Home mixing device with hybrid stepper motor

Abstract

The invention relates to a system comprising a food processor and a mixing device with a shareable container (2). The invention also relates to a mixing device for use in the system, the mixing device comprising an upright part (1) and a container (2), the container (2) being insertable into the upright part (1) or integrated into the upright part (1). The container (2) has a mixing tool (5) therein, wherein the upright part (1) comprises an electric drive (8) which can drive the mixing tool (5). The electric drive (8) is a hybrid stepper motor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a household system with a food processor and a mixing device. The invention also relates to a household mixing device with a container and a mixing tool for the system. The mixing tool can be used to mix food in the container. Background Art

[0002] Document EP1639928A1 discloses a food processor with a container. The container contains a blade device. The food processor can chop, grind or mix the food in the container. In order to chop the food ingredients, the blade device must be able to rotate towards its sharp edge at a high rotation speed and high torque. Therefore, the electric drive of such a food processor needs to be powerful.

[0003] Document CH702302A2 discloses a mixing mechanism of a food processor having a permanent magnet synchronous motor, wherein the permanent magnet synchronous motor comprises a plurality of permanent magnets arranged at regular intervals around the circumference of the rotor of the motor.

[0004] Document DE102009016897A1 discloses a mixing device comprising a container and a mixing tool. The mixing tool is integrated in the top of the container. The top comprises a piezoelectric stepper motor as a drive. The piezoelectric stepper motor is relatively small and light.

[0005] When preparing one or more food products, it is often necessary to mix a first ingredient and chop and / or mix a second ingredient. If there is only one food processor, these steps must be performed in a timely and continuous manner. This problem can be solved by providing a second food processor. However, due to cost and space reasons, providing a second food processor to solve this problem is not very useful. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to simplify and speed up the preparation of food.Preferably, a food mixing device is provided which has a small space requirement.

[0007] To solve this problem, a system is provided, which comprises a food processor and a mixing device having the features of the first claim, and a mixing device for use in the system having the features of the additional claim. Advantageous embodiments are derived from the dependent claims.

[0008] The invention relates to a system comprising a food processor and a mixing device and at least one container having a mixing tool inside. The container can be used both as part of the food processor and as part of the mixing device. The food processor is configured so that it can rotate the mixing tool at a higher speed than the maximum speed possible with the mixing device. This makes it possible to use the container as part of the food processor and then as part of the mixing device, or vice versa, depending on the requirements in the food preparation process. If the same raw materials are to be processed, there is no need to transfer the raw materials from the container of the food processor to the container of the mixing device, or vice versa. The mixing device comprises a stepper motor (or stepper motor) as a driver for the mixing tool.

[0009] In one embodiment, the system comprises a second container which is designed similarly to the above container. If a food is first prepared in the above container by means of a food processor and then used in the above mixing device, the second container can be used to simultaneously prepare another food by means of the food processor.

[0010] The food processor is preferably configured such that the direction of rotation of the mixing tool can be changed. Thus, the food processor can be used in an improved manner for pure mixing or, alternatively, for mixing and chopping food ingredients.

[0011] The mixing device and / or the food processor may have an electronic control device. If a control device is present, the operation of the food processor and / or the mixing device may be controlled by the control device.

[0012] Preferably, the mixing device and / or the food processor are configured to wirelessly exchange data with each other. The data exchange can control the operation of the mixing device or the food processor by means of the control device.

[0013] The food processor and / or the mixing device may have a heating device as a device for preparing food, by means of which the container can be heated. The food processor and / or the mixing device may include a control program to control the heating of the container. The heating device may include a resistance heater to generate heat. The heating device may include a temperature sensor to detect, display and / or control the temperature.

[0014] Preferably, the container comprises a resistance heater as part of the heating device. If a heating device is to be provided for both the food processor and the mixing device, the technical effort can be reduced. Preferably, the container comprises a temperature sensor to detect, display and / or control the temperature.

[0015] As a device for preparing food, a scale can be provided in a food processor and / or a mixing device, which can weigh the weight of the raw materials or food introduced into the container. The food processor and / or the mixing device can include a control program to control the scale and thus the weighing.

