Patent Description:
Stand mixers are electronic appliances used for mixing ingredients. Typically, the stand mixer includes a bowl that is anchored or otherwise retained by the mixer. The mixer includes an output that is retained in a fixed position with respect to the bowl. Various mixing tools can be connected to the output for use in connection with various ingredients and desired results or purposes. Typically, mixers are configured to drive these tools in a planetary motion that involves rotating the selected tool about a moving axis that rotates about a central fixed axis (that often aligns with a center of the mixing bowl). This arrangement is used to develop more even incorporation of ingredients during mixing. In connection with certain ingredients or food products, such as batters, frosting, or the like that are generally viscous but do not tend to gather in a cohesive mass, the ingredients may adhere to the inside surface of the mixing bowl. While the planetary mixing motion can re-incorporate the ingredients by periodically removing them from the inside surface, such finished or in-process products are often left stuck to the inside wall at the end of a mixing operation. In this case, when the user completes mixing and removes the bowl, the user must wipe down the entire inside surface of the bowl to reclaim the mixed ingredients added to the bowl. More particularly, after a stand mixer completes the mixing chosen by the user, the user then needs to either raise the head of the mixer (in the case of tilt head mixers) or lower the mixer bowl (in the case of a "bowl lift" mixer) to allow for the mixing tool to be removed. The user can then remove the bowl from the mixer before removing the mixed ingredients from the bowl through the use of a spoon, spatula, or similar tool to wipe down the entire inner surface of the bowl, which consolidates the mixed ingredients into the next step of the baking/cooking process. To remove the contents of the bowl if the ingredients are uniformly distributed requires the bowl to be held up in a contents removal orientation for a prolonged period of time, adding work and strain to the user while the distributed mixing contents are wiped off from the bowl.

The current state of mixer function is to uniformly distribute the ingredients to achieve the best mixing performance. Oftentimes these ingredients require more time and effort on the part of the user to remove than if the mixed ingredients were consolidated within the bowl as much as possible before the user empties the bowl. Accordingly, further improvements may be desired.

<CIT> discloses a stand mixer comprising a drive motor, a locking planetary output, a mixing head, a stand and a mixing bowl.

The invention is defined by a stand mixer according to claim <NUM>.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a stand mixer includes a drive motor having an output shaft operably associated therewith and a locking planetary output. The locking planetary output has a center shaft operably connected with the output shaft of the drive motor for driven rotation about a fixed axis, an agitator shaft mounted to the center shaft such that the agitator shaft moves around the fixed axis of the center shaft in a planetary arrangement, and a planetary gear centrally arranged about the fixed axis of the center shaft. A gear unit is rotatably fixed on the agitator shaft and is slidably mounted therewith to be moveable between a first position, in which the gear unit is engaged with the planetary gear to cause rotation of the agitator shaft about a moving axis thereof during movement of the agitator shaft around the fixed axis by the center shaft, and a second position in which the gear unit is disengaged from the planetary gear and is engaged with a locking member to maintain a rotational position of the agitator shaft about the moving axis thereof during movement of the agitator shaft around the fixed axis by the center shaft.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a stand mixer includes a mixing head having a housing, a stand supporting the mixing head above a work surface, a mixing bowl removably coupled with the stand and defining an inner side surface, a drive motor enclosed within the housing of the mixing head and having an output shaft operably associated therewith, and a locking planetary output mounted to the housing of the mixing head. The locking planetary output includes a center shaft operably connected with the output shaft of the drive motor for driven rotation about a fixed axis and an agitator shaft mounted to the center shaft such that the agitator shaft moves around the fixed axis of the center shaft in a planetary arrangement. The locking planetary output is configured to operate in a mixing mode, wherein the agitator shaft rotates about a moving axis thereof with rotation of the center shaft, and a wiping mode, wherein the agitator shaft is fixed about the moving axis during rotation of the center shaft. The stand mixer further includes a mixing element removably coupled with the agitator shaft. The mixing element includes a wiping edge in periodic contact with the inner side surface of the mixing bowl when the agitator shaft is operating in the mixing mode and in constant contact with the inner side surface when the agitator shaft is in the wiping mode.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a planetary output assembly for a stand mixer includes a center shaft configured for driven rotation about a fixed axis, a cover affixed on a free end of the center shaft, an agitator shaft mounted to the cover such that the agitator shaft moves around the fixed axis of the center shaft in a planetary arrangement during rotation thereof, a planetary gear centrally arranged about the fixed axis of the center shaft, and a gear unit rotatably fixed on the agitator shaft. The gear unit is slidably mounted to the agitator shaft to be moveable between a first position, in which the gear unit is engaged with the planetary gear to cause rotation of the agitator shaft about a moving axis thereof during movement of the agitator shaft around the fixed axis by the center shaft, and a second position in which the gear unit is disengaged from the planetary gear and is engaged with a locking member to maintain a rotational position of the agitator shaft about the moving axis thereof during movement of the agitator shaft around the fixed axis by the center shaft.

