Vacuum Blender Motor-Integrated Pump to Reduce Footprint and Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum blenders, particularly nutrient extractors with an inverted vessel configuration, face challenges in evacuating air without compromising the vessel's integrity or increasing the blender's footprint, as traditional vacuum pumps require costly structural additions and separate motors.
Innovation Solution
A conduit system within the blender's existing space uses a Venturi effect and a three-way valve system, connected to the motor base, to evacuate air without a separate vacuum pump, leveraging the motor's fan to create suction and manage air removal efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate vacuum pump is added to evacuate air from the vessel, then air removal capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum pump function with the existing motor base by integrating a vacuum pump housing into the motor base structure. The motor base simultaneously houses both the motor and the vacuum pump, merging two separate functions into one integrated unit. This reduces device complexity while maintaining air evacuation capability to prevent nutrient oxidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor base is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the motor for blade operation, contains the vacuum pump for air evacuation, and provides structural support for the vessel. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate vacuum pump housing, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired air removal effect.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate vacuum pump is added to evacuate air from the vessel, then air removal capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum pump function with the existing motor base by integrating a vacuum pump housing into the motor base structure. The motor base simultaneously houses both the motor and the vacuum pump, merging two separate functions into one integrated unit. This reduces device complexity while maintaining air evacuation capability to prevent nutrient oxidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor base is designed to serve multiple functions: it houses the motor for blade operation, contains the vacuum pump for air evacuation, and provides structural support for the vessel. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate vacuum pump housing, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired air removal effect.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate vacuum pump is added to evacuate air from the vessel, then air removal capability is improved, but blender footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum pump function with the existing motor base by integrating a vacuum pump housing into the motor base structure. The motor base simultaneously houses both the motor and the vacuum pump, merging two separate functions into one integrated unit. This reduces device complexity while maintaining air evacuation capability to prevent nutrient oxidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum pump housing is nested within the motor base structure, with the vacuum pump positioned inside the existing motor base footprint. This nesting arrangement allows the vacuum pump to share the same space as the motor, eliminating the need for additional external vacuum pump housing and reducing the overall blender footprint.
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 air evacuation in nutrient extractors without increasing the blender's size or cost, eliminating the need for a separate vacuum pump, thus enhancing the preservation of nutrients and reducing manufacturing expenses.
Implementation Method 1
A conduit system within the blender's existing space uses a Venturi effect and a three-way valve system, connected to the motor base, to evacuate air without a separate vacuum pump, leveraging the motor's fan to create suction
Data Source
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AI summary
A vacuum blender having a vessel, a motor base containing a motor having a motor drive shaft, the motor base containing a vacuum pump, the motor drive shaft adapted to drive the vacuum pump, a blade holder having a blade with a blade shaft for engaging the motor drive shaft, and a fan connected to the motor drive shaft. The blender includes a conduit system for the passage of air from the vessel to the ambient environment. The fan and blade are capable of being selectively actuated using a gear or clutch system, preferably operated by firmware. The vacuum pump may also be selectively actuated using a solenoid to disengage the motor drive shaft from the vacuum pump or by closing the conduit system from the vessel to the vacuum pump. The invention is capable of evacuating air from the vessel before blending of the food contents occurs.