Motorized food preparation appliance housing with multiple operating speeds

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorized housing (1) in the form of a tubular barrel configured to be held by hand, in particular for a food preparation device of the immersion blender type, said motorized housing (1) comprising a housing body (10) housing a variable speed electric motor (9), the housing body (10) carrying a first control actuator (4), a second control actuator (5), a speed control interface (6) capable of occupying at least one minimum speed position and one maximum speed position, and a display (7), the first control actuator (4) being configured to electrically supply said electric motor (9) according to the speed position of the speed control interface (6).According to the invention, the second control actuator (5) is configured to electrically supply said electric motor (9) so that said electric motor (9) rotates at a speed lower than the speed reached by said electric motor (9) when the speed control interface (6) is in the minimum speed position. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Motorized housing for a food preparation appliance with multiple operating speeds. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of food preparation appliances comprising a variable speed electric motor.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to the motorized housings of the aforementioned type of food preparation equipment.

[0003] The present invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to motorized boxes configured to be held by hand.

[0004] The present invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to motorized housings assembled with a removable working accessory such as, for example, an immersion blender foot. State of the art

[0005] It is known from document WO201422876 to produce a motorized housing for a food preparation appliance configured to be handheld and used with a hand mixer. The motorized housing comprises a housing containing a variable-speed electric motor. The housing carries a first control actuator, a second control actuator, a speed control interface capable of occupying at least one minimum speed position and one maximum speed position, and a display. The first control actuator is configured to supply power to the electric motor according to the speed position of the speed control interface. The housing also carries a second control actuator configured to supply power to the electric motor so that said electric motor rotates at one or more predetermined speed(s) independent of the position of the speed control interface.This speed (or speeds) may be higher than the speed reached by the electric motor when the speed control interface is in the maximum speed position. These arrangements allow for a motorized housing with a "turbo" position, enabling the electric motor to operate at high speed, if desired, at a speed higher than the speeds achieved with the first control actuator and the speed control interface. This "turbo" operating position is easily implemented using the second control actuator. However, this "turbo" operating position has the disadvantage of a high noise level due to the high rotational speed of the electric motor. The speed control interface has a speed position. The adjustable speed allows the user to control the rotation speed. However, if the user leaves the speed control interface in a high speed position, the motorized unit may be noisy when starting. Therefore, using such a device can be a nuisance for the user. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback and to provide a motorized housing for a food preparation appliance comprising a variable speed electric motor, which improves user comfort while allowing versatile use.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a motorized housing in the form of a tubular barrel configured to be held by hand, in particular for a food preparation device of the immersion blender type, said motorized housing comprising a housing body containing a variable speed electric motor, the housing body carrying a first control actuator, a second control actuator, a speed control interface capable of occupying at least one minimum speed position and one maximum speed position, and a display, the first control actuator being configured to electrically supply said electric motor according to the speed position of the speed control interface,because the second control actuator is configured to electrically supply said electric motor so that said electric motor rotates at a speed lower than the speed reached by said electric motor when the speed control interface is in the minimum speed position.

[0008] The use of the second control actuator ensures quieter operation thanks to the reduced speed setting. If the operating speed proves insufficient for the desired result, the user can use the first control actuator and the speed control interface to select a speed appropriate for the preparation. This provides the user with a motorized unit suitable for a wide variety of applications, allowing for more reliable operation.

[0009] The second control actuator can be configured to electrically supply said electric motor so that said electric motor rotates at a non-adjustable speed. Such an arrangement simplifies the design and use of the motorized housing.

[0010] The housing body can extend between a free end and a mounting end configured to receive a removable working accessory.

[0011] The first control actuator can be arranged between the free end and the second control actuator.

[0012] The speed control interface can be arranged between the first control actuator and the free end.

[0013] The speed control interface may have a control element mounted rotatably relative to the housing body.

[0014] The control element can be formed by a ring surrounding the free end.

[0015] The display can be arranged on the free end.

[0016] To this end, the invention also relates to a food preparation device of the immersion blender type, comprising a motorized housing in the shape of a tubular barrel, as well as a mixing foot comprising a tubular body having an open end housing a rotating working tool configured to be driven in rotation by said motorized housing, due to the fact that the motorized housing conforms to at least one of the aforementioned characteristics.

