Rotary Food Cutter Tool Retention With Integrated Hook and Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household food cutting appliances with rotary tools are complex in construction and difficult to use, as they require additional parts to retain the rotary working tool in place, which can be insufficient when food exerts force on the tool during cutting.

Innovation Solution

A household food cutting appliance with a motorized base and an integral working accessory featuring a drive member inclined downwards, which includes a hook and a retaining abutment, allowing the rotary working tool to be retained without additional parts, facilitating easy installation, removal, and cleaning, and enhancing food ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional parts are used to retain the rotary working tool in place, then the tool can be held securely, but the construction becomes more complex and difficult to use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool retention securityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining abutment is integrated directly into the housing structure rather than being a separate component. The abutment is formed as an integral part of the housing wall, combining the housing and retention functions into a single structural element, thereby simplifying construction while maintaining tool retention security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention function is extracted from the complex assembly of multiple retaining parts and embodied in a single, simple abutment structure. This isolated retention element is sufficient to hold the tool securely without requiring additional components, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If additional retaining parts are used, then the tool can be retained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to more complex installation and removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool retentionVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention mechanism is simplified to a single abutment structure that allows the tool to be installed by simply placing it against the abutment and removed by lifting it away. This eliminates complex installation procedures while maintaining secure retention during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If additional retaining components are added, then tool retention is improved, but cleaning becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool retentionVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining abutment is merged with the housing structure, creating a smooth, continuous surface without separate retaining components. This integrated design eliminates crevices and complex geometries that would trap food particles, making the entire housing easier to clean while maintaining tool retention functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If the axis of rotation is inclined downwards, then food ejection is facilitated, but the tool requires additional retention mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood ejection efficiencyVSAvoidretention mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention abutment is integrated into the housing structure designed for the inclined axis configuration. This merged design provides both the inclined geometry for effective food ejection and the retention function through the built-in abutment, eliminating the need for separate retention mechanisms and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2159015B1Electrical household appliance for continuous cutting of food with simplified tool installation
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 SEB SA
  • EP2159015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2159015B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2159015B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

- The invention relates to a food cutting appliance comprising a motorized base (1) and a working accessory (2) attached to the motorized base (1), the working accessory (2) having an accessory housing (3) defining a housing (4) having a front opening (5), a driving member (8) mounted in the housing (4) along an axis of rotation (14) inclined downwards in the direction of the front opening (5), and a rotary working tool (6) intended to engage with the driving member (8) when said rotary working tool (6) is placed in the housing (4), the accessory housing (3) having a conduit (10) opening into the housing (4) opposite at least one cutting member (15, 15') of the rotary working tool (6).- According to the invention, the rotating working tool (6) mounted on the driving member (8) is capable of bearing in a lower part of the housing (4) against a retaining stop (43) and the driving member (8) forms at least one hook (45) oriented forward with respect to the direction of rotation of the driving member (8).