Hand-held kitchen appliance with ergonomic tool ejection

Abstract

The present invention provides a handheld kitchen appliance (100) comprising: a tool coupler (102) configured to releasably engage at least one food processing tool (104A, 104B); and an electric drive system (105A, 105B) for driving the at least one engaged food processing tool in rotation. The hand-held kitchen appliance further comprises: an ejector (106) for causing the at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool coupler; and an actuator (108) movable by a force applied by a user. The link member (110) has a first coupling portion (112) for coupling with the actuator and a second coupling portion (114) spaced apart from the first coupling portion. The link member is pivotally mounted between the first and second coupling portions such that a force applied by a user causes pivotal movement of the link member. A cam assembly (116) couples the ejector and the link member to each other at a second coupling portion. The cam assembly is configured to convert pivotal movement of the link member into linear movement of the ejector, thereby causing the at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool coupler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a handheld kitchen appliance having a tool coupler configured to releasably engage at least one food processing tool, a motorized drive system for driving the engaged at least one food processing tool to rotate, and an ejector for causing the at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool coupler. Background Art

[0002] Various types of handheld kitchen appliances are known, such as food mixers. The food processing tool(s), such as a whisk, a whisk, or a dough hook in the case of a food mixer, are often detachable from the electric drive system of the handheld kitchen appliance in order to facilitate cleaning of the food processing tool(s) and / or enable attachment of a different type of food processing tool.

[0003] To remove the food processing tool(s), the handheld kitchen appliance may include a tool release mechanism that causes the release of the food processing tool(s) when the ejector button is pressed. However, ergonomically locating the ejector button may be challenging, particularly in light of the spatial and geometric constraints imposed by other components included in the handheld kitchen appliance, such as the electric drive system. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention is defined by the claims.

[0005] According to an example in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a handheld kitchen appliance is provided, comprising: a tool connector, which is configured to releasably engage at least one food processing tool; an electric drive system for driving at least one engaged food processing tool to rotate; an ejector, which is used to cause at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool connector; an actuator, which can be moved by a force applied by a user; a link member, which has a first connecting portion for connecting to the actuator and a second connecting portion spaced apart from the first connecting portion, the link member being pivotally mounted between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion so that the force applied by the user causes a pivotal movement of the link member; and a cam assembly, which is used to connect the ejector and the link member to each other at the second connecting portion, the cam assembly being configured to convert the pivotal movement of the link member into a linear movement of the ejector, thereby causing at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool connector.

[0006] The pivotally mounted linkage member may act like a lever to transfer a user's actuator movement to the ejector via the cam assembly. The spacing between the actuator coupling, e.g., a first coupling portion attached to the linkage member and a second coupling portion where the cam assembly is coupled to the linkage member, may provide flexibility in the location of the actuator in the handheld kitchen appliance.

[0007] For example, the linkage member may enable the actuator to be arranged at or near the handle of the handheld kitchen appliance, thereby making the food processing tool(s)-eject functionality of the handheld kitchen device more ergonomic.

[0008] The cam assembly also facilitates ejection of the food processing tool(s) by providing flexibility in the direction and / or extent of movement of the actuator, movement of the actuator causing the ejector to cause the food processing tool(s) to be released from the tool coupler.

[0009] In some embodiments, the linkage member and cam assembly are configured such that the linear movement of the ejector has a longer stroke than the movement of the actuator that causes the pivotal movement of the linkage member.

[0010] In other words, a relatively small actuator stroke results in a large movement of the ejector to facilitate the release of (multiple) food processing tools. Therefore, the linkage member and cam assembly can assist the user to more easily achieve the ejection of (multiple) food processing tools via the movement of the actuator.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the linkage member and cam assembly may be configured such that the actuator may be moved by a user applied force in the same direction as the resultant linear motion of the ejector causing the at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool coupler.

[0012] The force applied by the user in the same direction as the linear motion of the ejector causing the release of the food processing tool(s) may assist the user in performing the ejection more intuitively.

