Spice Grinder Neck Teeth With Adjustable Grinding Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spice grinders have limitations in adjusting the grinding gap width, which restricts the ability to grind spices and herbs to varying degrees of fineness, and often require complex mechanisms for adjustment.
Innovation Solution
An injection-molded spice grinder design featuring a preform with internal grinding teeth and a rotatable component with adjustable positioning, utilizing a ring with a spiral surface that axially displaces when rotated, allowing for variable grinding gap width through a series of discrete locking positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed grinding gap is used in simple grinders, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different powder fineness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an adjustable grinding gap mechanism where the rotatable component can be positioned at different axial locations relative to the fixed component. This dynamic adjustment capability allows users to vary the grinding gap width to achieve different powder fineness levels, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adaptable one without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ring with the spiral groove is nested within the rotatable component, and the detent mechanism is integrated into the ring structure. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements (adjustment mechanism, locking mechanism, and structural component) to be combined in a compact manner, achieving adjustability without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex adjustment mechanism is used to vary grinding gap width, then the adaptability for different powder fineness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detent mechanism automatically locks the ring at discrete positions determined by the spiral groove geometry and detent notches. This self-locking feature eliminates the need for complex locking procedures or multiple adjustment steps, allowing users to simply rotate the ring to the desired position where it automatically secures itself, greatly simplifying operation
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral groove acts as an intermediary element that translates rotational movement of the ring into axial displacement of the rotatable component. This mechanical intermediary provides a smooth, continuous adjustment range between discrete locking positions, making the adjustment process intuitive and easy to control
3Manufacturing precision
If discrete locking positions are provided for the ring, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability for continuous adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines discrete locking positions with continuous adjustment capability. The detent mechanism provides precise, stable locking at specific positions for manufacturing precision, while the spiral groove geometry and multiple notch positions enable a range of discrete settings that effectively cover continuous adjustment needs for different powder fineness requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An injection moulded preform is disclosed which is then blown to form a bottle (16) for containing spices and other material which is ground before use. The preform is moulded with teeth (18, 20) which are on the inside of the part of the preform which constitutes the neck. A rotatable structure which fits onto the bottle has a core which fits into the neck. The core has external teeth which co-operate with the teeth (18, 20) of the preform to define a grinding gap.