Blade hub assembly

Abstract

A blade hub assembly (10) for a kitchen device (120), the kitchen device having a receiving hole (80) with a hole profile (90), the assembly (10) having a rotation axis (11), the assembly (10) being driven around the rotation axis, the assembly (10) comprising: a hub body (20), the hub body (20) having: a first profile (30); and a second profile (40), the hub body (20) being insertable into the receiving hole (80) along an insertion direction (50), and wherein the first and second profiles (30, 40) are arranged such that when the first profile (30) is aligned with the hole profile (90), the second profile (40) interferes with the hole profile (90).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blade hub assembly for kitchen equipment. Background Art

[0002] Currently available kitchen appliances often use a configuration having a container assembly including a bowl and a blade hub assembly inserted therein. This configuration allows the blade hub assembly to be removed from the container, which is advantageous for cleaning the container and the blade hub assembly, for example, in a dishwasher.

[0003] Due to the forces exerted on the blades, the blade hub assembly is typically constructed of a strong engineered material, such as stainless steel, which results in the blade hub assembly having a significant weight. The designs of currently available container assemblies typically require a locking component that holds the blade hub assembly in position within the bowl. A common problem is that unlocking of the locking component causes the blade hub assembly to fall from its position within the bowl. Since the user often performs the unlocking operation with the open end of the bowl facing downward, the falling blade hub assembly may damage the surface upon which the bowl rests, or seriously injure the user's feet. Summary of the invention

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to at least substantially address one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the above devices.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a blade hub assembly for a kitchen appliance having a receiving hole with a profile, the assembly having an axis of rotation about which the assembly is driven, the assembly comprising:

[0006] A hub body, the hub body comprising:

[0007] first outline; and

[0008] The second outline,

[0009] The hub body can be inserted into the receiving hole along an insertion direction, and

[0010] Wherein the first and second contours are arranged such that when the first contour is aligned with the hole contour, the second contour interferes with the hole contour.

[0011] Preferably, the second contour is angularly offset from the first contour about the insertion direction such that the second contour interferes with the hole contour when the first contour is aligned with the hole contour.

[0012] Preferably, the hole profile comprises at least one recess, and wherein the first profile and / or the second profile comprises at least one protrusion to be received in the recess.

[0013] Preferably, the number of recesses and the number of protrusions in one of the first profile and the second profile are the same.

[0014] Preferably, the projection tapers relative to the recess in the insertion direction.

[0015] Preferably, the first profile comprises at least one protrusion, and the protrusion is adapted to resist a torque applied by the notch.

[0016] Preferably, the hole profile comprises six indentations and the first profile comprises six protrusions.

[0017] Preferably, the second profile has fewer protrusions than the first profile.

[0018] Preferably, the number of protrusions in the second profile is a multiplying factor of the number of protrusions in the first profile.Preferably, the first profile and the second profile comprise protrusions to be received in the recesses, and wherein the protrusions of the first profile are spaced a distance of 10mm to 35mm from the protrusions of the second profile.

[0019] Preferably, the second profile comprises at least one protrusion, the protrusion of the second profile being adapted to support the blade hub assembly.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a blade hub assembly for a kitchen appliance, the kitchen appliance having a receiving hole, the assembly having an axis of rotation about which the assembly is driven, the assembly comprising:

[0021] A hub body is insertable into the receiving hole along an insertion direction, and has a plurality of first protrusions and a plurality of second protrusions, the second protrusions being angularly offset from the first protrusions about the axis and axially spaced from the first protrusions along the axis.

[0022] Preferably, the first protrusions are evenly distributed in angle around the axis; and

[0023] The second protrusions are evenly distributed in angle around the axis.

[0024] Preferably, the angular distance between the second protrusions is twice the angular distance between the first protrusions.

[0025] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a container assembly for a kitchen appliance, the assembly comprising

[0026] a bowl having a receiving hole;

[0027] The blade hub assembly according to the first aspect, wherein the hub is inserted into the receiving hole along the insertion direction; and

[0028] A locking member is adapted to secure the blade hub assembly to the bowl.

