Household food processor

Abstract

Household appliance, in particular a household food processor, for preparing a food (10), in particular by chopping, mixing and / or heating the food (10) in a food preparation vessel (1), wherein the household appliance comprises the food preparation vessel (1) into which an ingredient (11) for food preparation can be supplied by the user, wherein at least one sensor (2) is provided for determining the quantity of an ingredient (11) supplied during the supply of the ingredient (11) to the food preparation vessel (1), and a control device (3) of the household appliance is configured such that the quantity supplied is determined on the basis of a sensor signal from the sensor (2), characterized in that the sensor (2) is arranged such that the ingredient (11) moves past the sensor (2) when supplied to the food preparation vessel (1) and / or the sensor (2) is arranged on the upper side (4) of the food preparation vessel (1) during operation.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a household food processor, for preparing food, in particular by chopping, mixing and / or heating the food in a food preparation vessel according to the preamble of claim 1. The household appliance comprises the food preparation vessel into which an ingredient for food preparation can be added by the user.

[0002] When preparing certain dishes, such as dough or mayonnaise, with a household food processor, the user must manually add a predetermined quantity of an ingredient, such as flour or oil, to the food preparation container over a defined period. If the user adds the ingredient too quickly, undesirable lumps may form in the dough, for example, or the desired emulsification of the oil may not occur as planned when preparing mayonnaise. Conversely, if the ingredient is added too slowly, too little of the ingredient will have been added by the end of the defined period, meaning the recipe will not have been followed and the desired quality of the cooking result will generally not be achieved. Household food processors are known, for example, from German patent applications DE10 2008 027 353 A1 and DE 44 14 825 A1.

[0003] The purpose of the invention is to provide an advanced household appliance.

[0004] A household appliance according to the main claim serves to solve the problem. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] To solve the problem, a household appliance, in particular a food processor, is used for preparing food, especially by chopping, mixing, and / or heating the food in a food preparation container. The household appliance includes the food preparation container into which the user can add an ingredient for food preparation. At least one sensor is provided to determine the quantity of an ingredient being added to the food preparation container. A control unit of the household appliance is configured to determine the quantity being added based on a sensor signal.

[0006] In this way, a dish that requires a consistent supply of an ingredient over a predetermined period can be prepared by a user in a particularly reliable and reproducible manner.

[0007] A household appliance, such as a household food processor, is a device designed and intended for use in private households. It is therefore not an industrially used appliance for food preparation.

[0008] The measured feed rate is the current feed rate, which is generally continuously and / or time-resolved by the sensor. The feed rate can be determined, for example, as quantity per unit of time or mass per unit of time by the control unit.

[0009] According to the invention, the sensor is arranged such that the ingredient moves past the sensor when added to the food preparation vessel and / or the sensor is located on the upper side of the food preparation vessel during operation. This enables particularly reliable and precise measurement of the quantity added. An ingredient can thus be added to the food preparation vessel using gravity, and the quantity added can be measured. This allows for a particularly simple design and ease of use of the appliance. In one embodiment, the sensor can be attached to or integrated into a lid, an attachment on the lid, an attachment on the food preparation vessel, or into the housing of the appliance.

[0010] In one embodiment, the sensor is an influence-based sensor. This enables particularly precise measurement of the feed quantity or flow rate, even for small quantities in the microgram range. Furthermore, an influence-based sensor can be manufactured and implemented with minimal effort. In an alternative embodiment, the sensor is based on at least one light barrier or an optical measuring arrangement, particularly for measuring the radial extent of the ingredient flow.

[0011] An influence-based sensor is designed so that the passage of a charged particle always results in an electric current flow, allowing the sensor to output a signal that correlates, for example, with the quantity of passing charged particles. A charged particle is, in particular, a particle of an ingredient, such as a grain of flour.

[0012] In one embodiment, the influence-based sensor comprises an electrode and / or an electrostatic shield for the electrode. The electrode is made of an electrically conductive material, in particular metal. The shield, which can be designed as a separate component or a coating, is made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic. The shield material is therefore not electrically conductive. In particular, the shield is arranged adjacent to the electrode, preferably such that when an ingredient is added to the food preparation vessel, it moves past the electrode on one side – hereinafter also referred to as the inside – and the shield is adjacent to the electrode on the opposite side. In particular, the shield is arranged precisely between the electrode and the component to which the electrode and shield are attached or integrated.In a preferred embodiment, the electrode has an insulating layer on the side where an ingredient moves past during feeding, in order to reduce interference.

