TW201300059A - Cooking equipment and stirring device for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cooking equipment and a stirring device for the same, which comprises a driving device, a first transmission mechanism, a second transmission mechanism and a stirring member for stirring the cooked food in the cookware of the cooking equipment; wherein the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism are both equipped with driving devices correspondingly. The first transmission mechanism is power connected with the corresponding driving device to drive the stirring member to rotate around the first rotational axis in the first rotation direction at a first rotation speed. The second transmission mechanism is power connected with the corresponding driving device to drive the cookware to rotate around the second rotational axis in the second rotation direction at a second rotation speed, and makes the cookware rotating relative to the stirring member. Because the cookware and the stirring member may rotate relative to each other, the cooked food in the cookware can be stirred more easily to make the stirring more uniformly for enhancing the heating uniformity of the cooked food and further enhancing the quality of the cooked food.

Description

Cooking equipment and stirring device for cooking equipment

The present invention relates to a cooking apparatus, and more particularly to a cooking apparatus having a stirring device and a pan and a stirring device therefor.

In the cooking process, in order to stir the material and make the heating uniform, some stirring devices are usually used in the cooking container. The existing stirring device, such as the Chinese patent No. CN 1149244A, published on May 7, 1997 The application mainly includes a driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism is connected to the agitator through an output shaft. The agitator is an agitating blade, and the agitating blade is disposed in the container. In use, the stirring blade is driven to rotate by the driving mechanism, so that the agitating blade is opposite to the container. Rotating, resulting in agitating effect; however, for some places where it is necessary to cook a multi-person meal at the same time, the stirring method is relatively simple, and during the actual stirring process, it is not possible to achieve uniform stirring of the dishes, thereby making the dishes heated. In addition, the existing stirring method, which is only stirred by the stirring blade, is not sufficient for some of the agitated materials having a relatively large viscosity or a large binding force, or a large amount of the material to be stirred. Stirring evenly, so that the quality of the dishes is not guaranteed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cooking apparatus capable of improving uniformity of agitation and a stirring apparatus thereof in view of the deficiencies of the prior art.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a stirring apparatus for a cooking apparatus, comprising: a driving device, a first transmission mechanism, a second transmission mechanism, and a stirring member for cooking dishes in a cooking utensil Agitating the agitating member; the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism respectively corresponding to the driving device, the first transmission mechanism is dynamically connected with the corresponding driving device, and drives the agitating member to rotate at the first rotation speed on the first steering about the first rotation axis The second transmission mechanism is mechanically coupled to the corresponding driving device, and drives the pan to rotate at a second rotational speed on the second steering about the second axis of rotation, so that the pan and the agitating member are relatively rotated.

Wherein, the rotation direction of the pot and the stirring member may be opposite or the same; if the two directions of rotation are the same, the rotation speeds thereof shall be different to generate relative rotation.

In addition, there is only one driving device, and the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism are interlocked through the linkage device, and one of the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism is directly connected to the driving device.

Furthermore, the first axis of rotation coincides with the second axis of rotation.

In addition, the first transmission mechanism has a first transmission shaft for receiving power and driving the agitating member to rotate, and the second transmission mechanism has a second transmission shaft for receiving power and driving the rotation of the pan, the linkage device is connected to the first transmission shaft and The second drive shaft is connected to the drive shaft of the directly connected transmission.

Further, the linkage includes a first gear set having a first left gear coaxially secured to the first drive shaft and a second right gear coaxially coupled to the second drive shaft. By configuring the first gear set, the rotational speed ratio of the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft is fixed.

In addition, the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft are parallel or have an angle, and the linkage device is a transmission capable of adjusting the rotation ratio of the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft, and the transmission has at least two adjustment portions, and at different adjustment portions, The rotational speed ratios of the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft are different. The transmission may include a stepless transmission, a stepped transmission, and an integrated transmission.

