Kitchen device accessory identification system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CA · CA
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BREVILLE HLDG PTY LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-17
AI Technical Summary
Multi-functional kitchen devices face safety risks due to the potential for operating low-speed accessories at high motor speeds, leading to damage to the device, accessory, and/or user, due to user or device error.
A kitchen device accessory identification system with first and second identification devices and readers, and a controller that ensures motor operation complies with safety limits and configures the device according to accessory type, using magnetic, mechanical, or RFID technologies to read and transmit information about speed limits and accessory type.
Ensures safe operation by preventing motor operation outside designated speed ranges and configuring the device appropriately for different accessories, thereby preventing damage and enhancing user safety.
Abstract
Description
KITCHEN DEVICE ACCESSORY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMRELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims convention priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2024900085, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto.FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an interlock system.BACKGROUND
[0003] Multi-functional kitchen devices are becoming more popular with consumers having limited bench space for separate devices fulfilling each role. As a result, safety systems for such multi-functional kitchen devices have higher demands placed on them. A dedicated blender may only need to check that its dedicated jug is in the correct position for operation, perhaps check that the lid of the jug is correctly installed. However, if a single motor base is intended to operate both a blender at over 10 000 rpm, and a spiralizer at under 1000 rpm, the danger exists that a low-speed accessory is operated at a high motor speed, through user or device error, causing damage to the device, accessory, and / or the user.SUMMARY
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages of the above discussed existing arrangements, or at least provide a useful alternative to the above-mentioned kitchen devices.
[0005] There is disclosed herein a kitchen device accessory identification system including a kitchen device and an accessory to be used with the kitchen device, the accessory having a first identification device and a second identification device, wherein the kitchen device includes: a motor for driving the accessory at an operating speed, a controller for controlling operation of the motor, a first identification reader for reading a first information from the first identificationdevice, the first information relating to safety limits on the operating speeds of the motor, and transmitting the first information to the controller, a second identification reader for reading a second information from the second identification device, the second information relating to a type of the accessory, and transmitting the second information to the controller, wherein the controller is adapted to control operation of the motor such that the operating speed complies with the safety limits indicated by the first information, and wherein the controller is adapted to configure the kitchen device in accordance with the type of the accessory indicated by the second information.
[0006] Preferably, the accessory includes a first accessory and a second accessory, wherein the second accessory is adapted to be used with the first accessory, and wherein the first identification device is located on the first accessory and the second identification device is located on the second accessory.
[0007] Preferably, the first accessory includes a vessel.
[0008] Preferably, the second accessory includes one or more of a cutting accessory, a kneading accessory, and a mixing accessory.
[0009] Preferably, the safety limits indicated by the first information are associated with a first speed range and the second information relates to a second speed range, wherein the second speed range is narrower than the first speed range.
[0010] Preferably, the controller ceases operation of the motor if the operating speed of the motor is determined to exceed the first speed range and / or the second speed range.
[0011] Preferably, the first and / or second identification device include a plurality of magnets, and the first and / or second identification reader include a magnetic sensor, wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged such that differences in field strength or direction form a pattern that is detectable by the first and / or second identification reader, wherein the pattern corresponds to the first and / or second information.
[0012] Preferably, the first and / or second identification reader include a plurality of mechanical switches and the first and / or second identification device includes surfaces adapted to selectively actuate the mechanical switches, wherein the selective actuation of mechanical switches forms a pattern that corresponds to the first and / or second information.
[0013] Preferably, the first and / or second identification device include a radio frequency identification device (RFID) and the first and / or second identification reader include an RFID reader.
[0014] Preferably, the second identification device includes an RFID and the second identification reader includes an RFID reader, wherein the RFID is a low frequency RFID to allow interaction between the RFID reader and the RFID when a communication path between the RFID and the RFID reader traverses a liquid medium.
[0015] Preferably, the RFID operates at a range of between 120 to 140 kHz, preferably 124kHz or 135 kHz.
[0016] Preferably, the accessory further includes an interlock device to indicate a safe operating position of the accessory to the kitchen device, wherein the interlock indication requires power to operate, wherein the interlock device is powered by inductive coupling of the RFID with a power transmission coil in the kitchen device.
[0017] Preferably, the first information relates to a first speed range of safety limits selected from the options of (a) low-speed, (b) mid-speed, and (c) high-speed.
[0018] Preferably, low-speed defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be 350 rpm or lower, wherein mid-speed defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be between 500 rpm and 2500 rpm, and wherein high-speed defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be higher than 2500 rpm.
[0019] Preferably, the controller is adapted to associate the type of accessory defined by the second information with a second speed range of safety limits selected from operating speeds available in the first speed range.
