EP0990855B1 - Cooking hob with built-in time control - Google Patents

Abstract

The cooking appliance has a hob plate (2) provided with a number of cooking zones (72,74,76,78) and an integrated timing control (12) allowing programming of the start time and/or the operating duration of at least one cooking zone heating element, selected via operating elements (45,47) with a capacitive, inductive, or piezoelectric sensor and a display element for indicating the selected time.

Description

The invention relates to a hob.

In the kitchen of a private household and in the kitchen in the gastronomy area, electric and / or gas hobs (also known as hobs) are known for the preparation and heating of food. The cooktop generally comprises a cooktop panel made of a vitreous or ceramic material with separate cooking zones (cooking zones), under which heating devices such as radiant heaters, resistance heating elements, induction heating elements are arranged or which have gas burners. These hobs are usually installed in a kitchen worktop. The hob is often combined with a built-in oven or built-in cooker generally located underneath.

From DE 94 19 782 U1 a cooktop with a glass-ceramic cooktop panel with several cooking zones is known, in which in an edge region of the glass ceramic cooktop as infrared sensor controlled contact surfaces formed controls and associated display elements for the cooking zones are integrated. There are associated control elements for switching on and off, for adjusting the temperature and for setting a cooking function of the hotplate for each hotplate respectively. To prevent cooking utensils or frying pans from being placed on the control and display elements, the area of the glass-ceramic plate with the operating elements and the display elements as an inclined desk is bent upwards.

In DE 30 10 714 A1 a control panel for the programming of four microcomputer controlled, electrically heated cooking zones of a glass ceramic hob is disclosed. The operation panel includes a preset cooking time end preset button and a cooking time preset preselection button, four preset buttons for selecting the cooking area to be programmed, a four-digit ten-digit preset entry keypad for entering times and power levels, and a digital electronic display device for displaying the entered ones times. The preselection buttons are designed as sensor fields. To set the cooking time a variety of control buttons is required in this control panel, which means a high cost and manufacturing costs. It is not described that the control panel is integrated in the hob.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a special cooking appliance with a hob with an ergonomically adjustable time control.

This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

The at least one time control device is now arranged on the cooktop or, in other words, integrated with the cooktop, in particular at its edge and / or below the cooktop.

The invention is therefore based on the idea of integrating a time control device ("timer") in the hob for at least one hotplate. As a result, this hob can be programmed in an ergonomic way directly on the hob and automatically operated without constant monitoring of the cooking end. Furthermore, according to the invention is also considered that the timing is a function of the hob, which does not have to be changed frequently during a cooking process, unlike, for example, the heating power control, and therefore delivering the range of the hob with the built-in time control unit by Gargutbehälter the workflows in Garen not negatively affected.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

According to the invention, each timer is arranged below the hob. Each actuator of the timer is then operable from the top of the hob and each display element of the timer visible from the top of the hob. Preferably, the timing device is held in a, preferably tray or box-shaped, carrier device (Kochmuldenträger, cooktop tray, trough) below the hob and carried by this.

In principle, it is of course also possible to attach the time control device to the cooktop base, for example by gluing. The arrangement of the time control device below the hob, the timer is protected from dirt and damage to serving as a work surface top of the hob and does not hinder even the handling of the cooking pots or the cooking material on the hob. The time control device can also be integrated in a hob frame.

In general, the cooking appliance also includes an operating device for selecting and / or setting a heating intensity for each of the heaters. The adjustable heating intensity of the heater determines the cooking intensity for the food and can in particular be a heating power (continuous) or heating level (discrete) or a cooking station temperature (controlled cooking) or higher automated versions and a defined in a cooking program time course of the heating power or Kochstellehtemperatur.

The first proposed according to the invention integration of the timer in the hob now creates the problem that in autark cooking fields, in which also said control device for adjusting the cooking intensities in the hob must be integrated, a variety of controls in a clear and ergonomic manner on the narrowly limited free, ie not occupied by hotplates, the surface of the hob must be accommodated in the standard installation dimension of 60 cm x 60 cm.

