Food preparation appliance and food preparation assembly comprising the same

Abstract

A detachable food preparation appliance (100) is provided for detachable connection to a kitchen appliance (102). The detachable food preparation appliance includes an actuation assembly (106, 108) actuable by an actuator (110, 112) of the kitchen appliance to enable the detachable food preparation appliance to perform mechanical operations when connected to the kitchen appliance. The detachable food preparation appliance also includes an appliance cooling fan (120) configured to generate an airflow to cool at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance, at least when the detachable food preparation appliance is connected to the kitchen appliance. A food preparation assembly (132) is also provided, including the detachable food preparation appliance and the kitchen appliance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a food preparation appliance for detachable connection to a kitchen appliance. The invention also relates to a food preparation assembly comprising the food preparation appliance and the kitchen appliance. Background Technology

[0002] Various food preparation components are known, including kitchen appliances (e.g., base station / base portion) and food preparation utensils (e.g., accessories) for detachable attachment to the kitchen appliance. For example, the food preparation utensils can be detachably mounted on top of the kitchen appliance.

[0003] Kitchen appliances typically include a motor, electrical connection components, and / or heating elements (such as resistance heating elements or induction heating elements) for transferring or generating heat to heat or cook food ingredients in / on food preparation appliances.

[0004] Airflow is commonly used to cool motors and / or electronic devices in kitchen appliances that contain motors.

[0005] CN107294275A discloses a food processor, including a cup assembly with a stirring component, a cup holder assembly with a motor, a transmission component for connection to the stirring component, and a heat dissipation component. Cooling fan blades are rotatably driven by the transmission component.

[0006] CN107518782A discloses a food processor with a semiconductor chip for cooling.

[0007] CN110037532A discloses a heating assembly for kitchen appliances (such as blenders). This heating assembly is used for passively heating food and includes a heating element that generates heat through relative motion. Summary of the Invention

[0008] For food preparation assemblies with removable food preparation utensils (e.g., removable food containers), especially those in which the removable food preparation utensils can be heated, the high temperatures within the removable food preparation utensils pose significant technical challenges. This is because the lifespan of certain components of the removable food preparation utensils (e.g., seals and / or bearings supporting rotating parts) may be damaged by such high temperatures.

[0009] For example, heat generated by resistance heating elements, or heat induced in the heatable portion of a detachable food preparation appliance by operating induction heating elements included in kitchen appliances, can be transferred to food ingredients supported by the detachable food preparation appliance. However, over time, some or all parts of the detachable food preparation appliance may also be affected by this heat.

[0010] In the case of the bearings described above, the materials of the bearing rolling components (e.g., the grease that lubricates the bearing) may be heated during the use of the food preparation equipment. For temperatures up to 70°C, the bearing / grease may have an acceptable service life. However, at temperatures exceeding 70°C, the bearing's service life is halved for every 15°C increase.

[0011] For detachable food preparation appliances with magnetic couplings, the permanent magnets (such as neodymium magnets) that may be included in the magnetic couplings typically exhibit normal / specified magnetic strength at temperatures below 80°C. However, at temperatures above 80°C, the magnetic strength of such permanent magnets may decrease, and they may be destroyed at a certain temperature; in other words, they may suffer irreversible magnetic loss.

[0012] These issues may lead to alternative solutions for actuating / moving actuating components (e.g., rotating elements) included in food preparation appliances, such as by arranging the actuating components at the end of the food preparation appliance opposite to the end providing heating (e.g., the bottom end) (e.g., the top end). Alternatively or additionally, there may be trade-offs regarding heating / temperature ranges.

[0013] However, these alternative solutions may have their own drawbacks. For example, limiting the heating / temperature range may impose undesirable limitations on the heating of food ingredients or the speed / efficiency of cooking.

[0014] This disclosure provides a solution for cooling components (e.g., vulnerable / temperature-sensitive components) of a detachable food preparation appliance. The proposed solution may, for example, mean that little or no compromise is needed in terms of heating / temperature range.

[0015] This invention is defined by the claims.

[0016] According to an example of one aspect of the invention, a detachable food preparation appliance is provided for detachable attachment to a kitchen appliance, the detachable food preparation appliance including an actuation component actuated by an actuator of the kitchen appliance to enable the detachable food preparation appliance to perform mechanical operations when attached to the kitchen appliance, wherein the detachable food preparation appliance further includes an appliance cooling fan configured to generate an airflow to cool at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance when at least the detachable food preparation appliance is attached to the kitchen appliance.

