Locking system for locking a bowl on an electric base of a cooking robot

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking system (10) comprising a first locking member (6) arranged on a bowl (2) and a second locking member (8) arranged on an electric base (4), the first and second locking members (6, 8) being elongated and disposed in insertion to each other. According to the invention, the first locking member (6) extends from a lower surface (21) of a bottom (22) of the bowl (2) in an axial direction (A), the second locking member (8) is movably mounted in rotation about the axial direction (A) on a receiving space (41) of the bowl (2), and is configured to pivot between a locking position and an unlocking position, at which the first and second locking members (6, 8) are free to translate relative to each other in the axial direction (A) to allow the bowl (2) to be placed on or removed from the electric base (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cooking robots, and more particularly to the field of locking systems for locking bowls onto the electric base of a cooking robot. Background Technology

[0002] In a known manner, a cooking robot is a household appliance that typically includes at least one motorized base and a bowl mounted on the motorized base.

[0003] Typically, rotary processing tools are positioned at the bottom of the bowl. Rotary processing tools allow for chopping, kneading, mixing, or emulsifying processes.

[0004] Depending on the model of the cooking robot, various types of rotary processing tools can be set to perform specific tasks such as emulsification, grinding, and mixing.

[0005] Additionally, if desired, the robot may include a heating element that enables the heating of a bowl, such as a frying pan with a handle on a stove.

[0006] One of the major advantages of cooking robots is their power and their chopping speed, which, for example, allows flour to be made from a variety of grains.

[0007] Because rotary processing tools can generate speed and torque, the bowl needs to be securely fixed to the electric base of the cooking robot during its operation.

[0008] On the other hand, the bowl can be easily removed from the electric base of the cooking robot to, for example, empty it or clean it.

[0009] Therefore, most cooking robots have a locking system that allows the bowl to be locked or unlocked alternately on the robot's motorized base.

[0010] Locking the bowl to the motorized base via a bayonet allows for this retention, but a drawback is that it relies on the bowl's rotation on the motorized base to ensure retention. Such an embodiment is incompatible with placing the bowl on the motorized base via a simple translational movement in the vertical direction. This movement allows for improved ergonomics of the device and also simplifies its structure, especially when the bowl includes a heating element powered by the motorized base via a connector. Various locking systems are also known that lock the lid relative to the bowl on one hand, and lock the bowl on the motorized base on the other. In practice, when the rotary cutting tool is rotating at high speed and / or when the rotary cutting tool is sharp, it is desirable to lock the lid to the bowl and prevent it from being removed while the rotary cutting tool is moving. Additionally, this allows for improved device safety by preventing the bowl from being arbitrarily removed during the operation of the cooking robot.

[0011] However, this configuration is unsatisfactory in some applications because it is desirable to be able to decouple the locking of the bowl on the motorized base from the presence of the lid on the bowl. In fact, in some applications, it is desirable to be able to use the bowl locked on the motorized base without the lid, for example, for operations that do not use rotary processing tools, such as cooking operations in heated cooking robots, or simply for inspecting, stirring, or adding ingredients to food. On the other hand, a locking system that is simpler and more robust than existing systems is desired. Summary of the Invention

[0012] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a locking system for locking a bowl of a cooking robot onto a motorized base of the cooking robot, the motorized base including a storage space designed to removably store the bowl, the locking system including a first locking member disposed on the bowl and a second locking member disposed on the motorized base. The first locking member and the second locking member are elongated and configured to insert into each other. The first locking member extends from the lower surface of the bowl along an axial direction corresponding to the direction in which the bowl is placed on the motorized base. The second locking member is rotatably mounted on the storage space of the bowl about the axial direction and configured to pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position, in which the first locking member and the second locking member are inserted into each other and locked to translate relative to each other along the axial direction, and in the unlocked position, the first locking member and the second locking member are freely translatable relative to each other along the axial direction to allow the bowl to be placed on or removed from the motorized base.

[0013] Therefore, the locking system according to the invention allows the bottom of the bowl to be locked onto the motorized base. This arrangement ensures optimal locking of the bowl while allowing the lid to be removed from the bowl if desired. In other words, the locking system according to the invention allows the bowl to be locked without locking the lid onto it.

[0014] The first locking member or the second locking member may be a pin forming a convex element, and the other of the first locking member and the second locking member may be a tube forming a concave element having a shape complementary to the convex element for inserting the convex element into the concave element.

[0015] One of the first locking member and the second locking member may have at least one groove, and the other of the first locking member and the second locking member may have at least one latch, the at least one latch being adapted to slide in the at least one groove.