Further, the transmission includes a first circular table disposed on the first transmission shaft, a second circular table disposed on the second transmission shaft, and an elastic belt tensioned on the first circular table and the second circular table, a circular table and a first transmission shaft coaxial line, a second circular table and a second transmission shaft coaxial line, in the axial direction of the first transmission shaft, the diameter of one of the first circular table and the second circular table gradually becomes larger, The diameter of the other of the first circular table and the second circular table gradually becomes smaller. By configuring the round table and the timing belt, stepless speed change can be achieved.

In addition, the transmission includes a sleeve, at least two first gears having different diameters, and at least two second gears of different diameters fixed on the sleeve, the first gear and the second gear are in one-to-one correspondence, and the sleeve is sleeved on the first transmission And slidingly engaging one of the shaft and the second transmission shaft, the first gear is fixed on the other of the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft, and at each adjustment portion, the first gear and the corresponding second gear thereof Engage. By configuring a plurality of first gears and second gears, a stepwise shift can be achieved.

In addition, the sliding fit is a cogging keyway fit.

Further, the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed have a rotational speed difference.

In addition, the agitating member is fixed to a shaft section, and the second transmission mechanism further comprises a pot connecting flange for fixing with the pot, the shaft section is driven by the first transmission shaft, and the pot connecting flange is driven by the second transmission shaft, the pot The connecting flange is sleeved on the shaft section and is rotated and matched with the shaft section through the bearing. The shaft segment may be a separate component from the first transmission shaft, and the two are connected by a mechanism capable of transmitting power; the shaft segment may also be integral with the first transmission shaft, such as being integrally formed, that is, The shaft segment is an integral part of the first drive shaft.

In addition, the shaft section is integral with the first transmission shaft, and the pot connecting flange is sleeved on the integral part.

In addition, the second transmission mechanism further includes a second gear set, and the second transmission shaft drives the pot connecting flange through the second gear set.

In addition, the second gear set includes a second left gear and a second right gear that are in mesh with each other, the second left gear is fixedly sleeved on the cooker connection flange, and the second right gear is fixedly sleeved on the second drive shaft.

A cooking device comprising a pot and a stirring device.

Further, the agitating member is an agitating blade, and the agitating blade is placed inside the pan, the contour surface of the agitating blade has a gap with the inner wall of the pan, and the shape of the contoured surface matches the shape of the inner wall. Since the inner wall of the pot is matched with the contour surface of the stirring member, it is more convenient to stir evenly.

Furthermore, the pot has an elliptical cross section through the second axis of rotation.

The utility model has the advantages that: since the pot and the stirring member can be relatively rotated, it is more convenient to stir the dishes in the pot, so that the stirring is more uniform, the uniformity of the heating of the dishes is improved, and the quality of the dishes is improved.

The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the cooking apparatus of the present embodiment includes a pot 5 and a stirring device used in conjunction with the pot 5. The stirring device comprises a driving device 1, a first transmission mechanism 9, a second transmission mechanism 6 and a stirring member 2, the driving device 1 is for supplying power, and the first transmission mechanism 9 receives the power input by the driving device 1 and drives the stirring member 2 to surround the An axis of rotation rotates at a first rotational speed on the first steering, the agitating member 2 is used to agitate the dishes in the pan 5, the agitating member 2 is located inside the pan 5, and the second transmission 6 receives the power input from the driving device 1 and drives The pot 5 is rotated at a second rotational speed on the second turn about the second axis of rotation, and the agitating member 2 and the pot 5 are relatively rotatable, thereby making the stirring of the dishes more uniform.

There may be one drive device 1, which may include a motor 11.

The driving device 1 drives the pan 5 to rotate through the second transmission mechanism 6. The second transmission mechanism 6 drives the first transmission mechanism 9 through the linkage device 3. The first transmission mechanism 9 drives the agitating member 2 to rotate.

The second transmission mechanism 6 includes a second transmission shaft 61, a pot connecting flange 62, and a second gear set 63. The second gear set 63 may include a second left gear 631 and a second right gear 632 that mesh with each other.

