Hand mixer and method for operating a hand mixer

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a hand mixer (1), in particular for mixing fluid materials, comprising at least: - a drive unit (2) with at least one handle element (3), a drive motor (4) which has at least one drive shaft (5), an electronic control and / or regulating device (6) for supplying energy and / or regulating the drive motor (4) and with at least one electronic gyro sensor (7) which is electrically connected and / or communicatively linked to the electronic control and / or regulating device (4) and / or is a part of the electronic control and / or regulating device (4), and - at least one stirring rod (8) with a shaft (9) which is operatively connected to the at least one drive shaft (5) of the drive motor (4),- wherein, in the switched-on operating state of the hand mixer (1), an instantaneous angle of rotation and an instantaneous angular velocity of the drive unit (2) are continuously or repeatedly determined by means of the at least one gyro sensor (7), and wherein, depending on the instantaneous angle of rotation and the instantaneous angular velocity of the drive unit (2), the drive motor (4) is automatically switched off.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a hand mixer, in particular for mixing fluid materials. The invention further relates to a hand mixer.

[0002] DE 20 2010 014 783 U1 relates to a hand-operated stirring machine, with a handle element and with a housing in which a drive motor is at least partially enclosed, wherein the drive motor has at least one drive shaft which is directly or indirectly operatively connected to a shaft of at least one stirring rod.

[0003] Currently, no known hand mixers or hand-operated or hand-guided stirring devices or agitators have a safety shut-off mechanism that activates if the stirring rod becomes jammed or if the operator loses control. If the stirring rod of the hand mixer becomes jammed or control is lost, it can continue to rotate. This can contaminate the work area or potentially injure the operator (e.g., by striking or twisting the hand) if the device is not released quickly enough. With mains-powered devices, there is also the risk that the power cord can become wound up, pulled out of the socket, and damaged (cable breakage).

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a method of the type mentioned at the outset which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular increases safety in handling the hand mixer, while avoiding disruption of normal operation as far as possible.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, a method for operating a hand mixer or a hand-operated or hand-guided stirring device or agitator, in particular for mixing various materials with both low and high viscosity or fluid materials, such as paint or mortar, is proposed, comprising at least: a drive unit comprising at least one handle element, a drive motor having at least one drive shaft, an electronic control and / or regulating device for power supply and / or control of the drive motor, and at least one electronic gyroscopic sensor which is electrically connected and / or communicatively linked to the electronic control and / or regulating device and / or is a part of the electronic control and / or regulating device, and at least one stirring rod with a shaft which is directly or indirectly operatively connected to the at least one drive shaft of the drive motor, wherein, in the switched-on operating state of the hand mixer, an instantaneous angle of rotation and an instantaneous angular velocity of the drive unit are continuously or repeatedly determined by means of the at least one gyroscopic sensor.and wherein, depending on the current angle of rotation and the current angular velocity of the drive unit, the drive motor is automatically switched off.

[0007] The measures according to the invention create a safety shutdown for safe and clean operation of the hand mixer. A rapid shutdown occurs in the event of blockage or loss of control to protect the user and the work environment. The gyroscopic sensor ensures safe handling of the device. If the lower part of a conventional device were to jam, the upper part, containing the motor and battery, etc., would rotate and potentially injure the user. This is reliably prevented by the method according to the invention. At the same time, by taking into account the angle of rotation and the rate of change, uninterrupted normal operation by the user is ensured. Thus, intelligent software control for mixers with an electronic gyroscopic sensor is provided.The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for mains-powered machines, since they are usually very powerful and the most frequent fault is a cable break, because the machine continues to rotate.

[0008] The safety shutdown should only be triggered if the device twists, not if it is moved sideways. Normal use of the device should remain unaffected.

[0009] In the following situations, it may be necessary to switch off the motor after unintentional rotation of the machine during operation: 1. When working with thick materials, the agitator jams as the machine starts and the housing continues to rotate. 2. If the user releases one hand from the handle during operation, the housing continues to rotate. 3. In operating mode, if the switch is left on for an extended period, the device falls out of the hand and continues to rotate.

[0010] The machine should shut down if continuous operation is enabled but the user drops it (e.g., during one-handed operation while refilling water). Otherwise, the machine would continue running without stopping. Without a gyroscope, the operator could be injured because the machine would not stop. A stop mechanism triggered by a recoil is also conceivable.

[0011] Within the framework of the method according to the invention, the activated operating state can include either continuous operation with the hand switch locked or fixed, or normal operation with the hand switch manually pressed.

[0012] Within the framework of the inventive method, the hand mixer for mixing various materials with both low and high viscosity can be designed. The hand mixer or hand stirrer can be used to process all materials that can be mixed or stirred with a mixing device. In particular, ready-mixed plaster and mortar, fillers, paints, adhesives, wallpaper paste, etc., can be mixed and stirred.