An advantageous development of the hob according to the invention is therefore based on the further consideration, the control device for setting the cooking intensity at the or, hotplates and the timer for setting the switch-on of the hob as separate and independent (individually, one after the other in any order ) mount and, if necessary, can also be disassembled mounting units, for example by means of their own separate printed circuit boards and electronic components mounted thereon.

As a result, small individual units are formed for self-cooking hobs, which can be arranged more easily and 'in greater freedom of design of the hob, taking into account ergonomic considerations.

Also, both for hobs without time control as well as for high-quality cooktops with time control, even for a different number of hotplates, the same control device can be used and the possibly required time control devices can laterally offset in the desired number and arrangement in self-cooking fields (lateral to the hob) be added to the operating device.

The spatial separation of timer and control device allows in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the arrangement of the control device outside the hob (not self-sufficient cooktops). Thus, during cooking for controlling or controlling the cooking temperature of an operator frequently required control device for the hobs can not be delivered by saucepans or frying pans or hinder them in the movement and / or damaged by them. Preferably, the control device for the hob on the control panel (control panel, control panel, control panel) a separate built-in box or a cooking appliance (built-in cooker), which additionally includes a cooking oven, arranged. Preferably, the control device for the Garfofen is then integrated into this control panel. At the control panel of the cooking appliance thus only the regularly used operating units are arranged, while the much less frequently used timer for the hob is integrated away from the control device in the hob. As a result, a clear operation of the cooking appliance is maintained even with the additional function of the timer.

In another embodiment, the timing device, and optionally also the operating device, is enclosed in a separate housing, which consists of a heat-insulating material for the protection of sensitive electronic components. The operating device is then arranged outside the housing of the time control device.

In a further embodiment, the time control device and / or the operating device preferably have optical, capacitive, inductive or piezoelectric sensors, which can all detect a touch of a contact surface on the upper side facing away from the carrier device (so-called touch sensors).

The timing means generally also comprises a control unit, preferably comprising at least one microprocessor, for processing signals from each actuator and for driving each indicator in response to the signals from the actuator (s), all of which are integrated together on a printed circuit board.

For controlling the heating power of each heating device, the hob usually has a power control device, which is in operative connection with the time control device and the operating device. The power control device preferably comprises a power actuator which can be adjusted as a function of operations of the operating device.

The time control device can now have an integrated switching element which can be switched as a function of the time specifications for switching through or blocking the heating power for the heating device the cooking point, in particular the heat output determined by the power actuator, have. This switching element for the time control can now be in electric heaters in particular an electronic switching element such as a semiconductor switch (semiconductor device with transmission and blocking behavior, semiconductor valve) or an electromechanical switching element such as a switching relay and gas-operated heaters a gas valve, which controls the gas flow to the cooking position opens or closes. In this embodiment with switching element, the timing device must not be fully electronic, but may also be electromechanical. In a second alternative, the power control device is structurally completely separated from the time control device and only connected via control and / or signal lines, in particular a data bus. Here, the time control device is generally fully electronic and controls a switching element present in the power control device.

The time control device may also include a clock, so that a dependent of the time clock programming is conceivable, especially when using a controllable clock, such as a radio clock. The time of the clock can be displayed at least on at least one display element in any case.

A particularly customizable and tunable hob results when the cooking time and / or the start time and / or the shutdown time for all hobs can be specified.

Fig. 1

einen Ausschnitt aus einem Längsschnitt durch ein Kochfeld;

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt aus einer Aufsicht auf das Kochfeld gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen Ausschnitt aus einer Aufsicht auf ein gegenüber Fig. 2 modifiziertes Kochfeld;

Fig. 4

einen Ausschnitt aus einer Aufsicht auf ein gegenüber den Fig. 2 und 3 modifiziertes Kochfeld;

Fig. 5

ein Gargerät mit einem Einbaukochfeld mit integrierter Zeitsteuerung und mit einem zugehörigen Einbaugarofen in einer Frontansicht.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. In each case show in a schematic Presentation:

Fig. 1

a section of a longitudinal section through a hob;

Fig. 2

a detail of a plan view of the hob of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

a detail of a plan view of a relative to Figure 2 modified hob;

Fig. 4

a detail of a plan view of a relative to Figures 2 and 3 modified hob;

Fig. 5

a cooking appliance with a built-in hob with integrated timer and with an associated Einbaugofen in a front view.