[0013] Particles typically carry a charge. When such a particle, also known as a point charge, passes through the electrostatic induction sensor, it generates an electrostatic field. As the point charge approaches the sensor, this electrostatic field acts on the aforementioned side, or inner surface, of the electrode, which the particles can move past when an ingredient is introduced. This causes the oppositely charged free charge carriers in the electrode material to move to this side of the electrode, i.e., the inner surface, and an equal number of charges are conducted out of the sensor, generating a current. Thus, a charge is induced, leading to a current flow, which can then be output as a sensor signal or converted and / or amplified into a sensor signal, e.g., with the unit voltage.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sensor has a closed contour or ring shape, so that when the ingredient is added to the food preparation vessel, it moves past the inside of the closed or ring-shaped sensor. This prevents parts of the ingredient from escaping detection by the sensor during feeding. In particular, the sensor has the shape of a cylinder or a truncated cone.

[0015] If the sensor is an induction-based sensor, a correlation can be obtained between the radial distance of a point charge from a central axis through the ring-shaped or closed sensor and the magnitude of the charge induced in the sensor by the point charge. The induced charge increases as the point charge approaches the center of the sensor or the central axis. This correlation can be described, for example, by a bell-shaped curve, particularly one resembling a Gaussian curve, where the induced charge is plotted on the y-axis and the distance of the point charge from the central axis is plotted on the x-axis. The current signal, which in one configuration is output as the sensor signal, then describes the derivative or change of the induced charge with respect to the distance from the central axis. Peaks in the sensor signal or current signal occur at inflection points of the induced charge curve.

[0016] If several particles pass through the sensor simultaneously, the superposition principle applies; that is, the field lines of the particles overlap and the charges are added together, resulting in a total current flow. Since the current signal is usually relatively small, a current amplifier can preferably be used to amplify it. For improved processing of the sensor signal, a converter can preferably be used to transform the current signal into a voltage signal.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sensor has a sensor length in the direction of ingredient feed into the food preparation vessel that corresponds to one to two, preferably approximately 1.3 times, the sensor diameter. If, in one embodiment, the sensor or electrode is not cylindrical but, for example, frustoconical, the sensor diameter corresponds to the mean diameter over the sensor length. Tests have shown that an influence-based sensor functions particularly reliably and precisely for detecting the feed quantity when the sensor length is no more than twice the sensor diameter and / or no less than the sensor diameter. The best results were achieved with a sensor whose sensor length corresponds to approximately 1.3 times the sensor diameter.

[0018] In one embodiment, the sensor is attached to or integrated into a lid for the food preparation vessel or into a funnel-shaped attachment for the lid or the food preparation vessel. This makes it particularly easy for the particles to simply pass through the sensor. Preferably, the lid has a central, and especially circular, opening for adding ingredients. In particular, the attachment can be manually and releasably placed or snapped onto the lid by the user in such a way that the attachment and the opening of the lid form a common feed channel for ingredients. In the case of an influence-based sensor, this ring-shaped sensor can, in one embodiment, form part of the attachment to enable a compact design.If the sensor is attached to the lid, the sensor can be located above or below the lid, preferably centered on the opening, or on the inside of the lid's opening.

[0019] In one embodiment, the sensor has a wireless communication interface, preferably in conjunction with a battery, for wirelessly transmitting a signal or the sensor signal to the control unit. In particular, evaluation electronics are preferably located in the immediate vicinity of the sensor, or the evaluation is implemented by program code in the control unit. In one embodiment, the sensor is, for example, installed in the pot or lid, and the integrated evaluation electronics are supplied with electrical energy via a contact element and / or either transmit its evaluation data wirelessly to the control unit in the housing of the household appliance or transmit the evaluation data via a wired connection using a contact module. In another embodiment, only the sensor leads are present in the pot or lid and are preferably electrically shielded before being routed to the control unit.The evaluation then takes place in the control unit.

[0020] In one embodiment, the control device is configured such that the feed quantity is determined using a calibration curve based on the sensor signal. This allows for particularly reliable and precise determination of the feed quantity. Specifically, a calibration curve indicates the correlation between the sensor signal and the feed quantity, particularly for a specific ingredient.

[0021] In one embodiment, several calibration curves for a specific ingredient are stored in the control unit, preferably from previously conducted test series at the manufacturer. The calibration curves are thus readily available for determining the required quantity to be added. By using a digital recipe via a user interface or by user input of the ingredient to be added, the control unit receives information about the ingredient being added. Assigning the respective calibration curve is therefore easily accomplished.