[0029] Preferably, the locking member is movable between a fixed position and a first free position, and wherein the locking member has a locking profile adapted to engage with a second profile of the blade hub assembly such that:

[0030] In the secured position, the locking profile engages the second profile and secures the blade hub assembly to the container; and

[0031] In the first free position, the blade hub assembly is angularly movable relative to the container about the insertion direction.

[0032] Preferably, the locking member is in a first free position and the blade hub assembly is angularly movable about the insertion direction to a second free position, wherein in the second free position the blade hub assembly is removable from the receiving hole.

[0033] Preferably, the blade hub assembly is supported by the aperture profile in contact with the second profile when the locking member is moved from the fixed position to the first free position.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a kitchen appliance having a container according to the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a blade hub assembly according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 is with Figure 1 An overhead view of the bowl used with the blade hub assembly.

[0038] Figure 3 Yes Insert Figure 2 In the bowl Figure 1 Detailed cross-section view of the blade hub assembly.

[0039] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A detailed cross-sectional view of a blade hub assembly inserted into Figure 2 The bowl is placed in the container and secured thereto by a locking member.

[0040] Figure 5 Yes Insert Figure 2 In the bowl Figure 1 Detailed isometric view of the blade hub assembly.

[0041] Figure 6 Yes Figure 1 The blade hub assembly and Figure 2 Axial view of a cross section of the bowl container assembly.

[0042] Figure 7 Is has Figure 6 Axonometric view of a kitchen unit with a container assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] According to this disclosure, Figure 1 As can be seen, the blade hub assembly 10 includes a hub body 20, a set of blades 12, a drive gear 14, and a crosspiece 15. The blade hub assembly 10 also includes a first profile 30 formed by the hub body 20 and a plurality of first protrusions 35, in a preferred embodiment, there are six first protrusions 35. The blade hub assembly 10 also includes a second profile 40 formed by the hub body 20 and a plurality of second protrusions 45, in a preferred embodiment, there are three second protrusions 45. The blade hub assembly 10 has a central rotation axis 11 about which the blade hub assembly 10 rotates.

[0044] like Figure 1 As best shown, the first protrusion 35 tapers at the lower portion 36 along the insertion direction 50, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 Similarly, the second protrusion 45 is arranged along the lower portion 46. Figure 3 The second protrusions 45 are spaced apart from the first protrusions 35 by a distance of about 10 mm to 35 mm in the insertion direction 50. The second protrusions 45 are also angularly offset from the first protrusions 35 about the central rotation axis 11 so that when viewed along the insertion direction 50, the second protrusions 45 are located between the first protrusions 35, i.e., the first protrusions 35 and the second protrusions 45 are not aligned in the insertion direction 50. In a preferred embodiment, because there are fewer second protrusions 45 than first protrusions 35, the second protrusions 45 occupy every second gap between the first protrusions 35. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the first protrusions 35 are evenly spaced angularly 60° apart on the hub body 20 about the central axis of rotation 11. Similarly, the second protrusions 45 are evenly spaced angularly 120° apart on the hub body 20 about the central axis of rotation 11.

[0045] Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The blade hub assembly 10 is intended to be described Figure 2 The first and second profiles 30, 40 are not shown as being angularly offset in order to best describe the interrelationship between the integers so that only one cross-sectional view of the blade hub assembly 10 is required. It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiment maintains the angular offset of the first and second protrusions 35, 45 about the central axis of rotation 11. However, as Figure 3 As best shown, the dimensions of the second protrusions 45 are generally smaller than the dimensions of the first protrusions 35 .

