[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of cooking appliances. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a cooking appliance, preferably an
induction hob, comprising switching means for selectively activating one or more heating
power transferring elements in a vertical or horizontal heating power transferring
element arrangement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cooking appliances comprising switched heating power transferring elements are known
in prior art.
[0003] Specifically, cooking appliances are known which provide the capability of merging
multiple heating zones to a cooking zone in order to heat larger-sized cookware items.
[0004] Disadvantageously, known cooking appliances provide only limited capabilities of
forming cooking zones, because only those heating power transferring elements associated
with certain heating zones can be combined which are powered by the same heating power
energy unit. Thereby, synchronization between different heating power energy units
can be avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an objective of the embodiments of the invention to provide a cooking appliance
with improved flexibility of forming cooking zones with limited technical effort.
The objective is solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments
are given in the dependent claims. If not explicitly indicated otherwise, embodiments
of the invention can be freely combined with each other.
[0006] It is known in the art that such household cooking hobs or cooking appliances usually
are provided for conducting at least one cooking process comprising heating and/or
cooling step, respectively. Such cooking process preferably at least comprises a heating
step, e.g. frying, boiling, simmering or pouching of a foodstuff or a cooking liquid,
respectively. For supporting the foodstuff or cookware item, it is particularly known
to provide a cooking support, for example in the form of a cooking surface. Such cooking
surface usually provides a support for the cookware items, for example, provided in
the form of a plate element, particularly a glass or glass ceramic plate.
[0007] Preferably, the cooking hob comprises, preferably consists of, a cooking support
and a lower casing. Thereby it is preferred that an open top side of the lower casing
is covered by at least a part of the cooking support. The cooking support may be provided
particularly as at least one panel, wherein preferably the panel is a glass ceramic
panel. Preferably, at least one or more heating power transferring elements are arranged
beneath the panel.
[0008] The lower casing may be manufactured from different material comprising plastics
or metal, e.g. aluminum.
In particular, such casing may include a bottom wall and at least one sidewall. It
is preferred that said casing is made of metal, e.g. aluminium or steel, and/or plastics,
wherein preferably the casing made of metal is grounded.
[0009] Advantageously said lower casing may comprise at least one heating power energy unit,
particularly arranged in a respective heating power energy unit housing, the heating
power transferring elements, heating power transferring element carrier or heating
power transferring element support. In other words, the lower casing and the cooking
support may form a closed unit comprising all essential parts of the cooking hob.
Thereby the lower casing may comprise fastening means for fastening and/or arranging
the cooking hob on top of or in a cutout of a work plate.
[0010] Thereby, preferably, a power transferring element may be arranged below a cooking
support. Preferably, the one or more heating power transferring elements are arranged
in an upper portion of the lower casing of the cooking hob. A power transferring element
may be arranged and supported by one or more heating power transferring element carrier
or heating power transferring element support, preferably the power transferring element
attached and/or arranged on said carrier or support. A housing comprising an energy
power unit may be arranged below one or more heating power transferring element carrier
or heating power transferring element supports. Thereby, preferably a heating power
transferring element carrier or heating power transferring element support with the
supported heating power-transferring element may advantageously be arranged on top
of and/or attached to such housing of an energy power unit.
[0011] For conducting the cooking process, particularly a heating step, a cooking appliance,
particularly the lower casing, comprises at least one heating power-transferring element.
Said heating power-transferring element is provided for transferring heating power
to the foodstuff or cooking liquid, preferably contained in a cookware item.
[0012] Preferably, the at least one heating power transferring element is an electric heating
element, in particular an induction heating element, particularly induction coil,
and/or radiant heating element. The heating power provided by a heating power-transferring
element may be preferably provided electrically. Preferably, the heating power may
be provided by a heat-generating magnetic field, more particularly an induction field.
Accordingly, the cooking hob of the present invention preferably is an induction hob.
[0013] Preferably, a heating power-transferring element in the form of an induction coil
comprises a planar conductive winding wire, particularly a copper wire. Preferably,
an induction coil comprises at least one magnetic field supporting element, e.g. a
ferrite element. Preferably, said at least one magnetic field supporting element,
particularly at least one ferrite element, is arranged below the plane of the conductive
winding wire. Said at least one magnetic field supporting element, particularly ferrite
element, is advantageous in establishing and/or supporting the high frequent alternating
magnetic field of the induction coil. Said magnetic field supporting element, particularly
if arranged below the conductive winding wire, may be glued to or supported by ferrite
support elements, e.g. snap fit connectors or the like.
[0014] Preferably, an induction coil comprises a shielding element, e.g. a mica sheet. The
shielding element preferably is adapted to the form of the planar conductive winding
wire or the form of at least two planar conductive winding wires of at least two adjacently
arranged coils. The shielding element preferably is provided above the at least one
magnetic field supporting element, particularly at least one ferrite element. The
shielding element preferably in its main function is a support for the planar conductive
wire windings of the coil. However, additionally the shielding element, particularly
mica sheet, may also shield temperature radiated from the above, e.g. resulting from
a heated up pot bottom.
