DE102009030132B4 - Electric motor driven food processor and method for cleaning such a food processor - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for cleaning an electromotive-operated food processor (1), which has a stirring bowl (4), preferably an agitator (6) formed therein as a knife set, and preferably a lid (12) for the stirring bowl (4), the agitator (4) being cleaned by 6) and / or a pot inner surface (15) to be cleaned and the cleaning by an operation of the agitator (6) after a filling of the stirring pot (4) with a cleaning liquid (17) is performed, characterized in that a program-controlled, multiple direction reversal the agitator (6) is made.

Description

The invention relates firstly to a method for cleaning an electric motor driven food processor having a stirring pot, preferably designed therein as a knife set agitator and preferably a lid for the stirring pot, to be cleaned by cleaning the agitator and / or a pot inner surface and cleaning is performed by operating the agitator after a filling of the stirring pot with a cleaning liquid.

The invention further relates to a food processor in which a touchscreen is provided for the electronic activation of the cleaning process.

Electric motor driven kitchen machines are known. These are used in particular for the preparation or preparation of food. The foodstuffs to be processed are hereby mixed in the stirring pot as a result of the action via the stirrer, optionally also comminuted when the stirrer is formed as a set of knives. After emptying the stirred pot, food residues generally remain on the inside of the mixing pot and / or on the agitator, in particular on the knives of the knife set. Accordingly, a cleaning of the interior of the pot and / or the agitator is necessary. For this purpose, it is further known to take the agitator manually via the controls in operation, being cleaned by high speeds, the agitator or the knife blades of a knife set, are detached in the adhering remainder by the centrifugal force and thrown against the pot wall. With the addition of a cleaning liquid, for example water with the optional addition of cleaning agent, a cleaning of the inner wall of the pot is achieved when the agitator is switched on manually. From the DE 696 00 233 T2 is a method for cleaning the pot of a food processor known in which the agitator is brought to a certain speed for cleaning. From this it is accordingly also known a food processor, in which the said rotational speed of the agitator for cleaning by a push-button operation can be triggered. From the AT 179392 B a food processor is known in which a separate line for supplying cleaning liquid is provided for performing a cleaning process.

Based on the cited prior art, the invention is concerned with the task of specifying a most effective method for cleaning a food processor and a food processor advantageously suitable for this purpose.

This object is initially achieved in the subject matter of claim 1, wherein it is aimed that a program-controlled, repeated reversal of direction of the agitator is made. According to this embodiment, a user-friendly method is given with good cleaning result. To clean the inside of the pot and / or the agitator, the user only starts the cleaning program, after which the agitator is driven programmatically. Without further user intervention a repeated reversal of the direction of the agitator is made, which has a positive effect on the cleaning result. About the program control of the food processor, the direction of rotation, the number of direction reversals and preferably also the speed of the agitator is specified. Upon completion of the cleaning program, the agitator is preferably switched off automatically, so that no user intervention is necessary for this purpose.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the agitator is operated at a rotational speed before reversing the direction of rotation in such a way that a funnel-shaped surface of the cleaning fluid adjusts, with a depression in the middle region which corresponds to one fifth or more of an initial level of the cleaning fluid. Thus, the agitator is preferably to a speed of 800 to 2000 rev / min, preferably 1000 to 1500 rev / min accelerated until the cleaning liquid forms a stable, rotating at the pot inner surface Trombe, with a Trombenauge, compared to the resting mirror of the cleaning liquid in lowered the stirring pot. This reduction corresponds in a preferred embodiment, the 0.2 to 1 times the mirror height of the cleaning liquid in the stationary state, this with respect to the bottom of the pot, so that a corresponding lowering of the Trombenauges is achieved in the direction of the pot bottom rotatably arranged agitator. Thus, it is further preferred in this context that the rotational speed is selected before a reversal of rotation so that a reduction of a central region of the cleaning liquid is achieved until the breakthrough of the agitator over the liquid surface, so that the hub portion of the preferably designed as a knife set agitator in the Pot center is no longer covered by the moving cleaning liquid. As a result of the central lowering of the cleaning liquid, the trumpet extends beyond the level of the original starting height of the cleaning liquid at rest in the area of the inner surface of the pot, more preferably up to a height at which the cleaning liquid at the inner side of the pot reaches a small distance from the edge of the pot edge. This substantially vertical distance corresponds to the pot edge edge about 1/4 to 1/20 of the initial height of the cleaning liquid at rest.

