DE202011050875U1 - Food processor with a mixing vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

Food processor (1) with a mixing vessel (4), in which an agitator (5) is arranged, in which the mixing vessel (4) can be heated on the bottom, characterized in that two or more temperature sensors (13, 15 to 17) for detecting the temperature of a medium (M) present in the mixing vessel (4), optionally by means of the temperature of the mixing vessel wall (14), are arranged in the mixing vessel wall (14), at least one temperature sensor (16) being assigned to a predetermined one maximum fill level of the mixing vessel (4) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a food processor with a mixing vessel, in which mixing vessel an agitator is arranged, wherein the mixing vessel is heatable on the bottom side.

Food processors of the type in question are known. It is, for example, on the EP 1 274 333 B1 directed. From this, a food processor is known, in which the bottom of the mixer to be assigned to the mixing vessel has a resistance heating element, which is formed in a circular disc shape. In this way, a direct heating of the mixing vessel or the Rührgefäßbodens and thus of the cooking product contained in the mixing vessel can be achieved. For temperature control of the heating element, a sensor in the form of an NTC element in the Rührgefäßboden, assigned to the heating element, is provided. The content of this patent is hereby incorporated in full into the disclosure of the present invention, also for the purpose of including features of this patent in claims of the present invention.

In view of the above-described prior art, a technical problem of the invention is seen in a kitchen appliance of the type in question, in particular with regard to the temperature control of the food in the mixing vessel further improved design.

This problem is solved first and foremost by the subject matter of claim 1, wherein it is aimed that distributed over the height of two or more temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a medium present in the mixing vessel, optionally by means of the temperature of the Rührgefäßwandung, in the Rührgefäßwandung are arranged, wherein at least one temperature sensor associated with a predetermined maximum level of the mixing vessel is arranged. A temperature sensor preferably provided in the mixing vessel bottom, more preferably in the form of an NTC element, generally only detects the temperature in a specific region of the bottom of the pan. This means that, depending on the medium in the mixing vessel and / or, depending on the filling level and speed of the agitator (Trombenbildung) the NTC element present and measured temperature can differ significantly from the temperature that is present above in the medium or food Furthermore, the NTC element is also still actively heated by the heating element as a rule. This involves the risk that it comes to a bumping, in which then by sudden expansion of the food can escape a part of the cooking vessel contents. The arrangement of two or more temperature sensors, which are distributed over the height, in particular distributed over the operating position vertical height of the mixing vessel, such effect is counteracted. It is made according to a temperature measurement of the food in the cooking vessel in different height levels. With the aid of temperature sensors at different heights it can be determined how the temperature distribution in the medium is. In this case, the temperature sensors preferably detect the temperature of the medium located in the mixing vessel directly according to the arrangement in the mixing vessel wall or arrangement on the inside of the wall of the stirred vessel wall heated by the medium. More preferably, the arrangement of the temperature sensor is provided on the outside wall of the Rührgefäßwandung, this using the Rührgefäßwandung as a heat conductor. In this case, according to an indirect temperature measurement by means of the temperature of the Rührgefäßwandung. Preferably, a temperature sensor is arranged assigned to the predetermined maximum level of the mixing vessel. By way of the plurality of temperature sensors, the fill level in the cooking vessel is preferably also ascertainable, this being achieved by a preferred temperature measurement at different heights of the cooking vessel. By means of the maximum level of the mixing vessel associated temperature sensor according to the achievement of the proper maximum filling of the mixing vessel excess fill height can be determined, which further, as more preferably the other sensor data, preferably displayed on a display of the food processor. Preferably, the reaching of the maximum filling level can be recognized by the fact that the temperature sensor assigned to this maximum detects the same or almost the same temperature (for example with a deviation of 1-5%) as the temperature sensor arranged below it in terms of height.

Further features of the invention are explained below, also in the description of the figures, often in their preferred association with the subject matter of claim 1 or with features of further claims. But they can also be in an assignment to only individual features of claim 1 or the respective further claim or each independently of importance.