[0017] Dedicated air cooling for detachable food preparation appliances, provided by appliance cooling fans, helps reduce the risk of temperature-sensitive components in these appliances failing due to exposure to high temperatures during use. This extends the lifespan of the detachable food preparation appliances.

[0018] The appliance cooling fan can be arranged to draw air (e.g., ambient air from outside the food preparation appliance) toward at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance and force the air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance to leave from at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance, for example, to the outside of the removable food preparation appliance.

[0019] In some embodiments, when a detachable food preparation appliance is attached to a kitchen appliance, the appliance cooling fan may be actuated by an actuator of the kitchen appliance to provide airflow.

[0020] Therefore, when the actuating component is actuated by the actuator of the kitchen appliance, the appliance cooling fan can be actuated, for example, to rotate.

[0021] This could help ensure that air cooling is provided when needed, in other words, air cooling is provided during the use of detachable food preparation equipment.

[0022] In some cases, the speed at which the actuation components enable the detachable food preparation appliance to perform mechanical operations is unsuitable for the movement of the appliance cooling fan, for example, too high or too low. Therefore, the detachable food preparation appliance may include a gear assembly configured to enable at least a portion of the appliance cooling fan and the actuation components to be driven by the actuator at speeds different from each other.

[0023] In some embodiments, the gear assembly (e.g., gearbox) is arranged to drive the appliance cooling fan at a higher speed than the speed at which the actuator drives the food utensil to perform mechanical operation.

[0024] This can help ensure that sufficient cooling is provided, even though the movement of food utensils (such as those used to stir or knead food ingredients) is relatively slow.

[0025] In some embodiments, at least a portion of a removable food preparation appliance cooled by an airflow provided by an appliance cooling fan includes at least one bearing, at least one seal, and / or at least one magnet (e.g., at least one permanent magnet) for supporting a rotating component of an actuation assembly. These components may be particularly prone to failure when exposed to high temperatures during use of the food preparation appliance.

[0026] Mechanical operations can be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, mechanical operations include mechanical food processing operations, such as one or more of beating, stirring, cutting, kneading, and mixing.

[0027] Therefore, food utensils with detachable food preparation equipment can be moved by actuators to allow food ingredients to be mechanically processed.

[0028] Food utensils may include, for example, food processing tools, mixers, blenders, cutters, dough kneaders, or blenders.

[0029] In some embodiments, the actuation component includes (e.g., in addition to food utensils) mechanical and / or magnetic coupling components for mechanical and / or magnetic coupling to electrical coupling components included in a kitchen appliance; in other words, electrical-mechanical coupling components or electrical-magnetic coupling components.

[0030] In at least some embodiments, the detachable food preparation appliance includes a container in which food ingredients can be received for processing by mechanical operations performed by the detachable food preparation appliance.

[0031] In such embodiments, the food utensils can be moved (e.g., rotated) within the container to enable mechanical processing of the food ingredients received in the container.

[0032] In some embodiments, a detachable food preparation appliance may include a heatable portion that can be heated by operation of a heating element (e.g., a resistance heating element or an induction heating element) included in a kitchen appliance. Therefore, the detachable food preparation appliance can be used to heat or cook food ingredients, and may also mechanically process food ingredients.

[0033] In such embodiments, appliance cooling fans can help protect temperature-sensitive components in removable food preparation appliances from malfunctions caused by heating of the heatable parts.

[0034] In embodiments where the heating element includes an induction heating element, the heatable portion may include a conductive material, such as a conductive and ferromagnetic material, in which heat can be induced to be generated by the operation of the induction heating element.

[0035] Because of the induction heating element, the heat generated in the induced portion of the removable food preparation appliance can be transferred to the food ingredients, such as those received in the container, through heat conduction.

[0036] In embodiments where the heating element includes a resistance heating element, the heatable portion may include a thermally conductive material arranged to conduct heat generated by the heating element to food ingredients, such as food ingredients received in a container.

[0037] In some embodiments, the removable food preparation appliance includes an appliance housing. For example, the appliance housing may house at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance cooled by an appliance cooling fan.