[0046] The blade hub assembly 10 is adapted to be inserted into the container assembly 60 along the insertion direction 50. Figure 2 Bowl 70 is shown. Figure 6 The container assembly 60 shown is generally used for Figure 7 In the kitchen equipment 120 shown. Figure 2 As best seen, the bowl 70 has a bottom 75 and a receiving hole 80 located in the bottom 75. The receiving hole 80 has a hole profile 90 defined by an opening 85 and a plurality of notches 95 extending therefrom into the material of the bowl 70. In the preferred embodiment, there are six notches 95.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, the container assembly 60 further comprises a locking member 100 having a locking profile 110 and an upper portion 105. The locking profile 110 has a plurality of protrusions 115, and in a preferred embodiment, the locking profile 110 has three protrusions 115.

[0048] The use of the blade hub assembly 10 will now be discussed.

[0049] The blade hub assembly 10 is inserted into the bowl 70 by positioning the blade hub assembly 10 in a position opposite the bowl 70 along the insertion direction 50. The blade hub assembly 10 is rotated about the insertion direction 50 until the second protrusions 45 of the second profile 40 are aligned with the notches 95 of the hole profile 90. Once aligned, the blade hub assembly 10 is advanced along the insertion direction 50 until the second protrusions 45 of the second profile 40 have advanced beyond the bottom 75 of the bowl 70. This relative rotational position between the blade hub assembly 10 and the receiving hole 80 is the second free position. Now, the blade hub assembly 10 is again rotated about the insertion direction 50 until each of the first protrusions 35 of the first profile 30 is aligned with the notches 95 of the hole profile 90. The blade hub assembly 10 is then advanced along the insertion direction 50 until the first protrusions 35 of the first profile 30 are engaged in the notches 95 of the hole profile 90, thereby preventing the blade hub assembly 10 from rotating about the insertion direction 50. Typically, the crosspiece 15 abuts the bottom 75 in this position. The first protrusion 35 is now able to resist the torque applied by the notch 95 .

[0050] To complete the container assembly 60, the locking member 100 is now placed in a position away from the bowl 70 in the insertion direction 50. The locking member 100 is rotated until each protrusion 115 is not aligned with the second protrusion of the second profile 40. The locking member 100 is then advanced in the insertion direction 50 until the upper portion 105 abuts the bowl 70. This relative position between the receiving hole 80, the blade hub assembly 10 and the locking member 100 is a first free position. The locking member 100 is now rotated about the insertion direction 50 until each protrusion 115 engages the second protrusion 45 of the second profile 40, thereby fixing the blade hub assembly 10 to prevent movement in the insertion direction 50. This position is a fixed position. In the fixed position, the drive gear 14 can be moved by Figure 7 An appropriate drive (not shown) of the illustrated kitchen appliance 120 is engaged to rotate the set of blades 12 .

[0051] The advantages of the blade hub assembly 10 will now be discussed.

[0052] With the second protrusion 45 angularly offset from the first protrusion 35, the blade hub assembly 10 can move under the influence of gravity against the insertion direction 50 when the locking member 100 moves from the fixed position to the first free position. However, because the second protrusion 45 is not aligned with the recess 95, the blade hub assembly 10 stops when the second protrusion 45 abuts the bowl 70. This greatly reduces the possibility that the blade hub assembly 10 will uncontrollably fall out of the container assembly 60 and injure a user or damage items below the container assembly 60.

[0053] The number of notches 95, and correspondingly the number of first protrusions 35, is selected based on two drive characteristics. First, a larger number of notches 95 will increase the likelihood that random positioning of the blade hub assembly 10 will result in alignment of the first protrusions 35 with the notches 95. This simplifies the insertion process for the user. However, second, a larger number of notches 95 reduces the linear range of material between the notches 95. This increases the likelihood that when the locking member 100 is rotated from the fixed position to the first free position and the blade hub assembly 10 is lowered, the second protrusion 45 may not engage the bowl 70 due to interference or movement of the bowl 70, but, due to the higher likelihood that the second protrusion 45 is aligned with the notches 95, the blade hub assembly 10 is completely lowered from the bowl 70. Six notches 95, as present in the preferred embodiment, meet these design criteria, enabling easy and safe insertion and disconnection of the blade hub assembly 10 from the container assembly 60.

