Auxiliary cooling fan for a bleeding system

A blender system includes a blender base that is selectively and operably engaged with a container. The blender base may include a housing that houses a motor operatively driving a mixing blade, and a fan. The fan may operate independent of the motor. The fan may force air through the blender base to cool the motor and other operative components of the blender base.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present teachings relate to a cooling system for a blender, and more particularly, to an auxiliary cooling fan for a blender system utilizing a fan that is controlled independent of a blade assembly.

BACKGROUND

Blender systems are often used to blend and process foodstuffs. Conventional blenders generally include a blender base with a motor, a mixing container with an operable mixing blade disposed therein. Blenders often include a fan that is driven by a motor. The motor additionally drives a blade disposed within a container. An example of such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,358 A.

These blender systems are often used to blend and process foodstuffs. Frozen, frosty, or icy drinks have become increasingly popular. Such drinks include the traditional shakes, and the more recently popular smoothies. Shakes, or milk shakes, are typically formed of ice-cream and/or milk, and flavored as desired, with or without additives, such as candies, chocolates, peanut butter, fruits, etc. Milkshakes typically are available at most fast-food restaurants, such as burger chains, and may be made by special machines, or hand-made using mixers.

Smoothies tend to be healthier, and are formed of ice, frozen yogurt, and/or sorbet, and also may include additives such as fruits, fruit juice, vitamins, supplements, etc. Smoothies typically are available from specialty chains or juice bars, and may be made with commercial or restaurant-grade blender. Such drinks also may be made at home, using a standard personal blender. One disadvantage with making such drinks, or utilizing blenders, is the difficulty in operating the blender due to the specific ingredients required in some recipes. Blenders may get clogged or otherwise stalled by the drink ingredients. One possible cause of stalling is overheating of the motor or other portions of the blender. For instance, some blenders have a thermal shut-off that turns off a motor and blending mechanism when there is temperature build up in the blander base. This prevents damage to the blender. A user cannot use the blender again until the temperature decreases.

In an example, a blender may have different settings for different programs. A milkshake setting may be slower than a soup setting or the like. Thus, when a slower setting is chosen, the motor operates the fan and the blade assembly at the slower speed. The slower speed may mean that less cooling air is drawn through the blender.

Therefore, a need exists for improved blender systems, improved cooling of blender systems, and the like.

SUMMARY

A blender system may include a blender base and a container that is operably engaged with the blender base. The blender may include a motor that operatively engages a blade assembly disposed within the container. The motor may also operatively engage and drive a primary fan. An auxiliary fan may also be comprised by the blender base. The blender base may operate the auxiliary fan at speeds that vary with respect to the speed of the blade assembly or primary fan.

In another aspect, a blender system may include a blender base and a container, a motor that operatively engages a blade assembly disposed within the container, and an auxiliary fan. The auxiliary fan may be driven at speeds that are different from the rotational speed of the blade assembly. The auxiliary fan me be driven at times when the motor is not running.

A method for operating a blender system is described herein. The method may include providing a blender base with a motor that operatively drives a mixing blade, and a container engaged with the blender base. The method may further include operating a fan at a speed that is different from the speed for the motor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made without departing from the respective scope of the present teachings. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scope of the present teachings, e.g., features of each embodiment disclosed herein may be combined or replaced with features of the other embodiments disclosed herein. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the present teachings.

“Logic” refers to any information and/or data that may be applied to direct the operation of a processor. Logic may be formed from instruction signals stored in a memory (e.g., a non-transitory memory). Software is one example of logic. In another aspect, logic may include hardware, alone or in combination with software. For instance, logic may include digital and/or analog hardware circuits, such as hardware circuits comprising logical gates (e.g., AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations). Furthermore, logic may be programmed and/or include aspects of various devices and is not limited to a single device.