Thus, it is further preferred that a temperature sensor is arranged above the maximum level. Thus, a height-wise spacing for maximum filling of the mixing vessel is given. Particularly in the case of a medium which is at rest in the mixing vessel, preferably not agitated by the agitator, an overfilling can be determined, for example, between a temperature sensor assigned to the predetermined maximum filling level of the mixing vessel and the temperature sensor arranged above the maximum filling level. In this respect, it is further preferred that the temperature sensor detecting a possible overfill is spaced at a vertical distance from the temperature sensor possibly associated with the maximum fill level of the mixing vessel or at a vertical distance from a possibly provided mark of the maximum fill level of the stirring vessel, which distance results from a five to twenty percent, more preferably about ten percent, peak to maximum level. Also, especially when detecting an overfilling of the mixing vessel, the commissioning of the food processor, further in particular the commissioning of the heater and / or the agitator prevented.

In addition, it is preferred that two or three temperature sensors are arranged above the vertical height and that the vertical distances are different. The vertical distances of the temperature sensor are further preferably chosen so that these usual filling levels are positioned accordingly, so for example. Spaced so that between two spaced apart in height temperature sensors a filling height of 0.25 to 2 l, more preferably 1 l result. Different vertical distances between the temperature sensors with one another are, for example, given by the fact that the mixing-vessel opening expands conically, starting from the preferably heatable bottom, upwards in the direction of the wall of the stirring vessel, for example. More preferably, the temperature sensor disposed above the maximum level is arranged with a smaller vertical distance to the temperature sensor arranged underneath than this in turn against a preferably further below provided temperature sensor, more preferably a lowermost temperature sensor.

A temperature sensor is preferably arranged in the region of the predetermined half-filling height of the mixing vessel, so in particular at a maximum usable Rührgefäßvolumen of 2 l at the level of a 1 l filling height, further preferably in such an arrangement, a temperature sensor at half full height, preferably a temperature sensor on maximum filling level and another temperature sensor is preferably arranged above the maximum filling level.

The plurality of temperature sensors are integrated in a preferred embodiment in the Rührgefäßwandung, so in particular for direct contacting by the present in the mixing vessel food, preferably a corresponding sensor surface of the temperature sensor is at least substantially exposed to the vessel interior.

In a further preferred embodiment, the mixing vessel has a handle extending vertically along the mixing vessel wall, more preferably the outside of the stirring vessel wall, whereby one or more of the temperature sensors are covered by the latter. The handle provides a space for housing the one or more temperature sensors because, as further preferred, the handle with its gripping surface covers the more preferably metallic stirring vessel wall in the gripping area as a temperature protection. According to this preferred arrangement, the preferred plurality of temperature sensors, although only one or two such temperature sensors may be arranged in such a way, are in a protected hiding position, more particularly protected against external influences. In addition, according to this preferred arrangement, the assembly is simplified. A contacting, in particular electrical contacting of the one or more temperature sensors is preferably carried out via additional contacts on the bottom of the vessel and / or in the grip area. More preferably, a contact module is provided which forms a unit with the handle. Temperature sensors can be NTCs, PTCs or thermocouples. The number of contacts required for the temperature query is reduced in a further preferred embodiment via a sharing of contacts or a clever choice of temperature sensors.

It is also preferably provided that the agitator can be activated independently of user intervention in the event of an uneven temperature distribution in the vertical direction of a medium present in the mixing vessel. Activation in the sense of the invention also means an increase in the rotational speed of the agitator in operation. According to this embodiment, in particular a leakage of medium from the mixing vessel according to abrupt expansion of the medium, for example. On addition of another ingredient, counteracted. About the distributed over the height arranged temperature sensors, a temperature difference can be detected. Thus, for example, when the agitator is at a standstill, the medium in the upper region, in particular when the lid is removed, cools faster than in the lower region. Even when disabled by the user agitator this is preferably by a corresponding control, which evaluates the sensor data of the temperature sensor, to a predetermined speed, in particular to a low speed of less than 100 U / min. activated. It is also preferably provided that the heater and / or the agitator is not operable beyond a predetermined limit, provided that a maximum, determined by one of the temperature sensor level is exceeded. This also counteracts, in particular, a leakage of medium from the mixing vessel, in particular due to increased formation of droplets by the agitator and / or due to overcooking in the event of blistering due to excessive heating.

In a preferred embodiment, it is further provided that two or more temperature sensors are provided and that a fill level determination is carried out by means of the temperature sensor. Preferably, the plurality of temperature sensors simultaneously or separately also for detecting the temperature distribution in the vertical direction in the mixing vessel. For this purpose, these are preferably distributed over the vertical height, for the preferred detection of the temperature of a medium present in the mixing vessel, optionally by means of the temperature of the Rührgefäßwandung. A fill level determination can also be carried out via the temperature sensors, in particular the detection of a maximum fill level or the detection of an exceeding of the maximum fill level of the stirred vessel. Depending on the temperature measured values recorded via the temperature sensor, an automatic activation of the agitator may take place. When a maximum fill level is exceeded, it is further provided that the agitator and / or the heater can not be operated beyond a predefined limit value, even if the user has set higher heating powers and / or agitator rotational speeds.