[0015] In the cooking hob of the present invention the at least one heating power transferring
element is preferably arranged and/or mounted on a heating power transferring element
carrier or heating power transferring element support, particularly comprised in the
lower casing. It is particularly preferred that a carrier made of aluminum sheet metal
supports the heating power-transferring element. Particularly, the cooking hob of
the present invention may comprise power transferring element carrier or heating power
transferring element support to support one heating power transferring element, however,
it is also considered herein that one power transferring element carrier or heating
power transferring element support is provided to support more than one heating power
transferring element.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two heating power transferring
elements are arranged on and supported by one common heating power transferring element
carrier. Particularly at least two induction coils are arranged on and supported by
one common induction coil carrier plate.
[0017] The heating power transferring element carrier or heating power transferring element
support may be advantageously supported by or on a housing of the heating energy power
unit.
[0018] Particularly, at least one of, preferably all of, the heating power transferring
elements of an cooking hob of the invention, more particularly an induction coil of
an induction hob, may be arranged below a cooking support, particularly a cooking
surface in form of a plate element, and particularly within the lower casing, in order
to provide the heat for a heating step to a heating zone of the cooking support and
to the bottom side of a cookware item and foodstuff, respectively, when placed on
said heating zone.
[0019] A cooking support of a cooking hob of the invention, particularly of an induction
hob of the invention, preferably comprises at least one heating zone. Such heating
zone as referred to herein, preferably refers to a portion of the cooking support,
particularly cooking surface, which is associated with one heating power transferring
element, e.g. a radiant heating element or an induction coil, which is arranged at,
preferably below, the cooking support, e.g. the glass ceramic plate. Particularly,
in an embodiment according to which the cooking hob of the present invention is an
induction hob, it is preferred that such heating zone refers to a portion of the cooking
support, which is associated with at least one induction coil. Thereby, the heating
power transferring elements associated with a heating zone are preferably configured
such that the same heating power of the associated heating power transferring elements
is transferred to the heating zone. Preferably, the heating zone thus refers to a
portion of the cooking support to which the same heating power of the associated at
least one heating power transferring element is transferred.
[0020] In addition, the cooking hob of the present invention, may particularly be configured
such that in one operation mode one or more than one heating zones form one cooking
zone and/or are combined to one cooking zone, respectively. A cooking zone may be
particularly provided as at least a portion of the cooking surface. Particularly,
such cooking zone is associated with at least one heating zone. Additionally, or alternatively,
a cooking zone may be associated with more than one heating zone. Particularly, a
cooking zone may be associated with an even number, particularly two, four, six, eight
or ten, more particularly two, heating zones. Alternatively, a cooking zone may be
associated with an uneven number, particularly three, five, seven or nine, more particularly
three, heating zones.
[0021] Preferably, the cooking hob of the present invention is configured such that a cooking
zone comprises one or more than one heating zones, which can be driven with the same
or different power, frequency or heating level.
[0022] In the present invention, it is preferred that in at least one operation mode of
the cooking hob according to the present invention is configured such that a cooking
zone comprises at least two, preferably two, heating zones, driven by the same power,
frequency or heating level. Particularly, such cooking zone comprises or is associated
with at least two, preferably two, heating power-transferring elements.
[0023] Additionally, or alternatively, the cooking hob of the present invention may be configured
such that the number of heating zones associated with one cooking zone may vary and/or
may be adjustable dependent on the needs of the cook and/or the size, form or kind
of cookware placed on the cooking surface.
[0024] Particularly, a cooking hob according to the present invention, preferably an electric
hob, such as an induction hob, may comprise at least one heating power energy unit.
A heating power energy unit as used herein, preferably provides energy to at least
one of, preferable a number of, the heating power transferring elements such that
the heating power transferring element is capable of transferring heating power for
heating up the foodstuff or cooking liquid. A heating power energy unit of an induction
hob, for example, may provide energy in the form of a high frequency alternating current
to a heating power-transferring element in the form of an induction coil, which transfers
heating power in the form of a magnetic field to a suitable cookware item. For such
purpose, a heating power energy unit may comprise at least one associated power circuit
mounted and/or arranged on at least one printed circuit board. Preferably, a heating
power energy unit is supported and arranged in a housing, preferably a plastic housing,
preferably arrangable in and adapted to the lower casing. This allows easy manufacturing
and modularization.
[0025] Particularly, the housing may comprise supporting elements for supporting the heating
power transferring element carrier or heating power transferring element support.
Particularly, such supporting elements may comprise elastic means, e.g. springs or
silicon elements, for elastically supporting the heating power transferring element
carrier or heating power transferring element support, and particularly advantageous
in pressing a heating power-transferring element onto the bottom surface of the cooking
support plate, which particularly is a glass ceramic plate.
[0026] Particularly, the heating power energy unit, and particularly the associated power
circuit, may be configured to be connected to at least one, preferably two phases
of a mains supply. A cooking hob according to the present invention thereby comprises
at least one, preferably two or three heating power energy units, connected to one
or two, preferably one phases of the mains supply each.
[0027] Preferably, a heating power energy unit may comprise at least - one associated power
circuit, particularly in the form of an at least one heating power generator, for
generating heating power and supplying heating power-transferring elements with heating
power, particularly for providing heating power to the at least one heating zone.
Thereby the power circuit particularly may be provided in the form of a half-bridge
configuration or a quasi-resonant configuration.
