EP3345515B1 - Knife storing unit - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a knife storage unit with a knife magazine for storing a knife according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

Knife sheaths are already known, the knife sheath, which can be fastened to a belt of the user, has a sharpening or grinding device (cf. eg DE 32 46 100 40 C2 , US 27 67 530 ). This grinds the blade when inserting and removing the knife from the sheath.

In the WO 2010/148430 A1 Not only such a knife sheath with a mechanical sharpening device is disclosed, but also as a variant a so-called knife block for several knives, the knife block having several knife sheaths or openings in the knife magazine, so that several kitchen knives can be stored with it. This knife block has a special knife sheath with a grinding device.

Also the U.S. 4,866,845 discloses a knife block with mechanical grinding device, whereby by inserting the knife into the knife block or the knife magazine by wedge-shaped arranged grinding elements the knife is sharpened not only when inserting, but also when removing, so that after use or for the next use the knife or the blade of the knife something is sanded. However, the disadvantage of such knife sheaths or knife magazines with grinding / sharpening devices is that the quality of the sharpening or grinding and thus the quality of the knife for subsequent use, at least over time, due to wear and tear of the grinding elements etc., is worse than with manual grinding is, for example by means of a so-called sharpening steel or grindstone.

In addition, electrically operated grinding and sharpening machines for knives are also in use (cf. DE 10 2008 033 547 A1 , US 8,915,766 B1 , JP H01 281857 A ). The disadvantage here, however, is that, as with manual grinding devices, a feeling of optimal manual movement of the knife in relation to the grinding device must only be learned through long practice or experience in order to achieve a comparatively high quality of the cut or the sharpness of the knife . Although this skill is available to professional users such as butchers, cooks, etc., it is rarely found among non-professional users.

Furthermore, the KR 2011 000 84 17 A , which represents the closest prior art, an electric knife grinding unit with an electromotive operated grinding system that is transported along a grinding path. This is intended to grind a knife body independently of the thickness of the knife body by removing the knife back is pushed into multi-stage receiving chambers and a grinding wheel is moved in the XY-axis direction by an electrical X- and Y-axis transport unit.

A disadvantage of this prior art, in addition to the comparatively high construction and economic effort and the high manufacturing costs, is that only one knife can be sharpened, although there are usually several or numerous knives in private and even more so in professional kitchens etc. are. Since a thorough sharpening of the knife takes a certain amount of time and only one knife can be sharpened in the knife sharpening unit, sharpening several knives is very time-consuming.

Object and advantages of the invention

The object of the invention, on the other hand, is to propose a knife storage unit that enables automated grinding of knives or knife blades of any shape, independent of the operator, and which can be manufactured and / or operated with less constructive and economical effort, which means that several knives can be produced in less time can be sanded.

Based on a knife storage unit of the type mentioned in the introduction, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are possible through the measures mentioned in the subclaims. Accordingly, a knife storage unit according to the invention is characterized in that at least one knife sensor is provided for detecting the knife that is at least partially inserted into the knife magazine through the magazine opening and that the knife storage unit is designed as a first knife storage module for coupling and / or connecting to a second knife storage module, at least a plug device is provided for transmitting energy between the first and the second knife storage module, the first knife storage module comprising a mains connection or a mains plug and / or a transformer for supplying electrical energy to the knife storage unit or the electrical grinding device.

This means that a modular knife block or a modular knife storage unit can be implemented and can be adapted to the number of knives that the user wants to use or has. At the same time, this means that each knife of the user is equipped with a separate sharpening device or a separate sharpening mechanism, so that each knife that is stored in the respective knife magazine can be sharpened for the next use according to the invention.

For example, the electrical network energy from the first knife storage module, possibly converted to low voltage of approx. 12 or 24 volts by means of a converter / transformer, can be transmitted or forwarded to the second knife storage module and / or to a third, fourth or fifth knife storage module with the aid of the advantageous plug-in device will. Thus, a “master knife storage module” with a mains plug device or the like and one or more “slave knife storage modules” can be provided in an advantageous manner. This reduces the design and also the economic outlay for realizing the second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth knife storage module. In this way, an economically favorable adaptation to the number of knives used by the user can be made.

