WO2013120518A1

WO2013120518A1 - Mixer household appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2013120518A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/052594
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henrik Holm
Original assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
Priority date: 2012-02-15
Filing date: 2012-02-15
Publication date: 2013-08-22

Abstract

A mixer household appliance (2) comprising a base unit (4) and a container unit (6) is provided. The base unit (4) comprises a housing (14) and an electric motor (26) having a drive shaft (28). The container unit (6) comprises a container (8) for foodstuff and a rotor element (22) arranged inside the container (8) at a first end (21) of the container unit (6). The container unit (6) is removably connected to the base unit (4) and a coupling arrangement (30) forms a connection between the drive shaft (28) and the rotor element (22). The container unit (6) comprises a sleeve (24) extending at the first end (21) of the container unit6. The coupling arrangement (30) is encircled by the sleeve (24). The base unit (4) comprises a rim (16) encircling the coupling arrangement (30). The sleeve (24) and the rim (16) overlap each other at least partially.

Description

MIXER HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mixer household appliance generally used for mixing, blending, and/or cutting foodstuff.

BACKGROUND

A mixer household appliance for mixing, blending, and/or cutting foodstuff commonly comprises two units, a base unit comprising an electric motor and forming a support for the appliance, and a container unit comprising a container for the foodstuff and a rotor element arranged in the container. Such an appliance may be referred to under different names such as inter alia mixer, food mixer, blender, or food blender. The rotor element is rotated by means of the electric motor. The first and second units are separable from each other and a separable coupling arrangement is provided between a drive shaft of the electric motor and the rotor element.

During operation noise is emitted from a mixer. Noise emanates from various parts and positions of the food mixer, e.g. the electric motor, the separable connection, the rotor element, and foodstuff being mixed or cut by the rotor element.

Various solutions have been proposed to reduce the noise level emitted from a mixer. For instance, each of US 2005/152215 and US 2003/034200 proposes an enclosure enclosing the container unit of a blender.

JP 40730232 A discloses a vessel for a food mixer, with improved thermal and sound insulating properties. A vessel main-body comprises an external wall layer and an internal wall layer with an air layer therebetween. A further reduction of noise emitted from a mixer household appliance and/or alternative ways of reducing noise emitted from a mixer household appliance are desirable. SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a mixer household appliance with a low noise level. According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a mixer household appliance comprising a base unit and a container unit. The base unit comprises a housing and an electric motor having a drive shaft. The container unit comprises a container for foodstuff and a rotor element arranged inside the container at a first end of the container unit. The container unit is removably connected to the base unit and a coupling arrangement forms a connection between the drive shaft and the rotor element. The container unit comprises a sleeve extending at the first end of the container unit. The coupling arrangement is encircled by the sleeve and the sleeve is directed towards a first surface of the housing when the container unit is connected to the base unit. The base unit comprises a rim extending at the first surface and encircling the coupling arrangement. The sleeve and the rim overlap each other at least partially.

Since the coupling arrangement is encircled by the rim, and not only by the sleeve as in prior art mixer household appliances, and furthermore the sleeve and the rim overlap each other, the above mentioned object is achieved. Accordingly, the noise level of the present mixer household appliance emanating from the coupling arrangement and from the electric motor via the first surface is lower in the present mixer household appliance than in a mixer household appliance having only a sleeve of its container unit encircling the coupling arrangement. The base unit may form a support of the appliance, which base unit is placed upon a supporting surface during use of the appliance. The rotor element is rotated by means of the electric motor. The rotor element may form part of a rotor. The coupling arrangement being encircled by the sleeve - means that the sleeve forms a full circle around the coupling arrangement. The sleeve may extend along part of the coupling arrangement or along the entire coupling arrangement. Similarly, the rim encircling the coupling arrangement, means that the rim forms a full circle around the coupling arrangement. The rim may extend along part of the coupling arrangement or along the entire coupling arrangement. A free end of the sleeve may form a bottom surface, upon which the container unit may stand when the container unit is not connected to the base unit. The coupling arrangement may form a direct connection between the rotor and the drive shaft of the motor, i.e. the rotor may be directly driven by the electric motor. A

transmission may be arranged between the electric motor and the rotor, in which case the term drive shaft may refer to an outgoing drive shaft of the transmission. The sleeve of the container unit may abut against the rim and/or against the first surface of the housing. A sealing may be provided between the sleeve and the first surface.

