ELECTRIC COOKING APPLIANCE INCLUDING A WORKING TOOL

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an electric cooking appliance for cooking food under pressure, such as an electric pressure cooker. State of the art

[0002] Document CN207768224U discloses an electric cooking appliance comprising: a cooking vessel configured to receive food to be cooked, a magnetic stirring tool rotatably mounted in the cooking vessel, the magnetic stirring tool having a central portion and a plurality of stirring arms extending from the central portion and configured to stir food contained in the cooking vessel, a magnetic drive system configured to rotate the magnetic stirring tool, and a control unit configured to control operation of the electric cooking appliance.

[0003] The magnetic drive system of the aforementioned electric cooking appliance comprises a permanent magnet disposed below the bottom wall of the cooking tank, and an electric motor configured to rotate the permanent magnet so as to rotate the magnetic stirring tool.

[0004] The electric cooking appliance described in document CN207768224U further comprises a magnetic sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, connected to the control unit and configured to detect the presence of the magnetic stirring tool in the cooking tank.

[0005] Such an electric cooking appliance therefore makes it possible to automatically detect the presence or absence of the magnetic stirring tool in the cooking tank.

[0006] However, the solution described in document CN207768224U for detecting the presence of a stirring tool in the cooking tank is only applicable for an electric cooking appliance equipped with a magnetic stirring tool.

[0007] In addition, the electric cooking appliance described in document CN207768224U uses a dedicated “reed switch” type sensor to detect the presence of the stirring tool and does not allow monitoring of the processing status of the food contained in the cooking tank.

[0008] Also known from document WO2011148982 is a rice cooker comprising a stirring tool driven by an electric motor and a control unit capable of detecting the electric current passing through the electric motor.

[0009] By this measurement of electric current, the control unit is able to deduce a quantity of rice placed in the cooking tank in order to adapt the rotation speed of the stirring tool during the rice soaking stage.

[0010] However, the law of control of the rotation speed of the stirring tool is only based on the comparison between real-time measurements of the value of the motor supply current and threshold values indexed to a quantity of rice during a soaking step in which the consistency of the rice is not transformed.

[0011] Also, such a device is only suitable for a rice soaking stage, and not for stages of a recipe where the consistency of the ingredients could be modified during the progress of the stage of the recipe.

[0012] Document US20190261805 describes a food preparation appliance in which the control of the appliance is influenced by control parameters, in particular control parameters for the operation of the electric motor, the acquisition of which is carried out during the preparation of the recipe.

[0013] However, this document does not describe certain control parameters which are of particular interest to be controlled in a pressure cooking appliance where access to the tank, once the pressure has been increased, is only possible after decompression to reach atmospheric pressure. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0015] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing an electric pressure cooking appliance which has a reasonable cost, which makes it possible to adapt the operating parameters of the cooking appliance according to the state of transformation of the consistency of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking tank during the progress of carrying out a step of a cooking recipe but also to detect the presence of the work tool in the cooking tank.

[0016] To this end, the present invention relates to an electric pressure cooking appliance, such as an electric pressure cooker or an electric multicooker with pressure comprising: a housing arranged to receive a cooking tank, an interface for selecting and / or configuring at least one cooking recipe, the at least one cooking recipe being associated on the one hand with a nature and a quantity of the ingredient(s) of the at least one cooking recipe and on the other hand with operating parameters of the electric cooking appliance, a working tool mounted so as to be able to rotate in the cooking tank and configured to work one or more ingredients contained in the cooking tank, a drive system comprising an electric motor configured to rotate the working tool, and a control unit configured to control the operation of the electric cooking appliance by applying the operating parameters associated with the at least one cooking recipe selected and / or configured from the selection interface, the control unit being configured to monitor, during the performance of at least one step of the at least one selected and / or configured cooking recipe, a determinable value representative of an operating parameter of the electric motor during an operating cycle of the electric motor, the control unit being configured to determine a transformation state of the consistency of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking tank as a function of the exceeding of a predetermined threshold of the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor and to at least adjust the operating parameters of the electric cooking appliance to the selected and / or configured cooking recipe as a function of this exceeding of the predetermined threshold of the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor,characterized in that the control unit is further configured to detect the presence of the work tool in the cooking tank when the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0017] Thus, the present invention makes it possible to detect the presence of the work tool and to automatically adjust the operating parameters of the electric cooking appliance, taking into account the evolution of the transformation state of the consistency of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking tank.

[0018] Consistency is the state of a body in terms of texture, malleability, or fluidity.

[0019] Configuring a cooking recipe involves allowing a user to adjust the final result of the cooking recipe, for example, defining a desired consistency for this final result.

[0020] It is understood that in the present invention a cooking recipe may relate to the transformation of a single ingredient.

[0021] A predetermined threshold of the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor is understood to mean an absolute or relative value either in relation to an instantaneous operating value or in relation to an average operating value over a predetermined period.

[0022] Thus, these provisions make it possible, for example, to automatically adjust a cooking recipe during cooking or during preparation (for example, the cooking time and / or the cooking temperature or the rotation speed of the working tool or even the time of switching from one cooking mode to another in the same cooking recipe: browning then pressure cooking) according to the variation in the consistency of the food contained in the cooking tank, since this variation in consistency has a direct impact on the rotation torque of the working tool and therefore on the operating parameter of the electric motor.

[0023] The electric cooking appliance may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one operating parameter comprises at least one parameter among the rotation speed of the electric motor, the direction of rotation of the electric motor, the activation or pausing of rotation of the electric motor, the heating temperature, the heating duration, the humidity in the cooking tank, the pressure in the cooking tank.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric cooking appliance comprises a heating device which is arranged in the housing and which is configured to heat the cooking tank, for example at least by conduction.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating device comprises a resistive heating element.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating device is arranged below the bottom wall of the cooking tank.