If necessary, a mechanical coupling or connection, such as a latching unit, clamping unit or the like, is provided for coupling or connecting the first to a second or to a third knife storage module. The plug-in device, in particular the electrical plug-in device, is preferably also designed as a mechanical plug-in device. This means that electrical energy can be transmitted with the aid of the advantageous plug-in device and at the same time a mechanically secure or fixed connection / fixing of the two adjacent knife storage modules can be realized.

With the help of the knife sensor, in particular an electrical and / or electronic knife sensor, there are possibilities to make the knife sharpening above all else. to improve significantly during the storage time. This means that the next time the knife is used, even after a long storage period, a knife that has been sharpened to a high quality is available. Even non-professional users in private households can use the knife storage unit according to the invention to obtain knives, e.g. Kitchen knives etc., in high quality.

The knife sensor according to the invention advantageously triggers a (subsequent) grinding process or generates an (electrical) signal for an electrical and / or electronic grinding device of the knife storage unit. Thus, by detecting the insertion or insertion of the knife into the knife magazine through the magazine opening with the aid of the inventive (electrical and / or electronic) knife sensor, a grinding phase is advantageously initiated, in particular started automatically. In this case, an electrical and / or electronic control unit is preferably provided for controlling the grinding process or the knife storage unit and / or grinding device.

According to the invention it can therefore be achieved that each knife that is stored in the knife storage unit according to the invention undergoes a grinding process / operation during / after insertion or the knife is sharpened with the aid of the grinding device. Consequently, each knife is always advantageously sharpened by the user the next time it is used, without, for example, manual and / or separate sharpening by the user being necessary.

In advantageous variants of the invention, the knife sensor is designed, for example, as a Hall sensor, light barrier, capacitive proximity switch, inductive proximity switch, electromagnetic coil element, piezo element, electrical switch with tactile element or mechanical switching element and / or as an infrared sensor or the like.

Such a knife sensor advantageously generates a sensor signal that is transmitted, for example, to an electrical control unit and the electrical grinding device is started or put into operation as a result.

The grinding device advantageously comprises at least one (electrical) drive unit for adjusting the grinding element. For example, the grinding device can comprise an electric motor which drives the grinding element to rotate about an axis of rotation. This achieves an advantageous grinding of the blade of the knife or the cutting edge of the knife by means of a rotary grinding movement.

It is conceivable that a stationary, but rotatable grinding element is provided. This means that the grinding element on the one hand can rotate / rotate about an axis of rotation, but on the other hand the axis of rotation or the Storage / positioning of the grinding element is not adjustable, ie is arranged in a stationary manner. With such a grinding element, which is preferably arranged directly "behind" or in the area of the magazine opening, the knife or the knife can, for example, directly when inserting / removing the knife into the knife magazine or when passing the knife through the knife opening by (relatively fast) rotary movement of the grinding element Blade to be sharpened.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grinding device comprises at least one transport unit for adjusting the grinding element or the axis of rotation / mounting of the grinding element along a transport path. This ensures that the sharpening is carried out primarily after the insertion process, so that the knife stored in the knife magazine (usually for a very long time) is sharpened. A comparatively long-lasting grinding with a particularly high grinding quality can thus be achieved.

This means that the knife edge does not necessarily have to be sharpened during the relatively short process of inserting the knife into the knife magazine, but that the stored knife or knife edge is sharpened with the aid of the sharpening device after the process of inserting the knife. In this case, the grinding element or the grinding device is then adjusted / transported along the transport path or along the knife or knife blade.

Thus, according to the invention, there is the advantageous possibility that the grinding process is made significantly longer than the extremely short insertion process. For example, the grinding element can be adjusted several times along the knife edge or transported back and forth several times in order to achieve an advantageous sharpening or a particularly high quality of the ground To reach the knife. It has been shown that it is not a strong or "powerful" grinding process that generates sharp knives, but that repeated, "light" grinding of the knife edge or the knife blade edge is more advantageous and generates a significantly higher quality of sharp knives. Correspondingly, for example, multiple adjustments along the entire knife edge can generate particularly sharp knives. Alternatively or in combination with this, a particularly good quality of the grinding or of the ground knife can likewise be achieved with a comparatively high speed of rotation of a rotating grinding element.