According to embodiments, a longitudinal axis may extend through the drive shaft, the coupling arrangement, and the rotor element. The sleeve and the rim may extend generally along the longitudinal axis encircling the longitudinal axis. The sleeve and the rim may extend at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

According to embodiments, the rim may extend from the first surface in a direction along the longitudinal axis at least to a level of the coupling arrangement. The rim may extend from the first surface in a direction along the longitudinal axis at least to a level of a rotor axle of the rotor. In this manner noise emanating from a bearing arrangement at the rotor axle may be lower in the present mixer household appliance than in a mixer household appliance having only a sleeve of its container unit encircling the rotor axle. The rim may extend from the first surface in a direction along the longitudinal axis at least to a level of rotor element. In this manner noise emanating from a rotor element may be lower in the present mixer household appliance than in a mixer household appliance having only a container of its container unit encircling the rotor element.

According to embodiments, the rim may comprise a first wall section and a second wall section, the first and second wall sections extending generally along the longitudinal axis encircling the longitudinal axis and being interconnected by a third wall section extending at least partially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. In this manner the rim may be double walled, i.e. the second wall section encircles the first wall section. According to embodiments, the sleeve may be arranged at least partially inside the rim when the container unit is connected to the base unit.

According to embodiments, an outer surface of the container unit may be provided with a flange extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis. The flange may be arranged to abut against the rim when the container unit is connected to the base unit. In this manner the flange may form a seal against the rim, which may further reduce noise emitted inter alia from the coupling arrangement. According to embodiments, the sleeve may be arranged at least partially outside the rim when the container unit is connected to the base unit.

According to embodiments, an outer surface of the base unit may be provided with a flange extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis. The flange may be arranged to abut against the sleeve when the container unit is connected to the base unit. In this manner the flange may seal against the sleeve, which may further reduce noise emitted inter alia from the coupling arrangement.

According to embodiments, the sleeve may be provided with a resilient gasket extending along an outer edge of the sleeve and may be arranged to abut against the first surface of the base unit when the container unit is connected to the base unit. In this manner a seal may be formed between the sleeve and the housing. The seal may prevent, or at least reduce, noise escaping between the sleeve and the base unit. The resilient gasket may abut against the first surface of the housing of the base unit.

According to embodiments, the sleeve may be provided with at least two resilient elements arranged on a surface of the sleeve. The at least two resilient elements may abut against the rim when the container unit is connected to the base unit. In this manner transmission of vibrations between the sleeve and the rim may be reduced. Thus, a noise level emitted from the mixer household appliance may be reduced.

According to embodiments, the rim may be provided with at least two resilient elements arranged on a surface of the rim. The at least two resilient elements may abut against the sleeve when the container unit is connected to the base unit. In this manner transmission of vibrations between the rim and the sleeve may be reduced. Thus, a noise level emitted from the mixer household appliance may be reduced.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will realize that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a mixer household appliance,

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross section through a mixer household appliance according to embodiments,

Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a cross section through a mixer household appliance according to embodiments, and