[0020] Preferably, the type of accessory and associated second speed range is one of: a blender, wherein the safety limit is higher than 5000 rpm; a large blender, wherein the safety limit is about 14000 rpm; a small personal blender, wherein the safety limit is at most 14000 rpm; a milling jug blender, wherein the safety limit is at most 10000 rpm; a juicer, wherein the safety limit is between 7000 to 14000 rpm; a grater, wherein the safety limit is between 500 and 1500 rpm; a large S-blade, wherein the safety limit is between 1500 and 2500 rpm; a small S-blade, wherein the safety limit is between 1000 and 2000 rpm; a dough hook, wherein the safety limit is between 600 and 2000 rpm; a slicer, wherein the safety limit is between 350 and 2500 rpm; a dicer, wherein the safety limit is between 200 and 300 rpm; a small julienne potato disc, wherein the safety limit is between 800 and 1500 rpm; a citrus press, wherein the safety limit is between 120 and 500 rpm; an ice cream maker, wherein the safety limit is between 60 and 120 rpm; a whisk, wherein the safety limit is about 350 rpm, and a spiraliser, wherein the safety limit is between 500-700 rpm.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference signs designate like parts and in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram showing the kitchen device accessory identification system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, a kitchen device accessory identification system 100 (‘the system’) relates to a number of components located in a kitchen device 100 and an accessory 200 to be used with the kitchen device 100. In a preferred embodiment, the kitchen device 100 is a food processor, and the accessory 200 may have a type selected from a blender, a large blender, a small personal blender, a milling jug blender, a juicer, a grater, a large S-blade, a small S-blade, a dough hook, a slicer, a dicer, a small juel, a citrus press, an ice cream maker, a whisk, or aspiralizer. The kitchen device 100 includes a motor 110 for driving the accessory at an operating speed, and a controller 120 for controlling operation of the motor 110. The kitchen device 100 may include a user interface 160 connected to the controller 120 such that input may be received from a user and interpreted by the controller 120 to cause operation of the motor 110.
[0024] The accessory 200 includes a first identification device 210 and a second identification device 220. In one embodiment, the accessory 200 is a vessel 200. The vessel 200 may include a lid 201. Correspondingly, the kitchen device 100 includes a first identification reader 130 and a second identification reader 140. The first identification reader 130 is adapted to read a first information from the first identification device 210, and the second identification reader 140 is adapted to read a second information from the second identification device 220. The first information relates to safety limits on the operating speeds of the motor 110. The first information may more specifically relate to a first speed range of safety limits selected from the options of low-speed, mid-speed, and high-speed. A low speed preferably defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be at 350 rpm or lower. While a mid-speed preferably defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be between 500 rpm and 2500 rpm. Consequently, a highspeed preferably defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be higher than 2500 rpm. If the controller 120 detects that the motor 110 is at an operating speed of higher than the safety limit, the controller 120 ceases operation of the motor 110 and / or ceases power delivery to the motor 110 and / or ceases power delivery to a motor controller controlling the motor 110. In one embodiment, the first speed range may relate to a permissible speed range of the first accessory 200, for example the vessel 200, being defined between a lower and an upper first speed range boundary.
[0025] The second information relates to a type of the accessory 200 and / or a type of the second accessory 202. For example, in some embodiments the type of accessory is a cutting disk, or a dough disk, or a blending agitator. As accessories are unique in their function their speeds are also unique. For example, a blender agitator rpm (revolutions per minute) ranges from 10 000 to 30 000, while cutting disk rpm ranges from 300 to 3000. It is considered unsafe to operate a cutting disk in, say, 30 000 rpm. The first and second identification readers 130, 140 are each adapted to transmit the first and second information, respectively, to the controller 120. The controller 120 is adapted to control operation of the motor 110 such that the operating speed of the motor 110 complies with the safety limits indicated by the first information. The controller120 is further adapted to configure the kitchen device 100 in accordance with the type of the accessory 200 indicated by the second information. This configuration may be a further limitation and / or fine tuning of the safety limits indicated by the first information, and / or an adjustment of the first speed range based on the second information relating to the second accessory 202. The controller 120 may associate the type of accessory 200 defined by the second information with a second speed range of safety limits selected from operating speeds available in the first speed range. Examples of types of accessory 200, being first accessory 200 and second accessory 202 and their respective first and second speed ranges are shown in Table 1 below:First Accessory First Speed RangeBlender (Generic) > 5 000 rpmLarge Blender ~ 14 000 rpmSmall Personal Blender < 14 000 rpmMilling Jug Blender < 10 000 rpmJuicer 7 000 - 14 000 rpmGrater 500 - 1 500 rpmSecond Accessory Second Speed RangeLarge S-Blade 1 500 - 2 500 rpmDough Hook 600 - 2 000 rpmSlicer 350 - 2 500 rpmDicer 200 - 300 rpmSmall Juel 800 - 1 500 rpmCitrus Press 120 - 500 rpmIce Cream Paddle 60 - 120 rpmWhisk ~ 350 rpmSpiralizer 500 - 700 rpmTable 1 : Speed Ranges of Accessory 200 and Second Accessory 202
[0026] The above examples of speed are examples only and should not be considered limiting on the present disclosure. They can be set to any practical range by skilled practitioners, in compliance with relevant safety standards. For example, the speed range for a slicer can be setat 1500 - 2000. In another example, the juel (i.e. julienne potato disk) can operate within a range of 1000 - 1100.