[0016] As an apparatus for preparing food, an optical sensor can be provided in a food processor and / or a mixing device, by means of which the ingredients introduced into the container can be optically monitored. The food processor and / or the mixing device can include a control program to control the optical sensor and thus the optical monitoring.

[0017] In the following, a mixing device is provided which solves the given task of the present invention. The mixing device can generally be used in a system.

[0018] The mixing device comprises an upright part and a container, which can be inserted into the upright part or integrated into the upright part. The upright part refers to a part of the mixing device that is intended to be placed on the ground, such as a table top. Therefore, the upright part can have, for example, a knob protruding from the underside. In the set state, the knob is in contact with the ground. The knob can be made of an elastomer to achieve an anti-slip setting of the upright part and to reduce vibrations.

[0019] The upright member may have a recessed portion that can accommodate the lower portion of the container. The shape and diameter of the recessed portion may correspond to the shape and diameter of the lower portion of the container so that the container can be firmly and reliably held in a desired position by the upright member.

[0020] The container includes a mixing tool. The mixing tool may be located at the bottom of the container.

[0021] The upright part comprises an electric drive to drive the mixing tool. The electric drive comprises a stepper motor (or stepper motor). Stepper motors are particularly suitable for mixing devices, because the mixing tool should only rotate at a low speed compared to the rotation speed of a food processor. Therefore, the mixing tool can be directly connected to the shaft of the stepper motor. As a result, the installation space can be small, so that the additional space required for the mixing device can be small.

[0022] Preferably, the electric drive of the mixing device is a hybrid stepper motor. A hybrid stepper motor can only rotate at relatively low speeds. Since the mixing device only performs the mixing task as a supplement, only low-speed operation is advantageous for safety reasons.

[0023] Hybrid stepper motors have also proven to be suitable because their torque is low in relation to their weight, which is also an advantage for safety reasons. Another advantage is that the torque is independent or barely dependent on speed.

[0024] Hybrid stepper motors are relatively heavy, especially compared to piezoelectric stepper motors. Since the electric drive is located in the upright part, the hybrid stepper motor makes the upright part relatively heavy. The relatively heavy weight of the upright part is beneficial to ensure stability during operation. However, compared to a standard food processor, the upright part can be smaller. This can avoid space problems in the home.

[0025] When the container is inserted or integrated into the upright part and the upright part is arranged as desired, the electric drive is mainly located below the container.

[0026] The electric drive may comprise a plurality of permanent magnets. Preferably, however, the electric drive comprises a rotor having only one permanent magnet. The installation outlay can thus be kept particularly low.

[0027] Preferably, the electric drive comprises an annular stator and a rotor located inside the annular shape. This design is particularly suitable for connecting the shaft of the electric drive to the mixing tool.

[0028] Preferably, segments with teeth protrude inwardly from the annular mould. A coil is wound around each segment. The rotor comprises magnetic pole teeth protruding outwardly.

[0029] Preferably, the teeth of the stator can be opposite to the teeth of the rotor. Meanwhile, the other teeth of the stator can be arranged offset relative to the other teeth of the rotor.

[0030] Preferably, the rotor comprises a first tooth and a second tooth. The first tooth is a magnetic north pole or is penetrated by a first magnetic flux of a magnet. The second tooth is a magnetic south pole or is penetrated by a second magnetic flux of a magnet in a direction opposite to the first magnetic flux. Thus, the first tooth can be formed by a north pole of a permanent magnet. The second tooth can be formed by a south pole of a permanent magnet. However, the first and second teeth can be adjacent by a magnet so that the magnetic flux generated by the magnet penetrates the first and second teeth. The magnetic flux through the first tooth is opposite to the magnetic flux through the second tooth. For example, the first tooth acts as a magnetic north pole. The second tooth acts like a magnetic south pole. In the sense of the present invention, the first and second teeth are then magnetically polarized.

[0031] In principle, the first and second teeth form the outer circumference of the rotor. A first tooth is mainly located between two second teeth and vice versa.