Preferably, differences in temperature, in particular between two vertically spaced temperature sensors of more than 0.5 ° C, more preferably differences in temperature of 1 ° C to 10 ° C, preferably up to 90 ° C, 100 ° C or even 120 ° C, especially at a Gargutzubereitung under pressure, a measure such as a stirrer activation from. Furthermore, the level can be determined via the recorded temperature differences.

If, for example, the temperature difference between two temperature sensors exceeds 5 ° C., preferably the speed of the stirrer is increased automatically, preferably by 5% to 20%, more preferably 10%. After expiration of a subsequent, preferably control side predetermined period of, for example, 10 seconds, the temperature difference is determined again. If this continues to exceed, for example, 5 ° C, the speed is increased again by the predetermined amount. This process is repeated until the temperature difference has fallen below the predetermined maximum amount or the preferred recipe-dependent maximum speed of the agitator is reached.

With regard to all specified ranges of values, all intermediate values, in particular in 1-degree Celsius steps, both with respect to a single or multiple narrowing of the specified range limits in, for example, the specified step size, from above and / or from below, as well as to represent singular values within the indicated areas are hereby included in the disclosure.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing, which represents only one exemplary embodiment. It shows:

1 in side view a food processor with an associated stirring vessel;

2 the mixing vessel in a partial vertical section;

3 a time / temperature diagram.

Shown and described is first with reference to 1 a food processor 1 with a vascular receptacle 2 and a control panel 3 ,

The food processor 1 is a mixing vessel 4 assignable by placing this in the vessel receptacle 2 is used. The bottom of the vessel 9 assigned is a stirrer 5 provided, which has one in the food processor 1 below the picture 2 arranged, not shown electric drive is operated.

That in the receptacle 2 Mixing vessel to be used 4 has a preferably vertically oriented handle 6 , The pedestal area 7 of the mixing vessel 4 is pot-shaped with a circular cross section and for heating the mixing vessel 4 suitable or shaped for this purpose.

The preferred in the illustrated embodiment with a stirrer 5 in the mixing vessel 4 equipped food processor 1 serves in the usual way for mixing, mixing and / or, as particularly preferred, for cooking food (medium M), including the stirring vessel 4 by means of a lid 8th is preferably closed.

Via the control panel 3 is by means of switch and / or button 10 the agitator speed, beyond that in the bottom of the vessel 9 provided resistance heating 11 adjustable by the user.

In the bottom of the vessel 9 , further in direct association with the under the vessel bottom 9 arranged resistance heating 11 For example, a heating surface temperature sensor may be provided which determines the temperature of the heating conductors of the resistance heating 11 supervised.

Preferably, although not mandatory for the use of further temperature sensors explained below, vertical spacing of a few millimeters, in the illustrated embodiment about 10 to 20 mm, is above the floor area 12 of the mixing vessel 4 a media temperature sensor 13 intended.

This is preferably located outside the wall of the Rührgefäßwandung 14 at this, for detecting the temperature of the in the mixing vessel 4 in operation existing medium M, this more preferably by means of the temperature of the Rührgefäßwandung 14 ,

With vertical distance to the temperature sensor 13 are three more temperature sensors 15 . 16 and 17 intended. These have mutually different vertical distances. That's the temperature sensor 15 preferably in the range of the predetermined half-height of the mixing vessel 4 arranged, so in the illustrated embodiment at a maximum fill level to be used by 2 l in the range of 1 l filling height.

The further temperature sensor 16 is preferably associated with the maximum usable filling level (here the 2 l filling level).

Above the temperature sensor assigned to the maximum filling level 16 is another temperature sensor 17 provided, whose vertical distance to the underlying temperature sensor 16 is less than the distance between the temperature sensors 13 and 15 respectively. 15 and 16 , So is further preferred the temperature sensor 17 in a vertical height range of the mixing vessel 4 provided, which is about the 103 to 110 percent level, more preferably about the 105 percent level of the mixing vessel 4 equivalent. More preferred is the lower temperature sensor 13 with a vertical distance of 10 mm, the middle temperature sensor 15 with a vertical distance of 40 mm and the temperature sensor 16 with a vertical distance of 80 mm to the vessel interior of the mixing vessel 4 pointing surface of the vessel bottom 9 arranged.