The linkage 3 may include a first gear set that may include a first left gear 31 and a first right gear 32 that mesh with each other.

The first transmission mechanism 9 may include a first transmission shaft 91 that may be parallel and spaced apart from the second transmission shaft 61.

The motor 11 is directly connected to the second transmission shaft 61. The second right gear 632 is coaxially fixed to the second transmission shaft 61. The second left gear 631 is coaxially fixed to the pot connecting flange 62. The first left gear 31 is coaxial. The wire is fixed on the first transmission shaft 91, the first right gear 32 is coaxially fixed on the second transmission shaft 61, the pot connecting flange 62 is fixed to the pot 5, and the shaft section 93 at the end of the first transmission shaft 91 is fixed. In the mounting shaft hole 21 of the stirring member 2. The pot connecting flange 62 is sleeved on the first transmission shaft 91 and rotatably engaged with the first transmission shaft 91. The pot 5, the first drive shaft 91 and the agitating member 2 may be coaxial. The diameters of the first left gear 31 and the first right gear 32 are different, and the diameters of the second left gear 631 and the second right gear 632 may also be different. For example, the diameter of the first left gear 31 is smaller than the diameter of the first right gear 32. The diameter of the second left gear 631 is larger than the diameter of the second right gear 632, so that the rotational speed of the agitating member 2 can be greater than the rotational speed of the pan 5.

In addition, the first and second gear sets may not be limited to only two gears that mesh with each other, and may also include three or more gears, and the first and second gears may also be replaced with other existing mechanisms capable of transmitting power. . The drive device 1 can also be directly connected to the first transmission device 9, and the first transmission device 9 drives the second transmission device 6 via the linkage device 3.

The pot 5 has a hollow cylindrical structure, and the dishes are fried in the pot 5. The pan 5 may have a first opening 51 for the entry and exit of the dish and a second opening 52 for the shaft section 93 of the first drive shaft 91 to penetrate. The pan 5 can be rotated at a second rotational speed about the second axis of rotation, and the pan 5 can be a symmetrical body about the second axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation can The pot 5 is divided into an upper portion 53 located above and a lower portion 54 located below, the lower portion 54 being of a lower intermediate height and a heater of the cooking apparatus located below the lower portion 54. The pot 5 may have an inclined angle, that is, the second axis of rotation is inclined, and the cross section of the pot 5 through the second axis of rotation may be elliptical, corresponding to the inner wall 55 of the pot enclosing a space having an elliptical cross section. In order to make the angle of inclination of the pot 5 as small as possible, so that the dish can be spread out as much as possible in the direction of the second axis of rotation, so that when the pot is heated by the heater of the cooking device, the position of the pot is made The heating can be as uniform as possible to ensure the quality of the dishes. The inner wall 55 of the pot 5 can be attached with a ceramic non-stick coating so that the stick can be avoided.

The agitating member 2 may be an agitating blade which is located inside the pot 5, and the shaft section 93 of the first propeller shaft 91 passes through the second opening 52 of the pot 5 and is fixed in the mounting shaft hole 21 of the agitating blade. The contour surface 22 of the agitating blade has a gap with the inner wall 55 of the pot 5, so that the stirring blade can sweep the stirring dish along the inner wall 55 of the pot, and the contour surface 22 of the stirring blade can be shaped like the inner wall of the pot 55. The shape is consistently matched and it is easier to stir evenly. The first axis of rotation of the agitating member 2 coincides with the second axis of rotation of the pot 5.

The stirring device may further include a first bearing 7 and a second bearing 8. The pot connecting flange 62 is sleeved on the first transmission shaft 91, the first bearing 7 is disposed between the pot connecting flange 62 and the first transmission shaft 91, and the inner ring of the first bearing 7 is fixedly sleeved on the first transmission On the shaft 91, the pot connecting flange 62 is fixedly sleeved on the outer ring of the first bearing 7, so that the first propeller shaft 91 and the pot connecting flange 62 can be relatively rotated. A portion of the first transmission shaft 91 located outside the pot 5 is provided with a stepped surface 92 against which the first bearing 7 abuts. The outer ring of the second bearing 8 is fixed to the bearing housing 10, and the inner ring of the second bearing 8 is fixedly sleeved on the pot connecting flange 62. The bearing housing 10 can be fixed to the frame of the cooking device, so that the pot can be opposite The frame rotates.

