Food processor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food processor, having a drive unit, a shaft which can be rotationally driven by the drive unit (1) and a tool (2) which can be rotationally driven by means of the shaft (1). A connection between the tool (2) and a free shaft end (3) of the shaft (1), said connection being releasable and secured against axial displacement, can be provided by a coupling element (6) which can be coupled in a form-fitting manner to a shaft-end structure element (4) of the free shaft end (3). A food processor according to the invention enables better food processor operational reliability to be ensured.

Description

[0001] food processor

[0002] The present invention relates to a food processor comprising a drive unit, a shaft rotatably driven by the drive unit, and a tool rotatably driven by the shaft. The invention is characterized in that a detachable and axially displaceably secured connection between the tool and a free shaft end of the shaft can be provided via a coupling element that can be positively coupled to a shaft end structural element of the free shaft end.

[0003] In the context of the present invention, a kitchen appliance can be understood to mean, in particular, a multifunctional kitchen appliance.

[0004] Multifunctional kitchen appliances, such as those sold under the Thermomix® brand, are suitable for chopping food alongside other functions (e.g., heating, mixing). Kitchen appliances sold under the Thermomix® brand feature a bowl and a mixing blade that can be positioned near the bottom of the bowl. The mixing blade is connected via a shaft to a drive unit located outside the bowl (e.g., located in a base station of the kitchen appliance), allowing the mixing blade to rotate within the bowl. The mixing blade is mounted on the shaft. The shaft has a free shaft end located within the bowl. It is known from the prior art to attach tools (e.g., stirring tools) to the free shaft end. These tools can be driven by the mixing blade and also rotated.However, these tools lack sufficient axial locking, which in the worst case can lead to the tool springing out axially and causing injuries to users or damage to the tool or the kitchen appliance.

[0005] The present invention is therefore based on the object of being able to use rotary-driven tools in a kitchen appliance with improved operational reliability.

[0006] This object is achieved with a kitchen appliance having the features of claim 1.

[0007] Firstly, the present invention thus relates to a kitchen appliance comprising a drive unit, a shaft which can be driven in rotation by the drive unit, and a tool which can be driven in rotation by means of the shaft, wherein a detachable and axially displacement-secured connection between the tool and a free shaft end of the shaft can be provided via a coupling element which can be positively coupled to a shaft end structural element of the free shaft end.

[0008] The food processor can be a food processor according to the cited state of the art. In particular, the food processor can be a Thermomix® food processor from the manufacturer Vorwerk, in particular a TM5, TM6, or newer model.

[0009] Such a food processor usually has a drive unit, in particular an electric motor-operated drive unit. The drive unit can be arranged in a base of the food processor. Next to the base, the food processor can have a pot. The pot can be arranged on the base, under the base, or next to the base. In a food processor according to the invention, the pot can be arranged in particular on or above the base. The pot can be received in a pot receptacle provided in the base or inserted into the pot receptacle. The pot can be used for preparing and processing food and dishes. The pot or a pot opening of the pot can be closed with a lid, wherein the lid can have a filling opening. The filling opening has a smaller diameter than the pot opening and is preferably arranged centrally.The lid can be locked onto the pot using a locking device on the food processor (e.g., locking arms). The locking mechanism is preferably designed so that the pot cannot be removed from the base of the food processor even when the lid is locked. The pot can be heatable; for example, heating elements can be integrated into the base of the pot, which can be contacted via the base and supplied with electrical energy for heating. The pot can also be heated externally, e.g., by heating elements provided in the base.

[0010] The drive unit drives the rotatably driven shaft, thus generating a rotary movement of the shaft. For this purpose, the shaft can be integrated into the drive unit or coupled to the drive unit. The shaft can also protrude through a pot base of the pot into a pot interior (i.e. a pot interior), which can be delimited by the pot base and a pot shell adjacent to and surrounding the pot base. The free end of the shaft can end inside the pot, but also outside (particularly above) the pot, e.g. above the pot opening. The pot opening is preferably delimited by an end of the pot shell facing away from the pot base, but optionally also by an upper edge of the pot arranged in this area.The rotary-driven shaft can be accessible through a pot base opening arranged in the pot base, which means that a free shaft end of the shaft can also be arranged below the pot base or end there. Coupling to a free shaft end of the shaft can therefore be made inside the pot (inside the pot), above the pot, or below the pot base. If, on the other hand, the base is arranged above (above) or next to the pot, the shaft can also protrude from above through the pot opening into the pot interior. The shaft can also be accessible above or next to the pot without protruding into the pot interior. The shaft can be multi-part, i.e. it can be made up of several shaft sections that can be detachably connected to one another, preferably by form fit or friction fit.

[0011] The shaft, which is driven in rotation by the drive unit, drives the tool, which is also driven in rotation. The shaft therefore drives the tool in rotation, which is why the shaft and tool are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed or non-rotatable manner. For this purpose, the tool is coupled directly or indirectly to a free shaft end of the shaft, namely with a coupling element. The coupling element can be part of the tool (for example, arranged or formed on a base body of the tool). The coupling element can also be an additional (separate) component to the shaft and the tool, thus providing a coupling between the shaft and the tool. In the latter case, the coupling element is a separate component that is detachably connected to both the free shaft end of the shaft and the tool. The coupling element can provide a direct connection / coupling of the tool to the free shaft end of the shaft, but can also provide an indirect connection / coupling.An indirect connection / coupling may mean that the coupling element is coupled, on the one hand, to the free shaft end and, on the other hand, to an "intermediate component" such as an adapter, whereby the intermediate component, such as the adapter, may then be connected to the tool. Several components may also be "intermediately connected."

