EP4076115A1

EP4076115A1 - A food processor

Info

Publication number: EP4076115A1
Application number: EP20901726.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hui Zheng
Original assignee: Zhejiang Shaoxing Supor Domestic Electrical Appliance Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhejiang Shaoxing Supor Domestic Electrical Appliance Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-17
Filing date: 2020-11-24
Publication date: 2022-10-26
Also published as: WO2021120993A1; KR20220111709A; EP4076115A4; CN211432534U

Abstract

A food processor (100) comprising a base (1) and a food processing cup assembly (2) arranged on the base (1) is presented. The food processing cup assembly (2) comprises a cup body (20) and a cup holder (21) that are assembled to one another. The cup body (20) is provided therein with a crushing assembly (3). The food processor (100) is provided therein with a first coupler (22) that can switch between a first position and a second position, and a second coupler (11) adapted to and cooperating with the first coupler (22). By making it possible for the first coupler (22) to switch between the first position and the second position, the safety of the electrical connection and disconnection between the first coupler (22) and the second coupler (11) is increased, and the control structure is simplified.

Description

A Food Processor

Field

The present invention relates to the field of small electrical home appliances, and in particular, to a food processor.

Background

A food processor generally uses the high speed rotation of a crushing cutter to process food. A certain safety measure needs to be taken for the cutter rotating at high speed to ensure utilization safety. Generally, in a food processor, the power source of the food processor is cut off by opening its cover. In this type of structural arrangement, a micro-switch assembly is used for control. In a classical structure, the micro-switch assembly comprises a micro-switch, a micro-switch support, and a connecting rod that triggers the opening and closing of the micro-switch. This type of control structure is complex in design, and has relatively high requirements for the production precision of parts. If parts in the micro-switch interfere with each other, it will affect the utilization safety of the food processor. Another situation is where a layer of oxides will form on the surface of a terminal of the micro-switch after utilization for a long time. Thus, the function of controlling the connection and disconnection of an electrical circuit is lost, increasing utilization risks.
Therefore, a linkage mechanism that has a simple structure and reliable control is needed to ensure a food processor’s utilization safety.
Summary
The present invention aims to solve the above mentioned technical problem.
According to an aspect of the present application, a food processor is provided, comprising a base and a food processing cup assembly arranged on the base, the food processing cup assembly comprising a cup body and a cup holder that are assembled to one another, and the cup body being provided therein with a crushing assembly. The food processor is provided therein with a first coupler that can switch between a first position and a second position and a second coupler adapted to and cooperating with the first coupler. By making it possible for the first coupler to switch between the first position and the second position, the safety of the electrical connection and disconnection between the first coupler and the second coupler is increased, and the control structure is simplified.
Further, the first coupler is provided in the cup holder and the second coupler is provided in the base.
Further, the first coupler is provided in the base and the second coupler is provided in the cup holder.
Further, the cup holder is provided with a first accommodating chamber for accommodating the first coupler and a second accommodating chamber for accommodating a connecting rod. The connecting rod is able to push the first coupler to move from the first position to the second position. Since the first coupler is pushed by means of the connecting rod, the structure is simple, and at the same time, the reliability of the connection between the first coupler and the second coupler can be ensured.
Further, a receiving part is provided in the first accommodating chamber, and at least two assembling columns are provided on a bottom wall of the receiving part, the assembling columns being sleeved with first elastic members and stoppers assembled to the assembling columns to limit the position of the first elastic members. By means of the first elastic members, it is ensured that the first coupler returns to the first position from the second position. Such a structure is simple, and the performance is reliable. By providing the stoppers to limit the position of the first elastic members, it is ensured that the first coupler and the second coupler can function normally.
Further, the connecting rod is provided at its top end with a first pushing portion and at its bottom end with a second pushing portion, a third pushing portion extending horizontally being provided at a location close to the second pushing portion and being able to push the first coupler to move from the first position to the second position. By providing the first pushing portion, a force can be exerted on the connecting rod so that it moves downward. By providing the second pushing portion, the connecting rod can return to its position when it is not subject to an external force. By pushing the first coupler to move from the first position to the second position by means of the third pushing portion, it is ensured that the electrical connection of the food processor is reliable.