[0013] In at least some embodiments, the handheld kitchen appliance includes a handle for allowing a user to hold the handheld kitchen appliance.

[0014] In such an embodiment, the first coupling portion may be arranged at or near the handle, and correspondingly, the second coupling portion is arranged away from the handle. This may allow the actuator to be arranged near or at the handle, thereby making the food processing tool(s)-eject functionality of the handheld kitchen device more ergonomic.

[0015] For example, the actuator may be positioned so that a user can move the actuator with the same hand that holds the handle.

[0016] For example, this may be more ergonomic and therefore more desirable from a consumer perspective than a design where the actuator is spatially separated from the handle so that two-hand operation is required, ie one hand holding the handle and the other hand moving the actuator.

[0017] In some embodiments, the handheld kitchen utensil includes an outer surface facing a user, the outer surface facing away from at least one engaged food processing tool, wherein at least a portion of the actuator is arranged on or protrudes from the user-facing surface and can be pushed toward the at least one engaged food processing tool by a force applied by the user.

[0018] Such an arrangement of the actuator on or protruding from a user-facing surface may facilitate ejection of the food processing tool(s) while also helping to avoid accidental ejection, for example, when the food processing tool(s) are rotated by a powered drive system.

[0019] In some embodiments, the linkage member is pivotably mounted intermediately between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

[0020] Such mounting of the link member midway between the first and second coupling portions may facilitate controlling the stroke length of the ejector's linear motion relative to the movement of the actuator that causes the pivotal movement of the link member.

[0021] In at least some embodiments, the linkage member is pivotably mounted in a fixed position in the handheld kitchen appliance.Therefore, the only allowed movement of the linkage member is the pivoting caused by the movement of the actuator.

[0022] In some embodiments, the cam assembly includes a cam gear for engaging the second coupling portion.

[0023] In such an embodiment, the cam gear may be rotatably mounted at a fixed position in the handheld kitchen appliance to define a first rotational axis, and may be rotatably coupled to the ejector to define a second rotational axis extending parallel to the first rotational axis.

[0024] A first distance between the first rotational axis and the interface between the second coupling portion and the cam gear may be shorter than a second distance between the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis. Making the first distance shorter than the second distance may facilitate a stroke length of the linear motion that is longer than the movement of the actuator that causes the pivotal movement of the linkage member, in other words, a relatively small actuator stroke results in a larger movement of the ejector to cause the release of the food processing tool(s).

[0025] In some embodiments, the linkage member extends at least partially around the electric drive system. This can assist in making the design of the handheld kitchen appliance more compact.

[0026] For example, the linkage member may include a ring that extends around the electric drive system.

[0027] In at least some embodiments, the direction of the linear movement of the ejector to cause the at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool coupler is parallel to the axis of rotation of the at least one food processing tool when driven by the powered drive system.

[0028] In some embodiments, the actuator includes a button portion contactable by a user and a rod portion extending from the button portion to the first coupling portion of the linkage member.

[0029] The handheld kitchen appliance may include at least one food processing tool. Alternatively, the handheld kitchen appliance may be provided, for example supplied to a user, separately from the food processing tool.

[0030] The handheld kitchen appliance may be any type of handheld kitchen appliance. However, the handheld kitchen appliance is particularly mentioned to be a food mixer due to the above-mentioned advantages of the linkage member-cam assembly arrangement in facilitating ejection of (multiple) food processing tools, such as a whisk, a stirrer, or a dough hook, from a tool coupler of such a food mixer.