[0016] One of the first locking member and the second locking member may have at least one radial groove and at least one axial groove, and the other of the first locking member and the second locking member may have at least one latch, the at least one latch being adapted to slide in the at least one axial groove and the at least one radial groove, such that in the unlocked position, the at least one latch can slide in the at least one axial groove, and in the locked position, the at least one latch is positioned in the at least one radial groove and cannot slide in the at least one axial groove.

[0017] The pin may have at least one radial groove and at least one axial groove, and the tube may have at least one bayonet.

[0018] The pin may include two radially opposite axial grooves, and the tube may have two radially opposite bayonets.

[0019] The locking system may include a motor component adapted to pivot the second locking component between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0020] The motor component can be arranged in the motor base.

[0021] The first locking member may be the pin, and the second locking member may be the tube.

[0022] The first locking member may include a fixing device for fixing to the bowl, and the second locking member includes a fixing device for fixing to the electric base, for fixing the locking system to the pre-existing cooking robot and the bowl.

[0023] When the bowl is positioned on the motorized base, the lower surface can be accommodated in the storage space of the motorized base.

[0024] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a bowl for a cooking robot, which is intended to be assembled on an electric base of the cooking robot and includes a first locking member belonging to a locking system according to the invention.

[0025] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to an electric base for a cooking robot, which includes a storage space for the cooking robot's bowl, wherein a second locking member belonging to a locking system according to the invention is arranged in the storage space.

[0026] The electric base may include a main electric motor adapted to drive a rotary machining tool to rotate, and may include an electric motor component of a locking system according to the invention.

[0027] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a component of a cooking robot, which includes an electric base according to the invention and a bowl according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is exemplary rather than limiting and should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a bowl locked to an electric base by a locking system according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a partial perspective view of the bottom wall of a bowl having the first locking member according to the invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is an enlarged perspective view of the first locking member according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the second locking member according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking system according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a locking system 10 for locking the bowl 2 of a cooking robot 1 onto an electric base 4 of the cooking robot 1.

[0035] The locking system 10 mainly includes a first locking member 6 arranged on the bowl 2 and a second locking member 8 rotatably and movablely mounted on the electric base 4. Figure 1 An embodiment of the locking system 10 is shown. Figure 1 The bowl 2 and the electric base 4 are shown in detail.

[0036] Electric base

[0037] Typically, the motorized base 4 includes a storage space 41 designed to removably store the bowl 2. The storage space 41 includes a second locking member 8, the structure of which will be described below. The storage space 41 may specifically have at least one upper notch adapted to receive the lower rib of the bowl 2 and / or at least one upper protrusion adapted to be embedded in the lower notch of the bowl 2. This upper notch and upper protrusion assembly allows any radial translation of the bowl 2 to be prevented when the bowl 2 is positioned in the storage space 41.

[0038] As will also be described below, the electric base 4 further includes one or more electric motor components. Preferably, the electric base 4 includes a main electric motor that causes a rotary processing tool disposed in the bowl 2 to rotate. The rotary processing tool can be, for example, a mixer, a whisk, a auger, or any other rotary processing tool suitable for cooking preparation.

[0039] bowl

[0040] As described above, the locking system 10 is adapted to lock the connection between the bowl 2 and the electric base 4. More specifically, the first locking member 6 of the locking system 10 is fixed to the bowl 2. The bowl 2 has a bottom wall 22 and a side wall 23, the side wall 23 having an upper edge defining an upper opening. The bowl 2 may have a cylindrical or cylindrical-conical shape. Typically, the bowl 2 may be made of a metal such as stainless steel.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the bowl 2 may include an electric heating device. The electric heating device may be specifically arranged in the lower portion of the bowl 2. If needed, the electric heating device can be powered from the electric base 4 via an electrical connector or power pin.

[0042] According to another embodiment, the bowl 2 can be configured to be heated by a heating device arranged in the electric base 4. If desired, the heating device can be an induction heating device.

[0043] The bottom wall 22 may include a storage device for a rotary machining tool. Typically, such a storage device may be a protrusion adapted to engage in a concave element of the rotary machining tool, or a recess adapted to receive the protrusion of the rotary machining tool. According to one embodiment, such a storage device may include a drive unit supported by a drive mechanism including a drive shaft fixed to the bottom of the bowl 2 by guides that ensure both free rotation of the drive shaft perpendicular to the bottom wall 22 of the bowl 2 and a seal of the rotary connector. The drive shaft passes through the bottom wall 22 of the bowl 2 and includes an upper end and a lower end equipped with a flat member. The drive unit is engaged at the upper end, and the lower end is coupled to an element that rotates integrally with the main motor when the bowl 2 is properly placed on the electric base 4.