[0017] The mixing stand can be configured to be assembled with the motorized housing to drive the rotating working tool. Alternatively, the mixing stand can be integrated with the motorized housing. Brief description of the figures

[0018] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example and variants, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] The [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a motorized housing according to the invention;

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a mixing stand that can be used with the motorized housing illustrated in Fig. 1;

[0021] Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the motorized housing illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0022] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been represented.

[0023] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of an embodiment of a motorized housing 1 in the shape of a tubular barrel, configured to be handheld. Fig. 2 illustrates a mixing foot 2 that can be used with the motorized housing 1 to form a food preparation device of the immersion blender type. The mixing foot 2 comprises a tubular body 2a having an open end housing a rotating working tool 2b mounted for rotation within the tubular body 2a. The tubular body 2a can, in particular, be assembled by screwing or by bayonet fitting with the motorized housing 1. The rotating working tool 2b is configured to be driven in rotation by said motorized housing 1 when the mixing foot 2 is assembled with the motorized housing 1.

[0024] The motorized housing 1 comprises a housing body 10 containing a variable-speed electric motor 9, as seen in [Fig. 3]. The housing body 10 also contains a power supply board 19 and a control board 16. The control board 16 is electrically connected to the power supply board 19, and the power supply board 19 is electrically connected to the electric motor 9. Alternatively, the power supply board 19 and the control board 16 may be implemented on a single board.

[0025] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the housing body 10 extends between a free end 11 and a mounting end 12 configured to receive a removable working accessory, such as, for example, the mixing stand 2 illustrated in [Fig.2],

[0026] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the housing body 10 carries a first control actuator 4, a second control actuator 5, a speed control interface 6, and a display 7.

[0027] The speed control interface 6 belongs to a speed control assembly and can occupy at least one minimum speed position and one maximum speed position. For this purpose, the speed control interface 6 has a control element 8 that is movable relative to the housing body 10. The speed control assembly also includes a potentiometer 17 mounted on the control board 16. The potentiometer has a moving element driven by the control element 8 and a resistive element. The control element 8, moving relative to the resistive element, can cause the potentiometer 17 to deliver different voltages or resistance values ​​to control the rotation of the electric motor 9 at different speeds.It should be noted that the principle of potentiometer speed regulation and the way in which it is connected to the circuit to achieve speed regulation are all known in the field and will not be repeated in this document.

[0028] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control member 8 is mounted to rotate relative to the housing body 10. According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the control member 8 is formed by a ring surrounding the free end 11.

[0029] The first control actuator 4 is configured to electrically supply said electric motor 9 according to the speed position of the speed control interface 6.

[0030] The first control actuator 4 controls the supply of the electric motor 9 by the power supply board 19 according to the position of the control member 8 driving the movement member of the potentiometer 17 arranged on the control board 16.

[0031] According to a first embodiment, the no-load rotational speed of the motor The no-load speed of the electric motor 9 when the first control actuator 4 is actuated with the control element 8 in the minimum speed position is approximately 9000 rpm, and the no-load speed of the electric motor 9 when the first control actuator 4 is actuated with the control element 8 in the maximum speed position is approximately 13000 rpm. According to a second embodiment, the no-load speed of the electric motor 9 when the first control actuator 4 is actuated with the control element 8 in the minimum speed position is approximately 12000 rpm, and the no-load speed of the electric motor 9 when the first control actuator 4 is actuated with the control element 8 in the maximum speed position is approximately 17000 rpm.

[0032] The second control actuator 5 is configured to electrically supply said electric motor 9 so that said electric motor 9 rotates at a speed lower than the speed attained by said electric motor 9 when the speed control interface 6 occupies the minimum speed position.

[0033] The second control actuator 5 controls the supply of the electric motor 9 by the power supply board 19 independently of the position of the control member 8 driving the movement member of the potentiometer 17 located on the control board 16. If desired, the second control actuator 5 can control the supply of the electric motor 9 via the control board 16.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the second control actuator 5 is configured to electrically supply said electric motor 9 so that said electric motor 9 rotates at a non-adjustable speed.

[0035] According to a first embodiment, the no-load speed of the electric motor 9 when the second control actuator 5 is actuated is on the order of 8000 rpm. According to a second embodiment, the no-load speed of the electric motor 9 when the first control actuator 4 is actuated is on the order of 10000 rpm.

[0036] Thus the no-load rotational speed of the electric motor 9 when the second control actuator 5 is actuated is less than the no-load rotational speed of the electric motor 9 when the first control actuator 4 is actuated, regardless of the speed position of the control member 8.