The agitating device may further include a sealing ring 4 on the shaft section 93 of the first transmission shaft 91, and one end surface of the sealing ring 4 abuts against the agitating blade to prevent liquid from oozing out from the mounting shaft hole 21 of the agitating blade. The seal ring 4 can be a high temperature resistant polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) oil-free seal.

In use, the second transmission shaft 61 is driven by the motor 11, so that the first right gear 32 fixedly sleeved on the second transmission shaft 61 drives the first left gear 31 fixed on the first transmission shaft 91 to rotate. The first transmission shaft 91 rotates, and the first transmission shaft 91 drives the agitation member 2 to move in a circular motion at a first rotation speed. In addition, the rotation of the second transmission shaft 61 also drives the rotation of the second right gear 632, and the second right gear 632. The second left gear 631 is driven to rotate, and the second left gear 631 further drives the pan connecting flange 62 to rotate, thereby driving the pan 5 to move in a circular motion at the second rotating speed, and transmitting the difference between the first rotating speed and the second rotating speed. Stir the dishes evenly.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, which is a second embodiment of the cooking apparatus, the main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that:

The interlocking device 3 is a transmission capable of adjusting the rotational speed ratio of the first transmission shaft 91 and the second transmission shaft 61, the transmission having at least two adjustment portions, at different adjustment positions, the first transmission shaft 91 and the second transmission shaft 61 The speed ratio is different. The transmission, such as a stepless transmission, includes a first circular table 33, a second circular table 34, and a timing belt 35. The first circular table 33 is fixedly integrated with the first transmission shaft 91 and coaxial, and the second circular table 34 and the second The transmission shaft 61 is fixedly integrated and coaxial, the first transmission shaft 91 and the second transmission shaft 61 are parallel, the timing belt 35 has elasticity, and the timing belt 35 is tightened on the first circular table 33 and the second circular table 34, and the timing belt 35 can slide along the first circular table 33 and the second circular table 34 at the same time, during the sliding process, the diameter of one circular table gradually increases and the diameter of the other circular table gradually decreases, achieving a stepless rotation ratio Speed regulation.

For the agitating device, the motor directly drives the second propeller shaft 61. The second propeller shaft 61 drives the pot 5 to rotate through the second gear set 63 and the pot connecting flange 62. The second propeller shaft 61 drives the first through the linkage device 3. The drive shaft 91 is driven, and the first drive shaft 91 drives the stirring member 2 to rotate.

As shown in Fig. 8, which is a third embodiment of the cooking apparatus, the main difference between this embodiment and the second embodiment is:

The transmission is a stepped transmission comprising at least two first gears 36 of different diameters, at least two second gears 37 of different diameters, each of the first gears 36 being fixed on the first transmission shaft 91 and spaced apart, first The gears 36 are in one-to-one correspondence with the second gears 37. Each of the second gears 37 is fixed to the sleeve 38. The sleeve 38 is slidably engaged with the second transmission shaft 61. The sliding engagement is performed in the manner of a cogging key groove. The sleeve 38 has a plurality of adjustment portions on the second transmission shaft 61. At each adjustment portion, a first gear meshes with a corresponding second gear. Of course, the sleeve to which the second gear is fixed can also be slidably engaged with the first transmission shaft.

Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 show a fourth embodiment of the cooking apparatus. The main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that there are two driving devices, which are respectively defined as a first driving device and a second driving device. The first driving device and the second driving device respectively drive the stirring member 2 and the pot 5 to rotate through the first transmission mechanism 9 and the second transmission mechanism 6, and enable the pot 5 and the stirring member 2 to rotate relative to each other. The first transmission mechanism 9 may include a first transmission shaft 91, the shaft section 93 at the end of the first transmission shaft 91 is fixedly connected with the agitating member 2, and the agitating member 2 is used for stirring the dishes in the pan 5, the first driving device The first transmission shaft 91 is directly driven. The second transmission mechanism 6 may include a second transmission shaft 61, a second gear set 63 and a pot connecting flange 62. The pot connecting flange 62 is fixed to the pot 5, and the second driving device directly drives the second propeller shaft 61. The second transmission shaft 61 drives the pot connecting flange 62 to rotate through the second gear set 63, and the pot connecting flange 62 drives the pot 5 to rotate. The pot connecting flange 62 can be sleeved on the first transmission shaft 91 and rotatably coupled to the first transmission shaft 91 through the first bearing 7. The second gear set 63 may include a second left gear 631 and a second right gear 632 that are in mesh with each other. The second left gear 631 is coaxially fixedly sleeved on the pot connecting flange 62, and the second right gear 632 is coaxially fixed on the second set. Two drive shafts 61. The first axis of rotation of the agitating member 2 and the second axis of rotation of the pot 5 may coincide, and the first rotational speed of the agitating member 2 and the second rotational speed of the pan 5 may have a difference in rotational speed. The transmission ratios of the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism may be different, so that the first and second rotation speeds have a rotation speed difference, and the rotation speeds of the two driving devices may also be different, so that the first and second rotation speeds have a rotation speed difference. As shown in FIG. 11, the first driving device may also include a first motor and a first transmission, and the second driving device may also include a second motor and a second transmission, respectively, the first transmission and the second transmission and the first transmission shaft The second transmission shaft is coupled to adjust the rotational speeds of the first and second transmission shafts to adjust the rotational speed of the agitating member and the pan. The transmission may be an existing stepped transmission, a stepless transmission or an integrated transmission.

For the cooking apparatus, the pan can be rotated at a first rotational speed on the first turn about the first axis of rotation, the agitating member can be rotated at a second rotational speed on the second turn about the second axis of rotation, and the pan and the agitating member are relatively rotated . The relative rotation may be formed by the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis being different (such as the rotation axis being parallel or intersecting), or the first rotation speed and the second rotation speed may have a rotation speed difference (may be that the rotation speed of the cookware is greater than the stirring member, or It is formed that the rotation speed of the cookware is smaller than the stirring member. Alternatively, the first steering and the second steering may be formed differently (such as one clockwise rotation and the other counterclockwise rotation), or a combination of the above various modes. When cooking, the speed difference can be selected or adjusted according to different materials and different cooking conditions, and the stirring member and the pot can be selected to rotate in the same direction or in the opposite direction according to different materials and different cooking conditions.

For the cooking device, it can be provided with a driving device, that is, the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism are driven by the same driving device; of course, two driving devices can also be provided, two driving devices and two transmission mechanisms. A correspondence.

For the cooking equipment, the first and second transmission mechanisms may be a gear transmission mechanism, a screw transmission mechanism, a belt transmission mechanism, a chain transmission mechanism, a worm transmission mechanism or a combination of various mechanisms, and the first and second transmission mechanisms may also be other capable A transmission mechanism that receives power input from the drive unit and that can drive the pot or the agitating member to rotate about the axis of rotation. The gear ratios of the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism may be different, so that the pot and the agitating member have different rotational speeds.

For the cooking equipment, the pot is a hollow cylindrical structure, and its cross-sectional shape may be elliptical, and may be designed into other cross-sectional shapes according to the requirements of heating uniformity. The shape of the contour surface of the stirring member may be matched with the shape of the inner wall of the pot, or may be designed as another shape structure capable of generating the inner wall of the sweeping pot. The drive means may comprise a motor and may also comprise other mechanisms capable of providing power.