Preferably, a display unit, such as a light emitting diode or the like, can be provided in order to, among other things, to display the grinding or the grinding process to the user. This advantageously makes it possible for the user not to take the knife out of the knife magazine too early or during the grinding process and thus have a knife that has not been optimally ground.

The transport path advantageously corresponds essentially to a contour of a curved knife edge. Knives, in particular household knives or the like, are usually equipped with a curved knife edge or a curved blade. The design of the transport unit in such a way that the transport path essentially corresponds to a curved contour of a curved knife edge improves the grinding result.

In addition, an adaptation of the transport path or the curved transport path of the grinding element to the curved contour of the knife introduced / inserted into the knife magazine can be provided in an advantageous manner. An adaptation unit is preferably provided for adapting the transport path to the contour or the curvature of a curved knife edge. The transport unit advantageously has or the adjustment unit has a pressing device or pressure device in order to generate a pressing force or a grinding force of the grinding element in relation to the knife edge.

The transport unit advantageously comprises at least one transport drive. The transport drive is preferably designed as an electric motor so that, for example, a second or separate electric motor is provided in relation to the drive unit of the grinding device. In this way, a decoupling of the (fast) rotational speed from the (slow) transport speed of the grinding element can be implemented in an advantageous manner. Accordingly, each speed can be adapted to the respective requirements.

If necessary, the transport drive can also be designed as a drive unit of the grinding device, so that only a single electric motor or drive is provided both for grinding and for transporting the grinding element. A gearbox or the like may be provided so that e.g. a (fast) rotation speed and a different (slow) transport speed of the grinding element can be realized.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the transport unit is at least partially pivotable about a pivot axis. It has been shown that an advantageous adjustment of the transport path of the grinding device along the mostly (differently) curved knife edges can be realized by such an advantageous pivotable mounting of the transport unit. This means that, for example, a substantially straight transport or guide rod and / or a straight guide element or transport element is provided, on / along which the grinding element or the grinding device is or is adjustable is guided / transported. At the same time, the advantageous adaptation of the transport path of the grinding device or the grinding element along a curved knife edge or along the curved contour of the knife, especially the blade, is achieved by pivoting the transport unit or the transport element about the advantageous pivot axis. In this way, for example, a complex sensory determination of the (differently) curved contour of the blade and the generation of a curved transport path can be dispensed with without a correspondingly large structural, mechanical and / or electronic effort.

The transport unit preferably comprises at least one spring element for generating a contact pressure of the grinding element. With the help of this advantageous spring element, on the one hand, the contact pressure of the grinding element on the knife to be sharpened or on the knife edge can be generated and, at the same time, the transport path can be adapted to the (curved) contour or the curved knife. Thus, an advantageous spring element can generate the pivoting of the transport unit about the pivot axis and also the adaptation to the contour and at the same time generate the contact pressure of the grinding element on the knife or on the knife edge to be sharpened. In this way, the constructive and economic effort for adaptation to a wide variety of knives or differently curved knife contours can be reduced.

A rack is advantageously provided as the transport element, along which the grinding device or the grinding element (s) are advantageously transported with the aid of the transport drive or an electric motor with at least one toothed wheel. This means that the grinding element can be transported / adjusted back and forth along the rack. An electric motor is preferred as the drive unit for Rotating or twisting the grinding element (s) arranged on the rack, so that this electric motor or the grinding device with the grinding element (s) can be transported along the rack. The toothed rack can advantageously be rotatably mounted at one end and can be designed so that a pivoting force can be applied to it with a spring element such as a spiral spring, leaf spring, elastomer or the like. The adaptation to differently curved contours of the knife edges and / or different contact forces can thus be implemented without great effort.

Alternatively, other transport elements or transport units, such as, for example, a stroke-piston-cylinder unit, an electromagnetic linear drive or linear motor, a cable drive or the like, can also be provided.