Fig. 1 shows a section of a longitudinal section through a cooking hob 2 shown schematically. The hob 2 comprises a hob plate 4, which is bordered by a peripheral frame 6 at its edge. The hob plate 4 consists of a glass ceramic. The frame 6 may be made of stainless steel or a plastic. Below the hob plate 4, a trough-shaped or box-shaped support means (trough, trough box) 3 is arranged. The support means 3 and the hob plate 4 are at their edges, in particular via the frame 6, connected to each other, so that a structural unit is formed and the entire hob 2 with hob plate 4, frame 6 and support means 3 can be transported and in a non-illustrated Kitchen worktop can be installed. The support means 3 carries under the hob plate 4 to be arranged further components of the hob 2, in particular Heating devices, of which by way of example a arranged below a cooking zone (cooking zone) 13 of the hob plate 4 radiant heater 8 is shown, and control and / or operating units.

In addition to the radiant heater 8, a time control device 12 for setting a cooking time duration and cooking start time and / or a cooking end time for the radiant heater 8 is mounted in the edge region of the carrier device 3 below the hob plate 4. The timing controller 12 comprises a printed circuit board 9, which is held in a substantially closed housing 5 made of a temperature-resistant and good heat insulating plastic (polymer material). The edges of the housing 5 are on the underside of the hob plate 4, possibly with the aid of a seal or sealant, to, so that the circuit board 9 is largely protected from dirt and moisture around. On the circuit board 9 are on the hob plate 4 facing top side by side an actuator 7 with one or more touch sensors, in particular infrared sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors or piezoelectric sensors, a display element 11, in particular a light emitting diode array, liquid crystal display or vacuum fluorescent display, especially in one Execution as a seven-segment display or as a graphical (pixel-oriented) display, and a microprocessor 19 for monitoring and evaluation of the signal output of the actuating element 7 and for driving the display element 11 electrically contacted. The actuator 7 registers operations for setting a cooking end time or a cooking time in an opposite area at the top of the cooking plate 4, which are indicated by a downward arrow. The display element 11 emits visible light through the hob plate 4 upwards and is controlled by the microprocessor 19 so that the time just set with the actuator is displayed on the display elements 11 for the control of the operator. In particular, in one embodiment, an operator may actuate the actuator 7 until the desired time appears on the display element 11, for example, by providing "+" and "-" touch panels.

Further, a switching element 17 is provided on the circuit board 9, for example on the underside thereof. The switching element 17 is connected via an electrical line (supply line, power line) 10 with the radiant heater 8 and via a further electrical line 10 'to a power supply unit, not shown for supplying the radiant heater 8 with electrical heating power. The power supply part usually comprises a connection to a power grid (power supply) with an upstream main switch and as a power control device for power or energy control for the radiant heater 8, an actuating element, in particular a switching relay or a Halbleitersteuerelment, for adjusting the electric heating power or electrical heating energy in dependence from a cooking intensity (cooking level) selected via an operating device (not shown in FIG. 1) in the context of a simple control or a temperature control. The switching element 17 of the timing device 12 is in the on state an electrical connection between the two lines 10 and 10 'and thus forth between the radiant heater 8 and the power supply part and inversely coupled in the off state the radiant heater 8 from the power supply. When the time control is not activated, the switching element 17 is always in the closed state. However, if now a cooking end time or a cooking time is set, the microprocessor 19 keeps the switching element 17 during the time to reach the set cooking end or the end of the set cooking time in its on state and then switches it after this time in the off state, thereby the power supply of the radiant heater 8 is interrupted.