Fig. 4 illustrates a container unit of a mixer household appliance according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. However, this invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Disclosed features of example embodiments may be combined as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Fig. 1 illustrates a mixer household appliance 2, in the following called mixer 2, according to embodiments. The mixer 2 comprises a base unit 4 and a container unit 6. The container unit 6 comprises a container 8 in which foodstuff is placed, e.g. to be mixed, cut, and/or blended. The container unit 6 is releasably connected to the base unit 4. A handle 10 is provided on the container unit 6. A lid (not shown) may be placed on the container unit 6 to cover an opening 12 of the container 8 to hold foodstuff inside the container s, e.g. during mixing. The base unit 4 forms a support for the mixer 2. The base unit 4 may be placed on a supporting surface during operation of the mixer 2. The base unit 4 comprises a housing 14, inside which an electric motor is arranged. The electric motor is arranged to drive a rotor element arranged inside the container unit 6. The housing 14 of the base unit 4 comprises a rim 16. The rim 16 extends around the base unit 4. A first end of the container unit 6 is positioned inside the rim 16 when container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4. The rim 16 comprises a first wall section 42 and a second wall section 44. Supporting wall elements 18 are arranged between the first wall section 42 and the second wall section 44. The base unit 4 may further comprise a switch (not shown) for controlling the electric motor and a power cord (not shown) for connecting the electric motor to an electric wall socket.

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross section through a mixer 2 according to embodiments. The mixer 2 comprises a base unit 4 and a container unit 6. The container unit 6 comprises a container 8 in which foodstuff may be placed. A rotor 20 comprises a rotor element 22 and a rotor axle 23. The rotor element 22 is arranged inside the container 8 at a first end 21 of the container unit 6. The container unit 6 comprises a sleeve 24 extending at the first end 21 of the container unit 6. The base unit 4 comprises a housing 14, inside which an electric motor 26 is arranged. The electric motor 26 comprises a drive shaft 28, which is arranged to drive the rotor 20. The container unit 6 is releasably connected to the base unit 4. A coupling arrangement 30 forms a connection between the drive shaft 28 and the rotor 20. A longitudinal axis 31 extends through the drive shaft 28, the coupling arrangement 30, and the rotor 20.

The coupling arrangement 30 is encircled by the sleeve 24 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4. The sleeve 24 extends generally along the longitudinal axis 31 encircling the longitudinal axis 31. Put differently, the sleeve 24 may be said to form a wall around the coupling arrangement 30. The sleeve 24 is directed towards a first surface 32 of the housing 14 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The housing 14 of the base unit 4 comprises a rim 16. The rim 16 extends at the first surface 32 of the housing 14 and encircles the coupling arrangement 30. The rim 16 extends generally along the longitudinal axis 31 encircling the longitudinal axis 31.

Accordingly, the rim 16 extends around the base unit 4 at the first surface 32 extending away from the first surface 32. Put differently, the rim 16 may be said to form a wall around the coupling arrangement 30.

The sleeve 24 and the rim 16 overlap each other when container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Accordingly, the sleeve 24 may be arranged at least partially inside the rim 16 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4. In such an arrangement with the sleeve 24 of the container unit 6 overlapping with the rim 16 of the base unit 4 noise emitted from the coupling arrangement 30 is dampened such that a low noise level reaches an ambient environment of the mixer 2, then if only a sleeve would encircle the coupling arrangement 30. The rim 16 may have an inner diameter of about 110 - 120 mm at the first surface 32 and an inner diameter of about 125 - 135 mm at its free end, distant from the first surface 32. The rim 16 may measure about 60 - 70 mm along the longitudinal axis 31 from the first surface 32 to the free end of the rim 16.

The coupling arrangement 30 comprises a first coupling member 34 and a second coupling member 36 being arranged to engage with each other when the container unit 6 is attached to the base unit 4, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The first coupling member 34 is connected to the rotor element 22 and arranged outside the container 8 at the first end 21 of the container unit 6. The second coupling member 36 is connected to the drive shaft 28 and arranged outside the housing 14 at the first surface 32. An outer surface of the container unit 6 is provided with a flange 38 extending around the container unit 8 and in a direction outwardly from the longitudinal axis 31. The flange 38 abuts against the rim 16 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4. The flange 38 comprises a flange portion 40, which extends in a direction substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis 31.

