Utilizing motor current variations to control mixer operation
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsRosario Ciancimino, Wayne W. Conard, Noah David Zelvis, Ryan W. Mill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mixing system comprising a bowl, mixing element and motor. A mixing element is located within the bowl and is driven by a motor to impart mechanical energy to the foodstuff being mixed upon contact. A method for predicting instantaneous loading on the mixing system motor. A method for increasing the power to the motor comprises introducing additional current in advance of instantaneous loading. A method for identifying the foodstuff being mixed to control operation of the mixer either by allowing user interaction or increasing the current to the motor in advance of instantaneous loading and demands on the motor.
Claims19
A method for operating a mixing system comprising a mixing element received within a bowl and rotationally driven by a motor to mix a bread dough in the bowl, the method comprising:
- monitoring an operating characteristic of the motor;
- identifying the bread dough being mixed as being one of French, Sweet, White, Wheat, Honey Oatmeal, Pizza, and Banana Nut in response to the monitored operating characteristic;
- and
- controlling the operation of the mixing system based on the identified bread dough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.