Household appliance for food preparation with inner structural frame and cover

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention relates to the general technical field of food preparation appliances comprising a base for receiving a main working bowl, or work container, and a head attached to the base. The head includes a main drive unit arranged beneath the head opposite the base, configured to drive, by means of a main motor, a main working tool in a main working motion. During operation of the appliance, the main working tool performs its working motion inside the working bowl, acting on the food that has been poured into the working bowl.

[0002] In general, the base has a base with a lower face by which the base is intended to rest on a receiving surface and an upper face on which is provided a bowl receiving area configured to receive a main working bowl.

[0003] The head is mounted on the base by a release link having at least one degree of freedom of movement such that the head is mobile relative to the base between a working position and a release position in which the main driver is further from the base than in the working position.

[0004] Furthermore, the device includes a mechanical head transmission which is arranged in the head, which is driven by the main motor shaft and which drives the main driver according to its main working motion.

[0005] This type of appliance has the advantage of allowing the kneading of dough or the mixing of ingredients in the main work bowl. For this reason, these appliances are often referred to as "stand mixers," even though they can often be used for preparations other than baking. A key characteristic of this type of appliance is that the forces generated by the interaction between the main working tool and the food in the main work bowl can be significant. These forces are transmitted on one side to the head, via the main working tool, and on the other side to the base, via the main work bowl. Therefore, these significant forces necessitate designing the head specifically to withstand these relatively high stresses. Technique antérieure

[0006] In conventional food preparation appliances of the type described above, the significant forces exerted during operation necessitate the design of the head, in particular, to withstand these forces without noticeable deformation. For this reason, in some machines, the base and head are made of metal. In other machines, the base and / or head are made of plastic.However, in this case, mechanical strength requirements necessitate the use of plastic materials selected for their mechanical resistance, and may require the incorporation of reinforcements such as fibers or glass beads. Naturally, the implementation of such metallic or plastic materials can prove relatively expensive if the base and / or head are also designed with complex shapes that may be necessary, or at least desirable, for either functional or aesthetic reasons. In particular, for parts made of plastic, the desire for both high mechanical strength and an aesthetically pleasing surface finish may require more costly manufacturing processes and / or the selection of more expensive materials.

[0007] A food preparation appliance of the aforementioned type is known from US document 4,277,181 A.

[0008] The invention therefore aims to enable the design of a food preparation appliance of the aforementioned type which can, with reduced production costs, meet on the one hand the need for high mechanical resistance and on the other hand meet functional or aesthetic constraints concerning the apparent surfaces of the head, and possibly also of the base. Exposé de l'invention

[0009] The invention relates to a food preparation appliance of the type comprising: a base having a base with an underside by which the base is intended to rest on a receiving surface and an upper side on which is arranged a bowl receiving area configured to receive a main working bowl, a main motor having a motor shaft oriented along a motor axis, a head, linked to the base, the head having a main driver which is arranged under the head opposite the bowl receiving area of ​​the base, which is driven in rotation by the main motor, and which is configured to drive a main working tool according to a main working motion.

[0010] The device is of the type in which the head is mounted on the base by a release link having at least one degree of freedom of movement such that the head is movable relative to the base between a working position and a release position in which the main driver is further from the base than in the working position.

[0011] The device is of the type in which the device includes a mechanical head transmission which is arranged in the head, which is driven by the drive shaft of the main motor and which drives the main driver according to the main working motion.

[0012] The apparatus is characterized in that the head comprises an internal structural frame which is mounted on the base by the release linkage, which carries the mechanical head transmission and which carries the main drive, and in that the head has a head cowling which is separate from the internal structural frame of the head and which surrounds the internal structural frame of the head and the mechanical head transmission.

[0013] These provisions make it possible to obtain a food preparation appliance of the aforementioned type whose apparent surfaces of the head have a satisfactory appearance, which has reduced production costs while having a robust construction.

[0014] These provisions also make it easier to differentiate the design of the food preparation appliance.

[0015] Depending on other optional features of such a device, taken alone or in combination: The head cowling defines an internal volume within which the internal structural frame of the head and the mechanical head transmission are received; the head cowling comprises one or more walls delimiting the internal volume within which the internal structural frame of the head and the mechanical head transmission are received; the head cowling comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and two side walls connecting the upper wall to the lower wall, the internal structural frame of the head and the mechanical head transmission being received between the upper and lower walls of the head cowling and between the two side walls of the head cowling; the head cowling comprises a peripheral wall that surrounds the internal structural frame of the head and the mechanical head transmission; the head cowling comprises an opening for the main driver;The device includes a mechanism for locking the head in the working position and / or in the disengaged position. The locking mechanism is supported by the internal structural frame of the head, and the head cover has an opening for the passage of an operating element of the locking mechanism intended to be manipulated by a user. The head cover is fixed at least partially to the internal structural frame of the head; the head cover is made of several parts; the mechanical head transmission includes an intermediate frame through which it is supported by the internal structural frame of the head; the main drive is supported by the intermediate frame of the mechanical head transmission; the main motor is supported by the internal structural frame of the head.The base includes a connecting portion that is offset from the bowl receiving area, towards the rear in a longitudinal direction of the device, and the internal structural frame of the head is mounted on the connecting portion of the base by the release link; the internal structural frame of the head includes a rear portion that is connected to the release link, and a front portion that extends longitudinally forward from the rear portion of the internal structural frame of the head, cantilevered over the base when the head is in the working position; the rear portion of the internal structural frame of the head defines a housing that extends vertically and receives the main motor; the rear portion of the internal structural frame of the head has a lower end by which the internal structural frame of the head is mounted on the base by the release link;The release linkage includes at least one hinge about a horizontal axis; the release linkage includes a clevis mounting of the lower end of the rear portion of the internal structural frame of the head with the connecting portion of the base; the release linkage includes at least one slide; the internal structural frame of the head includes shaped elements which, in the working position, cooperate with complementary shaped elements of the base to limit head movement in at least one direction perpendicular to a head release trajectory between its working position and its released position, the release trajectory being defined by the release linkage; The drive shaft carries a first upper drive; the mechanical head transmission includes an input gear mounted on the drive shaft and the input gear drives a secondary gear; the secondary gear rotates the main drive via a cascade of gears; the input gear drives the secondary gear via a toothed belt; the toothed belt is tensioned by a tensioner pulley under the action of a spring; the mechanical head transmission includes various moving components along with the main motor and the main drive, which are carried by the intermediate frame.