[0038] In some embodiments, at least one gap is provided in the appliance housing to allow, at least when the removable food preparation appliance is attached to a kitchen appliance: (i) supplying air from outside the appliance housing to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance; and / or (ii) releasing air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance to the outside of the appliance housing.

[0039] In some embodiments, at least one gap includes at least one outlet gap for releasing air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance to the outside of the appliance housing. In such embodiments, an appliance cooling fan may be arranged to force the air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance through the outlet gap.

[0040] In some embodiments, one or more of at least one outlet gap are arranged to release air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance into the surrounding environment and / or into the air cooling channel of the kitchen appliance when the removable food preparation appliance is connected to the kitchen appliance.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, at least one gap may include at least one inlet gap for receiving air from outside the appliance housing to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance. In such embodiments, an appliance cooling fan may be arranged to draw air from outside the appliance housing through the inlet gap and into at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance.

[0042] In some embodiments, when a detachable food preparation appliance is attached to a kitchen appliance, one or more of at least one inlet gap are arranged to receive air from the surrounding environment and / or from the air cooling passage of the kitchen appliance.

[0043] Detachable food preparation appliances may include air passage assemblies, such as those at least partially defined within the appliance housing. In these air passage assemblies, airflow is directed to at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance and then directed to exit from that portion.

[0044] The flow guidance provided by the flow channel assembly can help direct airflow around temperature-sensitive / vulnerable components (such as bearings, seals, and / or magnets) included in a removable food preparation appliance, thereby providing cooling for them.

[0045] According to another aspect, a food preparation assembly is provided, comprising: a detachable food preparation appliance according to any embodiment described herein; and a kitchen appliance to which the detachable food preparation appliance is detachably coupled, the kitchen appliance including an actuator for actuating an actuation component to perform mechanical operation when the detachable food preparation appliance is coupled to the kitchen appliance.

[0046] In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance includes a heating element, such as a resistance heating element or an induction heating element, which is operable to heat a heatable portion of a food preparation appliance.

[0047] It needs to be reiterated that appliance cooling fans can help protect temperature-sensitive components in detachable food preparation appliances from malfunctions caused by heating of the heatable parts.

[0048] The actuator can have any suitable design, as long as it is capable of actuating the actuation components. In at least some embodiments, the actuator includes a motor.

[0049] In some embodiments, in addition to providing an appliance cooling fan, the kitchen appliance includes an appliance cooling fan. The appliance cooling fan may be configured to generate an additional airflow to cool at least a portion of the food preparation components, such as at least a portion of the kitchen appliance and / or food preparation appliance.

[0050] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the food preparation assembly cooled by the electric cooling fan includes an actuator, such as a motor and / or electrical connector included in the actuator. Electronic devices in kitchen appliances may alternatively or additionally be cooled by the electric cooling fan.

[0051] An electrical cooling fan can be arranged to draw air (e.g., ambient air from outside the food preparation assembly) toward at least a portion of the food preparation assembly and force the air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation assembly to leave that portion, for example, to the outside of the food preparation assembly.

[0052] In some embodiments, the kitchen appliance includes an appliance housing. For example, the appliance housing may house at least a portion (e.g., an actuator) of a food preparation component cooled by an appliance cooling fan.

[0053] In some embodiments, at least one opening is provided in the appliance housing to allow: (i) air to be supplied from outside the appliance housing to cool at least a portion of the food preparation components; and / or (ii) air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation components to be released to the outside of the appliance housing.

[0054] At least one opening may include at least one outlet opening for releasing air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation assembly to the outside of the appliance housing. In such embodiments, appliance cooling fans and / or appliance cooling fans may be arranged to force air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation assembly through the outlet opening.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, at least one opening may include at least one inlet opening for receiving air from outside the appliance housing to cool at least a portion of the food preparation assembly. In such embodiments, appliance cooling fans and / or appliance cooling fans may be arranged to draw air from outside the appliance housing through the inlet opening and into at least a portion of the food preparation assembly.

[0056] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0057] To better understand the invention and to more clearly show how it is practiced, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein:

[0058] Figure 1 The food preparation components according to the example are schematically depicted;

[0059] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A view of the food preparation components based on another example is provided; and

[0060] Figure 3 A detachable food preparation appliance is shown according to an example. Detailed Implementation

[0061] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] It should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate exemplary embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods, 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 devices, systems, and methods 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 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.