[0028] It will be immediately understood that the heating power energy unit may thus comprise
one heating power generator for providing heating power to more than one heating zone,
each associated with at least one heating power transferring element.
[0029] Furthermore, the heating power energy unit may comprise one heating power generator
comprising a single or pair of high frequency switching elements.
[0030] In particular, the high frequency switching element is provided in the form of a
semiconductor-switching element, particularly an IGBT element.
[0031] In case the heating power energy unit may comprise one heating power generator comprising
a single high frequency switching element, the single switching element preferably
forms part of associated power circuit, provided in the form of a or a part of a Quasi
Resonant circuit.
[0032] In case that the heating power energy unit may comprise one heating generator comprises
a pair of high frequency switching elements, said pair of high frequency switching
elements preferably forms part of an associated power circuit, provided in the form
of a or a part of a half-bridge circuit.
[0033] A person skilled in the art will immediately understand that the heat, generated
by and/or radiated from particularly the heating power transferring elements, the
heating power energy unit and/or the cookware item, particularly the bottom thereof,
may have also disadvantageous effects, particularly regarding safety and proper functioning.
Particularly, the heating power energy unit, more particularly power circuits comprising
switching elements, may generate a significant amount of heat being disadvantage for
the safety and proper functioning of the cooking hob. For this reason, the cooking
hob comprises at least one cooling means. Particularly, said cooling means is adapted
for cooling down the electric and/or electronic elements. Particularly, the heating
power energy unit may comprise such cooling means. Such cooling means may comprise
at least one of a fan, a cooling channel, a cooling body, preferably from a metal,
particularly aluminium, cooling air-guiding means, cooling air deflection means and
the like. Particularly, the cooking hob of the present invention may comprise such
cooling means for cooling at least one heating power generator or a part thereof,
particularly to at least one single or pair of high frequency switching elements.
More particularly, such cooling means may comprise a cooling body, preferably arranged
in the air path of a cooling fan, and thermally connected to at least one heating
power generator or a part thereof, particularly to at least one single or pair of
high frequency switching elements. Thereby it is preferred that the cooling means
comprises at least one fan for generating an air stream through the cooling channel.
Preferably, the cooling channel and/or cooling body extends horizontally through the
cooking hob. For example, the cooling channel and/or cooling body extends over a substantial
part of the horizontal width of the cooking hob.
[0034] The cooking hob according to the present invention preferably further comprises a
control unit. Such control unit is preferably operatively connected with the heating
power energy unit to control at least one operational parameter of the cooking hob,
particularly an operational parameter of the heating power energy unit. Furthermore,
the control unit comprises a user interface at least for receiving a command input
of a user. This advantageously allows the user to control at least one operational
parameter of the cooking hob, particularly an operational parameter of the heating
power energy unit. Moreover, the control unit, and particularly a user interface if
present, may be operatively connected to other appliances or interfaces, e.g. a suction
hood, a voice control device, a server, a remote interface, a cloud-computing source
or the like.
[0035] Accordingly, the household cooking hob according to the present invention comprises
at least one electric and/or electronic element. Particularly, said at least one electric
and/or electronic element comprises a heating power energy unit and/or control unit
or parts thereof.
[0036] Particularly, the at least one electric and/or electronic element of the household
cooking hob of the present invention may be part of an at least one heating energy
power unit, preferably mounted and/or arranged on a power board and/or a power generating
circuit mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).
[0037] Such at least one electric and/or electronic element may be, for example, selected
from the group comprising a heating power generator, filter coils, EMC filters, rectifier,
switching elements, like IGBTs, relays, or the like.
[0038] According to an aspect, the invention refers to a cooking appliance, specifically
an induction hob. The appliance comprises multiple heating power transferring elements,
two or more heating power energy units for powering said heating power transferring
elements, a switching entity and a control unit. The switching entity comprises switching
means for selectively providing electric power to a subset of said heating power transferring
elements. Preferably, a first set of heating power transferring elements is directly
electrically connected to heating power energy units and a second set of heating power
transferring elements is indirectly electrically connected to said heating power energy
units via the switching entity. The control unit is configured to control said switching
means of the switching entity such that one or more heating power transferring elements
are powered by a certain heating power energy unit in a, in particular vertical or
horizontal, heating power transferring element arrangement. Preferably, based on the
switching entity it is possible to combine heating power transferring elements in
a, in particular vertical and horizontal, arrangement in order to form cooking zones,
wherein all heating power transferring elements included in a certain cooking zone
are powered by a common heating power energy unit.
[0039] Said appliance is advantageous because based on the switching entity a high flexibility
in combining, respectively, merging multiple heating power transferring elements to
cooking zones, specifically cooking zones which a longitudinal axis of horizontal
and vertical orientation, is achieved. Due to powering the heating power transferring
elements of a certain cooking zone with a common heating power energy unit, synchronization
tasks can be reduced or avoided.
[0040] According to an embodiment, the heating power energy units comprise two or more power
port groups, each power port group comprising one or more, specifically a pair of
power ports, wherein the power ports of at least one power port group are fixly electrically
coupled with one or more heating power transferring elements. Thereby, a subset of
heating power transferring elements is fixly associated with a certain heating power
energy unit in order to be electrically powered by said heating power energy unit.