[0016] In some embodiments, the base includes a lower structural frame having a claw for fixing the main work bowl, the lower structural frame of the base includes a connecting portion which carries the release connection, and the base includes a base cover which is separate from the lower structural frame and which covers the lower structural frame from above.

[0017] Depending on other optional features of embodiments, taken alone or in combination: The base cover has an opening for the fixing claw of the main work bowl; the head cover and the base cover connect flush at the release joint; the device has a locking mechanism for the head in the working position and / or in the released position, the locking mechanism is supported by the lower structural frame of the base, and the base cover has an opening for the passage of an operating element of the locking mechanism which is intended to be manipulated by a user; the main motor is supported by the lower structural frame of the base. Brève description des dessins

[0018] [ Fig.1 ] There [ Fig.1 [ ] is a perspective view of a food preparation appliance comprising a base and a head, with some parts shown in transparency, and the head shown in its working position relative to the base. Fig.2 ] There [ Fig.2 ] is a perspective view of the apparatus of the [ Fig.1 ], without the head and base cover elements, and with the head shown in its working position relative to the base. Fig.3 ] There [ Fig.3 ] is an exploded perspective view of the head of the device figures 1 And 2 illustrating the head cowling, which is distinct from an internal structural frame of the head. Fig.4 ] There [ Fig.4 ] is an exploded perspective view of the base of the device figures 1 And 2 illustrating the plinth casing, which is distinct from a lower structural chassis of the plinth. Fig.5 ] There [ Fig.5 ] is a perspective view of the apparatus of figures 1 And 2 , without the head and base cover elements, illustrating the head in a position clear of the base. Fig.6 ] There [ Fig.6 ] is a side view of the device figures 1 And2 , without the head and base cover elements, illustrating the head in the free position relative to the base and illustrating a locking mechanism for the head in the free position. Fig.7 ] There [ Fig.7 ] is a view of the head of the device figures 1 And 2 , in cross-section by plane VII-VII of the [ Fig.1 ]. Fig.8 ] There [ Fig.8 ] is a view of the head of the device figures 1 And 2 , in cross-section by plane VIII-VIII of the [ Fig.1 ]. Fig.9 ] There [ Fig.9 ] is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mechanical head transmission comprising an intermediate frame intended to be fixed to the internal structural frame of the head. Fig.10 ] There [ Fig.10 ] is a perspective view of the arrangement of the mechanical head transmission within the head of the apparatus, with a detail view illustrating in particular a tensioning mechanism for a drive belt of the mechanical head transmission. Fig.11 ] There [ Fig.11 ] is a perspective view of the device, without the head and base cowling elements, with a detail view illustrating in particular the shape elements of the internal structural chassis which, in the working position of the head, cooperate with complementary shape elements of the base to limit the head's deflections in at least one direction perpendicular to a head clearance trajectory. Fig.12 ] There [ Fig.12 ] is a detail view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the shape elements of the internal structural chassis which, in the working position of the head, cooperate with complementary shape elements of the base to limit the deflections of the head in at least one direction perpendicular to a trajectory of the head's release. Description des modes de réalisation

[0019] The figures show an embodiment of a device 10 which is a food preparation appliance, more specifically here a food processor type appliance.

[0020] The device 10 includes a base 12. The base 12 is intended to rest on a support surface, which, for the purposes of this description, will be considered horizontal. The terms "horizontal," "vertical," "up," and "down," and the related orientations, refer to the normal orientations of the device in operation when its base is placed on such a horizontal support surface.

[0021] In the illustrated example, the base 12 has a substantially horizontal base 14 and a connecting portion 12a which extends vertically upwards from the base 14. The base 14 extends from the lower end of the connecting portion 12a in a horizontal longitudinal direction, forwards relative to the connecting portion 12a, the front and rear in the longitudinal direction being thus defined arbitrarily.

[0022] The base 14 therefore includes a lower face 18 by which the plinth 12 is intended to rest on the receiving surface. The base 14 of the plinth 12 also includes, on an upper face, a bowl receiving area 20, visible on the [ Fig.2 ], which is configured to receive a main work bowl 22 for receiving food for culinary preparation. In the illustrated example, the bowl receiving area 20 is arranged at the front longitudinal end of the base 14. Preferably, the bowl receiving area 20 is configured as a mounting claw, for example of the bayonet type, and the main work bowl 22 is configured to have an additional mounting to ensure removable mechanical attachment of the main work bowl 22 to the base 12.