The time control device 12 may not have an integrated switching element in deviation from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the microprocessor 19 after the expiration of the time control, the actuator in the power control device via signal lines, in particular a data bus off.

Finally, the time control device 12 may also have a microprocessor 19 controlled, not shown, acoustic signal transmitter, for example, a small speaker, which at the end of the set time or on reaching the set end time, an audible signal, such as a buzzer or a periodic beeping generated.

In the section shown in Fig. 2 on the cooking hob 2 shown schematically, two hotplates 14, 16 can be seen. Two more cooking zones, which are arranged behind the cooking zones 14, 16 are not visible in this drawing. In the front left and front right corners 24 are in an operating area 24 two control fields 18 and 20 of a time control device 12 each with two designed as sensing elements (sensor keys, touch pads) 28 controls for setting the time and in a display area 22 each two arranged adjacent to the controls display elements 26. Each control panel 18 and 20 is provided for the timing of two of the four cooking zones, each cooking station is assigned a probe element 28 with associated display element 22. The display elements 26 are formed with two 7-segment displays for displaying a two-digit number of minutes.

The pressing of a probe element 28 for a desired hotplate of a arranged in the timing controller 12 and not shown here logic module, which may be implemented in particular with a suitably programmed microprocessor, detects and causes the number of minutes starting at zero ascending to specify a cooking time is displayed for the hotplate in the display area 22. When the probe element 28 is released, the minute number currently displayed in the display area 22 is specified as the cooking time duration for the cooking area. The 7-segment displays of the display elements 26 then continuously indicate the remaining cooking time remaining. A premature switching off of the cooking surface is obtained either by pressing the probe element 28 until the value "zero" is displayed in the display area 22 for the number of minutes or by issuing a not shown here and belonging to an operating device gag to specify the heating power. This control device can be provided in particular in a separate control panel in a built-in furniture or on a control panel of a stove, not shown, with oven.

A relative to the hob 2 modified glass-ceramic hob 30 with control panels 32 of a timing controller 12 is shown in Fig. 3 schematically in a section of a plan view. The control panels 32 have shown in FIG. 3 in their display area 34 now each have four 7-segment displays 26, so that the specification of a cooking time and a cooking time in 24-hour format for each of the four hotplates is possible. For this purpose, the actuation region 35 of the operating element 32 has two sensing elements designed as sensor keys, which are designed as a plus key 36 and a minus key 38. It can be selected by pressing the plus and minus buttons 36 and 38 on the one hand, whether the hour or minute number should be set and whether the cooking time or cooking end time should be specified.

Between the two control panels 32, an operating device (control panel) 31 is arranged approximately in the middle of the two cooking zones 14 and 16 for adjusting the heating power of the cooking zones 14 and 16 and the other two rear cooking zones. The operating device 31 includes, in a left area, a plus sensor key 33 for increasing the heating power, and a minus sensor key 37 for decreasing the heating power. With a arranged in the right area of the control device 31 keypad 39 with four analogous to the arrangement of the hotplates matrix-like arranged buttons, the hotplate can be selected, the heating power to be set or changed. The currently set heating power is displayed on a 7-segment display 41 arranged between the keypad 39 and the sensor keys 33 and 37.

A further embodiment, which is alternative to the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3, is shown in FIG. 4. In the section shown there from the plan view of a hob, in particular a glass ceramic hob, 40 four cooking zones 42 to 48 can be seen, the heating power or cooking intensity by means of an operating device 31, which can be set up again as shown in FIG. In the center of the cooktop 40, a timer 12 is provided for setting the duration or end time of the operation of the cooktop heaters. An actuation region 52 of the time control device 12 comprises a function push-button element 54 arranged on the left-hand side in the drawing and on the right-hand side the plus button 36 and minus button 38 already known from FIG. 3. A display region 56 of the time control device 12 has the also already known from FIG. 3 arrangement of four 7-segment displays 26 for displaying a time in the 24-hour format.