[0044] The side wall 23 of the bowl 2 may have a handle that allows a user to grip the bowl 2. Most commonly, the handle is made of a heat-insulating plastic material, so that the user can hold the bowl 2 without being burned. Advantageously, the upper part of the side wall 23 may have a return portion that forms a pouring spout.

[0045] Additionally, according to the example presented herein, the bowl 2 has a lower surface 21 that extends within a receiving space 41 of the electric base 4 when the bowl 2 is positioned on the electric base 4. The lower portion of the bowl 2 has positioning devices for positioning on the electric base 4, configured to lock the bowl 2 in rotation about an axial direction A corresponding to the orientation of the bowl 2 on the electric base 4, and to lock the bowl 2 in lateral translation relative to the electric base 4. These positioning devices may include circular ribs adapted to engage in recesses of the electric base 4 and circular recesses adapted to receive protrusions of the electric base 4. The lower portion of the bowl 2, together with the bottom wall 22, may define a compartment for accommodating a heating element.

[0046] Locking system

[0047] The locking system 10 mainly includes a first locking member 6 arranged on the bowl 2 and a second locking member 8 rotatably mounted on the motorized base 4. As described below, the locking system 10 allows the bowl 2 to be locked relative to the motorized base 4 for translation when the bowl 2 is in place, so as to prevent the bowl 2 from being removed from the motorized base 4.

[0048] Advantageously, the first locking member 6 and the second locking member 8 are elongated and arranged to insert into each other.

[0049] First locking component

[0050] The first locking member 6 extends from the lower surface 21 of the bottom of the bowl 2 along an axial direction A corresponding to the direction in which the bowl 2 is placed on the electric base 4.

[0051] Preferably, according to the example presented herein, the first locking member 6 is a pin 61, as in Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen in the diagram. Pin 61 refers to a rod that can be hollow or solid. Preferably, pin 61 is a solid rod, that is, a one-piece design. According to the example given here, pin 61 is a metal pin 61, which ensures the strength of the locking system 10. However, according to other examples, pin 61 can be made of plastic or composite material with satisfactory mechanical properties to ensure the strength of the locking system 10. Pin 61 has two ends, namely a fixed end that is fixed to the lower surface 21 of the bowl 2 and a free end.

[0052] As can be seen from the figure, pin 61 has a plurality of grooves 62. More specifically, according to the embodiment presented herein, pin 61 has two axial grooves 622. The axial grooves 622 are substantially opposite each other on the periphery of pin 61. Axial means that the axial grooves 622 extend along an axis parallel to the axial direction A. Each of the two axial grooves 622 leads to a free end of pin 61 on one side. On the other hand, each of the two axial grooves 622 leads to a radial groove 621. According to the example presented herein, pin 61 includes only a single radial groove 621. This radial groove is circular and extends across the entire periphery of pin 61. Therefore, in summary, according to the example presented herein, pin 61 includes two axial grooves 622 and one radial groove 621.

[0053] Second locking component

[0054] According to the general description, the second locking member 8 is rotatably mounted on the storage space 41 of the bowl 2 about an axial direction A and configured to pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the first locking member 6 and the second locking member 8 are inserted into each other and locked, translating relative to each other along the axial direction A. In the unlocked position, the first locking member 6 and the second locking member 8 are freely translating relative to each other along the axial direction A to allow the bowl 2 to be placed on or removed from the motorized base 4. If desired, the second locking member 8 may be arranged at least partially below the protective cover. The protective cover may have an upper opening configured to allow insertion of the first locking member 6 and / or make the upper portion of the second locking member 8 visible.

[0055] Preferably, the second locking member 8 is a tube 81, such as... Figure 4 As shown. The tube 81 may have two radial bayonets 82. Bayonets 82 refer to protrusions, i.e., projections, adapted to slide in the axial groove 622 and radial groove 621 of the pin 61. Preferably, the bayonets 82 are radially opposite each other.

[0056] As described above, the second locking member 8 is adapted to pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position. According to the example presented here, in the unlocked position, the latch 82 can slide in the axial groove 622 and access the radial groove 621. The second locking member 8 can pivot from the unlocked position to the locked position about axial direction A. In the locked position, the latch 82 is present in and locked in the radial groove 621. In other words, in the unlocked position, the pin 61 can be axially translated relative to the tube 81, and the latches 82 each slide in the axial groove 622. In the locked position, the pin 61 engages in the tube 81, and the latches 82 are positioned in the radial groove 621. Rotation of the tube 81 causes the latches 82 to shift relative to the axial groove 622. Thus, the latches 82 are locked in the radial groove 621. Another rotation of the tube 81 allows a return to the unlocked position, that is, alignment of the latches 82 with the axial groove 622.