[0023] The apparatus 10 also includes a head 24, connected to the base 12. The head 24 has a main drive 26 arranged beneath the head 24, opposite the bowl receiving area 20 of the base 14, and configured to drive a main working tool 30 according to a main working motion. In the example, the main drive 26 has two output couplers 26a, 26b, each of which can receive a different working tool depending on the work to be performed on the food. In principle, only one main working tool 30 is mounted at a time on the main drive 26, on whichever of the two output couplers 26a, 26b corresponds to that main working tool 30. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures 1 And 2The device 10 includes a main working tool 30 of the hook type. In its working motion, the main working tool 30 moves inside the main working bowl 22 when the latter is received on the base 12. In the illustrated example, the main working motion of the main working tool 30 is an orbital motion consisting of a first rotational movement of the main drive 26 around a first fixed vertical axis A1, indicated on the figures 2 And 9and a second rotational movement around a second movable vertical axis which is parallel to the first fixed vertical axis A1 and which is movable in rotation around this first fixed vertical axis A1. In the illustrated case of a main driver with two output couplers 26a, 26b, each coupler is radially offset with respect to the first fixed vertical axis A1 of rotation of the main driver 26, so that the output couplers 26a, 26b are arranged respectively along their own second movable vertical axis A2a, A2b, which are parallel and radially offset with respect to the first fixed vertical axis A1, and which are angularly offset around the first fixed vertical axis A1.

[0024] Device 10 does indeed include a main motor 28, in this case an electric motor, visible on the figures 3 And 9Specifically, the main motor 28 has a drive shaft 29 oriented along a drive axis A28. In the illustrated example, the main motor 28 is supported by the head 24, being arranged in a rear longitudinal portion of the head 24. In the illustrated example, the drive axis A28 extends vertically within the head 24. However, in some embodiments, the drive axis of the main motor 28 could be oriented horizontally or inclined. Similarly, instead of being supported by the head 24, the main motor 28 could be supported by the base 12, for example, by being arranged in the connecting portion 12a of the base 12.

[0025] The head 24 of the device 10 is mounted on the base 12 by a release link having at least one degree of freedom of movement such that the head 24 is movable relative to the base 12, along a release trajectory, between a working position which is illustrated for example on the figures 1 , 2 And 11 , and a clear position, particularly visible on the figures 5 And 6The main drive 26 is driven by the head 24. The main drive 26 is rotated by the main motor 28. In the disengaged position, the main drive 26 is further from the base 14 than in the working position. The disengaged position facilitates, in particular, the mounting / dismounting of a main working tool on the main drive 26, and / or facilitates the introduction of food into the main working bowl 22. In the example, the disengaged linkage is a disengaged joint around a horizontal transverse axis A0, which is therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the base 14 of the plinth 12. In such a case, the disengaged path of the head 24 extends along an arc of a circle around the horizontal transverse axis A0, in a transverse plane perpendicular to the horizontal transverse axis A0.However, the release mechanism could alternatively include a slide, arranged between the head 24 and the base 12, allowing the head 24 to move relative to the base 12 along a vertical trajectory or a trajectory with a vertical component. The release mechanism could be implemented as a more complex system, comprising, for example, several joints, such as deformable quadrilateral joints, or a combination of one or more joints with one or more slides.

[0026] In the illustrated example, the head 24 has a main portion 24a which extends substantially in a longitudinal and horizontal direction, and a connecting portion 24b, by which it is connected to the base 12 by the release link, which extends vertically downwards from the rear longitudinal end of the main portion 24a. Thus, in the working position, the main portion 24a of the head 24 extends longitudinally forward in cantilever relative to the connecting portion 24b, and therefore extends above the base 14 of the pedestal 12, until it comes above the bowl receiving area 20. In the illustrated example, the main driver 26, which carries the main working tool 30, is therefore arranged at a front longitudinal end of the main portion 24a of the head 24, at the level of an underside of the latter which is turned towards the base 14.The main trainer 26 is therefore preferably arranged vertically directly above the bowl reception area 20 of the base 12.

[0027] In the example illustrated in the [ Fig.1 Optionally, the device 10 includes a control panel 31 supported by a lateral structure 31a attached to the base 12, which incorporates human-machine interface elements, such as a display and a rotary knob, connected to an electronic control unit for the device. However, the human-machine interface elements for controlling the device could take any other form known in this type of device, and the lateral structure 31a is also optional.

[0028] As is known, the apparatus 10 includes a mechanical head transmission 32 arranged in the head 24, which is driven by the drive shaft 29 of the main motor 28 and which drives the main driver 26 in such a way as to drive the main working tool 30 according to the main working motion. In the illustrated example, the mechanical head transmission 32 is advantageously assembled as a subassembly which can be brought into the head 24 and which will be described later, in particular with reference to the [ Fig.3 ] and to the [ Fig.9 ].

[0029] In the particular example that is most notably visible on the [ Fig.9 ], the drive shaft 29 of the main motor 28 carries a first upper drive 46. The mechanical head transmission 32 drives a second upper drive 48. The mechanical head transmission 32 includes an input gear 34, more clearly visible on the [ Fig.10 ], which is mounted on the drive shaft 29 of the main motor and is driven in rotation around its axis, here vertical, by the drive shaft 29, and which itself drives in rotation a secondary gear 36, also with a vertical axis. On the [ Fig.10 The first upper drive 46 and the second upper drive 48 are not shown. The secondary gear 36 drives the main drive 26 in rotation via a series of gears 38. Note that, in the illustrated example, the apparatus 10 includes a secondary drive 40, which is designed to emerge from the front longitudinal end of the main portion 24a of the head 24, which rotates about a horizontal longitudinal axis A3, and which is driven by the series of gears 38 simultaneously with the main drive 26. Such a secondary drive 40 can be used to drive a secondary working tool (not shown) that can be mounted on the front longitudinal end of the head 24.This secondary driver 40 can, for the same given speed of the drive shaft 29 of the main motor 28, have a rotational speed around its axis A3 which is greater or less than that of the main driver 26 around the axis A1.

