Whirlpool Corporation

Cheng Gong

Fang Deng

A food processing appliance includes a container having a rotational processing assembly that includes an inner portion of a magnetic coupler. A base has a drive system for providing a rotational drive force. A drive rotor selectively transfers the rotational drive force to the magnetic coupler. The drive rotor includes a plurality of drive-magnetic members that form an outer portion of the magnetic coupler. The inner portion and outer portions of the magnetic coupler selectively and magnetically engage to form an engaged position. The engaged position is further defined by the inner portion being completely separated from the outer portion to define a gap therebetween.

Non-contact magnetic coupler for food processing appliance having small brushless permanent magnet motor

An electric motor for an appliance includes a rotor coupled with a drive shaft. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor magnets that each define a magnet assembly including a plurality of magnet portions having different magnet pole orientations. A stator is in electromagnetic communication with the rotor. A gap is defined between the stator and the rotor. The stator comprises a stator core. A plurality of stator poles define the gap. Stator magnets are positioned within the stator core and are located to partially define the gap. Each stator magnet defines a pair of flux paths that extend around an outer perimeter of the stator magnet and onto the gap. The different magnet pole orientations of the plurality of rotor magnets operate to direct an effective magnetic flux toward the gap.

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Stevensville, MI, United States of America

Cheng Gong