[0057] The locking system 10 is particularly advantageous because it allows for the secure and simple locking of the bowl 2 relative to the motorized base 4 during translation. In fact, optimal fixation is ensured by the locking mechanism of the slotted pin 61 and the bayonet 82. In other words, in the locked position, it is impossible to remove the bowl 2 from the motorized base 4 except by breaking the locking system 10. Furthermore, the locking system 10 eliminates the need for the lid of the bowl 2 and the user. In fact, once the bowl 2 is positioned on the motorized base 4, the system can be automated. Additionally, the use of the pin 61 is a particularly advantageous arrangement because many bowls already have pins to ensure electrical connection with the motorized base 4. Therefore, the locking system 10 according to the invention can be easily attached to existing bowls, for example, by replacing one of the electrical connection pins of the bowl 2 with the pin 61, or by adding the pin 61.

[0058] Similarly, the second locking member 8 can be attached to the pre-existing electric base 4. Thus, the second locking member 8 can have a fixing device for securing it to the electric base 4. Specifically, the fixing device refers to a device that allows the second locking member 8 to be installed onto the pre-existing electric base 4. Of course, these fixing devices must ensure that the second locking member 8 is permanently and resiliently secured to the electric base 4. Persistent and resilient securing means a type of connection that is resistant to vibration and translational stress of the pin 61 within the tube 81, and is therefore securely fitted.

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, the second locking member 8 includes a motor member 83 that allows the tube 81 to pivot about an axial direction A. Preferably, the motor member 83 is separate from the main motor configured to drive the rotary machining tool to rotate. The motor member 83 may, if desired, be an electric motor; a micro motor; a geared motor; a servo motor; a jack; or an electromagnet.

[0060] Cooking robots

[0061] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a component of a cooking robot 1, which includes an electric base 4 having a second locking member 8 and a bowl 2 having a first locking member 6.

[0062] Additionally, the components of the cooking robot 1 include a power supply and a control unit, which are typically arranged on an electric base 4. The control unit may include a screen and at least one optional button for executing one or more operating procedures. Typically, the control unit may include a start button configured to power the cooking robot 1. If desired, the control unit may have a touch interface.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the control device may include a button (whether or not separate from the start button) configured to allow locking control of the bowl 2 on the motorized base 4. Typically, this control may be coupled to the start control of the rotary processing tool. In this case, the control device of the cooking robot 1 checks the presence of the bowl 2 on the motorized base 4, then locks the bowl 2 on the motorized base 4, and finally starts the rotation of the rotary processing tool.

[0064] According to another embodiment, once the bowl 2 is positioned on the motorized base 4, the control device can lock the bowl 2. For this purpose, the control device may specifically include a switch that is actuated by placing the bowl 2 on the motorized base 4 and configured to activate the locking of the bowl 2. Alternatively, the control device may specifically include a sensor configured to activate the locking of the bowl 2 when the bowl 2 has been placed on the motorized base 4.

[0065] Most commonly, the rotation of a rotary machining tool is stopped either by user control, by a timer, or by the completion of a control device's operating program.

[0066] If necessary, the control device can automatically unlock the bowl 2 from the electric base 4 when the rotary machining tool stops or after a period of time.

[0067] Alternatively or as a supplement, the control device can be user-controlled to allow the bowl 2 to be unlocked so that it can be removed from the motorized base 4. Control refers to pressing a button, button combination, or touching the interface.

[0068] Therefore, the proposed locking system 10 allows the bowl 2 to be locked onto the motorized base 4, and ensures the usability of the cooking robot 1 by keeping the bowl 2 on the motorized base 4 and by preventing accidental removal of the bowl 2. The locking system 10 also allows for a simplified structure of the bowl 2, as the first locking member 6 can be arranged below the lower surface 21 of the bowl 2. The bowl 2 may not have any moving parts belonging to the locking system 10. When the bowl 2 is in place on the motorized base 4, the user cannot access the locking system 10 because the lower surface 21 of the bowl 2 is accommodated in the storage space 41 when the bowl 2 is in place on the motorized base 4.

