Kitchen appliance accessory recognition system

Abstract

A kitchen equipment accessory identification system includes a kitchen appliance (100) and an accessory (200) for use with the kitchen appliance (100). The accessory (200) has a first identification device (210) and a second identification device (220). The kitchen appliance (100) includes: a motor (110) for driving the accessory (200) at an operating speed; a controller (120) for controlling the operation of the motor (110); and a first identification reader (130) for reading first information from the first identification device (210) and transmitting the first information to the controller. (120) The first information relates to a safety limit for the operating speed of the motor (110); the second identification reader (140) is used to read the second information from the second identification device (220) and transmit the second information to the controller (120), the second information relating to the type of accessory (200); wherein the controller (120) is adapted to control the operation of the motor (110) such that the operating speed conforms to the safety limit indicated by the first information, and the controller (120) is adapted to configure the kitchen equipment (100) according to the type of accessory (200) indicated by the second information.

Description

Related applications

[0001] This application claims Convention priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2024900085, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to an interlock system. Background Technology

[0003] Multifunctional kitchen appliances are becoming increasingly popular with consumers who have limited counter space for separate appliances to perform all functions. This places higher demands on the safety systems used in these appliances. A dedicated blender might only require checking that its container is in the correct operating position, or that the lid is installed correctly. However, if a single motor mount is designed to operate both the blender at speeds exceeding 10,000 rpm and the shredder at speeds below 1,000 rpm, there is a risk that, due to user error or equipment malfunction, the low-speed attachment could operate at a high motor speed, causing damage to the appliance, attachment, and / or the user. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to substantially overcome or at least improve one or more of the disadvantages of the existing arrangements discussed above, or at least provide a useful alternative to the kitchen equipment mentioned above.

[0005] This document discloses a kitchen equipment accessory identification system, which includes kitchen equipment and accessories for use with the kitchen equipment. The accessories have a first identification device and a second identification device. The kitchen equipment includes:

[0006] An electric motor is used to drive accessories at operating speed;

[0007] The controller is used to control the operation of the motor;

[0008] A first identification reader is used to read first information from a first identification device and transmit the first information to a controller, the first information relating to a safety limit for the operating speed of the motor.

[0009] A second identification reader is used to read second information from a second identification device and transmit the second information to a controller, the second information relating to the type of accessory;

[0010] The controller is adapted to control the operation of the motor so that the operating speed meets the safety limit indicated by the first information, and the controller is adapted to configure the kitchen equipment according to the type of accessory indicated by the second information.

[0011] Preferably, the accessory includes a first accessory and a second accessory, wherein the second accessory is adapted to be used with the first accessory, and wherein the first identification device is located on the first accessory and the second identification device is located on the second accessory.

[0012] Preferably, the first accessory includes a container.

[0013] Preferably, the second attachment includes one or more of a cutting attachment, a kneading attachment, and a mixing attachment.

[0014] Preferably, the safety limit indicated by the first information is associated with a first speed range, and the second information is associated with a second speed range, wherein the second speed range is narrower than the first speed range.

[0015] Preferably, if the operating speed of the motor is determined to exceed a first speed range and / or a second speed range, the controller stops the operation of the motor.

[0016] Preferably, the first identification device and / or the second identification device include:

[0017] Multiple magnets, and the first and / or second identification reader includes a magnetic sensor.

[0018] The plurality of magnets are arranged such that differences in field strength or direction form a pattern that can be detected by a first identification reader and / or a second identification reader, wherein the pattern corresponds to first information and / or second information.

[0019] Preferably, the first identification reader and / or the second identification reader includes a plurality of mechanical switches, and the first identification device and / or the second identification device includes a surface adapted to selectively actuate the mechanical switches.

[0020] In this process, selective actuation of the mechanical switch forms a pattern corresponding to the first information and / or the second information.

[0021] Preferably, the first identification device and / or the second identification device includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, and the first identification reader and / or the second identification reader includes an RFID reader.

[0022] Preferably, the second identification device includes RFID, and the second identification reader includes an RFID reader.

[0023] The RFID is a low-frequency RFID to allow interaction between the RFID reader and the RFID when the communication path between the RFID and the RFID reader crosses a liquid medium.

[0024] Preferably, the RFID operates in the range of 120 kHz to 140 kHz, more preferably 124 kHz or 135 kHz.

[0025] Preferably, the accessory further includes an interlocking device to indicate a safe operating position of the accessory to the kitchen equipment, wherein the interlocking indication requires power to operate, and wherein the interlocking device is powered by inductive coupling of RFID with a power transmission coil in the kitchen equipment.

[0026] Preferably, the first information relates to a first speed range of safety limits selected from the following options: (a) low speed, (b) medium speed, and (c) high speed.