[0013] It is very advantageous if the drive motor is automatically switched off when a first threshold of the instantaneous angle of rotation and a second threshold of the instantaneous angular velocity are reached or exceeded.

[0014] By carefully selecting the threshold values ​​for the parameters rotation angle and rotational speed, safe and trouble-free operation can be ensured. For example, slowly rotating the device will not cause it to shut down if the permissible rotational speed is not exceeded.

[0015] After a predetermined time period or zeroing time, a reset of the rotation angle determined by means of at least one gyro sensor or a rotation reset can be performed.

[0016] In the case of automatic shutdown, the drive motor can additionally be braked, in particular with a predetermined braking time or deceleration time, preferably until it comes to a standstill.

[0017] The additional braking function enables a quick or immediate "auto-stop" function. The stirring rod no longer rotates, and the device switches off automatically if it is dropped during continuous or normal operation. The braking function can be implemented electronically or via an electromagnetic field (reverse zero position). It is highly advantageous if both the reaction time of the electronics or the electronic control unit (as the first factor) and the duration of the braking process itself until the device comes to a complete stop (as the second factor) are as short as possible.

[0018] Claim 5 specifies a hand mixer, in particular for mixing fluid materials, such as paint or mortar.

[0019] The at least one electronic gyro sensor can be rigidly connected to, in particular, a housing of the drive unit, preferably in the area and / or near the at least one hand stylus element.

[0020] The electronic gyroscope can be part of, or integrated into, the electronic control and / or regulation system. Alternatively, the electronic gyroscope can also be a separate electronic component, which, for example, can be located or installed in or near the handle.

[0021] The drive motor can be designed as an electric motor.

[0022] The drive unit can have a rechargeable battery and / or a power supply unit for the electrical power supply of the electric motor and / or be connectable to a separate power supply unit.

[0023] The invention is suitable for both mains-powered and battery-powered hand mixers.

[0024] The electronic control and / or regulating device may also be configured to determine an instantaneous angle of rotation of the drive unit from the measurement signal characterizing the angular velocity of the drive unit.

[0025] It should also be noted that terms such as "comprehensive," "exhibit," or "with" do not exclude other characteristics or steps. Furthermore, terms such as "a" or "the," which indicate a singular number of steps or characteristics, do not exclude a plurality of characteristics or steps, and vice versa.

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention and from the dependent claims.

[0027] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show several features of the invention in combination with one another. Of course, a person skilled in the art can also consider these features separately and, if necessary, combine them into further meaningful sub-combinations without having to make an inventive step.

[0028] They show schematically: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand mixer according to the invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the hand mixer according to the invention in a normal working position; and Figure 3 is a top view of the hand mixer according to the invention in another normal working position.

[0029] In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0030] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a hand mixer 1, in particular for mixing fluid materials, such as paint or mortar, comprising: a drive unit 2 with at least one handle element 3, a drive motor 4 which has at least one drive shaft 5, an electronic control and / or regulating device 6 for supplying energy and / or regulating the drive motor 4 and with at least one electronic gyro sensor 7, which is arranged on the drive unit 2 and is electrically connected and / or communicatively connected to the electronic control and / or regulating device 6 and / or is a part of the electronic control and / or regulating device 6, and at least one stirring rod 8 with a shaft 9, which is directly or indirectly operatively connected to the at least one drive shaft 5 of the drive motor 4.

[0031] At the free end of the drive shaft 5, a connection (not shown), usually in the form of a chuck, screw connection, or the like, can be provided, through which the shaft 9 of the mixing rod 8 can be connected to the drive shaft 5. Depending on the material to be mixed, different mixing rods with different mixing baskets can be used. Suitable materials include fluid materials or various materials mixable or stirrable with a hand mixer, both with low and high viscosity. In particular, ready-mixed plaster and mortar, fillers, paints, adhesives, wallpaper paste, etc., are mixed and stirred.

[0032] The at least one gyro sensor 7 is designed to detect at least one measurement signal characterizing the angular velocity of the drive unit 2 and to transmit it to the electronic control and / or regulating device 6 or to make it available to the electronic control and / or regulating device 6 in another way as part of the electronic control and / or regulating device 6.

[0033] The at least one electronic gyro sensor 7 can be rigidly connected to, in particular, a housing 2a of the drive unit 2, preferably in the area and / or near the at least one hand stylus element 3.

[0034] The at least one electronic gyro sensor 7 can be part of the electronic control and / or regulation unit 6, as in the present embodiment, or be integrated into it. Alternatively, the electronic gyro sensor can also be a separate electronic component, which, for example, can be arranged or installed in or near the handle 3 (not shown).

[0035] The drive motor 4 can be designed as an electric motor.

[0036] The drive unit 2 can have a rechargeable battery and / or a power supply unit for the electrical power supply of the electric motor and / or be connectable to a separate power supply unit (not shown in detail).

