Potato Peeling Disc Attachment for Multi-Function Food Processors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food processors are not designed for efficient potato peeling, requiring separate machines and complex conversions, and existing potato peeling machines have limitations in peeling speed and residue reduction.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a food processor that includes a removable potato peeling disc with an abrasive surface, attached to a rotatable tool, allowing for motorized peeling using the processor's drive, with adjustable rotational speeds and directions to optimize peeling efficiency and minimize waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate potato peeling machine is used, then peeling function is specialized and effective, but device complexity increases and requires multiple appliances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeeling functionVSAvoidnumber of appliances
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The food processor is designed to perform multiple functions including both food preparation and potato peeling. By attaching a potato peeling disc to the existing rotatable tool, the device gains peeling capability without requiring a separate dedicated peeling machine, thus reducing the number of appliances needed while maintaining specialized peeling function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a food processor is converted to peel potatoes, then multi-functionality is achieved, but conversion complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-functionalityVSAvoidconversion complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The potato peeling disc is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be easily attached to and removed from the food processor. This segmentation allows the peeling function to be added without permanently modifying the food processor structure, simplifying the conversion process while maintaining multi-functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable tool of the food processor serves as an intermediary mechanism that transfers rotational motion to the potato peeling disc. By utilizing the existing rotatable tool as a mediator, the patent avoids complex conversion requirements while enabling the food processor to drive the peeling disc for potato peeling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If rotary discs with abrasive surface are used for peeling, then peeling function is achieved, but peeling speed and residue reduction are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeeling speedVSAvoidpeeling quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes peeling performance by adjusting parameters such as rotational speed and direction of the potato peeling disc. By controlling the rotation speed and alternating between first and second rotation directions, the system achieves both high peeling speed and high peeling quality with minimal residue, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision

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

Enables efficient and reproducible potato peeling within a food processor, reducing peeling time and residue while avoiding the need for a separate peeling machine, with improved peeling and mixing capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

a potato peeling disc (7), which has an abrasive structure on its surface (18)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP4101349B1Method for potato peeling and kitchen appliance
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for peeling potatoes with a food processor (1) and to a food processor (1) comprising a removable food preparation container (2), a heating element (6) for heating food (20) in the food preparation container (2), and a rotatable tool (9) for mixing or chopping the food (20) in the food preparation container (2), comprising the following steps: placing (35) a potato peeling disc (7), which has an abrasive structure on its surface (18), from above onto the tool (9), which is located centrally on a base (15) of the food preparation container (2), to create a manually releasable, rotatably coupled connection, so that during operation the potato peeling disc (7) rotates at the same rotational speed (26) as the tool (9); adding potatoes to the food preparation container (2) from above onto the potato peeling disc (7);motorized rotation of the tool (9) in a first direction of rotation (41) and peeling of the potatoes with the potato peeling disc (7) inside the food preparation vessel (2).;