Stand Mixer Through-Head Aperture for Ingredient Pouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stand mixers lack a convenient method to add ingredients to the mixing bowl without raising the mixer head or using a separate pouring shield attachment, as the mixer head typically covers the bowl opening.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an aperture through the mixer head that allows direct pouring of ingredients into the bowl, with a funneling surface to guide ingredients and a removable funnel overlay for easier cleanup, and using a ring gear to drive the beater in a circular path around the aperture for effective mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the mixer head is made wide enough for the beater to reach the edge of the mixing bowl, then mixing uniformity is improved, but the mixer head covers most of the bowl opening making it difficult to pour ingredients in
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer head is segmented by introducing a through-head aperture that divides the head into upward-facing and downward-facing sides. This segmentation allows the beater to maintain its wide coverage for uniform mixing while creating a dedicated pouring pathway through the aperture, resolving the contradiction between mixing effectiveness and ingredient addition ease.
2Ease of operation
If a pouring shield attachment is added to enable ingredient pouring, then ease of pouring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pouring function is merged directly into the mixer head structure by incorporating a through-head aperture. This eliminates the need for a separate pouring shield attachment, as the mixer head itself now provides both mixing coverage and ingredient pouring capability, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixer head is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the mixing mechanism (with the beater) and the pouring conduit (through the aperture). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate attachments and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining ease of ingredient addition.
3Ease of operation
If the mixer head is raised out of the mixing bowl to add ingredients, then ease of pouring is improved, but mixing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the mixer head vertically (raising it out of the bowl), the design creates a new dimensional pathway through the through-head aperture. Ingredients can be poured vertically through the aperture while the mixer head remains in its down position, allowing ingredient addition without compromising mixing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a stand mixer including a base with an upstanding pedestal portion and a mixer head supported on the pedestal portion, the mixer head having a upward-facing side, a downward-facing side and an aperture passing through the mixer head from the upward-facing side to the downward-facing side.