KITCHEN APPLIANCE, CONNECTING ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AN INFORMATION SIGNAL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising a base unit, wherein the base unit has a first communication module configured for wireless communication, a receiving vessel, wherein the receiving vessel has a wall with a penetrating opening, and an accessory, wherein the accessory has a second communication module configured for wireless communication. The invention also relates to a connecting element for a kitchen appliance comprising a base body, wherein the base body is at least partially configured for arrangement in a penetrating opening in the wall of a receiving vessel of the kitchen appliance. A method for transmitting an information signal is also described.

[0002] Electrically operated kitchen appliances are already well-known, especially for processing raw or semi-prepared food products. These appliances often consist of a main unit with which separate functional parts work together to process food, depending on the desired dish, beverage, or similar product. These functional parts are typically sold as accessories by kitchen appliance manufacturers, for example, as lids, blades, or mixing units.

[0003] To keep the manufacturing costs of these accessories low and thus increase the profitability of the accessories business, the base unit should be versatile and incorporate as many of the more expensive components as possible, such as the electric motor for driving the moving parts of the accessories or a control unit. However, this design allows competitors to offer accessories that are compatible with the expensive base unit and inexpensive to manufacture. To address this issue, it has already been proposed to attach an NFC transponder (Near Field Communication transponder) to the accessory and a corresponding reading module to the base unit, in order to identify the accessory as "approved" or not. This solution is explained in detail in publication EP 3 841 926 A1.

[0004] However, a further problem remains: the accessories are often used in the receiving chamber of a container within the kitchen appliance. This container, typically used for holding hot food, is made of a material such as metal that is at least partially opaque to electromagnetic waves. Consequently, an NFC transponder in an accessory, located on one side of the container wall, is largely blocked from the excitation signal of an NFC reader module located on the other side of the container wall, preventing the accessory from being recognized. Publication EP 3 841 926 A1 proposes redirecting the excitation signal of the reader module via a repeater module in the lid of the kitchen appliance, thus bypassing the container wall. However, this solution requires the lid to be positioned accordingly.

[0005] Furthermore, WO 2021 / 038528 A1 discloses a grill with a closed cooking chamber and a penetrating repeater arranged in the wall of the grill.

[0006] Against this background, the present invention aims to improve previously known kitchen appliances, in particular to increase user-friendliness when inserting accessories.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a kitchen appliance comprising a basic unit, wherein the basic unit has a first communication module equipped for wireless communication, a receiving vessel, wherein the receiving vessel has a wall with a penetrating opening, and an accessory, wherein the accessory has a second communication module equipped for wireless communication, in that a connecting element is provided, wherein the connecting element is designed for arrangement in the penetrating opening of the wall of the receiving vessel, and wherein the connecting element is configured for transmitting signals between the first communication module and the second communication module.

[0008] This allows for easy and reliable identification of accessories without the need for a lid on the container or the handle being equipped with electronic components. Furthermore, a container that already has a penetrating opening in its wall, for example to allow an accessory to be connected to the main unit's drive, can continue to be used. Overall, the invention allows existing kitchen appliances to be easily retrofitted while simultaneously increasing user-friendliness.

[0009] A basic unit according to the present invention is preferably designed as a base for the use of a receiving vessel and accessories. The basic unit has a housing in which an electric motor for driving accessories is arranged.

[0010] The receiving vessel has a wall that at least partially surrounds a receiving chamber for holding food. Preferably, the wall comprises a base and walls, which may be formed as single pieces or as separate parts. A handle or a raised bottom may be attached to the wall. In particular, a heating element may be provided at the base. Furthermore, the handle or the raised bottom may be made of a thermally insulating material to reduce the risk of burns to a user or a kitchen work surface. Additionally, the wall or base of the receiving vessel, or the raised bottom, may be designed to form an interface for mechanical connection with the housing of the base unit.