It is noted that the various embodiments described herein may include other components and/or functionality. It is further noted that while described embodiments refer to a blender or a blender system, various other systems may be utilized in view of the described embodiments. For example, embodiments may be utilized in food processor systems, mixing systems, hand-held blender systems, various other food preparation systems, and the like. As such, references to a blender, blender system, and the like, are understood to include food processor systems, and other mixing systems. Such systems generally include a blender base that may include a motor, a blade assembly, and a controller. Further, such systems may include a container, a display, a memory or a processor. A blade assembly, a blending container, and a blender base may removably or irremovably attach. The blending container may be powered in any appropriate manner, such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/213,557, entitled Powered Blending Container, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Foodstuff may be added to the blending container. Furthermore, while blending of “ingredients,” “contents” or “foodstuffs” is described by various embodiments, it is noted that non-foodstuff may be mixed or blended, such as paints, epoxies, construction material (e.g., mortar, cement, etc.), and the like. Further, the blender systems may include any household blender and/or any type of commercial blender system, including those with covers that may encapsulate or partially encapsulate the blender. Commercial blender systems may include an overall blender system, such as a modular blender system that may include the blender along with other components, such as a cleaner, foodstuff storage device (including a refrigerator), an ice maker and/or dispenser, a foodstuff dispenser (a liquid or powder flavoring dispenser) or any other combination of such.

As used herein, the phrases “blending process,” “blending program,” and the like are used interchangeably unless context suggest otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. A blending process may comprise a series or sequence of blender settings and operations to be carried out by the blending device. In an aspect, a blending process may comprise at least one motor speed and at least one time interval for the given motor speed. For example, a blending process may comprise a series of blender motor speeds to operate the blender blade at the given speed, a series of time intervals corresponding to the given motor speeds, and other blender parameters and timing settings. The blending process may further include a ramp up speed that defines the amount of time the motor takes to reach its predetermined motor speed. The blending process may be stored on a memory and recalled by or communicated to the blending device.

Moreover, blending of foodstuff or ingredients may result in a blended product. Such blended products may include drinks, frozen drinks, smoothies, shakes, soups, purees, sorbets, butter (nut), dips or the like. It is noted that various other blended products may result from blending ingredients. Accordingly, terms such as “blended product” or “drink” may be used interchangeably unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among such terms. Further, such terms are not intended to limit possible blended products and should be viewed as examples of possible blended products.

It is noted that the term “fan” may refer to fan blades, a motor, a rotating shaft, and/or a combination thereof, as context may suggest. For instance, a blender fan may refer to the motor (which may drive a fan and a blade assembly), a shaft, and fan blades attached to the shaft. For instance, the phrase “a fan attached to the shaft of a motor,” may utilize the term fan as referring to the fan blades. In another aspect, an auxiliary fan may refer to one or more fan blades, motor, and a shaft operatively driving the fan blades. As such, it is noted that the use of the term “fan” may depend on the context of the use. It is further noted that while examples may refer to a fan with reference to the blades, embodiments may utilize bladeless fans

Some traditional blender systems include a motor that may run at many varying speeds. In these blender systems, the fan blades are attached integrally to the motor that controls the mixing or chopping blades. For instance, the fan blades may be affixed to a shaft of the motor or to an outer rotor. When the blades are attached directly to the motor, the rotational speed of the fan and, similarly, the amount of air drawn through the motor are directly related to the speed of the motor. Users often adjust the speed of the motor to control the mixing blades. This, however, also adjusts the speed of the fan.

When the motors are at a low speed and high load, this can create a disadvantage for cooling and conversely overheating the motor, for example. Overheating (e.g., of the motor) can occur in this condition, and may occur in a relatively short amount of time. For instance, a user may operate a blender at a low speed while mixing a thick or thickening smoothie. The thickness of the smoothie may put a high load on the motor, while the fan is operating at a low speed. Systems and methods described herein may allow for operation of fan blades independent (e.g., at different speeds) of the motor and the mixing blades. Thus, the fan blades may operate at a high speed while the motor and mixing blades operate at a low speed.

In embodiments disclosed herein, a blender may include a thermal shut-off that may turn off a motor and blending mechanism when an internal temperature exceeds a threshold temperature. This may prevent damage of the motor or other operative components of the blender. Described embodiments may operate fan blades independent of the motor to dissipate heat at an increased rate relative blenders that do not operate fan blades independent of the motor. In another aspect, activation of the thermal shut-off may trigger activation of the fan blades.

In another example, such as in commercial settings, blenders may be used for many different sessions, where each session may be under a minute. The time between these sessions may range from seconds to minutes. During the down time, or time between sessions, the fan is not operating because the motor is not operating. This may limit the cooling abilities of the blender system. Described embodiments may allow for operation of the fans so that they may cool the motor in these down times or off cycles. Such can prevent heat from building up in the blender (e.g., the motor) causing failure, stalling, or the like. Described embodiments may cool various portions of a blender system, such as a motor, housing, electronics (e.g., circuit boards, wiring, microprocessor, memory devices, communication components such Wi-Fi, NFC, or other communication systems) or the like. It is noted that examples may describe cooling of a particular part(s) for purposes of illustration. Embodiments, however, may utilize a fan to cool various other parts.