[0012] The tool can be located inside or outside the pot. The tool can be, for example, a tool for handling or processing food (e.g., a cutting tool or a stirring tool), but can also be a tool for performing an operation inside the pot of the food processor, such as a cleaning operation.

[0013] Food processing can be understood as any process step in the processing, handling, or preparation of food. This can include, for example, chopping, pressing, stirring, kneading a food, or any other process step not listed here.

[0014] In addition to the tool, the shaft can carry a mixing knife or a mixing knife can be arranged on it. The mixing knife is preferably carried by the shaft or arranged on it in such a way that the mixing knife is driven or rotated by the shaft. It is therefore carried along in rotation by the shaft and is thus connected to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. The mixing knife preferably has at least one, more preferably two, and particularly preferably four arms projecting away from the shaft (e.g. in the direction of the pot casing, the pot base or the pot opening). The arms can be angled. Cutting means such as blades can be arranged on the arms. The respective arms preferably have a sharp edge formed by the cutting means or blades, but opposite the sharp edge preferably a blunt edge. Both opposite edges of a respective arm can also be sharp.

[0015] A "mixing knife" can - as the name suggests - be used for mixing (stirring) and cutting (also chopping) food and / or dishes. For this purpose, the mixing knife can be positioned particularly inside the pot (preferably near the bottom of the pot).

[0016] The food processor can be configured to rotate the shaft clockwise, counterclockwise, or both clockwise and counterclockwise. Taking the above statements into account and assuming that each arm of the mixing blade has a sharp and a blunt edge, the mixing blade can be rotated toward the sharp or blunt edge. When rotated toward the blunt edge, food (e.g., vegetables) located near the bottom of the pot can be gently blended (i.e., without chopping).

[0017] While the mixing blade can be arranged inside the pot, the tool can be arranged inside or outside the pot. The tool is preferably arranged above the mixing blade. Since both the mixing blade and the tool are preferably connected to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner, the mixing blade and tool can be rotated in the same direction (i.e. in the same direction of rotation) at the same speed. However, the shaft can also have a gear ratio, i.e. the mixing blade and tool can be rotated in the same direction at different speeds. A mechanism can also be provided so that the tool and mixing blade rotate in opposite directions (possibly at the same or different speeds).

[0018] As mentioned, the tool can be arranged outside (in particular above) the pot and can be driven in rotation by the shaft. For example, the tool can be arranged above the lid and rotated by an adapter that is non-rotatably coupled to the free end of the shaft inside the pot, whereby the adapter extends lengthwise through the interior of the pot and, when the lid is placed on the pot, protrudes through the filling opening of the lid. The adapter is therefore coupled to both the free end of the shaft and to the tool. The adapter can have the aforementioned coupling element facing the free end of the shaft, or the coupling element can be arranged between the shaft and the adapter. The adapter is assigned to the tool.

[0019] The tool can be designed as a stirring tool, particularly for stirring food. The stirring tool can have one or more stirring arms with stirring elements. These stirring elements can, for example, have multiple longitudinal and / or transverse struts. The longitudinal and / or transverse struts can create turbulence within the food during stirring, which can progressively mix the food. The stirring tool can, for example, be the "stirring attachment" sold by Vorwerk, also known as a "butterfly." The tool can also be designed to perform a function that is not related to the processing, handling, or preparation of food. As mentioned, such a function could be, for example, cleaning the pot. For example, the tool can be a cleaning element, such as a cleaning brush.

[0020] The tool can also be designed to transmit torque or rotation to another tool. For this purpose, the tool can be designed, for example, as an additional shaft, wherein the additional tool (i.e., the additional shaft) can be connected to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. For example, the tool (the additional shaft) can be an adapter that transmits rotation to a cutting tool (e.g., a cutting disc) arranged above the mixing blade (in the bowl or above the bowl), which provides the "additional tool." In this case, the tool operation performed by the tool is the transmission of torque to the additional tool.

[0021] The tool is detachably connected to the free end of the shaft and secured against axial displacement. A detachable connection is a temporary, i.e., non-permanent, connection that can be established and released by a user. A connection secured against axial displacement means that the tool and the free end of the shaft are not freely movable relative to one another in an axial direction, i.e., in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The shaft and the tool are thus secured against relative displacement in the axial direction.

[0022] The free shaft end is the end of the shaft facing away from the drive unit, which is unobstructed and therefore freely accessible. The free shaft end can be located inside or outside the bowl. If, in addition to the tool, the mixing blade is also driven by the shaft, the free shaft end should preferably be located above the mixing blade. The free shaft end can be a shaft stub.