[0027] In operation the user places the accessory 200 (e.g. a vessel) onto the base of the kitchen device 100. In one embodiment the generic vessel is rated at 350-14k rpm. Thus, if the speeds detected are outside this range, the motor operation would stop. The user then places an accessory type 202 into the accessory 200. The accessory type 202 is also rated at a certain speed. In one embodiment the accessory type 202 is cutting disk (Slicer) with rated rpm range of 350 - 2.5k. As discussed above the information about the accessory 200 and it’s type 202 are provided by the first and second identification readers 130, 140 respectively to the kitchen device microcontroller. Thus, if the detected motor speed is outside the range of the accessory type 202, the motor would shut down. Furthermore, as a third layer of protection, the motor would not operate without the lid 201 being present and thereby closing the interlock circuit.
[0028] The first and / or second identification device 210, 220 may include a plurality of magnets, arranged such that difference in field strength and / or direction form a pattern. Correspondingly, the first and / or second identification reader 130, 140 may include a magnetic sensor that is able to detect the pattern formed by the plurality of magnets, such as a magnet sensor or hall effect sensor. In some embodiments, the first identification reader 130 is located on a periphery of the accessory 200, such as the vessel 200. In some embodiments, the second identification device 220 is located on a second accessory 202, the second accessory 202 being an accessory adapted to be used with the first accessory 200, for example a cutting disk 202 to be used in the vessel 200. The controller 120 is preferably configured to associate the pattern with the first and / or second information, respectively. For example, three magnets could be used as binary bits to identify up to 8 different types of the accessory 200 by being oriented in either a direction facing towards or away from the magnetic sensor in various combinations.
[0029] In another embodiment the first and / or second identification reader 130, 140 may include a plurality of mechanical switches and correspondingly the first and / or second identification device may include surfaces adapted to selectively actuate the mechanical switches. The selective actuation of mechanical switches forms a pattern that the controller 120 is preferably configured to associate with the first and / or second information. For example, three switches could be used as binary bits to identify up to 8 different types of the accessory200 by the surface of the accessory 200 being adapt to either actuate or not actuate each of the switches.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, the first and / or second identification device includes a radio frequency identification device (RFID). Correspondingly, the first and / or second identification reader includes an RFID reader. More preferably, the first identification device includes the plurality of magnets, as shown in FIG. 1, due to the importance of the first information being correctly read and transmitted to the controller 120. Thus, the second information device preferably includes an RFID and the second identification read includes an RFID reader. In order for the RFID reader to read the RFID, a communication path must exist between the RFID reader and the RFID that is traversable by electromagnetic waves in the radio spectrum. It is preferred that the RFID is a low frequency RFID to allow interaction between the RFID reader and the RFID when the communication path traverses a liquid medium, by reducing the attenuation of the radio signal through the liquid medium. Higher frequency radio signals are more likely to be attenuated by the liquid medium. Preferably, the low-frequency RFID operates at between 120 kHz to 140 kHz, most preferably within the defined bands of approximately 124 kHz and / or 135 kHz.
[0031] In one embodiment, the accessory 200 further includes an interlock device 230. The interlock device is used to provide a signal to the controller 120 that the accessory 200 is in the correct position for operation. Such interlock devices are disclosed in PCT Application No. PCT / AU2023 / 050593, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto. The disclosed interlock device 230 requires power to operate, and is powered by inductive coupling of the RFID with a power transmission coil 150 in the kitchen device 100. In one embodiment, the interlock device 230 may further include a switch 203 located on the vessel 200, the switch being operable to provide a signal to the controller 120 when the switch 203 is actuated. The switch 203 may be located such that the switch 203 is actuated when the lid 201 is placed on the vessel 200. The controller 120 may be configured to prevent operation of the motor, unless the signal indicating that the switch 203 is actuated has been received. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second identification device 220 includes a separate power receiving coil 240, distinct from the RFID coil 120 used to transmit the second information.