While maintaining the above-described Trombe inducing agitator speed of the agitator barrel is performed in a further preferred embodiment before carrying out a reversal of rotation for two seconds or more, so on, for example, for 2 to 15 seconds, this more preferably at a constant rotational speed. In a preferred embodiment, a reversal of the direction of rotation is carried out immediately after a new formation of the depression, ie immediately after a stabilization of the bomb, more preferably within a period of 0.1 to 1 second or within 10 seconds or less after the stabilization of the pot , After this stabilization in one direction of rotation, this is reversed with maximum acceleration and thereafter a speed for forming a new Trombe is set in the opposite direction, which speed after reversal of direction is again preferably between 1000 and 1500 rev / min. As a result of this reversal, the Wassertrombe breaks down and forms again with the reverse direction, wherein in a preferred embodiment, a reversal of the direction of rotation of the agitator within 0.1 to 2 seconds, preferably within 1 to 1.2 seconds is reached. The corresponding reversion of the Wassertrombe is achieved depending on the claimed time for the agitator direction of rotation reversal within 2 to 5 seconds, preferably 3 seconds. During this period, the soiled surfaces of the stirrer, for example, knife surfaces, are submerged in the decongestant cleaning liquid trash and are moved and cleaned by the liquid at a significant variable relative speed. In addition, the strongly fluidized cleaning fluid masses exert tangential forces on the bottom of the pot so that an additional mechanical cleaning action is also produced there. Once the trump has stabilized again, the reversion cycle restarts. In a preferred embodiment, the number of reversion, ie the direction reversals of the agitator 5 to 20 , more preferably 10 to 15 , this at a respective duration of at least 1.5 to 4 seconds, preferably 3 seconds.

In a further preferred embodiment, before the direction of rotation is reversed, the stirrer is filled with preferably preheated water, in an amount which is 1/10 or more less than a total stew amount, preferably 1/5 or more, more preferably 2/3 the total filling quantity corresponds. In an advantageous manner, customary tap water is filled into the stirred tank in a temperature range between 40 ° C. and 60 ° C. Starting from an exemplary funnel-shaped stirred pot having a bottom diameter of 100 to 150 mm, preferably 130 mm, an opening edge diameter of 150 to 200 mm, preferably 180 mm and a height of 130 to 170 mm, preferably 150 mm, corresponds to a sufficient filling height Filling of cleaning liquid preferably 1/2 to 4/5, more preferably 2/3 of the total height. With a maximum volume of 2.5 to 3 liters, preferably 2.7 liters, this height corresponds approximately to a filling volume of about 1.2 to 1.7 liters, preferably 1.5 liters. The preheated water is enriched in a further embodiment pollution-dependent with a dishwashing detergent or a similar detergent, so as to achieve an improved cleaning result. In this case, it is further preferred to add an additive in an amount corresponding to one-third of one-seventeenth to one-seventy-fifth, preferably one-hundred and fiftieth, of the cleaning liquid filling quantity. The dosage is further selected so that it does not come in the course of the cleaning process to an excessively strong foaming. For very heavy soiling, further additives can be added to the cleaning fluid.

A further improvement of the cleaning result is achieved in a development in that further before carrying out a reversal of rotation a release phase is performed, in which at slow rotational speed of the agitator, the cleaning liquid is heated or the heating is maintained at a predetermined value. Preferably, the release phase is performed once before a reversion operation with reversal of direction. Here, the agitator rotates preferably at a speed which is less than the agitator speed in the reversal of the same direction causing program section, so more preferably at a speed of 200 to 500 U / min. Here, the optionally preheated cleaning liquid is heated to an elevated temperature of 50 ° C to 80 ° C, preferably 60 ° C to 70 ° C and maintained at this temperature level. For this purpose, a provided in the kitchen machine, the pot bottom area acting on heating is preferably used, which also serves in the usual operation of the food processor for heating the foods located in the mixing bowl. During the dissolving phase, the dirt in the stirring pot is softened and dissolved by the prolonged contact with the heated cleaning liquid so that it can be more easily removed from the surface by the subsequent program step or steps. This effect increases with increasing duration of this dissolution phase, whereby it is preferred that this is carried out for a period of 0.5 to 15 minutes, preferably one minute, after which automatically, programmatically the next program step is executed.

