EP2706816A1 - Operating method for a cooking hob and cooking hob - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves controlling a cooking hob (11) that is provided with several cooking areas (14a-14d). Each cooking area is provided with pan detection device (23a-23d) having pan detection function. A power transferred from hotplate to the pan to be heated is recognized for providing warning. The power transmitted to the pan is displayed on display (16) with respect to maximum power transferred as feedback from operator. A cooking process is performed based on correction of power transmitted to the pan. An independent claim is included for a cooking hob.

Description

Field of application and state of the art

The invention relates to an operating method for a hob, in particular an induction cooktop, and a corresponding hob, which is designed to carry out this operating method.

From the DE 10315217 A1 It is known, especially in an induction cooktop via a pan detection function to give an operator feedback that relates to an established pot. This can be a displaced or a correct, so concentric, putting on the hotplate or recognizing a clearly too small or too large pot. The feedback to the operator can be done schematically via a simple display, for example, a moved pot.

A pot detection function which can also be used for other types of heating, in particular for radiant heaters, is known, for example, from US Pat EP 788293 A2 and EP 982973 A2 known. Here, the presence of a pot is detected by means of an inductive loop or pan detection coil. In a further embodiment, a pot which is too small or even displaced can be recognized by special shaping of the loop. Also from the DE 10062372 B4 It is known to indicate to an operator when a pot is not placed in the optimum position. Here, the detection of a pot position via weight sensors on the hob takes place.

From the DE 102008017287 A1 It is known to examine a pot with regard to its quality with respect to the power transmission to its heating.

Task and solution

The invention has for its object to provide an aforementioned method and trained to perform cooking hob, which problems of the prior art can be avoided and it is particularly possible to give an operator more information about a current operation or cooking process and to optimize a cooking process in terms of power transmission as possible.

This object is achieved by an operating method having the features of claim 1 and a cooking hob designed to carry it out with the features of claim 10. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of further claims and are explained in more detail below. Some of the features are called or explained only in connection with the operating method or only the hob. However, they should be able to apply independently for both the operating method and for the hob independently. The wording of the claims is incorporated herein by express reference.

It is envisaged that an induction cooktop has a plurality of induction cooking zones, each with a pan detection device including pan detection function. With regard to an embodiment of such a pan detection device, reference is made, for example, to the aforementioned prior art, in particular depending on the type of heating device or induction heating device. Furthermore, a power transmission from the cooking area is recorded in a raised pot to its warming. This can be done in a simple case in that on the one hand the power supply to a heater of the cooking area, preferably an induction coil, but alternatively also a radiant heater or a gas burner, is detected by a control device. On the other hand, the temperature change in the pot detected as a result of power transmission, so to speak as a result, for example via temperature sensors in or on the bottom of the pot or under a hob plate. From the power supplied to the heater on the one hand and the power reached in the pot, which causes the temperature increase, the power transmission can be detected.

A display is provided, preferably an optical display, with which the power currently transmitted from the cooking area into the pot is displayed relative to the maximum possible transmittable power at this hotplate as feedback to an operator. This display can be done on the one hand as a relative indication, advantageously in% or corresponding graphical display, or on the other hand as an absolute value compared to the maximum possible power transmission at this cooking place. This means that either "90%" is displayed to the operator, for example, as a circumstance that the current power transmission corresponds to 90% of the maximum power transmission possible for this hotplate. Alternatively, the display can be made as an absolute value in watts, for example as "1800 watts", if a maximum of 2000 watts of power can be transmitted with the cooking zone.

This makes it possible to give an operator the information about how good the current power transmission and thus the energy efficiency of the cooking process. In particular, this is what is explained in more detail below, given an indication to improve in poor or inefficient power transmission, either by better positioning of the pot on this hotplate or by placing the pot on another and more suitable cooking. Although the invention is described herein for an induction cooktop with an induction heater, it may also be advantageously implemented in a general form for other types of heating. Advantageously, in the present invention, a hotplate better suited to the attached pot with a power transmission that is closer to its maximum possible power transmission in this pot, determined and displayed. This can be determined based on the determined for the current cooking power transfer for this pot and compared with the control of the hob known values for the other hobs. This is especially true in the case that a well too large or clearly too small hotplate was selected for this pot.