All temperature sensors 13 and 15 to 17 are preferably outside of the wall of the stirring vessel 14 provided, this preferably with appropriate contacting of the preferably metallic Rührgefäßwandung 14 , The temperature sensors are further preferably arranged vertically above one another, more preferably within a common vertical plane.

On the outside are the temperature sensors 13 and 15 to 17 preferably covered by the handle 6 , The electrical contacting of the temperature sensor is preferably via the handle 6 guided electric cables, which more preferably in a lower side of the vessel bottom 9 , or below the resistance heating 11 arranged plug-in module 18 are guided. In this are also preferred, the plug contacts for the supply of resistance heating 11 added. The plug-in module 18 is designed for electrical plug-in contact with one in the food processor 1 correspondingly provided plug-in receptacle 19 , About the plug-in receptacle 19 are the temperature sensors 13 and 15 to 17 to one in the food processor 1 provided, not shown control and evaluation connected.

According to the arrangement of several, over the vertical extension of the mixing vessel 4 distributed temperature sensors is an improved application of the food processor achievable. For example, a user prepares a dish in the mixing vessel 4 and fills the mixing vessel 4 beyond the predetermined range of the maximum filling level, in particular to or above the temperature sensor 17 In addition, so can over a temperature comparison with the remaining temperature sensors 15 and 16 , if necessary, also with the temperature sensor 13 this overfilling of the mixing vessel 4 be detected, wherein in the course of filling the mixing vessel 4 usually the agitator 5 stationary. This case is particularly dangerous with hot media, more particularly hot liquid media, such as soups or the like, dangerous, since it may come to overcooking (bumping due to overfilling). About a preferred provided display 20 can this overfilling of the mixing vessel 4 be displayed to the user. More preferred is the resistance heating 11 and / or the agitator 5 if the maximum fill level is not exceeded or not be operated beyond a predetermined limit value, which limit value is preferably designed so as to prevent overcooking and / or splashing out of medium M, in particular as a result of pronounced formation of droplets.

Is the stirring vessel 4 properly loaded up to the highest possible level with medium M, so can the temperature sensors 13 and 15 to 17 In the course of food preparation, check how the temperature profile is over the height of the vessel. This is particularly suitable for liquid or viscous media M to be cooked, since the temperature of the medium over the level of the medium M is not uniform even during the cake. Thus, a different temperature can be present in the upper region of the media column than in the immediate heat application region (bottom surface 12 ). In this case, provide in particular the temperature sensor facing the ground 13 and / or the half-height associated with temperature sensor 15 and the maximum level associated with the temperature sensor 16 different temperature readings, under appropriate evaluation in the food processor 1 to a triggered by the kitchen machine-side control activation or to increase the speed of the agitator 5 leads. Due to a sufficient mechanical mixing of the medium M, a uniform temperature distribution is achieved, which is registered accordingly by the temperature sensor and delivered as a result. With reaching a continuous temperature over the entire media column is preferred a (re) regulation of the heating power and / or the agitator speed performed.

With the help of temperature sensors 13 . 15 and 16 can be at different vertical heights of the mixing vessel 4 the temperature distribution can be determined. If the temperature in the bottom area is significantly higher than in the top, the lid 8th or the vessel opening facing area, it is preferably brought about the kitchen machine-side control and evaluation an increase in the agitator speed, so as to provide a balance. This prevents, depending on the user selected speed of the agitator 5 a blistering, which may possibly lead to the ejection of hot media components.

Even if the user, for example, a liquid medium M strongly heated in the form of a soup and hereafter the food processor 1 or the heater and / or the agitator 5 for a short period of time, the proposed solution proves to be advantageous. The consequence in particular a shutdown of the resistance heating 11 , but also a shutdown of the agitator 5 , is a cooling of the medium M in the upper, the vessel opening facing area, while at the bottom of the medium M is still very hot. In this state, another ingredient is added to the medium M and then by means of the agitator 5 stirred, this can lead to a sudden expansion of the medium M. With the temperature distribution monitoring, the food processor can 1 now recognize such a possible state and initiate appropriate countermeasures.