[0028] These provisions make it easy to detect, without any additional device, the presence of the working tool in the cooking tank. In the case of an electric pressure cooker, this makes it possible to know whether the tool is present or not without having to depressurize the cooking tank.

[0029] The motor torque and the supply current of the electric motor, which are respectively generated by or which supplies the electric motor, are relatively low when no work tool is present in the cooking tank. Indeed, when the rotational drive system is provided with a drive shaft located in a central part of the cooking tank, the food contained in the cooking tank does not oppose or only very little the rotation of the drive shaft in the absence of the work tool, and when the rotational drive system is a magnetic drive system based on magnets, the food contained in the cooking tank is not likely to come into contact with the magnetic drive system.However, the mutual action between the magnets of a blade and the magnets of the magnetic drive system as well as the pinching of the tank between these magnets contribute to opposing the rotation of the drive shaft.

[0030] On the contrary, when the working tool is present in the cooking tank, the motor torque or the supply current which must respectively be generated by or consumed by the electric motor in order to rotate the working tool is higher, and varies according to the consistency of the food contained in the cooking tank.

[0031] The motor torque of the electric motor being representative of an operating parameter of the electric motor, such as the supply current of the electric motor, the monitoring of such an operating parameter by the control unit makes it possible to easily detect a variation in the motor torque of the electric motor during an operating cycle of the electric motor, and thus to detect in particular the absence of the work tool in the cooking tank when the operating parameter is relatively low and / or a variation in the consistency of the food contained in the cooking tank.

[0032] Thus, the electric cooking appliance according to the present invention makes it possible to automatically detect the presence or absence of the working tool without the addition of a specific sensor, and can be equipped with a magnetic or non-magnetic working tool.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to emit a warning signal, for example audible or visual, when the presence of the working tool in the cooking tank is not detected by the control unit (or when the absence of the working tool in the cooking tank is detected by the control unit). The control unit may for example be configured to emit the warning signal when the presence of the working tool in the cooking tank is not detected by the control unit after the lapse of a predetermined time from an activation of the electric motor.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to transmit the warning signal to a smartphone of the user.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to command a stop of the electric motor, or a stop of the electric motor and a stop of the heating device, when the presence of the work tool in the cooking tank is not detected by the control unit.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to detect optimal cooking progress of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking tank when the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold which is representative of an optimal consistency of the ingredient(s) for the cooking recipe selected and / or configured by the user.

[0037] The predetermined threshold may, for example, be representative of a significant but not sudden variation in the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor.

[0038] The detection of the optimal cooking progress makes it possible to optimally carry out all or part of the steps of the cooking recipe, taking into account that the consistency of the ingredients already present in the cooking tank will still evolve during the subsequent steps of the cooking recipe. Thus, the control unit is able to determine that a given consistency is sufficient for the current step of the cooking recipe, taking into account that the consistency of these ingredients will still evolve during the subsequent steps of the cooking recipe. In addition, the control unit will consider that the user will be able to move on to the next step once the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold which is representative of this given consistency.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the predetermined threshold is variable and depends on the recipe selected and / or configured by the user and therefore on the nature of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking tank, their quantity, their shape or even their condition.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to command a stop of the electric motor, or a stop of the electric motor and a stop of the heating device, or to reduce the speed of the electric motor, or to reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor, when the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor reaches or exceeds a threshold value for preventing motor blocking, which is advantageously greater than the predetermined threshold value.

[0041] Speed reduction is particularly suitable in the case of stirring a rheothickening non-Newtonian fluid.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to reverse a direction of rotation of the electric motor for a predetermined reversal duration from a time when the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor has reached or exceeded a threshold value for preventing motor blocking.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is further configured to command a stop of the electric motor, or a stop of the electric motor and a stop of the heating device, after the predetermined reversal duration has elapsed.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is further configured to reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor again after the predetermined reversal time has elapsed.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor is chosen from the supply current of the electric motor (i.e. the current passing through the electric motor), the sliding average of the supply current of the electric motor, the variation over time of the supply current of the electric motor, the motor torque, or a variation over time of the motor torque.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to determine the operating parameter of the electric motor.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive system comprises a peripheral ring extending around a side wall of the cooking vessel, at least one first permanent magnetic device attached to the peripheral ring, and at least one second permanent magnetic device attached to the working tool and configured to cooperate with the at least one first permanent magnetic device, the electric motor being configured to rotate the peripheral ring around the side wall of the cooking vessel.

[0048] Advantageously, the drive system is configured to rotate the working tool when the at least one second permanent magnetic device is placed opposite the at least one first permanent magnetic device and when the electric motor rotates the peripheral ring gear.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral crown comprises a plurality of teeth distributed over a peripheral surface of the peripheral crown.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive system comprises a pinion which is rotatably coupled to an output shaft of the electric motor, the teeth of the peripheral crown being configured to mesh with teeth provided on the pinion.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric motor is arranged on the periphery of the side wall of the cooking tank. These arrangements make it possible, when the electric cooking appliance is equipped with a heating device, to move the electric motor away from the heating device.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric motor is arranged under the bottom of the cooking tank.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the working tool is removable.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the working tool is a single piece.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the working tool is a cutting tool or a stirring tool.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the stirring tool is a stirring blade comprising at least one stirring arm which is configured to stir food contained in the cooking vessel, the at least one stirring arm comprising an end portion configured to extend near or in contact with the side wall of the cooking vessel. Advantageously, the stirring blade comprises one, or two or three stirring arms, which are configured to stir food contained in the cooking vessel.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one second permanent magnetic device is attached to the end portion of the at least one stirring arm.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one first permanent magnetic device comprises one or more first permanent magnets, where appropriate distributed over the peripheral ring in an angularly offset manner relative to each other.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one second permanent magnetic device comprises one or more second permanent magnets.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one first permanent magnetic device and the at least one second permanent magnetic device are arranged such that the at least one first permanent magnetic device and the at least one second permanent magnetic device exert a magnetic attraction force on each other when they are placed opposite each other.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit comprises a controller, such as a microcontroller, or a processor, such as a microprocessor, configured to control the operation of the electric cooking appliance.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit comprises a memory, of non-volatile type, which stores lines of instructions in the form of a program to be executed by the controller or the processor.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking vessel comprises a bottom wall from which the side wall of the cooking vessel extends, and an access opening through which food can be introduced into the cooking vessel.