[0032] It will also be appreciated that in this document the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, “including”, “contain”, “containing”, “have”, “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms “a” and “an” used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.
[0033] Integers:100 kitchen device 201 lid110 motor 202 second accessory120 controller 203 switch130 first identification reader 210 first identification device140 second identification reader 220 second identification device150 power transmission coil 230 interlock device160 user interface 240 power receiving coil200 accessory
Claims
The claims defining the invention are as follows:
1. A kitchen device accessory identification system including a kitchen device and an accessory to be used with the kitchen device, the accessory having a first identification device and a second identification device, wherein the kitchen device includes: a motor for driving the accessory at an operating speed, a controller for controlling operation of the motor, a first identification reader for reading a first information from the first identification device, the first information relating to safety limits on the operating speeds of the motor, and transmitting the first information to the controller, a second identification reader for reading a second information from the second identification device, the second information relating to a type of the accessory, and transmitting the second information to the controller, wherein the controller is adapted to control operation of the motor such that the operating speed complies with the safety limits indicated by the first information, and wherein the controller is adapted to configure the kitchen device in accordance with the type of the accessory indicated by the second information.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a first accessory and a second accessory, wherein the second accessory is adapted to be used with the first accessory, and wherein the first identification device is located on the first accessory and the second identification device is located on the second accessory.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first accessory includes a vessel.
4. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the second accessory includes one or more of a cutting accessory, a kneading accessory, and a mixing accessory.
5. The system of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the safety limits indicated by the first information are associated with a first speed range and the second information relates to a second speed range, wherein the second speed range is narrower than the first speed range.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the controller ceases operation of the motor if the operating speed of the motor is determined to exceed the first speed range and / or the second speed range.
7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first and / or second identification device include a plurality of magnets, and the first and / or second identification reader include a magnetic sensor, wherein the plurality of magnets are arranged such that differences in field strength or direction form a pattern that is detectable by the first and / or second identification reader, wherein the pattern corresponds to the first and / or second information.
8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first and / or second identification reader include a plurality of mechanical switches and the first and / or second identification device includes surfaces adapted to selectively actuate the mechanical switches, wherein the selective actuation of mechanical switches forms a pattern that corresponds to the first and / or second information.
9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first and / or second identification device include a radio frequency identification device (RFID) and the first and / or second identification reader include an RFID reader.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second identification device includes an RFID and the second identification reader includes an RFID reader, wherein the RFID is a low frequency RFID to allow interaction between the RFID reader and the RFID when a communication path between the RFID and the RFID reader traverses a liquid medium.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the RFID operates at a range of between 120 to 140 kHz, preferably 124kHz or 135 kHz.
12. The system of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the accessory further includes an interlock device to indicate a safe operating position of the accessory to the kitchen device, wherein the interlock indication requires power to operate, wherein the interlock device is powered by inductive coupling of the RFID with a power transmission coil in the kitchen device.
13. The system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first information relates to a first speed range of safety limits selected from the options of (a) low-speed, (b) mid-speed, and (c) high-speed.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein low-speed defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be 350 rpm or lower, wherein mid-speed defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be between 500 rpm and 2500 rpm, and wherein high-speed defines the safety limit of the operating speed to be higher than 2500 rpm.
15. The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the controller is adapted to associate the type of accessory defined by the second information with a second speed range of safety limits selected from operating speeds available in the first speed range.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the type of accessory and associated second speed range is one of: a blender, wherein the safety limit is higher than 5000 rpm; a large blender, wherein the safety limit is about 14000 rpm; a small personal blender, wherein the safety limit is at most 14000 rpm; a milling jug blender, wherein the safety limit is at most 10000 rpm; a juicer, wherein the safety limit is between 7000 to 14000 rpm; a grater, wherein the safety limit is between 500 and 1500 rpm; a large S-blade, wherein the safety limit is between 1500 and 2500 rpm; a small S-blade, wherein the safety limit is between 1000 and 2000 rpm; a dough hook, wherein the safety limit is between 600 and 2000 rpm; a slicer, wherein the safety limit is between 350 and 2500 rpm; a dicer, wherein the safety limit is between 200 and 300 rpm; a small julienne potato disc, wherein the safety limit is between 800 and 1500 rpm; a citrus press, wherein the safety limit is between 120 and 500 rpm; an ice cream maker, wherein the safety limit is between 60 and 120 rpm; a whisk, wherein the safety limit is about 350 rpm, and a spiraliser, wherein the safety limit is between 500-700 rpm.