[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first control actuator 4 is arranged between the free end 11 and the second control actuator 5. The housing body 10 has a restriction 13 arranged between the first control actuator 4 and the free end 11, intended to facilitate gripping. The speed control interface 6 is arranged between the first ac- command giver 4 and free end 11.

[0038] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the display 7 is arranged on the free end 11. Thus, according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the display 7 is surrounded by the control element 8.

[0039] The display 7 can in particular indicate the speed position used, defined by the control member 8 when the first control actuator 4 is used, or the so-called "silent" speed position when the second control actuator 5 is used.

[0040] The motorized unit illustrated in the figures is used and operates as follows. When the user actuates the second control actuator 5, the electric motor 9 is driven at low speed. This ensures quieter operation than at higher speeds. If the user finds that the selected speed does not provide a satisfactory result, they can actuate the first control actuator 4 to obtain a higher speed. To reduce noise and, if necessary, to reduce splashing that may be generated by the rotation of the rotary working tool 2b, the user can position the speed control interface 6 in the minimum speed position and then gradually increase the speed by rotating the control element 8.The control device according to the invention thus allows the user to reduce the noise emissions of the motorized housing 1 by adapting the rotation speed of the electric motor 9 or by using a reduced speed position limiting noise emissions.

[0041] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0042] Alternatively, the second control actuator 5 is not necessarily configured to electrically supply said electric motor 9 so that said electric motor 9 rotates at a single, non-adjustable speed. The second control actuator 5 could, in particular, be configured to electrically supply said electric motor 9 so that said electric motor 9 can rotate at several speeds, for example by using a multi-position switch defining a first speed for a first level of deflection and a second speed for a second level of deflection.

[0043] By way of alternative, the motorized unit 1 is not necessarily associated with a mixing stand 2 comprising a tubular body 2a having an open end housing a rotating working tool 2b configured to be driven in rotation by the electric motor 9 of the motorized unit 1. The motorized unit 1 may in particular be associated with an emulsifying accessory comprising one or more whisks configured to be driven in rotation by said motorized housing 1.

[0044] As an alternative, the motorized housing 1 is not necessarily associated with a removable working accessory comprising a rotating working tool 2b. The motorized housing 1 may in particular include a rotating working tool 2b configured to be driven in rotation by the electric motor 9 of the motorized housing 1.

Claims

Demands

1. Motorized housing (1) in the form of a tubular drum configured to be hand-held, in particular for a food preparation appliance of the immersion blender type, said motorized housing (1) comprising a housing body (10) containing a variable-speed electric motor (9), the housing body (10) carrying a first control actuator (4), a second control actuator (5), a speed control interface (6) capable of occupying at least one minimum speed position and one maximum speed position, and a display (7), the first control actuator (4) being configured to electrically supply said electric motor (9) according to the speed position of the speed control interface (6),characterized in that the second control actuator (5) is configured to electrically supply said electric motor (9) so that said electric motor (9) rotates at a speed lower than the speed attained by said electric motor (9) when the speed control interface (6) is in the minimum speed position.

2. Motorized housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second control actuator (5) is configured to electrically supply said electric motor (9) so that said electric motor (9) rotates at a non-adjustable speed.

3. Motorized housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing body (10) extends between a free end (11) and a mounting end (12) configured to receive a removable working accessory.

4. Motorized housing (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first control actuator (4) is arranged between the free end (11) and the second control actuator (5).

5. Motorized housing (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the speed control interface (6) is arranged between the first control actuator (4) and the free end (11).

6. Motorized housing (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the speed control interface (6) has a control element (8) mounted rotatably relative to the housing body (10).

7. Motorized housing (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the control member (8) is formed by a ring surrounding the free end (11).

8. Motorized housing (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the display (7) is arranged on the free end (11).

9. A food preparation apparatus of the immersion blender type, comprising a motorized housing (1) in the form of a tubular barrel, and a blending foot (2) comprising a tubular body (2a) having an open end housing a rotating working tool (2b) configured to be driven in rotation by said motorized housing (1), characterized in that the motorized housing (1) conforms to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Immersion blender type food preparation device according to claim 9, characterized in that said mixing foot (2) is configured to be assembled with the motorized housing (1) to drive the rotating working tool (2b) in rotation.

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