Working Tool Coupling Ramps for Secure Food Processor Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preparation appliances with complex-shaped carriers and sleeves are difficult and expensive to produce, and they do not effectively prevent the working tool from disengaging during sudden motor stops, especially when the lid is opened.
Innovation Solution
A food preparation appliance with a trainer driven by a motor and a working tool that engages removably, featuring drive ramps and retaining surfaces arranged on a distinct part of the trainer, allowing for simpler production and effective retention of the working tool during rotation and sudden stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive unit and socket are designed with complex-shaped retaining surfaces and drive ramps to prevent disengagement during sudden stops, then the reliability of the coupling is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is divided into distinct functional sections: a first section with drive ramps for power transmission and a second section with retaining surfaces for preventing disengagement. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its specific function, simplifying the manufacturing of each component while maintaining overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining surfaces are positioned axially offset from the drive ramps, utilizing the axial dimension to separate retention functionality from power transmission functionality. This dimensional separation allows for simpler, more manufacturable component geometries compared to integrating both functions in the same spatial location.
2Volume of moving object
If the retaining surfaces and drive ramps are integrated in the same section of the drive unit, then the device structure is compact, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is segmented into at least two axial sections: a first section containing drive ramps and a second section containing retaining surfaces. This segmentation reduces the geometric complexity of individual components, making them easier and less expensive to manufacture while maintaining a compact overall structure through axial arrangement.
3Device complexity
If the retaining surfaces are positioned at a smaller radial distance from the axis, then the drive unit structure is simpler, but the force required to prevent disengagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution utilizes the axial dimension to position retaining surfaces offset from the drive ramps, creating a lever arm effect that provides effective retention forces with simpler surface geometries. The axial offset creates a moment arm that amplifies the retention capability without requiring complex radial positioning.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective and easy-to-manufacture coupling device that ensures the working tool remains engaged on the trainer, preventing disengagement during operation and sudden stops, while allowing for greater design freedom in the shapes of the retaining surfaces and drive ramps.
Implementation Method 1
the drive ramp having an inclination adapted so that the rotation of the drive unit in the direction of rotation of the motor generates a force on the socket tending to keep it engaged on the drive unit
Implementation Method 2
the drive unit also comprising at least one retaining surface which comes into contact with a stop carried by the working tool during the rotation of the drive unit in the opposite direction, the retaining surface and the stop having shapes that cooperate with each other to prevent the bushing from moving up along the drive during the sudden stopping of the engine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An electrical food preparation device comprising a drive mechanism (3) rotated by a motor and a working tool (4, 5, 6, 7) comprising a bushing that removably engages on the drive mechanism (3), the drive mechanism (3) comprising a section provided with at least one drive ramp that mates with a complementary drive ramp carried by said bushing in order to rotate said working tool (4, 5, 6, 7), the drive ramp having an inclination designed such that the rotation of the drive mechanism (3) in the direction of rotation of the motor generates a force on the bushing that tends to keep it engaged on the drive mechanism (3), the drive mechanism (3) also comprising at least one retaining surface (33) that comes into contact with a stop carried by the working tool (4, 5, 6, 7) when the drive mechanism (3) rotates in the reverse direction, the retaining surface (33) and the stop having shapes that mate each other to prevent the bushing from rising back up along the drive mechanism (3) when the motor stops suddenly, characterised in that the retaining surface (33) is provided on a different part of the part of the drive mechanism (3) from the section supporting the drive ramp.