[0064] According to one embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall of the cooking tank is generally smooth.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric motor has an axis of rotation which is positioned substantially parallel to a central axis of rotation of the peripheral crown.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric motor has an axis of rotation which is positioned substantially transversely to a central axis of rotation of the peripheral crown.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric cooking appliance comprises a cover element movable between an open position in which the cover element allows access to the cooking vessel and a closed position in which the cover element prevents access to the cooking vessel. The cover element may, for example, be pivotally mounted on the housing.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking tank comprises a centering pin which extends from the bottom wall of the cooking tank and which is configured to cooperate with the working tool so as to center the working tool in the cooking tank, and / or the electric cooking appliance comprises a movable central magnet arranged under a central area of the cooking tank and arranged to attract a central part of the working tool comprising a ferromagnetic portion.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to detect a decoupling of the at least one first permanent magnetic device attached to the peripheral crown, and of the at least one second permanent magnetic device attached to the working tool.

[0070] This arrangement allows the control unit to be informed that food mixing has been interrupted.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit, after having detected a decoupling, is configured to detect a re-coupling of the at least one first permanent magnetic device fixed to the peripheral crown, and of the at least one second permanent magnetic device fixed to the working tool.

[0072] This arrangement allows the control unit to be informed that food mixing has resumed.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric motor and the working tool are connected by a mechanical drive shaft passing through the cooking tank.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one cooking recipe is stored in a memory of the electric cooking appliance or on a remote server, the electric cooking appliance comprising communication means for communicating with the remote server.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to determine a quantity of a determined food placed in the cooking tank from the determinable value representative of an operating parameter of the electric motor during an operating cycle of the electric motor.

[0076] This arrangement allows to estimate a quantity of a food of a type determined by the user, and to adjust the cooking parameters to the actual quantity of the food introduced into the cooking tank.

[0077] This function is particularly useful for cooking rice.

[0078] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric cooking appliance is an electric pressure cooking appliance, such as an electric pressure cooker or an electric multicooker with pressure. Brief description of the figures

[0079] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this electric cooking appliance. [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electric cooking appliance according to the present invention. Fig 2 ] There figure 2 is a partial top view of the electric cooking appliance of the figure 1 . [ Fig 3 ] There figure 3 is a schematic view of an arrangement of a first permanent magnetic device and a second permanent magnetic device of a drive system of the electric cooking appliance of the figure 1 . [ Fig 4 ] There figure 4 is a side view of the end of a stirring blade and a portion of the side wall of a cooking tank of the electric cooking appliance of the figure 1 . [ Fig 5 ] There figure 5 is a schematic view of a power supply circuit of the electric motor to which a control unit of the electric cooking appliance of the figure 1 . [ Fig 6 ] There figure 6 is a diagram representing the variation as a function of time of the supply current of an electric motor of the drive system of the electric cooking appliance of the figure 1 . [ Fig 7 ] There figure 7 is a diagram representing the evolution over time of the supply current of the electric motor during cooking of sliced onions. Fig 8 ] There figure 8 is a diagram representing the evolution over time of the supply current of the electric motor when a magnetic work tool stalls. Fig 9 ] There figure 9 is a diagram representing the evolution over time of the supply current of the electric motor when a magnetic work tool is disconnected and then reconnected. Fig 10 ] There figure 10 is a diagram representing the evolution over time of the supply current of the electric motor when a blockage occurs in a work tool mechanically linked to the electric motor. Detailed description

[0080] THE figures 1 et 2 represent an electric cooking appliance 2, and more particularly an electric pressure cooking appliance, such as an electric pressure cooker or an electric multicooker with pressure.

[0081] The electric cooking appliance 2 comprises a housing 3 capable of receiving a removable cooking tank 4, itself configured to receive food to be cooked, and a cover (not visible in the figures) movable between an open position in which the cover allows access to the cooking tank 4 and a closed position in which the cover prevents access to the cooking tank 4. The cover may or may not be removable. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the cooking tank 4 has a substantially circular cross-section.

[0082] The electric cooking appliance 2 further comprises a heating device 5 which is arranged in the housing 3 and which is configured to heat the cooking tank 4 by conduction. However, other types of heating could be envisaged, in particular by induction, by radiation or by hot air. The heating device 5 may for example comprise a resistive heating element and is advantageously arranged below a bottom wall 6 of the cooking tank 4.

[0083] Furthermore, the electric cooking appliance comprises an interface (not shown) for selecting and / or configuring at least one recipe stored in a memory of the electric cooking appliance 2 or on a remote server, the electric cooking appliance comprising communication means (not shown) for communicating with the remote server. The at least one recipe is associated on the one hand with at least one nature and one quantity of the ingredient(s) of the at least one recipe and on the other hand with operating parameters of the electric cooking appliance 2.

[0084] The user also has the option to configure the recipe more precisely by further specifying the recipe parameters.

[0085] Thus, the nature, quantity and possibly the form of the ingredients can be specified declaratively by the user via the selection and / or configuration interface. These parameters could also be measured directly or indirectly by dedicated sensors or other devices arranged on or associated with the electric cooking appliance 2.