[0011] The wall of the receiving vessel has a penetrating opening. Preferably, the penetrating opening is located in the base, particularly if the receiving vessel is intended for connection to the base unit in the base area. Alternatively, the penetrating opening can be provided on a wall of the vessel. In this case, the requirements for leak-tightness with respect to food stored in the receiving chamber of the receiving vessel are lower, and thus the manufacture of the kitchen appliance is also simpler.

[0012] An accessory is defined as any part designed to interact with the main unit. The term "interaction" includes, among other things, the actions listed below: connecting, coupling, assembling, attaching, fitting, and similar actions. In particular, an accessory is designed to extend the functionality of the main unit, for example, as a cutting, stirring, cooking, weighing, steaming, or covering unit.

[0013] The base unit and the accessory each have a communication module configured for wireless communication. The first communication module of the base unit and the second communication module of the accessory are preferably configured to exchange signals wirelessly. In particular, the first communication module is configured to emit an excitation signal, for example, a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field, and to receive and evaluate a modulated response signal. The second communication module is preferably configured to modulate an excitation signal from the first communication module and output it as a modulated response signal.

[0014] A connecting element within the meaning of the present invention is an element suitable for ensuring a communication link between the accessory and the base unit. The connecting element is designed to be positioned in the penetrating opening of the wall of the receiving vessel. In this way, the connecting element can transmit a signal, particularly in the form of an electromagnetic wave, emitted by the first communication module of the base unit at one side of the wall, through the wall and forward it to the second communication module of the accessory. This also applies in the reverse direction, i.e., for a signal transmitted from the second communication module of the accessory towards the first communication module of the base unit.

[0015] For installation in the penetrating opening of the receiving vessel's wall, the connecting element preferably has a base body with a shape that is at least partially adapted to the shape of the penetrating opening. A sealing element can be provided between the base body of the connecting element and the inner wall of the opening. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting element can have a cap that, when the connecting element is installed in the penetrating opening of the receiving vessel's wall, contributes to sealing the opening. Preferably, the cap is made of a material that is resistant to mechanical stresses that occur during food preparation in the receiving vessel and that is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic waves. Examples of such materials are polymers, silicone, ceramics, or a combination thereof.

[0016] In a first embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the wall of the receiving vessel is at least partially made of a material that is at least partially impermeable to electromagnetic waves.

[0017] The permeability of a material to electromagnetic waves or fields depends on the conductivity and permeability of the material as well as on the frequency of the waves or field. For electromagnetic waves or fields emitted by a near-field communication transceiver, stainless steel is essentially opaque or largely attenuates these waves. Within the scope of the present invention, stainless steel has proven to be essentially opaque to electromagnetic waves with a frequency of approximately 13.56 MHz. The material's substantial opacity was tested on areas of the receiving vessel wall that do not have any penetrating openings. The material is also preferably suitable for hygienically receiving food, particularly at the elevated temperatures that regularly occur during food preparation.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the connecting element has a first communication element and a second communication element, wherein the first communication element is configured for wireless communication with the first communication module of the base unit and the second communication element is configured for wireless communication with the second communication module of the accessory, and wherein the first communication element and the second communication element are connected via a cable connection.

[0019] Depending on the dimensions of the cable connection, this allows the size of the penetrating opening in the wall of the receiving vessel to be kept small, thus ensuring a higher level of sealing. Furthermore, this method allows for the simple and cost-effective design of the first and second communication elements, enabling reliable signal transmission from one to the other.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the first communication module of the basic unit is a near-field communication reading module, in particular an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) reading module or an NFC (Near Field Communication) reading module, the second communication module of the accessory is a near-field communication transponder, in particular an RFID transponder or an NFC transponder, and the first communication element, the second communication element and their connection form a passive near-field repeater module, in particular an RFID repeater module or an NFC repeater module.

[0021] So-called RFID transceivers, transponders, and repeaters are readily available on the market, simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and robust in use. Corresponding NFC modules are also available. Furthermore, they offer a signal transmission range suitable for kitchen appliances of this type. The RFID or NFC transponder can be either passive or active.