Turning toFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, there are exemplary diagrams of an auxiliary fan102that operatively forces air through a blender system to cool a blending system that may include at least one of a circuit board106or a motor110. The fan102may either pull or push air104through a blender airflow system as described in more detail herein. In an example, the orientation and positioning of the fan102may determine whether the fan102pushes or pulls the air104through a blender airflow system.

As an exemplary embodiment,FIG. 1Aillustrates the fan102disposed proximal air inlet112. The air inlet112may comprise a vent or opening in a blender base (as described herein). When the fan102is rotating its blades1, the blades1will force or pull cool air from the air inlet112and at least one of force the: air across of the circuit board106; onto heat sinks (not shown); around a shell/housing of the motor110; through the motor110(e.g., between the rotor and stator internal to the motor110); or the like.

FIG. 1Billustrates the fan102disposed proximal air outlet or exit114. The air exit114may comprise an exhaust, vent or opening in a blender base (as described herein). When the fan102is rotating its blades1, the blades1will force or pull warm air from the air inlet112and at least one of: force the air across of the circuit board106; force the air onto heat sinks (not shown); force the air around a shell/housing of the motor110; force the air through the motor110(e.g., between the rotor and stator internal to the motor110); or the like.

It is noted that the fan102may be disposed between the circuit board106and the motor110, as shown inFIG. 1C. Moreover, whileFIG. 1Cshows fan102pulling air104across the circuit board106, and pushing the air104around or through the motor110, it is noted that the fan102may pull air104across, around, or through the motor110and push the air104across the circuit board106.

In another aspect, the fan102may operate independently of the motor110. For instance, the fan102may operate at a different speed than the motor110, including when the motor110is at a speed of zero (e.g., the motor is off or not rotating). Moreover, blending systems described herein may utilize various aspects as disclosed with reference toFIGS. 1A-1C.

According to various embodiments, a blending system may comprise other or different components such as a motor housing, a container, a mixing blade assembly, or the like. In at least one embodiment, the blender system may include a plurality of fans. In at least one embodiment, a blending system may not comprise a circuit board106, may comprise a different motor110, or the like. In another aspect, a blending system may or may not comprise a second fan that is driven by the motor110. The fan102may be an auxiliary fan that may run when the motor is on or running, when the motor is off or not running, upon a triggering event (e.g., temperature reaches a threshold level), or the like. For instance, the fan102may not run while the motor and the primary fan are running at high speeds. This may prevent peak amperage draw conditions.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is a blending system200comprising an auxiliary fan operable independent of a motor. The blending system200may include a blender base202. It is noted that the blender base202may operatively engage with a container and blade assembly as described herein.

As illustrated, the blender base202may primarily comprise a shell or housing250that may house operative components of the blender base202. The housing250may comprise a monolithically formed component (e.g., a single, unitary piece) or disparately formed components (e.g., multiple pieces removably or irremovably attached). It is noted that the housing250may be constructed of various materials, such as plastic, metal, glass, rubber, and the like.

The housing250may include at least one air inlet254and at least one air outlet or exhaust256. It is noted housing250may comprise any number of air inlets and/or exhausts disposed in any number of locations. While air inlet254is illustrated on a side of housing250, it is noted that an air inlet may be disposed on a top or bottom of the housing250. In another aspect, the air inlet254may comprise a vent, and may be disposed to generally prevent intake of foodstuff that may spill from a container or from user operation of the blender system200. Moreover, while housing250is depicted with two exhausts256—as shown inFIG. 4—disposed on opposed sides of the blender base202, it is noted that housing250may include other or different exhausts. For instance, the housing250may include at least one exhaust disposed on a top, bottom, corner, or other position of blender base202.

In embodiments, the blender base202may include or be coupled with a pedestal252, which may allow a blender container (not shown) to dock or mate with the blender base202. A blade coupler, such as splined coupler208, may be driven by a motor210. Motor210may comprise a stepper motor, switched reluctance motor, brushless motor, shunt motor, copper-brush motor, universal motor, induction motor or the like. It is noted that the motor210may be operatively powered by power mains, a battery, or other power source. In another aspect, the motor210may or may not be communicatively coupled to a circuit board220. For instance, the circuit board220may control operation of the motor210. The circuit board220may operatively receive input to control operation of the motor210. The input may be input from a user interface (e.g., buttons, nobs, switches, etc.), a user device (e.g., cell phone, tablet, computer, wearable, etc.), one or more sensors (e.g., heat sensors, proximity sensors, etc.), an interlock system, or the like.