[0031] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be put into practice, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 A handheld kitchen appliance according to an example is depicted;

[0034] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view is provided showing Figure 1 The interior of a portion of a handheld kitchen appliance shown in;

[0035] Figure 3 Provided Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of the actuator, linkage member, cam assembly, and ejector of the handheld kitchen appliance shown in FIG. 1 ; and

[0036] Figure 4 Picture shows Figure 3 The geometry of an exemplary connecting rod member-cam assembly configuration is shown in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] It should be understood that although the detailed description and specific examples indicate exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, they are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0039] A handheld kitchen appliance is provided, comprising a tool coupler configured to releasably engage at least one food processing tool, and an electric drive system for driving at least one engaged food processing tool to rotate. The handheld kitchen appliance also includes an ejector for causing at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool coupler, and an actuator that can be moved by a force applied by a user. The link member has a first connection portion for connecting to the actuator, and a second connection portion spaced apart from the first connection portion. The link member is pivotally mounted between the first and second connection portions so that the force applied by the user causes a pivotal movement of the link member. A cam assembly couples the ejector and the link member to each other at the second connection portion. The cam assembly is configured to convert the pivotal movement of the link member into a linear movement of the ejector, thereby causing at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool coupler.

[0040] Figure 1 An exterior view of a handheld kitchen appliance 100 according to an example is provided. Figure 2 Provided Figure 1 An interior view of a portion of a handheld kitchen appliance 100 is shown in FIG.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the handheld kitchen appliance 100 includes a tool coupling 102, which is configured to releasably engage at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B. The handheld kitchen appliance 100 also includes an electric drive system 105A, 105B for driving the food processing tool 104A, 104B to rotate when the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B are engaged with the tool coupling 102.

[0042] An ejector 106 is provided for facilitating release of at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B from the tool coupling 102, for example, after food processing using the handheld kitchen appliance 100. Such release of the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B may facilitate cleaning of the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B and / or may enable one type of food processing tool 104A, 104B to be replaced with another type in order to perform a different food processing operation.

[0043] The tool coupler 102 may have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the tool coupler 102 includes at least one sleeve, wherein each of the at least one sleeve is configured to receive and engage a connecting rod of a food processing tool 104A, 104B.

[0044] For example, the engagement between the sleeve and the connecting rod may be achieved via a snap-fit ​​mechanism that is releasable by the ejector 106 driving the connecting rod out, such as out of the sleeve.

[0045] In some embodiments, the connecting rod includes one or more protrusions that are receivable in one or more clamping grooves defined in the sleeve to engage the connecting rod received in the sleeve.

[0046] This engagement enables the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B to be rotated by the electric drive system 105A, 105B, because the (multiple) protrusion-(multiple) clamping groove arrangement locks the rotation of the electric drive system 105A, 105B to the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B.

[0047] However, the engagement between the protrusion(s) and the clamping groove(s) may still be released by the ejector 106 driving the connecting rod out, for example pushing out the sleeve and in the process releasing the protrusion(s) from the clamping groove(s).

[0048] The ejector 106 may have any suitable design as long as the ejector 106 is capable of causing the at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B to be released from the tool coupler 102 .

[0049] In some embodiments, and as Figure 3 As shown in , the ejector 106 includes an ejection plate 106A that supports at least one elongated member 106B. (Multiple) elongated members 106B can be arranged to push (multiple) connecting rods, for example, so as to push (multiple) connecting rods out of (multiple) sleeves contained in the tool coupling 102 as described above.

[0050] Preferably, the electric drive system 105A, 105B comprises a motor 105A and a gear assembly 105B arranged to transfer torque from the motor 105A to the engaged food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B.

[0051] In such Figure 1 and Figure 2In some embodiments shown in , the motor 105A is arranged so that the rotational axis of the motor 105 is aligned with or parallel to an ejection axis along which the ejector 106 causes the at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B to be released from the tool coupler 102.

[0052] While this design may have advantages, for example, for a handheld kitchen appliance 100, in which the motor 105A is arranged such that the axis of rotation of the motor 105 is perpendicular to the ejection axis, for example because the motor 105A is arranged in the handle of the handheld kitchen appliance, it may bring challenges related to ergonomics. However, these challenges can be solved by facilitating the ejection of the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B as explained herein.

[0053] It is worth noting that the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B may be included in the handheld kitchen appliance 100. Alternatively, the handheld kitchen appliance 100 may be provided, such as supplied to the user, separately from the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B.

[0054] Any suitable type of food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B are contemplated.

[0055] For example, the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B may be mixer(s), whisk(s), or dough hook(s).