[0022] Within the scope of the present invention, "near-field communication" (abbreviated NFC) is understood to be an international transmission standard based on radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology for the contactless exchange of data via electromagnetic induction using loosely coupled coils over short distances of a few centimeters and a data transmission rate of up to 424 kbit / s. Data is exchanged by the second communication module modulating an electromagnetic field generated by the first communication module, and this modulation is then detectable by the first communication module.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the connecting element comprises a base body with a first distal section, a transition section, and a second distal section, wherein the first distal section and the second distal section are arranged in opposite directions, and the transition section connects the first distal section and the second distal section, the transition section being designed to be positioned in the penetrating opening in the wall of the receiving vessel. Furthermore, the first communication element is arranged on the first distal section and the second communication element on the second distal section.

[0024] In this way, the first and second communication elements can each be positioned on one side of the receiving vessel's wall. This allows signal exchange to be overcome, particularly when a receiving vessel is made of a shielding material. Specifically, signals can then be transmitted between the first communication module of the base unit and the second communication module of the accessory without having to be rerouted around the receiving vessel's wall, for example, via the handle or lid.

[0025] The adjective "distal" is preferably to be understood as "distant from the center of the base body." The transition section forms a transition between the first distal section and the second distal section. Furthermore, the first distal section, the transition section, and the second distal section can be formed as a single piece, for example, in the form of a shaft or a transmission element with a force transmission profile, particularly a screw engagement profile. This simplifies the connection between the first communication element and the second communication element.

[0026] In another embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the transition section has a cable guide, and the cable guide carries the cable connection between the first communication element and the second communication element.

[0027] The cable routing can be a channel, for example a bore, that traverses the transition section from the first distal section to the second distal section of the connector's base body. This cable routing design enables a sealed connection between the two communication elements of the connector, electrically isolated from its surroundings and therefore reliable and durable.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the cable guide can be a recess in an outer surface of a component of the connecting element, designed to accommodate the cable connection. Preferably, the recess extends from the position of the first communication element to the position of the second communication element. Furthermore, the recess, which accommodates the cable connection, can be filled with an insulating material. The insulating material thus seals the recess with the cable connection or electrically insulates the cable connection from the environment.

[0029] In another embodiment of the kitchen appliance, the cable connection has a coaxial conductor. In this embodiment, the connecting element or the base body of the connecting element has at least a partial electrically conductive material, and the coaxial conductor is at least partially formed by the electrically conductive material of the base body of the connecting element.

[0030] In this way, the connecting element can be designed more compactly, and in particular a separate cable can be dispensed with.

[0031] According to the invention, the basic device has a drive and the connecting element or the base body of the connecting element is designed to transmit a drive force from the drive of the basic device to the accessory part.

[0032] This allows a connecting element, which is already provided in a standard kitchen appliance for driving the accessory, to be easily replaced or retrofitted to connect the base unit to the accessory both mechanically and via signaling. A particular advantage is that the base unit, the accessory, and the container can continue to be used unchanged from existing kitchen appliances on the market; only the connecting element needs to be replaced.

[0033] A connecting element according to this embodiment of the kitchen appliance can, for example, have a first distal section in the form of a transmission element with a screw drive profile for connection to the drive of the base unit, a second distal section in the form of an interface element for a mechanical connection with an accessory, and a transition section in the form of a shaft that carries a cutting unit. The first communication element can be a coil on the interface element, and the second communication element can be a coil on the transmission element.

[0034] The above-mentioned problem is also solved according to the invention by a connecting element for a kitchen appliance with a base body, wherein the base body is at least partially designed for arrangement in a penetrating opening in the wall of a receiving vessel of the kitchen appliance, in that a first communication element and a second communication element, designed for wireless communication, are provided, and that the first communication element and the second communication element are connected via a cable connection.

[0035] These connecting elements are suitable for simplifying kitchen appliances with an accessory recognition system. In particular, the remaining parts of a kitchen appliance, such as the container, can be used unchanged compared to existing appliances. Existing kitchen appliances can also be easily retrofitted or upgraded with the connecting element.

