Mixing device with variable speed drive and related control features

• US 7,273,315 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2004
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Premark FEG LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Premark FEG LLC (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Huang, Joseph C., Bader, Brian E., Hartley, Howard A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cooley; Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US10/842,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20040208082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 366 96- 98, 366199-207, 366/288, 366/601, 993/48
• US Class Current: 366/206
• CPC Class Codes: A21C 1/02 with vertically-mounted tools; Machines for whipping or beating
• CPC Class Codes: A21C 1/145 Controlling; Testing; Measuring A21C1/1425 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A21C 1/1465 Drives
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/805 wherein the stirrers or the receptacles are moved in order to bring them into operative position; Means for fixing the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 27/08 with pulse width modulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/601 Motor control

Abstract

A mixing machine includes a drive assembly and control system for making speed changes on the fly and for providing controlled acceleration and deceleration. A bowl receiving portion may be movable between a lowered position and a raised position with a power bowl lift mechanism provided to effect such movement. Advanced control features and special function modes may also be provided.

Claims

1. A mixing machine, comprising:

a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including a rotatable output shaft for receiving a mixer tool, the head including a gear system therewithin for effecting rotation of the rotatable output shaft about its axis and orbiting of the shaft axis about another axis;

an AC induction motor having an output operatively connected to drive the gear system;

a drive for operating the AC induction motor, the drive including a rectification section for converting input AC power to DC power and a switching section for producing a 3 phase variable frequency output that is applied to the AC induction motor, wherein the switching section is controlled to adjust frequency of the 3 phase variable frequency output to make mix speed changes on the fly solely by adjusting speed of the AC induction motor;

a user interface including at least one speed input mechanism having a limited number of speed positions;

the drive is part of a control system including memory storing a plurality of distinct mix speeds corresponding to the speed positions of the speed input mechanism;

wherein at one mix speed of the plurality of distinct mix speeds the motor speed is between about 2225 and 2950 RPM and the planetary speed is between about 125 and 165 RPM, and at a slower mix speed of the plurality of distinct mix speeds the motor speed is between about 320 and 500 RPM and the planetary speed is between about 18 and 28 RPM.

2. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the drive operates to control acceleration when changing from one mix speed to another.

3. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the switching section is controlled by a plurality of PWM control signals.

4. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein a maximum speed of an output shaft of the AC induction motor for a highest of the plurality of mix speeds is less than 3500 RPM.

5. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the 3 phase variable frequency output comprises first, second and third PWM voltage signals.

6. The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the AC induction motor has at least six poles.

7. A mixing machine, comprising:

a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including a rotatable output shaft for receiving a mixer tool, the head including a gear system therewithin for effecting rotation of the rotatable output shaft about its axis and orbiting of the shaft axis about another axis;

an AC induction motor having an output operatively connected to drive the gear system;

a drive for operating the AC induction motor, the drive including a rectification section for converting input AC power to DC power and a switching section for producing a 3 phase variable frequency output that is applied to the AC induction motor, wherein the switching section is controlled to adjust frequency of the 3 phase variable frequency output to make mix speed changes on the fly solely by adjusting speed of the AC induction motor;

a user interface including at least one speed input mechanism having a limited number of speed positions;

the drive is part of a control system including memory storing a plurality of distinct mix speeds corresponding to the speed positions of the speed input mechanism;

wherein at one mix speed of the plurality of distinct mix speeds the motor speed is between about 875 and 1250 RPM and the planetary speed is between about 35 and 50 RPM, and at a slower mix speed of the plurality of distinct mix speeds the motor speed is between about 500 and 750 RPM and the planetary speed is between about 20 and 30 RPM.