At least one transport sensor is preferably provided for detecting the transport path and / or at least one end position of the transport path of the grinding device and / or of the grinding element (s). At least one sensor is preferably provided at two spaced apart positions of the transport path, in particular at its two ends / end regions, in order to detect the beginning and the end of the transport path or the position of the cutting device, in particular the cutting element (s), and an advantageous To generate control signal or sensor signal. With the help of one or more such sensors it can be achieved that a signal for the electrical and / or electronic control unit is advantageously generated so that e.g. the transport direction of the transport unit can be changed or so that the grinding device or the grinding element (s) can advantageously be transported back and forth or back and forth along the knife edge.

For example, monitoring the number of Transport paths are provided along the knife edge or along the transport path. This means that, for example, with the help of the advantageous electronic control unit, it is recorded and controlled that the grinding device or the grinding element is guided or transported 3 times, 5 times, 10 times along the knife edge in order to generate an advantageous grinding result.

The grinding device or the grinding element is preferably adjusted / transported once along the transport path or along the knife edge and once back. It has been shown that with the aid of an electrically driven or electromotive rotation of the grinding element, in particular at a relatively high rotation speed, a single back and forth grinding process is sufficient to achieve a high quality of the knife edge or the ground blade.

Embodiment

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and we will use the figures in more detail below explained.

Figur 1

schematisch ein Schnitt durch eine erste Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß der Erfindung mit Messer,

Figur 2

schematisch eine Schleifbahn einer Schleifscheibe der ersten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß Figur 1 mit Messer,

Figur 3

schematisch, perspektivisch ein Ausschnitt eines Antriebssystems der ersten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß Figur 1 mit Messer,

Figur 4

schematisch, perspektivisch ein vergrößerter Ausschnitt des Antriebssystems der ersten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 5

schematisch ein Schnitt durch eine zweite, modular ausgebildete Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß der Erfindung mit Messer und

Figur 6

schematisch eine steckbare Moduleinheit mit der zweiten Messeraufbewahrungseinheit gemäß Figur 5 und drei weiteren Messeraufbewahrungseinheiten.

In detail shows:

Figure 1

schematically a section through a first knife storage unit according to the invention with knife,

Figure 2

schematically shows a grinding path of a grinding wheel of the first knife storage unit according to FIG Figure 1 with a knife,

Figure 3

schematically, in perspective a section of a drive system of the first knife storage unit according to FIG Figure 1 with a knife,

Figure 4

schematically and in perspective an enlarged section of the drive system of the first knife storage unit according to FIG Figure 1 ,

Figure 5

schematically a section through a second, modular knife storage unit according to the invention with knife and

Figure 6

schematically a plug-in module unit with the second knife storage unit according to FIG Figure 5 and three other knife storage units.

In the Figures 1 to 4 a first knife storage unit 1 with a kitchen knife 2 or components thereof is shown schematically. The knife storage unit 1 is a so-called “knife block” 3 formed and comprises a knife sheath 4 or a knife magazine 4 with a magazine opening 5 in the sense of the invention.

The knife block 3 has a first sensor 6 which detects the presence or insertion of the knife 2. In addition, two end sensors 6, 7 are provided which detect a grinding of the knife 2 or a position of a grinding unit 9, in particular a first and a second end of a transport path 11 or a grinding section 11 of the grinding unit 9. the transport path 11 of a grinding wheel 10 is mainly in Figure 2 illustrated. In Figure 2 a schematic, stroboscopic sequence of different positions of the grinding wheel 10 along the grinding path 11 is shown.

The grinding unit 9 comprises e.g. a transport motor 12 and a grinding motor 13, the latter driving the grinding wheel 10 rotatable about an axis of rotation. Grinding motor 13 with grinding wheel 10 are mounted / guided along a (curved) rack 14 so that they can be adjusted or driven by means of the transport motor 12 and a toothed wheel 15. The rack 14 can be designed both curved and straight in order to correspond to a curved contour of a cutting edge or cutting edge of the knife 2 or to follow this during the grinding process. Especially in the variant with a substantially straight toothed rack 14, the toothed rack 14 is preferably pivotable on a pivot axis and is secured by means of a spring element, e.g. Spiral spring or leaf spring or rubber / elastomer element, etc., can be acted upon with a pressing force directed against the blade / cutting edge of the knife 2. With this, the grinding unit 9 advantageously "follows" i.a. a wide variety of curved or straight cutting edges or knife contours.

