Drive assembly for home appliance

A drive assembly for use in a piece of home equipment is provided including a center shaft having a central axis. A first drive component has a cavity formed therein and is configured to rotate about the central axis. A second drive component is at least partially nested within the cavity. The second drive component is configured to rotate about the central axis. The first drive component is operably coupled to a first rotary coupling and the second drive component is operably coupled to a second rotary coupling.

BACKGROUND

This application is directed to a home appliance, and more particularly, to a drive system configured to operate a home appliance.

A variety of pieces of home equipment include a motor configured to drive a component of the home appliances about an axis of rotation. An example of one such piece of home equipment is a blender, commonly used to process a plurality of different food products, including liquids, solids, semi-solids, gels and the like. It is well-known that blenders are useful devices for blending, cutting, and dicing food products in a wide variety of commercial settings, including home kitchen use, professional restaurant or food services use, and large-scale industrial use. They offer a convenient alternative to chopping or dicing by hand, and often come with a range of operational settings and modes adapted to provide specific types or amounts of food processing, e.g., as catered to particular food products.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a drive assembly for use in a piece of home equipment is provided including a center shaft having a central axis. A first drive component has a cavity formed therein and is configured to rotate about the central axis. A second drive component is at least partially nested within the cavity. The second drive component is configured to rotate about the central axis. The first drive component is operably coupled to a first rotary coupling and the second drive component is operably coupled to a second rotary coupling.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first drive component is operably coupled to a motorized unit offset from said first drive component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first drive component is a pulley.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first drive component is at least one of a toothed gear and sprocket.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments rotation of said first drive component is driven pneumatically or hydraulically.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first drive component is mounted directly to said center shaft.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments at least one device is positioned between said center shaft and said first drive component to allow relative rotation thereof.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said second drive component includes a sun gear mounted for rotation with said center shaft and at least one planetary gear. The at least one planetary gear is configured to rotate about said sun gear.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said at least one second gear is operably coupled to said second rotary coupling.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said second rotary coupling is mounted to a distal end of said center shaft.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said second rotary coupling is positioned within a hollow interior of said first rotary coupling.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first rotary coupling is configured to rotate about said central axis at a first speed and said second rotary coupling is configured to rotate about said central axis at a second speed. The second speed is faster than said first speed.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first rotary coupling is configured to rotate about said central axis at a first speed and said second rotary coupling is configured to rotate about said central axis at a second speed. The first speed is faster than said second speed.

According to another embodiment, a piece of home equipment is provided including a base and at least one rotatable component operably coupled to the base. A drive assembly housed within the base is configured to drive rotation of the at least one rotatable component. The drive assembly includes a center shaft having a central axis. A first drive component has a cavity formed therein and is configured to rotate about the central axis. A second drive component is at least partially nested within the cavity and is configured to rotate about the central axis. The second drive component is configured to rotate about the central axis. A first rotary coupling is coupled to one of the first drive component and the second drive component and a second rotary coupling is coupled to the other of the first drive component and the second drive component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first drive component is operably coupled to said first rotary coupling and said second drive component is operably coupled to said second rotary coupling.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first drive component is operably coupled to said second rotary coupling and said second drive component is operably coupled to said first rotary coupling.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first drive component is operably coupled to a motorized unit positioned within said base, said motorized unit being offset from said first drive component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments during operation of said piece of home equipment, both said first rotary coupling and said second rotary coupling are configured to rotate about said axis.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said first rotary coupling is configured to rotate about said central axis at a first speed and said second rotary coupling is configured to rotate about said central axis at a second speed. The first speed is different than said second speed.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the piece of home equipment includes an attachment configured for removable association with said base. The attachment includes said at least one rotatable component such that when said attachment is coupled to said base, said drive assembly is configured to drive rotation of said at least one rotatable component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments an interchangeable first attachment and second attachment are configured for removable association with said base. The first attachment is configured to associate with said first rotary coupling and said second attachment being configured to associate with said second rotary coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, an example of a piece of home equipment20is illustrated in more detail. As shown, the piece of home equipment is a system for processing food and can be adapted to perform any food processing or blending operation including as non-limiting examples, dicing, chopping, cutting, slicing, mixing, blending, stirring, crushing, or the like. The illustrated system for processing food20includes a base22having a body or housing24within which a motorized unit (not shown) and at least one controller (not shown) are located. The base22includes at least one rotary coupling26(seeFIG. 2) for example, driven by the motorized unit within the body24. The base22additionally includes a control panel or user interface28with options for turning the motorized unit on and off and for selecting various modes of operation, such as pulsing, blending, or continuous food processing.

A plurality of interchangeable attachments30varying in size and/or functionality may be configured for use with the base22. For example, inFIG. 1, the attachment30connected to the food processor base22is a generally hollow container. Each attachment30is configured to engage a portion of the at least one rotary coupling26when coupled to the base22for the processing of food products located within an interior of the attachment30. This will become more apparent in subsequent FIGS. and discussion.

Referring now toFIGS. 3-4, a drive assembly40configured to drive rotation of at least one rotary component of the piece of home equipment20about a central axis A is illustrated in more detail. Although the piece of home equipment illustrated and described herein is a system for processing food, any other type of home equipment including a motor and a drive train or assembly is within the scope of the invention. Examples of other types of home equipment include, but are not limited to home appliances, such as blenders, food processors, mixers, roasters, vacuums, carpet cleaners, steam cleaners, can openers, dishwashers, home maintenance tools, such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, pressure washers, snow blowers, and home power tools, such as drills, saws, nail guns, and sanders for example.