[0041] According to an embodiment, the heating power energy units comprise two or more power
port groups, each power port group comprising one or more, specifically a pair of
power ports, wherein the power ports of at least one power port group are electrically
coupled with said switching entity. Based on said switching entity, said power port
group can be selectively electrically connected to different heating power transferring
elements in order to form cooking zones of different orientation.
[0042] According to an embodiment, the number of heating power energy units corresponds,
specifically is equal to the number of rows and/or columns of the arrangement according
to which said heating power transferring elements are arranged. Thereby, each row
or column can be associated with a certain heating power energy unit in order to power
the heating power transferring elements included in said row/column based on a common
heating power energy unit.
[0043] According to an embodiment, the switching entity comprises one or more groups of
output ports, wherein the group of output ports comprises output ports electrically
coupled with one or more heating power transferring elements arranged in a certain
row or column in which a further heating power transferring element is provided. Said
further heating power transferring element may be directly coupled with a heating
power energy unit without passing the switching entity. Thereby, only a limited number
of heating power transferring elements included in a certain row or column can be
switched based on said switching entity.
[0044] According to an embodiment, the group of output ports comprising output ports electrically
coupled with one or more heating power transferring elements arranged in a certain
row or column is configured to be electrically coupled via said switching means with
a certain heating power energy unit and wherein said heating power energy unit is
further electrically coupled with said further heating power transferring element.
Thereby it is possible to power all heating power transferring elements included in
a certain row or column based on a common heating power energy unit.
[0045] According to an embodiment, each heating power energy unit is powered by a single
phase of mains supply. Thereby all heating power transferring elements are powered
based on the same phase of mains supply which significantly reduces frequency synchronization
issues.
[0046] According to an embodiment, the switching entity comprises one or more input port
groups, said input port groups comprising multiple input ports and being electrically
coupled with one or more heating power energy units, one or more output port groups
comprising multiple output ports and a switching array comprising multiple switching
means providing a selective electrical coupling of input ports with output ports.
Thereby, a selective electrical coupling of heating power energy units connected to
said input port groups with one or more heating power transferring elements connected
to said output port groups can be obtained.
[0047] According to an embodiment, the number of groups of input ports and/or the number
of groups of output ports included in one switching entity or distributed over multiple
switching entities corresponds to, specifically is equal to the number of heating
power energy units included in the cooking appliance. In other words, the switching
entity or - in case of a splitted switching architecture - a set of multiple switching
entities comprises multiple switching portions, each switching portion comprising
a group of input ports and a group of output ports. Associating each switching portion
to a certain heating power energy unit is advantageous because based on the switching
means it can be decided which heating power transferring elements are powered by said
heating power energy unit. Thereby, a powering of heating power transferring elements
in a horizontal and vertical configuration is possible based on a single heating power
energy unit.
[0048] According to an embodiment, the cooking appliance comprises overlapping heating power
transferring elements, said overlapping heating power transferring elements at least
partially spanning over two or more heating power transferring elements arranged above
or below said overlapping heating power transferring elements. Based on said overlapping
heating power transferring elements it is possible to form a larger-sized cooking
zone by only powering a single heating power transferring element.
[0049] According to an embodiment, said overlapping heating power transferring element comprises
a first axis which is greater than a second axis being arranged perpendicular to said
first axis and wherein said first axis is arranged in horizontal or vertical direction.
Thus, by activating said overlapping heating power transferring element, a cooking
zone with a longitudinal axis in horizontal or vertical direction can be obtained.
[0050] According to an embodiment, an overlapping heating power transferring element and
a subgroup of one or more heating power transferring elements arranged in a plane
above or below said overlapping heating power transferring element are powered via
said switching entity. Thereby it is possible to power either the overlapping heating
power transferring element which provides a cooking zone with a longitudinal axis
in a first direction (e.g. vertical or horizontal direction) or two or more heating
power transferring elements providing a cooking zone with a longitudinal axis in a
second direction different from the first direction.
[0051] According to an embodiment, an overlapping heating power transferring element and
a subgroup of one or more heating power transferring elements arranged in a plane
above or below said overlapping heating power transferring element are coupled with
a certain group of output ports of the switching entity. Thereby it is possible to
power either the overlapping heating power transferring element which provides a cooking
zone with a longitudinal axis in a first direction (e.g. vertical or horizontal direction)
or two or more heating power transferring elements providing a cooking zone with a
longitudinal axis in a second direction different from the first direction.
[0052] According to an embodiment, each heating power energy unit is configured to power
the heating power transferring elements electrically coupled with said heating power
energy unit at the same frequency. Preferably, in said embodiment, the heating power
transferring elements are induction coils. The induction coils powered by the same
heating power energy unit may be driven with the same frequency, preferably in the
range of 25kHz to 100kHz. Thereby, acoustic noise generated by simultaneously activated
induction coils can be avoided.
[0053] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a
cooking appliance, specifically an induction hob. The cooking appliance comprises
multiple heating power transferring elements, two or more heating power energy units
for powering said heating power transferring elements, a switching entity and a control
unit. The method comprises the steps of:
- selectively providing electric power to a subset of heating power transferring elements
based on switching means included in the switching entity;
- controlling said switching means of the switching entity based on the control unit
such that one or more heating power transferring elements are powered by a certain
heating power energy unit in a, in particular vertical or horizontal, heating power
transferring element arrangement.