[0036] Furthermore, the connecting element and its embodiments described in the following paragraphs offer the same advantages as the kitchen system and the corresponding embodiments of the kitchen system.

[0037] In a first embodiment of the connecting part, the first communication element, the second communication element and their connection form a passive near-field repetition module, in particular an RFID repetition module or an NFC repetition module.

[0038] This allows for the installation of robust and readily available modules, or the manufacturing of the connecting element can be simple and cost-effective.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the connecting part, the base body has a first distal section, a transition section, and a second distal section, wherein the first distal section and the second distal section are arranged in opposite directions, and the transition section connects the first distal section and the second distal section, and wherein the transition section is designed to be positioned in the penetrating opening in the wall of a receiving vessel of the kitchen appliance. Furthermore, the first communication element is arranged on the first distal section, and the second communication element is arranged on the second distal section.

[0040] In another embodiment of the connecting part, the transition section has a cable guide and the cable guide carries the cable connection between the first communication element and the second communication element.

[0041] In a further embodiment of the connecting element, the cable connection has a coaxial conductor, the base body has at least a portion made of an electrically conductive material, and the coaxial conductor is at least a portion formed by the electrically conductive material of the base body of the connecting element. In particular, the base body can have a shaft designed to transmit a driving force and with a metal composition.

[0042] According to the invention, the base body has a transmission element for transmitting a driving force from the first distal section to the second distal section.

[0043] In another embodiment of the connecting part, the connecting element has a knife unit and the transmission element is designed to transmit a drive force from the drive of the base unit to the knife unit.

[0044] In this way, both the cutting unit and an accessory that is mechanically compatible with the connecting element can be driven or set in motion by the drive of the basic unit.

[0045] Furthermore, the above-mentioned problem is also solved by a method for transmitting an information signal between a first communication module of a basic unit of a kitchen appliance, equipped for wireless communication, and a second communication module of an accessory of the kitchen appliance, equipped for wireless communication, in which a signal is transmitted between the first communication module and the second communication module by means of a connecting element according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0046] The process also offers the same advantages as the kitchen appliance and the connecting element described in the previous paragraphs.

[0047] The features of the kitchen appliance, the connecting element, and the method can be combined in any way desired. Further features and advantages of the kitchen appliance, the connecting element, and the method are explained in the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows... Fig. 1 a first example of a kitchen appliance with a connecting element, Fig. 1a a detailed view of the kitchen appliance from the Fig. 1 Fig. 2 a first example of a connecting element, Fig. 3 a second example of a connecting element, Fig. 3a a component of the connecting element from the Fig. 3 In a first perspective view and without insulation material, Fig. 3b, the component from the Fig. 3a in a second perspective view and without insulation material, Fig. 3c the component from the Fig. 3a with insulating material, Fig. 3d the component from the Fig. 3b with insulating material, Fig. 4 a third example of a connecting element, Fig. 5 a second example of a kitchen appliance with a

[0048] Connecting element not covered by the present claims. Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows kitchen appliance 2 with a base unit 4, a receiving vessel 6, an accessory 8, and a connecting element 10. The base unit 4 has a housing 12, a drive 14, and a first communication module 16 in the form of an RFID transceiver, which is equipped for wireless communication. Section Ia of the kitchen appliance is shown in Fig. 1a shown in further detail.

[0049] The receiving vessel 6 is designed to hold food or ingredients for a preparation process. In particular, the receiving vessel 6 is designed to hold liquids and hot ingredients and has a stainless steel wall 18. The wall 18 is formed in one piece with the side walls 20 and a base 22, the wall 18 having an opening at the top for receiving food. Furthermore, a heating element (not shown) for warming the received food is integrated into the base 22.

[0050] Accessory 8 is designed for use in the receiving chamber 24 of the receiving vessel 6 and to supplement the function of the kitchen appliance 2. Accessory 8 can, for example, take the form of a stirring, cutting, peeling, weighing, or covering unit. Accessory 8 has a second communication module 26, designed for wireless communication, in this case an RFID transponder.