The drive assembly40includes a first component42mounted within a mounting frame43. The mounting frame43, may, but need not be formed by the housing24of the base22. The first component42is fixedly mounted to a rotatable center shaft44and is operably coupled to an offset power source (not shown). Although a motorized power source is most common, other types of power sources, such as a manually driven power system for example, is also within the scope of the disclosure. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the first component42is a pulley and a belt (not shown) is configured to transmit rotation from the motorized unit to the pulley42and shaft44. The belt may include a plurality of teeth generally complementary to any grooves46formed in the first component42, as shown in the FIGS, or alternatively, may have a generally flat surface configured to drive the first component42via friction (FIG. 5). It should be understood that the belt driven first component42illustrated and described herein is intended as an example only, and that other types of components configured to operably couple to the motorized unit, such as a toothed gear or sprocket for example, are also within the scope of the disclosure. In addition, embodiments where the motorized unit is configured to pneumatically or hydraulically rotate a portion of the drive assembly40are also within the scope of the invention.

The first drive component42has a cavity50formed in a first side48thereof, for example an upper side. The cavity50extends over only a portion of the height of the first drive component42such that the first component42remains structurally stable. Nested at least partially within the cavity50of the first drive component42is a second drive component52. As shown the second drive component52includes a first gear54fixedly mounted to the center shaft44, also referred to as a sun gear. The second drive component52additionally includes at least one second or planetary gear56mounted adjacent to and interposed with the first gear54. The at least one second gear56is configured to rotate not only about the axis of the center shaft44, in the same direction of rotation as the center shaft44, but also about its own axis in a direction opposite the rotation of the center shaft44. Because the second gear56must travel around the center shaft44to complete one revolution, the center shaft44rotates a plurality of times about axis A during the time required for the second gear56to complete a single revolution about the axis A of the center shaft44. Although only one second gear56is illustrated in the FIGS., embodiments including a plurality of second or planetary gears56are within the scope of the disclosure.

The drive assembly40additionally includes a first rotary coupling26aand a second rotary coupling26b. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the first rotary coupling26ais disposed vertically above the first and second gear54,56, and the second rotary coupling26bis positioned within a hollow interior58of the first rotary coupling26a. However, a drive assembly40having the first and second rotary coupling26a,26barranged in other configurations are also within the scope of the disclosure. Each of the couplings26a,26bmay include unique features, such as grooves or teeth for example, configured to couple the coupling to one of the plurality of attachments30configured for use with the system for processing food20. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the first rotary coupling26ais arranged concentrically about the center shaft44via a device60, for example a bearing configured to allow the first rotary coupling26ato rotate relative to the center shaft44. The first rotary coupling26ais operably coupled to at least a portion64of the second drive component52, such as with a fastener62for example. As a result, rotation of the second drive component52, specifically the second gear56, about the axis A of the center shaft44drives rotation of the first rotary coupling26aabout the axis of the center shaft44. The second rotary coupling26bis mounted directly to a distal end45of the center shaft44, and is therefore configured to rotate at the same speed as the shaft44.

As a result of the gear reduction between the first drive component42and the second drive component52, the second rotary coupling26band the first rotary coupling26a, coupled to the center shaft44and the planetary gear56, respectively, are configured to rotate at different rotational speeds. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4, the second rotary coupling26bis configured to rotate at a speed greater than that of the first rotary coupling26a.

Another embodiment of the drive assembly40is illustrated inFIG. 5. As shown, the second drive component52is again at least partially nested within the cavity50of the first drive component42. However, in this embodiment, the cavity50is formed in a lower surface66of the first drive component42, such that at least a portion of the first component42is positioned vertically above the second drive component52.

In this embodiment of the drive assembly40, the first drive component42is operably coupled to the first rotary coupling26aand the second drive component52is operably coupled to the second rotary coupling26b. As shown, a portion47of the first drive component42extends through the mounting frame43to couple directly to the first rotary coupling26a. Although the first rotary coupling26ais shown as being configured to threadably attach to the portion47of the first drive component42, other types of connections are within the scope of the disclosure. As in the previous embodiment, the second rotary coupling26bis mounted directly to the distal end45of the center shaft44, and is therefore configured to rotate at the same speed as the shaft44.

With respect to the second drive component52, the first drive component42is attached, such as with a fastener for example, to a portion64of the second gear56. Rotation of the at least one planetary gear56about the sun gear54fixed to the shaft44is configured to drive rotation of the shaft44about axis A. At least one bearing or other relative rotation device68is arranged between the first drive component42and the central shaft44to allow relative rotation between the first drive component42and the second drive component52. As a result of the configuration of the second drive component52, the center shaft44is configured to rotate at a speed greater than that of the first drive component42, such that the rotational speed of the second rotary coupling26bis considered “geared up” relative to the rotational speed of the first rotary coupling26a, and the rotational speed of the first drive component42. Although two distinct configurations of the drive assembly40are illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that other configurations are within the scope of the disclosure.

The attachments30of the system20are configured to connect to at least one of the first rotary coupling26aand the second rotary coupling26bsuch that the rotation of the couplings26a,bdrives operation of the attachment30and the system20. By having the motorized unit arranged offset from the central shaft44, the drive assembly40illustrated and described herein provides the benefit of having a reduced vertical height compared to conventional drive assemblies where the motorized unit is directly connected to and arranged coaxially with the shaft44. As a result, the overall size of the food processing system20may be reduced.