[0030] It is therefore understood that, during operation of the appliance, the main motor 28 drives the main working tool 30 in its working motion, the main working tool 30 then being able to interact with food placed in the main working bowl 22. In the case of a stand mixer, the main working tool 30 may be a dough hook, designed to knead dough in the main working bowl 22. As is known, kneading dough involves significant mechanical stress, which is transmitted to the mechanical transmission of the head 32. Consequently, the mechanical transmission of the head 32 must be securely held in place within the head 24.

[0031] As can be seen in the various figures, and especially in the figures 2 And 3, the head 24 includes an internal structural chassis 42 which is mounted on the base 12 by the release link, in this case by a release joint around the axis A0, which carries the mechanical transmission of the head 32 and which carries the main driver 26.

[0032] This internal structural frame 42 is designed to withstand the forces exerted by the main working tool 30 on the main drive 26 and the mechanical transmission of the head 32 during the operation of the appliance 10, particularly when the main working tool 30 interacts, through its primary working motion, with food contained in the main working bowl 22. This internal structural frame 42 may be made of a material chosen for its mechanical strength, for example, metal (e.g., cast aluminum or other metallic material) or polymer material, possibly reinforced with particles such as fibers or glass beads. Similarly, the geometry and shape of the internal structural frame 42 may be designed according to the mechanical strength requirements, as well as the requirements for attaching the various components of the head 24 to this internal structural frame 42.

[0033] Indeed, in addition to the internal structural frame 42, the head 24 includes a head cover 44 which is separate from the internal structural frame 42 and which surrounds the internal structural frame 42 and the mechanical transmission of the head 32. This head cover 44 forms the visible external envelope of the head 24 of the device 10. In other words, this head cover 44 presents, as a whole, an external face which is the visible face of the head 24 of the device 10 for a user of the device 10.

[0034] Therefore, the head cowling 44 delimits an internal volume within which the internal structural chassis 42 and the mechanical head transmission 32 are received.

[0035] As can be seen in the figures, in particular the figures 7 And 8The head casing 44 comprises one or more walls delimiting the internal volume within which the internal structural frame 42 and the mechanical transmission of the head 32 are received. The external faces of these walls, combined together, form, for a user, the visible external face of the head 24 of the device 10.

[0036] In the example shown in the figures, one can see, in particular on the figures 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 And 11The internal structural frame 42 comprises a rear portion 42a connected to the release link, and a front portion 42b extending longitudinally forward from the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42, cantilevered over the base 14 when the head 24 is in the working position. In this example, the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 is therefore part of the main portion 24a of the head 24. In the example, the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 defines a housing 42c that extends vertically and receives the main motor 28. The housing 42c is, for example, delimited by side walls and front and rear walls, and is open upwards. In the example, the housing 42c may have a downward opening.In this embodiment, the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 is the part where the release joint is located around axis A0. This joint connects the head 24 to the base 12 and allows the head 24 to pivot around axis A0 from its working position to its released position. Specifically, the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 has a lower end through which the internal structural frame 42 is mounted onto the base 12 by means of the release joint, which is formed here by the release joint around axis A0.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the connecting portion 12a of the base 12 is offset rearward along the longitudinal direction of the device, relative to the bowl receiving area 20 of the base, and the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24 is mounted, here by the lower end of its rear portion 42a, on the connecting portion 12a of the base 12 by the release connection, here made by the release joint around the axis A0.

[0038] In the illustrated example, the head cover 44 is made in several parts, here in two parts, which can be seen in particular on the [ Fig.3 ].

[0039] As an example, the head cowling 44 comprises an upper half-shell 44a and a lower half-shell 44b. The upper half-shell 44a and the lower half-shell 44b meet at a joint plane which, in this example, extends in a horizontal plane and has a substantially oblong contour in the longitudinal direction. In the example, the upper half-shell 44a has an upper wall 44a1, which extends substantially in a horizontal plane, and opposing side walls 44a2, substantially parallel to each other, each extending substantially in a vertical and longitudinal plane downwards from longitudinal edges of the upper wall 44a1.At the forward longitudinal end of the upper half-shell 44a, there is a front opening, in this case for access to the secondary drive 40. This front opening is closed by a front cover 44c, which forms part of the head cowling 44, as it delimits the internal volume. The rear longitudinal end is also closed by a wall element that connects the two opposing side walls 44a2 and the upper wall 44a1. In this example, the upper half-shell 44a has, in its upper wall 44a1, a top opening 44a3 for access to the first upper drive 46 and the second upper drive 48. This top opening 44a3 is closed by a top cover 44d, which also forms part of the head cowling 44, as it too delimits the internal volume.

[0040] In the illustrated example, the lower half-shell 44b forms a lower wall of the head cowling 44, which covers from below the internal structural frame 42 and the head mechanical transmission 32. In the example, the lower half-shell 44b has a geometry corresponding to the lower face of the assembly formed by the internal structural frame 42 and the head mechanical transmission 32. The lower half-shell 44b thus has a rear portion 44b1 with a shape complementary to that of the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42, and it surrounds this rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42. The rear portion 44b1 of the lower half-shell 44b of the head cowling 44 forms, together with the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42, the connecting portion 24a of the head 24.Furthermore, the lower half-hull 44b has a forward portion 44b2 in the form of a lower wall which extends longitudinally forward, in a substantially horizontal plane, from the rear portion 44b1 of the lower half-hull 44b.