[0086] The user also has the option to set a desired result, in particular whether they want a consistency that makes the food more melting or crunchy.

[0087] The electric cooking appliance 2 also comprises a working tool 7, such as a stirring blade or a cutting tool, which is removable and which is mounted to move in rotation in the cooking tank 4. Advantageously, the working tool 7 is in one piece and comprises a plurality of working arms 8, and for example three working arms 8, which are configured to work food contained in the cooking tank 4. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the working tool 7 is a stirring blade and comprises a plurality of stirring arms which are configured to stir food contained in the cooking tank 4.

[0088] The working arms 8 are angularly offset from each other. Advantageously, the working arms 8 are regularly distributed around an axis of rotation A of the working tool 7.

[0089] Each working arm 8 more particularly comprises an end portion 9 which is configured to extend close to or in contact with an internal surface of a side wall 10 of the cooking tank 4.

[0090] Furthermore, the working tool 7 may comprise gripping means (not shown) arranged at the upper end of a hub from which the working arms 8 extend to enable the user to remove or place the working tool 7.

[0091] The electric cooking appliance 2 further comprises a drive system 11 which is configured to drive the working tool 7 in rotation.

[0092] In the case of a mechanical drive system, these gripping means can also allow the user to give the work tool a rotational movement by rotating it with his hand.

[0093] According to the embodiment shown in the figures 1 à 4 , the drive system 11 is a magnetic drive system and comprises a peripheral crown 12 which extends around the side wall 10 of the cooking tank 4 and which is vertically offset relative to the heating device 5. Advantageously, the central axis of rotation of the peripheral crown 12 is substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of the working tool 7, and is substantially vertical when the electric cooking appliance 2 rests on a horizontal support.

[0094] The peripheral crown 12 comprises a plurality of teeth 13 distributed over an external peripheral surface of the peripheral crown 12. Advantageously, the peripheral crown 12 is closer to the bottom wall 6 of the cooking tank 4 than to an access opening 14 of the cooking tank 4 through which food can be introduced into the cooking tank 4. Nevertheless, any other configuration remains possible, in particular with the peripheral crown 12 closer to the access opening 14 of the cooking tank 4 than to the bottom wall 6 of the cooking tank 4 in the case where the cover comprises heating means.

[0095] The electric cooking appliance 2 further comprises a support portion 15 which is configured to slidably support the peripheral ring 12. Advantageously, the support portion 15 comprises a plurality of balls on which the peripheral ring 12 rests. It is also possible to provide ball bearings, roller bearings or even bearings. It is also possible to simply bring the support portion 15 and the peripheral ring 12 into contact and slide them over each other, favoring the use of two materials with a reduced coefficient of friction.

[0096] The drive system 11 also comprises an electric motor 16 configured to drive the peripheral ring 12 in rotation around the side wall 10 of the cooking tank 4. The electric motor 16 is advantageously arranged on the periphery of the side wall 10 of the cooking tank 4, and has an axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to the central axis of rotation of the peripheral ring 12. It may also be envisaged to arrange this electric motor 16 below the cooking tank 4 depending on the size which it is intended to give to the electric cooking appliance 2.

[0097] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive system 11 comprises a pinion 17 which is rotatably coupled to an output shaft of the electric motor 16 and which comprises teeth configured to mesh with the teeth 13 of the peripheral crown 12.

[0098] The drive system 11 further comprises a plurality of first permanent magnetic devices 18 which are attached to the peripheral ring 12 and which are angularly offset from each other. Each of the first permanent magnetic devices 18 may for example be arranged close to the bottom wall 6 of the cooking tank 4, or be vertically offset from the bottom wall 6 of the cooking tank 4.

[0099] According to one embodiment of the invention, the peripheral ring 12 comprises several internal housings 19 which are angularly offset from each other and in each of which a first permanent magnetic device 18 is arranged. Each internal housing 19 may for example open into the upper surface of the peripheral ring 12 and be configured to allow insertion of a first permanent magnetic device 18 into said internal housing 19 after manufacture of the peripheral ring 12. Each first permanent magnetic device 18 may also have been overmolded in the peripheral ring 12 during its injection molding.

[0100] The drive system 11 further comprises a plurality of second permanent magnetic devices 20 which are configured to be arranged in the cooking tank 4.

[0101] Each of the second permanent magnetic devices 20 is attached to the end portion 9 of a respective working arm 8. For this purpose, the end portion 9 of each working arm 8 comprises a receiving housing in which a second permanent magnetic device 20 is housed. Advantageously, the second permanent magnetic device 20 associated with each working arm 8 could be arranged in an insert removably mounted in the respective receiving housing. According to one embodiment of the invention, each receiving housing is hermetic. Each second permanent magnetic device 20 may also have been overmolded in the respective working arm 8 during its injection molding.

[0102] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the number of second permanent magnetic devices 20 is identical to the number of working arms 8, and the number of second permanent magnetic devices 20 is identical to the number of first permanent magnetic devices 18.

[0103] The first permanent magnetic devices 18 and the second permanent magnetic devices 20 are arranged such that each first permanent magnetic device 18 is configured to exert a magnetic attraction force on a second permanent magnetic device 20 placed opposite said first permanent magnetic device 18. Thus, the drive system 11 is configured to rotate the working tool 7 when each second permanent magnetic device 20 is placed opposite a respective first permanent magnetic device 18 and when the electric motor 16 rotates the peripheral ring 12.

[0104] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second permanent magnetic devices 18, 20 are arranged such that the mutual magnetic attraction force exerted between each first permanent magnetic device 18 and each second permanent magnetic device 20 placed opposite each other comprises a substantially radial component relative to the axis of rotation A of the working tool 7.