[0051] Due to its composition with stainless steel, the wall 18 of the receiving vessel 6 at least partially obstructs the path of electromagnetic waves between the two sides of the wall 18. To overcome this obstacle, the wall 18 of the vessel 6 exhibits a design that... Fig. 1 and Fig. 1a The receiving vessel 6 shown has a penetrating opening 28 in which the connecting element 10 is received.

[0052] The connecting element 10 has a base body 30 with a first distal section 32, a transition section 34, and a second distal section 36. The first distal section 32 and the second distal section 36 are arranged in opposite directions. The transition section 34 connects the first distal section 32 and the second distal section 36. Furthermore, the transition section 34 has an outer diameter d that is adapted to the inner diameter D of the penetrating opening 28 in the wall 18 of the receiving vessel 6. In addition, a cap 38 with a sealing element 40 is provided in the area where the transition section 34 and the second distal end merge, ensuring a tight connection of the connecting element 10 with the wall 18 or the bottom 22 of the receiving vessel 6.

[0053] The connecting element 10 has a first communication element 42 on the first distal section 32 and a second communication element 44 on the second distal section 36. The first communication element 42 is configured for wireless communication with the first communication module 16 of the base unit 4. The second communication element 44 is configured for wireless communication with the second communication module 26 of the accessory 8. The first communication element 42 and the second communication element 44 are connected via a cable 46. The first communication element 42, the second communication element 44, and the cable 46 form a passive RFID repeater module capable of transmitting a signal between the first communication module 16 of the base unit 4 and the second communication module 26 of the accessory 8.

[0054] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a first example of a connecting element 50, which is configured with a cutting unit 52, a sealing cap 54, and a base body 56 in the form of a transmission element 57. The transmission element 57 is itself configured as a shaft. The connecting element 50 has a first distal section 58, a second distal section 60, and a transition section 62 connecting these sections 58 and 60. Furthermore, the connecting element 50 has a first communication element 64 and a second communication element 66, which are arranged on the first distal section 58 and the second distal section 60, respectively. Both communication elements 64 and 66 are equipped for signal transmission with other NFC elements or modules using NFC technology.Furthermore, the first communication element 64 and the second communication element 66 are connected via a cable connection 68, which is arranged in a cable guide 70 designed as a bore through the transmission element 57.

[0055] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a second example of a connecting element 80, which is also designed with a cutting unit 82, a sealing cap 84, and a base body 86 in the form of a transmission element 87. The sealing cap 84 is designed to withstand the mechanical stresses occurring during a preparation process and, at the same time, be at least partially permeable to electromagnetic waves. In this case, the sealing cap 84 is essentially made of plastic.

[0056] The connecting element 80 has a first distal section 88, a second distal section 90, and a transition section 92. Here too, a first NFC communication element 94 and a second NFC communication element 96 are provided, which are connected by means of a cable connection 98. In contrast to the connecting element 50 from the Fig. 2 The first communication element 94 and the second communication element 96 are located closer to each other and at the transition section 92.

[0057] In particular, the second communication element 96, viewed from the second distal section 90, is located behind the knife unit 82 and the sealing cap 84. This allows for improved manufacturability of the connecting element 80.

[0058] Fig. 3a , Fig. 3b , Fig. 3c and Fig. 3d show a component 99 of the connecting element 80 from the Fig. 3 Component 99 is designed as a knife bearing receptacle and has a central, penetrating opening 100, which is designed to receive a shaft. In the Fig. 3a and 3c Component 99 is shown in a first perspective view and in the Fig. 3b and 3d shown in a second perspective view. Furthermore, they show Fig. 3a and 3b Component 99 without insulation material, while the Fig. 3c and 3d Show component 99 with insulation material.

[0059] The first NFC communication element 94 is arranged at a first end 101 of component 99. The first NFC communication element 94 is connected via cable 98 to the second NFC communication element 96, which is arranged at a second end 102 of component 99. Cable 98 is configured as cable 103 with a capacitor PCB 104, with both cable 103 and capacitor PCB 104 each being arranged in recesses 105a and 105b in the mass of component 99. The cable connection 98 and the recesses 105a, 105b together extend from the first end 101 to the second end 102 of the component 99. The first NFC communication element 94 and the second NFC communication element 96 are each embedded in recesses 106a, 106b in the mass of the component 99.