The rim 16 comprises a first wall section 42 and a second wall section 44. The first and second wall sections 42, 44 extend along the longitudinal axis 31 encircling the longitudinal axis 31. The first and second wall sections 42, 44 are interconnected by a third wall section 46 extending at least partially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 31. Accordingly, the second wall section 44 is arranged outside the first wall section 42. Such a two wall section rim 16 in combination with the overlapping sleeve 24 provides good noise damping properties. Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a cross section through a mixer 2 according to embodiments. Again, the mixer 2 comprises a base unit 4 and a container unit 6. The container unit 6 comprises a container 8. A rotor element 22 is arranged inside the container 8 at a first end 21 of the container unit 6. The container unit comprises a sleeve 24 extending at the first end 21 of the container unit 6.

The base unit 4 comprises a housing 14, inside which an electric motor 26 is arranged. The electric motor 26 comprises a drive shaft 28, which is arranged to drive the rotor element 22. The container unit 6 is releasably connected to the base unit 4. A coupling arrangement 30 forms part of a connection between the drive shaft 28 and the rotor element 22.

A longitudinal axis 31 extends through the drive shaft 28, the coupling arrangement 30, and the rotor element 22. The coupling arrangement 30 is encircled by the sleeve 24 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4. The sleeve 24 extends generally along the longitudinal axis 31 encircling the longitudinal axis 31. The sleeve 24 is directed towards a first surface 32 of the housing 14 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The housing 14 of the base unit 4 comprises a rim 16. The rim 16 extends at the first surface 32 of the housing 14 and encircles the coupling arrangement 30. The rim 16 extends generally along the longitudinal axis 31 encircling the longitudinal axis 31.

The sleeve 24 and the rim 16 overlap each other when container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Accordingly, in these embodiments the sleeve 24 is arranged at least partially outside the rim 16 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4. Again, in such an arrangement with the sleeve 24 of the container unit 6 overlapping with the rim 16 of the base unit 4 noise emitted from the coupling arrangement 30 is dampened such that a low noise level reaches an ambient environment of the mixer 2. An outer surface of the base unit 4 is provided with a flange 47 extending around the base unit 4 and in a direction outwardly from the longitudinal axis 31. The flange 47 abuts against the sleeve 24 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4. Fig. 4 illustrates a container unit 6 of a mixer according to embodiments. The container unit 6 comprises a container 8 and a sleeve 24 arranged at a first end 21 of the container unit 6. The sleeve 24 is adapted to be positioned inside a rim of a base unit of the mixer such that the sleeve 24 and the rim overlap at least partially. The sleeve 24 is provided with a resilient gasket 48 extending along an outer edge 50 of the sleeve 24. The gasket 48 is arranged to abut against the base unit when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit. Accordingly, the term outer edge 50 of the sleeve 24 is to be interpreted as an outer end of the sleeve 24. Thus, the outer edge 50 may have an extension in a direction substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension of the container unit 6. The sleeve 24 is provided with at least two resilient elements 52 arranged on a surface of the sleeve 24. The at least two resilient elements 52 abut against the rim when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit. The provision of the resilient gasket 48 and the resilient elements 52 reduce vibrations transferred between the container unit 6 and the base unit. A noise level of the mixer will thus be lower than if no resilient gasket 48 and/or no resilient elements 52 would be provided.

Referring back to Fig. 2, as an alternative to the container unit 6 being provided with at least two resilient elements 52, the rim 16 is provided with at least two resilient elements 52 arranged on a surface of the rim 16. The at least two resilient elements 52 abut against the sleeve 24 when the container unit 6 is connected to the base unit 4, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Example embodiments described above may be combined as understood by a person skilled in the art. It is also understood by those skilled in the art that the sleeve 24 may comprise one wall section, as illustrated in Fig. 3, or two wall sections arranged one outside the other, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The container unit may be connected to the base unit e.g. by a bayonet coupling. The at least two resilient elements 52 may extend along the sleeve 24 in a direction from the outer edge 50 towards the container 8, as illustrated in Fig. 4, or along the rim 16. Alternatively, the at least two resilient elements 52 may extend at a different angle than illustrated along the surface of the sleeve 24 or the rim 16. The term surface in the context of the at least two resilient elements 52 encompasses surfaces which face the rim 16 and the sleeve 24, respectively.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, combinations of features of disclosed embodiments as well as other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.