Further, a cup lid is assembled on the cup body and is provided with a pressing part adapted to and cooperating with the first pushing portion. Once the cup lid has been assembled to the cup body, the pressing part pushes the first pushing portion downward so that the third pushing portion pushes the first coupler to move downward to achieve electrical connection with the second coupler. By pushing the first coupler to be electrically connected with the second coupler by means of the cooperating between the pressing part provided on the cup lid and the first pushing portion, the structure is simplified, the utilization of the food processor is more convenient and its performance is more reliable and safe.
Further, an elastic member is sleeved on the second pushing portion. When the pressing part is released from pushing the first pushing portion, the elastic member drives the connecting rod to move upward and the first elastic members drive the first coupler to move from the second position to the first position so as to disconnect the electrical connection with the second coupler. By providing the elastic member to drive the connecting rod to move upward after being released from an external force so as to release the pushing on the first coupler, safety performance of the food processor is improved, and the control structure is simplified.
Further, an assembly gap is formed between the first coupler and the second coupler and has a height h, wherein 1.3mm≤h≤2.5mm. By providing the assembly gap between the first coupler and the second coupler, the utilization safety performance of the food processor is ensured.
Further, the first coupler comprises a terminal having a length L, and the first elastic members have a deformation amount l, wherein h+1≤l<L. By limiting the range of values of the deformation amount of the first elastic members, it is ensured that when the first coupler and the second coupler are connected, reliable contact is achieved, and when disconnected, there is a safe distance, which improves the food processor’s utilization safety performance.
Further, the base is provided therein with a circuit control board and a motor electrically connected to the circuit control board, the second coupler is electrically connected to the circuit control board, and the motor drives the crushing assembly to rotate.
Further, the cup holder is provided with a first accommodating chamber for accommodating the second coupler, a second accommodating chamber for accommodating a connecting rod, and a third accommodating chamber assembled with the cup body, the first coupler being arranged in the base, and the connecting rod being able to push the first coupler to move from the first position to the second position.
Further, when the first coupler is in the first position, it is electrically disconnected from the second coupler, and when the first coupler is in the second position, it is electrically connected to the second coupler.
It can be seen from the above technical solutions that in the present application, by making it possible for the first coupler to switch between the first position and the second position, the safety of the electrical connection and disconnection between the first coupler and the second coupler is increased; compared to conventional micro-switch electronic control, using a mechanical structure to achieve the coupling of couplers is safer and the control structure is simplified.
It should be understood that the above general description and the detailed description below are merely illustrative and made by way of example, without limiting the present invention.
Description of the Drawings
To more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings to be used in the description of the embodiments are described briefly below. Obviously, the drawings described below show merely some embodiments of the present invention. To a person of ordinary skills in the art, other drawings can be obtained without creative labor based on those drawings.
Figure 1 is a sectional schematic view in perspective of an assembled food processor according to an embodiment of the present application (in a first position) ;
Figure 2 is a sectional schematic view in perspective from another angle of the assembled food processor according to an embodiment of the present application (in a second position) ;
Figure 3 is an exploded schematic view in perspective of a food processing cup assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;
Figure 4 is an exploded schematic view of a first coupler and a connecting rod according to an embodiment of the present application;
Figure 5 is a sectional schematic view in perspective of an assembled food processor according to an embodiment of the present application (in a second position) .
Reference numerals:
Food processor 100
base 1 electric motor 10 second coupler 11
food processing cup assembly 2
cup body 20 cup holder 21
third accommodating chamber 210 first accommodating chamber 211
second accommodating chamber 212
receiving part 213 assembling column 214first coupler 22
connecting rod 23 first pushing portion 230 second pushing portion 231