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a stand mixer. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

The terms "including," "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises a. " does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to <FIG>, reference numeral <NUM> generally designates a stand mixer <NUM>. The stand mixer <NUM> includes a motor output shaft <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) operably associated therewith and a locking planetary output <NUM>. The locking planetary output <NUM> has a center shaft <NUM> operably connected with the motor output shaft <NUM> for driven rotation about a fixed axis <NUM>. An agitator shaft <NUM> is mounted to the center shaft <NUM> such that the agitator shaft <NUM> moves around the fixed axis <NUM> of the center shaft <NUM> in a planetary arrangement. A planetary gear <NUM> is centrally arranged about the fixed axis <NUM> of the center shaft <NUM>. A gear unit <NUM> is rotatably fixed on the agitator shaft <NUM> and is slidably mounted therewith to be moveable between a first position (<FIG>), in which the gear unit <NUM> is engaged with the planetary gear <NUM> to cause rotation of the agitator shaft <NUM> about a moving axis <NUM> thereof during movement of the agitator shaft <NUM> around the fixed axis <NUM> by the center shaft <NUM>, and a second position (<FIG>) in which the gear unit <NUM> is disengaged from the planetary gear <NUM> and is engaged with a locking member <NUM> to maintain a rotational position of the agitator shaft <NUM> about the moving axis <NUM> thereof during movement of the agitator shaft <NUM> around the fixed axis <NUM> by the center shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the stand mixer <NUM> includes a mixing head <NUM> having a housing <NUM> connected to a stand <NUM> supporting the mixing head <NUM> above a work surface S. The housing <NUM> encloses a drive motor <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) that includes the above-mentioned output shaft <NUM>. In one example, the drive motor <NUM> can be a variable speed AC motor that can be controlled by a user via a sliding control knob <NUM> accessible on the exterior of the housing <NUM>. In other examples, the drive motor <NUM> can be a DC motor, including a brushless DC motor that can be controlled digitally using an adaptation of the control knob <NUM> or using a digital interface. The output shaft <NUM> is operably coupled with the center shaft <NUM> by a pair of bevel gears 40a and 40b that translate the rotation from the horizontal axis of the output shaft <NUM> to the vertical fixed axis <NUM> of the central shaft <NUM>. In this respect, the gears 40a and 40b can be further configured to provide a reduction mechanism to increase the torque realized in the planetary output assembly while reducing the rotational speed of the central shaft <NUM> compared to the output shaft <NUM>. In other aspects, the rotational translation and/or reduction can be accomplished by a worm gear arrangement in place of the depicted bevel gears 40a and 40b.

