Methods and apparatus for controlling energization of a motor

A method for controlling the energization of a motor of a juicer having a motor casing substantially enclosing the motor, a rotor shaft extending from the motor through the motor casing and having a cutter secured thereto, the cutter being substantially enclosed within a cover having an outlet, the attachment including a shroud configured to be secured to the cover so that the shroud substantially surrounds the outlet, said method comprising the steps of:

• substantially preventing energization of the motor if the attachment has not been substantially properly secured to the juicer;
• and
• substantially allowing energization of the motor if the attachment has been substantially properly secured to the juicer, said step of substantially allowing energization of the motor comprising the step of causing a condition responsive switch to transition to a substantially conductive state when the shroud and cover are substantially properly secured with respect to the motor casing.

A motor for a juicer having a motor casing for substantially enclosing said motor, said motor comprising motor windings and control apparatus for controlling the energization of said motor windings, said control apparatus comprising a condition responsive switch which substantially prevents energization of said motor windings until at least one predetermined condition has been satisfied, one predetermined condition being that an appliance attachment be substantially properly secured to the juicer, said motor further comprising a rotor shaft extending from said motor through the motor casing and having a cutter secured thereto, the cutter being substantially enclosed within a cover having an outlet, the appliance attachment including a shroud configured to be secured to the cover so that the shroud substantially surrounds the outlet, a magnet secured to the attachment, and wherein said condition responsive switch comprises a magnet actuated switch mounted with respect to the motor casing so that when the shroud and cover are substantially properly secured with respect to the motor casing, said magnet actuated switch transitions from a first state to a second state.

A juicer comprising a motor and a control apparatus for controlling the energization of said motor, said control apparatus comprising a condition responsive switch which substantially prevents energization of said motor until at least one predetermined condition has been satisfied, one predetermined condition being that a juicer attachment be substantially properly secured to said juicer, said juicer further comprising a motor casing substantially enclosing said motor, a rotor shaft extending from said motor through said motor casing and having a cutter secured thereto, said cutter substantially enclosed within a cover having an outlet, said juicer attachment including a shroud configured to be secured to said cover so that said shroud substantially surrounds said outlet, a magnet secured to said shroud, said condition responsive switch further comprising a magnet actuated switch mounted with respect to said motor casing so that when said attachment is substantially properly secured with respect to said motor casing, said magnet actuated switch transitions from a first state to a second state.