[0027] Preferably, the low speed limits the safe operating speed to 350 rpm or lower, the medium speed limits the safe operating speed to between 500 rpm and 2500 rpm, and the high speed limits the safe operating speed to above 2500 rpm.

[0028] Preferably, the controller is adapted to associate the type of accessory defined by the second information with a second speed range selected from the safety limits of the operating speeds available in the first speed range.

[0029] Preferably, the type of accessory and the associated second speed range are one of the following:

[0030] Mixers, where the safety limit is higher than 5000 rpm;

[0031] Large mixers, with a safety limit of approximately 14,000 rpm;

[0032] Small personal blenders, with a safety limit of up to 14,000 rpm;

[0033] Grinding cup mixers, where the safety limit is a maximum of 10,000 rpm;

[0034] Juicers, with safety limits between 7000 rpm and 14000 rpm;

[0035] Scrapper, with safety limits between 500 rpm and 1500 rpm;

[0036] Large S-sized blades, with safety limits between 1500 rpm and 2500 rpm;

[0037] Small S-sized blades, with safety limits between 1000 rpm and 2000 rpm;

[0038] Dough hook, with safety limits between 600 rpm and 2000 rpm;

[0039] Slicer, with safety limits between 350 rpm and 2500 rpm;

[0040] A dicing cutter, with safety limits between 200 rpm and 300 rpm;

[0041] Small potato shredder, with safety limits between 800 rpm and 1500 rpm;

[0042] Citrus press, with safety limits between 120 rpm and 500 rpm;

[0043] Ice cream machines, with safety limits between 60 rpm and 120 rpm;

[0044] The whisk, with a safety limit of approximately 350 rpm; and

[0045] Spiral shredder, with safety limits between 500 rpm and 700 rpm. Attached Figure Description

[0046] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts, and wherein:

[0047] Figure 1 This is a schematic system diagram illustrating a kitchen equipment accessory identification system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the kitchen appliance accessory identification system 100 (“System”) involves multiple components located in the kitchen appliance 100 and accessories 200 for use with the kitchen appliance 100. In a preferred embodiment, the kitchen appliance 100 is a food processor, and the accessory 200 may be of the type selected from: a blender, a large blender, a small personal blender, a grinding cup blender, a juicer, a grater, a large S-blade, a small S-blade, a dough hook, a slicer, a dicer, a small potato shredder, a citrus press, an ice cream maker, a whisk, or a spiral shredder. The kitchen appliance 100 includes a motor 110 for driving the accessory at an operating speed and a controller 120 for controlling the operation of the motor 110. The kitchen appliance 100 may include a user interface 160 connected to the controller 120, such that input can be received from a user and interpreted by the controller 120 to cause operation of the motor 110.

[0049] Attachment 200 includes a first identification device 210 and a second identification device 220. In one embodiment, attachment 200 is a container 200. The container 200 may include a lid 201. Accordingly, the kitchen appliance 100 includes a first identification reader 130 and a second identification reader 140. The first identification reader 130 is adapted to read first information from the first identification device 210, and the second identification reader 140 is adapted to read second information from the second identification device 220. The first information relates to a safe limit for the operating speed of the motor 110. The first information may more specifically relate to a first speed range of safe limits selected from options of low speed, medium speed, and high speed. Low speed preferably defines the safe limit for the operating speed as 350 rpm or lower. Medium speed preferably defines the safe limit for the operating speed as between 500 rpm and 2500 rpm. Therefore, high speed preferably defines the safe limit for the operating speed as higher than 2500 rpm. If controller 120 detects that motor 110 is operating at a speed exceeding a safety limit, controller 120 stops operation of motor 110 and / or stops power delivery to motor 110 and / or stops power delivery to the motor controller controlling motor 110. In one embodiment, the first speed range may relate to the permissible speed range of the first accessory 200 (e.g., container 200), defined between the lower boundary and the upper boundary of the first speed range.

[0050] The second information pertains to the type of accessory 200 and / or the type of the second accessory 202. For example, in some embodiments, the accessory type is a cutting disc, a dough mixer, or a mixing paddle. Since the accessory is unique in its function, its speed is also unique. For example, a mixing paddle's rpm (revolutions per minute) ranges from 10,000 to 30,000, while a cutting disc's rpm ranges from 300 to 3,000. Operating a cutting disc at, for example, 30,000 rpm is considered unsafe. The first identification reader 130 and the second identification reader 140 are each adapted to transmit the first information and the second information to the controller 120, respectively. The controller 120 is adapted to control the operation of the motor 110 such that the operating speed of the motor 110 conforms to the safety limits indicated by the first information. The controller 120 is also adapted to configure the kitchen equipment 100 according to the type of accessory 200 indicated by the second information. This configuration may be a further limitation and / or fine-tuning of the safety limits indicated by the first information and / or an adjustment of the first speed range based on the second information pertaining to the second accessory 202. The controller 120 can associate the type of accessory 200 defined by the second information with a second speed range selected from the safety limits of the operating speeds available in the first speed range. Examples of the types of accessories 200, which are the first accessory 200 and the second accessory 202, and their corresponding first and second speed ranges are shown in Table 1 below:

[0051]

[0052] Table 1: Speed ​​Range of Annex 200 and Annex 202

[0053] The speed examples described above are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting of this disclosure. They can be set to any practical range by those skilled in the art in accordance with applicable safety standards. For example, the speed range for a slicer can be set to 1500 rpm to 2000 rpm. In another example, a small potato shredder (i.e., a potato shredder) can operate in the range of 1000 rpm to 1100 rpm.

[0054] In operation, the user places accessory 200 (e.g., a container) onto the base of kitchen appliance 100. In one embodiment, a general-purpose container is rated from 350 rpm to 14,000 rpm. Therefore, if the detected speed exceeds this range, motor operation will stop. The user then places accessory type 202 into accessory 200. Accessory type 202 is also rated for a specific speed. In one embodiment, accessory type 202 is a cutting disc (slicer) with a rated rpm range of 350 to 2,500. As discussed above, information about accessory 200 and its type 202 is provided to the kitchen appliance microcontroller by a first identification reader 130 and a second identification reader 140, respectively. Therefore, if the detected motor speed exceeds the range of accessory type 202, the motor will shut down. Furthermore, as a third layer of protection, the motor will not operate in the absence of cup lid 201 and thus without closing the interlocking circuit.

[0055] The first identification device 210 and / or the second identification device 220 may include a plurality of magnets arranged such that differences in field strength and / or orientation form a pattern. Accordingly, the first identification reader 130 and / or the second identification reader 140 may include a magnetic sensor, such as a magnetic sensor or a Hall effect sensor, capable of detecting the pattern formed by the plurality of magnets. In some embodiments, the first identification reader 130 is located on the periphery of an accessory 200 (such as a container 200). In some embodiments, the second identification device 220 is located on a second accessory 202, which is an accessory suitable for use with the first accessory 200, such as a cutting disc 202 for use in the container 200. The controller 120 is preferably configured to associate the pattern with first information and / or second information, respectively. For example, three magnets may be used as binary bits to identify up to eight different types of accessories 200 by oriented them toward or away from the magnetic sensor in various combinations.

[0056] In another embodiment, the first identification reader 130 and / or the second identification reader 140 may include a plurality of mechanical switches, and accordingly, the first identification device and / or the second identification device may include surfaces adapted to selectively actuate the mechanical switches. Selective actuation of the mechanical switches forms a pattern, and the controller 120 is preferably configured to associate this pattern with first and / or second information. For example, three switches may be used as binary bits to identify up to eight different types of the accessory 200 by adapting the surface of the accessory 200 to actuate or deactuate each switch.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the first identification device and / or the second identification device includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) device. Accordingly, the first identification reader and / or the second identification reader includes an RFID reader. More preferably, the first identification device includes multiple magnets, such as... Figure 1 As shown, this is due to the importance of the first information being correctly read and transmitted to the controller 120. Therefore, the second information device preferably includes RFID, and the second identification reader includes an RFID reader. For the RFID reader to read the RFID, there must be a communication path between the RFID reader and the RFID that can be traversed by electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency spectrum. Preferably, the RFID is a low-frequency RFID to allow interaction between the RFID reader and the RFID when the communication path crosses the liquid medium by reducing the attenuation of radio signals through the liquid medium. Higher frequency radio signals are more likely to be attenuated by the liquid medium. Preferably, the low-frequency RFID operates between 120 kHz and 140 kHz, and most preferably operates within a defined frequency band of approximately 124 kHz and / or 135 kHz.

[0058] In one embodiment, accessory 200 further includes an interlocking device 230. This interlocking device is used to signal to controller 120 that accessory 200 is in the correct operating position. Such interlocking devices are disclosed in PCT application number PCT / AU2023 / 050593, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The disclosed interlocking device 230 requires power to operate and is powered via inductive coupling of RFID with a power delivery coil 150 in kitchen appliance 100. In one embodiment, interlocking device 230 may further include a switch 203 located on container 200, which is operable to provide a signal to controller 120 when switch 203 is actuated. Switch 203 may be positioned such that switch 203 is actuated when lid 201 is placed on container 200. Controller 120 may be configured to prevent motor operation unless a signal indicating that switch 203 has been actuated has been received. Figure 1In the preferred embodiment shown, the second identification device 220 includes a separate power receiving coil 240, which is different from the RFID coil 120 used to transmit the second information.