third pushing portion 232
elastic member 2310 first elastic member 24
stopper 25 cup lid 26 pressing part 260
crushing assembly 3 blade shaft 30 blade 31
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
Exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings, will be described in detail here. In the description below related to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings refer to the same or similar elements. The modes of realization described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all modes of realization in accordance with the present invention. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods in accordance with some aspects of the present invention described in detail in the appended claims.
The terms used in the present invention are merely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and not intended to limit the present invention. Singular forms, “a/an” and “the” used in the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and/or” used herein means and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It should be understood that, although the present invention may use terms such as “first, ” “second, ” and “third” to describe various items of information, those items of information are not limited to those terms. Those terms are merely used to distinguish information of the same type. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first item of information can also be referred to as a second item of information. Similarly, a second item of information can also be referred to as a first item of information. Depending on the context, the term “if” as used herein can be construed as “when ... ” or “in the event that ... ” or “in response to the determination that .... ”
A food processor of the present invention is described in detail below in connection with the drawings. When there is no conflict, features in the embodiments and modes of realization described below can be combined with each other.
In reference to Figure 1 to Figure 5, a food processor 100 of the present application comprises a base 1 and a food processing cup assembly 2 arranged on the base 1. The food processing cup assembly 2 comprises a cup body 20 and a cup holder 21 that are assembled to one another. In an embodiment, the cup holder 21 is provided with a crushing assembly 3 extending into the cup body 20 and a first coupler 22 that can switch between a first position and a second position. The base 1 is provided with a second coupler 11 adapted to and cooperating with the first coupler 22. By making it possible for the first coupler 22 to switch between the first position and the second position, the safety of the electrical connection and disconnection between the first coupler 22 and the second coupler 11 is increased, and the control structure is simplified.
The base 1 is provided therein with a circuit control board (not illustrated) and an electric motor 10 electrically connected to the circuit control board. The second coupler 11 is electrically connected to the circuit control board, and the motor 10 drives the crushing assembly 3 to rotate.
The crushing assembly 3 comprises a blade shaft 30 and a blade 31 provided at a top end of the blade shaft 30. A motor shaft of the motor 10 is provided coaxially with the blade shaft 30. By coaxially providing the motor shaft of the motor 10 and the blade shaft 30, the rate of transforming the kinetic energy of the motor 10 is increased to the maximum and the noise when the food processor 100 functions can be effectively reduced.
Specifically, in an embodiment, the cup holder 21 is provided with a first accommodating chamber 211 for accommodating the first coupler 22, a second accommodating chamber 212 for accommodating a connecting rod 23, and a third accommodating chamber 210 assembled with the cup body 20. The third accommodating chamber is located above the first accommodating chamber. The connecting rod 23 is able to push the first coupler 22 to move from the first position to the second position. Since the first coupler 22 is pushed by the connecting rod 23, the structure is simple, and the reliability of the connection between the first coupler 22 and the second coupler 11 can be ensured. The motor shaft of the motor 10 extends into the first accommodating chamber 211 and is connected with the blade shaft 30 via a coupling. The motor 10 drives by rotation the crushing assembly 3 to rotate so as to crush a food material in the cup body 20.
A receiving part 213 is provided in the first accommodating chamber 211, and at least two assembling columns 214 are provided on a bottom wall of the receiving part 213. The assembling columns 214 are sleeved with first elastic members 24 and stoppers 25 assembled to the assembling columns 214 to limit the position of the first elastic members 24. Specifically, one end of the first elastic members 24 abuts against the assembling columns 214, and the end abuts against the stoppers 25. They move within the range defined by the assembling columns 214 and the stoppers 25. By means of the first elastic members 24, it is ensured that the first coupler 22 returns to the first position from the second position. Such a structure is simple, and the performance is reliable. By providing the stoppers 25 to limit the position of the first elastic members 24, it is ensured that the first coupler 22 and the second coupler 11 can function normally.