[0032] The rotor preferably comprises a first rotating body of ferromagnetic material, the first rotating body being provided with first teeth. The rotor preferably comprises a second rotating body made of ferromagnetic material, the second rotating body being provided with second teeth. The north pole of the permanent magnet preferably extends into the first rotating body. The south pole of the permanent magnet preferably extends into the second rotating body.

[0033] The teeth of the rotor are preferably curved outwards on their upper side. The teeth of the stator are preferably curved inwards on their upper side.

[0034] The mixing tool preferably comprises a blunt edge and an opposite sharp edge. The mixing device is configured so that the mixing tool can only be rotated in the direction of the blunt edge. By configuring the mixing device so that the mixing tool can only be rotated in the direction of the blunt edge, this avoids that the food or food ingredients are undesirably chopped. In addition, this contributes to the safety of the mixing device. The mixing tool has opposite sharp edges, so that the container with the mixing tool can also be used in a food processor. With the help of a food processor that can rotate the mixing tool in the opposite direction, the food ingredients can then be chopped.

[0035] Preferably, the electric drive is connected to the mixing tool via a releasable connector (or coupling). When the container is inserted into the recess of the upright part, the releasable connector is located below the bottom of the container. With this embodiment, the container can be detached from the upright part. With such an embodiment, the container can be operated particularly easily with the upright part and the corresponding food processor.

[0036] Preferably, the connector can be released by a linear movement along the motor shaft.The container can then be released from the upright member in an advantageous manner by lifting the container, i.e. moving the container upwards away from the upright member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 : A mixing device having an upright member and an insertable container;

[0038] Figure 2 : Hybrid tool;

[0039] Figure 3 : A mixing device with an upright part and an integrated container;

[0040] Figure 4 : Axial section of the hybrid stepper motor;

[0041] Figure 5 : Cross section of a hybrid stepper motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 A mixing device is shown with an upright part 1 and a container 2. The upright part 1 is placed on the ground 3. The upright part 1 has a recess 4, which can accommodate the lower part of the container 2. Therefore, the container 2 can be inserted into the recess 4. The shape and diameter of the recess 4 are adapted to the shape and diameter of the lower part of the container 2 so that the container 2 can be safely and securely held by the upright part 1. The recess can be circular, such as Figure 1As shown. Therefore, the lower part of the container 2 is also rounded to ensure that the two shapes match. The outer diameter of the lower part of the container 2 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the recess 4 to ensure that the container 2 is firmly held by the upright part. However, other shapes can also be provided. Preferably, the container 2 can be inserted into the recess 4 in a rotationally fixed manner. The recess 4 and the lower part of the container 2 can be triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal or elliptical, so that the container 2 can be inserted into the upright part in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0043] The mixing tool 5 indicated by dashed lines is located in the container 2, i.e. close to the bottom of the container 2 and therefore at the bottom of the container 2. The mixing tool 5 can be rotated by means of a shaft 6. The shaft 6 passes through the bottom of the container 2. The end of the shaft 6 pointing downwards comprises a coupling 7.

[0044] The upright part 1 comprises an electric motor 8, shown in dotted lines, having a shaft 9. The end of the shaft 9 pointing upwards comprises a coupling 10. The electric motor 8 is a hybrid stepper motor.

[0045] When the container 2 is inserted into the recess 4, the two couplings 7 and 10 are connected to each other. If the shaft 9 of the motor 8 rotates, the rotational motion is transmitted from the shaft 9 to the shaft 6. As a result, the mixing tool 5 rotates. A gearbox is not necessary, because a suitable speed can be set by the hybrid stepper motor even without a gearbox.

[0046] Figure 2 An example of a mixing tool 5 is shown which has a blunt edge 11 and an opposite sharp edge 12. If the mixing tool 5 is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow, the mixing tool 5 rotates in the direction of the blunt edge 11. In principle, the mixing device of the invention is arranged so that the mixing tool 5 can only rotate in the direction of the blunt edge 11.

[0047] Figure 3 An example of a mixing device is shown in which the container 2 is integrated into the upright part 1. The container 2 is thus inseparably connected to the upright part 1. In this embodiment, the mixing tool 5 is preferably detachable from the shaft 9 of the motor 8 so that it can be removed and easily cleaned.