[0041] When the two half-shells are assembled to form the outer casing of the head 24, they are joined at their joint plane. The head cover 44 that they form, in the example with the front cover 44c and the upper cover 44d in place, delimits the internal volume of the head 24, which houses the mechanical head transmission 32 and the internal structural frame 42. This head cover 44 is substantially closed on all sides, except for a lower rear opening 52 and a lower front opening 54. The lower rear opening 52 is a downward opening arranged at the rear portion 44b1 of the lower half-shell 44b1, which is configured to allow the internal structural frame 42 to be assembled onto the base 12 via the release link.For this purpose, a connecting portion of the internal structural frame 42 and / or the connecting portion 12a of the base 12 is engaged through this lower rear opening 52, the two connecting portions being linked to each other by the release joint. The lower front opening 54 is formed in the front portion 44b2 of the lower half-shell 44b to provide access, from the outside, to the main drive 26. In this embodiment, no cover is provided to close the lower front opening 54, but such a cover could be provided to close the lower front opening 54 when the main drive 26 is not in use, i.e., when no main working tool 30 is engaged on the main drive 26.

[0042] Thus, the head cowling 44, as a whole, forms a peripheral wall surrounding the internal structural frame 42 and the mechanical head transmission 32. Of course, the head cowling 44 could have a different shape from the one illustrated. In the example, the head cowling 44, in a front portion that overhangs above the base 14, has a substantially prismatic shape in section by a vertical and transverse plane, which can be seen in particular on the [ Fig.7 As an alternative, the head cowling could, for example, have, in section by a vertical and transverse plane, at least in its front part overhanging above the base, a circular shape, an oval shape, an ogive shape, a lower prismatic shape and an upper domed shape, etc....

[0043] The head cover 44 can thus be designed independently or almost independently of the forces that must be transmitted between the main working tool 30 and the base 12 of the device 10. In this way, the shape of the head cover 44, the materials from which it is made, and the manufacturing methods for the head cover 44 can be chosen more freely, particularly to meet aesthetic or other considerations. For example, a head cover 44 with a smooth surface finish can easily be obtained. Typically, the head cover 44 can be made entirely or partially from polymer materials selected for their suitability for molding complex shapes and for their ability to achieve a particularly smooth surface finish. Conversely, the selected polymer materials will not necessarily have to meet high mechanical strength requirements, nor necessarily be suitable for forming solid parts.In particular, the head cover 44 can thus be made of thin walls, for example, thin walls with a thickness of 3 millimeters or less. The greater design freedom of the head cover 44 can be used to give the head 24 external shapes that are more conducive to easy cleaning, thus improving hygiene.

[0044] Of course, the head cowling 44 is not necessarily completely closed, as seen above in relation to the presence of the lower rear opening 52 and the lower front opening 54. Other openings may be provided.

[0045] Firstly, one or more openings can be provided to ensure internal ventilation, for example around the main engine 28. Such openings can be made in the form of ventilation louvers.

[0046] Similarly, the device 10 may include a locking mechanism for the head 24 in the working position and / or in the disengaged position. In some embodiments, such a locking mechanism could be supported by the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24. In such a case, the head cover 44 could advantageously include an opening for the passage of an operating element of the locking mechanism intended to be manipulated by a user.

[0047] Generally, the head cover 44 can be fixed at least partially to the internal structural frame 42, for example by means of mounting brackets attached to the various parts of the head cover 44 and assembled by any known means, for example by screwing, gluing, or riveting, to the internal structural frame 42, either directly or via connecting pieces. In this way, the head cover 44 will move with the internal structural frame 42 when the head 24 moves between its working and disengaged positions. In the illustrated example, the head cover 44 is fixed relative to the internal structural frame 42, even when the head 24 is moved between its working and disengaged positions.However, a possibility of relative movement between the head cover 44 and the internal structural frame 42 could be envisaged, particularly when the head 24 is moved according to the clearance movement between its working position and its cleared position, for example to avoid interference between these two elements hindering the clearance movement.

[0048] As can be seen particularly on the figures 3 And 9The mechanical transmission head 32 includes an intermediate frame 58, which is configured to be fixed to the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24 so that the mechanical transmission head 32 is supported by the internal structural frame 42 via the intermediate frame 58. Thus, for example, the various components of the mechanical transmission head 32 which, during operation of the device 10, are mobile at the same time as the main motor 28 and the main drive 26, such as, for example, the input gear 34, the secondary gear 36, and the gear train 38, are supported by the intermediate frame 58. The intermediate frame 58 is composed of one or more parts which, during operation of the device 10, are fixed.In the example, the intermediate frame 58 includes, for example, an upper plate 58a, a middle plate 58b which is configured to carry, in particular, the input gear 34 and the secondary gear 36, and a lower plate 58c, which is configured to carry at least the main drive 26, and, for example, at least part of the gear cascade 38.