[0105] Furthermore, the first and second permanent magnetic devices 18, 20 are arranged such that the mutual magnetic attraction force exerted between each first permanent magnetic device 18 and each second permanent magnetic device 20 placed opposite said first permanent magnetic device 18 comprises a component making it possible to press the respective working arm 8 against the bottom wall 6 of the cooking tank 4.

[0106] Advantageously, the first permanent magnetic devices 18 are configured to cooperate with the second permanent magnetic devices 20 so as to center the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4, and so as to automatically position each of the second permanent magnetic devices 20 opposite a first permanent magnetic device 18 when the working tool 7 is placed in the cooking tank 4.

[0107] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, each first permanent magnetic device 18 comprises two first permanent magnets 18a, 18b whose magnetization axis is oriented substantially radially relative to the rotation axis A of the peripheral ring 12 and which are arranged in pole opposition.

[0108] Each second permanent magnetic device 20 comprises two second permanent magnets 20a, 20b whose magnetization axis is oriented radially relative to the axis of rotation A of the working tool 7 and which are arranged in pole opposition. The first and second permanent magnets 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b of the first and second permanent magnetic devices 18, 20 can be made for example of neodymium, ferrite, AINico or SmCo.

[0109] The first two permanent magnets 18a, 18b of each first permanent magnetic device 18 are arranged to be disposed respectively opposite and in pole opposition to one of the two second permanent magnets 20a, 20b of a second permanent magnetic device 20.

[0110] As illustrated on the figure 3 , the distance of the air gap e' between the two second permanent magnets 20a, 20b of each second permanent magnetic device 20 is greater than or equal to half of the air gap e between a second permanent magnet 20a, 20b of a second permanent magnetic device 20 and a first permanent magnet 18a, 18b of a first permanent magnetic device 18 placed opposite said second permanent magnetic device 20. Thus, the leakage fluxes between the two second permanent magnets 20a, 20b are minimized. However, in the event of inequality, the distance of the air gap e' must not be too great beyond half of the air gap e between a second permanent magnet 20a, 20b of the second permanent magnetic device 20 and a first permanent magnet 18a, 18b of the first permanent magnetic device 18, because otherwise the flux would risk looping back more on the same second permanent magnet 20a, 20b.The best compromise consists of having equality between the distance of the air gap e' between the two second permanent magnets 20a, 20b of a second permanent magnetic device 20 and half of the air gap e between a second permanent magnet 20a, 20b of said second permanent magnetic device 20 and a first permanent magnet 18a, 18b of a first permanent magnetic device 18 placed opposite said second permanent magnetic device 20.

[0111] In order to further maximize the useful magnetic flux between a first permanent magnetic device 18 and a second permanent magnetic device 20, a stack of sheet metal or any other magnetic conductor may be placed against a face of each magnet of a permanent magnetic device 18, 20 opposite a magnet of the other permanent magnetic device 18, 20. Such magnetic conductors make it possible to further save the volume of magnets with a constant internal housing volume 19 or receiving housing and therefore to save cost, while maintaining similar performance.

[0112] The air gap e" between the two first permanent magnets 18a, 18b of each first permanent magnetic device 18 results from the conservation of the same angular difference as the angular difference α between the two second permanent magnets 20a, 20b of a second permanent magnetic device 20 placed opposite said first permanent magnetic device 18, these angular differences being measured between two intersecting straight lines at the level of the axis of rotation A of the working tool 7 and passing through the center of the first and second permanent magnets 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b respectively of the first permanent magnetic device 18 and of the second permanent magnetic device 20.

[0113] These arrangements make it possible to orient the magnetic fluxes of the two second permanent magnets 20a, 20b of the second permanent magnetic device 20 in the direction of the first permanent magnets 18a, 18b of the first permanent magnetic device 18 and vice versa by discouraging the looping of the magnetic fluxes on the same permanent magnet.

[0114] Such a configuration of each first permanent magnetic device 18 and each second permanent magnetic device 20 makes it possible to increase the force of attraction between a first permanent magnetic device 18 and a second permanent magnetic device placed opposite said first permanent magnetic device 18 and therefore to increase the torque transmitted to the working tool 7. Indeed, when the two second permanent magnets 20a, 20b of a second permanent magnetic device 20 are located opposite a first permanent magnetic device 18, and in particular axially centered relative to the two first permanent magnets 18a, 18b of said first permanent magnetic device 18, then the two first permanent magnets 18a, 18b and the two complementary second permanent magnets 20a, 20b form a magnetic circuit of lower energy for the relooping of the magnetic flux.

[0115] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, each first permanent magnetic device 18 and each second permanent magnetic device 20 could respectively comprise a single first permanent magnet and a single second permanent magnet.

[0116] The first and second permanent magnets 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b of the first and second permanent magnetic devices 18, 20 can be made for example of neodymium, ferrite, AINico or SmCo.

[0117] According to another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, at least two working arms 8 among the plurality of working arms 8 have different shapes. This arrangement makes it possible to optimize the shape of a working arm 8 for example for stirring small food and to optimize the shape of another working arm 8 for example for stirring larger food.

[0118] Furthermore, as illustrated in the figure 4 , the side wall 10 of the cooking tank 4 comprises an inner boss 10a and the end portion 9 of each working arm 8 is arranged to span the inner boss 10a. This inner boss 10a allows each working arm 8 to correctly perform its stirring function when the working tool 7 is a stirring blade.

[0119] As shown in the figure 5 , the electric cooking appliance 2 further comprises a control unit 21, comprising for example a controller, such as a microcontroller, or a processor, such as a microprocessor, configured to control the operation of the electric cooking appliance 2 by applying the operating parameters associated with the at least one recipe selected and / or configured from the selection interface.