[0056] In such as Figures 1 to 3 In some embodiments shown in FIG. 1 , the tool coupler 102 is configured to releasably engage two food processing tools 104A, 104B such that the two food processing tools 104A, 104B may be simultaneously rotated by the motorized drive systems 105A, 105B.

[0057] In such embodiments, the motorized drive systems 105A, 105B may be configured to drive the food processing tools 104A, 104B to rotate in opposite directions relative to each other.

[0058] In such an embodiment, the gear assembly 105B may be configured to drive the food processing tools 104A, 104B to rotate in opposite directions relative to each other.

[0059] Although driving two food processing tools 104A, 104B to rotate simultaneously can provide effective food processing, such as stirring, beating, kneading, etc., other numbers of food processing tools 104A, 104B, such as one, three, four, etc., can also be considered. These food processing tools can be connected via the tool connector 102 so as to be rotated by the electric drive system 105A, 105B.

[0060] The handheld kitchen appliance 100 may be any type of handheld kitchen appliance 100. However, it is specifically mentioned that the handheld kitchen appliance 100 is a food blender, an example of which is shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , as facilitated by ejecting food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B, such as mixer(s), whisk(s), or dough hook(s), from tool coupler 102, as explained herein.

[0061] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 The handheld kitchen appliance 100 includes an actuator 108 that can be moved by a force applied by a user. The link member 110 has a first coupling portion 112 for coupling to the actuator 108 and a second coupling portion 114 spaced apart from the first coupling portion 112 for coupling to the ejector 106 .

[0062] The spacing between the first coupling portion 112 and the second coupling portion 114 at which the actuator 108 is coupled, eg, attached, to the linkage member 110 may provide flexibility in the location of the actuator 108 in the handheld kitchen appliance 100 .

[0063] In such Figure 2 In some embodiments shown in , the linkage member 110 extends at least partially around the electric drive system 105A, 105B. This can help make the design of the handheld kitchen appliance 100 more compact.

[0064] In some embodiments, the linkage member 110 extends at least partially around the motor 105A of the electric drive system 105A, 105B.

[0065] For example, the link member 110 includes a ring extending around the electric drive system 105A, 105B, for example, a ring extending around the motor 105A of the electric drive system 105A, 105B. An example of the latter is shown in FIG. Figure 2 is shown in .

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the link member 110 is pivotally mounted between the first and second coupling portions 112 , 114 . In this manner, a force applied by a user to move the actuator 108 causes pivotal movement of the link member 110 .

[0067] The cam assembly 116 couples the ejector 106 and the linkage member 110 to each other at the second coupling portion 114. The cam assembly 116 is configured to convert the pivotal movement of the linkage member 110 caused by a user movement, such as pushing the actuator 108, into a linear movement of the ejector 106, which causes at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B to be released from the tool coupling 102.

[0068] The pivotally mounted linkage member 110 may act like a lever to transmit user movement of the actuator 108 to the ejector 106 via the cam assembly 116. The cam assembly 116 also facilitates ejection of the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B by providing flexibility in the direction and / or extent of movement of the actuator 108, which causes the ejector 106 to cause the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B to be released from the tool coupler 102.

[0069] exist Figure 2 This flexibility is demonstrated in that the actuator 108 in the depicted example need not be aligned with the tool coupler 102, in other words, it need not be aligned with the ejection axis along which the at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B is released from the tool coupler 102.

[0070] In some embodiments, the linkage member 110 and the cam assembly 116 are configured so that the linear movement of the ejector 106 has a longer stroke than the movement of the actuator 108, which causes the pivotal movement of the linkage member 110. In other words, a relatively small stroke of the actuator 108 results in a larger movement of the ejector 106 to facilitate the release of the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B. Therefore, the linkage member 110 and the cam assembly 116 can assist the user in more easily achieving the ejection of the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B via the movement of the actuator 108.