The circuit board220may comprise an integrated circuit having a memory, a processor, and other circuitry. A memory device or memory may store computer executable instructions and the processor may facilitate execution of the computer executable instructions. The processor may process instructions to control operations of the motor210. For example, the instructions may facilitate execution of a particular blending process, such as a “soup,” “frozen drink,” or other process. It is further noted that the circuit board220may be coupled with a fan230, and the instructions may control operations of the fan230. While embodiments describe circuit board220coupled to and controlling the motor210and fan230, it is noted that these components may comprise other or different controllers, circuit boards, memory, and/or processors. For instance, fan230may comprise a processor231that controls operation of the fan230independent of operation of the motor210. However, at least for brevity, embodiments are described wherein circuit board220controls operations of the motor210and fan230.

It is noted that the fan230may be operatively powered by power mains, a battery, or other power source. In at least one embodiment, blending system200may include a power source (not shown) that operates the fan230and a different power source that operates the motor210. This may allow the blending system200to operate the fan230when the power source of the motor210is not connected or otherwise supplied.

In embodiments, fan230may be disposed in air flow path232to allow air from air intake254to be forced across and/or through the circuit board220and motor210. It is noted that the air flow path232may comprise a fluid passage that may be directed by geometric features of the blender base202. For instance, walls, bevels, corners, or the like may direct air from the air inlet254to the one or more exhausts256. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the fan230may be disposed between—relative to the air flow path232—circuit board220and motor210. In this configuration, the fan230may pull air from air inlet254over the circuit board220. The fan230may then push the air through or about motor210. Moreover, while fan230is depicted as forcing air through a bore212of the motor, it is noted that the air may be directed at heat sinks (not shown), about a motor housing214, or the like.

The air flow path232may allow for cool (e.g., relative to the internal temperature of the air that would otherwise be present in the blender base arising from operation of the motor) or ambient air234to be pulled into the housing250by the fan230. The ambient air234may be cooler than air within the housing250. As the fan230forces the air through the air flow path232, it may absorb heat and/or fluidly force already heated air (e.g., air near or in the motor210) towards the exhaust256. The heated air may then exit the exhaust256as shown by exhaust air236.

According to at least one embodiment, disclosed systems may be well suited for various types of motors210. For instance, embodiments may be suited for brushless motors. It is noted, however, that various disclosed embodiments may be applicable to other types of motors.

Turning toFIG. 3, with reference toFIG. 2, there is a partial, cross-sectional view of the blending system200. As can be seen from this view, the ambient air234is drawn through the air inlet254. The air follows the air path232through a lower chamber240and into an upper chamber242. The upper chamber may house the fan230. The fan230may force the air into motor housing246of motor210.

As shown inFIG. 4, the air may be forced from motor housing246to an exhaust passage258. The exhaust passage258may fluidly connect the motor housing246to the exhaust256. While two exhausts256are illustrated, it is noted that the blender system200may comprise a different number of exhausts (e.g., 1, 3, 4, etc.). Moreover, the exhausts256may comprise vented apertures.

Referring now toFIG. 5, there is a blender base302of a blender system300. It is noted that like-named components ofFIG. 5and those of the other figures may comprise similar aspects or functionality, unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among the terms. For instance, housing350may comprise similar aspects as housing250. Likewise, motor310may comprise similar aspects as motor210.

Blender base302may include an auxiliary fan330and a motor fan312. In an example, the motor fan312may be driven by the motor310, and the auxiliary fan330may be driven by a different motor. For instance, auxiliary fan330may comprise its own dedicated motor. In another aspect, auxiliary fan330may be coupled to and controlled by circuit board320. The circuit board320may control various operations of the blender system300as described with reference to the various other figures. The operations may include control of motor310operations (which may operatively drive a blade assembly (not shown) and motor fan312) and may control of auxiliary fan330.

One or more of motor fan312or auxiliary fan(s)330may force ambient air334through air intake354, over circuit board320, and through or about motor310(e.g., as shown by air flow path332). In another aspect, warmed air338may be forced to exit the exhaust356as exhaust air336. It is noted that the warmed air338may be warmed by or otherwise absorb heat. The heat may be generated by the motor310or other operative components of the blender base302.