With the aid of the end sensors 7, 8 or limit switches 7, 8, a change in the transport direction, preferably with the lower sensor 7, and a start or end of the grinding process are also possible the upper end sensor 8 is detected or controlled. An electronic / electrical control unit (not shown in detail) is available for this purpose.

In Figure 5 a second knife storage unit 1 with kitchen knife 2 is shown. The knife storage unit 1 is in turn designed as a so-called “knife block” 3, with a power supply 16 or electrical power supply with a mains plug also being shown. Accordingly, this knife storage unit 1 is designed as a so-called "master" 1, to which one or any number of so-called "slaves" can be connected as knife storage units 1 according to the invention (cf. Figure 6 ). The "master" is equipped with a plug 17 which can be coupled / connected to a socket 19 and with which electrical energy for the grinding units 9 or "slaves" is transmitted (cf. Figure 6 ). An (additional) mechanical coupling / latching system or the like can also be provided without further illustration. In Figure 5 if the plug 17 has an optionally available cover cap 18, ie if no "slave" is connected.

In the Figure 5 The illustrated, second knife storage unit 1 comprises an electrical cable 21, in particular ribbon cable, for the energy supply of the grinding unit 9, so that the grinding unit 9 to be adjusted / transported along the transport path 11 or the grinding track is also advantageously supplied with electrical energy in every position.

In addition, an LED 20 is provided which, for example, indicates a grinding phase (red) and a rest phase or a ground state (after the grinding phase) of the knife 2 (green).

Furthermore, a cleaning brush 22 or the like for cleaning the knife 2 from grinding dust etc. and / or a holding prism 23 for the knife back can be provided.

According to the invention, instead of a manual activity, i. sharpening the knife blade of a high-quality kitchen knife 2 by hand can be carried out using an automatic, mechanical process. The kitchen knife 2 used is inserted into a knife block 3 with an automatically running grinding unit 9. One or more sensors 6 recognize the inserted knife 2 and the automatic grinding system is e.g. executed once. This eliminates the tedious re-sharpening of kitchen knives 2 that have been stored for different lengths of time.

An automatic knife sharpening block 3 or a grinding unit 9 is advantageously provided for each knife 2. A basic knife block 3 or so-called “master” with a power supply 16 is preferably provided, to which all further knife blocks 3 or so-called “slaves” are electrically adapted / coupled.

If a knife 2 is removed from any knife block 3 and put back again, an at least one-time grinding process is advantageously triggered or carried out at this sharpening station or the knife magazine 4.

The advantages of automated grinding include:
If the knife is sharpened automatically after use and after placing the knife, you always have the same sharp, newly sharpened knives 2 for the application. Until now, however, the rule was that if you sharpen the knife too late, the knife blade is often too blunt; all the more talent, craftsmanship and time had to be expended to sharpen such a knife blade. According to the invention, a special feeling of when, how often and how intensively the respective knife 2 has to be sharpened does not have to be developed manually, because each knife 2 is advantageously in a knife block 3 or knife magazine 4 after being inserted regrinded once or several times to and fro along the grinding path 11.

Frequently used knives 2 are thus always usable sharp according to the invention; likewise the rarely used knives. A positive side effect here is the order in the kitchen or in the entire or modular knife storage unit 1 and always sharp knives 2.