Thus, not only a more efficient operation can be achieved, in which unnecessary energy consumption can be avoided, but possibly also an absolutely higher power transfer in the selected pot can be achieved to speed up the cooking process. This better to the patch pot cooking surface can then be displayed to an operator on the display. Advantageously, therefore, not only generally asked to change the hotplate, but to choose a better suitable hotplate is displayed or offered directly.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible that the case that the power transmitted from the cooking area into the pot deviates by more than 10% from the maximum possible power transfer of this cooking point, an operator is displayed separately or specifically. Feedback can be provided by a blinking or otherwise discontinuous display. The operator is then made aware that the power transmission may or may not be better. As an alternative to the 10%, you can also choose a value of 20% or even up to 30%.

The relevant power transmission here is not the power consumed by the respective heating device or directly generated power, but the in a most optimized environment to a perfectly large or suitable and optimally placed pot transferable power, but under real conditions, so with normal pots. Values close to 95% or even something above are quite possible.

In another embodiment of the invention, the case that the actually transferred from the cooking area in the pot power differs by more than 20% from the maximum power transfer of this cooking, so more than before, be displayed on yet another type of operator than the aforementioned Case. For this purpose, the display may, for example, be lit statically, but with a color deviating from normal operation or with a deviating and, in particular, higher intensity. Again, this will generate the possibly necessary attention to an operator to change the current cooking process to improve power transfer. The value may also be more than 20%, for example more than 30% or more than 40%.

It is possible to simultaneously display the maximum possible power transfer at the cooking surface as well as the power actually transmitted by the cooking surface. Thus, an operator receives a maximum amount of information and it is subjectively imparted to be informed about the technical details of the currently running cooking process. In particular, then its optimal running can be controlled. Such a simultaneous display can advantageously be adjacent, ie next to each other or one above the other. The display can be made in the aforementioned numerical values. Alternatively, it is also possible to use so-called bar or bargraph displays which, by virtue of their relative length to one another, allow just the comparison desired here. Alternatively, a display can also be made alternately, for example for 1 second to 5 seconds.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, it is possible that for the hob a pot with its properties is stored in a control of the hob and can be detected during use. These characteristics are in particular size and power reduction or power transmission. Thus, the hob or its control knows each pot in detail and does not always have to record the power transmission separately in each case or so the power transmission can be additionally checked or checked. The detection of a pot can either be done by entering an operator on a hob control or by a wireless sensor in the hob and / or pot, for example by means of RFID or near field technology or NFC.

For learning about a pot, a learning mode can be provided in the controller in order to train a pot into the controller, so to speak. In this case, a pot can be operated once with at least two hotplates of the hob and thereby its properties are determined and the best for him cooking hob in terms of power transmission. Alternatively, the pot can be operated at all cooking zones of the hob or at least to those who are structurally different from each other, so not every time at one of several identical cooking zones. These data can then be stored in a memory of the controller and called when using this pot. Then an operator can be recommended not only on the basis of measured values a cooker change, but already on the basis of the given from the outset choice of the pot and the hob on which he has been asked.

An inventive cooktop or induction cooktop thus has the above-mentioned pan detection device, a display, preferably as a large-area display with multiple display options, especially for all hobs simultaneously, and a device for detecting the transmission of power from the heater into the pot.

These and other features will become apparent from the claims but also from the description and drawings, wherein the individual features each alone or more in the form of sub-combinations in an embodiment of the invention and in other fields be realized and advantageous and protectable Represent embodiments for which protection is claimed here. The subdivision of the application into individual sections as well as intermediate headings does not restrict the general validity of the statements made thereunder.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Kochfeld mit vier Kochstellen und einer Anzeige,

Fig. 2

die Anzeige des Kochfeldes aus Fig. 1 in Vergrößerung,

Fig. 3 und 4

verschiedene Darstellungen von auf eine Kochstelle aufgesetzten Töpfen unterschiedlicher Größe mit einer relativen Anzeige,

Fig. 5

ein Fall eines versetzt auf die Kochstelle aufgesetzten Topfes,

Fig. 6

eine Abwandlung einer absoluten Anzeige der in einen Topf übertragenen Leistung und

Fig. 7

eine nochmals weitere Abwandlung als relative Anzeige einer Leistungsübertragung als Bargraph.

Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a top view of an inventive hob with four burners and a display,

Fig. 2

the display of the hob off Fig. 1 in magnification,

3 and 4

various representations of pots of different sizes placed on a hob with a relative indication,

Fig. 5

a case of a pot placed on the cooking surface,

Fig. 6

a modification of an absolute indication of the power transferred into a pot and

Fig. 7

Yet another modification as a relative indication of a power transfer as a bar graph.