[0049] It should be noted that, in the illustrated example, the main drive 26 is also supported, with the ability to rotate about axis A1, by the intermediate frame 58 of the main mechanical transmission 32, in this case by the lower plate 58c, either directly or indirectly. Similarly, the secondary drive 40 can also be supported, with the ability to rotate about axis A3, by the intermediate frame 58, in this case by the middle plate 58b. Likewise, the first upper drive 46 and the second upper drive 48 are supported by the intermediate frame 58, in this case by the upper plate 58a. The various parts of the intermediate frame 58 are fixed to one another so as to form a rigid assembly capable of supporting the moving components of the main mechanical transmission 32 in a pre-assembled state, before the intermediate frame 58 is mounted on the internal structural frame 42.The intermediate frame 58 of the mechanical transmission head 32 can be made with materials and manufacturing processes identical or similar to those used for the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24. Thus, the mechanical transmission head 32, including its moving components, can be pre-assembled on its intermediate frame 58, so as to form a rigid, self-contained unit that can then be fixed in a minimum number of steps, possibly a single step, onto the internal structural frame 42. This makes it possible, in particular, to control the assembly of the components of the mechanical transmission head 32 which, during operation of the device 10, are mobile at the same time as the main motor 28 and the main drive 26, and which must therefore be assembled carefully, with sufficiently precise positioning tolerances.

[0050] Thanks to its mounting on its intermediate chassis 58, the mechanical head transmission 32 can be pre-assembled, tested and checked before being fixed on the internal structural chassis 42.

[0051] We illustrated on the [ Fig.10 that, in the illustrated example, the input gear 34 of the mechanical head transmission 32 drives the secondary gear 36 via a toothed belt 60. Advantageously, the toothed belt 60 can be tensioned by a tensioning roller 62 subjected to the action of a spring. Here, the tensioning roller 62 is carried by a distal end of a pivoting arm 64 which is articulated, at a proximal end opposite its distal end, around an axis A64 of rotation of the arm on the intermediate frame 58. A spring, for example an angular action spring around the axis A64 of rotation of the arm, presses the arm 64 and therefore the tensioning roller 62 against the belt 60 to put it under tension between the input sprocket 34 and the secondary sprocket 36. Thus, the belt 60 can be optimally tensioned independently of the relative position of the respective axes of rotation of the input sprocket 34 and the secondary sprocket 36.Thanks to this independence, a degree of freedom is gained in the relative positioning of these two components. Thus, it is possible to plan for the input gear 34 to be supported by the drive shaft 29 of the main motor 28 and for the drive shaft 29 to be aligned with the first upper drive 46, without introducing additional constraints in terms of relative positioning between the input gear 34 and the secondary gear 36. This significantly simplifies assembly operations by limiting the number and complexity of post-assembly adjustment operations.

[0052] Similar to what was planned for head 24, it can be predicted that, as can be seen in particular on the [ Fig.4 ], the base 12 also includes a structural chassis, which will hereafter be referred to as the lower structural chassis 66, and a base cover 68 which is separate from the lower structural chassis 66 and which covers all or part of the lower structural chassis 66.

[0053] This lower structural frame 66 is designed to withstand the forces exerted on the base 12 by the head 24 at the release joint. These forces are generated, in particular, by those exerted by the main working tool 30 on the main drive 26 and on the mechanical transmission of the head 32 during the operation of the device 10. This lower structural frame 66 may be made of a material chosen for its mechanical strength, for example, metal (e.g., cast aluminum or other metallic material) or polymer material, possibly reinforced with particles such as fibers or glass beads. Similarly, the geometry and shape of the lower structural frame 66 may be designed according to the mechanical strength requirements.

[0054] The base cover 68 forms the visible outer casing of the base of the device 10, at least for the part visible to the user when the device is in operation.

[0055] In the example shown in the figures, the lower structural frame 66 has a connecting portion, here a rear portion 66a, which carries the release connection, and a front portion 66b which extends longitudinally forward from the rear portion 66a of the lower structural frame 66 to cover the base 14.

[0056] Preferably, the front portion 66b of the lower structural frame 66 also includes the fixing claw for the main working bowl 22, which is arranged at the level of the bowl receiving area 20 of the base 12. In such a case, it is obtained that the chain of transmission of the food preparation forces, which are the forces generated by the work carried out by the main working tool 30 on the food contained in the main working bowl 22 in operation of the appliance 10, is taken up on the one hand by the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24 and on the other hand by the lower structural frame of the base 12, which are linked to each other, without these food preparation forces passing through either the head cover 44 or the base cover 68, or at least not in a significant way.

[0057] In the illustrated example, the rear portion 66a of the lower structural frame 66 extends vertically upwards relative to the base 14 and forms the structural part of the connecting portion 12a of the base 12 in that, in the embodiment, it is the part comprising the release connection, here the release hinge around the axis A0. In this case, the rear portion 66a of the lower structural frame 66 has an upper end on which the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24 is mounted on the base 12 by the release connection, here achieved by the release hinge around the axis A0.

[0058] In the illustrated example, we saw that the main motor 28 is supported by the head 24. For the case in which the main motor would be supported by the base 12, we could foresee that the main motor would be supported by the lower structural chassis 66 of the base 12.

[0059] In the illustrated example, it can be seen that the pedestal cover 68 is made up of several parts. For example, the pedestal cover 68 comprises an upper half-shell 68a and a lower half-shell 68b, the latter being optional. More specifically, the upper half-shell 68a is, in this example, itself made up of two parts: a front upper half-shell 68a1 and a rear upper half-shell 68a2.