A mixing bowl <NUM> is removably coupled with the stand <NUM> and defines an inner side surface <NUM>. Additionally, the stand mixer <NUM> includes a mixing element <NUM> that is removably coupled with the agitator shaft <NUM>. In this manner, the stand mixer <NUM> is generally configured for driving the mixing element <NUM> in a planetary manner typical of stand mixers in general to mix or otherwise process ingredients contained in the mixing bowl <NUM>. As shown, the mixing element <NUM> is shown as a beater attachment that may be used, in one aspect, to prepare batters, frostings, and other viscous food products that are intended to be thicker in consistency than items processed using a whisk, for example, while not settling into a cohesive mass, as would a dough, for example (which may be processed using a separate element in the form of a hook, for example). Significantly, such products, as well as some of their underlying ingredients during early mixing, tend to collect or adhere to the inner side surface <NUM> of the mixing bowl <NUM> during processing. Accordingly, beaters according to the specific type of mixing element <NUM> shown in the figures have been developed that include one or more flexible edge member <NUM>. In the example shown the mixing element <NUM> includes two flexible edge members <NUM> on both side arms <NUM> (i.e., a "dual flex-edge" beater), although other variations include a flexible edge member <NUM> on only one side. A mixing element <NUM> with such flexible edge member(s) <NUM> not only provides the mixing functions provided by a typical beater tool, but it also wipes the inside surface <NUM> of the mixing bowl <NUM> by way of a flexibly deformable wiping edge <NUM> of the flexible edge member <NUM> making contact with the inside surface <NUM> at discrete touch points <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a typical planetary assembly (shown in the related art stand mixer M of <FIG>) is such that the center shaft S rotates in a fixed location about an axis in a similar manner to the center shaft <NUM> of the present stand mixer <NUM>, as discussed above. Notably, no implement connections are provided directly to the center shaft S. Instead, the center shaft S drives rotation of a cap that encloses the planetary assembly P. The agitator shaft A is rotatably mounted on the cap such that rotation of the center shaft S moves the agitator shaft A in an orbital manner around the center shaft S axis.

As shown in <FIG>, a gear G is rigidly affixed on the agitator shaft A and engages with a planetary gear P that is affixed on the mixer housing H and is centered about the center shaft S. In this manner, the orbital movement of the agitator shaft A about (and driven by the center shaft S) causes the gear G to rotate within the planetary gear P, which causes the agitator shaft A to rotate on its own axis as it orbits the center shaft S. In one aspect, the present stand mixer <NUM> is configured to operate in a similar manner by the above-mentioned positioning of the moveable gear unit <NUM> in the first position, wherein it is engaged with the planetary gear <NUM> (<FIG>). Operation in this configuration results in movement of the mixing element <NUM> shown in <FIG>, wherein the side arm <NUM> of the flex edge member <NUM> is only in periodic contact with the inside surface <NUM> of the mixing bowl <NUM>. Notably, although the contact is indicated by the depicted touch points <NUM>, the flexible nature of the side arm <NUM> results in more prolonged contact with the inside surface <NUM> approaching and passing the touch points <NUM> to arrive at the described "wiping" of the inside surface <NUM>. In this manner, the use of either a single flex edge beater tool or the depicted double flex edge beater tool <NUM> improves incorporation of ingredients by wiping the area surrounding the touch points <NUM> around the inside surface <NUM> of the mixing bowl <NUM>, by removing ingredients from the inside surface <NUM> that tend to cling thereto during mixing. The planetary motion shown in <FIG> is asynchronous such that the rotation of the agitator shaft <NUM> about the moving axis <NUM> does not match the orbital rotation of the agitator shaft <NUM> about the fixed axis <NUM>, which results in the touch points <NUM> covering different areas of the inside surface <NUM> with successive rotations of the center shaft <NUM>. However, this motion may leave ingredients stuck to the inside surface <NUM> when the mixer <NUM> is turned off, as ingredients may re-stick to areas previously wiped with the flexible edge member <NUM> on previous orbits of the agitator shaft <NUM>. The mixed ingredients are typically distributed all-around the mixer bowl. Accordingly, the use of the depicted mixing element <NUM> does not prevent, possibly, a considerable amount of mixed ingredients being left in contact with the inside surface <NUM> when mixing (or an intermediate mixing step) is complete (as shown, for example, in <FIG>). Accordingly, in the case of the described related art mixer M, when the user completes mixing and removes the bowl, the user must wipe down the entire inside surface <NUM> of the bowl to reclaim the mixed ingredients added to the bowl.