[0054] The term "heating power transferring element arrangement" as used in the present
disclosure may refer to an arrangement of multiple heating power transferring elements
for forming a cooking zone. For example, in a horizontal heating power transferring
element arrangement, multiple heating power transferring elements are arranged in
a row-like manner, whereas in a vertical heating power transferring element arrangement,
multiple heating power transferring elements are arranged in a column-like manner.
[0055] The term "essentially" or "approximately" as used in the invention means deviations
from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and/or deviations in the form
of changes that are insignificant for the function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0056] The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages,
will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying
drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1
- shows an example top view on a cooking appliance comprising multiple cooking zones;
- Fig. 2
- shows a first example embodiment of a cooking appliance and components included in
said cooking appliance based on a schematic illustration;
- Fig. 3
- shows the formation of vertically-oriented cooking zones by combining pairs of heating
zones of the cooking appliance according to fig. 2;
- Fig. 4
- shows the formation of horizontally-oriented cooking zones by combining pairs of heating
zones of the cooking appliance according to fig. 2;
- Fig. 5
- shows a second example embodiment of a cooking appliance and components included in
said cooking appliance based on a schematic illustration in a first switching state
of the switching entity; and
- Fig. 6
- shows the second example embodiment of a cooking appliance and components included
in said cooking appliance based on a schematic illustration in a second switching
state of the switching entity;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0057] The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which example embodiments are shown. The embodiments in the figures may
relate to preferred embodiments, while all elements and features described in connection
with embodiments may be used, as far as appropriate, in combination with any other
embodiment and feature as discussed herein, in particular related to any other embodiment
discussed further above. However, this invention should not be construed as limited
to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout the following description similar
reference numerals have been used to denote similar elements, parts, items or features,
when applicable.
[0058] The features of the present invention disclosed in the specification, the claims,
examples and/or the figures may both separately and in any combination thereof be
material for realizing the invention in various forms thereof.
[0059] Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a cooking appliance 1, in the present example
an electric induction hob.
[0060] The cooking appliance 1 comprises multiple heating zones 6. Each heating zone 6 may
be, for example, associated with one heating power transferring element, specifically,
one induction coil. The cooking appliance 1 may be configured to combine two or more
heating zones 6 in order to form larger-sized cooking zones 7.
[0061] Fig. 1 shows vertically orientated cooking zones 7 formed by a pair of heating zones
6 which are arranged according to vertically oriented columns. It is worth mentioning
that said cooking zones 7 may comprise more than two heating zones 6. In addition,
according to other embodiments, the cooking zones 7 may be arranged in a horizontal
direction, i.e. two or more heating zones 6 may be arranged according to a horizontal
row.
[0062] In addition, the cooking appliance 1 comprises a user interface 8, based on which
a user may control the cooking appliance 1. For example, based on the user interface
8, the user may control the power level of the heating zones 6 and/or combine multiple
heating zones to a larger-sized cooking zone 7.
[0063] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of components included in the cooking appliance
1. The cooking appliance 1 comprises multiple heating power transferring elements
2a - 2d, specifically induction coils, two or more heating power energy units 3a,
3b, specifically power boards and a switching entity 4 for selectively coupling a
subset of heating power transferring elements 2a, 2d with said heating power energy
units 3a, 3b. The switching entity 4 is controlled by a control unit 5.
[0064] More in detail, each heating power energy unit 3a, 3b comprises a first and a second
port group 3.1, 3.2. Each port group 3.1, 3.2 comprises a pair of power ports 3.3.
The power ports of each port group 3.1, 3.2 are configured to be coupled with a certain
heating power transferring element 2a - 2d in order to provide electric power to the
respective heating power transferring element 2a - 2d and thereby providing heat to
a cookware item provided above the heating power transferring element 2a - 2d.
[0065] As shown in Fig. 2, the power ports 3.3 of a port group 3.2 of heating power energy
unit 3a and the power ports 3.3 of the a port group 3.1 of heating power energy unit
3b are directly electrically coupled with a heating power transferring element 2a
- 2d. More in detail, heating power transferring elements 2b, 2c arranged in diagonal
direction are directly coupled with power ports 3.3 of port groups 3.1, 3.2 of different
heating power energy units 3a, 3b. It is worth mentioning, that also heating power
transferring elements 2a, 2d can be directly coupled with different heating power
energy units 3a, 3b, i.e. the heating power transferring elements of the other diagonal.
[0066] The further heating power transferring elements which are not directly coupled with
said heating power energy units 3a, 3b, in the shown embodiment heating power transferring
elements 2a, 2d, can be selectively coupled with the heating power energy units 3a,
3b via a switching entity 4. More in detail, the power ports 3.3 of one or more port
groups 3.1, 3.2 of heating power energy units 3a, 3b may be electrically coupled with
the switching entity 4. The switching entity 4 comprises one or more input port groups
4.3, 4.3', each input port group comprising one or more input ports 4.3.1. Preferably,
each input port group 4.3, 4.3' comprises a pair of input ports 4.3.1. For example,
power port groups 3.1, 3.2 of the heating power energy units 3a, 3b may correspond
to input port groups 4.3, 4.3' of the switching entity 4 such that a pair of electrical
connectors couples the power ports 3.3 of one power port group 3.1, 3.2 with input
ports 4.3.1 of one input port group 4.3, 4.3'. Preferably, each input port 4.3.1 of
the switching entity 4 may be electrically coupled with a power port 3.3 of a heating
power energy unit 3a, 3b.