In addition, a signal field 58 is included in the display area 56. In this signal field 58 four ring or circular disk-shaped symbol areas 60, 62, 64 and 66 are provided, the arrangement of their respective associated hotplates 42 to 48 is modeled. For example, to display a currently selectable, selected hotplate, the associated symbol region 60 to 66 may flash; to display an already preset cooking area, the corresponding symbol area 60 to 66 can light up permanently. Likewise, a color change to represent the various operating conditions makes sense. This makes it possible for the operator of the hob at any time to recognize whether a cooking position is preset and if so, which cooking station (s) in terms Cooking time duration and / or start or end time is preset. Within these annular symbol areas 60 to 66, the heat content (hot or cold) of a working hotplate as well as after their shutdown (residual heat indicator) can be displayed.

The saving achieved in this timing device 12 of separate sensing elements for each of the four cooking zones 42 to 48 is achieved thanks to the function key element 54. The logic module further encompassed by the timing controller 12 and not shown here switches the function key element 54 automatically after a non-actuation time of, for example, 30 seconds into a first function "cooking area selection". By pressing the plus button 36 or the minus button 38 in the signal field 58 the annular symbol area of the last selected cooking place flashes. By pressing the plus key 36 or the minus key 38 again, the next hotplate is selected in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

If the desired hotplate selected, then after pressing the function key element 54 again, the function "cooking time default" is possible. The cooking time (or cooking time) is then as already explained to Fig. 3 by means of the plus button 36 and the minus button 38 adjustable. With the repeated pressing of the function key element 54, the control circuit closes again and the operator has returned to the function "cooking area selection". A non-actuation of the function key element 54 of more than 30 seconds also leads to this result.

In this way is a timer for the entire hob 40 with only three sensing elements (function key 54, plus key 36 and minus key 38) in terms of cooking time or cooking end time of each of the burners 42 to 48 operable.

In the embodiments described in FIGS. 3 and 4, the entire hob 30 and 40 is also completely independent of a built-in cooker or an external control box operable and can be arranged and thus designed as a self-sufficient hob.

However, the integration of the time control device into the hob is particularly advantageous in the embodiments in which the operating device for setting the cooking surface heights is not integrated in the hob (external operation).

Such an embodiment was already apparent from Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows another such embodiment of a cooktop 2 with external operation but integrated timing. The rectangular hob 2 is installed in a worktop 99 of a fitted kitchen and surrounded by a frame 6. On the hob plate 4 four matrix-shaped cooking zones 72, 74, 76 and 78 are marked, under each of which an associated, not shown heating device such as one or more radiant heaters are arranged. The cooking areas 72, 74, 76 and 78 are operable via associated control knobs (rotary knobs, rotary knobs) 82, 84, 86 and 88 arranged on a control panel 80 arranged below the worktop 99 below the hob 2. By turning one of the control knob 82, 84, 86 and 88, the heating power (cooking level, cooking intensity) of the heater of the associated hob 72, 74, 76 or 78 are set. Behind the control panel 80 a to the control knobs 82, 84, 86 and 88 mechanically connected and electrically connected to the heaters of the cooking zones 72, 74, 76 and 78 connected power control device is provided, which can be performed in a conventional manner. The set heating power can be displayed by a print on the control knobs 82, 84, 86 and 88 and / or on the control panel 80 or arranged next to the control knobs, controllable optical display elements.

The spatial separation of hob 2 and control device with the control knobs 82, 84, 86 and 88 is advantageous because the control knob 82, 84, 86 and 88 does not interfere with the movement of the food containers on the hob 2. Instead of control knobs 82, 84, 86 and 88 also arranged on the control panel 80 touch sensors can be used. Again, these touch sensors on the obliquely or vertically extending control panel 80 can not be delivered by Gargutbehältern in contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, in which this represents a certain disadvantage.

It is now in the hob 2 in one, here right front corner area a timer 12 for the hob 78 integrated with below the hob plate 4 arranged actuators 45 and 47 and display elements 43, which are actuated respectively visible from the surface of the hob 2. The delivery of the control surface of this time control device 12 by Gargutbehälter during a cooking process is not problematic, since the timing is set only once and then runs automatically.