[0071] Alternatively or additionally, the linkage member 110 and cam assembly 116 may be configured such that the actuator 108 is moved by a user-applied force in the same direction as the resultant linear motion of the ejector 106, which causes the at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B to be released from the tool coupler 102. The user-applied force in the same direction as the linear motion of the ejector 106 may assist the user in more intuitively achieving the ejection, which causes the release of the food processing tools 104A, 104B.

[0072] In such as Figure 1 and Figure 3In some embodiments shown in , the actuator 108 includes a button portion 108A accessible to a user and a rod portion 108B extending from the button portion 108A to the first coupling portion 112 of the linkage member 110 .

[0073] For example, a user may push the button portion 108A with a finger or thumb while applying force to cause the ejector 106 to cause the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B to be released from the tool coupler 102 .

[0074] The link member 110 may be pivotally mounted in any suitable manner. Figure 2 In some embodiments shown in , the link member 110 includes a pair of lever pins 117, each of which can be located in a lever mounting recess defined within a main housing 119 of the handheld kitchen appliance to enable the link member 110 to pivot when the user moves the actuator 108.

[0075] In such an embodiment, the linkage member 110 may be pivotably mounted at a fixed position in the handheld kitchen appliance 100. Thus, the only permitted movement of the linkage member 110 is the pivoting caused by movement of the actuator 108.

[0076] It is noteworthy that alternative methods of pivotally mounting the link member 110 are contemplated, for example, the link member 110 may be pivotally mounted at a fixed position in the handheld kitchen appliance 100, such as by a pair of mounting grooves defined in the link member 110, and a lever pin protruding from the interior of the main housing 119 may be located in the mounting groove defined by the link member.

[0077] In at least some embodiments, the handheld kitchen appliance 100 includes a handle 118 for allowing a user to hold the handheld kitchen appliance 100 .

[0078] In such embodiments, regardless of how the linkage member 110 is pivotally mounted, the handle 118 may extend from the main housing 119 .

[0079] In some embodiments, the main housing 119 houses the tool coupler 102, the ejector 106, and at least a portion of the electric drive system 105A, 105B, such as the motor 105A and / or the gearbox assembly 105B.

[0080] In some embodiments, the main housing 119 may house the motor 105A.

[0081] The placement of the motor 105A in the main housing 119 rather than in the handle 118 means that the rotation axis of the motor 105A is aligned or parallel to the ejection axis. Although this poses challenges to the ergonomic placement of the actuator 108, this can be addressed by the flexibility provided by the linkage member 110-cam assembly 116 arrangement described above.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first coupling portion 112 is disposed at or near the handle 118, and correspondingly, the second coupling portion 114 is disposed away from the handle 118. Figure 2 An example of this is shown in . This may enable the actuator 108 to be arranged at or near the handle 118, thereby making the food processing tool(s)-eject functionality of the handheld kitchen device 100 more ergonomic.

[0083] In such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments shown in , the actuator 108 is positioned so that a user can move the actuator 108 with the same hand that grasps the handle 118 .

[0084] In such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments shown in the figure, the handheld kitchen appliance 100 includes an outer surface 120 facing a user, the outer surface 120 facing away from at least one engaged food processing tool 104A, 104B, wherein at least a portion of the actuator 108, such as the button portion 108A, is arranged at the user-facing surface 120 or protrudes from the user-facing surface 120 and is pushable toward at least another engaged food processing tool 104A, 104B by a force applied by a user.

[0085] This arrangement of the actuator 108 at or protruding from the user-facing surface 120 can facilitate ejection of the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B, while also helping to avoid accidental ejection, for example when the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B are rotated by the electric drive system 105A, 105B.

[0086] In such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments shown in , the user-facing surface 120 is a surface of the main housing 119. In such embodiments, preferably, a portion of the actuator 108, such as the button portion 108A, is located on the user-facing surface 120 in an area adjacent to or protruding from the handle 118 extending from the main housing 119.

[0087] This may help the user to move the actuator 108 with the same hand that is holding the handle 118 , such as with the thumb of the hand that is holding the handle 118 .

[0088] Alternatively, the user-facing surface 120 may be a surface of the handle 118 .