[0120] In particular, the operation is controlled by a servocontrol of the heating device 5 and the electric motor 16. The control unit 21 advantageously comprises a memory, of the non-volatile type, which stores lines of instructions in the form of a program to be executed by the controller or the processor.

[0121] These lines of instructions could also be stored on a remote server in the event that the electric cooking appliance 2 includes communication means (not shown) for communicating with the remote server.

[0122] The control unit 21 is advantageously configured to monitor, during the performance of at least one step of the at least one selected and / or parameterized recipe, a determinable value representative of an operating parameter of the electric motor 16 such as, for example, the supply current of the electric motor 16 during an operating cycle of the electric motor 16, and to determine a transformation state of the consistency of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking tank 4 as a function of the exceeding of a predetermined threshold of the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor 16, in particular the supply current of the electric motor 16.

[0123] The determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor 16 may for example be the supply current of the electric motor 16 itself, the sliding average of the supply current of the electric motor 16, a variation over time of this supply current of the electric motor 16, a motor torque or a variation of this motor torque.

[0124] The supply current of the electric motor 16 can for example be determined by calculation by measuring the voltage across a calibrated resistor 22 (see figure 5 ), such as a shunt resistor connected in series with the electric motor 16. Other determinable values representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor 16 can then be deduced from this calculation of the electric current.

[0125] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 21 is more particularly configured to determine the sliding average of the supply current of the electric motor 16, i.e. the current consumed by the electric motor 16, during a predetermined time range of operation of the electric motor 16.

[0126] Furthermore, in our example, if the sliding average value of the supply current of the electric motor 16 exceeds the predetermined sliding average threshold of the supply current of the electric motor 16 then the control unit 21 will adjust the operating parameters of the electric cooking appliance 2 as a function of this predetermined threshold exceeding.

[0127] This adjustment may for example concern at least one operating parameter of the electric cooking appliance 2, for example the cooking temperature and / or the heating time, but also the rotation speed of the electric motor 16, the direction of rotation of the electric motor 16, the activation or pausing of rotation of the electric motor 16 or even the pressure in the cooking tank or the humidity in the cooking tank. Thus, in the example presented, the control unit 21 is configured to modify at least one heating parameter of the heating device 5, for example the heating temperature of the heating device 5 and / or the activation time of the heating device 5, so as to modify the at least one cooking parameter of the electric cooking appliance 2 as a function of the variation in the supply current of the electric motor 16.

[0128] Advantageously, the control unit 21 is configured to detect optimal cooking progress of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking tank 4 when the sliding average of the supply current of the electric motor 16 reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold which is representative of an optimal consistency of the ingredient(s) for the recipe selected and / or configured by the user.

[0129] Advantageously, the predetermined threshold is variable and depends on the physical properties of the ingredients contained in the cooking tank 4, and the control unit 21 is configured to modify the predetermined threshold as a function of these physical properties and the user's cooking wishes. The memory of the control unit 21 may for example comprise a database comprising charts for defining different values of the predetermined threshold which each correspond to physical properties of corresponding ingredients.

[0130] These charts can also contain different predetermined threshold values that correspond to combinations of determined quantities of determined ingredients. Thus, the optimal consistency can be applied to the selected and / or configured recipe step that includes several ingredients.

[0131] The consistency of these ingredients or combination of ingredients according to their cooking state can also be taken into account, in particular for later stages of the recipe which would require the addition of ingredients to ingredients which had already started to cook and which would therefore present a consistency which has already evolved compared to their original consistency.

[0132] Thus, the optimal consistency of the ingredients does not only reflect the optimal consistency for the consumption of these ingredients but also reflects the consistency of the ingredients for a given stage of the recipe, taking into account that this consistency may still evolve during the implementation of subsequent stages of the recipe.

[0133] There figure 6 represents an example of the evolution of the supply current of the electric motor 16 as a function of time, and more particularly during a recipe comprising a first period T1 during which a first recipe step is carried out during which the working tool 7 is not located in the cooking tank 4. It can be seen that during this first period T1, the motor current has a relatively stable predetermined threshold value Is. When the electric motor 16 is activated by the control unit 21 in the absence of the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4, the motor torque of the electric motor 16 is very low and therefore the supply current of the electric motor 16 is also very low and is in particular less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value Is. The fact that the working tool 7 is not present in the cooking tank 4 corresponds to a motor operating point having a minimum load.

[0134] After the first period T1, a second period T2 begins during which a second recipe step is carried out and during which one or more ingredients as well as the work tool 7 are introduced into the cooking tank 4.

[0135] During this second period T2, the feed current varies according to the interactions of the working tool 7 with the ingredient(s) and the change in the consistency of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking tank 4.

[0136] When the electric motor 16 is activated by the control unit 21 in the presence of the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4, the torque to be supplied by the electric motor 16 to rotate the working tool 7 is greater, and the supply current of the electric motor is then higher than the predetermined threshold value Is.

[0137] Thus, the control unit 21 can easily detect the presence or absence of the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4 by comparing the value of the supply current of the electric motor 16 with the predetermined threshold value Is. In particular, if the supply current of the electric motor 16 is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value Is, then the control unit 21 detects the absence of the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4, and if the supply current of the electric motor 16 is greater than the predetermined threshold value Is, then the control unit 21 detects the presence of the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4.

[0138] At the end of this second period T2, it can be seen that the supply current of the electric motor 16 increases significantly until it reaches a motor blocking prevention threshold value Im. This increase in current results in an increasing difficulty for the working tool 7 to drive the ingredient(s). The motor blocking prevention threshold value Im predicts that a rotational blockage of the working tool 7 may soon occur.

[0139] The third period T3 begins when the current has reached the motor jam prevention threshold value Im. During this third period T3, actions can be implemented to prevent jamming of the working tool 7. Some of these actions are illustrated in figures 8 et 9 described below.

