Stand Mixer Annular Illumination to Reduce Mixing Tool Shadowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stand mixers with existing lighting arrangements compromise visibility of ingredients in the bowl due to shadowing from the mixing tool and further illumination is reduced when a transparent bowl cover is used, limiting user control during food preparation.
Innovation Solution
A stand mixer design featuring illumination means encircling the drive outlet, with multiple light sources positioned to minimize shadowing and enhance visibility, including an extended light source or array of discrete sources under a common optically transmissive cover, and a control unit to adjust brightness based on ambient light and user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single light source is mounted on the underside of the head unit, then additional light is provided into the bowl, but the mixing tool casts a shadow onto the ingredients, compromising visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The single light source is divided into multiple light sources arranged in an annular array around the drive outlet. This segmentation allows light to be emitted from multiple directions simultaneously, preventing the mixing tool from casting a shadow across the entire bowl while maintaining comprehensive illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting arrangement transitions from a single-point source to a distributed annular array, adding spatial dimensionality to the illumination. This multi-dimensional light distribution ensures that ingredients are illuminated from all angles around the bowl's circumference, eliminating shadowing effects.
2Reliability
If a transparent bowl cover is fitted, then steam egress is reduced and ingredients are protected, but illumination of the bowl interior is further compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The annular light array is positioned to illuminate the bowl interior before the cover is fitted. The light sources are arranged to direct illumination through or alongside the cover, ensuring that the ingredients are pre-illuminated and remain visible even when the cover is in place, thereby maintaining both steam control and visibility.
3Productivity
If the head unit is positioned overhead with a downwardly-facing drive outlet, then planetary mixing action is achieved, but light from the working environment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The annular light array acts as an intermediary light source positioned between the head unit and the bowl contents. This intermediary lighting system compensates for the reduced ambient light caused by the overhead head unit configuration, providing dedicated illumination that works in conjunction with the mixing mechanism without interfering with its operation.
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
Significantly improves illumination within the mixing bowl by reducing shadowing from the mixing tool and maintains effective illumination even with a transparent bowl cover, providing enhanced user control and visibility during food preparation.
Implementation Method 1
illumination means encircling, or substantially encircling, said drive outlet and arranged to direct light into the mixing bowl
Implementation Method 2
an extended light source or array of discrete sources under a common optically transmissive cover
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A stand mixer arrangement includes a pedestal 20 for a mixing bowl 30; an electric motor and a drive system including a rotary drive outlet 60 disposed overhead of the bowl 30, capable of imparting a mixing action to a tool 12 suspended into the bowl 30 from a socket 62 supported by said drive outlet 60; and illumination means 70, 72, 74, 76 encircling, or substantially encircling, said drive outlet 60 and arranged to direct light into the mixing bowl 30.