GB2078340A - Flexible shaft couplings for electrical domestic blenders - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric domestic blender having a releasable plug coupling (16) provided between an output shaft (13) of a drive means of the blender and a container for the material to be blended, the plug coupling comprising a socket unit (1), for receiving a squared end (15) of a shaft (12) with outwardly extending arms (2) embedded in elastomeric material so that the elastomeric material absorbs the stresses existing in use at the coupling. The axial extent of the arms (2) may be less than that of the elastomeric material. In a second embodiment (Figure 4 (not shown)) the arms (2) are diametrically offset relative to the axis of the coupling. <IMAGE>

Description

4 SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to electric domestic bienders According to the present invention, there is provided an electric domestic blender having a releasable plug coupling provided between a drive means of the blender and a container for the material to be blended, the plug coupling comprising a socket unit which is embedded in elastomeric material and which has externally outwardly extending arms embedded in said elastomeric material, said socket unit being able releasably to receive a drive shaft of said container whereby, in use, drive is transmitted via said coupling.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of part of an electric domestic blender having a releasable plug coupling, Figure 2 shows the plug coupling shown in Figure 1 on an enlarged scale, Figure 3 is a sectional plan view of the plug coupling, and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing a modification.

Figures 1 and 2 show part of a domestic electric blender of a type in which the material to be blended is directly heated during blending. The blender includes a container 6 for the material to be blended, which is secured in a close-fitting heat-conducting bowl 5 which is placed on a heating plate 4. This heating plate 4 extends concentrically around a ventilating fan 14 for an electric motor 10. A drive coupling 16 is arranged axially to transmit drive from the electric motor 10 to blender blades 8 in the container 6; a motor output shaft 13 is centrally secured in the ventilating fan 4, which in turn carries the coupling 16 on its other side.

The coupling 16 has a shaft 12 plugged into its centre and connected to a bearing 9, which transmits drive to the blender blades 8. The shaft 12 is received in a metallic socket unit 1 of the coupling 16, the unit 1 being provided with a coupling support-casing 11. Thus, the coupling 16 provides a releasable connection to enable the container 6 to be unplugged from the drive means so that the container can be removed. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the coupling 16 rests in the structure of the ventilating fan 14, which receives it centrally in a form-locked manner.

The base of the shaft 12 is formed as a square 15 which is plugged into an octagonal cut-outofthe socket unit 1. In order to be able to absorb the large torches which develop in the case of such blenders, yet at the same time obtain a considerable reduction in noise, the coupling support-casing 11 is elastomeric and consists of a natural or synthetic cauotchouc product or plastics material which is vulcanised onto the socket unit 1.

In order to be able to absorb the forces F (Figures 3 and 4), this necessitates reinforcement in the form of external arms 2 which extend radially outwardly and form part of the unit 1, the arms 2 being embedded in the elastomeric material, as otherwise the coupling support-casing 11 would shear off at those points on which the forces F act.

In the modification shown in Figure 4, the outwardly extending arms 2 are diammetrically centrally offset relative to the drive axis, so that when the forces F are applied, a larger damping path to the arms 2 is obtained, which in turn has a positive effect on noise reduction.

In both cases, the arms 2 are shorter as viewed in the axial direction than the axial length of the elastomeric casing 11 in which they are embedded.

Thus, the arms 2 extend into the stress zone of the elastomeric material and this consequently produces with advantage attenuation of noise, vibration and knocking. The latter in turn increases to a considerable extent resistance to failure.

1. An electric domestic blender having a releasable plug coupling provided between a drive means of the blender and a container for the material to be blended, the plug coupling comprising a socket unit which is embedded in elastomeric material and which has externally outwardly extending arms embedded in said elastomeric material, said socket unit being able releasably to receive a drive shaft of said container whereby, in use, drive is transmitted via said coupling.

2. A domestic blender as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arms extend radially outwardly of a drive axis of the blender.