[0140] Advantageously, the control unit 21 is configured to emit a warning signal, for example audible or visual, when the presence of the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4 is not detected by the control unit 21 (or when the absence of the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4 is detected by the control unit 21), while the current operating phase of the electric cooking appliance 2 corresponds to an operating phase requiring the presence of the working tool 7.

[0141] The warning signal may, for example, be displayed on a display screen of the electric cooking appliance 2, or be transmitted to a smartphone of the user.

[0142] In one embodiment of the invention, the control unit 21 may be configured to command a stop of the electric motor 16, or a stop of the electric motor 16 and a stop of the heating device 5, when the presence of the work tool 7 in the cooking tank 4 is not detected by the control unit 21.

[0143] Advantageously, the control unit 21 is also configured to modify a rotation parameter of the electric motor 16, for example stopping the electric motor 16 or the rotation speed of the electric motor 16 and / or the direction of rotation of the electric motor 16, when the supply current of the electric motor 16 reaches or exceeds the motor blocking prevention threshold value Im.

[0144] In particular, the control unit 21 is configured to reverse a direction of rotation of the electric motor 16 when the supply current of the electric motor 16 reaches or exceeds a motor blocking prevention threshold value Im that is greater than the predetermined threshold value Is, for example for a predetermined reversal duration from the time when the supply current of the electric motor 16 reaches or exceeds a motor blocking prevention threshold value Im, and to reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor 16 again after the predetermined reversal duration has elapsed. These arrangements make it possible to limit a rotational blockage of the electric motor 16, due for example to a buildup of food in the cooking tank 4 that would block the rotation of the working tool 7, and thus to preserve the integrity of the electric motor 16.In particular, a reverse rotation of the electric motor 16, and therefore of the working tool, makes it possible to break up blocks of food formed in the cooking tank 4.

[0145] According to another embodiment of the invention, the control unit 21 is configured to command a stop of the electric motor 16, or a stop of the electric motor 16 and a stop of the heating device 5, or to reduce the speed of the electric motor 16, when the supply current of the electric motor 16 reaches or exceeds the motor blocking prevention threshold value Im, in order also to avoid a rotational blocking of the electric motor 16.

[0146] There figure 7 represents the evolution of the supply current of the electric motor 16 during cooking of chopped onions.

[0147] The supply current of the electric motor 16 can for example be determined by calculation by measuring the voltage across a calibrated resistor 22 (see figure 5 ), such as a shunt resistor connected in series with the electric motor 16.

[0148] During a period Z1, the working tool 7 is not placed in the cooking tank 4. During this period Z1, the electric current remains below the predetermined threshold value Is.

[0149] The user then places the work tool in the cooking tank 4. The motor current required to drive the work tool 7 increases significantly to stabilize during a second period Z2 around a no-load motor current value Iv required only to drive the work tool 7.

[0150] The control unit 21 can thus be configured to detect the presence of the work tool 7 in the cooking tank 4 when the supply current of the electric motor 16 reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value Is.

[0151] During a third period Z3, the sliced onions were placed in the cooking tank 4. During this third period Z3, the action of the sliced onions on the working tool 7 generates a slight resistance to the rotation of the working tool and therefore a slight increase in the supply current of the electric motor 16, which stabilizes around a current value Ipc for uncooked onions. During this third period Z3, the sliced onions are not agglomerated, so that the torque required to rotate the working tool 7 is low.

[0152] As soon as the onions are cooked, they are softer than at the start and tend to clump together. This results in greater resistance to the rotation of the working tool 7, leading to an increase in the torque required to rotate the working tool 7, and therefore an increase in the supply current to the electric motor 16 which stabilizes during a fourth period Z4 around a current value Ic for cooked onions.

[0153] The control unit 21 is then configured to determine the transformation state of the consistency of the onions and will adjust the operating parameters of the electric cooking appliance 2.

[0154] In this specific case, the moment corresponding to optimal cooking of the sliced onions corresponds to this transformation of the state of the onions from their uncooked state to their cooked state and therefore to the transition from the third period Z3 to the fourth period Z4.

[0155] As soon as this optimal cooking of the sliced onions is detected, the control unit 21 can for example be configured to deactivate the heating device 5 and to emit a warning signal in order to warn the user that the sliced onions are cooked.

[0156] THE figures 8 à 10 are diagrams representing the evolution over time of the supply current of the electric motor when a particular event occurs on the work tool 7. The values indicated in amperes result from the amplification of the signal representing the intensity of the supply current of the motor according to a predetermined amplification coefficient.

[0157] There figure 8 is a diagram representing the evolution over time of the supply current of the electric motor 16 when a magnetic work tool stalls.

[0158] As can be seen in this figure, before positioning the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4, the motor current required to drive the electric motor 16 produces an amplified signal of less than 0.5 A.

[0159] When the working tool 7 is placed in the cooking tank 4, the motor current required to drive the electric motor 16, the working tool 7 and the ingredients placed in the cooking tank 4 produces an amplified signal of approximately 2 A.

[0160] When the working tool 7 presents a resistance to rotation, then there is a rapid increase in the electric current going beyond the threshold value for preventing motor blocking Im or stalling.

[0161] By exceeding this threshold value for preventing motor jamming or stalling Im, the magnetic work tool 7 eventually stalls.

[0162] The motor current will then decrease rapidly until it stabilizes for a period Z5 at its initial value necessary to drive the electric motor 16 before positioning the work tool 7 in the cooking tank 4.

[0163] There figure 9 is a diagram representing the evolution over time of the supply current of the electric motor 16 when a magnetic work tool 7 is disconnected and then reconnected.

[0164] As can be seen in this figure, after the unhooking, the electric motor 16, which continues to rotate, ends up hooking up the working tool 7.