[0089] In some embodiments, and Figure 3 and Figure 4 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the cam assembly 116 includes a cam gear 122 for engaging the second coupling portion 114 .

[0090] To this end, the second coupling portion 114 may include a set of teeth arranged to mesh with a corresponding set of teeth provided on the cam gear 122 .

[0091] In some embodiments, the cam gear 122 is rotatably mounted at a fixed position in the handheld kitchen appliance 100 to define a first rotation axis A1 and is rotatably coupled to the ejector 106 to define a second rotation axis A2 extending parallel to the first rotation axis A1.

[0092] The cam gear 122 may be rotatably mounted at a fixed position in the handheld kitchen appliance 100 in any suitable manner. Figure 2 and 3 In some embodiments shown in , the cam gear 122 is rotatably mounted via a gear pin 123 that is located in a gear pin mounting recess 124 defined within the main housing 119 of the handheld kitchen appliance.

[0093] Figure 3 The operation of the exemplary ejection mechanism is illustrated by arrows 125, 126, 127, 128 and 129 in FIG. When the user pushes 125 the actuator 108, for example the button portion 108A of the actuator 108, the linkage member 110 pivots 126 via the lever pin 117, causing the second coupling portion 114 to move rearwardly 127. The cam gear 122 rotates 128 about the gear pin 123 and changes the direction of the force to push 129 the ejector 106 forward. The latter causes the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B to be released from the tool coupling 102.

[0094] More generally, preferably, the direction 129 of linear movement of the ejector 106 to cause the at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B to be released from the tool coupler 102 is parallel to the axis of rotation of the at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B when driven by the electric drive system 105A, 105B.

[0095] from Figure 3As can be clearly seen in the figure, the configuration of the linkage member 110 and the cam assembly 116 in this example enables the actuator 108 to be moved in a direction 125 by a force applied by a user, and the direction 125 is the same as the direction 129 of the resultant linear motion of the ejector 106 that causes at least one food processing tool 104A, 104B to be released from the tool connector 102.

[0096] In some embodiments and see Figure 4 , a first distance L3 between the first rotation axis A1 and the interface between the second coupling portion 114 and the cam gear 122 is shorter than a second distance L4 between the first rotation axis A1 and the second rotation axis A2. Making the first distance L3 shorter than the second distance L4 in this way can facilitate a stroke length of linear motion greater than the movement of the actuator 108, which causes the pivotal movement of the link member 110, in other words, a relatively small stroke of the actuator 108 results in a larger movement of the ejector 106 to facilitate the release of the (multiple) food processing tools 104A, 104B.

[0097] See also Figure 4 , the following equation can be obtained to describe the linear motion of the ejector 106:

[0098] S1 / S2=L1 / L2

[0099] θ=S2 / L3

[0100] S3=L4*Tan(θ), where

[0101] S1 is the forward displacement of the first coupling portion 112 of the link member 110 caused by the movement of the actuator 108;

[0102] S2 is the rearward displacement of the second coupling portion 114 of the link member 110 caused by the same movement of the actuator 108;

[0103] S3 is the resulting forward displacement of the coupling point where the cam gear 122 is rotatably coupled to the ejector 106;

[0104] L1 is the distance from the first coupling portion 112 to the pivot point at which the link member 110 is pivotably mounted;

[0105] L2 is the distance from the pivot point at which the link member 110 is pivotably mounted to the interface between the second coupling portion 114 and the cam gear 122;

[0106] L3 is a first distance between the first axis of rotation A1 (defined by the rotatable mounting of the cam gear 122 ) and an interface between the second coupling portion 114 and the cam gear 122 ; and

[0107] L4 is a second distance between the first rotation axis A1 and the second rotation axis A2 (defined by the rotatable coupling of the cam gear 122 and the ejector 106 ).