The present mixer <NUM>, in addition to providing a "mixing" mode corresponding to the positioning of the gear unit <NUM> in the first position shown in <FIG> and resulting in the periodic wiping along discrete touch points <NUM> shown in <FIG>, provides a "wiping" mode corresponding with the positioning of the gear unit <NUM> in the above-described second position shown in <FIG>. In this manner, after completion of a mixing operation, the stand mixer <NUM> can be reconfigured into the wiping mode to fix the position of the agitator shaft <NUM> about its moving axis <NUM> before causing rotation of the center shaft <NUM>, which results in the mixing element <NUM> rotating about the fixed axis <NUM> offset on the moving axis <NUM>. By configuring the stand mixer <NUM> to reconfigure into the wiping mode when the mixing element <NUM> is in a touch point <NUM> position, shown in <FIG>, driven rotation of the center shaft <NUM> moves a wiping edge <NUM> along the inside surface <NUM> in consistent contact therewith to effectively wipe the entire portion of the inside surface <NUM> with which the wiping edge <NUM> makes contact. This configuration of the stand mixer <NUM> can significantly reduce the effort needed by the user to remove the mixed ingredients from the mixing bowl <NUM> by using the flex edge mixing element <NUM> to wipe the bowl through a full <NUM>-degree motion (or more, if needed). This may simplify the removal of mixed ingredients from the stand mixer bowl <NUM> and may provide additional benefits during intermediate mixing stages, where the user wishes to gather the in-process ingredients or otherwise remove them from the inside surface <NUM> of the mixing bowl <NUM>.

With particular attention to <FIG> and <FIG>, the present locking planetary output assembly <NUM> is described in greater detail. As shown, the stand mixer <NUM> includes the above-mentioned mixing head <NUM> with the housing <NUM> enclosing the drive motor <NUM> and with which the locking planetary output <NUM> is mounted. Stand <NUM> supports the mixing head <NUM> above the work surface S and retains the mixing bowl <NUM>. The above-described mixing element <NUM> is removably coupled with the agitator shaft <NUM> to extend into the mixing bowl <NUM>, as discussed above. The locking planetary output <NUM> is shown in <FIG> in the above-mentioned first position, in which the planetary output assembly <NUM> is configured to operate in the mixing mode, wherein the agitator shaft <NUM> rotates about moving axis <NUM> with rotation of the center shaft <NUM> about the fixed axis <NUM>. More particularly, the gear unit <NUM> is urged upward into the first position thereof by the force of a spring <NUM> that is positioned between the gear unit <NUM> and a support arm <NUM> on which the agitator shaft <NUM> is mounted. In this manner, the gear unit <NUM> engages in a mesh arrangement with the planetary gear <NUM>, which is arranged about and concentrically with the fixed axis <NUM> of the center shaft <NUM>. This configuration results in the planetary output assembly <NUM> operating to move the mixing element <NUM> in the planetary manner discussed above and shown in <FIG>, wherein the wiping edge <NUM> of the mixing element <NUM> is in periodic contact (corresponding with the movement of the edge <NUM> past the touch points <NUM>) with the inner side surface <NUM> of the mixing bowl <NUM>.

