Produce Slicer Blade Support and Cover Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current produce slicers have exposed blade sets that pose safety risks to users and suffer from deflection during slicing, leading to inconsistent cutting and potential damage to blades.
Innovation Solution
A produce slicer design featuring a blade assembly with a blade cover and target ring that supports the blades, along with a blade support system to prevent deflection and enhance safety, including a pusher head with fins for aligned produce slicing and a safety comb for safe blade installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If exposed blade sets are used for slicing, then slicing function is achieved, but user safety deteriorates due to exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is segmented into multiple components: blade sets, blade covers, and blade supports. The blade cover encloses the blades during operation, separating the cutting function from user exposure. This segmentation allows the slicing function to remain effective while the blade cover protects users from direct contact with exposed blades.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade cover acts as an intermediary between the user and the blade sets. It allows the slicing operation to proceed while preventing direct exposure to the harmful blades. The cover is designed to be transparent or translucent, maintaining visibility for operation while providing protective enclosure.
2Length of moving object
If elongated blades are used for slicing, then slicing coverage is improved, but blade stability deteriorates due to deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The blade support structure extracts and removes the deflection problem by providing separate support points along the blade assembly. The blade supports are positioned at strategic locations to counteract the natural deflection of elongated blades, allowing the blades to maintain their functional length while achieving the necessary stability for consistent slicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade support system uses asymmetric positioning of support points relative to the blade assembly. The supports are located at specific intervals that account for the blade's length and expected deflection patterns, providing optimized stability without requiring uniform support distribution. This asymmetric arrangement allows elongated blades to function effectively while minimizing deflection.
Data Source
AI summary
An blade assembly for use with a produce slicer includes a first blade set having a first pair of opposing frame bars and a plurality of blades extending between the first pair of opposing frame bars, a blade cover positioned relative to the first blade set, and a blade support extending from the first target ring to support the plurality of blades. The blade cover includes a planar top portion having a first target ring that defines a first target area through which a piece of produce passes during slicing.