In an example, a user may attach a container (not shown) to the blender base302. The user may utilize controls to operate the blender base302and cause the motor310to rotate a blade assembly. In certain instances, the motor310may produce more heat than motor fan312could dissipate. For instance, if the user is blending a particularly thick drink or soup at low speeds, the motor fan312will also be operating at low speeds. The viscosity of the drink may also cause the motor310to be under strain, resulting in increased heat production. Auxiliary fan330may operate at speeds that vary with respect to the speed of motor310. As such, the auxiliary fan330may operate at a higher speed than the motor fan312. This may increase the air flow through the blender base302. The increased air flow may dissipate heat, may prevent the motor from overheating, and/or may prevent tripping of a thermal coupler (not shown).

As another example, a commercial smoothie shop may need to produce many smoothies in succession. This may result in blending at intervals, and shutting the motor off in between blending processes. This type of blending may result in a buildup of heat in the blender base302. The auxiliary fan330may alleviate this heat by operating when motor310is turned off or otherwise not operating.

In some systems, a motor may operate a low speed and a high load when blending (e.g., such as when blending a thick product) relative other blending operations (e.g., such as when blending thinner products). In traditional blending systems, this may result in build up of heat as these traditional systems use the motor to operate both the fans and the mixing blades. In one or more described embodiments, the fan330may be driven by a separate motor and may not be driven by the motor310that operates the mixing blades and/or another fan. This may allow the blending system300to operate the fan330when it is needed, regardless of whether the motor310is operating or the speed at which the motor310is operating.

In another aspect, the motor310or mixing blades may seize up or otherwise not rotate during a blending process, such as when food stuff prevents the mixing blades from rotating. The blending system300may identify such conditions (e.g., via a sensor) and may determine whether or how to operate the fan330. For instance, the blending system300may determine to increase a speed of fan330and/or turn the fan330on. The blending system300may determine to reduce the speed of the fan330and/or turn the fan330off when the motor310or mixing blades resume mixing or rotating.

Referring now toFIG. 6, there is a blender base402of a blender system400. It is noted that like-named components ofFIG. 6and those of the other figures may comprise similar aspects or functionality, unless context suggests otherwise or warrants a particular distinction among the terms. For instance, housing450may comprise similar aspects as housing250/350. Likewise, motor410may comprise similar aspects as motor210/310.

Blender base402may include an auxiliary fan430and a motor fan412. In an example, the motor fan412may be driven by the motor410, and the auxiliary fan430may be driven by a different motor. For instance, auxiliary fan430may comprise its own dedicated motor. In another aspect, auxiliary fan430may be coupled to and controlled by circuit board420. The circuit board420may control various operations of the blender system400as described with reference to the various other figures. The operations may include control of motor410operations (which may operatively drive a blade assembly (not shown) and motor fan412) and control of auxiliary fan430.

One or more of motor fan412or auxiliary fans430may force ambient air434through an air intake (not shown), over circuit board420, and through or about motor410(e.g., as shown by air flow path432). In another aspect, warmed air438may be forced to exit the exhaust456as exhaust air436. It is noted that the warmed air438may be warmed by or otherwise absorb heat. The heat may be generated by the motor410or other operative components of the blender base402.

As shown, blender system400may include one or more auxiliary fans430disposed proximal one or more exhausts454. The auxiliary fans430may pull warm air438from the blender base402and expel the air as exhaust air436. It is noted that the one or more auxiliary fans may be controlled as described with reference to the various disclosed figures. It is further noted that the one or more auxiliary fans430may be disposed at other locations that allow the one or more auxiliary fans430to operatively force air to exit the one or more exhausts454.

It is noted that the various disclosed fans (e.g., fan102,230,330,430, etc.) may have a single speed or variable speeds. Such fans may be controlled based on one or more control processes. For example, an auxiliary fan may be turned on at a desired speed based on one or more of: a temperature exceeding a threshold; a selected blending process; a duration of motor operation; a timer; manual control; current or power demand; or the like

According to at least one embodiment, blender system400may include one or more sensors as disclosed herein. The one or more sensors may include, for example, a thermal or heat sensor that may detect or measure heat in the blender system400. The sensors may be coupled to a one or more auxiliary fans430and/or a controller that operatively controls the one or more auxiliary fans430. The one or more auxiliary fans430may operatively adjust speeds, turn on/off, or otherwise operate based on input from the sensors. In an example, the one or more sensors may be disposed at various locations. For instance, the blender system400may include a sensor disposed proximal motor410or in air flow path432. The sensor may determine the temperature of the motor410and/or air in the blender base402. A controller may receive input from the sensor and may determine whether to turn on/off the one or more auxiliary fans430. For example, the controller may determine that the temperature is above a threshold and may control the one or more auxiliary fans430to force the exhaust air436out of the exhausts454. It is noted that controller may determine a speed at with the one or more auxiliary fans430operates, determine whether to turn on/off the one or more auxiliary fans430, or the like.