[0037] The invention is suitable for both mains-powered and battery-powered hand mixers.

[0038] The electronic control and / or regulating device 6 can also be configured to determine or calculate an instantaneous angle of rotation of the drive unit 2 from the measurement signal characterizing the angular velocity of the drive unit 2.

[0039] The electronic control and / or regulating device 6 of the hand mixer 1 is set up to carry out a method according to the invention for operating the hand mixer 1.

[0040] In the method according to the invention, in the switched-on operating state of the hand mixer 1, an instantaneous angle of rotation and an instantaneous angular velocity of the drive unit 2 are continuously or repeatedly determined by means of the at least one gyro sensor 7, wherein the drive motor 4 is automatically switched off depending on the instantaneous angle of rotation and the instantaneous angular velocity of the drive unit 2.

[0041] The drive motor 4 can be automatically switched off when a first threshold of the instantaneous angle of rotation and a second threshold of the instantaneous angular velocity are reached or exceeded.

[0042] After a predetermined period of time, a reset of the rotation angle determined by means of at least one gyro sensor 7 can be performed.

[0043] When the drive motor 4 is switched off automatically, it is additionally braked, in particular with a predetermined braking time, preferably until it comes to a standstill.

[0044] Figure 2 The figure shows a top view of the hand mixer 1 in a normal working position. A bucket is labeled with the reference symbol 10. Furthermore, the hands of a user 11 are indicated.

[0045] In Figure 3The diagram illustrates how far the hand mixer 1 may rotate before it automatically shuts off, as this is likely due to a jam or similar issue. The instantaneous angular velocity is also taken into account. Reference symbol list

[0046] 1 Hand mixer 2 Drive unit 2a Housing 3 Handle element 4 Drive motor 5 Drive shaft 6 Electronic control and / or regulating device 7 Electronic gyro sensor 8 Stirring rod 9 Shaft 10 Bucket 11 User

Claims

1. Method for operating a hand mixer (1), in particular for mixing fluid materials, comprising at least: - a drive unit (2) with at least one handle element (3), a drive motor (4) which has at least one drive shaft (5), an electronic control and / or regulating device (6) for supplying energy and / or regulating the drive motor (4) and with at least one electronic gyroscope (7) which is electrically connected and / or communicatively linked to the electronic control and / or regulating device (4) and / or is a part of the electronic control and / or regulating device (4), and - at least one stirring rod (8) with a shaft (9) which is operatively connected to the at least one drive shaft (5) of the drive motor (4),- wherein, in the switched-on operating state of the hand mixer (1), an instantaneous angle of rotation and an instantaneous angular velocity of the drive unit (2) are continuously or repeatedly determined by means of the at least one gyro sensor (7), and wherein, depending on the instantaneous angle of rotation and the instantaneous angular velocity of the drive unit (2), the drive motor (4) is automatically switched off.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the drive motor (4) is automatically switched off when a first threshold of the instantaneous angle of rotation and a second threshold of the instantaneous angular velocity are reached or exceeded.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein after a predetermined time period a reset of the rotation angle determined by means of the at least one gyro sensor (7) takes place.

4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein, in the case of automatic shutdown, the drive motor (4) is additionally braked, in particular with a predetermined braking time, preferably to standstill.

5. Hand mixer (1), in particular for mixing fluid materials, comprising: - a drive unit (2) with at least one handle element (3), a drive motor (4) which has at least one drive shaft (5), an electronic control and / or regulating device (6) for supplying energy and / or regulating the drive motor (4) and with at least one electronic gyroscopic sensor (7) which is arranged on the drive unit (2) and is electrically connected and / or communicatively linked to the electronic control and / or regulating device (6) and / or is a part of the electronic control and / or regulating device (4), and - at least one stirring rod (8) with a shaft (9) which is operatively connected to the at least one drive shaft (5) of the drive motor (4), - wherein the at least one gyroscopic sensor (7) is configured toto acquire at least one measurement signal characterizing the angular velocity of the drive unit (2) and to transmit it to the electronic control and / or regulating device (6), wherein the electronic control and / or regulating device (6) is configured to carry out a method for operating the hand mixer (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Hand mixer (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one electronic gyro sensor (7) is rigidly connected to, in particular, a housing (2a) of the drive unit (2), preferably in the area and / or near the at least one handle element (3).

7. Hand mixer (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the drive motor (4) is designed as an electric motor.

8. Hand mixer (1) according to claim 7, wherein the drive unit (2) for the electrical power supply of the electric motor has a rechargeable battery and / or a power supply unit and / or is connectable to a separate power supply unit.

9. Hand mixer (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the electronic control and / or regulating device (6) is further configured to determine an instantaneous angle of rotation of the drive unit (2) from the measuring signal characterizing the angular velocity of the drive unit (2).

Images