[0054] Preferably, the number of the notches 95 and the first protrusions 35 is the same to distribute the torque applied by the notches 95 to the same number of the first protrusions 35 and to avoid shear failure of the hole profile 90 .

[0055] To save weight and cost, the number of second protrusions 45 is preferably less than the number of first protrusions 35. However, even more preferably, the number of second protrusions 45 is a multiple factor of the number of first protrusions 35 so that there are multiple possible alignment positions between the second profile 40 and the hole profile 90. It is also advantageous if the number of second protrusions 45 is at least 3 so that the blade hub assembly 10 is balanced when supported by the bowl 70 on the second protrusions 45.

[0056] Because the first and second protrusions 35, 45 are spaced 10 to 35 mm apart, it is easy to accommodate the width of a typical human finger between the first and second protrusions 35, 45. This helps prevent possible injuries to a user when attempting to grasp the blade hub assembly 10 by a set of blades 12.

[0057] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

[0058] For example, the size of the second protrusion 45 may be equal to the size of the first protrusion 35 .

Claims

1. A blade hub assembly (10) insertable into a bowl (70) of a kitchen appliance (120), the kitchen appliance having a receiving hole (80) with a hole profile (90), the assembly having a rotation axis (11) about which the assembly is driven, the assembly comprising: A hub body (20), the hub body comprising: first outline (30); and The second profile (40), The hub body can be inserted into the receiving hole along an insertion direction (50), and wherein the second contour is angularly offset from the first contour about the insertion direction when viewed along the insertion direction, such that the second contour interferes with the hole contour when the first contour is aligned with the hole contour, Wherein, the first profile and the second profile are adapted to engage the kitchen appliance to secure the blade hub assembly to the kitchen appliance.

2. The blade hub assembly of claim 1, wherein the hole profile (90) includes at least one recess (95), and wherein the first profile and the second profile include at least one protrusion (35, 45) to be received in the recess.

3. The blade hub assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The number of recesses in the hole profile is the same as the number of protrusions of the first profile or the second profile.

4. The blade hub assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protrusion (35, 45) tapers relative to the recess (95) in the insertion direction (50).

5. The blade hub assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the first profile (30) comprises at least one protrusion (35), and the protrusion is adapted to resist a torque applied by the recess (95).

6. The blade hub assembly of claim 5, wherein the hole profile (90) includes six notches (95) and the first profile (30) includes six protrusions (35).

7. The blade hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the second profile (40) has fewer protrusions (45) than the first profile (30).

8. The blade hub assembly of claim 7, wherein the number of protrusions (45) in the second profile (40) is a multiplying factor of the number of protrusions (35) in the first profile (30).

9. The blade hub assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first profile (30) and the second profile (40) include protrusions (35, 45) to be received in the recess (95), and wherein the protrusions of the first profile are spaced apart from the protrusions of the second profile by a distance of 10 mm to 35 mm.

10. The blade hub assembly according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion of the second profile is adapted to support the blade hub assembly (10).

11. The blade hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the protrusion (45) of the second profile (40) is equal to or smaller than the protrusion (35) of the first profile (30).

12. A blade hub assembly (10) for a kitchen appliance (120), the kitchen appliance having a receiving hole (80), the assembly having a rotation axis (11), the assembly being driven about the rotation axis, the assembly comprising: a hub body (20) insertable into the receiving hole along an insertion direction (50), the hub body having a plurality of first protrusions (35) and a plurality of second protrusions (45), each of the second protrusions being angularly offset from each of the first protrusions about the axis and axially spaced from each of the first protrusions along the axis, Wherein, the first protrusion and the second protrusion are adapted to engage the kitchen appliance to secure the blade hub assembly to the kitchen appliance.

13. The blade hub assembly of claim 12, wherein: The first protrusions (35) are evenly distributed in angle around the axis; and The second protrusions (45) are evenly distributed in angle around the axis.

14. The blade hub assembly of claim 13, wherein the angular distance between the second protrusions (45) is twice the angular distance between the first protrusions (35).

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