[0023] In this context, freely accessible can also mean that the free shaft end can simply be connected to the tool, even without being located within the pot. The free shaft end can therefore also be located within the drive unit, whereby the free shaft end within the drive unit can still be accessible or connectable to a tool designed for this purpose.

[0024] The detachable and axially displacement-locked connection between the tool and the shaft can be provided via the coupling element, which can be positively coupled to the shaft end structural element of the free shaft end. The shaft end structural element is understood to be a structure in or on a surface of the free shaft end that can provide a possibility for a positive connection. The coupling element can be designed to be complementary to the shaft end structural element. This can mean that the coupling element is designed as a (complementary) counterpart to the shaft end structural element, suitable for a positive connection. The positive connection between the shaft end structural element and the coupling element can be achieved by geometrically interlocking one another.In the detachable and axially displaceable connection, the coupling element and the shaft end structural element are geometrically locked against each other, particularly with regard to axial movement. The locking can occur after a certain amount of axial play, meaning the shaft end structural element and the coupling element do not have to be in direct contact with each other.

[0025] The positive locking can be achieved, in particular, by the interlocking of two connecting partners. The positive locking is achieved through the geometric contact of two active surfaces formed by the connecting partners. Any forces that may occur during a positive locking act in opposite directions, in the direction of the active surfaces. Thus, one connecting partner blocks the movement of the other. The positive locking can also exhibit manufacturing-related or intentional play between the connecting partners.

[0026] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0027] According to a first embodiment, the food processor comprises a pot having a pot base and a pot skirt adjacent to the pot base. The pot base can have a closed surface or an opening. The opening can be suitable for forming a passage for the shaft. Furthermore, the opening can be suitable for being sealed in a liquid-tight manner even with the shaft passed through.

[0028] The pot shell can adjoin the pot base, in particular flush, thereby providing a particularly liquid-tight transition between the pot base and the pot shell. The pot shell can also have a pot shell surface on the inside of the pot. The pot shell surface on the inside of the pot can also have one or more surface structures. These can be in the form of elongated ribs that extend in the axial direction along the pot shell from bottom to top. In particular, two, three, four, or five ribs can be provided. The ribs are preferably arranged at equal intervals from one another.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the tool is arranged inside or outside the pot. If the tool is arranged inside the pot, it can be connected to the free shaft end inside the pot. The shaft can also be designed such that the tool can be connected to the free shaft end outside the pot.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the shaft end structural element is a recess arranged at the free shaft end. The recess can have a contact surface on or in the surface of the free shaft end. The contact surface can, in turn, be positively contacted by the coupling element, thereby providing a detachable and axially displaceable connection. The contact surface can be recessed or raised relative to the surface of the free shaft end. A recess can be understood, for example, as a cutout (e.g., a material recess), an indentation, a notch, a cutout, an opening, a hole, or the like. A structural element protruding radially outward at the free shaft end, such as a web, flange, or edge, can also be a "recess" within the meaning of the invention, as long as it provides the aforementioned contact surface, for example, in the form of an undercut.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the recess is formed circumferentially around the free shaft end. The term "circumferential" here means that the recess is formed around the circumference of the free shaft end (e.g., around the cylinder circumference in the case of a cylindrically shaped free shaft end). A circumferential recess can mean a continuous recess with respect to the circumference. However, this can also be understood to mean that the recess is segmented, i.e., divided into several segments or partial recesses and distributed evenly or unevenly around the free shaft end.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the free shaft end has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the recess is formed as an annular groove. The cylindrical shape of the free shaft end can be understood to mean that the free shaft end extends in the axial direction with a particularly circular base area. It is therefore a cylinder extending in the axial direction. Any structural elements on or in the surface of the free shaft end (including the recess) are to be considered independent of the substantially cylindrical shape of the free shaft end and therefore do not change the substantially cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape can refer to an imaginary envelope of the free shaft end.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the coupling element has an engagement element that can engage in the recess. The engagement element can be understood as an element that has a component complementary to the shaft end structural element (or the recess) for positively connecting to the shaft end structural element (or the recess). The component complementary to the shaft end structural element (or the recess) can be understood as a means that is suitable for engaging in the shaft end structural element (or the recess) or at least for contacting a contact surface of the shaft end structural element (or the recess). The component can (but does not necessarily have to) be designed as a negative form of the shaft end structural element (or the recess).