[0165] The motor current will then increase rapidly until it reaches its value necessary to drive the electric motor 16 of the work tool 7 and the ingredients placed in the cooking tank 4.

[0166] Several Z6 periods of disconnection and reconnection can thus take place during the completion of the same cooking recipe step.

[0167] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the working tool 7 comprises a single working arm 8, and the cooking tank 4 comprises a centering pin which extends from the bottom wall 6 of the cooking tank 4 and which is configured to cooperate with the working tool 7 so as to center the working tool 7 in the cooking tank 4.

[0168] According to another embodiment of the invention, the drive system 11 comprises a drive shaft which is rotationally coupled to the electric motor 16 and which is configured to be rotationally coupled directly to the working tool 7. The drive shaft may for example be formed by an output shaft of the electric motor 16. The working tool 7 is thus mechanically connected to the driving electric motor 16.

[0169] There figure 10 is a diagram representing the evolution over time of the supply current of the electric motor when a blockage occurs in a work tool 7 mechanically linked to the electric drive motor 16.

[0170] As illustrated in this figure, after a stall, the motor current will rapidly increase to generate an amplified signal ranging from 2 A to 4 A beyond the motor stall prevention threshold value Im, and then stabilize at this amplified signal value of 4 A for a period Z7.

[0171] During this period Z7, the electric motor 16 is under full load, so it is advisable to take action on the motor in order to relieve its load.

[0172] Such action may simply be an engine shutdown with a fault communication to the user.

[0173] It is also possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor for a predetermined period of time and then reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor 16 again, hoping that this will resolve the blocking problem.

[0174] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given only as examples. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. Electric pressure cooking appliance (2), such as an electric pressure cooker or an electric pressure multi-cooker, comprising: - a housing (3) designed to receive a cooking vessel (4), - an interface for selecting and / or parameterizing at least one cooking recipe, the at least one cooking recipe being associated, on the one hand, with a type and quantity of the ingredient(s) of the at least one cooking recipe and, on the other hand, with operating parameters of the electric cooking appliance (2), - a working tool (7) rotatably mounted in the cooking vessel (4) and configured to work on one or more ingredients contained in the cooking vessel (4), - a drive system (11) comprising an electric motor (16) configured to drive the working tool (7) in rotation, and - a control unit (21) configured to control the operation of the electric cooking appliance (2) by applying the operating parameters associated with the at least one cooking recipe selected and / or parameterized from the selection interface, the control unit (21) being configured to monitor, during the performance of at least one step of the at least one selected and / or parameterized cooking recipe, a determinable value representative of an operating parameter of the electric motor (16) during an operating cycle of the electric motor (16), the control unit (21) being configured to determine a state of transformation of the consistency of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking vessel (4) as a function of exceeding a predetermined threshold of the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor (16) and to at least adjust the operating parameters of the electric cooking appliance (2) to the selected and / or parameterized cooking recipe as a function of this predetermined threshold being exceeded by the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor (16), characterized in that the control unit (21) is further configured to detect the presence of the working tool (7) in the cooking vessel (4) when the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor (16) reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value (Is).

2. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one operating parameter comprises at least one parameter from among the speed of rotation of the electric motor (16), the direction of rotation of the electric motor (16), the activation or pausing of rotation of the electric motor (16), the heating temperature, the heating duration, the humidity in the cooking vessel (4), the pressure in the cooking vessel (4).

3. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 2, wherein the control unit (21) is configured to emit a warning signal when the presence of the working tool (7) in the cooking vessel (4) is not detected by the control unit (21).

4. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (21) is configured to detect an optimum cooking progress of the ingredient(s) contained in the cooking vessel (4) when the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor (16) reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold which is representative of an optimum consistency of the ingredient(s) for the cooking recipe selected and / or parameterized by the user.

5. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (21) is configured to control a stop of the electric motor (16), or a stop of the electric motor (16) and a stop of a heating device (5), or to reduce the speed of the electric motor (16), or to reverse the direction of rotation of the electric motor (16), when the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor (16) reaches or exceeds a motor lock prevention threshold value (Im).

6. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (21) is configured to reverse a direction of rotation of the electric motor (16) for a predetermined reversal duration from a point in time when the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor (16) has reached or exceeded a motor lock prevention threshold value (Im).

7. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the determinable value representative of the operating parameter of the electric motor (16) is selected from among the supply current of the electric motor (16), the moving average of the supply current of the electric motor (16), the variation over time of the supply current of the electric motor (16), the motor torque, or a variation over time of the motor torque.

8. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the drive system (11) comprises a peripheral ring (12) extending around a side wall (10) of the cooking vessel (4), at least one first permanent magnetic device (18) attached to the peripheral ring (12), and at least one second permanent magnetic device (20) attached to the working tool (7) and configured to cooperate with the at least one first permanent magnetic device (18), the electric motor (16) being configured to drive the peripheral ring (12) in rotation around the side wall (10) of the cooking vessel (4).

9. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (21) is configured to detect uncoupling of the at least one first permanent magnetic device attached to the peripheral ring (12), and of the at least one second permanent magnetic device attached to the working tool (7).

10. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 9, wherein the control unit (21), after detecting uncoupling, is configured to detect re-coupling of the at least one first permanent magnetic device attached to the peripheral ring (12), and of the at least one second permanent magnetic device attached to the working tool (7).

11. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electric motor (16) and the working tool (7) are connected by a mechanical drive shaft passing through the cooking vessel (4).

12. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one cooking recipe is stored in a memory of the electric cooking appliance (2) or on a remote server, the electric cooking appliance (2) comprising communication means for communicating with the remote server.

13. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the control unit (21) is configured to determine a quantity of a particular food arranged in the cooking vessel (4).