Telescoping Feed Tube Assembly for Large Food Item Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food processing devices require manual cutting of larger food items into smaller pieces before processing due to fixed feed tube sizes and shapes, limiting ease of use and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A telescoping feed tube assembly that allows for extension and retraction, enabling the processing of large food items without the need for pre-cutting, by having a first and second feed tube extension that are telescopically and slidably received, allowing for both compact and extended positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed feed tube size and shape is used, then the device structure is simple, but large food items cannot be processed without manual cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to process different food sizesVSAvoidfeed tube assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed tube assembly is divided into multiple telescopic sections (first feed tube extension, second feed tube extension, and third feed tube extension) that can independently move relative to each other, allowing the overall length to be adjusted based on the size of food items to be processed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feed tube assembly transitions from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic telescopic structure that can extend and retract. The movable sections are guided by rails and controlled by actuators to adjust the feed tube length dynamically according to processing needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the feed tube is extended to accommodate large food items, then processing capability is improved, but the device occupies more space when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle large food itemsVSAvoidspace occupied by feed tube assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic feed tube sections are nested within each other when retracted, with the second and third extensions stored inside the first extension. This nesting arrangement allows the feed tube assembly to occupy minimal space during storage while providing extended length when needed for processing large food items

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If manual cutting of food items is required, then the feed tube size can be small, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of processing food itemsVSAvoidtime required for food preparation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic feed tube assembly is pre-configured with multiple extendable sections that can be quickly deployed before processing large food items. This eliminates the need for preliminary cutting of food items, as the feed tube can be extended to accommodate whole or large pieces of food directly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9498085B2Food processor feed tube assembly

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 CONAIR CORP

AI summary

A food processor feed tube assembly includes a first feed tube extension and a second feed tube extension telescopically and slidably received in the first feed tube extension. The second feed tube extension is configured to be movable from a retracted position in which the second feed tube extension is substantially entirely nested within the first feed tube extension, and an extended position in which the second feed tube extension is extended from the first feed tube extension.