[0034] The coupling element can also have a plurality of similar or different engagement elements for engaging the shaft end structural element (or the recess). The plurality of engagement elements can be arranged at a constant or different distance in the circumferential direction relative to the free shaft end. The engagement element or the plurality of engagement elements can also preferably be designed as a snap-in connection or a locking connection, so that they snap or lock into the recess.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the engagement element can be a one-piece component of the coupling element or can be detachably attached to it. The engagement element can thus be mounted on and removed from the coupling element. The engagement element can, for example, comprise an insert element that can be inserted into a slot arranged on the coupling element.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, the engagement element has a projection, particularly in the form of a locking lug, for engaging the recess. The projection or locking lug can be shaped such that it can engage the recess or contact it with at least one contact surface. Thus, a contact or positive fit can be established between the engagement element and the recess.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the engagement element has a resilient base body on which the projection, in particular in the form of the locking lug, is arranged. The resilient base body can be web-like and extend vertically away from the engagement element (along the shaft in the assembled state). The projection can be arranged in particular at an end of the resilient base body facing away from the coupling element or at another suitable position. The base body can preferably have an elongated shape. The elasticity of the base body can be adjusted by the shape of the base body or by a corresponding material of the base body. The engagement element can be formed, for example, from plastic, sheet metal, or spring steel.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the engagement element is designed as an engagement ring having an engagement lip for engaging the recess. The engagement ring can be understood as a closed or segmented ring that can be placed onto the free shaft end or slid over it. The engagement ring can have the engagement lip facing the recess, which is particularly suitable for providing the detachable and axially displaceable connection with the recess. The connection can be provided in particular via a positive fit between the engagement lip and the recess or by the engagement lip engaging the recess.The connection can be provided in that a contact surface of the recess rests against a contact surface of the engagement lip, wherein the contact surfaces are arranged such that they can block an axial movement of the engagement element in the direction facing away from the free shaft end.

[0039] According to a further embodiment, the coupling element can be coupled to the free shaft end by a first coupling element section and to the tool by a second coupling element section opposite the first coupling element section. The first coupling element section is understood to be a side of the coupling element facing the free shaft end, wherein the second coupling element section is understood to be a side facing the tool. Coupling the coupling element and the free shaft end can be understood to mean the detachable and axially displacement-locked connection of the two components. Likewise, coupling the coupling element and the tool can be understood to mean the detachable and axially displacement-locked connection of these two components. In this embodiment, the coupling element can be viewed as a connecting piece between the free shaft end and the tool.

[0040] According to a further embodiment, the coupling element is a separate element from the tool and / or the shaft. This can be understood, on the one hand, that the coupling element is neither part of the tool nor part of the shaft. The coupling element is therefore a separate element that is specifically brought into operative connection with the tool and the shaft. On the other hand, this can be understood that the coupling element is a separate element from the tool or the shaft. This can be understood that the coupling element can be part of the tool or the shaft, but not simultaneously part of the other component.

[0041] According to a further embodiment, the engagement element is arranged on the first coupling element section, with a further engagement element being arranged on the second coupling element section, with the further engagement element being coupleable to a tool structural element arranged on the tool. The engagement element can be designed, in particular, for coupling to the shaft end structural element. The further engagement element, on the other hand, can be designed to couple to a tool structural element arranged on the tool. Coupling between the further engagement element and the tool structural element can also be understood here as the detachable and axially displacement-locked connection of both elements, as already explained.

[0042] According to a further embodiment, the further engagement element is designed as a locking element that can be coupled to a tool structural element, which is designed in particular as a receptacle. A locking element can be understood as a mechanical element that locks into a second locking element (here the receptacle) that is designed to be complementary to the locking element. Locking can be understood as the intermeshing, sliding, snapping, or hooking of two locking elements, which, after locking, form a positive connection together with at least one contact surface each. The aforementioned tool structural element can be arranged on the tool or on a component directly or indirectly connected thereto.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the further engagement element is designed as a receptacle that can be coupled to a tool structural element designed in particular as a locking element.

[0044] According to a further embodiment, the detachable and axially displacement-secured connection of the coupling element can be locked relative to the free shaft end with a locking element, wherein the locking element can be moved, in particular linearly moved, relative to the coupling element from a locking position in which the coupling element is locked relative to the free shaft end in an axially displacement-secured manner, into a release position in which the coupling element can be detachable from the free shaft end, and vice versa.

[0045] The locking element can therefore be arranged in a locking position or a release position and, at least during a linear movement from the locking position to the release position or vice versa, in a position between the locking or release position. In the locking position, a positive connection between the coupling element and the free shaft end cannot be broken. This means that the coupling element cannot be released from the free shaft end, particularly during operation of the food processor, i.e. when the shaft is rotating. In the release position, the positive connection between the coupling element and the free shaft end is releasable, which can mean that the coupling element can be released from the free shaft end with little or no force.

[0046] According to a further embodiment, the coupling element is part of the tool. The coupling element can therefore be integrated into the tool, preferably in a central area of ​​the tool (e.g., on a base body or framework of the tool). The coupling element and the tool can also be one-piece. This does not preclude the possibility of the coupling element and the tool being disassembled again. Thus, the coupling element can be mounted on different tools or vice versa. The coupling element can therefore be an integral part of the tool or a corresponding base body, or it can be fastened to the tool or the base body.

[0047] According to a further embodiment, the locking element is a separate element from the tool and / or the coupling element. This may mean that the locking element is neither integrated into the tool and / or the coupling element nor that the locking element is formed integrally with the tool and / or the coupling element.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the locking element is arranged in the locking position in radial overlap with the engagement element and the shaft end structural element. Thus, in the locking position, viewed from the axial axis, the shaft end structural element, the engagement element, and the locking element can be arranged in radial overlap. The engagement element is thus arranged between the shaft end structural element and the locking element.