[0060] In the recesses 105a, 105b, 106a and 106b, insulating material 107, here silicone, was applied by a so-called "over-molding" process, so that the first NFC communication element 94, the second NFC communication element 96, the cable connection 98 and their connections are electrically insulated from the environment and protected against mechanical stresses.

[0061] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a third example of a connecting element 110, which has a knife unit 112, a sealing cap 114, and a base body 116 in the form of a transmission element 117. The transmission element 117 is designed as a shaft with a first distal section 118 and a second distal section 120, wherein the first distal section 118 of the transmission element 117 is simultaneously the first distal section of the connecting element 110. This also applies to the second distal section 120 of the transmission element 117 and the connecting element 110.

[0062] Furthermore, a first communication element 122 is arranged on the first distal section 118, and a second communication element 124 is arranged on the second distal section 120. The transmission element has a core 128 made of an electrically insulating material extending along the main axis 126 of the transmission element 117, and a wall 130 made of an electrically conductive material arranged around the core 128. A cable connection 132 also runs through the core 128. Both the wall 130 of the transmission element 117 and the cable connection 132 are connected to both communication elements 122 and 124, so that the wall 130 of the transmission element 117 and the cable connection 132 together form a coaxial conductor between the first and second communication elements 122 and 124.

[0063] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows a second example of a kitchen appliance 140 with a connecting element 142, which is not covered by the present claims. The kitchen appliance 140 comprises a base unit 144, which includes a first communication module 146 configured for wireless communication, a receiving vessel 148 with a wall 150, and an accessory 152, wherein the accessory 152 includes a second communication module 154 configured for wireless communication. A penetrating opening 158 is provided in a side wall 156 of the wall 150 of the receiving vessel 148.

[0064] The connecting element 142 is designed as a repeater module or for signal transmission between the first and the second communication module 146, 154 and is arranged in the penetrating opening 158 of the wall 150.

Claims

1. Kitchen appliance (2, 140) - with a base unit (4, 144), wherein the base unit (4, 144) has a first communication module (16, 146) configured for wireless communication, - with a receiving vessel (6, 148), wherein the receiving vessel (6, 148) has a wall (18, 150) with a penetrating opening (28, 158) and - with an accessory part (8, 152), wherein the accessory part (8, 152) has a second communication module (26, 154) configured for wireless communication, - wherein a connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) is provided, - wherein the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) is adapted for arrangement in the penetrating opening (28, 158) of the wall (18, 150) of the receiving vessel (6, 148), and - wherein the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) is configured for transmitting signals between the first communication module (16, 146) and the second communication module (26, 154), characterised in - that the base unit (4, 144) comprises a drive (14), and - that the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) is adapted to transmit a drive force from the drive (14) of the base unit (4, 144) to the accessory part (8, 152).

2. Kitchen appliance (2, 140) according to claim 1, characterised in that the wall (18, 150) of the receiving vessel (6, 148) is formed at least partially from a material which is at least partially impermeable to electromagnetic waves.

3. Kitchen appliance (2, 140) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised - in that the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) comprises a first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) and a second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124), - wherein the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) is configured for wireless communication with the first communication module (16, 146) of the base unit (4, 144) and the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124) is configured for wireless communication with the second communication module (26, 154) of the accessory part (8, 152), and - wherein the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) and the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124) are connected via a cable connection (46, 68, 98, 132).

4. Kitchen appliance (2, 140) according to claim 3, characterised - in that the first communication module (16, 146) of the base unit (4, 144) is a near-field communication reader module, in particular an RFID reader module or an NFC reader module, - in that the second communication module (26, 154) of the accessory part (8, 152) is a near-field communication transponder, in particular an RFID transponder or an NFC transponder, and - that the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122), the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124) and their connection form a passive near-field repeating module, in particular an RFID repeating module or an NFC repeating module.