Of course, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, it is also possible to provide a differently configured and / or time control device 12 provided for a plurality of hotplates, in particular in an embodiment according to one of FIGS. 1 to 4.

Below the control panel 80, a cooking oven (built-in oven) 1 is arranged with a closable by a door 92 cooking chamber 95. In the door 92, a viewing window 94 is formed for insight into the oven 95. On the control panel 80 are now in addition to the control knobs 82 to 88 for the hob 2 also further control knob 83 and 85, in particular for heating and temperature selection, and a display 87 for the oven 1 is provided.

All frequently used controls (and associated displays) for operating the combined from the hob 2 and the cooking oven 1 cooking appliance (cooker) are thus ergonomically combined on the control panel 80, while the usually much less frequently used timing device 12 is integrated in the hob 2 and thereby the clarity of the operation of the control panel 80 is not affected.

Claims (11)

1. Cooking apparatus (2, 30, 40) having

   a) a glass ceramic hob with a preset number of cooking zones (14, 16, 42, 44, 46, 48, 72, 74, 76, 78), wherein in each case a heating device (8) is assigned to each cooking zone,

   b) at least one time-control device (12) arranged on the glass ceramic hob for presetting time period and/or start time point and/or end time point for operation of at least one of the heating devices having

   b1) at least one actuating element (7, 28, 36, 38, 45, 47, 54) for setting a time which preferably comprises at least one optical, capacitive, inductive or piezoelectric sensor, and

   b2) at least one display element (11,26) for displaying the time set via the at least one actuating element,

   characterised in that

   c) the time-control device is integrated into the glass ceramic hob, wherein

   cl) the at least one actuating element for setting the time and the at least one display element for displaying the time are arranged below the glass ceramic hob and can be actuated or are visible from the surface of the glass ceramic hob.
2. Cooking apparatus according to claim 1, in which each cooking zone is arranged on an upper side of the hob and each time-control device is arranged on a lower side of the hob facing away from the upper side and each actuating element of the time-control device can be actuated from the upper side of the hob and each display element of the time-control device is arranged below a region of the hob which is transparent to light in at least a partial range of the visible spectrum.
3. Cooking apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, in which the time-control device comprises an at least predominantly closed outer housing made from a heat-resistant, preferably also heat-insulating, material, preferably a plastic.
4. Cooking apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, in which each actuating element and each display element of the time-control device are arranged on a printed circuit board together with a control unit, which preferably comprises at least one microprocessor.
5. Cooking apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, in which the time-control device (12) comprises a clock, wherein the presettable times are preferably dependent on the clock time of the clock and/or the clock time can preferably be shown on the at least one display element, and/or comprises an acoustic signal transmitter, which produces an acoustic signal when the set cooking time period expires or when the preset cooking time end point is reached.
6. Cooking apparatus according to one of the preceding claims having a preferably trough-shaped or box-shaped support device (3) arranged at least partly below the hob, for supporting each heating device and the time-control device.
7. Cooking apparatus according to one of the preceding claims having at least one operating device for selecting and/or adjusting a heat intensity for each of the heating devices.
8. Cooking apparatus according to claim 7, in which the operating device and the time-control device are structurally separate and can be assembled and optionally dismantled independently of one another.
9. Cooking, apparatus according to one of claims 7 and 8 having a cooking oven (1) preferably arranged below the hob or which can be installed in built-in furniture, and comprises a closable cooking space and at least one cooking space heating device for heating the cooking space, wherein the operating device for the heating device or heating devices assigned to the cooking zone or zones is arranged on an operating panel (80) arranged in particular between hob and cooking oven, on which operating panel (80) an operating device (83, 85) for the cooking space heating device or the cooking space heating devices is also arranged.
10. Cooking apparatus according to one of claims 7 to 9 having a power-control device connected to the time-control device and the operating device, to control the heating power of each heating device.
11. Cooking apparatus according to claim 10, in which the time-control device comprises a switch element (17) series-connected to the power-control device upstream of the heating device.

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