As further shown, the planetary output assembly <NUM> includes a cover <NUM> mounted with a free end <NUM> of the center shaft <NUM>. The agitator shaft <NUM> can be mounted to the cover <NUM> by way of the support arm <NUM> being coupled on an interior of the cover <NUM>. The illustrated support arm <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> supporting a first bearing <NUM> coupled with the agitator shaft <NUM> on a first (lower) side of the gear unit <NUM> and a second end <NUM> supporting a second bearing <NUM> on a second (upper) side of the gear unit <NUM> opposite the first side. In one aspect, the support arm <NUM> is sized to accommodate movement of the gear unit <NUM> between the first (<FIG>) and second (<FIG>) positions. Additionally, the support arm <NUM> is configured to provide sufficient support for the agitator shaft <NUM> to prevent undesired eccentric movement thereof (and of the mixing element <NUM>) and to maintain the gear unit <NUM> in sufficient contact with the planetary gear <NUM> when the gear unit <NUM> is in the depicted first configuration. As shown, the cover <NUM> interacts with a lower flange <NUM> on the housing <NUM> to enclose the planetary output assembly <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the gear unit <NUM> can consist of two external spur gears 72a and 72b. The first spur gear 72a and the second spur gear 72b can be fixedly coupled together in a unitary implementation of the gear unit <NUM> in which a channel <NUM> is defined between the first and second spur gears 72a and 72b. As shown in <FIG>, the first spur gear 72a is positioned on an upper side of the gear unit <NUM> and is sized to engage with the planetary gear <NUM> when the gear unit <NUM> is in the first configuration. The illustrated arrangement of the gear unit <NUM> may be useful for the gear unit <NUM> to fit within the cover <NUM>, while maintaining similar proportions to an existing stand mixer <NUM> or to otherwise operate as described herein. As discussed above, the gear unit <NUM> is rotationally fixed on the agitator shaft <NUM> but is slideable along the moving axis <NUM> associated with the agitator shaft <NUM>. In particular, the agitator shaft <NUM> can be configured with external splines <NUM> extending along the axis <NUM> (and extending either inwardly or outwardly on the agitator shaft <NUM>) that engage with and/or receive internal splines <NUM> on the interior of the gear unit <NUM>. In this arrangement, the agitator shaft <NUM> is configured for being driven in the planetary rotation motion discussed above by way of the planetary gear <NUM> and the locking arrangement with respect to the locking member <NUM>, discussed further below. Under operation in the mixing mode, the spring <NUM> will force the gear unit <NUM> upward to the first position (<FIG>), to provide the planetary movement of the mixing element <NUM>, discussed above, under rotation of the center shaft <NUM>.

The locking planetary output <NUM> further includes an electromechanical actuator <NUM> to cause movement of the gear unit <NUM> between the depicted first position and the second positon shown in <FIG>. One implementation, the electromechanical actuator <NUM> can be as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in which the planetary output <NUM> includes a lever <NUM> that engages the channel <NUM> of the gear unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lever <NUM> freely allows the spring <NUM> to urge the gear unit <NUM> into the first position, engaged with the planetary gear <NUM>. Turning to <FIG>, the electromechanical actuator <NUM> can be activated to cause the lever <NUM> to rotate by upward movement of a free end <NUM>, which results in a second end <NUM> moving downward, by way of the rotating attachment of the lever <NUM> with the support arm <NUM>. This movement forces the gear unit <NUM> downward against the force of the spring <NUM> by way of the engagement of the second end <NUM> with the channel <NUM> in the gear unit <NUM>. This moves the first spur gear 72a out of engagement with the planetary gear <NUM>. Continued operation of the actuator <NUM> causes further downward movement of the gear unit <NUM> such that the second spur gear 72b moves into engagement with the locking member <NUM>. As discussed above, the locking member <NUM> is fixed with respect to the center shaft <NUM>, including by coupling with either the cover <NUM>, as shown, or with the support arm <NUM>. In one aspect, the locking member <NUM> can be a single gear tooth or a set of, for example, between two and five gear teeth sized for engagement with the second spur gear 72b to restrain movement of the agitator shaft <NUM> to rotation about the center shaft <NUM>. As discussed above, this rotationally locks the mixing element <NUM> with respect to the center shaft <NUM>. In various aspects, the teeth of the second spur gear 72b can have beveled or pointed lower surfaces to allow for the gear unit <NUM> to move into proper alignment with the locking member <NUM> (which can be correspondingly shaped) with movement of the gear unit <NUM> into the second position.