[0049] According to a further embodiment, the engagement element can be positively locked relative to the shaft end structural element in the locking position in the radial direction by the locking element. The engagement element can thus be blocked against radial pivoting out by a positive connection, created by a contact surface of the locking element and the engagement element in a region of radial overlap. Radial pivoting out can be understood as the engagement element being moved away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0050] According to a further embodiment, the locking element is ring-shaped and can be plugged onto the coupling element. The locking element can thus be designed as a closed, ring-shaped element. However, ring-shaped can also be understood as a discontinuous ring shape, a semicircle, or a circular segment. Plug-on or plugging on can also be understood as sliding on. This can mean that the locking element can be plugged onto the coupling element in the axial direction.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, the locking element can also be screwed onto the coupling element. The locking element can then be screwed from the locked position to the released position and vice versa.

[0052] According to a further embodiment, the coupling element has an end stop for the locking element, arranged on a side of the coupling element opposite the free shaft end. The end stop can have a spring-elastic base body and an end stop projection, for example in the form of a locking lug. The end stop can be designed, in particular, to block movement of the locking element in the axial direction after assembly with the coupling element. This can make the locking element and the coupling element easier to handle. The end stop can also serve to ensure that the coupling element and the tool can be easily gripped at the locking element after use and removed from the free shaft end. The end stop can thus function as a driver.

[0053] According to a further embodiment, the tool (which can be intended for arrangement inside the pot) has a tool arm with a cleaning element arranged thereon for cleaning the pot base and / or the pot shell surface on the inside of the pot. The tool arm can be designed as one piece with the coupling element or can be mounted / removed therefrom. A cleaning element can also be arranged on the tool arm. The cleaning element can in particular be designed to contact the pot base and / or the pot shell surface on the inside of the pot. Contact between the cleaning element and the pot base or the pot shell surface on the inside of the pot can loosen residues that may have collected on them, in particular through friction. The friction is triggered by rotating the tool.Grease-dissolving agents, acidic cleaners, or other cleaning agents can be usefully added to the cleaning element and can be added to the pot. Water can be added to the pot in addition or as an alternative. The pot can be heated during cleaning using the heating element, which can enhance the cleaning effect.

[0054] During cleaning, the cleaning element can be driven in rotation, in particular directly or indirectly, by the shaft.

[0055] The shaft can therefore transmit rotation directly to the cleaning element or, for example, initially to the coupling element or the tool arm, whereupon the cleaning element can be driven in rotation. The tool preferably rotates around a tool rotation axis. The tool rotation axis is preferably arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and can furthermore preferably also coincide with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The tool rotation axis and the longitudinal axis of the shaft can be aligned with each other.

[0056] If the food processor also has the mixing blade carried by the shaft, the tool can preferably be arranged above the mixing blade in the pot. The rotation of the shaft can then initially be transferred to the mixing blade and the cutting means (blades) arranged on the mixing blade. The tool arm and / or the cleaning element can be arranged at least partially in a space between two blades of the mixing blade. The blades can therefore contact the tool arm and / or the cleaning element and drive them along in rotation. When the mixing blade rotates, the rotation can thus be transferred from the mixing blade via the blades to the tool, in particular the tool arm and / or the cleaning element. According to a further embodiment, the tool arm extends radially in the direction of the pot casing, starting from the tool axis of rotation extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.The tool arm can be positioned at a 90-degree angle or at a different angle to the tool rotation axis. The tool arm can extend radially straight, curved, or bent toward the pot shell.

[0057] According to a further embodiment, the tool has a plurality of tool arms that are evenly or unevenly distributed around the circumference. Firstly, the tool can therefore have a plurality of tool arms. Preferably, the tool can have two or four tool arms. Individual cleaning elements can be arranged on each of these. The different tool arms can have the same shape or a different shape. The different tool arms can furthermore each have different or similar cleaning elements. The tool arms can also preferably be evenly distributed around the circumference. This can mean that the tool arms, for example rotating around the tool axis of rotation, can be arranged at a constant angle to the next tool arm. However, the tool arms can also be arranged at different angles to one another.

[0058] In the event that the food processor has the mixing blade, in the case of a plurality of tool arms, these and / or the respective cleaning elements can be arranged in one of the spaces formed by two blades each.

[0059] According to a further embodiment, the cleaning element is a cleaning brush or a cleaning lip, which can be detachably attached to the tool. The cleaning brush can, in particular, have a brush base and a brush attachment attached to the brush base. Similar to the cleaning brush, the cleaning lip can have a cleaning lip base and a plastic lip. The brush attachment or the plastic lip can be guided over the pot base or the inside of the pot casing during cleaning.

[0060] The cleaning brush or the cleaning lip can each be detachably fastened to the tool, preferably the tool arm, preferably with the brush base body or the cleaning lip base body, respectively. Such fastening can be provided in particular by positively fastening the cleaning brush or the cleaning lip to the tool. This can be achieved, for example, by a snap connection between the cleaning element and the tool arm or by inserting the cleaning element into a groove in the tool arm.

[0061] However, it can also be provided that the cleaning brush or cleaning lip is permanently attached to the brush base body or the cleaning lip base body.

[0062] Furthermore, the above-mentioned object can be achieved by a coupling element, the features of which have already been described above in the context of the food processor. It should be noted that the coupling element itself is also the subject of this invention.