In addition, it is provided that further such a high agitator speed (high-speed phase) is selected before or after the reversal of the direction of rotation of the agitator, that a top edge of the pot or a lower side of the lid is reached by the cleaning liquid. This maximum speed phase is preferably carried out once after a reversion operation with reverse rotation. Thus, it is provided in this regard that the agitator is accelerated at a preferred speed of 3000 to 6000 rev / min, preferably 4000 to 5000 rev / min. This rotation speed provides a strong centrifugal force, which removes dissolved dirt from the rotating blades. In addition, a very rapidly rotating Wassertrombe with much smaller thickness than in the program section of the direction of rotation reversal of the agitator, due to the here compared to significantly increased agitator speed. Thus, a reduction of the cleaning liquid in the middle region, which corresponds in a preferred embodiment, a 0.9 times to 1 times the initial height of the cleaning liquid at rest. The trumpet rotating along the inside of the pot extends in the vertical direction as far as the edge of the pot and further up to the underside of the lid which preferably covers the stirring pot. In this way, the upper wall areas and the pot lid are reached by the cleaning liquid, which exerts tangential forces due to the high rotational speed and removes dirt chemically and mechanically. This high-speed phase is performed for a period of 10 seconds to one minute, preferably 20 to 30 seconds.

A preferred program initially provides for the filling of the mixing pot with the cleaning liquid, after which the program automatically runs through active triggering via the user. Initially, the triggering phase is activated, preferably followed by reversion operation. At the end of the program, the high-speed phase is activated, after which the program is ended. Upon completion of the cleaning program, the result is visually inspected by the user. If cleaning is unsatisfactory, the program sequence may be repeated with fresh cleaning solution if necessary. In order to rinse off remaining residues of chemical cleaning additives, it is expedient to rinse the stirred bowl with clean water before preparing food.

Unlike the manual application of individual cleaning support steps, the automatic cleaning program provides a complete sequence of machine functions whose parameters are optimized. This ensures the full use of the entire program without the user having to retrieve them individually. The cleaning effect is maximized in this way with a short program duration and the utilization of the automatic cleaning options significantly simplified.

According to the proposed invention, a solution is given, which is inexpensive to implement, since this is achieved essentially by appropriate coding of the software.

The individual steps are activated as a sequence by a single user intervention, the manual setting of speeds, times and temperatures is eliminated. This simplifies the availability and handling of the cleaning program for the user and ensures that it runs completely and correctly. Incorrect entries are excluded, so that the self-cleaning capability is optimally utilized by the machine functions. The user remains to adapt to different levels of contamination by the dosage of the detergent and the number of program repetitions.

With regard to the food processor, it is important that a program-controlled, repeated reversal of the direction of the agitator ( 6 ) is made.

The numerical ranges given in each case also include all intermediate values, unless they are already indicated by way of example anyway, and in particular in 1/10-steps from the lower and / or upper limit to the respective other limit. "And" stands for the fact that both borders are shifted by one or more tenths to the limit, d. H. be limited.

• 1 in einer partiell geschnittenen Seitenansicht eine Küchenmaschine der in Rede stehenden Art mit einem von einem Deckel verschlossenen Rührtopf und einer in dem Rührtopf aufgenommenen Reinigungsflüssigkeit;
• 2 eine der 1 entsprechende Darstellung, die Anlösephase betreffend;
• 3 eine Folgedarstellung der 2, den Reversionsbetrieb in einer Drehrichtung betreffend;
• 4 eine Folgedarstellung der 3 im Zuge einer Drehrichtungsumkehr des Rührwerks und damit einhergehenden Zusammenbrechen einer Wassertrombe;
• 5 eine Folgedarstellung der 4 entsprechend der 3, jedoch bei entgegengesetzter Drehrichtung des Rührwerkes;
• 6 eine Folgedarstellung der 5, die Hochgeschwindigkeitsphase betreffend;
• 7 in schematischer Darstellung den Programmablauf.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing, which represents only one exemplary embodiment. It shows:

• 1 in a partially sectioned side view of a food processor of the type in question with a closed from a lid stirred pot and a recorded in the stirred pot cleaning liquid;
• 2 one of the 1 Corresponding presentation concerning the release phase;
• 3 a following presentation of the 2 concerning reversion operation in one direction of rotation;
• 4 a following presentation of the 3 in the course of reversing the direction of rotation of the agitator and concomitant collapse of a Wassertrombe;
• 5 a following presentation of the 4 according to the 3 , but in the opposite direction of rotation of the agitator;
• 6 a following presentation of the 5 concerning the high-speed phase;
• 7 in a schematic representation of the program flow.

Shown and described is first with reference to 1 a food processor 1 with a mixing vessel holder 2 and a control panel 3 ,

The food processor 1 is a stir pot 4 assignable by placing this in the mixing vessel receptacle 2 is used. In the mixing pot 4 is the stewpot bottom 5 assigned a stirrer 6 provided, which has one in the food processor 1 below the picture 2 arranged, not shown electric drive is operated.

The stew pot 4 has a vertically oriented handle 7 , The pedestal area 8th of the stirring pot 4 is pot-shaped with a circular cross-section and carries centrally in the interior of the agitator 6 ,

For the rotary drive of the agitator 6 this cooperates in the Topfzuordnungsstellung with a coupling extension of the machine-side drive shaft. In addition, in the assignment position of the Rühropfes 4 in the recording 2 an electrical contact of a cup bottom side arranged heating 9 reached.

The heating system 9 as well as the agitator 6 or the drive for the agitator 6 are via rotary switches 10 . 11 in the control panel 3 controllable.

The stew pot 4 further has a bottom diameter of about 130 mm and a diameter in the opening-edge region of 180 mm, this at a vertical extension of the stirring pot 4 starting from the stirrer bottom 5 of about 150 mm, resulting in a maximum filling volume of about 2.7 liters.

The stew pot 4 is for commissioning the food processor 1 covered by a lid 12 , This is designed so that a support results circumferentially along the Stirropf-opening edge, wherein the lid 12 vertically in the mixing pot 7 partially intervenes.

Next is the lid 12 centrally in coaxial alignment with a stirrer axis x with a filling opening 13 provided, the opening edge down vertically in a circumferential collar 14 passes.

The food processor 1 is with a program-controlled cleaning process for cleaning the agitator 6 and / or the pot inner surface composed of the pot bottom surface and the inner wall surface of the stirring pot and of the lid 15 Mistake. This cleaning program is done by pressing one in the control panel 3 further provided button 16 started; Runs accordingly after pressing the button until the end of the program automatically. The entire program sequence of the cleaning process is in 7 shown schematically in a block diagram.

For cleaning the agitator 6 and / or the inner pot surface 15 is initially in a preparatory phase V (please refer 7 ) the stirring pot 4 with a cleaning fluid 17 filled, preferably with preheated water, in particular tap water in a temperature range of 40 ° C to 60 ° C. As shown in FIG 1 is a filling level of the cleaning fluid 17 provided, which corresponds to about 2/3 of the pot height of about 150 mm. In a, as in the illustrated embodiment provided maximum filling volume of the stirring pot 4 of 2.7 liters is a filling of the stirring pot 4 with cleaning fluid 17 provided by 1.5 liters.

That in the stew pot 4 filled water can be enriched depending on pollution, for example, with dishwashing detergent, so on with a water volume of about 1.5 liters with a maximum of 10 g dishwashing detergent.

With the filling of the cleaning liquid 17 , in particular the preheated water in the Rühropf 4 is the preparation phase V completed. It adjusts a cleaning liquid level, over which a starting height a the cleaning fluid 17 in the mixing pot 4 is defined, which starting height a about 2/3 of the pot height b equivalent.

The filling of the cleaning fluid 17 in the mixing pot 4 can with the lid on 12 through the lid-side filling opening 13 respectively. Alternatively, it is used to fill the mixing pot 4 the lid 12 removed and this after appropriate filling on the Rühropf 4 put on again.