[0022] In one embodiment, a calibration curve is generated by the household appliance. A calibration curve can thus be newly generated for a specific ingredient, which, for example, was not previously stored in the control unit. Due to the different electrostatic charges of various ingredients, characteristic calibration curves can be generated for each ingredient, which can differ, in particular, in the slope of the essentially linear calibration curve, where the quantity supplied is plotted on the x-axis and the magnitude of the sensor signal, preferably integrated over time, is plotted on the y-axis. In particular, the ingredient can consist of a mixture of several substances. A separate calibration curve can also be created for this, e.g., for a baking mix with at least the components flour and sugar.In particular, generating a calibration curve involves recording the sensor signals for different quantities of the corresponding ingredient as the ingredient moves past the sensor. These quantities can be weighed beforehand by the user. This process generates the calibration curve, which can be an interpolated and / or extrapolated curve over at least three, preferably at least five, measurement points. Specifically, each measurement point is defined by the integrated sensor signal on the Y-axis and the corresponding quantity of the ingredient on the X-axis. For example, via a cloud service, measurement data relating to environmental influences such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure fluctuations can be taken into account.

[0023] In one embodiment, a weight sensor is provided. In particular, the weight sensor can be used to generate the calibration curve or to monitor the determined feed quantity. This enables particularly reliable determination of the feed quantity. In one embodiment, to generate a new calibration curve for an ingredient, the sensor signal is recorded during the feed of the ingredient, and the signal from the weight sensor is recorded simultaneously. The calibration curve for this ingredient is then obtained by plotting the sensor signal (which is integrated, in particular) against the measured weight of the weight sensor. This eliminates the need for the user to weigh the ingredient beforehand to generate the calibration curve.In one embodiment, the control unit determines the difference in weight at defined time intervals during the addition of an ingredient and compares this with the integrated quantity determined by the sensor. Preferably, a tolerance band is used so that if the difference between the two quantity values ​​calculated during the comparison is sufficiently large, a result is displayed indicating that the sensor measurement may be inaccurate or faulty. Appropriate measures can then be taken to reduce any negative impact on the cooking result. In particular, the sensor can be the weight sensor. A weight sensor is often already integrated into the household appliance used for food preparation.

[0024] In particular, a weight sensor is arranged in the preferably three feet of the appliance. The weight sensor can thus perform a dual function. The quantity of ingredients measured by the weight sensor is generally subject to disturbances caused by inertial forces, the force of the ingredient impacting the bottom of the food preparation container, and any imbalance forces resulting from the food preparation process, e.g., during stirring or kneading. These disturbances are also detected by the weight sensor, so that the measured weight or quantity is falsely increased or decreased by these disturbances. These disturbances can decrease the more evenly the ingredient is added. Another disadvantage of a weight sensor is that the weight sensor in the food preparation appliance is generally relatively inaccurate.In contrast, a weight sensor with high precision and time resolution would be technically very complex, especially compared to an influence-based sensor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the appliance is configured to provide the user with a notification indicating whether the ingredient is being added to the cooking vessel too quickly or too slowly. This allows the user to adjust the quantity or speed of the ingredient added, thereby improving the reproducibility and quality of the cooking results. The notification is, in particular, an audible and / or visual indicator. Specifically, the appliance has a display for the visual indicator. In one embodiment, the notification includes a target curve for the planned quantity added over a defined period and / or a corresponding actual curve. Specifically, the actual curve is compared to the target curve and / or displayed to the user together with the target curve.The control unit can receive information about the total quantity of an ingredient to be added evenly to the food preparation vessel over a specific period of time, either via a digital recipe or user input through a user interface. In particular, in conjunction with information about the ingredient to be added, which allows the appropriate calibration curve to be selected, the control unit determines the target curve.

[0026] To determine whether the user is adding the ingredient to the food preparation vessel too quickly or too slowly, the control unit can compare the actual curve with the target curve. If the actual curve lies below the target curve, the ingredient is being added too slowly. If the actual curve lies above the target curve, the ingredient is being added too quickly. The aforementioned warning can then be generated, particularly when predefined minimum distances between the target and actual curves are exceeded. In one embodiment, the target and actual curves represent the time-incremental addition quantity, i.e., the time-resolved addition quantity. Alternatively or additionally, the target and actual curves represent the total amount of ingredient added since the start of the addition process. In particular, the system informs users about the amount of ingredient being added and whether the amount added, e.g. per second, is too high or too low.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below, also with reference to figures.

[0028] They show: Fig. 1: Illustration of an attachment with the sensor for measuring the feed quantity; Fig. 2: Cross-sectional view of a household appliance with the sensor for detecting the amount of food being added on the lid of the food preparation container; Fig. 3: Representation of a target curve and actual curve regarding the input quantity over time; Fig. 4: Illustration of an exemplary calibration curve for coffee powder.