The above is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with the specific embodiments, and the specific embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. . . Drive unit

2. . . Stirring member

3. . . Linkage device

4. . . Seal ring

5. . . Cookware

6. . . Second transmission mechanism

7. . . First bearing

8. . . Second bearing

9. . . First transmission

10. . . Bearing housing

11. . . Motor

twenty one. . . Mounting shaft hole

twenty two. . . Contour surface

31. . . First left gear

32. . . First right gear

33. . . First round table

34. . . Second round table

35. . . Belt

36. . . First gear

37. . . Second gear

38. . . Bushing

51. . . First opening

52. . . Second opening

53. . . Upper part

54. . . Lower part

55. . . Inner wall

61. . . Second drive shaft

62. . . Cookware connection flange

63. . . Second gear set

91. . . First drive shaft

92. . . Step surface

93. . . Shaft section

631. . . Second left gear

632. . . Second right gear

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a cooking apparatus.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a cooking apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a portion indicated by A in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the first embodiment.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cooking apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the portion indicated by B in Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the cooking apparatus.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the cooking apparatus.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the cooking apparatus.

Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of a fourth embodiment of the cooking apparatus.

Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of a fifth embodiment of the cooking apparatus.

2. . . Stirring member

4. . . Seal ring

5. . . Cookware

7. . . First bearing

8. . . Second bearing

10. . . Bearing housing

twenty two. . . Contour surface

31. . . First left gear

32. . . First right gear

51. . . First opening

55. . . Inner wall

61. . . Second drive shaft

62. . . Cookware connection flange

91. . . First drive shaft

92. . . Step surface

631. . . Second left gear

632. . . Second right gear

Claims (11)

A stirring device for a cooking apparatus, comprising: a driving device; a first transmission mechanism; a second transmission mechanism; and an agitating member for agitating the stirring member in the cooking utensil of the cooking device; The first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism are respectively configured with the driving device; the first transmission mechanism is dynamically connected with the corresponding driving device, and drives the stirring member to be first on the first steering about the first rotation axis. The rotation speed is rotated; the second transmission mechanism is mechanically coupled to the corresponding driving device, and drives the pan to rotate at a second rotation speed on the second steering about the second rotation axis, so that the pan and the agitating member are relatively rotated. The agitating device of claim 1, wherein the driving device has only one, the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism are linked by a linkage device, the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism. One of them is directly connected to the drive unit. The agitating device of claim 2, wherein the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation coincide. The agitation device of claim 3, wherein the first transmission mechanism has a first transmission shaft for receiving power and driving the agitation member to rotate, the second transmission mechanism having a function for receiving power and driving the A second drive shaft that rotates the pot, the linkage is coupled to the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft, the drive device being coupled to a drive shaft of the directly coupled transmission. The agitation device of claim 4, wherein the linkage device comprises a first gear set, the first gear set having a first left gear and a coaxial line fixed coaxially on the first transmission shaft The second right gear on the second drive shaft. The agitation device of claim 4, wherein the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft are parallel or have an angle, and the linkage device is capable of adjusting the rotation speed of the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft. In the case of a transmission, the transmission has at least two adjustment portions, and the rotation ratios of the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft are different at different adjustment positions. The agitating device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed have a rotational speed difference. The agitating device of claim 7, wherein the agitating member is fixed to a shaft segment, the second transmission mechanism further comprising a pan connecting flange for fixing with the pan, the shaft segment being the first Driven by the drive shaft, the pot connecting flange is driven by the second drive shaft, and the pot connecting flange is sleeved on the shaft section and is rotatably coupled to the shaft section through a bearing. The agitating device of claim 8, wherein the second transmission mechanism further comprises a second gear set, and the second transmission shaft drives the pan connecting flange through the second gear set. A cooking apparatus comprising a pot and a stirring apparatus according to any one of the items 1 to 9. The cooking apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the agitating member is an agitating blade, the agitating blade is disposed inside the pan, the contour surface of the agitating blade has a gap with an inner wall of the pan, and The shape of the contoured surface matches the shape of the inner wall.