5. Kitchen appliance (2, 140) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised - in that the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) has a base body (30, 56, 86, 116) with a first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 118), with a transition portion (34, 62, 92) and with a second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 120), - wherein the first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 118) and the second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 120) are arranged in opposite directions and the transition portion (34, 62, 92) connects the first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 118) and the second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 120), - wherein the transition portion (34, 62, 92) is adapted to be disposed in the penetrating opening (28, 158) in the wall (18, 150) of the receiving vessel (6, 148), and - in that the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) is arranged at the first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 118) and the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124) is arranged at the second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 120).

6. Kitchen appliance (2, 140) according to claim 5, characterised - in that the transition portion (34, 62, 92) has a cable guide (70, 105a, 105b), and - in that the cable guide (70, 105a, 105b) guides the cable connection (46, 68, 98, 132) between the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) and the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124).

7. Kitchen appliance (2, 140) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised - in that the cable connection (46, 68, 98, 132) has a coaxial conductor, - in that the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) or the base body (30, 56, 86, 116) of the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) has at least partially an electrically conductive material, and - in that the coaxial conductor is formed at least partially by the electrically conductive material of the base body (30, 56, 86, 116) of the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142).

8. Connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) for a kitchen appliance (2, 140) - with a base body (30, 56, 86, 116), - wherein the base body (30, 56, 86, 116) is formed at least partially for arrangement in a penetrating opening (28, 158) in the wall (18, 150) of a receiving vessel (6, 148) of the kitchen appliance (2, 140), - wherein a first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) adapted for wireless communication and a second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124) adapted for wireless communication are provided, and - wherein the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) and the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124) are connected via a cable connection (46, 68, 98, 132), characterised in - that the base body (30, 56, 86, 116) has a transmission element (57, 87, 117) for transmitting a drive force from the first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 101, 118) to the second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 102, 120).

9. Connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) according to claim 8, characterised in that the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122), the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124) and their connection form a passive near-field repeating module, in particular an RFID or NFC repeating module.

10. Connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) according to claim 8 or 9, characterised - in that the base body (30, 56, 86, 116) has a first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 118), a transition portion (34, 62, 92) and a second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 120), - wherein the first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 118) and the second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 120) are arranged in opposite directions and the transition portion (34, 62, 92) connects the first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 118) and the second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 120), and - wherein the transition portion (34, 62, 92) is adapted for arrangement in the penetrating opening (28, 158) in the wall (18, 150) of a receiving vessel (6, 148) of the kitchen appliance (2, 140), - in that the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) is arranged at the first distal portion (32, 58, 88, 118), and - in that the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124) is arranged at the second distal portion (36, 60, 90, 120).

11. Connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) according to claim 10, characterised - in that the transition portion (34, 62, 92) has a cable guide (70, 105a, 105b), and - in that the cable guide (70, 105a, 105b) guides the cable connection (46, 68, 98, 132) between the first communication element (42, 64, 94, 122) and the second communication element (44, 66, 96, 124).

12. Connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterised - in that the cable connection (46, 68, 98, 132) has a coaxial conductor, - in that the base body (30, 56, 86, 116) at least partially comprises an electrically conductive material, and - in that the coaxial conductor is formed at least partially by the electrically conductive material of the base body (30, 56, 86, 116) of the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142).

13. Connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterised - in that the connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) has a blade unit (52, 82, 112), and - in that the transmission element (57, 87, 117) is adapted to transmit a drive force from the drive (14) of the base unit (4, 144) to the blade unit (52, 82, 112).

14. Method for transmitting an information signal between a first communication module (16, 146) of a base unit (4, 144) of a kitchen appliance (2, 140), which is configured for wireless communication, and a second communication module (26, 154) of an accessory part (8, 152) of the kitchen appliance (2, 140), which is configured for wireless communication, wherein a signal is transmitted between the first communication module (16, 146) and the second communication module (26, 154) by means of a connecting element (10, 50, 80, 110, 142) according to any one of claims 8 to 13.