[0029] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an attachment 13 with an optical or, preferably, an influence-based sensor 2. The attachment 13 can be placed on a lid 12 with an opening 17 and / or inserted into the opening 17. An example of such a lid 12 and such a food preparation container 1 of a household appliance for preparing food 10 are shown in Figure 1. Fig. 2 shown, wherein when the attachment 13 is provided with an influence-based sensor 2, the cover 12 differs from Fig. The attachment 13 does not have a second influence-based sensor 2. The attachment 13 has a funnel shape. A central section of the attachment 13 is formed or lined by the influence-based sensor 2, which therefore has the shape of a truncated cone. The sensor length 9 is greater than the sensor diameter 19. With the exception of the influence-based sensor 2, the attachment 13 is made of a plastic, in particular a transparent one.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the household appliance, in particular a household food processor, for preparing food 10, especially by chopping or mixing using a rotatable tool 18 and / or heating using a heating element (not shown). When the user feeds an ingredient 11 into the food preparation vessel 1 through the opening 17 of the lid 12 in the feed direction 8, the ingredient 11 automatically passes the closed, annular, cylindrical electrode 5 on its inner surface 7. A shield 6 is arranged on the outer circumference of the electrode 5 for electrostatic and electrical shielding from the food preparation vessel 1 and / or the lid 12. The sensor length 9 preferably corresponds to approximately 1.3 times the sensor diameter 19. The weight of the household appliance can be detected using a weight sensor 14. A connection for the electrode, through which a current signal or sensor signal is transmitted to the control unit 3, is not shown.In particular, an amplifier and / or converter unit 20 is interposed to amplify the current signal and / or to convert it into a voltage signal. When the user adds an ingredient to the upper side 4 of the food preparation vessel 1, the amount added is detected by the sensor 2.

[0031] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a target curve 21 and an actual curve 22 of the supply quantity, which are plotted, for example, as electrical voltage U in volts over time t in seconds. By comparing the two curves 21 and 22, it can be determined whether a "too slow" 15 or a "too fast" 16 warning should be issued to the user. In principle, a diagram like the one in the Fig. 3 is shown, and is displayed as a hint.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 4 shows an example calibration curve 23 for coffee powder. Different quantities of coffee powder, previously weighed or measured by the weight sensor 14, are plotted on the x-axis. The y-axis shows the magnitude of the integral, in particular the square of the sensor signal. The plotted calibration curve 23, which is essentially linear with an approximately constant slope, was interpolated and extrapolated from the measurement points.

[0033] If a user selects a digital recipe via a user interface that is not displayed and is prompted to evenly sprinkle coffee powder, e.g., over a period of 60 seconds, into the food preparation container as described in the instructions... Fig. 3 indicated to supply, then the calibration curve 23 is used to determine the Fig.3. The current actual feed rate is continuously determined from the sensor signals and compared to a target feed rate. If the current feed rate deviates from the target feed rate by a predefined difference, the user is automatically informed and given a suggestion for correction.

Claims

[1] Household appliance, in particular a household food processor, for preparing food (10) in particular by chopping, mixing and / or heating the food (10) in a food preparation vessel (1), wherein the household appliance comprises the food preparation vessel (1) into which an ingredient (11) for food preparation can be added by the user, wherein at least one sensor (2) is provided for determining the quantity of an ingredient (11) being added during the addition of the ingredient (11) to the food preparation vessel (1), and a control device (3) of the household appliance is configured such that the quantity being added is determined on the basis of a sensor signal from the sensor (2), characterized by , that the sensor (2) is arranged such that the ingredient (11) moves past the sensor (2) when being fed into the food preparation vessel (1) and / or the sensor (2) is arranged on the upper side (4) of the food preparation vessel (1) during operation. [2] Household appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the sensor (2) is an influence-based sensor (2). [3] Household appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the influence-based sensor (2) comprises an electrode (5) and / or an electrostatic shield (6) for the electrode (5). [4] Household appliance according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor (2) has a closed contour or ring shape, so that when the ingredient (11) is fed into the food preparation vessel (1) it moves past an inner surface (7) of the closed or ring-shaped sensor (2). [5] Household appliance according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the sensor (2) has a sensor length (9) in the feed direction (8) of the ingredient (11) into the food preparation vessel (1) which corresponds to one to two, preferably approximately 1.3 times, a sensor diameter (19). [6] Household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sensor (2) is attached to or integrated into a lid (12) for the food preparation vessel (1) or into a particularly funnel-shaped attachment (13) for the lid (12) or the food preparation vessel (1). [7] Household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control device (3) is set up such that the feed quantity is determined using a calibration curve (23) based on the sensor signal. [8] Household appliance according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a weight sensor (14) which can be used in particular to generate the calibration curve (23) or to monitor the determined feed quantity. [9] Household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the household appliance is set up so that a notification (15, 16) is issued to the user indicating whether the ingredient (11) is being added to the food preparation vessel (1) too quickly or too slowly.

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