[0063] A detachable food preparation appliance is provided for detachable connection to a kitchen appliance. The detachable food preparation appliance includes an actuation component actuated by an actuator of the kitchen appliance to enable the detachable food preparation appliance to perform mechanical operations when connected to the kitchen appliance. The detachable food preparation appliance also includes an appliance cooling fan configured to generate an airflow at least when the detachable food preparation appliance is connected to the kitchen appliance to cool at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance. A further food preparation assembly is provided, comprising the detachable food preparation appliance and the kitchen appliance.

[0064] Figure 1A detachable food preparation appliance 100 is schematically depicted according to an example. The detachable food preparation appliance 100 is detachably connected to a kitchen appliance 102.

[0065] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the kitchen appliance 102 includes, for example, the form of a base station, and the detachable food preparation appliance 100 is detachably connected to the kitchen appliance 102 by being detachably mounted on the base station.

[0066] The ability to detach the detachable food preparation appliance 100 from the kitchen appliance 102 (e.g., from the base station) facilitates the cleaning of the detachable food preparation appliance 100 and / or enables different food preparation appliances with different functions to be connected to the kitchen appliance 102.

[0067] The detachable food preparation appliance 100 includes actuation components 106 and 108, which can be actuated by actuators 110 and 112 included in the kitchen appliance 102 to enable the detachable food preparation appliance 100 to perform mechanical operations when the kitchen appliance 102 and the detachable food preparation appliance 100 are connected to each other.

[0068] Mechanical operations can be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, mechanical operations include mechanical food processing operations, such as one or more of beating, stirring, cutting, kneading, and mixing.

[0069] Therefore, the detachable food preparation apparatus 100 may include a food utensil 108 that can be moved by actuators 110, 112 to enable the food ingredients to be mechanically processed.

[0070] Food utensils 108 may include, for example, food processing tools, mixers, blenders, cutters, dough kneaders, or blenders.

[0071] Actuators 110 and 112 can have any suitable design, as long as they are capable of actuating actuators 106 and 108. In at least some embodiments, actuators 110 and 112 include motor 110.

[0072] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the actuation components 106 and 108 also include (e.g., in addition to the food utensil 108) mechanical and / or magnetic coupling components 106 for mechanical and / or magnetic coupling to the electrical coupling component 112 included in the kitchen appliance 102.

[0073] Electrical connection component 112 may include, for example, an electromechanical connection component and / or an electrical magnetic connection component 112.

[0074] In such embodiments, the electrical connection component 112 can be regarded as a drive connection component, such as a drive connection component driven by the motor 110, while the mechanical connection component and / or magnetic connection component 106 included in the actuation components 106, 108 are respectively regarded as driven connection components.

[0075] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the food utensil 108 is connected or may be connected to a mechanical connection member and / or a magnetic connection member 106, such that the mechanical connection member or the magnetic connection member 106 causes the food utensil 108 to move, for example, rotate, through the movement of the electrical connection member 112.

[0076] For this purpose, the food utensil 108 can be connected, for example, via shaft 113 to a mechanical connection member and / or a magnetic connection member 106.

[0077] In at least some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the detachable food preparation appliance 100 includes a container 114 in which food ingredients can be received for processing by mechanical operations performed by the detachable food preparation appliance 100.

[0078] In such embodiments, the food utensil 108 may be movable (e.g., rotated) within the container 114 to enable mechanical processing of the food ingredients received in the container 114.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, the detachable food preparation appliance 100 may include a heatable portion 116 that can be heated by operating a heating element 118 (e.g., a resistance heating element or an induction heating element) included in the kitchen appliance 102.

[0080] In embodiments where the heating element 118 includes an induction heating element, the heatable portion 116 may include a conductive material, such as a conductive and ferromagnetic material, in which heat can be induced to be generated by the operation of the induction heating element.

[0081] Due to the operation of the induction heating element 118, the heat generated in the induced portion 116 of the detachable food preparation appliance 100 can be transferred to the food ingredients, such as the food ingredients received in the container 114, through thermal conduction.

[0082] In embodiments where the heating element 118 includes a resistance heating element, the heatable portion 116 may include a thermally conductive material arranged to conduct heat generated by the heating element 118 to food ingredients, such as food ingredients received in the container 114.