[0048] Figure 4 An axial cross section of a hybrid stepper motor is shown. Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A cross section of a hybrid stepper motor. The hybrid stepper motor comprises a stator 13 and a rotor 14. The body 15 of the stator 13 is preferably made entirely of metal so that the hybrid stepper motor has a high weight. The body 15 of the stator 13 can consist of a plurality of metal plates that are combined into one assembly. The metal plates can be joined to each other by rivets.

[0049] The body 15 includes a plurality of segments 16. The segments 16 protrude inwardly from the ring shape of the body 15. The outer contour of the ring shape may be circular, such as Figure 4 However, the outer contour of the ring can also be, for example, square. Figure 4 As shown, there may be four segments 16. However, for example, there may also be six or eight segments 16. Each segment 16 has a plurality of teeth 17 at its inward end. Each segment 16 may have three teeth 17, such as Figure 4 As shown. However, each segment 16 can also have more or less than three teeth 17, for example, two, four or five teeth 17. The segment with teeth is composed of a magnetizable material. It can be a ferromagnetic material, for example mainly containing iron. However, it can also be a paramagnetic material.

[0050] A coil 18, 19 is wound around each segment 16. To ensure that the windings of the coils 18, 19 are electrically isolated from the body 15, an electrical insulator 20 may be provided if necessary, which electrically isolates the windings of the coils 18, 19 from the body 15. During operation, at the appropriate time, current flows through the coil 18 in the opposite direction to the coil 19 to cause the rotor to rotate. For each coil 18, 19, at Figure 4 In the figure, “·” and “X” are used to indicate possible current flow directions.

[0051] The rotor 14 is located inside the annular shape of the stator 13. The rotor 14 includes a first rotating body 20 having first teeth 21 and a second rotating body 22 having second teeth 23 (see Figure 5 ). The rotating bodies 20, 22 may be made of paramagnetic materials. However, the rotating bodies 20, 22 preferably use ferromagnetic materials. One or both of the rotating bodies 20, 22 may be respectively formed of a plurality of metal plates. The metal plates of the rotating bodies may be connected to each other by, for example, grooves or screws. Alternatively, one or both of the rotating bodies 20, 22 may be respectively manufactured as a whole. Figure 4 As shown, a first tooth 21 is located between two second teeth 23, and vice versa. The teeth 21, 23 of the rotor 14 abut against the teeth 17 of the stator 13 such that a narrow gap remains between them.

[0052] The teeth 21, 23 of the rotor 14 are preferably bent outwards at their upper side so that the upper side of the teeth 21, 23 forms a ring when viewed from above, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown. Accordingly, the upper surface of the teeth 17 of the stator is preferably bent inwards. This allows a particularly narrow gap to be provided between the teeth 17 of the stator 13 and the teeth 21, 23 of the rotor 14.

[0053] Figure 5It is shown that the north pole N of the permanent magnet 24 extends into the first rotating body 20, and the south pole S of the permanent magnet 24 extends into the second rotating body 22. Therefore, the first tooth 21 acts as a magnetic north pole, and the second tooth 23 acts as a magnetic south pole. Figure 4 As shown, when viewed in a plan view, a first tooth 21 may be directly adjacent to a second tooth 23, and a next first tooth 21 may be directly adjacent to a second tooth 23, such that there is no gap between the first tooth 21 and the second tooth 23 when viewed in a plan view.

[0054] Figure 4 It is shown that the second tooth 23a has been moved to the alignment position shown by the tooth 17a of the upper coil 18 by the magnetic resistance force. The tooth 17a is located just opposite the tooth 23a. In addition, the first tooth 21a has been moved to the alignment position shown by the tooth 17b of the lower coil 19 by the magnetic resistance force. The tooth 17b is just opposite the tooth 21b. For this reason, the direction of the current flowing through the lower coil 19 is opposite to the direction of the current flowing through the upper coil 18. During this period, no current flows through the side coils 18 and 19.

