COOKING APPLIANCE

Abstract

 The invention relates to a 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.

Description

[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

Claims

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.

Drawing