Cooking hob with display element

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a cooking hob with a cooking hob plate (1), wherein an insertion plate (2) made of at least partially optically transmissive material is arranged within a cutout (3) of the cooking hob plate (1) and at least one display element (9) is arranged or arrangable below the insertion plate (2),wherein each of at least two sides of the insertion plate (2) are provided with one or several recesses (4), in which boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (1), adjoining to the cutout (3), are accommodated, so that the insertion plate (2) bears with at least two sides on the boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (1) and/or each of at least two boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (1) adjoining to the cutout (3) are provided with one or several recesses (4) and that the insertion plate (2) is at least partially accommodated within the recesses (4), so that the insertion plate (2) bears at least partially on the boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (1) adjoining to the cutout (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking hob with a cooking hob plate, wherein an insertion plate made of at least partially optically transmissive material is arranged within a cutout of the cooking hob plate and at least one display element is arranged or arrangeable below the insertion plate.

[0002] DE 103 12 449 A1 discloses a cooking hob plate with an insert for a cooking hob control made of transmissive ceramic glass, to be inserted into a cooking hob and to be fastened within a recess of the cooking hob plate. The insert is dimensioned such that it fits into.the recess and is supported by a frame. Preferably the frame supports lighting elements, which are fastened to a position where the glass ceramic surface adjoins to the insert.

[0003] Disadvantageously such an appliance complicates the mounting process by the use of a frame as an additional part, which causes additional costs.

[0004] DE 196 12 621 A1 suggests a cooking hob with a cooking hob plate made of glass or glass ceramic, with at least one functional element, to which a defined functional zone is assigned and which is mounted flush to the cooking hob plate within the recess. The functional zone is formed by a glass-/glass-ceramic part, that is embedded in the cooking hob plate using a temperature-resistant, sealed and permanently elastic connection.

[0005] However, it is difficult by using a flush mounted functional element to realize constant joint distances in an elevation direction as well as in a lateral direction. Complex positioning measures are necessary.

[0006] DE 87 01 926 U1 describes an appliance upon a cooking hob, whereas a transparent display-field strip is pre-located to the glass-ceramic plate on the operation side of the cooking hob, below which light-emitting diode-chains are arranged assigned to the cooking zones and electrically controllable by control devices, which are arranged within the front side of the cooking hob.

[0007] Here the display element is not integrated within the cooking hob plate but adjacent thereto.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to create a cooking hob of the said kind, wherein integration of the insertion plate is simplified compared to the prior art.

[0009] A solution of this object according to the invention is defined and characterized by claim 1. The dependent claims refer to further embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] According to the present invention each of at least two sides of the insertion plate are provided with one or several recesses, in which boundary sections of the cooking hob plate, adjoining to the cutout, are accommodated, so that the insertion plate bears with at least two sides on the boundary sections of the cooking hob plate. In addition or alternatively each of at least two boundary sections adjoining to the cutout are provided with one or several recesses and the insertion plate at least partially bears on the boundary sections of the cooking hob plate adjoining to the cutout. Thus, integration of the insertion plate is simplified and the number of components and devices necessary for integration is reduced.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention the recesses are provided with a rebate-shaped and/or L-shaped and/or step-like profile. Such profiles can be manufactured in a very simple way and improve tightness and stability of the connection between cooking hob plate and insertion plate.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention the recesses are provided with rounded and/or curved profile.

[0013] With such a design of the profile a self-centering effect can be achieved, so that the positioning of the insertion plate within the cutout is eased.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the recesses are provided with a chamfered profile. Also such a design can generate a self-centering effect.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention the insertion plate is connected non-detachably to the boundary sections of the cooking hob plate adjoining to the cutout, in particular by an adhesive connection, preferably by a silicone-adhesive connection. Thus, the stability of the connection between cooking hob plate and insertion plate is further improved.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention the insertion plate covers the cutout completely. Such a design makes a positive optical impression on the user and the display below the cutout is protected from filth and moisture.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention at least one boundary section of the upper side of the insertion plate is formed as a slant, that tapers off to the cooking hob plate. Such a design avoids sharp edges and corners, whereby cleaning of the surface is eased.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention at least one recess is provided with a gasket, in particular a stamped gasket. Such a design further improves the tightness of the connection between insertion plate and cooking hob plate.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention the insertion plate is made of glass, glass-ceramic or plastics material. Insertion plates made of glass, glass-ceramic or plastics material are especially appropriate due to their optical and mechanical properties.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention the insertion plate is transmissive only for wave lengths within a defined range of the optical spectrum. Such a design allows to filter out wave lengths beyond this sector. Thus, defined colours can be displayed.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention the insertion plate is transmissive for all wave lengths of the optical spectral range. Such a design allows selection of a simple and easy-to-handle material.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the invention the optical properties of the insertion plate are adapted to the light emitted by the display element. Such a design enables e.g. a sharper image of the display.

[0023] In the following the present invention is further explained referring to examples and embodiments, referring also to the following drawings:

FIG 1

shows a vertical sectional view of an appliance according to the invention in a mounted state within a cutout of a cooking hob plate and a display element arranged below.

FIG 2

shows a vertical sectional view of an appliance according to an alternative embodiment of the invention in a mounted state, wherein recesses are provided upon the boundary sections of the cooking hob plate.

