Removable Gearbox Lid for Food Processor Cleanability and Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing food processor lid devices with integrated reduction gear mechanisms are difficult to clean, as they are not designed for immersion washing, leading to potential rusting and gear deterioration, and pose safety risks when used without the lid, as they can be operated directly with the drive unit.
Innovation Solution
A lid device with a separate gearbox that can be easily removed and washed, featuring a retractable blockage mechanism to ensure the gearbox is always attached to the lid when the drive unit is in use, preventing direct operation without the lid and allowing for safe and effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reduction gear mechanism is integrated into the lid, then the speed reduction function is achieved, but the lid cannot be washed and cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the lid into two separate components: a lid body and a removable gear box. The gear box containing the reduction gear mechanism can be detached from the lid body for washing, while the lid body remains for safety coverage. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the gear mechanism to be separated from the washable lid portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear box is extracted as a separate removable component from the lid structure. This extraction allows the gear mechanism to be taken out for cleaning purposes while maintaining its functional integration when assembled. The triggering means enables easy removal and reattachment of the gear box.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is removed for washing, then cleaning is possible, but the drive unit can be operated without safety protection
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the gear box from the lid body, the invention allows the lid body to remain on the container for safety protection while the gear box is removed for washing. This segmentation enables independent cleaning of the gear mechanism without compromising the safety coverage provided by the lid body.
Solution Approach 2:
The triggering means acts as an intermediary mechanism that ensures the gear box is properly attached to the lid body before operation. It provides a safety interlock system where the drive unit can only operate when the lid body is correctly positioned, even if the gear box is separately handled for cleaning.
3Ease of operation
If water enters the reduction gear mechanism, then rusting and gear deterioration occur, but the lid design prevents washing
Solution Approach 1:
The gear box is segmented as a separate removable component that can be taken off the lid body for washing. This separation allows the exterior surfaces to be cleaned without water penetrating into the internal gear mechanism, as the gear box can be removed and the lid body washed separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear box is extracted and removed from the lid assembly during washing operations. This extraction prevents water from reaching the reduction gear mechanism while still allowing thorough cleaning of the lid body and gear box exterior surfaces.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the gear box is made complex with multiple couplings, then safety is enhanced, but cleaning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The complex coupling system is segmented into modular components: the lid body with its coupling mechanisms and the separate gear box. This segmentation allows the simpler lid body to be washed easily while the gear box with its internal mechanisms can be cleaned separately or professionally serviced.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention proposes a lid device (10) having a lid (20) and a gear box (50), for use with a container (60) of a food processor (100) having a drive shaft (70a, 70b) in the container (60) and a drive unit (90) as a separate unit, said drive unit (90) having an internal electric motor (91) and a rotating output in the form of a first coupling (92), wherein the lid device (10) comprises: a gear box housing (30) provided on the lid (20) with an opening (23) for reaching the drive shaft (70a, 70b); and the gearbox (50) being a separate component that is removeably received by the gear box housing (30) and having a second coupling (59) in which the drive shaft (70a, 70b) can be attached. Said gear box (50) comprises a retractable blockage means (53) that is adapted to close said opening (23) wherein said gear box housing (30) has a triggering means (22) that is arranged to retract said blockage means (53) to open said opening (23) when the gear box (50) is mounted to the gear box housing (30) of the lid (20).