[0067] Furthermore, the switching entity 4 comprises one or more output port groups 4.2,
4.2'. Each output port groups 4.2, 4.2' may be associated with one input port group
4.3, 4.3'. In the present example, input port group 4.3 is associated with output
port group 4.2 and input port group 4.3' is associated with output port group 4.2'.
Each output port group 4.2, 4.2' comprises multiple output ports 4.2.1. The output
ports 4.2.1 may receive electrical connectors which couple the switching entity 4
with a subset of heating power transferring elements 2a - 2d in the present embodiment,
heating power transferring elements 2a and 2d.
[0068] In the present embodiment, the leftmost output port 4.2.1 and the third from the
left output port 4.2.1 of output port group 4.2 is coupled with heating power transferring
element 2a and the rightmost output port 4.2.1 the second from the left output port
4.2.1 of output port group 4.2 is coupled with heating power transferring element
2d. Same applies to the output ports 4.2.1 of output port group 4.2.
[0069] The switching entity 4 comprises switching means 4.1 for selectively electrically
coupling an input port 4.3.1 with a certain output port 4.2.1. The switching means
4.1 may comprise any electrical switching components configured to provide said selective
coupling, for example relays.
[0070] In the present embodiment, an input port 4.3.1 is associated with a pair of output
ports 4.2.1. The input port 4.3.1 can be coupled via one or more switching components
with one output port 4.2.1 of said pair of output ports. Thereby a selective coupling
of a heating power transferring element 2a, 2d with one of said heating power energy
units 3a, 3b is possible. More in detail, based on the switching entity 4, the heating
power transferring element 2a can be either powered by heating power energy unit 3a
or heating power energy unit 3b.
[0071] The switching entity 4 comprises a first switching portion associated with the heating
power energy unit 3a which includes input port group 4.3 and output port group 4.2
and a second switching portion associated with the heating power energy unit 3b which
includes input port group 4.3' and output port group 4.2'. Based on said switching
portions, each heating power energy unit 3a, 3b can be selectively coupled with one
heating power transferring element out of a set of heating power transferring elements.
[0072] Preferably, heating power transferring elements arranged in a first diagonal direction
at the cooking support of the cooking appliance 1 are coupled with the switching entity
4 and heating power transferring elements arranged in a second diagonal direction
at the cooking support of the cooking appliance 1 are directly coupled with one of
the heating power energy units 3a, 3b, i.e. without being coupled via the switching
entity 4.
[0073] The switching capabilities provided by switching entity 4 are advantageous because
in case of combining two or more heating zones 6, respectively, heating power transferring
elements 2a-2d to a larger-sized cooking zone 7 it is possible to power the heating
power transferring elements 2a - 2d associated with the same cooking zone 7 by the
same heating power energy unit 3a, 3b. Thereby, electric power with the same frequency
can be provided to the heating power transferring elements 2a - 2d without any frequency
synchronization between different heating power energy units 3a, 3b.
[0074] As shown in fig. 2, the switching entity 4 can be formed by a single entity. However,
according to other embodiments, the switching entity 4 may comprise multiple separate
switching modules which provide the switching operations for the heating power transferring
elements 2a - 2d to be selectively coupled with the heating power energy units 3a,
3b.
[0075] Fig. 3 shows a first example of combining heating zones 6 to larger-sized cooking
zones 7. More in detail, vertically arranged cooking zones 7 are provided, i.e. the
cooking zones 7 comprise a greater length in the vertical direction than in a horizontal
direction. In the present example, each cooking zone 7 is formed by a pair of heating
power transferring elements, namely heating power transferring elements 2a, 2c and
heating power transferring elements 2b, 2d. The switching means 4.1 of the switching
entity are controlled by the control unit 5 such that the heating power transferring
elements associated with a certain cooking zone 7 are powered by the same heating
power energy unit 3a, 3b. Specifically, the heating power transferring elements 2a
- 2d are coupled column-wise with heating power energy units 3a, 3b.
[0076] Similarly, fig. 4 shows a further cooking zone configuration, namely a configuration
with horizontally arranged cooking zones 7. In contrary to the configuration of fig.
3, the heating power transferring elements 2a - 2d are coupled row-wise with heating
power energy units 3a, 3b.
[0077] Said different configurations can be obtained by switching operations performed by
the switching entity 4.
[0078] Fig. 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of a cooking appliance 1 which is adapted
to form cooking zones 7 based on switching operations provided by the switching entity
4.
[0079] The main configuration is similar to the embodiments according to fig. 2 to 4 explained
before. Therefore, in the following only the differences in view of the embodiments
according to fig. 2 to 4 are explained. Apart from that, the disclosure above also
applies to the embodiment of fig. 5 and 6.