[0108] In some embodiments, the following equations define the configuration of the linkage member 110 and the cam assembly 116:

[0109] S1 / S2=L1 / L2

[0110] S2 / L3=S3 / L4

[0111] S3 / S1=(L2*L4) / (L1*L3)

[0112] The pivot point of the link member 110 is disposed in the middle of the first and second coupling portions 112 , 114 , and due to the use of the cam gear 122 , where L2 * L4 is greater than L1 * L3 , S3 is significantly greater than S1 .

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, the pivot point of the link member 110 is disposed in the middle of the first and second coupling portions 112, 114, and the link member 110 is supported in the middle of the link member 110, so L1 = L2 and S1 = S2. Then:

[0114] S3=L4*Tan(S1 / L3)

[0115] In this preferred embodiment, since the cam gear 122 is used and L4 is greater than L3, S3 is significantly greater than S1. Therefore, a relatively small actuator stroke results in a large movement of the ejector 106 to cause the release of the food processing tool(s) 104A, 104B.

[0116] Those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations to the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed invention by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0117] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0118] If the term "suitable for" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "suitable for" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to".

[0119] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A handheld kitchen appliance (100), comprising: a tool coupler (102) configured to releasably engage at least one food processing tool (104A, 104B); an electric drive system (105A, 105B) for driving rotation of the at least one food processing tool engaged; an ejector (106) for causing the at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool coupler; an actuator (108) movable by force applied by a user; a link member (110) having a first coupling portion (112) for coupling to the actuator and a second coupling portion (114) spaced apart from the first coupling portion, the link member being pivotally mounted between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion such that a force applied by the user causes pivotal movement of the link member; as well as A cam assembly (116) is used to connect the ejector and the link member to each other at the second connecting portion, and the cam assembly is configured to convert the pivotal movement of the link member into linear movement of the ejector, thereby causing the at least one food processing tool to be released from the tool connector.

2. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to claim 1, wherein the link member (110) and the cam assembly (116) are configured so that the linear movement of the ejector (106) has a longer stroke than the movement of the actuator (108), and the linear movement causes the pivotal movement of the link member.

3. A handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the link member (110) and the cam assembly (116) are configured so that the actuator (108) can be moved in the same direction as the resultant linear motion of the ejector (106) by the force applied by the user, and the resultant linear motion causes the at least one food processing tool (104A, 104B) to be released from the tool connector (102).

4. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a handle (118) for allowing a user to hold the handheld kitchen appliance, wherein the first coupling portion (112) is arranged at or near the handle.

5. The handheld kitchen utensil (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprises an outer surface (120) facing a user, the outer surface being opposite to the at least one food processing tool (104A, 104B) engaged, at least a portion of the actuator (108) being arranged at or protruding from the user-facing surface (120) and being pushable toward the at least one food processing tool engaged by a force applied by the user.

6. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the link member (110) is pivotably mounted in the middle between the first coupling portion (112) and the second coupling portion (114).

7. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the link member (110) is pivotably mounted at a fixed position in the handheld kitchen appliance.

8. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cam assembly (116) includes a cam gear (122) for engaging the second coupling portion (114), the cam gear being rotatably mounted at a fixed position in the handheld kitchen appliance to define a first rotation axis (A1), and being rotatably coupled to the ejector (106) to define a second rotation axis (A2) extending parallel to the first rotation axis.

9. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to claim 8, wherein a first distance (L3) between the first rotation axis (A1) and an interface between the second coupling portion (114) and the cam gear (122) is shorter than a second distance (L4) between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis (A2).

10. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the linkage member (110) extends at least partially around the electric drive system (105A, 105B).

11. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the linkage member (110) comprises a ring extending around the electric drive system (105A, 105B).

12. A handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the direction of the linear movement of the ejector (106) that causes the at least one food processing tool (104A, 104B) to be released from the tool connector is parallel to the rotation axis of the at least one food processing tool when driven by the electric drive system (105A, 105B).

13. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the actuator (108) includes a button portion (108A) accessible to a user and a rod portion (108B) extending from the button portion to the first connecting portion (112) of the link member (110).

14. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the at least one food processing tool (104A, 104B).

15. The handheld kitchen appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the handheld kitchen appliance is a food blender.

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