To effect movement of the lever <NUM>, as described above, the electromechanical actuator <NUM> can include a magnetic element <NUM> on the free end <NUM> thereof and an electromagnetic element <NUM> positioned, as shown, within the flange <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In this manner, the electromagnetic element <NUM> can be selectively activated to attract the magnetic element <NUM> on the free end <NUM> of the lever <NUM> to cause the above-described rotation of the lever <NUM> to move the gear unit <NUM> from the first position to the second position. In one aspect, the lever <NUM> can define a forked shape on either or both of the ends <NUM> and <NUM> such that the end <NUM> can reliably engage with the channel <NUM> and so that the magnetic element <NUM> can be attracted by and maintain contact (or close proximity with) with the electromagnetic element <NUM>, when activated. In further respects, the magnetic element <NUM> can be a permanent magnet, such as those comprising neodymium, iron boron (NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo), alnico, and ceramic or ferrite magnets. The electromagnet can be a typical electromagnet construction, including an iron core with a wire wrapping, and in particular, can be arranged as a ring-shaped structure generally surrounding the center shaft <NUM> around an exit point thereof through the housing <NUM>. The arrangement of the permanent magnet <NUM> and the electromagnet <NUM> can be configured to provide sufficient force to compress spring <NUM> to cause downward movement of the gear unit <NUM>.

As illustrated, the stand mixer <NUM> can include a controller <NUM> to selectively activate and deactivate the electromagnet <NUM> to cause movement of the lever <NUM>, as described above. As can be appreciated, the activation and deactivation of the electromagnet <NUM> can be effected by directly, or through controlled operation of a switch or other electromechanical circuit, starting and stopping an electrical current flow through the electromagnetic coils. The particular current flow can be controlled or calibrated to achieve the desired responsiveness of the related system. Additionally, the controller <NUM> can be configured to receive a user input corresponding with a command to change the operating condition of the planetary output <NUM>, including reconfiguration between the mixing mode and the wiping mode, as described herein. In various respects the input can be in the form of a particular position of the lever <NUM>, including a positon 92a below the lowest speed operational setting 92b or, in a specific implementation of the planetary output <NUM>, a reverse setting. In other aspects, the user input can be received through a pushbutton that may operate electromechanically or digitally. In connection with receipt of the selection of the wiping mode by the user, the controller <NUM> can be configured to identify when the edge <NUM> of the flex edge member <NUM> is at the touch point <NUM> (or close enough thereto to effect sufficient wiping of the inside surface <NUM>, such as within <NUM>" of the touch point <NUM>, for example).

In the illustrated example, the planetary output <NUM> includes a sensor <NUM> positioned adjacent the agitator shaft <NUM> within the housing <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> can be used to identify when the agitator shaft <NUM> is oriented in a position that corresponds with the mixing element <NUM> touch points <NUM>. In this manner, the mixing element <NUM> can be configured to couple with the agitator shaft <NUM> in a single orientation (such as by the depicted bayonet-style fitting shown in <FIG>) such that a specific positioning of the agitator shaft <NUM> can indicate corresponding positioning of the mixing element <NUM> in a touch-point orientation. In one aspect, the agitator shaft <NUM> can include a marker, either magnetic, electronic, or optical, that can be detected by a corresponding variation of the sensor <NUM> to indicate the desired positioning of the agitator shaft <NUM>. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> can be configured to identify a mixing element <NUM> touch-point condition by monitoring the current drawn by the motor <NUM> during operation. Notably, the motor <NUM> draws more current when the mixing element <NUM> is at or moving through the touch points <NUM> due to the increased resistance resulting from contact of the edges <NUM> with the inside surface <NUM>. To implement this mode of detection, the controller <NUM> can be configured for electronic communication with the motor <NUM> and for monitoring an operating current of the motor <NUM> and determining a current level associated with the locking planetary output <NUM> moving the wiping edge <NUM> into contact with the inside surface <NUM>. In one aspect, this configuration may allow the mixer <NUM> to utilize either edge <NUM> of a dual flex-edge beater according to the depicted mixing element <NUM>, as a position sensor may be only associated with one edge to maintain compatibility with a single flex-edge variation.