3. A domestic blender as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arms are arranged so as to be diammetrically centrally offset relatively to a drive axis of the blender.

4. A domestic blender as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said arms are shorter as viewed in the axial direction than the axial extent of said elastomeric material.

5. An electric domestic blender, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, with or without the modification of Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. 4 SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to electric domestic bienders According to the present invention, there is provided an electric domestic blender having a releasable plug coupling provided between a drive means of the blender and a container for the material to be blended, the plug coupling comprising a socket unit which is embedded in elastomeric material and which has externally outwardly extending arms embedded in said elastomeric material, said socket unit being able releasably to receive a drive shaft of said container whereby, in use, drive is transmitted via said coupling. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of part of an electric domestic blender having a releasable plug coupling, Figure 2 shows the plug coupling shown in Figure 1 on an enlarged scale, Figure 3 is a sectional plan view of the plug coupling, and Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing a modification. Figures 1 and 2 show part of a domestic electric blender of a type in which the material to be blended is directly heated during blending. The blender includes a container 6 for the material to be blended, which is secured in a close-fitting heat-conducting bowl 5 which is placed on a heating plate 4. This heating plate 4 extends concentrically around a ventilating fan 14 for an electric motor 10. A drive coupling 16 is arranged axially to transmit drive from the electric motor 10 to blender blades 8 in the container 6; a motor output shaft 13 is centrally secured in the ventilating fan 4, which in turn carries the coupling 16 on its other side. The coupling 16 has a shaft 12 plugged into its centre and connected to a bearing 9, which transmits drive to the blender blades 8. The shaft 12 is received in a metallic socket unit 1 of the coupling 16, the unit 1 being provided with a coupling support-casing 11. Thus, the coupling 16 provides a releasable connection to enable the container 6 to be unplugged from the drive means so that the container can be removed. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the coupling 16 rests in the structure of the ventilating fan 14, which receives it centrally in a form-locked manner. The base of the shaft 12 is formed as a square 15 which is plugged into an octagonal cut-outofthe socket unit 1. In order to be able to absorb the large torches which develop in the case of such blenders, yet at the same time obtain a considerable reduction in noise, the coupling support-casing 11 is elastomeric and consists of a natural or synthetic cauotchouc product or plastics material which is vulcanised onto the socket unit 1. In order to be able to absorb the forces F (Figures 3 and 4), this necessitates reinforcement in the form of external arms 2 which extend radially outwardly and form part of the unit 1, the arms 2 being embedded in the elastomeric material, as otherwise the coupling support-casing 11 would shear off at those points on which the forces F act. In the modification shown in Figure 4, the outwardly extending arms 2 are diammetrically centrally offset relative to the drive axis, so that when the forces F are applied, a larger damping path to the arms 2 is obtained, which in turn has a positive effect on noise reduction. In both cases, the arms 2 are shorter as viewed in the axial direction than the axial length of the elastomeric casing 11 in which they are embedded. Thus, the arms 2 extend into the stress zone of the elastomeric material and this consequently produces with advantage attenuation of noise, vibration and knocking. The latter in turn increases to a considerable extent resistance to failure. CLAIMS

1. An electric domestic blender having a releasable plug coupling provided between a drive means of the blender and a container for the material to be blended, the plug coupling comprising a socket unit which is embedded in elastomeric material and which has externally outwardly extending arms embedded in said elastomeric material, said socket unit being able releasably to receive a drive shaft of said container whereby, in use, drive is transmitted via said coupling.

2. A domestic blender as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arms extend radially outwardly of a drive axis of the blender.

3. A domestic blender as claimed in claim 1, wherein said arms are arranged so as to be diammetrically centrally offset relatively to a drive axis of the blender.

4. A domestic blender as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said arms are shorter as viewed in the axial direction than the axial extent of said elastomeric material.

5. An electric domestic blender, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, with or without the modification of Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.