Detailed description of the embodiments

In Fig. 1 is greatly simplified a hob 11 shown in plan view, which has a hob plate 12 and four hotplates 14a to 14d. Furthermore, the hob 11 has a display 16 and a plurality of operating elements 18, which may advantageously be formed according to the prior art, advantageously as capacitive touch sensors. Finally, a control 20 is provided, which is connected to all cooking zones 14a to 14d, in particular also to the power supply, which is why it is also connected for better visualization with a connection cable 21. Furthermore, the controller 20 is connected to the display 16 and the controls 18.

In addition, each hotplate 14a to 14d is assigned its own so-called pan detection coil 23a to 23d. Such pan detection coils have been mentioned at the beginning. On the one hand, they serve to detect the placement of a pot on one of the hobs 14a to 14d. In addition, they can also recognize a correct placement or recognize whether a pot is moved. Furthermore, these pan detection coils 23a to 23d can be used to recognize peculiarities or individual identifiers in a pot. Finally, they can also, as for example from the EP 858722 A1 is known to be used to detect a pot bottom temperature and thus also support a determination of a power transfer from the cooking zones 14a to 14d in the pot. Instead of the pot detection coils 23a to 23d, other means may be used to detect the placement of a pot at all on one of the hobs 14a to 14d or the correct placement. The pan detection coils are intended for use with radiant heaters. In an induction heater, the induction coil itself makes pan detection, as known to those skilled in the art. When heated with gas can be another Pot detection be provided, for example, optically or mechanically.

If the burners 14a to 14d have induction heaters, the detection of power transmission is much easier. While namely radiant heaters always work with the same power or their heat output is calculated with their efficiency input power, and then just the heat input must be recorded in the pot, induction heaters can only deliver as much power as the patch pot can accommodate. In this case, devices for pot detection are at most advantageous in order to be able to better recognize a pot which has been placed in an offset manner, wherein actually this too can be taken from the operating values of an induction heating device.

In addition, further sensors can be provided in the region of the cooking zones 14a to 14d, in particular temperature sensors below the hob plate 12. These temperature sensors can be used to detect the actual power transmission into an attached pot. This is especially advantageous when using radiant heaters.

In Fig. 2 enlarged display 16 is shown. It has two seven-segment displays 25a to 25d on the left and right, and four cooking zone displays 26a to 26d in a central region. The seven-segment displays 25a to 25d here have two digits and can each have a luminous percent symbol to the right. The hotplate displays 26a to 26d can be luminous rings or luminous circular surfaces and are arranged in the rectangle corresponding to the hotplates 14a to 14d. In the display 16 corresponds to the seven-segment display 25a together with hotplate display 26a of the hotplate 14a, etc ..

In Fig. 3 a case is shown in which on the hob 14b with the pan detection coil 23b, a pot 30 is placed, which is obviously too small. Here, the display 16 indicates to an operator via the seven-segment display 25b that the transmitted power is only 60% of the maximum possible power transmission. The controller 20 has determined this value of 60% in one of the aforementioned ways, that is to say either from a comparison of the specifically recognized pot 30 with the hotplate 14 b, from a power transmission actually measured on account of temperatures into the pot or from the operating data of an induction heater Hotplate 14b.

Furthermore, according to one aspect of the invention, an operator should not only be notified of the relatively low current power transmission but should be given a recommendation for changing the cooking surface. Therefore, the display 16 indicates by means of the cooking area displays 26 that although the hotplate display 26b associated with the hotplate 14b has medium intensity, as will be illustrated graphically here. Finally, the hotplate 14b is currently in operation. At the same time, however, the hotplate display 26d of the lower right-hand cooking point 14d, which is smaller and thus better matches the mounted pot 30, shines clearly brighter and flashes, as should be illustrated here in the drawing. An operator thus recognizes that it better shifts the pot 30 from the medium-sized hob 14b to the small hotplate 14d and continues to heat it there.

In Fig. 4 In a similar way, the case is shown in which a pot 30 ', which is much larger or clearly too large, is placed on the cooking area 14b with the pan detection coil 23b. Here, the seven-segment display 25 indicates as "-60%", which should be understood that the power transmission of the hotplate 14b is only 60% of the maximum possible power transfer for this pot 30 '. Of course, other forms of representation are also possible here, as long as they convey to an operator that an optimum for this pot 30 ' Cooker should be larger with higher power transfer, which of course would result in faster heating and a faster cooking process.

In turn, the hotplate display 26b lights medium and continuously at the hotplate displays 26 as a sign for the operation of the hotplate 14b. For this, the hotplate indicator 26c of the associated large hotplate 14c shines strongly and flashing as a request to the operator to better operate the large pot 30 'on the large hotplate 14c.