[0060] In the example, the upper half-shell 68a completely covers the lower structural frame 66, except for a front upper opening 68a3 which provides access to the bowl fixing area 20, and which is here arranged in the front upper half-shell 68a1. The upper front opening 68a3 provides access to the lower structural frame 66's mounting claw, which is designed for the mechanical attachment of the main work bowl 22 to the base 12. In the example, the upper half-shell 68a covers the lower structural frame 66 and forms the visible external face for both the base 14 of the base 12 and the connecting portion 12a of the base 12. The upper front half-shell 68a1 of the base cover 68 covers the base 14 and includes the upper front opening 68a3 for access to the bowl receiving area 20.The upper rear half-shell 68a2 surrounds the rear portion 66a of the lower structural frame 66. The upper rear half-shell 68a2 and the rear portion 66a of the structural frame 66 together form the connecting section 12a of the base 12. This upper half-shell 68a is, at the level of the connecting section 12a of the base 12, open upwards to allow the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24 to be assembled onto the lower structural frame 66 of the base 12, via the release joint. For this purpose, the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24, which thus forms one connecting section, and / or the rear portion 66a of the lower structural frame 66 of the base 12, which forms another connecting section, is engaged through this opening, the two connecting sections being joined to each other by the release joint.

[0061] In the illustrated example, the lower half-shell 68b of the base cover 68 forms a lower wall of the base cover 68 which covers, from below, the lower structural chassis 66.

[0062] In the illustrated example, the various parts of the plinth cover 68, when assembled, define an internal volume of the plinth 12 in which the lower structural chassis 66 is received. This plinth cover 68 is substantially closed on all sides, with the exception of the upper front opening 68a3 and the upper rear opening at the level of the connecting portion 12a of the plinth 12.

[0063] The base cover 68 can thus be designed independently or almost independently of the forces that must be transmitted to the base 12 of the device 10. In this way, as with the head cover 44, the shape of the base cover 68, the materials used in its construction, and the manufacturing methods for the base cover 68 can be chosen more freely, particularly to meet aesthetic or other considerations. Specifically, the base cover 68 can be made of thin walls, for example, thin walls with a thickness of 3 millimeters or less.

[0064] Of course, the base cover 68 is not necessarily completely closed. One or more openings may be provided, for example, to ensure ventilation, such as air vents. Such openings should preferably be located on the underside 18 of the base 12 to limit the intrusion of unwanted material, particularly food, into the space between the base cover 68 and the lower structural frame 66.

[0065] Similarly, the illustrated device 10 includes, as can be seen in the [ Fig.6 ], a locking mechanism 56 for the head 24 in the working position and / or in the disengaged position. In this embodiment, such a locking mechanism is supported by the lower structural frame 66. The base cover 68 advantageously includes an opening for the passage of an operating element of the locking mechanism 56, which is intended to be manipulated by a user.

[0066] Generally, the base cover 68 can be fixed at least partially to the lower structural frame 66, for example by means of fixing brackets that are integral with the various parts of the base cover 68 and that are assembled by any known means, for example by screwing, gluing, or riveting, to the lower structural frame 66, either directly or via connecting pieces. In this way, the base cover 68 remains fixed to the lower structural frame 66 when the head 24 moves from its working position to its disengaged position.

[0067] The lower structural frame 66 may include a base on which the plinth 12 rests on a support surface. This base may, for example, have several legs. If a lower half-shell 68b is present, this base may project downwards, outside the plinth cover 68, through one or more openings in the lower half-shell 68b.

[0068] Preferably, the head cover 44 and the base cover 68 connect flush at the release link, while being configured so as not to obstruct the release movement provided by the release link.

[0069] On the [ Fig.5 ] and on the [ Fig.11 ], we have illustrated in particular how the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24 is likely to cooperate with the base 12, more particularly in the example illustrated with the lower structural frame 66 of the base 12, to eliminate or reduce parasitic play between the two parts, especially when the head 24 is in the working position in which forces due to the operation of the device 10 are likely to be transmitted between the head 24 and the base 12.

[0070] In general, the internal structural frame 42 includes shape elements which, in the working position, cooperate with complementary shape elements of the base 12 to limit the deflections of the head 24 in at least one direction perpendicular to the release trajectory of the head 24 between its working position and its released position, the release trajectory being defined by the release link.

[0071] In the illustrated example, as can be seen in particular on the [ Fig.11 The release joint comprises a clevis mounting of the lower end of the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 with the connecting portion of the base 12, here more specifically with the rear portion 66a of the lower structural frame 66. In the example, the rear portion 66a of the lower structural frame 66 has two lateral sides 66a1, each extending upwards in a longitudinal and vertical plane. The lower end of the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 is received between the two lateral sides 66a1. The lower end of the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 and the two lateral sides 66a1 are traversed by a cylindrical shaft 70 whose axis is the axis A0 of the release joint. The cylindrical shaft 70 is arranged near a rear face of both the rear part 66a of the lower structural frame 66 and the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24.At a front face of the rear portion 66a of the lower structural frame 66, the two lateral sides 66a1 each have a vertical surface element 72, the two vertical surface elements 72 facing each other transversely. Conversely, at a front face of the lower end of the rear portion 42a of the internal structural frame 42 of the head 24, there are two downward vertical projections 74 whose geometry and positioning allow them to engage vertically and transversely between the two vertical surface elements 72 of the two lateral sides 66a1. Each downward vertical projection 74 includes, in particular, a vertical face 76 that faces the nearest vertical surface element 72 of the lateral side 66a1.The two vertical faces 76 of the two downward vertical projections 74 are turned in opposite directions and are spaced transversely apart by a distance less than or equal to the distance separating the vertical surface elements 72 from the two lateral sides 66a1, with the smallest possible gap. When the head 24 is in the working position relative to the base 12, the downward vertical projections 74, which are attached to the head 24, preferably rigidly, are engaged vertically and transversely between the two vertical surface elements 72 of the two lateral sides 66a1 attached to the base 12, preferably rigidly. Thus, by cooperation of the opposite vertical faces 76 of the downward vertical projections 74 with the vertical surface elements 72 of the two lateral sides 66a1, a limitation of the deflections of the head 24 is obtained along the transverse direction of the axis A0 of the release joint.Since the downward vertical projections 74 and the two vertical surface elements 72 of the two lateral sides 66a1 are offset along the longitudinal direction relative to the transverse axis A0 of the release joint, these complementary shapes also prevent any possibility of rotation of the head 24 relative to the base 12 around a vertical axis. This makes it possible, in particular, to design a release joint that can have radial play around its axis A0, thus facilitating manufacturing and assembly, while preventing the main unwanted movements that could occur between the head 24 and the support 12 during operation of the device 10.

