Two-Stage Juicer Auger Control for Large Food Pressing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food juicing devices face limitations in processing larger food items due to the size constraints of the pressing screw, leading to inefficiencies and saturation issues when cutting tools are used to fragment food, which can result in incomplete pressing and device saturation.

Innovation Solution

The device separates the screw into two stages, a top stage for food fragmentation and a bottom stage for pressing, allowing independent control of speed and direction, enabling efficient processing of varied food types by adapting to different food properties and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single pressing screw is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot effectively process larger food items and becomes saturated quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to process different food sizesVSAvoidscrew structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single pressing screw is divided into two independent stages: a first stage with a first screw for initial food processing and a second stage with a second screw for pressing. Each stage can operate independently with different rotational speeds and directions, allowing the device to handle various food sizes and types effectively while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cutting tool is added to fragment food, then larger food items can be processed, but the device becomes saturated quickly and requires frequent cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to process larger food itemsVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting function is integrated into the first stage screw, which is segmented from the second stage pressing screw. The first stage screw combines cutting edges for fragmenting large food items with conveying capability, while the second stage screw is dedicated to pressing. This segmentation prevents saturation by ensuring proper food size reduction before pressing begins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first stage screw performs preliminary cutting and fragmenting of food items before they reach the second stage pressing screw. This preliminary action ensures that food is properly sized and prepared for efficient pressing, preventing the second stage from becoming saturated with oversized or unprocessed food material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution allows for effective fragmentation and pressing of a wide range of foods, preventing saturation and ensuring maximum juice extraction with excellent nutritional and organoleptic properties, meeting professional market requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing screw, typically ogival in shape, is driven in rotation by an ad hoc electric motor, the mechanical output of which is coupled to the base of the screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

food, admitted to the top of the enclosure via a downward inlet chute, is, under the action of the screw, gradually drawn downwards and pressed against the inner face of the bottom of the enclosure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3158897B1Electrical appliance for preparing food juice by pressing
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 SANTOS SA
  • EP3158897B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3158897B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3158897B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This device comprises a chute (40) for the admission of food downwards; a food processing auger (10) at the outlet of the chute, which is centered on an axis (X-X) and which includes a high stage (11), provided with means (113) for scanning the outlet of the chute adapted to acting on the food coming out of the chute to break it up, and a low stage (12), distinct from the high stage and designed to drive down and press the food fragments coming from the high stage of the screw; an enclosure (20) for receiving the auger, which is substantially centered on the axis and which includes an upper part (21), connected to the outlet of the chute to receive the food coming out of the chute and surrounding the upper stage of the screw, and a lower part (22), surrounding the lower stage of the screw and designed to separate the juice from the food fragments when the latter are pressed by the lower stage of the screw; and means (30) for driving the screw, which include at least one electric motor (31, 33) and which are adapted to drive the upper and lower stages of the screw around the axis at different respective speeds and /or in different respective directions. To effectively process a wide variety of foods, the drive means are designed to drive each of the upper and lower stages of the auger in an adjustable manner and independently of the other stage.