Mixing machine system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018242595-A1
Application number	US-201815906344-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 27, 2018
Priority date	Feb 28, 2017
Publication date	Aug 30, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A mixing machine includes a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including a downwardly extending rotatable output shaft for receiving a mixer tool, the head including a planetary system therewithin for effecting rotation of the rotatable output shaft about its axis and orbiting of the shaft axis about another axis. A motor includes an output operatively connected to drive the planetary system. A control system includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor located for detecting a respective condition of mixing machine, and a diagnostic control operable to (i) track outputs from the plurality of sensors over time, (ii) analyze the tracked outputs and (iii) produce an alert indication based upon the diagnostic control identifying a performance characteristic indicative of a need for service or repair of the mixing machine.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A mixing machine, comprising:
a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including a downwardly extending 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; a motor having an output operatively connected to drive the gear system; a control system including a drive for operating the motor, a plurality of sensors, each sensor located for detecting a respective condition of mixing machine, and a diagnostic control operable to (i) track outputs from the plurality of sensors over time, (ii) analyze such tracked outputs and (iii) produce an alert indication based upon the diagnostic control identifying a performance characteristic indicative of a need for service or repair of the mixing machine.

2 . The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the control system is configured to deliver the alert indication to one or more of (i) and on-board user interface of the mixing machine or (ii) a remote device or system.

3 . The mixing machine of claim 2 wherein the remote device or system is one of a remote operator device or system or a remote service technician device or system.

4 . The mixing machine of claim 2 wherein the diagnostic control is configured to selectively produce multiple different alert indications as required, each alert indication having a respective alert type corresponding to a respective performance characteristic, and the controller is configured to identify whether to deliver the alert indication to the on-board user interface and/or to the remote device or system based upon the alert type associated with the alert indication.

5 . The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the alert indication is in the form of (i) a warning message if the performance characteristic is a trend of one condition toward a defined limit while the one condition remains below the defined limit or (ii) a fault message if the performance characteristic is that one condition has reached the defined limit.

6 . The mixing machine of claim 5 wherein the one of the conditions is one of a motor temperature condition, a motor shaft speed condition, a transmission temperature condition, an input current condition, an output current condition, a power consumption condition, an output shaft speed condition, or a vibration condition.

7 . The mixing machine of claim 1 wherein the control system includes multiple stored mix programs, each mix program selectable via a user interface of the machine, wherein the diagnostic control is configured to track outputs from the plurality of sensors over time by linking each output to the particular mix program that is running when the output is produced so that analysis of the outputs for detection of the performance characteristic indicative of a need for service or repair is conducted on a mix program by mix program basis by the diagnostic control.

8 . The mixing machine of claim 7 wherein:
at least one condition is a temperature condition and the diagnostic control includes a first temperature limit for a first mix program and a second temperature limit for a second mix program, where the second temperature limit is different than the first temperature limit; and/or
at least one condition is an input current condition and the diagnostic control includes a first input current limit for a first mix program and a second input current limit for a second mix program, where the second input current limit is different than the first input current limit; and/or
at least one condition is a power consumption condition and the diagnostic control includes a first power consumption limit for a first mix program and a second power consumption limit for a second mix program, where the second power consumption limit is different than the first power consumption limit; and/or
at least one condition is a vibration condition and the diagnostic control includes a first vibration limit for a first mix program and a second vibration limit for a second mix program, where the second vibration limit is different than the first vibration limit.

9 . The mixing machine of claim 7 wherein:
at least one condition is a temperature condition and the diagnostic control includes a first temperature limit for a first mix program and a second temperature limit for a second mix program, where the second temperature limit is different than the first temperature limit;
and
at least one condition is one of:
an input current condition and the diagnostic control includes a first input current limit for a first mix program and a second input current limit for a second mix program, where the second input current limit is different than the first input current limit; or
a power consumption condition and the diagnostic control includes a first power consumption limit for a first mix program and a second power consumption limit for a second mix program, where the second power consumption limit is different than the first power consumption limit;

and
at least one condition is a vibration condition and the diagnostic control includes a first vibration limit for a first mix program and a second vibration limit for a second mix program, where the second vibration limit is different than the first vibration limit.

10 . A mixing machine, comprising:
a head extending over a bowl receiving location, the head including a downwardly extending rotatable output shaft for receiving a mixer tool, the head including a planetary system therewithin for effecting rotation of the rotatable output shaft about its axis and orbiting of the shaft axis about another axis; a motor having an output operatively connected to drive the planetary system; a control system including a plurality of sensors, each sensor located for detecting a respective condition of mixing machine, and a diagnostic control operable to (i) track outputs from the plurality of sensors over time, (ii) analyze the tracked outputs and (iii) produce an alert indication based upon the diagnostic control identifying a performance characteristic indicative of a need for service or repair of the mixing machine.

11 . The mixing machine of claim 10 wherein the diagnostic control is further configured to disable a specific function of the mixing machine when the diagnostic control identifies the performance characteristic indicative of a need for service or repair of the mixing machine.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Huerta-Ochoa Ruben T
• Leung Lawrence S

Classifications

• A21C1/1455 Primary

  Measuring data of the driving system, e.g. torque, speed, power · CPC title

• A47J36/321 Primary

  the electronic control being performed over a network, e.g. by means of a handheld device · CPC title

• A47J2043/04481

  with a mixing unit pivotable on the support · CPC title

• A21C1/147

  for planetary motion · CPC title

• A21C1/02

  with vertically-mounted tools; Machines for whipping or beating · CPC title