[0063] Furthermore, the invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising

[0064] - a drive unit,

[0065] - a shaft that can be driven in rotation by the drive unit, and

[0066] - a tool which can be driven in rotation by means of the shaft, wherein the tool is a stirring tool, wherein a detachable and axially displacement-locked connection between the tool and a free shaft end of the shaft can be provided via a coupling element which can be positively coupled to a shaft end structural element of the free shaft end.

[0067] The food processor and the tool designed as a stirring tool can be designed according to the present disclosure.

[0068] Furthermore, the invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising

[0069] - a drive unit,

[0070] - a shaft that can be driven in rotation by the drive unit, and

[0071] - a tool that can be driven in rotation by means of the shaft, wherein the tool is a cleaning tool, wherein a detachable and axially displaceably secured connection between the tool and a free shaft end of the shaft can be provided via a coupling element that can be positively coupled to a shaft end structural element of the free shaft end. The food processor and the tool designed as a cleaning tool can be designed according to the present disclosure.

[0072] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These drawings schematically show:

[0073] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tool and a shaft used in a food processor according to the prior art,

[0074] Fig. 2 is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a coupling element according to the invention, in conjunction with the tool and the shaft of Fig.l

[0075] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the coupling element according to Fig. 2,

[0076] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the coupling element according to Fig. 3 with a dismantled engagement element,

[0077] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2,

[0078] Fig. 6 is a further sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2,

[0079] Fig. 7 is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of a coupling element according to the invention, in conjunction with the tool and the shaft of Fig. 1,

[0080] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7,

[0081] Fig. 9 is a further sectional view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 7.

[0082] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tool 2 and a shaft 1 according to the prior art. The tool 2 is a stirring tool used in the Thermomix® food processors known from the prior art. The tool can be used for stirring food or whipping cream. The tool 2 is placed on a free end of the shaft 1, which can be rotationally driven by a drive unit (not shown) of a food processor. The shaft 1 also rotationally drives the mixing blade 18. The module shown, comprising tool 2 and mixing blade 18, is conventionally inserted into a bowl of the food processor. The tool 2, in the form of a stirring tool, has two stirring arms. These are arranged between two of a total of four blades 19 of the mixing blade 18.The mixing knife 18 is thus rotationally coupled to the tool 2 in that the blades 19 act as a kind of driver for the stirring arms, whereby a rotation of the mixing knife 18 is transferred via the blades 19 to the tool 2.

[0083] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the tool 2 also has a tool structural element 5. In this embodiment, this tool structural element 5 is designed as an opening or a recess from a tool interior to a tool exterior.

[0084] Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of a coupling element 6 in conjunction with a tool 2 and a shaft 1, which forms a longitudinal axis of the shaft 27, from Figure 1. The coupling element 6 is arranged between the tool 2 and the shaft 1. The coupling element has a first coupling element section 7 and a second coupling element section 8. The first coupling element section 7 can be coupled to a free shaft end 3. For this purpose, the coupling element 6 comprises an engagement element 10. This has a base body 12 and a projection 11 connected to the base body 12.

[0085] The free shaft end 3 has a shaft end structural element 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, this is formed as a recess 9 in the shaft end 3. The recess 9 is designed as an annular groove surrounding the shaft end 3. The recess 9 thus forms a recess engageable behind the projection 11, whereby the coupling element 6 can be coupled to the shaft 1, in particular the free shaft end 3, in a region of the first coupling element section 7 in a form-fitting manner and secured against axial displacement.

[0086] The tool 2 shown in Figure 2 is designed in detail as a stirring tool. The stirring tool shown, or the "stirring attachment (butterfly)," is a conventional stirring tool sold by Vorwerk for stirring preferably liquid or viscous foods. The stirring tool has two radially aligned stirring arms 24, each with a plurality of transverse and longitudinal struts extending from a tool rotation axis 23. The transverse and longitudinal struts serve to create turbulence during a stirring process, which mixes the food. The stirring arms 24 are designed such that, in the assembled state, they are arranged in a space between each two blades 19 of the mixing knife 18. The blades 19 contact the stirring arms 24 during rotation, driving them along, whereby the stirring arms 24 and the entire tool 2 are driven in rotation.

[0087] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the coupling element 6 from Figure 2. Compared to Figure 2, the coupling element 6 in Figure 3 is shown rotated 180° about a horizontal axis. As already explained, the coupling element has the engagement element 10 in the area of ​​the first coupling element section 7, which further comprises the projection 11 and the base body 12. In a area of ​​the second coupling element section 8, the coupling element 6 has a further engagement element 13 for coupling to the tool 2. This comprises, comparable to the engagement element 10, a base body 16 and a locking element 17.

[0088] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the coupling element 6 from Figure 3. The coupling element in Figure 4 shows, comparable to the coupling element 6 from Figure 3, an engagement element 10 with a base body 12 and a projection 11 as well as the further engagement element 13 with the base body 12 and the locking element 11. In addition, Figure 4 shows that the engagement element 10 with the base body 12 and the projection 11 is disassembled as an individual part from the remaining coupling element 6. Furthermore, Figure 4 shows that the coupling element 6 has an elongated insert adapted to the engagement element 10, into which the disassembled engagement element 6 can be inserted.