In Fig. 5 Finally, the case is shown where a pot 30 ", which would in itself fit in size, is put on the hotplate 14b in a distinctly offset manner, and the seven-segment display 25b again shows the relative power transmission at 60%. In addition, only the hotplate display 26b of the hotplate 14b flashes sharply and otherwise no hotplate display This is to convey to an operator that primarily no hotplate change is proposed, but the hotplate 14b itself is not Thus, the operator can easily correct this so that even slight displacements or a slightly offset pot can be recognized, since the pot is 30 "in size somewhat would fit well to the hotplate 14b, after proper placement, the seven-segment display 25b would need to be inserted indicate very high value, for example between 85% or 90% and 100%.

In Fig. 6 Finally, it is shown how a seven-segment display 25 'with more digits, namely four digits, can also display the absolute power. Then either two such seven-segment displays 25 'are to be provided per hotplate, which each indicate the maximum power transmission possible for this hotplate and below that the current power transfer. A glowing "W" symbol corresponding to the percent symbol Fig. 2 It is also made clear that this is an absolute performance. Here, however, it is more appropriate for the entire display 16 to use a graphic display with a resolution of at least 50 or better over 100 pixels horizontally and vertically.

In Fig. 7 is shown as yet another variant of a relative display of power transmission a so-called bar graph 27. It is divided into several segments 28a to 28d. They can be illuminated individually and are always shorter. In addition, they can also have different colors, for example, dark red for the section 28a, mid-red for the section 28b, yellow for the section 28c and green for the section 28d. The more segments that are lit, the higher the relative power transfer. In the the Fig. 3 to 6 corresponding instance of a current power transfer of about 60%, the segments 28a and 28b would then light up. By their respective red color an operator recognizes that this is an unacceptable condition.

For example, at Fig. 3 the small pot 30 placed on the small hob 14d and operated there, so for example, a relative power transfer of 90% would be achieved. To indicate this, the third segment 28c is added. By its color yellow can be displayed to an operator that, although not an optimal state is reached, but at least an acceptable. As an alternative to such non-uniform division of the bar graph 27 with different colors, a much finer division may also be provided, for example into twenty segments for 5 percent steps of the indication of relative power transmission. Alternatively, there may be fewer segments and one half of such a bargraph may be formed by a single luminous field since fewer than 50% relative power transfer are rare or can be presented differently.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is also possible, as has been explained above, a different strong deviation of the transferred from the respective hob 14 in a pot 30 power from the maximum possible power transfer this cooking hotplates 26 or other displays differently bright or strong, different colors or flashing or static to operate. However, this is easy to imagine and need not be explained in detail here for the expert.

Claims (10)

Operating method for an induction cooktop, wherein the cooktop has a plurality of induction cookers, each with a pan detection device including pan detection function and wherein a power transfer from the cooking area is detected in a set-up pot to its heating, with a display of the current from the cooking place in the pot transmitted power in relation to the maximum possible power transfer at this hotplate is relatively or absolutely displayed as feedback to an operator, characterized in that a better fitting to the attached pot induction hob is determined with lying closer to their maximum possible power transmission in this pot power transmission Based on the determined for the current hotplate power transfer, and an operator this hotplate is displayed on the display as a request for changing the saucepan for the pot. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the event that the power transmitted from the cooking place into the pot deviates by more than 10% from the maximum possible power transfer of the cooking surface, the display is flashing or otherwise operated discontinuously as feedback. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the event that the power transferred from the cooking place into the pot deviates by more than 20% from the maximum possible power transfer of the cooking surface, the display is flashing or otherwise operated discontinuously as feedback. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the case that transferred from the cooking place in the pot Power deviates by more than 20% from the maximum possible power transfer of the cooking area, the display is lit statically. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that in the event that the power transmitted from the cooking place into the pot differs by more than 30% from the maximum possible power transfer of the cooking surface, the display is lit statically. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum power transfer possible at the cooking surface and the power currently transmitted by the cooking surface are displayed simultaneously. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pot is stored with its properties in a control of the hob and is detected in use, either by entering an operator on a hob control or wireless sensor in the hob and / or pot. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that a pot is stored with its properties in terms of size and / or power dissipation or power in a control of the hob and is detected in use, either by entering an operator on a hob control or wireless sensor in the Hob and / or in the pot. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a learning mode for teaching a pot is provided in the controller, in which a pot once with at least two cooking places the hob is operated and its properties and optimal for him cooking point in terms of power transmission are stored in a memory of the controller. Induction cooktop with a plurality of induction cooking zones, each with a pan detection device including pan detection function, wherein a power transmission from the cooking place takes place in an established pot, characterized in that it is adapted to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims with a pan detection device, a display and a device for detecting the transmission of power into the pot.

Images