An advantageous function of the automatically sharpening knife block is, for example:
The knife 2 is inserted into the knife block 1, 3 for storage.
The internal sensor 6 (e.g. reflective light barrier) in the end of the knife block detects the inserted knife 2.
A motor-driven, preferably self-resilient grinding wheel 10 moves up and down along the knife edge contour or the transport path 11 as soon as the sensor 6 has recognized the inserted knife blade of the knife 2.
In order to follow the knife blade contour exactly and to ensure the most uniform possible grinding, a rotating and spring-loaded grinding wheel 10 moves in a likewise resiliently mounted rocker arm or the rack 14 along the blade.
The spring-mounted rocker with the grinding motor 13 sits together on an advantageous drive motor support.
The drive motor 12 with pinion 15 and drive motor carrier transports the grinding unit 9 along a rack 14.
The toothed rack contour is similar to the contour of the knife blade so that the spring-loaded grinding wheel 10 always grinds along the blade with the same spring force as possible, which leads to a uniform cut. The rack 14 has, for example, a shape which determines the sliding path curve.

The grinding process runs relatively quietly, since the "grinding noise" occurring in the knife block 1, 3 is swallowed and the typically massive construction of the knife block 3 hardly creates any structure-borne noise.

1. a) Messerblock 3
   • Basismesserblock 3 mit Stromversorgungseinheit 16,
   • weitere adaptierbare-, zusammensteckbare Messerblöcke 3,
   • Messererkennungssensor 6,
   • Rücklaufsensor 7,
   • Stop-Sensor 8,
   • Bürste 22, um Schleifstaub abzufangen,
   • Anlageprismen 23 für Messerrücken.
2. b) Schleifeinheit 9
   • Schwinge
   • Antriebsmotor 13 der Schleifscheibe 10,
   • Feder,
   • Schleifscheibe 10,
   • Antriebsmotorträger,
   • Antriebsmotor 12,
   • Zahnstange 14.

Essential components of a preferred variant of the knife storage unit are, for example:

1. a) Knife block 3
   • Basic knife block 3 with power supply unit 16,
   • further adaptable, pluggable knife blocks 3,
   • Knife detection sensor 6,
   • Return sensor 7,
   • Stop sensor 8,
   • Brush 22 to catch sanding dust,
   • Investment prisms 23 for knife backs.
2. b) Milling unit 9
   • Swing arm
   • Drive motor 13 of grinding wheel 10,
   • Feather,
   • Grinding wheel 10,
   • Drive motor mount,
   • Drive motor 12,
   • Rack 14.

List of reference symbols

1

Storage unit

2

knife

3

Knife block

4th

Knife magazine

5

Knife opening

6th

sensor

7th

sensor

8th

sensor

9

Grinding unit

10

Grinding wheel

11

Grinding section

12

engine

13

engine

14th

Rack

15th

gear

16

power adapter

17th

plug

18th

cap

19th

Rifle

20th

LED

21st

electric wire

22nd

brush

Claims (8)

1. A knife storing unit (1) having a knife magazine (4) for storing a knife (2), wherein a magazine opening (5) is provided for inserting the knife (2) into the knife magazine (4), wherein a grinding device (9) having at least one grinding element (10) is provided for grinding a knife edge of the knife (2), characterised in that at least one knife sensor (6) is provided for detecting the knife (2) inserted at least partially through the magazine opening (5) into the knife magazine (4) and that the knife storing unit (1) is designed as a first knife storing module (1, 3) for coupling and/or connecting to a second knife storing module (1, 3), wherein at least one plug-in device (17, 19) is provided for transferring energy between the first and the second knife storing module (1, 3), wherein the first knife storing module (1, 3) has a mains connection or a mains plug and/or a transformer for electrical energy supply of the knife storing unit or of the electrical grinding device (9).
2. The knife storing unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the grinding device (9) comprises at least one drive unit (12, 13) for adjusting the grinding element (10).
3. The knife storing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the grinding element (10) is designed as a grinding element (10) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and which is drivable by the drive unit (13).
4. The knife storing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the grinding device (9) comprises at least one transport unit (12, 14, 15) for adjusting the grinding element (10) along a transport path (11).
5. The knife storing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport path (11) substantially corresponds to a contour of a curved knife edge.
6. The knife storing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport unit (12, 14, 15) comprises at least one transport drive (12).
7. The knife storing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport unit (12, 14, 15) is at least partially pivotable about a pivot axis.
8. The knife storing unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport unit (12, 14, 15) comprises at least one spring element for generating a contact pressure of the grinding element (10).

Images