[0083] More generally, the detachable food preparation appliance 100 (e.g., its actuation components 106, 108) may include various temperature-sensitive components 119, such as bearings, seals, and / or magnets (e.g., permanent magnets included in the magnetic coupling component 106). Such temperature-sensitive components 119 may be at risk of failure due to exposure to high temperatures during use of the detachable food preparation appliance 100, especially when the detachable food preparation appliance 100 is connected to the kitchen appliance 102.

[0084] For example, heating the heatable portion 116 by operating the heating element 118 may produce a higher temperature.

[0085] Therefore, continue to refer to Figure 1 The removable food preparation appliance 100 includes an appliance cooling fan 120, which is configured to generate an airflow at least when the removable food preparation appliance 100 is connected to a kitchen appliance 102 to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100, such as bearings, seals and / or magnets.

[0086] Dedicated air cooling of the removable food preparation appliance 100, provided by the appliance cooling fan 120, can help reduce the risk of malfunction of the temperature-sensitive components 119 included in the removable food preparation appliance 100 due to exposure to high temperatures during use. In this way, the service life of the removable food preparation appliance 100 can be extended.

[0087] Appliance cooling fan 120 can be arranged to draw air (e.g., ambient air from outside the detachable food preparation appliance 100) toward at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance 100 (e.g. Figure 1 (Indicated schematically by the middle arrow 122), and forces the air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100 to leave that portion, for example, to the outside of the removable food preparation appliance 100 (e.g., Figure 1 (The middle arrow 124 is used to represent this schematically).

[0088] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the appliance cooling fan 120 can be actuated by actuators 110, 112 of the kitchen appliance 102 to provide airflow. Therefore, when the actuating components 106, 108 are actuated by actuators 110, 112 of the kitchen appliance 102, the appliance cooling fan 120 can be actuated, for example, driven to rotate. This can help ensure that air cooling is provided when needed, in other words, air cooling is provided during use of the detachable food preparation appliance 100.

[0089] The appliance cooling fan 120 is arranged such that actuation, which can be performed by the actuators 110, 112 of the kitchen appliance 102, can be achieved in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, appliance cooling fan 120 is connected to mechanical and / or magnetic coupling member 106 such that when mechanical and / or magnetic coupling member 106 is driven by electrical coupling member 112, appliance cooling fan 120 is also moved to provide airflow.

[0090] For example, the fan blades of appliance cooling fan 120 may be positioned on mechanical and / or magnetic coupling parts 106.

[0091] In some cases, the movement speed of the actuation components 106, 108 that enables the detachable food preparation appliance 100 to perform mechanical operations is unsuitable for the movement of the appliance cooling fan 120, for example, too high or too low. Therefore, the detachable food preparation appliance 100 may include a gear assembly configured to enable at least a portion of the appliance cooling fan 120 and the actuation components 106, 108 (e.g., the food utensil 108) to be driven at speeds different from each other.

[0092] In some embodiments, the gear assembly (e.g., a gearbox) is arranged to drive the appliance cooling fan 120 at a higher speed than the rotational speed at which the food appliance 108, driven by actuators 108, 112, performs mechanical operation of the actuator 106, 108. This can help ensure adequate cooling is provided, even though the movement of the food appliance 108 (e.g., for stirring or kneading food ingredients) is relatively slow.

[0093] The gears of the gear assembly can, for example, connect the fan blades of the cooling fan 120 to a mechanical connection component and / or a magnetic connection component 106.

[0094] In some embodiments, and again refer to Figure 1 The removable food preparation appliance 100 includes an appliance housing 126. For example, the appliance housing 126 may accommodate at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100 that is cooled by the appliance cooling fan 120.

[0095] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, at least one gap 128, 130 is provided in the appliance housing 126 to allow, at least when the removable food preparation appliance 100 is connected to the kitchen appliance 102: (i) supplying air 122 from outside the appliance housing 126 to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100; and / or (ii) releasing air 124 heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100 to outside the appliance housing 126.

[0096] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 As shown, at least one gap 128, 130 includes at least one outlet gap 128 for releasing air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100 to the outside of the appliance housing 126. In such embodiments, the appliance cooling fan 120 may be arranged to force air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100 through the outlet gap 128.

[0097] Alternatively or additionally, at least one gap 128, 130 may include at least one inlet gap 130 for receiving air from outside the appliance housing 126 to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100. In such embodiments, an appliance cooling fan 120 may be arranged to draw air from outside the appliance housing 126 through the inlet gap 130 and into at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100.