As described herein, the one or more auxiliary fans430may be controlled by other devices, such as a user interface (not shown). For example, a user interface may include knobs, buttons, touch screens, or the like that control operation of the motor410. The user interface may include a control that allows a user to selectively control the one or more auxiliary fans430. It is noted that the blender system400may override a user selection to control the one or more auxiliary fans430. In an example, a user may interact with an interface to turn off the one or more auxiliary fans430. If heat builds, the blender system400may operatively turn on the one or more auxiliary fans430to reduce or prevent heat buildup.

Disclosed embodiments may allow for more complex control systems compared to traditional blending systems. For instance, a controller may control parameters of the one or more auxiliary fans430according to need, rather than whenever the motor410is operating. In an example, a controller may select or determine when to turn on/off (or a speed at which to operate) the one or more auxiliary fans430based on a sensed temperature, select blending program, food contents within a blender container, user input, or the like.

In an aspect, a processor and memory (e.g., which may be comprised by circuit board102,220,320, and/or420) may utilize artificial intelligence, statistical models, or other processes and/or algorithms. In embodiments, the processor may utilize classifiers that map an attribute vector to a confidence that the attribute belongs to a class. For instance, the processor may input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn) mapped to f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis affinities and ingredient attributes) to infer optimal or preferred times and speeds at which to operate an auxiliary fan. In various embodiments, the processor may utilize other directed and undirected model classification approaches that include, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification models providing different patterns of independence. Classification may also include statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority. Further still, classification may also include data derived from another system, such as cameras, optical scanning devices, optical scanners, spectrometer, multi-wave length scanner, electronic noses, or the like.

In accordance with various aspects of the subject specification, an example embodiment may employ classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing user behavior, blending information, user preferences, historical information, temperature data, current flow, receiving extrinsic information). For example, support vector machines may be configured via learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. Thus, the classifier(s) may be used to automatically learn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited to determining whether to, when, and at what speeds to operate the auxiliary fan, i.e., based solely on a single blender, or may apply across a set of the blenders. Information from the blenders may be aggregated and the classifier(s) may be used to automatically learn and perform a number of functions based on this aggregated information. The information may be dynamically distributed, such as through an automatic update, a notification, or any other method or means, to the entire user base, a subset thereof or to an individual blender. It is noted that other devices may receive information and may program the blender to control a fan based on a desired result.

In view of the subject matter described herein, a method that may be related to various embodiments may be better appreciated with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 7. While method700is shown and described as a series of blocks, it is noted that associated method or process is not limited by the order of the blocks. It is further noted that some blocks and corresponding actions may occur in different orders or concurrently with other blocks. Moreover, different blocks or actions may be utilized to implement the methods described hereinafter. Various actions may be completed by one or more of users, mechanical machines, automated assembly machines (e.g., including one or more processors or computing devices), or the likes.

FIG. 7depicts an exemplary flowchart of non-limiting method700for managing heat in a blender system such as described herein. At702, a blender base may operate a motor. The motor may operate a motor fan. It is noted that the blender base may or may not include a motor fan. It is further noted that the blender base may operate other components of a blender system.

