Mixing machine with accessible internal control unit

• US 6,953,278 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Premark FEG LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Premark FEG LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Short, Ellis Gale, Miller, James K., Huang, Joseph C., Bader, Brian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SORKIN, DAVID L
• Application Number:
  US10/328,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20040120213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 366/197, 366/206, 366/343, 366/344, 366/601
• US Class Current: 366/206
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/07 Parts or details, e.g. mixing tools, whipping tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/601 Motor control

Abstract

A mixing machine includes portions of a control system formed as a unit that is mounted within the machine for movement between an operating position internal of the machine and a service position in which at least part of the unit extends through an opening in the machine for access thereto.

Claims

1. A mixing machine, comprising:

a rotatable output member for receiving a mixer tool;

a mixer body including an opening along a portion thereof;

a drive assembly including a drive motor operatively connected to effect rotation of the rotatable output member;

a control system for controlling operation of the drive motor;

a user interface providing input to the control system; and

wherein portions of the control system, including a motor drive heat sink, are mounted to the mixer body as a unit configured for movement relative to the mixer body between an operating position within the mixer body and a service position in which the unit remains mounted to the mixer body and at least part of the unit extends outward from the opening to provide access to the portions of the control system forming the unit.

2. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the unit includes a plurality of wiring connectors for connecting the portions of the control system with corresponding connectors in the mixer body, when the plurality of wiring connectors are disconnected from the corresponding connectors the unit is removable through the opening.

3. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein a part of the unit is configured to close the opening when the unit is in the operating position.

4. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein motor drive heat sink has a plurality of fins arranged substantially vertically when the unit is in the operating position, and a fan for blowing air along the fins.

5. The mixing machine of claim 4, further comprising:

a top cover positioned on a mixer head portion of the mixer body, the top cover including a protruding channel along a back portion thereof, a ventilation opening formed in part by the protruding channel.

6. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the unit is formed on a mount panel that is pivotally mounted in the mixer body.

7. A mixing machine, comprising:

a rotatable output member for receiving a mixer tool;

a mixer body including an opening along a portion thereof;

a drive assembly including a drive motor operatively connected to effect rotation of the rotatable output member;

a control system for controlling operation of the drive motor;

wherein portions of the control system are mounted to the mixer body as a unit configured for movement relative to the mixer body between an operating position within the mixer body and a service position in which the unit remains mounted to the mixer body and at least part of the unit extends outward from the opening to provide access to the portions of the control system forming the unit;

when in the operating position multiple wires connect the portions of the control system to other parts of the mixing machine;

when in the service position the unit is supported in place even when the multiple wires are not connected between the portions of the control system and the other parts of mixing machine.

8. The mixing machine of claim 7 wherein the unit is pivotally mounted to the mixing machine.

9. The mixing machine of claim 8, further comprising:

a mount slot located within the mixer body;

the unit including a portion positioned within the slot to permit both pivotal and upward movement of the unit.

10. The mixing machine of claim 8 wherein a portion of the unit closes the opening when the unit is in the operating position.

11. The mixing machine of claim 7 wherein the unit is mounted for sliding movement relative to the mixing machine.

12. The mixing machine of claim 7 wherein the unit includes a plurality of wiring connectors for connecting with corresponding connectors in the mixer body, when the plurality of wiring connectors are disconnected from the corresponding connectors the unit is removable through the opening.

13. A mixing machine, comprising:

a base;

a column extending upward from the base, the column including an opening along one side thereof;

a head extending outward from the column over a bowl receiving area, the head including a downwardly extending rotatable output member for receiving a mixer tool;

a drive assembly including a drive motor operatively connected to effect rotation of the rotatable output member;

a control system for controlling operation of the drive motor;

a mount panel including at least part of the control system mounted thereon, the mount panel movable between an operating position within the column and a service position in which at least a portion of the mount panel extends outward from the opening to provide access to the part of the control system on the mount panel.

14. The mixing machine of claim 13 wherein the mount panel extends generally upward when in the operating position and is rotated outwardly when in the service position.

15. The mixing machine of claim 14 wherein the mount panel is mounted for pivotal movement between the operating position and the service position.

16. The mixing machine of claim 15 wherein a portion of the mount panel rests on a lower edge of the opening when the mount panel is in the service position.

17. The mixing machine of claim 15, further comprising:

a mount slot located within the column;

the mount panel including an offset bend at an end thereof, the offset portion of the mount panel positioned within the slot to permit both pivotal and upward movement of the mount panel.

18. The mixing machine of claim 17, further comprising:

at least one mount bracket positioned within the column;

the mount panel including a mount flange thereon and positioned for alignment with the mount bracket when the mount panel is placed in the operating position.

19. The mixing machine of claim 18, comprising:

a fastener interconnecting the mount bracket and mount flange to hold the mount panel in the upright position, the fastener releasable to permit the mount panel to pivot to its service position.

20. The mixing machine of claim 19 wherein the slot is formed in a fixed lateral panel positioned within the column, the mount bracket if formed by an upright bent portion of the lateral panel, and the mount flange is formed by a bent portion of the mount panel.

21. The mixing machine of claim 18 wherein first and second vertically spaced mount brackets are provided within the column, and the mount panel includes corresponding first and second spaced mount flanges.

22. The mixing machine of claim 14 wherein a motor drive heat sink is mounted on one side of the mount panel, the heat sink including a plurality of fins associated therewith, the fins arranged substantially vertically at least when the mount panel is in the operating position.

23. The mixing machine of claim 22, further comprising:

a fan located to blow air upward through the fins when the mount panel is in the operating position.

24. The mixing machine of claim 22 wherein the control system includes an electronics board mounted in a spaced relationship to the heat sink, the electronics board arranged substantially vertically at least when the mount panel is in the operating position.

25. The mixing machine of claim 24, further comprising:

a contactor mounted on an opposite side of the mount panel; and

a transformer mounted on the opposite side of the mount panel.

26. The mixing machine of claim 13, further comprising:

a removable cover for positioning over the opening when the mount panel is in the operating position.

27. A mixing machine, comprising:

a rotatable output member for receiving a mixer tool;

a column including an opening along a portion thereof;

a drive assembly including a drive motor operatively connected to effect rotation of the rotatable output member;

a control system for controlling operation of the drive motor;

a user interface providing input to the control system; and

wherein portions of the control system, including a motor drive heat sink, are formed as a unit that is mounted for movement between an operating position within the column and a service position in which at least part of the unit extends outward from the opening to provide access to the portions of the control system forming the unit;

wherein the unit is pivotally mounted within the column, the operating position is a substantially upright position and the service position is an outwardly pivoted position.

28. The mixing machine of claim 27, further comprising:

a mount bracket within the column;

a mount flange on the unit and aligned with the mount bracket when the unit is in the operating position.