The connecting rod 23 is provided at its top end with a first pushing portion 230 and at its bottom end with a second pushing portion 231. A third pushing portion 232 extending horizontally is provided at a location close to the second pushing portion 231. The third pushing portion 232 is able to push the first coupler 22 to move from the first position to the second position. By providing the first pushing portion 230, a force can be exerted on the connecting rod 23 so that it moves downward. By providing the second pushing portion 231, the connecting rod 23 can return to its position when it is not subject to an external force. By pushing the first coupler 22 to move from the first position to the second position by means of the third pushing portion 232, it is ensured that the electrical connection of the food processor 100 is reliable. In the present application, when the first coupler 22 is in the first position, it is in a state of being electrically disconnected from the second coupler 11; when the first coupler 22 is in the second position, it is in a state of being electrically connected with the second coupler 11.
A cup lid 26 is assembled on the cup body 20 and is provided with a pressing part 260 adapted to and cooperating with the first pushing portion 230. Once the cup lid 26 has been assembled to the cup body 20, the pressing part 260 pushes the first pushing portion 230 downward so that the third pushing portion 232 pushes the first coupler 22 to move downward to achieve electrical connection with the second coupler 11. By pushing the first coupler 22 to be electrically connected with the second coupler 11 by means of the cooperation between the pressing part 260 provided on the cup lid 26 and the first pushing portion 230, the structure of the food processor is simplified, its utilization is more convenient and its performance is more reliable and safe. Compared to the conventional structure, in the safety control device of the present application, the micro-switch and the micro-switch support are omitted, and the control of electrical connection and disconnection is achieved only through the connecting rod 23. Thus, any interference between various parts that would exist if a micro-switch is provided is avoided and the safety risk where the first coupler 22 and the second coupler 11 cannot be disconnected timely is prevented.
An elastic member 2310 is sleeved on the second pushing portion 231. The elastic member 2310 can be a spring. When the pressing part 260 is released from pushing the first pushing portion 230, the elastic member 2310 drives the connecting rod 23 to move upward and the first elastic members 24 drive the first coupler 22 to move from the second position to the first position so as to disconnect the electrical connection with the second coupler 11. By providing the elastic member 2310 to drive the connecting rod 23 to move upward after being released from an external force so as to release the pushing on the first coupler 22, safety performance of the food processor can be improved, and the control structure is simplified.
An assembly gap is formed between the first coupler 22 and the second coupler 11 and has a height h, wherein 1.3mm≤h≤2.5mm. By providing the assembly gap between the first coupler 22 and the second coupler 11, the utilization safety performance of the food processor is ensured.
In the present application, assuming that the first coupler 22 comprises a terminal having a length L, and the first elastic members 24 have a deformation amount l, then: h+1≤l<L. By limiting the deformation amount of the first elastic members 24 to this range, it is ensured that when the first coupler 22 and the second coupler 11 are connected, reliable contact can be achieved, when disconnected, there is a safe distance, thus improving the food processor 100’s utilization safety performance.
In another embodiment, the structural disposition of the food processor is essentially the same as the overall structure of the preceding embodiment, with the difference residing in that the first coupler is arranged in the base.
Specifically, the cup holder 21 is provided therein with a third accommodating chamber 210 assembled with the cup body 20, a first accommodating chamber 211 for accommodating the second coupler 11, and a second accommodating chamber 212 for accommodating a connecting rod 23. The first coupler 22 is arranged in the base. The connecting rod 23 is able to push the first coupler 22 to move from the first position to the second position. The connecting rod comprises a first pushing portion 230 that can be adapted to and cooperating with the cup lid 26 and a third pushing portion 232 used for pushing the first coupler. The third pushing portion can rotate around a pivot. Once the cup lid has been assembled to the cup body, the connecting rod 23 is pushed downwards, and the third pushing portion drives the first coupler to move upwards and form an electrical connection with the second coupler fixedly assembled to the cup holder, i.e., the first coupler moves from the first position to the second position. When the cup lid has been removed, the connecting rod returns to its position, thus releasing the force exerted on the third pushing portion, and the first coupler 22 moves from the second position to the first position.
What have been described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement or improvement made within the spirit and principles of the present invention falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

