HIGH PERFORMANCE ADJUSTABLE JUICER WITH WHOLE FOODS FEED CHUTE AND CLUTCH MECHANISM

• US 20140262669A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: CONTI, MICHAEL P., KETTLE, EVERETT SIDNEY, NORLAND, LEIF A., ROBERTSON, MITCHELL L., MCCUAN, CASEY L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,556,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 192/56.61
• CPC Class Codes: A23N 1/003 especially for citrus fruits
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 19/00 Household machines for straining foodstuffs; Household implements for mashing or straining foodstuffs for foodstuffs in bulk A23N
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 19/025 including a pressing screw
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 19/027 Centrifugal extractors
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/08 Driving mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 7/02 of the friction type
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 7/044 the axially moving part being coaxial with the rotation, e.g. a gear with face teeth

Abstract

A clutch mechanism includes first and second shafts having a drive system disposed therebetween, wherein the first shaft is coupled to a drive mechanism. A fixed clutch plate is disposed on the second shaft and includes a plurality of ramped members disposed thereon. An attachment shaft includes a slip clutch plate disposed on a first end and having a plurality of ramped members adapted to releasably couple with the plurality of ramped members disposed on the fixed clutch plate. The slip clutch plate is operable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the fixed clutch plate and a biasing mechanism is disposed on the attachment shaft and configured to bias the slip clutch plate towards the engaged position. The biasing mechanism is further configured to be overcome when a torque force of a predetermined load is realized on the attachment shaft.

Claims

1. A clutch assembly for a drive mechanism, comprising:

first and second shafts having a drive system disposed therebetween, wherein the first shaft is coupled to the drive mechanism, and further wherein the first and second shafts are disposed in driven engagement with the drive system along parallel first and second axes respectively;

a fixed clutch plate disposed on the second shaft, the fixed clutch plate having a plurality of ramped members disposed thereon for rotation with the second shaft along the second axis;

an attachment shaft having a slip clutch plate disposed on a first end and a beveled gear disposed on an opposite second end, the slip clutch plate having a plurality of ramped members adapted to releasably couple with the plurality of ramped members disposed on the fixed clutch plate, the slip clutch plate being operable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the fixed clutch plate, and the beveled gear adapted to drive an attachment accessory for the drive mechanism; and

a biasing mechanism disposed on and coupled to the attachment shaft and configured to bias the slip clutch plate towards the engaged position, wherein the biasing mechanism is adapted to be overcome such that the slip clutch plate moves towards the disengaged position along the attachment shaft when a torque force of a predetermined load is realized on the attachment shaft from the attachment accessory.

2. The clutch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the attachment shaft is aligned with the second shaft along the second axis.

3. The clutch mechanism of claim 2, wherein the attachment shaft moves the slip clutch plate laterally between the engaged and disengaged positions along the second axis.

4. The clutch mechanism of claim 3, wherein the first and second axes are parallel axes disposed in a spaced-apart relationship.

5. The clutch mechanism of claim 4, wherein the beveled gear of the attachment shaft is configured to drive a drive member of the attachment accessory along an accessory axis, the accessory axis being substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second shaft.

6. The clutch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first and second axes are disposed at upper and lower portions to the drive system.

7. The clutch mechanism of claim 6, wherein the drive system includes a plurality of gear mechanisms adapted to translate torque from the first shaft to the second shaft.

8. The clutch mechanism of claim 6, wherein the drive system includes a belt drive system adapted to translate torque from the first shaft to the second shaft.

9. A clutch assembly for a drive mechanism, comprising:

a drive shaft coupled to the drive mechanism at a first end for powering the drive shaft in a rotational manner along a first axis;

a beveled gear disposed on a second and opposite end of the drive shaft relative to the first end;

an attachment shaft disposed along a second axis and having first and second ends, the first end having a beveled gear disposed thereon in driven engagement with the beveled gear of the drive shaft, and the second end having a slip clutch plate disposed thereon, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and further wherein the slip clutch is operable between engaged and disengaged positions along the second axis;

an attachment accessory for the drive mechanism having a fixed clutch plate disposed thereon, the fixed clutch plate releasably engaged with the slip clutch plate; and

a biasing mechanism disposed on and coupled to the attachment shaft and configured to bias the slip clutch plate towards the engaged position, wherein the biasing mechanism is adapted to be overcome such that the slip clutch plate becomes disengaged with the fixed clutch plate when a torque force of a predetermined load is realized on the attachment shaft from the attachment accessory.

10. The clutch mechanism of claim 9, wherein the attachment accessory includes a juicer assembly having an auger disposed along a juicing axis, wherein the fixed clutch plate is disposed on a lower portion of the auger.

11. The clutch mechanism of claim 10, wherein the juicing axis is aligned with the second axis of the attachment shaft.

12. The clutch mechanism of claim 10, wherein the juicing axis is parallel to and offset from the second axis of the attachment shaft.

13. The clutch mechanism of claim 11, wherein the first axis is substantially horizontal and the second axis is substantially vertical.

14. The clutch mechanism of claim 9, wherein the attachment accessory includes a juicer assembly having an auger adapted to rotate about a juicing axis, wherein the fixed clutch plate is disposed on an upper portion of the auger.

15. The clutch mechanism of claim 14, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a stand mixer.

16. The clutch mechanism of claim 15, wherein the stand mixer includes an attachment hub disposed on an upper portion thereof.

17. A clutch assembly for a stand mixer attachment, comprising:

first and second shafts having a drive system disposed therebetween to define a power pod, wherein the first shaft is coupled to an attachment hub on the stand mixer, and further wherein the first and second shafts are disposed in driven engagement with the drive system in parallel first and second axes respectively;

a fixed clutch plate disposed on the second shaft, the fixed clutch plate having a plurality of ramped members disposed thereon for rotation with the second shaft along the second axis;

an attachment shaft having a slip clutch plate disposed on a first end and a beveled gear disposed on a second opposite end, the slip clutch plate having a plurality of ramped members adapted to releasably couple with the plurality of ramped members disposed on the fixed clutch plate, the slip clutch plate being operable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the fixed clutch plate, and the beveled gear adapted to drive an auger of a juicer attachment, such that the juicer attachment is powered by the stand mixer; and

a biasing mechanism disposed on and coupled to the attachment shaft and configured to bias the slip clutch plate towards the engaged position, wherein the biasing mechanism is adapted to be overcome such that the slip clutch plate moves towards the disengaged position along the attachment shaft when a torque force of a predetermined load is realized on the attachment shaft from the juicer attachment.

18. The clutch mechanism of claim 17, wherein the beveled gear of the attachment shaft is configured to drive the auger of the juicer attachment along a juicing axis, the juicing axis being substantially perpendicular to the second axis of the second shaft.

19. The clutch mechanism of claim 18, wherein the first and second axes are disposed at upper and lower portions to the power pod.

20. The clutch mechanism of claim 19, wherein the drive system of the power pod includes a plurality of gear mechanisms adapted to translate torque derived from the stand mixer from the first shaft to the second shaft.