A possible countermeasure is preferably the switching on of the agitator 5 even if the user is the agitator 5 previously turned off manually. The agitator 5 This is automatically triggered by the control and evaluation unit with a low speed of eg. Less than 100 rev / min. continue, with which the medium for uniform temperature distribution is mixed. It is also preferred to allow only a small agitator speed at such large temperature differences, since high speeds favor the overcooking process. Accordingly, the agitator 5 at a low speed, for example. Under 100 rev / min., Regulated, even if the user via the switch / button 10 a higher speed of, for example, 500, 1000 or more rpm. dials.

3 shows a diagram for explaining the present invention. In the area A shown on the left are examples of the temperature curves at the various temperature sensors 15 to 17 a soup already preheated to 70 ° C. The temperature sensor closest to the resistance heater shows clearly 15 stronger fluctuations in the temperature curve T ₁₅ in the preferred clocked heating process than the temperature profile T ₁₆ and T _{17 of} the middle and upper temperature sensor 16 . 17 , Over the period A, the soup is at a low speed of the agitator 5 touched. As can be seen, there are relatively large temperature differences between the temperature sensors 15 to 17 of up to about 25 ° C, which is due to insufficient mixing in the low rotational stage.

Over the period B, the temperature curves T ₁₅ to T ₁₇ after switching off the agitator 5 and the heater 11 shown. As can be seen even over this period, no equalization of the temperatures at all temperature sensors can be achieved.

This is only achievable by activation of the agitator 5 with compared to the period A increased speed (eg 500 U / min compared to 100 U / min). As can be seen, this is at least over the period C when the stirrer is activated 5 an at least approximate equalization of the temperatures over the height of the mixing vessel 4 achievable, this in the embodiment under preferred further heating of the food, in this case the soup, to at least approximately 100 ° C.

Also shows over the period D, that after switching off the agitator 5 and the heater 11 the temperature difference between the temperature measuring points does not increase as significantly, as can be observed by way of example over period B. The food to be cooled accordingly at least approximately evenly, with maximum temperature differences of about 3 ° C to 4 ° C.

All disclosed features are essential to the invention. The disclosure of the associated / attached priority documents (copy of the prior application) is hereby also incorporated in full in the disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of including features of these documents in claims of the present application. The subclaims characterize in their optional sibling version independent inventive development of the prior art, in particular to make on the basis of these claims divisional applications.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

food processor

2

vessel reception

3

Control panel

4

mixing vessel

5

agitator

6

Handle

7

plinth

8th

cover

9

vessel bottom

10

Switch button

11

resistance heating

12

floor area

13

temperature sensor

14

Rührgefäßwandung

15

temperature sensor

16

temperature sensor

17

temperature sensor

18

plug-in module

19

plug-in receptacle

20

display

A

Period

B

Period

C

Period

D

Period

M

medium

T ₁₅

temperature curve

T ₁₆

temperature curve

T ₁₇

temperature curve

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1274333 B1 [0002]

Claims (6)

Food processor ( 1 ) with a mixing vessel ( 4 ), in which mixing vessel ( 4 ) an agitator ( 5 ), wherein the mixing vessel ( 4 ) is heatable on the bottom side, characterized in that distributed over the height of two or more temperature sensor ( 13 . 15 to 17 ) for detecting the temperature of a in the mixing vessel ( 4 ) existing medium (M), optionally by means of the temperature of the Rührgefäßwandung ( 14 ), in the mixing vessel wall ( 14 ) are arranged, wherein at least one temperature sensor ( 16 ) associated with a predetermined maximum level of the mixing vessel ( 4 ) is arranged. Food processor according to claim 1 or in particular according thereto, characterized in that a temperature sensor ( 17 ) is located above the maximum level. Food processor according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that over the vertical mowing two or three temperature sensors ( 15 to 17 ) are arranged and that the vertical distances are different. Food processor according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that a temperature sensor ( 15 ) in the region of the predetermined half-filling level of the mixing vessel ( 4 ) is arranged. Food processor according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the mixing vessel ( 4 ) a vertically along the Rührgefäßwandung ( 14 ) extending handle ( 6 ) and that one or more of the temperature sensors ( 13 . 15 to 17 ) through the handle ( 6 ) are covered. Food processor according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that, independently of a user intervention in the case of a non-uniform temperature distribution in the vertical direction, one in the mixing vessel ( 4 ) existing medium (M) the agitator ( 5 ) is activated.

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