[0089] It should be noted that the hatching shown in Figures 5, 6, 8, and 9 is not suitable for assigning components across all figures. The hatching serves only to distinguish and delimit individual components within the respective figures.

[0090] Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the tool 2 shown in Figure 2, the coupling element 6 and the shaft 1 in an assembled state. In particular, Figure 5 shows a positive and axially displaceable connection between the free shaft end 3 and the coupling element 6 in the area of ​​the first coupling element section 7. The coupling element 6 has the engagement element

[0091] 10 with the base body 12 and the projection 11. The free shaft end 3 has the shaft end structural element 4 in the form of the recess 9. For the positive and axially displacement-locked connection of tool 2 and shaft 1, the coupling element 6 and the shaft end 3 are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the engagement element 10 with the base body 12 is guided past the shaft end 3 in a tool interior and with the projection

[0092] 11 engages in the recess 9. The coupling element 6 thus engages behind the recess 9 of the free shaft end 3 with the projection 11 of the engagement element 10, whereby the coupling element 6 is connected to the shaft 1 in a form-fitting manner and secured against axial displacement.

[0093] Figure 6 shows a further sectional view of the tool 2 shown in Figure 2, the coupling element 6 and the shaft 1 in the assembled state. Figure 6 illustrates in particular a positive-locking and axially displacement-secured connection between the tool 2 and the coupling element 6 in the region of the second coupling element section 8. The coupling element 6 is arranged between the tool 2 and the shaft end 3, as also shown in Figure 5. The coupling element 6 has the further engagement element 13 in the region of the second coupling element section 8. In this exemplary embodiment, this comprises the base body 16 and the locking element 17. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the further engagement element 13 is designed to couple to the tool 2 in a positive-locking and axially displacement-secured manner.For this purpose, the tool 2 has a tool structural element 5, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed by two separate lateral openings in the tool 2. The positive-locking and axially displacement-locked connection between the coupling element 6 and the tool 2 is established by the positive engagement of the locking element 17 in one of the lateral openings of the tool 2, i.e., the tool structural element 5.

[0094] Figure 7 shows a perspective exploded view of a further embodiment with the shaft 1, the tool 2, the coupling element 6 and a locking element 14. The shaft 1 has the shaft end structural element 4 at the free shaft end 3. The shaft end structural element 4 is designed in Figure 7 as a recess 9 in the form of an annular groove running around the free shaft end 3. The coupling element 6 is designed in Figure 7 as part of the tool 2. In this embodiment, the coupling element 6 is integrated into the tool 2. The coupling element 6 has three engagement elements 10. These further each have a base body 12 with a projection 11 arranged thereon. In addition, the coupling element 6 has three end stops 15. These each have an end stop base body and an end stop projection.

[0095] The locking element 14 is shown in Figure 7 in a ring-shaped design variant. The locking element 14 can be plugged onto the coupling element 6, with the end stops 15 being guided through a ring interior of the locking element 14.

[0096] The tool 2 depicted in Figure 7 is a cleaning tool for cleaning the bottom of a pot. It has two tool arms 20 arranged on the coupling element 6. The tool arms 20 extend radially away from the tool rotation axis 23. The tool rotation axis 23 is parallel to an alignment of the shaft 1 or to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 27 and arranged centrally in the tool 2. A cleaning element 21 is arranged radially on the outside of each tool arm 20. The cleaning element 21 is in the form of a cleaning brush 22. The cleaning brush 22 has a brush base body 25 and a brush attachment 26 arranged below the brush base body 25. In this case, the brush attachment 26 has bristles.

[0097] The cleaning elements 21 are arranged on the tool arms 20 such that, when assembled, they are each positioned between two blades 19. When the shaft 1 drives the mixing blade 18 and thus the blades 19 in rotation, the rotation is transferred from the blades 19 to the cleaning elements 21, causing the entire tool 2 to rotate. When the tool 2 shown in Figure 2, with the shaft 1 and the mixing blade 18, is inserted into the bowl of the food processor (not shown here), the brush attachment 26 is in contact with the bottom of the bowl and cleans it as the tool 2 rotates.

[0098] Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7 in an assembled state. In the assembled state, the locking element 14 can be arranged in a release position and a locking position relative to the coupling element 6. Figure 8 shows the release position of the locking element 14. The coupling element 6 is placed on the shaft side of the free shaft end 3. The free shaft end 3 has the shaft end structural element 4, which is designed as a recess 9 in the form of an annular groove. The coupling element 6 has three engagement elements 10 that are complementary to the shaft end structural element 4. The engagement elements 10 each have the base body 12 and the projection 11. The projection 11 is designed to engage in the recess 9 of the free shaft end 3 even in the release position.The coupling element 6 is thus already positively locked and secured against axial displacement relative to the free shaft end 3 in the release position, but is not locked against axial displacement. In the release position shown in Figure 8, the locking element 14 is positively secured by the end stop 15 in the vertical direction, away from the coupling element 6.