In either of the configurations discussed above, the controller <NUM> can receive the available user inputs and operate accordingly. In one example, the user can initially select a mixing mode by moving the lever <NUM> to a particular speed setting for the mixer <NUM>, which can cause operation of the mixer <NUM> in the above-described mixing mode. When desired, the user can select to change operation to the above-described wiping mode. The controller <NUM> can receive this input and continue an operation corresponding with the selection (e.g. low speed operation or reversing) while monitoring for a touch-point condition, as discussed above. Upon detecting a touch point condition, the controller <NUM> can cause the electromechanical actuator <NUM> to move the gear unit <NUM> into the second configuration of <FIG> to configure the planetary output <NUM> in the wiping mode (this can, optionally include the controller <NUM> pausing movement of the motor <NUM> to maintain the desired positioning of the mixing element <NUM> during shifting). The mixer <NUM> can then execute a wiping operation in which the wiping edge <NUM> moves along the inside surface <NUM> of the mixing bowl <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In one aspect, the wiping movement can continue until the user turns the mixer <NUM> into an "off" condition or selects another operating mode. In other implementations, the operation of the mixer <NUM> in the wiping mode can be controlled by the controller <NUM> such that the center shaft <NUM> is turned by a predetermined amount (e.g. <NUM>°, <NUM>° or <NUM>°) before deactivating with the option for the user to activate an additional wiping operation.

In further variations of the locking planetary output assembly <NUM> discussed herein, the gear unit <NUM> can be moveable by a variation of the depicted lever <NUM> that is manually operable by the user. In various aspects, the lever <NUM> can be extended to be accessible on the exterior of the cover <NUM> of the planetary assembly <NUM> or can be connected with a sliding or rotating linkage member associated with the center shaft <NUM> that extends outward from the flange <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the mixing head <NUM> (or elsewhere from the housing <NUM>). In these variations, the mixer <NUM> can be switchable into a low speed mode intended to allow the user sufficient time to visually determine that the wiping edge <NUM> is at sufficiently close to a touch point <NUM> and manipulate the lever <NUM> (by whichever mechanism is used) to change the operation of the planetary output assembly <NUM> to the wiping mode.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations.

Claim 1:
A stand mixer (<NUM>), comprising:
a drive motor (<NUM>) having an output shaft (<NUM>) operably associated therewith;
a locking planetary output (<NUM>);
a mixing head (<NUM>) enclosing the drive motor (<NUM>) and with which the locking planetary output (<NUM>) is mounted;
a stand (<NUM>) supporting the mixing head (<NUM>) above a work surface (S); and
a mixing bowl (<NUM>) removably coupled with the stand (<NUM>) and defining an inside surface (<NUM>);
wherein the locking planetary output (<NUM>) includes:
a center shaft (<NUM>) operably connected with the output shaft (<NUM>) of the drive motor (<NUM>) for driven rotation about a fixed axis (<NUM>); and
a n agitator shaft (<NUM>) mounted to the center shaft (<NUM>) such that the agitator shaft (<NUM>) is able to move around the fixed axis (<NUM>) of the center shaft (<NUM>) in a planetary arrangement;
a planetary gear (<NUM>) centrally arranged about the fixed axis (<NUM>) of the center shaft (<NUM>); and
a gear unit (<NUM>) rotatably fixed on the agitator shaft (<NUM>) and slidably mounted therewith to be moveable between a first position, in which the gear unit (<NUM>) is engaged with the planetary gear (<NUM>) to cause rotation of the agitator shaft (<NUM>) about a moving axis (<NUM>) thereof during movement of the agitator shaft (<NUM>) around the fixed axis (<NUM>) by the center shaft (<NUM>), and a second position in which the gear unit (<NUM>) is disengaged from the planetary gear (<NUM>) to maintain a rotational position, in particular a predetermined rotational position, of the agitator shaft (<NUM>) about the moving axis (<NUM>) thereof during movement of the agitator shaft (<NUM>) around the fixed axis (<NUM>) by the center shaft (<NUM>),
wherein the stand mixer (<NUM>) further comprises a mixing element (<NUM>) removably coupled with the agitator shaft (<NUM>), the mixing element (<NUM>) including at least one wiping edge (<NUM>), in particular a pair of wiping edges arranged at opposite sides of the mixing element (<NUM>), the at least one wiping edge (<NUM>) being in periodic contact with the inside surface (<NUM>) of the mixing bowl (<NUM>) when the gear unit (<NUM>) is in the first position and being in constant contact with the inside surface (<NUM>) when the gear unit (<NUM>) is in the second position.