Spring Drive Mechanism for Automatic Food Mincer Return
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food mincing devices require manual effort to return the actuating part to the insertion position after use, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially when dealing with large quantities of food, as the base part may be lifted unintentionally due to material residues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a spring drive mechanism that allows the actuating part to automatically return to the insertion position after use, enabling one-handed operation and adjustable support for different types of food, with the option to switch the drive on or off depending on the material's hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating part is manually returned to the insertion position, then the device can be operated, but the operation becomes time-consuming and requires two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The spring drive mechanism automatically returns the actuating part to the insertion position without requiring manual intervention. The spring stores energy during the cutting stroke and releases it to propel the actuating part back, making the system self-serving and eliminating the need for user assistance in the return motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring drive creates a periodic motion pattern where the actuating part moves forward during the power stroke and automatically returns during the recovery stroke. This rhythmic operation allows the user to simply place material and release the trigger, while the system automatically completes both the forward and return movements in cycles.
2Productivity
If the actuating part is pushed through material to be comminuted, then cutting is achieved, but material residues cause clamping that prevents easy return
Solution Approach 1:
The spring drive mechanism compensates for the clamping effect of material residues by providing sufficient force to overcome the friction and return the actuating part to the insertion position. The pre-tensioned spring stores enough energy to push through the resistive forces created by material adhesion and mechanical interlocking with the cutting part.
3Reliability
If the base part is held during return motion, then control is maintained, but one hand is occupied reducing operational speed
Solution Approach 1:
The spring drive mechanism maintains control of the actuating part during return motion without requiring the user to hold the base part. The spring's restoring force automatically guides the actuating part back to the insertion position, eliminating the need for manual control during the recovery stroke while maintaining operational reliability.
4Productivity
If a spring drive is added to automate the return motion, then operational speed increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring drive mechanism is integrated into the trigger assembly, with the spring housed within the trigger housing and the trigger itself serving as part of the drive mechanism. This extraction and integration approach adds automation functionality while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing existing structural elements.
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
Facilitates faster and more efficient food mincing with reduced manual effort, allowing for larger quantities to be processed in less time without the need to hold the base part, and allows for easy cleaning and part replacement.
Implementation Method 1
it can be provided that the drive device has at least one spring which is tensioned when the actuating part is pivoted from the inserted position into the closed position and which relaxes to support the pivoting movement of the actuating part from the closed position into the inserted position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a food comminuting device which is designed to be placed on a work surface in order to carry out a comminuting step, comprising an actuation part and a base part which comprises a cutting part, said base part and actuation part being interconnected in an articulated manner such that said actuation part can rotate from a contact position with the cutting part into a closed position and then from the closed position back into the contact position for pushing through the food which is to be comminuted. Said food comminuting device is characterized in that said it comprises at least one drive device, in particular a spring drive, for supporting or carrying out the rotational movement from the closed position into the contact position and/or from the contact position into the closed position.