With completion of the preparation phase V is due to pressing the button 16 one in the food processor 1 stored program P accessed, over which in the embodiment, three program phases are controlled sequentially.

This is how the program starts P initially with a triggering phase A in which in the course of the preparation phase V in the mixing pot 4 introduced, preferably preheated cleaning liquid 17 at Slow speed of rotation of the agitator 6 from about 200 to 500 rpm heated and maintained at an elevated temperature of 60 ° C to 70 ° C. This promotes the cleaning result, the duration of this program phase (release phase) also being dependent on the starting temperature of the cleaning fluid 17 and the heating power of the machine-side heater 9 ,

In 2 is schematically the triggering phase A shown, this with a rotation of the agitator 6 in one direction of rotation r during the entire triggering phase A is maintained. Alternatively, the agitator 6 also turn in the opposite direction.

During the triggering phase A Dirt in the area of the pot inner surface 15 , also on the agitator 6 by prolonged contact with the heated cleaning fluid 17 softened and dissolved, so that they can be easily removed from the surfaces, especially in the subsequent program phases. This effect increases with increasing duration of this program phase, wherein in a preferred embodiment, a duration of the release phase A of a minute is chosen.

In the third phase (reversion phase R ) of the cleaning program P becomes the agitator 6 accelerated to a speed of at least 1000 rpm until the water column becomes a stable, on the inner wall of the stirring pot 4 rotating trombone T forms (cf. 3 ). Here, a funnel-shaped surface of the cleaning liquid sets in, with a lowering of the central region M until the breakthrough of the agitator 6 over the liquid surface. Accordingly, in this state, the blade surfaces of the agitator 6 near the center of the pot no longer or at least not completely covered by the moving liquid, wherein the rotating Trombe T the inner wall of the stirring pot 4 covered at a distance from the mixing bowl edge. Accordingly, a maximum vertical height arises c the trumpet T in the region of the inner pot surface, which in the illustrated embodiment, depending on the rotational speed of the agitator 6 about 1.3 to 1.4 times the initial height A the cleaning fluid 17 at rest corresponds.

Starting from a first direction of rotation r ( 3 ) will, as soon as the Trombe T has stabilized, the direction of rotation with maximum acceleration reversed and a speed of about 1000 rev / min in the opposite direction r ' set. As a result of this reversal, the water trumpet breaks T together and forms again with the opposite direction of rotation (cf. 4 and 5 ).

In the illustrated embodiment, an agitator 6 provided with four offset knife blades, which agitator 6 further in dependence on the described geometry of the stirring pot 4 within a period of about 1.1 seconds. The corresponding reversion of the Wassertrombe T continues within a period of about 3 seconds. During this period, the soiled blade surfaces of the agitator are 6 in the decongesting or swelling Trombe T submerged and moved through the liquid at a significant, variable relative speed. In addition, the strongly turbulent masses of water exert tangential forces on the bottom of the pot 5 out, so that there is an additional mechanical cleaning effect.

Once the water trump T has stabilized again, the reversion cycle is restarted, being within the reversion phase R 10 to 15 Reversion with a respective duration of about 3 seconds are provided.

Following the reversion phase R becomes the agitator 6 in a high-speed phase H accelerated to a speed of 4000 to 5000 rpm for a period of 20 to 30 seconds. This rotational speed provides a strong centrifugal force, which loosens contaminants from the rotating knife blades of the agitator 6 flinging. In addition, a very fast rotating water droplet is created T with a much smaller radial thickness - with respect to a rotation axis x of the agitator 6 - than in the reversion phase R which trombe T up to the edge of the opening of the stirring pot 4 expands and additionally the underside of the lid 12 flushes. Due to the reduced radial strength of the trumpet T is in this high-speed phase H a possible escape of cleaning fluid 17 through the lid-side filling opening 13 prevented (cf. 6 ). Rather, by the selected speed, further depending on the filling amount of the cleaning liquid 17 , by the fast rotating Trombe T also a cleaning of the Topfinnenwandung facing wall of the collar 14 reached.

During the high-speed phase H becomes the agitator 6 only in one direction of rotation r operated, but alternatively, the agitator 6 can only be driven in the opposite direction.