[0055] When the rotor 14 reaches Figure 4 In the position shown, the current flowing through the upper coil 18 and the lower coil 19 is interrupted and the current then flows again in the opposite direction through the side coils 18, 19. Since the laterally arranged teeth 17 of the stator 13 are arranged offset relative to the laterally arranged teeth 21 and 23 of the rotor 14, the magnetic resistance force acts on the rotor 14, causing it to rotate further in the counterclockwise direction.

[0056] Figure 5 It is shown that the shaft 25 of the hybrid stepper motor can pass through the permanent magnet 24 and the two rotating bodies 20 , 22 . Figure 5 An example of a path 26 of a magnetic flux that may occur during operation of a hybrid stepper motor is shown. The exemplary path shows magnetic flux penetrating a first tooth 21 and a second tooth 23. The magnetic flux passes through the first tooth 21 toward the outside of the first tooth 21. The magnetic flux passes through the second tooth 23 in the opposite direction, i.e., from the outside of the second tooth 23 toward the inside of the second tooth 23.

[0057] For the hybrid stepper motor, there is a control device (not shown) which controls the current as described above.

[0058] according to Figure 5 , there is only one permanent magnet 24. However, there may also be two or more permanent magnets which extend into the rotating bodies 20, 22.

Claims

1. A system comprising a mixing device and a food processor, wherein the mixing device comprises an upright part (1) and at least one container (2), the at least one container (2) comprising a mixing tool (5), the at least one container (2) being insertable into the upright part (1), wherein the at least one container (2) comprising the mixing tool (5) can be used both as a container for the food processor and as a container for the mixing device, wherein the food processor comprises an electric drive for the mixing tool, wherein the mixing device comprises an electric drive for the mixing tool, wherein the food processor is capable of rotating the mixing tool at a higher speed than the maximum speed possible for the mixing device, wherein the electric drive of the mixing device is a stepper motor, The system is configured to include a second container that is identical to the at least one container (2) so that the at least one container (2) can be used with the mixing device and the second container can be used to simultaneously prepare another food product using a food processor.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The food processor can rotate the mixing tool in two different directions.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that The food processor and the mixing device can be connected to each other via an interface, so that they can exchange data with each other.

4. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The food processor and the mixing device can be connected to each other via an interface, so that they can exchange data with each other.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The food processor comprises a scale for weighing the ingredients in the container (2) and / or a heating device for heating the device (2).

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The container (2) comprises a heating device.

7. The system of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the stepper motor is a hybrid stepper motor.

8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The electric drive of the hybrid device comprises a rotor (14) having only one permanent magnet (24).

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The electric drive (8) of the mixing device comprises a ring-shaped stator (13) and a rotor (14) located inside the ring.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that Segments (16) with teeth (17) protrude inwardly from the annular shape, coils (18, 19) are wound around each segment, and the rotor (14) includes magnetic pole teeth (21, 23) protruding outwardly.

11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that The teeth (17a, 17b) of the stator (13) can be arranged to be exactly opposite to the teeth (21b, 23a) of the rotor (14), and at the same time, the other teeth (17) of the stator (13) can be arranged offset relative to the other teeth (21, 23) of the rotor (14).

12. The system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The rotor (14) includes a first tooth (21) and a second tooth (23), and the first tooth (21) is a magnetic north pole and the second tooth (23) is a magnetic south pole, or a direction in which the first magnetic flux penetrates the first tooth is opposite to a direction in which the second magnetic flux penetrates the second tooth.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The rotor (14) comprises a first rotating body (20) of ferromagnetic material having the first teeth (21) and a second rotating body (22) of ferromagnetic material having the second teeth (23), wherein the north pole (N) of the permanent magnet (24) extends into the first rotating body (20) and the south pole (S) of the permanent magnet (24) extends into the second rotating body (22).

14. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that The teeth (21, 23) of the rotor (14) are bent outwards on their upper side, and the teeth (17) of the stator (13) are bent inwards on their upper side.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The mixing tool (5) has a blunt edge and an opposite sharp edge, and the mixing device is configured so that the mixing tool (5) can only be rotated in the direction of the blunt edge.

16. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The electric drive of the mixing device is connected to the mixing tool (5) via a releasable connector arranged below the bottom of the container.

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