive ratio
3Ease of manufacture
If the food processor structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but the chopping efficiency decreases due to less resistance on the food
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with localized high-friction features including a rough inner surface and protrusions that create resistance zones where food contacts the container walls during processing. This local quality enhancement provides the necessary resistance for efficient chopping without complicating the overall structure, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The blades are designed with curved cutting edges that follow the rotational motion, creating a sweeping cutting action that enhances chopping efficiency. The curved geometry naturally guides food items into the blade path and maintains continuous contact, improving productivity without adding complex mechanical components
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 design improves operational convenience and efficiency by reducing the effort required to process food, increasing chopping efficiency, and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining a compact size.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member is arranged between the other end of the said pull rod and the said cover
Implementation Method 2
the said pull rod comprising a gear rack for engaging the said transmission device; the said transmission device comprises a driving gear member, a driven gear member adapted for being driven by the said driving gear member
Implementation Method 3
a clump weight for providing inertia being mounted to the said driven shaft
Implementation Method 4
enhancing the friction between food and processing elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
Disclosed in the invention is a portable food processor which comprises a container for containing food, a food processing component and a container cover component. The food processing component which is arranged inside the container can rotate relative to the container. The container cover component which is fixed to cover an opening of the container comprises a cover body, a driving component arranged in the top of the cover body and a transmission mechanism arranged in the cover body. The driving component drives the food processing component to rotate relative to the container through the transmission mechanism. The driving component is a pull rod component which comprises a chute arranged in the top of the cover body and a pull rod arranged in the chute. The pull rod is provided with a rack to mesh with a gear of the transmission mechanism. Since the pull rod component is used as the driving component in the present invention, only the pull rod needs to be pulled in a reciprocating manner when the portable food processor is operated. Compared with the operation mode of rotating a knob in the prior art, the portable food processor is more convenient and the transmission ratio during driving can be increased by providing a longer pull rod.