[0072] There [ Fig.12 ] illustrates a variant implementation differing from the implementation illustrated on the [ Fig.11in that the opposing vertical faces 76 belong to a cross member 82 attached under a main body 42c of the internal structural frame 42. The cross member 82 can, for example, be formed by a metal part assembled with the main body 42c formed by a part made of polymer material, the two lateral sides 66a1 of the internal structural frame 66 also being able to be made of metal. When the head 24 is in the working position relative to the base 12, the opposing vertical faces 76 of the cross member 82, which are connected to the head 24, preferably rigidly, are engaged vertically and transversely between the two vertical surface elements 72 of the two lateral sides 66a1 connected to the base 12, preferably rigidly.Thus, by cooperation of the opposite vertical faces 76 of the cross member 82 with the vertical surface elements 72 of the two lateral sides 66a1, a limitation of the deflections of the head 24 is obtained along the transverse direction of the axis A0 of the release joint.

Claims

1. Household food preparation appliance (10), of the type comprising: . a base (12) having a footing (14) with a lower face (18) by which the base (12) is intended to rest on a supporting surface and an upper face on which a bowl receiving area (20) is arranged, configured to receive a main working bowl (22), . a main motor (28) having a motor shaft (29) oriented along a motor axis, . a head (24), linked to the base (12), the head (24) having a main driver (26) arranged beneath the head (24) facing the bowl receiving area (20) of the footing (14), driven in rotation by the main motor (28), and configured to drive a main working tool (30) in a main working movement, the appliance (10) being of the type in which the head (24) is mounted on the base (12) by a release joint having at least one degree of freedom of movement such that the head (24) is movable relative to the base (12) between a working position and a released position in which the main driver (26) is further from the footing (14) than in the working position, the appliance (10) being of the type in which the appliance (10) includes a head mechanical transmission (32) arranged in the head (24), driven by the motor shaft (29) of the main motor (28), and driving the main driver (26) in the main working movement, the head (24) comprising an internal structural frame (42) mounted on the base (12) by the release joint, the internal structural frame (42) carrying the head mechanical transmission (32) and the main driver (26), the head (24) including a head cover (44) distinct from the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24) and enveloping the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24) and the head mechanical transmission (32), characterized in that the head mechanical transmission (32) includes an intermediate frame (58) configured to be fixed on the internal structural frame (42) and in that the head mechanical transmission (32) is carried by the internal structural frame (42) through the intermediate frame (58).

2. Appliance (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the head cover (44) defines an internal volume within which the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24) and the head mechanical transmission (32) are received.

3. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head cover (44) comprises one or more walls (44a1, 44a2, 44c, 44d) delimiting the internal volume within which the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24) and the head mechanical transmission (32) are received.

4. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head cover (44) comprises an upper wall (44a1), a lower wall (44b2), and two side walls (44a2) connecting the upper wall (44a1) to the lower wall (44b2), the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24) and the head mechanical transmission (32) being received between the upper wall (44a1) and the lower wall (44b2) of the head cover (44) and between the two side walls (44a2) of the head cover (44).

5. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head cover (44) comprises a peripheral wall surrounding the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24) and the head mechanical transmission (32).

6. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head cover (44) comprises an opening (54) for the main driver (26).

7. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head cover (44) is fixed at least partially on the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24).

8. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head cover (44) is made in multiple parts (44a, 44b).

9. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main driver (26) is carried by the intermediate frame (58) of the head mechanical transmission (32).

10. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main motor (28) is carried by the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24).

11. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (12) comprises a connection portion (12a) offset from the bowl receiving area (20), rearward along a longitudinal direction of the appliance (10), and in that the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24) is mounted on the connection portion (12a) of the base (12) by the release joint.

12. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release joint includes at least one articulation around a horizontal axis (A0).

13. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal structural frame (42) of the head (24) comprises shape elements (74, 76) that, in the working position, cooperate with complementary shape elements (72) of the base (12) to limit movements of the head (24) in at least one direction perpendicular to a release trajectory of the head (24) between its working position and its released position, the release trajectory being defined by the release joint.

14. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (12) comprises a lower structural frame (66) having a main working bowl fixing claw (22), in that the lower structural frame (66) of the base (12) comprises a connection portion carrying the release joint, and in that the base (12) comprises a base cover (68) distinct from the lower structural frame (66) and covering the lower structural frame (66) from above.

15. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor shaft (29) carries a first upper driver (46).

16. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head mechanical transmission (32) includes an input gear wheel (34) mounted on the motor shaft (29) and in that the input gear wheel (34) drives a secondary gear wheel (36).

17. Appliance (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head mechanical transmission (32) includes different components moving simultaneously with the main motor (28) and the main driver (26), which are carried by the intermediate frame (58).