Potato Ricer with Nested Rotating Legs for Variable Aperture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing potato mashers and ricers lack a versatile and efficient mechanism to adapt to varying potato mashing needs, particularly when integrated with a stick mixer, as they often do not provide adjustable aperture sizes for optimal food processing.
Innovation Solution
A ricer accessory for a stick mixer featuring a leg assembly with nested inner and outer legs that rotate to create a third array of openings with variable sizes, connected to a gearbox-driven blade for efficient food processing, allowing for adjustable aperture sizes and enhanced user feedback through mechanical indexing features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed aperture ricer is used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different potato mashing needs is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The inner leg with first array of openings is nested within the outer leg with second array of openings. Both legs can rotate independently within each other, allowing the opening sizes to be adjusted by changing their relative rotational positions. This nesting arrangement enables variable aperture sizes without requiring multiple separate ricing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static fixed aperture design into a dynamic adjustable aperture system. The inner and outer legs are designed to rotate relative to each other, allowing users to dynamically adjust the aperture size according to different potato mashing needs. The mechanical indexing features provide discrete positioning options while maintaining rotational capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable aperture sizes are implemented, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the inner leg within the outer leg, the patent achieves variable aperture functionality without adding significant external complexity. The nested structure allows both legs to rotate independently while maintaining a compact overall form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds rotational freedom in the angular dimension to achieve variable aperture sizes. Instead of requiring multiple separate ricing devices with different fixed apertures, the solution rotates the inner leg relative to the outer leg to create different effective opening sizes, transforming a one-dimensional aperture selection problem into a two-dimensional rotational adjustment system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If nested inner and outer legs with rotation are used, then the aperture size variability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested leg structure allows both inner and outer legs to be manufactured as separate components with identical or similar geometries, simplifying the manufacturing process. Each leg can be produced using the same tooling and processes, then assembled together with rotational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ricing mechanism is segmented into two independent rotatable legs, each carrying an array of openings. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where each leg can be produced separately and then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to creating a single complex integrated component.
4Ease of operation
If mechanical indexing features are added for user feedback, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical indexing features are incorporated into the nested leg assembly to provide tactile feedback to the user during rotation. These features create discrete audible and tactile clicks at predetermined angular positions, giving users clear feedback about aperture size changes without requiring visual inspection or complex electronic sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical indexing features are passive elements that automatically engage during rotation, providing feedback without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The indexing mechanism serves itself by utilizing the rotational motion already present in the system to generate tactile and audible feedback signals.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory for a stick mixer comprises a coupling portion with an optional internal gearbox. In one embodiment, a leg assembly further comprises nested inner and outer legs. The inner leg carries a first array of openings and the outer leg carries a second array of openings. The inner and outer legs rotate relative to one another to produce third array of openings having variable sizes.