Claims

1. A locking system (10) for locking a bowl (2) of a cooking robot (1) onto an electric base (4) of the cooking robot (1), the electric base (4) including a storage space (41) designed to removably store the bowl (2), the locking system (10) including a first locking member (6) disposed on the bowl (2) and a second locking member (8) disposed on the electric base (4), the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) being elongated and configured to insert into each other, characterized in that, The first locking member (6) extends from the lower surface (21) of the bowl (2) along an axial direction (A) corresponding to the direction in which the bowl (2) is placed on the electric base (4); the second locking member (8) is rotatably mounted on the storage space (41) of the bowl (2) about the axial direction (A) and is configured to pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position, in which the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) are inserted into each other and locked to translate relative to each other along the axial direction (A), and in the unlocked position, the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) are freely translated relative to each other along the axial direction (A) to allow the bowl (2) to be placed on or removed from the electric base (4).

2. The locking system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, One of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) has at least one groove (62), and the other of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) has at least one latch (82) adapted to slide in the at least one groove (62).

3. The locking system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, One of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) has at least one radial groove (621) and at least one axial groove (622), and the other of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) has at least one latch (82) adapted to slide in the at least one axial groove (622) and the at least one radial groove (621), such that in the unlocked position, the at least one latch (82) can slide in the at least one axial groove (622), and in the locked position, the at least one latch (82) is positioned in the at least one radial groove (621) and cannot slide in the at least one axial groove (622).

4. The locking system (10) according to claim 3, wherein, The first locking member (6) or the second locking member (8) is a pin (61) forming a convex element, and the other of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) is a tube (81) forming a concave element having a shape complementary to the convex element for inserting the convex element into the concave element, and the pin (61) has the at least one radial groove (621) and the at least one axial groove (622), and the tube (81) has the at least one bayonet (82).

5. The locking system (10) according to claim 4, wherein, The pin (61) includes two radially opposite axial grooves (622), and the tube (81) has two radially opposite bayonets (82).

6. The locking system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The first locking member (6) or the second locking member (8) is a pin (61) forming a convex element, and the other of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) is a tube (81) forming a concave element having a shape complementary to the convex element for inserting the convex element into the concave element.

7. The locking system (10) according to claim 6, wherein, One of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) has at least one groove (62), and the other of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) has at least one latch (82) adapted to slide in the at least one groove (62).

8. The locking system (10) according to claim 6, wherein, One of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) has at least one radial groove (621) and at least one axial groove (622), and the other of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) has at least one latch (82) adapted to slide in the at least one axial groove (622) and the at least one radial groove (621), such that in the unlocked position, the at least one latch (82) can slide in the at least one axial groove (622), and in the locked position, the at least one latch (82) is positioned in the at least one radial groove (621) and cannot slide in the at least one axial groove (622).

9. The locking system (10) according to claim 8, wherein, The first locking member (6) or the second locking member (8) is a pin (61) forming a convex element, and the other of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) is a tube (81) forming a concave element having a shape complementary to the convex element for inserting the convex element into the concave element, and the pin (61) has the at least one radial groove (621) and the at least one axial groove (622), and the tube (81) has the at least one bayonet (82).

10. The locking system (10) according to claim 9, wherein, The pin (61) includes two radially opposite axial grooves (622), and the tube (81) has two radially opposite bayonets (82).

11. The locking system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a motor component (83) adapted to pivot the second locking component (8) between the locked position and the unlocked position.

12. The locking system (10) according to claim 11, wherein, The motor component (83) is arranged in the motor base (4).

13. The locking system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7 to 10, wherein, The first locking member (6) or the second locking member (8) is a pin (61) forming a convex element, and the other of the first locking member (6) and the second locking member (8) is a tube (81) forming a concave element having a shape complementary to the convex element for inserting the convex element into the concave element, and the first locking member (6) is the pin (61), and the second locking member (8) is the tube (81).

14. The locking system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The first locking member (6) includes a fixing device for fixing to the bowl (2), and the second locking member (8) includes a fixing device for fixing to the electric base (4), for fixing the locking system (10) to the pre-existing cooking robot (1) and the bowl (2).

15. The locking system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, When the bowl (2) is in place on the electric base (4), the lower surface (21) is accommodated in the storage space (41) of the electric base (4).

16. A bowl (2) of a cooking robot (1) is intended to be assembled on an electric base (4) of the cooking robot (1) and includes a first locking member (6) belonging to a locking system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. An electric base (4) for a cooking robot (1) comprising a storage space (41) for a bowl (2) of the cooking robot (1), wherein a second locking member (8) belonging to a locking system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is arranged in the storage space (41).

18. An electric base (4) for a cooking robot (1) comprising a main motor adapted to drive a rotary processing tool to rotate, and comprising a motor component (83) of a locking system (10) according to claim 12.

19. A component of a cooking robot (1) comprising an electric base (4) according to any one of claims 17 or 18 and a bowl (2) according to claim 16.

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