CN-122029721-A - Kitchen appliance with interlocking system

Abstract

A kitchen appliance comprising a base having a mechanism that operates using electricity to cause a food product to be processed, a container removably mountable on the base and comprising a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to a rim to provide a space for receiving the food product to be processed, wherein the rim surrounds an opening to the space, and an interlock system operatively associated with the mechanism to allow delivery of electricity to the mechanism, the interlock system comprising a first interlock circuit, wherein the delivery of electricity to the mechanism is allowed by completion of the first interlock circuit, wherein the first interlock circuit comprises an electromagnetic receiver and a first coil located in the base, an electromagnetic transmitter and a second coil located in the container, wherein when the first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled, the second coil receives electricity from the first coil to power the electromagnetic transmitter, and an annular member located between the electromagnetic transmitter and the electromagnetic receiver when the container is mounted on the base, and wherein the annular member is distributed along the entire edge of the annular member and does not enable electromagnetic radiation to be detected by the electromagnetic transmitter and electromagnetic receiver relative to how the electromagnetic radiation is distributed by the electromagnetic receiver.

Inventors

• L.S. Widana Garmatton
• C. Pussalogues
• LAI ZEKANG

Assignees

• 布瑞威利私人有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240807

Priority Date

20230810

Claims (20)

1. 1. A kitchen appliance, the kitchen appliance comprising: A base having a mechanism that operates using electricity to cause processing of a food item; A container removably mountable on said base and including a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall to a rim providing a space for receiving said food product to be treated, wherein said rim surrounds an opening to said space, and An interlock system operatively associated with the mechanism to allow delivery of the electrical power to the mechanism, the interlock system comprising a first interlock circuit, wherein by completing the first interlock circuit the delivery of the electrical power to the mechanism is allowed, Wherein the first interlock circuit comprises: An electromagnetic receiver and a first coil, said electromagnetic receiver and said first coil being located in said base, An electromagnetic transmitter and a second coil located in the container, wherein when the first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled, the second coil receives power from the first coil to power the electromagnetic transmitter, and An annular member positioned between the electromagnetic transmitter and the electromagnetic receiver when the container is mounted on the base, and Wherein the annular member spreads and distributes electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic transmitter along the entire edge or surface of the annular member such that the electromagnetic radiation can be detected by the electromagnetic receiver regardless of the orientation of the electromagnetic transmitter relative to the electromagnetic receiver.
2. 2. Kitchen apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the annular member is transparent or translucent and allows at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic transmitter to pass through the annular member.
3. 3. Kitchen appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is mountable on the base in any orientation relative to the base to complete the first interlock circuit.
4. 4. Kitchen appliance according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the interlock system comprises a second interlock circuit, wherein the delivery of the electrical power to the mechanism is allowed by completing the first and second interlock circuits.
5. 5. The kitchen appliance of claim 4, further comprising a cover detachably coupled to the rim to at least partially close the opening, Wherein the second interlock circuit comprises: At least two interlocking portions located adjacent the rim of the container, and A circumferential member located on an outer edge of the cover, Wherein the second interlock circuit is completed when the circumferential member is in contact with the at least two interlock portions.
6. 6. The kitchen appliance of claim 5, wherein the circumferential member is electrically conductive.
7. 7. Kitchen appliance according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cover comprises a spring which allows the cover to move between a first engagement position and a second engagement position when the cover is engaged with the container.
8. 8. The kitchen appliance of claim 7, wherein in the first engaged position, the circumferential member is aligned with the rim of the container but is located a distance from the interlocking portion.
9. 9. Kitchen appliance according to claim 7 or 8, wherein in the second engagement position the circumferential member is in contact with the interlocking portion.
10. 10. Kitchen apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the cover is biased by the spring to remain in the first engaged position.
11. 11. Kitchen appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the interlocking part, the electromagnetic transmitter and the second coil are electrically connected to each other to form an open circuit.
12. 12. The kitchen appliance of claim 11, wherein the open circuit is closed when the circumferential member is in contact with the interlocking portion.
13. 13. Kitchen appliance according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electromagnetic transmitter is an LED.
14. 14. The kitchen appliance of claim 12, wherein the LEDs emit infrared radiation.
15. 15. Kitchen apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said electromagnetic receiver is a photodiode.
16. 16. A method of allowing power to be delivered to a mechanism of a kitchen appliance for processing food, the kitchen appliance having: a base in which the mechanism is mounted and is operable using electricity to cause the food product to be processed; a container removably mountable on the base and including a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to a rim to provide a space for receiving the food product to be treated, wherein the rim surrounds an opening to the space; a cover detachably coupled to the rim to at least partially close the opening, and An interlock system operatively associated with the mechanism to allow delivery of the electrical power to the mechanism, the interlock system comprising a first interlock circuit, wherein by completing the first interlock circuit the delivery of the electrical power to the mechanism is allowed, The method comprises the following steps: coupling the container to the base, thereby completing the first interlock circuit; After completion of the first interlock circuit, a signal is transmitted to a controller in the base to allow power to be delivered to the mechanism.
17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein completing the first interlock circuit comprises: When a first coil located in the base and a second coil located in the container are inductively coupled, power is received from the first coil by the second coil, the power is used to power an electromagnetic transmitter located in the container, Emitting electromagnetic radiation by the electromagnetic transmitter, the electromagnetic radiation being diffused and distributed by an annular member positioned radially inward relative to the electromagnetic transmitter, wherein the annular member is located between the electromagnetic transmitter and the electromagnetic receiver when the container is mounted on the base, and the annular member diffuses and distributes electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic transmitter along an entire edge or surface of the annular member, and Electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic transmitter is detected by an electromagnetic receiver located in the base regardless of the orientation of the electromagnetic transmitter relative to the electromagnetic receiver.
18. 18. A kitchen appliance, the kitchen appliance comprising: A base having a mechanism that operates using electricity to cause processing of a food item; a container removably mountable on the base and including a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to a rim to provide a space for receiving the food product to be treated, wherein the rim surrounds an opening to the space; An interlock system operatively associated with the mechanism to allow delivery of the electrical power to the mechanism, the interlock system comprising a first interlock circuit, wherein by completing the first interlock circuit the delivery of the electrical power to the mechanism is allowed, Wherein the first interlock circuit comprises: an electromagnetic receiver positioned in the base, An electromagnetic transmitter and an energy storage device located in the container, wherein the energy storage device powers the electromagnetic transmitter, and An annular member positioned between the electromagnetic transmitter and the electromagnetic receiver when the container is mounted on the base, and Wherein the annular member spreads and distributes electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic transmitter along the entire edge or surface of the annular member such that the electromagnetic radiation can be detected by the electromagnetic receiver regardless of the orientation of the electromagnetic transmitter relative to the electromagnetic receiver.
19. 19. The kitchen device of claim 18, wherein the energy storage device is a battery or supercapacitor.
20. 20. The kitchen appliance of claim 18, further comprising a cover detachably coupled to the rim so as to at least partially close the opening.

