Work bowl assembly for a food preparation appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food preparation appliances require complex operations and multiple parts to install or remove working tools, making the setup process cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A work bowl assembly with reversible attachment means that can easily switch between a working tool and a sealing plug, allowing the rotating shaft to be freely coupled or removed without depending on the tool or plug, and featuring distinct coupling interfaces for the plug and tool, along with elastic members for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a working tool is installed in a passage hole of the working tank, then the food preparation operation can be performed, but the installation operation becomes complex and requires disassembling the entire working vessel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of tool installationVSAvoidcomplexity of installation operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The working vessel is segmented into modular components: the working tank, the tool holder assembly (including rotating shaft and bowl bearing), and the working tool. The tool holder assembly can be independently removed from the working tank, allowing the tool to be installed or replaced without disassembling the entire working vessel. This segmentation enables easy tool installation while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool holder assembly (comprising the rotating shaft and bowl bearing) is extracted as a separate removable unit from the working tank. This allows the working tool to be installed on the tool holder assembly independently, without requiring disassembly of the entire working vessel. The extracted tool holder assembly can be freely coupled or removed from the working tank depending on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parts are used to allow couplings of working tools, then the working tool can be installed, but the number of parts increases and the setup process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to install working toolVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating shaft and bowl bearing are merged into a single integrated tool holder assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate coupling mechanisms between these components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the ability to install and remove working tools. The merged assembly can be freely coupled with or removed from the working tank as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool holder assembly serves multiple functions: it supports the working tool during operation, provides a mounting interface for tool installation, and acts as a removable component that can be freely coupled with or detached from the working tank. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized parts for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the rotating shaft is made movable to receive working tool or sealing plug, then the setup is simplified, but the device requires reversible attachment means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of setupVSAvoidcomplexity of attachment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool holder assembly is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be freely coupled with or removed from the working tank based on operational requirements. The reversible attachment mechanism enables the assembly to transition between fixed and movable states, simplifying setup operations while the modular design keeps the attachment mechanism itself relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Simplifies the setup and operation of food preparation appliances by reducing the complexity and number of parts required, enabling easy installation and removal of tools without disassembling the appliance, while maintaining effective sealing and operation.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the rotating shaft and of the mobile working tool may comprise an elastic member opening into the rotating bore and arranged to hold the working tool in a coupling position with the rotating shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4226821A1Work bowl assembly for a food preparation appliance
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 SEB SA
  • EP4226821A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4226821A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4226821A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A work tank assembly for a food preparation appliance, comprising: - a work tank (11), arranged to receive food to be prepared, and comprising: • a through hole (111), arranged in the bottom of the work tank (11), • a tank bearing, fixed to the work tank (11) in the through hole (111), - a rotating shaft (21; 21A), supported by the tank bearing, characterized in that the work tank assembly comprises reversible fixing means arranged to reversibly receive: • a movable working tool (31) arranged to couple with the rotating shaft (21; 21A) to occupy a working position, or • a sealing plug arranged to cover the rotating shaft (21; 21A).