A food processor comprising a base (1) and a food processing cup assembly (2) arranged on the base (1) , the food processing cup assembly (2) comprising a cup body (20) and a cup holder (21) which are assembled to one another, the cup body (20) being provided therein with a crushing assembly (3) , characterized in that the food processor is provided therein with a first coupler (22) that can switch between a first position and a second position and a second coupler (11) adapted to and cooperating with the first coupler (22) .
The food processor according to claim 1 wherein the first coupler (22) is provided in the cup holder (21) and the second coupler (11) is provided in the base (1) .
The food processor according to claim 1 wherein the first coupler (22) is provided in the base (1) and the second coupler (11) is provided in the cup holder (21) .
The food processor according to claim 2, wherein the cup holder (21) is provided with a first accommodating chamber (211) for accommodating the first coupler (22) and a second accommodating chamber (212) for accommodating a connecting rod (23) which can push the first coupler (22) to move from the first position to the second position.
The food processor according to claim 4, wherein a receiving part (213) is provided in the first accommodating chamber (211) , and at least two assembling columns (214) are provided on a bottom wall of the receiving part (213) , the assembling columns (214) being sleeved with first elastic members (24) and stoppers (25) assembled to the assembling columns (214) to limit a position of the first elastic members (24) .
The food processor according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the connecting rod (23) is provided at its top end with a first pushing portion (230) and at its bottom end with a second pushing portion (231) , a third pushing portion (232) extending horizontally being provided at a location close to the second pushing portion (231) and being able to push the first coupler (22) to move from the first position to the second position.
The food processor according to claim 6, wherein a cup lid (26) is assembled on the cup body (20) and is provided with a pressing part (260) adapted to and cooperating with the first pushing portion (230) , and wherein once the cup lid (26) is assembled to the cup body (20) , the pressing part (260) pushes the first pushing part (230) downward so that the third pushing portion (232) pushes the first coupler (22) to move downward to achieve electrical connection with the second coupler (11) .
The food processor according to claim 7, wherein an elastic member (2310) is sleeved on the second pushing portion (231) , and wherein when the pressing part (260) is released from pushing the first pushing portion (230) , the elastic member (2310) drives the connecting rod (23) to move upward and the first elastic members (24) drive the first coupler (22) to move from the second position to the first position so as to disconnect the electrical connection with the second coupler (11) .
The food processor according to any one of preceding claims, wherein an assembly gap is formed between the first coupler (22) and the second coupler (11) and has a height h, wherein 1.3mm≤h≤2.5mm.
The food processor according to claim 9, wherein the first coupler (22) comprises a terminal having a length of L, and the first elastic members (24) have a deformation amount l, wherein h+1 ≤l<L.
The food processor according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the base (1) is provided therein with a circuit control board and a motor (10) electrically connected to the circuit control board, the second coupler (11) ) is electrically connected to the circuit control board, and the motor (10) drives the crushing assembly (3) to rotate.
The food processor according to claim 3, wherein the cup holder (21) is provided with a first accommodating chamber (211) for accommodating the second coupler (11) , a second accommodating chamber (212) for accommodating a connecting rod (23) and a third accommodating chamber (210) assembled with the cup body (20) , and the connecting rod (23) is able to push the first coupler (22) to move from the first position to the second position.
The food processor according to any one of preceding claims, wherein when the first coupler (22) is in the first position, it is electrically disconnected from the second coupler (11) , and when the first coupler (22) is in the second position, it is electrically connected to the second coupler (11) .