The upper wall areas of the Topfinnenwandung and the lid 12 be during the high speed phase H from the cleaning fluid 17 achieved by the high rotational speed tangential forces and removes dirt chemically and mechanically. The high-speed phase is preferred H Performed for 20 to 30 seconds.

With completion of the high-speed phase H is also the self-running, automatic cleaning program P completed. Thereafter, the result is visually inspected by the user. If the cleaning is not satisfactory, the program P if necessary, repeat with fresh cleaning solution by pressing the button again 16 ,

In an alternative embodiment, the program P also be designed so that after the release phase A first the high-speed phase H and finally the reversion phase R to be triggered.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

food processor

2

Mixing vessel Recording

3

Control panel

4

mixing bowl

5

Rührtopfboden

6

agitator

7

handle

8th

plinth

9

heater

10

rotary switch

11

rotary switch

12

cover

13

fill opening

14

collar

15

Pot inner surface

16

button

17

cleaning fluid

a

initial height

b

pot height

c

Trombenhöhe

r

direction of rotation

r '

direction of rotation

x

axis of rotation

A

Anlösephase

H

High speed phase

M

mid-range

P

program

R

Reversionsphase

T

Trombe

V

preparatory phase

Claims (15)

Method for cleaning an electromotive-operated food processor (1), which has a stirring bowl (4), preferably an agitator (6) formed therein as a knife set, and preferably a lid (12) for the stirring bowl (4), the agitator (4) being cleaned by 6) and / or a pot inner surface (15) to be cleaned and the cleaning by an operation of the agitator (6) after a filling of the stirring pot (4) with a cleaning liquid (17) is performed, characterized in that a program-controlled, multiple direction reversal the agitator (6) is made. Method according to Claim 1 characterized in that the agitator (6) is operated at a rotational speed prior to a reversal of rotation such that a funnel-shaped surface of the cleaning fluid (17) adjusts, having a depression in the central region (M) equal to one-fifth or more of an initial height (a ) corresponds to the cleaning liquid (17). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotational speed is selected before a reversal of rotation so that a reduction of a central region (M) of the cleaning liquid (17) is achieved until the breakthrough of the agitator (6) via the liquid surface. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the agitator run is carried out before carrying out a reversal of rotation for two seconds or more. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the agitator run is carried out before carrying out a reversal of rotation at a constant rotational speed. Method according to one of Claims 2 to 5 , characterized in that a direction of rotation reversal after reaching the reduction within ten seconds or less is performed. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reversal of the direction of rotation is performed immediately after a renewed formation of the lowering. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before carrying out the reversal of the direction of rotation of the agitator (6), a filling of the stirring pot (4) is carried out with preferably preheated water, with an amount which is 1/10 or more less than a total amount of Stirring pot (4). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that prior to the reversal of the direction of rotation of the agitator (6), the stirred pot (4) is filled with preferably preheated water, with an amount equal to 1/5 or more of a total filling quantity of the stirring pot (4). equivalent. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that before carrying out the reversal of rotation of the agitator (6), a filling of the stirring pot (4) with preferably preheated water, with an amount equal to 2/3 of a total filling of the stirring pot (4). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that further before carrying out a reversal of rotation a release phase (A) is performed, in which at slow rotational speed of the agitator (6), the cleaning liquid (17) is heated or the heating is maintained at a predetermined value , Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dissolving phase (A) is carried out for a period of 0.5 to 15 minutes, preferably one minute. Method according to Claim 11 , characterized in that further before or after the reversal of the direction of rotation of the agitator (6) in a high-speed phase (H) such a high agitator speed is selected that from the cleaning liquid (17) edge of a pot top or a lid underside is reached. method Claim 13 , characterized in that the high-speed phase (H) is carried out for a period of ten seconds to one minute, preferably 20 to 30 seconds. Electric motor driven food processor (1), with a stirring bowl (4), preferably formed therein as a knife set agitator (6) and preferably a lid (12) for the stirring bowl, wherein a control panel (3) is provided and the control panel (3) means for the electronic activation of the programmed cleaning process, characterized in that a touchscreen is provided for the electronic activation of the cleaning process.

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