Description

Kitchen appliance with interlocking system Technical Field The present invention relates to a kitchen appliance with an interlocking system. Background Kitchen appliances typically have an interlock that detects whether a lid is secured to the top of a container to close an opening defined by the rim of the container. Currently, such devices are equipped with mechanical interlocks that typically require a large number of complex parts and moving mechanisms. Such designs require that these parts and mechanisms operate with greater precision and smaller tolerances to avoid, for example, food material getting stuck in the interlock. Mechanical interlocks are also difficult to design so that they can be safely cleaned in a dishwasher without causing distortion of the parts. Similarly, in some designs, the electrical connection required to the cover or handle is prone to failure or incomplete connection. Furthermore, kitchen appliances having mechanical interlocking means typically require that the lid, container and base of the kitchen appliance be connected in a particular orientation such that the individual interlocking portions are aligned and engaged with one another. This can cause inconvenience to the user, depending on the limited workbench space available for kitchen equipment and the location of the main power outlet. Furthermore, the orientation of the container after interlocking with the base may result in the fixed handle of the container being in an orientation that is inconvenient for the user. Disclosure of Invention It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the existing arrangements, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the existing arrangements. In a first aspect, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention relates to a kitchen appliance comprising: a base having a mechanism that operates using electricity to cause processing of a food item; a container removably mountable on the base and including a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to a rim to provide a space for receiving food products to be treated, wherein the rim surrounds an opening to the space, and An interlock system operatively associated with the mechanism to allow delivery of power to the mechanism, the interlock system including a first interlock circuit, wherein by completing the first interlock circuit to allow delivery of power to the mechanism, Wherein the first interlock circuit comprises: An electromagnetic receiver and a first coil, the electromagnetic receiver and the first coil being located in a base, An electromagnetic transmitter and a second coil located in the container, wherein when the first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled, the second coil receives power from the first coil to power the electromagnetic transmitter, and An annular member located between the electromagnetic transmitter and the electromagnetic receiver when the container is mounted on the base, and Wherein the annular member spreads and distributes electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic transmitter along the entire edge or surface of the annular member such that the electromagnetic radiation can be detected by the electromagnetic receiver regardless of the orientation of the electromagnetic transmitter relative to the electromagnetic receiver. Preferably, the mechanism is an electric motor. Preferably, the motor is coupled to a shaft extending from the center of the base to drive the shaft about the axis. Preferably, the base includes a transmitter coil control circuit connected to the first coil. Preferably, the first coil is configured to wirelessly power the second coil. Preferably, the base includes a switch connected to the mechanism. Preferably, the switch is connected to the electromagnetic receiver. Preferably, the first interlock circuit comprises two electromagnetic transmitters. Preferably, the first interlock circuit comprises two electromagnetic receivers. Preferably, the electromagnetic receivers are connected in series. Preferably, the electromagnetic transmitters are connected in series. Preferably, the electromagnetic transmitter is located in the bottom wall of the container. Preferably, the electromagnetic transmitter is located in an annular central recess formed in the bottom wall of the container. Preferably, the electromagnetic transmitter is powered by the first coil via the second coil. Preferably, the electromagnetic transmitter is an LED. Preferably, the LEDs emit infrared radiation. Preferably, the electromagnetic receiver is a photodiode. Preferably, the electromagnetic receiver is configured to detect infrared radiation. Preferably, the annular member is transparent or translucent. Preferably, the annular member allows at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic transmitter to pass through the annular member. Prefe