[0098] In some embodiments (not shown), when the detachable food preparation appliance 100 is attached to the kitchen appliance 102, one or more of at least one inlet gap 130 are arranged to receive air from the air cooling passage of the kitchen appliance 102.

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, one or more of at least one outlet gap 128 are arranged such that, when the removable food preparation appliance 100 is connected to the kitchen appliance 102, air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100 is released into the air cooling passage of the kitchen appliance 102.

[0100] The removable food preparation appliance 100 may include an air channel assembly 131, such as an air channel assembly 31 at least partially defined within the appliance housing 126, in which airflow is directed to at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance 100 and then directed to exit from that portion. The flow guidance provided by the flow channel assembly 131 can help direct airflow around temperature-sensitive / vulnerable components 119 (e.g., bearings, seals, and / or magnets) included in the removable food preparation appliance 100, thereby providing cooling for them.

[0101] The air passage assembly 131 may include an air passage that extends between at least one inlet gap 130 and at least one outlet gap 128 via a component of a removable food preparation appliance 100 cooled by an airflow.

[0102] In this respect, it is worth noting that this disclosure relates in part to the detachable food preparation appliance 100 itself, since the detachable food preparation appliance 100 can, in principle, be supplied to the user separately from the kitchen appliance 102 to which the detachable food preparation appliance 100 is detachably connected. In this case, the kitchen appliance 102 may already be owned by the user, or it may be purchased separately by the user from the detachable food preparation appliance 100.

[0103] Nevertheless, the present invention also provides a food preparation assembly 132, which includes a detachable food preparation utensil 100 and a kitchen appliance 102. Therefore, users can easily obtain the kitchen appliance 102 and the detachable food preparation utensil 100.

[0104] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, kitchen appliance 102 includes an electrical cooling fan 134, which is provided in addition to the appliance cooling fan 120 included in the removable food preparation appliance 100. The electrical cooling fan 134 may be configured to generate an additional airflow to cool at least a portion of the food preparation components 132, such as kitchen appliance 102 and / or at least a portion of food preparation appliance 100.

[0105] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132 cooled by the electric cooling fan 134 includes actuators 110, 112, such as motor 110 and / or electrical connector 112. Electronic devices in the kitchen appliance 102 may alternatively or additionally be cooled by the electric cooling fan 134.

[0106] In some embodiments, the electrical cooling fan 134 is driven by the motor 110, for example, the same motor 110 cooled by the operation of the electrical cooling fan 132.

[0107] The electric cooling fan 134 can be arranged to draw air (e.g., ambient air from outside the food preparation assembly 132) toward at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132 (e.g., Figure 1 (Indicated schematically by arrow 136), and forces the air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132 to leave from that portion, for example, to the outside of the food preparation assembly 132 (indicated schematically by arrow 138 in the figure).

[0108] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, kitchen appliance 102 includes an appliance housing 140. For example, appliance housing 140 may house at least a portion (e.g., actuators 110, 112) of food preparation components 132 cooled by appliance cooling fan 134.

[0109] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, at least one opening 142, 144 is provided in the electrical housing 140 to allow: (i) air 136 to be supplied from outside the electrical housing 140 to cool at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132; and / or (ii) air 138 heated by at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132 to be released to the outside of the electrical housing 140.

[0110] At least one opening 142, 144 may include at least one outlet opening 142 for releasing air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132 to the outside of the appliance housing 140. In such embodiments, the appliance cooling fan 120 and / or the appliance cooling fan 134 may be arranged to force air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132 through the outlet opening 142.

[0111] Alternatively or additionally, at least one opening 142, 144 may include at least one inlet opening 144 for receiving air from outside the appliance housing 140 to cool at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132. In such embodiments, the appliance cooling fan 120 and / or the appliance cooling fan 134 may be arranged to draw air from outside the appliance housing 140 through the inlet opening 144 and into at least a portion of the food preparation assembly 132.

[0112] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the kitchen appliance 102 includes a heating or heat transfer support base 146 for at least partially supporting the removable food preparation appliance 100 and enabling heating of food ingredients on and / or within the removable food preparation appliance 100.

[0113] In such embodiments, food ingredients can be heated via the heat-conducting wall 148 that at least partially defines the container 114.

