Drive for an agitator, kitchen appliance comprising same and method for controlling the drive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive controllers for kitchen appliances lack the ability to dynamically adjust their control behavior in response to load changes during food preparation, leading to inconsistent results in terms of product consistency, such as coarse or too fine textures.
Innovation Solution
A drive controller with a dynamic parameter input that allows for adjustable control behavior, enabling the electric motor to change its operation based on specified parameters, such as torque and speed, to accommodate load changes and achieve desired processing effects like gentle stirring or chopping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed control characteristic is used in the drive controller, then the control behavior is simple and stable, but the ability to adapt to different load changes and achieve consistent product quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The drive controller is designed with dynamic parameters that can be changed during operation. The controller adapts its control behavior by adjusting these parameters in response to load changes, transitioning from a static fixed-characteristic controller to a dynamic adaptive controller. This allows the system to maintain optimal performance across varying operating conditions without requiring multiple fixed controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameters of the drive controller dynamically based on operating conditions. By modifying parameters such as torque constants and speed profiles in real-time, the controller adapts to different load scenarios (e.g., adding ingredients to the preparation vessel) and maintains consistent stirring performance, directly addressing the adaptability issue.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the torque is increased to compensate for speed changes during load changes, then the speed stability is improved, but the product consistency deteriorates due to coarse or too fine results
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply increasing torque to maintain speed, the invention changes multiple control parameters simultaneously - adjusting both torque characteristics and acceleration profiles dynamically. This coordinated parameter adjustment maintains speed stability while preventing excessive mechanical stress that would lead to inconsistent product texture, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed stability and product consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts its response characteristics based on the specific load change detected. Rather than a fixed torque increase, the system adapts its torque application profile in real-time, modulating the force applied to the stirrer to maintain consistent stirring effectiveness and product quality across varying loads.
3Productivity
If the stirrer accelerates quickly to reach target speed, then the productivity is improved, but the product consistency worsens due to abrupt acceleration causing coarse results
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration profile of the stirrer is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the acceleration rate based on the current load conditions and desired processing outcome. This allows the system to optimize between quick acceleration for productivity and controlled acceleration for product consistency, adapting the acceleration behavior in real-time to prevent abrupt starts that would cause coarse results.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the acceleration parameters dynamically during operation. By adjusting acceleration rates, torque build-up profiles, and speed transition characteristics based on detected load changes and processing requirements, the system achieves both high productivity and consistent product quality, resolving the contradiction between fast acceleration and gentle mixing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a drive (1) for a stirrer (2) of an electrically operated food processor (100), a food processor (100) and a method, wherein the drive (1) has an electric motor (3) and a drive controller (4) for controlling the electric motor (3), in particular its rotor speed or rotor position, wherein the drive controller (4) has a dynamic parameter input (7) via which at least one dynamic parameter (8) can be specified to the drive controller (4), and wherein the drive controller (4) is designed to change its control behavior, in particular its control speed, by changing the dynamic parameter (8).