[0099] Figure 9 shows a further sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, wherein, in contrast to Figure 8, the locking element 14 is not arranged in the release position, but in the locking position. In the locking position, the locking element 14 is pushed onto a part of the engagement elements 6. In the locking position, a part of the locking element 14, a part of the respective engagement elements 6 and a part of the free shaft end 3 of the shaft 1 are arranged in radial overlap with one another, viewed from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 27. In Figure 9, in particular, a part of the locking element 14, the projection 11 of the engagement element 6 arranged on the base body 12 and the shaft end structural element 4 in the form of the recess 9 are arranged in radial overlap with one another.Thus, the engagement element 10 is locked by the locking element 14 against radial pivoting, which would allow an axial displacement of the coupling element 6. List of reference symbols.

[0100] 1 wave

[0101] 2 tools

[0102] 3 free shaft end

[0103] 4 Shaft end structural element

[0104] 5 Tool structure element

[0105] 6 coupling element

[0106] 7 first coupling element section

[0107] 8 second coupling element section

[0108] 9 Recess

[0109] 10 engagement element

[0110] 11 lead

[0111] 12 basic bodies

[0112] 13 additional engagement element

[0113] 14 Locking element

[0114] 15 End stop

[0115] 16 base bodies

[0116] 17 locking element

[0117] 18 mixing knives

[0118] 19 blades

[0119] 20 tool arm

[0120] 21 Cleaning element

[0121] 22 Cleaning brush

[0122] 23 Tool rotation axis

[0123] 24 Stirring arm Brush body Brush trim Longitudinal axis of the shaft

Claims

Patent claims 1. A food processor, comprising a. a drive unit, b. a shaft (1) that can be driven in rotation by the drive unit, and c. a tool (2) that can be driven in rotation by means of the shaft (1), wherein a detachable and axially displacement-secured connection can be provided between the tool (2) and a free shaft end (3) of the shaft (1) via a coupling element (6) that can be positively coupled to a shaft end structural element (4) of the free shaft end (3).

2. Food processor according to claim 1, characterized in that the food processor comprises a pot having a pot base and a pot shell adjacent to the pot base.

3. Kitchen appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the tool (2) is arranged inside or outside the pot.

4. Food processor according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shaft end structural element (4) is a recess (9) arranged on the free shaft end (3).

5. Food processor according to claim 4, characterized in that the recess (9) is formed circumferentially around the free shaft end (3).

6. Food processor according to claim 5, characterized in that the free shaft end (3) has a substantially cylindrical shape and that the recess (9) is an annular groove.

7. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the coupling element (6) has an engagement element (10) which can engage in the recess (9). TI 8. Food processor according to claim 7, characterized in that the engagement element (10) for engaging in the recess (9) has a projection (11), in particular in the form of a locking lug.

9. Kitchen appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the engagement element (10) has a spring-elastic base body (12) on which the projection (11), in particular in the form of the locking lug, is arranged.

10. Food processor according to claim 7, characterized in that the engagement element (10) is an engagement ring which has an engagement lip for engaging in the recess (9).

11. Food processor according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the coupling element (6) can be coupled to the free shaft end (3) by a first coupling element section (7) and can be coupled to the tool (2) by a second coupling element section (8) opposite the first coupling element section (7).

12. Food processor according to claim 11, characterized in that the coupling element (6) is a separate element from the tool (2) and / or the shaft (1).

13. Food processor according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the engagement element (10) is arranged on the first coupling element section (7), wherein a further engagement element (13) is arranged on the second coupling element section (8), wherein the further engagement element (13) can be coupled to a tool structural element (5) arranged on the tool (2).

14. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the detachable and axially displacement-secured connection of the coupling element (6) relative to the free shaft end (3) can be locked with a locking element (14), wherein the locking element (14) can be moved relative to the coupling element (6) from a locking position, in which the coupling element (6) is locked axially displacement-secured relative to the free shaft end (3), into a release position, in which the coupling element (6) is detachable from the free shaft end (3), movable, in particular linearly movable, and vice versa.

15. Kitchen appliance according to claim 14, characterized in that the coupling element (6) is part of the tool (2).

16. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the locking element (14) is a separate element from the tool (2) and / or the coupling element (6).

17. Food processor according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the locking element (14) is arranged in the locking position radially in overlap with the engagement element (10) and the shaft end structural element (4).

18. Food processor according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the engagement element (10) can be positively locked relative to the shaft end structural element (4) in the locking position in the radial direction by the locking element (14).

19. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the locking element (14) is ring-shaped and can be plugged onto the coupling element (6).

20. Food processor according to one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the coupling element (6) has an end stop (15) for the locking element (14) arranged on a side of the coupling element (6) opposite the free shaft end (3).

21. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 3 to 20, characterized in that the tool (2) has a tool arm (20) with a cleaning element (21) arranged thereon for cleaning the pot base and / or a pot inner surface of the pot casing.

22. A food processor according to claim 21, characterized in that the tool arm (20) extends radially in the direction of the pot casing from a tool rotation axis (23) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft (27).

23. A food processor according to one of claims 21 or 22, characterized in that the tool (2) has a plurality of circumferentially evenly or unevenly distributed tool arms (20).

24. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the cleaning element (21) is a cleaning brush (22) or a cleaning lip, which is in particular detachably attachable to the tool (2).

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