[0114] The removable food preparation appliance 100 may include heat insulation material 150 for protecting components of the removable food preparation appliance 100, such as temperature-sensitive / vulnerable components 119 (such as bearings and / or seals), from heat used to heat or cook food ingredients.

[0115] In such embodiments, the insulation material 150 may, for example, be arranged at the bottom of the container 114.

[0116] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3 An example is shown where an appliance cooling fan 120 or at least its blades are attached to a mechanical and / or magnetic coupling component 106 of a detachable food preparation appliance 100.

[0117] Figure 3A view is provided when the detachable food preparation appliance 100 is removed from the kitchen appliance 102.

[0118] It should be noted that, although Figure 3 Cooling channels for supplying airflow are clearly shown, but gaps 128, 130 provided in the appliance housing 126 may be sufficient to supply / release air for cooling components of the removable food preparation appliance 100.

[0119] The following embodiments are also disclosed:

[0120] 1. A detachable food preparation appliance (100) for detachable connection to a kitchen appliance (102), the detachable food preparation appliance including an actuation assembly (106, 108) actuable by an actuator (110, 112) of the kitchen appliance to enable the detachable food preparation appliance to perform mechanical operations when connected to the kitchen appliance, wherein the detachable food preparation appliance further includes an appliance cooling fan (120) configured to generate an airflow at least when the detachable food preparation appliance is connected to the kitchen appliance to cool at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance.

[0121] 2. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to Embodiment 1, wherein the appliance cooling fan (120) can be actuated by the actuator (110, 112) of the kitchen appliance (102) to provide airflow.

[0122] 3. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 includes a gear assembly configured to enable at least a portion of the appliance cooling fan (120) and the actuation assembly (106, 108) to be driven by the actuator (110, 112) at different speeds relative to each other.

[0123] 4. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3 includes an air channel assembly (131) in which airflow is directed to at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance and then directed to exit from the at least a portion.

[0124] 5. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance includes at least one bearing, at least one seal and / or at least one magnet.

[0125] 6. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the actuation assembly (10, 6108) includes a mechanical connection component for mechanically connecting to an electrical connection component of the kitchen appliance (102).

[0126] 7. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the actuation assembly (106, 108) includes a magnetic connection component (108) for magnetically connecting to an electrical connection component (112) of the kitchen appliance (102).

[0127] 8. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 7 includes a food utensil (108) movable by the actuators (110, 112) to enable the mechanical processing of food ingredients.

[0128] 9. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to Example 8, wherein the food utensil (108) is in the form of a food processing tool, a mixer tool, a stirrer tool, a cutter, a dough kneader or a mixer.

[0129] 10. A detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, comprising a heatable portion (116) which can be heated by operating a heating element (118) of the kitchen appliance (102).

[0130] 11. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to Embodiment 10, wherein the heating element (118) is a resistance heating element or an induction heating element.

[0131] 12. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 11 includes a container (114) in which food ingredients can be received for processing by mechanical operations performed by the detachable food preparation apparatus.

[0132] 13. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12, comprising an appliance housing (126) having at least one gap (128, 130) provided in the appliance housing to allow, at least when the detachable food preparation appliance is coupled to the kitchen appliance:

[0133] Air is supplied from outside the appliance housing to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance; and / or

[0134] Air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance is released to the outside of the appliance housing.

[0135] 14. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to embodiment 13, wherein the at least one gap (128, 130) includes at least one outlet gap (128) for releasing air heated by at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance to the outside of the appliance housing (126).

[0136] 15. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to Embodiment 13 or Embodiment 14, wherein the at least one gap (128, 130) includes at least one inlet gap (130) for receiving air from outside the appliance housing (126) to cool at least a portion of the detachable food preparation appliance.

[0137] 16. A food preparation component (132), comprising:

[0138] The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to any one of Examples 1 to 15; and

[0139] A kitchen appliance (102), wherein the detachable food preparation utensil is detachably connected to the kitchen appliance, the kitchen appliance including actuators (110, 112) for actuating actuator components (106, 108) to perform mechanical operations when the detachable food preparation utensil is connected to the kitchen appliance.

[0140] 17. The food preparation assembly (132) according to Example 16, wherein the kitchen appliance includes a heating element (118) operable to heat the heatable portion (116) of the food preparation appliance (100).