As used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which derives from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. If used herein, the common abbreviation "i.e.", which derives from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

Claims

1. A mixer household appliance (2) comprising a base unit (4) and a container unit (6), which base unit (4) comprises a housing (14) and an electric motor (26) having a drive shaft (28), and which container unit (6) comprises a container (8) for foodstuff and a rotor element (22) arranged inside the container (8) at a first end (21) of the container unit (6), wherein the container unit (6) is removably connected to the base unit (4) and a coupling arrangement (30) forms a connection between the drive shaft (28) and the rotor element (22), and wherein the container unit (6) comprises a sleeve (24) extending at the first end (21) of the container unit (6), the coupling arrangement (30) being encircled by the sleeve (24) and the sleeve (24) being directed towards a first surface (32) of the housing (14) when the container unit (6) is connected to the base unit (4),

characterized in that the base unit (4) comprises a rim (16) extending at the first surface (32) and encircling the coupling arrangement (30), wherein the sleeve (24) and the rim (16) overlap each other at least partially.

2. The appliance (2) according to claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis (31) extends through the drive shaft (28), the coupling arrangement (30), and the rotor element (22), and wherein the sleeve (24) and the rim (16) extend generally along the longitudinal axis (31) encircling the longitudinal axis (31).

3. The appliance (2) according to claim 2, wherein the rim (16) comprise a first wall section (42) and a second wall section (44), the first and second wall sections (42, 44) extending generally along the longitudinal axis (31) encircling the longitudinal axis (31) and being interconnected by a third wall section (46) extending at least partially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (31).

4. The appliance (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (24) is arranged at least partially inside the rim (16) when the container unit (6) is connected to the base unit (4).

5. The appliance (2) according to any one of claims 2 - 4, wherein an outer surface of the container unit (6) is provided with a flange (38) extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis (31), and wherein the flange (38) is arranged to abut against the rim (16) when the container unit (6) is connected to the base unit (4).

6. The appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the sleeve (24) is arranged at least partially outside the rim (16) when the container unit (6) is connected to the base unit (4).

7. The appliance (2) according to claim 6, wherein an outer surface of the base unit (4) is provided with a flange (47) extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis (31), and wherein the flange (47) is arranged to abut against the sleeve (24) when the container unit (6) is connected to the base unit (4).

8. The appliance (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (24) is provided with a resilient gasket (48) extending along an outer edge (50) of the sleeve (24) and being arranged to abut against the first surface of the base unit (4) when the container unit (6) is connected to the base unit (4).

9. The appliance (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve (24) is provided with at least two resilient elements (52) arranged on a surface of the sleeve (24), and wherein the at least two resilient elements (52) abut against the rim (16) when the container unit (6) is connected to the base unit (4).

10. The appliance (2) according to any one claims 1 - 8, wherein the rim (16) is provided with at least two resilient elements (52) arranged on a surface of the rim (16), and wherein the at least two resilient elements (52) abut against the sleeve (24) when the container unit (6) is connected to the base unit (4).

1 1. The appliance (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling arrangement (30) comprises a first coupling member (34) and a second coupling member (36) being arranged to engage with each other when the container unit (6) is attached to the base unit (4), and wherein the first coupling member (34) is connected to the rotor element (22) and arranged outside the container (8) at the first end (21) of the container unit (6) and the second coupling member (36) is connected to the drive shaft (28) and arranged outside the housing (14) at a the first surface