[0059] It will also be recognized that, in this document, the terms “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” “contain,” “containing,” “have,” “having,” and any variations thereof are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e., non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, apparatus, device, or system described herein is not limited to those features, parts, elements, or steps listed, but may include other elements, features, parts, or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, articles, or devices. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms “a” and “an” as used herein are intended to be understood as referring to one or more. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects or establish a specific order of importance.

[0060] Numerical label:

[0061]

Claims

1. A kitchen equipment accessory identification system comprising a kitchen equipment and an accessory for use with the kitchen equipment, the accessory having a first identification device and a second identification device, wherein, The kitchen equipment includes: An electric motor is used to drive the accessory at an operating speed; Controller, used to control the operation of the motor; A first identification reader is configured to read first information from the first identification device and transmit the first information to the controller, wherein the first information relates to a safety limit for the operating speed of the motor; A second identification reader is configured to read second information from the second identification device and transmit the second information to the controller, the second information relating to the type of the accessory; The controller is adapted to control the operation of the motor such that the operating speed conforms to the safety limit indicated by the first information, and the controller is adapted to configure the kitchen equipment according to the type of the accessory indicated by the second information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, The attachments include a first attachment and a second attachment, wherein the second attachment is adapted to be used with the first attachment, and wherein the first identification device is located on the first attachment and the second identification device is located on the second attachment.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein, The first accessory includes a container.

4. The system of claim 2 or 3, wherein, The second attachment includes one or more of the following: a cutting attachment, a kneading attachment, and a mixing attachment.

5. The system of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The safety limit indicated by the first information is associated with a first speed range, and the second information is associated with a second speed range, wherein the second speed range is narrower than the first speed range.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein, If the operating speed of the motor is determined to exceed the first speed range and / or the second speed range, the controller stops the operation of the motor.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The first identification device and / or the second identification device include multiple magnets, and the first identification reader and / or the second identification reader include a magnetic sensor. The plurality of magnets are arranged such that differences in field strength or direction form a pattern that can be detected by the first identification reader and / or the second identification reader, wherein the pattern corresponds to the first information and / or the second information.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The first identification reader and / or the second identification reader includes a plurality of mechanical switches, and the first identification device and / or the second identification device includes a surface adapted to selectively actuate the mechanical switches. The selective actuation of the mechanical switch forms a pattern corresponding to the first information and / or the second information.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The first identification device and / or the second identification device include radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, and the first identification reader and / or the second identification reader include RFID readers.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein, The second identification device includes RFID, and the second identification reader includes an RFID reader. The RFID is a low-frequency RFID to allow interaction between the RFID reader and the RFID when the communication path between the RFID and the RFID reader crosses a liquid medium.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein, The RFID operates in the range of 120 kHz to 140 kHz, preferably 124 kHz or 135 kHz.

12. The system of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, The accessory also includes an interlocking device to indicate a safe operating position of the accessory to the kitchen equipment, wherein the interlocking indication requires power to operate, and wherein the interlocking device is powered by inductive coupling between the RFID and a power transmission coil in the kitchen equipment.

13. The system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The first information pertains to a first speed range of safety limits selected from the following options: (a) low speed, (b) medium speed, and (c) high speed.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein, Low speed limits the safe operating speed to 350 rpm or lower, medium speed limits the safe operating speed to between 500 rpm and 2500 rpm, and high speed limits the safe operating speed to above 2500 rpm.

15. The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein, The controller is adapted to associate the type of accessory defined by the second information with a second speed range selected from the safety limits of the operating speeds available in the first speed range.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein, The type of the accessory and the associated second speed range are one of the following: A mixer, wherein the safety limit is higher than 5000 rpm; A large mixer, wherein the safety limit is approximately 14,000 rpm; Small personal blenders, wherein the safety limit is at most 14,000 rpm; A grinding cup mixer, wherein the safety limit is at most 10,000 rpm; Juicer, wherein the safety limits are between 7,000 rpm and 14,000 rpm; A grater, wherein the safety limit is between 500 rpm and 1500 rpm; Large S-blade, wherein the safety limit is between 1500 rpm and 2500 rpm; Small S-blade, wherein the safety limit is between 1000 rpm and 2000 rpm; A dough hook, wherein the safety limit is between 600 rpm and 2000 rpm; Slicer, wherein the safety limit is between 350 rpm and 2500 rpm; A dicing cutter, wherein the safety limit is between 200 rpm and 300 rpm; A small potato shredder, wherein the safety limit is between 800 rpm and 1500 rpm; Citrus press, wherein the safety limit is between 120 rpm and 500 rpm; Ice cream machine, wherein the safety limit is between 60 rpm and 120 rpm; An egg beater, wherein the safety limit is approximately 350 rpm; and A spiral shredder, wherein the safety limit is between 500 rpm and 700 rpm.

Images