At704, the blender base may operate an auxiliary fan at the same or a different speed than the motor. For instance, the auxiliary fan may operate at a higher speed than the motor and/or than the motor fan. In another aspect, the auxiliary fan may operate when the motor is not running or is turned off

In embodiments, to operate the auxiliary fan the blender base (e.g., via a memory, processor, or the like) may determine an operating parameter for the auxiliary fan based on user input or sensed input. For example, the blender base may determine a speed at which to operate the auxiliary fan or a time to start/stop the fan based on one or more of a temperature of the motor, a blending program, a speed of the motor, or the like. In an example, the blender base may determine at least one of a temperature of a component of the blender base (e.g., via one or more sensors), a speed of the motor (e.g., via one or more sensors), a blending program, or the like. As described herein, the blender base may operate the auxiliary fan during particular blending programs, upon determining heat within the blender base exceeds a threshold, a motor speed exceeds a threshold (e.g., including a maximum or a minimum threshold), or the like. It is noted that the thresholds for activating or otherwise operating the auxiliary fan may be different from the threshold of a thermal shut-off (e.g., thermal coupler, thermal fuse, etc.). For instance, the threshold temperature for operating the auxiliary fan may be lower than threshold temperature for triggering the thermal shut-off. This may allow the blender base to cool before the thermal shut-off is triggered. In some embodiments, this may prevent or delay triggering the thermal shut-off.

In another example, the blending system may receive input regarding the contents within a blending container and may determine operating parameters for a fan based at least in part on the contents. The blending system may receive the input from a user (e.g., via an interface of the blending system or a separate user device), a wireless identification tag on a food package, a selected program, optical sensors (e.g., optical recognition of food stuff), thermal sensors (e.g., which may identify a temperature of foodstuff), ultra-sonic sensors, or the like. According to various embodiments, the blending system may determine whether and how to operate the fan (e.g., when to turn on/off, operate at a selected speed, etc.) based on the contents of within the blending container.

As described herein, the disclosed blending systems may determine to turn off or reduce the speed of an auxiliary fan based on a triggering event or a preprogrammed process. For instance, blending systems may turn a fan on when heat exceeds a threshold, when a motor or mixing blade stops rotating, or as otherwise described herein. The blending system may monitor operating parameters to determine that heat is dissipated below a threshold, the motor or mixing blade begin rotating, power consumption reaches a threshold, or the like. Based on the monitored operating parameters, the blending system may turn off the fan to reduce power consumption, reduce noise, or otherwise increase efficiency of the blending system.

Referring now toFIGS. 8-10, there are exemplary results from various tests illustrated through graphs800,900, and1000. Each of the graphs800,900, and1000describes temperature (in ° C.) of various components of a blender system—as well as current (in amps×10)—versus time (in minutes) of a blending process. Furthermore, each test included ten cycles, where each cycle included running the motor for 45 minutes followed by a one minute off time. It is noted that the specific temperatures are shown as examples for a particular blending system. As such, temperatures of various other blending systems may vary.

Graph800, shown inFIG. 8, illustrates results from a test that utilized a blender system with an auxiliary fan. For this test, 2,000 milliliters of water were placed in a 64 ounce container and the motor was run for ten cycles—as described above. The current is shown by line802. The ambient temperature is shown as line804and the coil temperature limit is shown by line806. This limit describes the maximum temperature threshold for a coil of a motor of the blender system. If the temperature of a coil exceeds this threshold, the test would be labeled as a failed test. As an example, the threshold was set at the ambient temperature plus 85° C.

During the cycles, the temperature of a bridge of the blender system was relatively stable as shown by line808. The temperatures of a power module and motor case were clustered together around line810, with the motor case temperature diverging at line812. The temperature of three coils were also clustered around line820. It can be seen that line820was around 70° C. below line806—the coil temperature limit—when at its highest point.

Graph900, shown inFIG. 9, describes results from a test that utilized carrots and water disposed in a container. The container was coupled with a blender base having an auxiliary cooling fan as described herein. It is noted that the carrots added increased resistance to blades within the container. This resulted in an increased workload for a motor of the blender system, which may increase the temperature output of the motor.

Line902illustrates the current of the blender system. Similar to graph800, line904illustrates the ambient temperature and line906is the coil temperature limit. The temperatures of the bridge (line908), power module (line910), and motor case (line912) were generally lower than the temperatures of the motor coils of a motor of the blender system. Three motor coils had temperatures indicated by line920, line922, and line924. Line924was the hottest coil that peeked at 96.6° C., which was below the coil temperature limit indicated by line906.

Graph1000, shown inFIG. 10, illustrates the temperature difference between coils of a blender system with an auxiliary fan (line1002) and coils of a blender system without an auxiliary fan (line1006). It is noted that each of the blender systems included a container with water and carrots similar to the test described with reference toFIG. 9. As can be seen, line1002is lower than the line1006. The reduced temperature is due, at least in part, to the auxiliary fan. This is because the auxiliary fan may increase the airflow through the blender system, and increase the air flow to the coils.