[0141] 18. The food preparation assembly (132) according to Example 16 or Example 17, wherein the kitchen appliance (102) includes an electrical cooling fan (134) configured to generate an additional airflow to cool at least a portion of the food preparation assembly.

[0142] 19. The food preparation assembly (132) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 18, wherein the kitchen appliance (102) includes an appliance housing (140) having at least one opening (142, 144) provided therein to allow:

[0143] Air is supplied from outside the electrical housing to cool at least a portion of the food preparation assembly; and / or

[0144] Air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation component is released to the outside of the electrical housing.

[0145] Those skilled in the art, upon studying the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality.

[0146] The fact that certain measures are referenced only in mutually distinct dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously. If the term "suitable" is used in the claims or specification, it should be noted that the term "suitable" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured as".

[0147] Any reference marks in the claims should not be construed as limiting their scope.

Claims

1. A detachable food preparation appliance (100) for detachable connection to a kitchen appliance (102), the detachable food preparation appliance comprising: Actuation components (106, 108) that can be actuated by the actuator (110, 112) of the kitchen appliance to enable the detachable food preparation appliance to perform mechanical operations when it is attached to the kitchen appliance; Appliance cooling fan (120), the appliance cooling fan being configured to generate an airflow at least when the removable food preparation appliance is attached to the kitchen appliance, to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance; as well as A gear assembly configured to enable at least a portion of the appliance cooling fan and the actuation assembly to be driven by the actuator at different speeds relative to each other.

2. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The gear assembly is arranged such that the appliance cooling fan (120) can be driven at a speed higher than the speed at which at least a portion of the actuation assembly (106, 108) is driven by the actuator (110, 112) to perform mechanical operations.

3. The removable food preparation appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an air channel assembly (131) in which airflow is directed to at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance and then directed to exit from at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance.

4. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The at least part of the detachable food preparation apparatus includes at least one bearing, at least one seal, and / or at least one magnet.

5. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The actuation components (106, 108) include mechanical coupling parts for mechanically coupling to the electrical coupling parts of the kitchen appliance (102).

6. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The actuation assembly (106, 108) includes a magnetic coupling component (108) for magnetically coupling to an electrical coupling component (112) of the kitchen appliance (102).

7. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a food utensil (108) movable by the actuators (110, 112) to enable the mechanical processing of food ingredients.

8. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The food utensil (108) is in the form of a food processing tool, a mixer tool, a stirrer tool, a cutter, a dough kneader or a mixer.

9. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a heatable portion (116) capable of being heated by operating a heating element (118) of the kitchen appliance (102); optionally, wherein the heating element is a resistance heating element or an induction heating element.

10. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a container (114) in which food ingredients can be received for processing by the mechanical operations performed by the detachable food preparation apparatus.

11. The detachable food preparation appliance (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising an appliance housing (126) providing at least one gap (128, 130) in the appliance housing to allow, at least when the detachable food preparation appliance is coupled to the kitchen appliance: Air is supplied from outside the appliance housing to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance; and / or The air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance is released to the outside of the appliance housing.

12. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to claim 11, wherein, The at least one gap (128, 130) includes at least one outlet gap (128) for releasing air heated by at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance to the outside of the appliance housing (126).

13. The detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The at least one gap (128, 130) includes at least one inlet gap (130) for receiving air from outside the appliance housing (126) to cool at least a portion of the removable food preparation appliance.

14. A food preparation component (132), comprising: Detachable food preparation apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; and A kitchen appliance (102) wherein the detachable food preparation utensil is detachably connected to the kitchen appliance, the kitchen appliance including actuators (110, 112) for actuating the actuation components (106, 108) to perform mechanical operations when the detachable food preparation utensil is connected to the kitchen appliance.

15. The food preparation component (132) according to claim 14, wherein, The kitchen appliance includes a heating element (118) operable to heat the heatable portion (116) of the food preparation appliance (100).

16. The food preparation component (132) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The kitchen appliance (102) includes an electrical cooling fan (134) configured to generate an additional airflow to cool at least a portion of the food preparation components.

17. The food preparation assembly (132) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein, The kitchen appliance (102) includes an appliance housing (140) in which at least one opening (142, 144) is provided to allow: Air is supplied from outside the electrical housing to cool at least a portion of the food preparation assembly; and / or Air heated by at least a portion of the food preparation component is released to the outside of the electrical housing.

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