[0080] A first main difference is that the heating power transferring elements 2a - 2d are
superimposed by further heating power transferring elements 2e, 2f, in the following
also referred to as overlapping heating power transferring elements 2e, 2f.
[0081] In the shown embodiment, the overlapping heating power transferring elements 2e,
2f comprise an oval or essentially oval shape. However, also other shapes may be possible,
for example, rectangular heating power transferring elements.
[0082] In the present embodiment, the overlapping heating power transferring elements 2e,
2f are arranged in a plane above the heating power transferring elements 2a - 2d.
However, according to other embodiments, the overlapping heating power transferring
elements 2e, 2f can also be arranged in a plane below the heating power transferring
elements 2a - 2d.
[0083] In the present embodiment, the overlapping heating power transferring elements 2e,
2f comprise a greater length in the horizontal direction than in a vertical direction.
Thus, by activating one of the overlapping heating power transferring elements 2e,
2f, a larger-sized cooking zone 7 can be achieved as in case of activating one of
the heating power transferring elements 2a - 2d.
[0084] The cooking appliance 1 according to fig. 5 and 6 also comprise a switching entity
4. The switching entity 4 is configured as explained before. However, the electrical
coupling of heating power transferring elements to the switching entity 4 is different.
[0085] As explained before, the switching entity 4 comprises a first switching portion associated
with the heating power energy unit 3a (including input port group 4.3 and output port
group 4.2) and a second switching portion associated with the heating power energy
unit 3b (including input port group 4.3' and output port group 4.2').
[0086] A first set of output ports 4.3.1 of the respective switching portions, respectively
output port groups 4.2, 4.2' is electrically coupled with heating power transferring
elements such that based on the respective switching portion an overlapping heating
power transferring element 2e, 2f can be activated which does not superimpose the
heating power transferring element 2a - 2d which is also powered by the heating power
energy unit associated with the respective switching portion.
[0087] So, for example, the heating power energy unit 3a is configured to power the heating
power transferring element 2c and the overlapping heating power transferring element
2e which does not overlap with heating power transferring element 2c. Said heating
power energy unit 3a is associated with the first switching portion (including input
port group 4.3 and output port group 4.2). Similarly, the heating power energy unit
3b is configured to power the heating power transferring element 2b and the overlapping
heating power transferring element 2f which does not overlap with heating power transferring
element 2b. Said heating power energy unit 3b is associated with the second switching
portion (including input port group 4.3' and output port group 4.2') .
[0088] By activating the overlapping heating power transferring element 2e, 2f, large-sized,
horizontally arranged cooking zones 7 can be achieved. The switching state activating
the overlapping heating power transferring elements 2e, 2f is shown in fig. 6. In
said case, the heating power transferring elements 2a - 2d may be deactivated.
[0089] A second set of output ports 4.3.1 of the respective switching portions, respectively
output port groups 4.2, 4.2', is electrically coupled with heating power transferring
elements such that based on the respective switching portion a heating power transferring
element 2a - 2d can be activated which is overlapped or superimposed by an overlapping
heating power transferring element 2e, 2f and which is arranged in the same row or
column as the heating power transferring element 2a - 2d which is directly powered
(without passing the switching entity 4) by the heating power energy unit associated
with the respective switching portion.
[0090] So, for example, the heating power energy unit 3a is configured to power the heating
power transferring element 2c and, in a certain switching state, the heating power
transferring element 2a which is superimposed by the overlapping heating power transferring
element 2e (which can be powered by heating power energy unit 3a in another switching
state). Said heating power energy unit 3a is associated with the first switching portion
(including input port group 4.3 and output port group 4.2).
[0091] Similarly, the heating power energy unit 3b is configured to power the heating power
transferring element 2b and, in a certain switching state, the heating power transferring
element 2d which is superimposed by the overlapping heating power transferring element
2f (which can be powered by heating power energy unit 3b in another switching state).
Said heating power energy unit 3b is associated with the second switching portion
(including input port group 4.3' and output port group 4.2'). By simultaneously activating
heating power transferring elements 2a and 2c, respectively, heating power transferring
elements 2b and 2d, vertically oriented, large-sized cooking zones 7 can be obtained.
The switching state activating the heating power transferring elements 2a and 2c,
respectively, heating power transferring elements 2b and 2d is shown in fig. 5. In
that case, the overlapping heating power transferring elements 2e, 2f may be deactivated.
[0092] It should be noted that the description and drawings merely illustrate the principles
of the proposed invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to implement various
arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles
of the invention.
List of reference numerals
[0093]
- 1
- cooking appliance
- 2a-2d
- heating power transferring element
- 2e, 2f
- overlapping heating power transferring element
- 3a, 3b
- heating power energy unit
- 3.1, 3.2
- port group
- 3.3
- power port
- 4
- switching entity
- 4.1
- switching means
- 4.2, 4.2'
- output port group
- 4.2.1
- output port
- 4.3, 4.3'
- input port group
- 4.3.1
- input port
- 4.4
- switching array
- 5
- control unit
- 6
- heating zone
- 7
- cooking zone
- 8
- user interface
1. Cooking appliance, specifically induction hob, comprising multiple heating power transferring
elements (2a - 2f), two or more heating power energy units (3a, 3b) for powering said
heating power transferring elements (2a - 2f), a switching entity (4) and a control
unit (5), the switching entity (4) comprising switching means (4.1) for selectively
providing electric power to a subset of heating power transferring elements (2a -
2f), the control unit (5) being configured to control said switching means (4.1) of
the switching entity (4) such that one or more heating power transferring elements
(2a - 2f) are powered by a certain heating power energy unit (3a, 3b) in a, in particular
vertical or horizontal, heating power transferring element arrangement.
2. Cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the heating power energy units (3a,
3b) comprise two or more power port groups (3.1, 3.2), each power port group (3.1,
3.2) comprising one or more, specifically a pair of power ports (3.3), wherein the
power ports (3.3) of at least one power port group (3.1, 3.2) are fixly electrically
coupled with one or more heating power transferring elements (2a - 2f).
3. Cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating power energy units
(3a, 3b) comprise two or more power port groups (3.1, 3.2), each power port group
(3.1, 3.2) comprising one or more, specifically a pair of power ports (3.3), wherein
the power ports (3.3) of at least one power port group (3.1, 3.2) are electrically
coupled with said switching entity (4.1).
4. Cooking appliance according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the number
of heating power energy units (31, 3b) corresponds, specifically is equal to the number
of rows and/or columns of the arrangement according to which said heating power transferring
elements (2a - 2f) are arranged.
5. Cooking appliance according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the switching
entity (4) comprises one or more groups of output ports (4.2, 4.2'), wherein the group
of output ports (4.2, 4.2') comprises output ports (4.2.1) electrically coupled with
one or more heating power transferring elements (2a - 2f) arranged in a certain row
or column in which a further heating power transferring element (2a - 2f) is provided.
6. Cooking appliance according to claim 5, wherein the group of output ports (4.2, 4.2')
comprising output ports (4.2.1) electrically coupled with one or more heating power
transferring elements (2a - 2f) arranged in a certain row or column is configured
to be electrically coupled via said switching means (4.1) with a certain heating power
energy unit (3a, 3b) and wherein said heating power energy unit (3a, 3b) is further
electrically coupled with said further heating power transferring element (2a - 2f).
7. Cooking appliance according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein each heating
power energy unit (3a, 3b) is powered by a single phase of mains supply.
8. Cooking appliance according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the switching
entity (4) comprises one or more input port groups (4.3, 4.3'), said input port groups
(4.3, 4.3')comprising multiple input ports (4.3.1) and being electrically coupled
with one or more heating power energy units (3a, 3b), one or more output port groups
(4.2, 4.2') comprising multiple output ports (4.2.1) and a switching array (4.4) comprising
multiple switching means (4.1) providing a selective electrical coupling of input
ports (4.3.1) with output ports (4.2.1).
9. Cooking appliance according to claim 8, wherein the number of groups of input ports
(4.3, 4.3') and/or the number of groups of output ports (4.2, 4.2') included in one
switching entity (4) or distributed over multiple switching entities corresponds to,
specifically is equal to the number of heating power energy units (3a, 3b) included
in the cooking appliance (1) .
10. Cooking appliance according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising overlapping
heating power transferring elements (2e, 2f), said overlapping heating power transferring
elements (2e, 2f) at least partially spanning over two or more heating power transferring
elements (2a - 2d) arranged above or below said overlapping heating power transferring
elements (2e, 2f).
11. Cooking appliance according to claim 10, wherein said overlapping heating power transferring
element (2e, 2f) comprises a first axis which is greater than a second axis being
arranged perpendicular to said first axis and wherein said first axis is arranged
in horizontal or vertical direction.
12. Cooking appliance according to claim 10 or 11, wherein an overlapping heating power
transferring element (2e, 2f) and a subgroup of one or more heating power transferring
elements (2a - 2d) arranged in a plane above or below said overlapping heating power
transferring element (2e, 2f) are powered via said switching entity (4).
13. Cooking appliance according to anyone of claims 10 to 12, wherein an overlapping heating
power transferring element (2e, 2f) and a subgroup of one or more heating power transferring
elements (2a - 2d) arranged in a plane above or below said overlapping heating power
transferring element (2e, 2f) are coupled with a certain group of output ports (4.2,
4.2') of the switching entity (4).
14. Cooking appliance according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein each heating
power energy unit (3a, 3b) is configured to power the heating power transferring elements
(2a - 2f) electrically coupled with said heating power energy unit (3a, 3b) at the
same frequency.
15. Method for operating a cooking appliance (1), specifically an induction hob, the cooking
appliance (1) comprising multiple heating power transferring elements (2a - 2f), two
or more heating power energy units (3a, 3b) for powering said heating power transferring
elements (2a - 2f), a switching entity (4) and a control unit (5), the method comprising
the steps of:
- selectively providing electric power to a subset of heating power transferring elements
(2a - 2f) based on switching means (4.1) included in the switching entity (4);
- controlling said switching means (4.1) of the switching entity (4) based on the
control unit (5) such that one or more heating power transferring elements (2a - 2f)
are powered by a certain heating power energy unit (3a, 3b) in a, in particular vertical
or horizontal, heating power transferring element arrangement.