Sandwich maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sandwich makers require manual operation for placing food materials and driving the hot-pressing structure, limiting automation and efficiency in the hot pressing process.
Innovation Solution
A sandwich maker with a support structure, pressing mechanism, hot-pressing structure, bearing structure, conveying mechanism, and controller, where the controller automates the movement of the pressing mechanism and conveying mechanism to perform linear reciprocating motions, enabling fully automatic hot pressing without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual operation is used for placing food materials and driving the hot-pressing structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the extent of automation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated pressing mechanism comprising a motor set, transmission rod, and connecting base. The motor set drives the transmission rod to convert rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion of the connecting base, which automatically pushes the hot-pressing structure toward the bearing structure. This substitution of manual mechanical control with an automated electromechanical system resolves the contradiction by achieving full automation while managing device complexity through structured mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying mechanism enables the food material to be automatically conveyed into the mold cavity without manual intervention. The system performs self-service by automatically positioning the food material and initiating the hot-pressing process, eliminating the need for continuous human operation and thereby improving automation extent while the self-contained design manages complexity internally.
2Productivity
If manual operation is used for driving the hot-pressing structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual driving of the hot-pressing structure with an automated system comprising a motor set, transmission rod, and connecting base. The motor set converts electrical energy to mechanical motion, and the transmission rod transforms rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion, automatically pushing the hot-pressing structure. This electromechanical substitution significantly improves productivity by enabling continuous, consistent operation without manual intervention, while the structured mechanical design manages the added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated pressing mechanism enables continuous operation of the hot-pressing process. The motor set continuously drives the transmission rod to produce reciprocating motion of the connecting base, maintaining continuous useful action in the hot-pressing process. This continuity improves productivity by eliminating interruptions associated with manual operation, while the robust mechanical design handles the complexity of sustained automated operation.
3Extent of automation
If automated pressing mechanism is introduced, then the extent of automation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated conveying mechanism that replaces manual placement of food material. The second motor set drives a second transmission rod to convert rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion of the conveying base, which automatically conveys food material into the mold cavity. This electromechanical substitution achieves full automation of food material placement, while the modular mechanical design manages the increased device complexity through organized component structure.
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 solution allows for fully automated hot pressing, enhancing efficiency and user experience by automating the placement and pressing of food materials, achieving automation and humanization in the sandwich making process.
Implementation Method 1
the heating device and the heating furnace, where the pressing mold has a first mold cavity, the bearing structure is fixed to the support structure
Implementation Method 2
a first motor set, a first transmission rod, and a connecting base, where the first transmission rod is connected to the first motor set, the connecting base is connected to the first transmission rod, and the connecting base performs linear reciprocating motion driven by the first motor set and the first transmission rod
Implementation Method 3
a second motor, a second transmission rod, and a conveying base, where the second motor is fixed to the support structure, the second transmission rod is connected to the second motor, the conveying base is connected to the second transmission rod and performs linear reciprocating motion along a second direction driven by the second motor and the second transmission rod
Data Source
AI summary
A sandwich maker is provided, including a support structure, a pressing mechanism, a hot-pressing structure, a bearing structure, a conveying mechanism, and a controller. The pressing mechanism includes a first motor set, a first transmission rod, and a connecting base, where the connecting base performs linear reciprocating motion along a first direction driven by the first motor set and the first transmission rod. The hot-pressing structure includes a heating device and a pressing mold. The pressing mold has a first mold cavity. The bearing structure includes a heating furnace and a bearing mold. The bearing mold has a second mold cavity. The conveying mechanism includes a second motor, a second transmission rod, and a conveying base, where the conveying base performs linear reciprocating motion along a second direction driven by the second motor and the second transmission rod. The controller controls operation of the sandwich maker.