FIG 3

shows a vertical sectional view of an appliance according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention in a mounted state, wherein a convex profile is provided on the boundary section of the cooking hob plate and a corresponding concave profile is provided on the boundary section of the insertion plate.

FIG 4

shows a vertical sectional view of an appliance according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention in a mounted state, wherein a concave profile is provided on the boundary section of the cooking hob plate and a corresponding convex profile is provided on the boundary section of the insertion plate.

[0024] Corresponding parts and quantities in FIG 1 to FIG 4 are designated with the same numerals.

[0025] According to FIG 1 a cooking hob plate 1 is shown below which one or several heating elements 10 are mounted. The cooking hob plate 1 is provided with a cutout 3. Below the cutout 3 an optical display element 9 is arranged. The display element 9 can include illuminants or lighting devices such as e.g. light bulbs or light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or graphic displays such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or plasma displays (PDPs). In principle all display elements are possible which emit optical radiation with one or several wave lengths or spectral wave length ranges.

[0026] The cutout 3 is surrounded by the adjoining boundary sections 5 of the cooking hob plate 1. It is also possible that the cutout 3 is arranged on the edge of the cooking hob plate 1 and therefore only partially enclosed by boundary sections 5. The boundary sections 5 comprise upper sides 50 and lower sides 51.
Within the cutout 3 an at least partially optically transmissive insertion plate 2 with an upper side 20 and a lower side 21 is arranged, which covers the display element 9. The insertion plate 2 can be made of glass, glass-ceramic, plastics material or any other material, which is at least partially transmissive for the optical radiation emitted by the display element 9. The optical properties of the insertion plate 2 can be adapted to the respective display element 9. Emitted light or radiation L from the display element 9 is transmitted by the insertion plate 2, so that the display element 9 can be seen by a user.

[0027] The insertion plate 2 provides upon at least two sides one or several recesses 4, that according to FIG 1 are formed by a rebate-shaped profile. The recess 4 of the insertion plate 2 accommodates the boundary sections 5 of the cooking hob plate 1, that adjoin to the cutout 3. The insertion plate 2 bears on the boundary sections 5 of the cooking hob plate 1 and is connected non-detachably to the cooking hob plate 1 by an adhesive connection 6. This adhesive connection 6 can be realized by a silicone adhesive or another adhesive with preferably sealing properties. Between the bearing part or section of the insertion plate 2 and the boundary sections 5 of the cooking hob plate 1 that adjoin to the cutout 3, a gasket 7 is arranged. Adhesive connection 6 and gasket 7 are intended to attach the insertion plate 2 solidly and non-detachably to the cutout 3 and to ensure the tightness of the joint between cooking hob plate 1 and insertion plate 2, so that no liquid or filth can get below the insertion plate 2 and affect functionality of the display element 9.

[0028] According to FIG 2 a cooking hob plate 2 is shown comprising a cutout 3 and an insertion plate 2 made of optically transmissive material arranged within. Below the cutout 3 a display element can be arranged that is not shown in FIG 3. Now, each of at least two boundary sections of the cooking hob plate 1 adjoining to the cutout 3 are provided with one or several recesses 4. According to FIG 2 these recesses 4 provide a rebate-shaped profile. The insertion plate 2 is accommodated partly within the recesses 4 and bears on the boundary sections 5 of the cooking hob plate 1.

[0029] According to FIG 3 a cooking hob plate 1 comprising a cutout 3 is shown and an insertion plate 2 made of optically transmissive material is arranged within. Below the cutout 3 again a display element can be arranged that is not shown. The recesses 4 provided upon the insertion plate 2 comprise here a curved, concave profile. The boundary sections 5 adjoining to the cutout 3 have a corresponding convex counter-profile, which is accommodated by the recesses 4.

[0030] According to FIG 4 the boundary sections 5 adjoining to the cutout 3 provide recesses 4 with a curved, concave profile. The insertion plate 2 comprises a corresponding convex counter-profile, which is accommodated by the recesses 4. The corresponding concave and convex profiles provided on the cooking hob plate 1 and on the insertion plate 2 cause a self-centering effect. When the insertion plate 2 is inserted into the cutout 3 the convex profile is accommodated by the concave profile and slides, because of the corresponding profiles, into its final position without any additional adjustments.

[0031] The recesses 4 shown in FIG 1 to FIG 4 proceed along the boundary sections of the cooking hob plate 1, respectively the insertion plate 2. The profiles of the recesses 4 can be carried out continuously or intermittently along the boundary sections. It is also conceivable that profiles alternate along the boundary sections 5.

List of reference numerals

[0032] 

1

Cooking hob plate

2

Insertion plate

20

Upper side of the insertion plate

21

Lower side of the insertion plate

3

Cutout

4

Recesses

5

Boundary sections of the cooking hob plate

50

Upper side of the boundary sections

51

Lower side of the boundary sections

6

Adhesive connection

7

Gasket

8

Slant

9

Display element

10

Heating element

L

Light

Claims

1. Cooking hob with a cooking hob plate (1), wherein an insertion plate (2) made of at least partially optically transmissive material is arranged within a cutout (3) of the cooking hob plate (1) and at least one display element (9) is arranged or arrangable below the insertion plate (2),
characterized in, that
each of at least two sides of the insertion plate (2) are provided with one or several recesses (4), in which boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (1), adjoining to the cutout (3), are accommodated, so that the insertion plate (2) bears with at least two sides on the boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (1)
and/or that
each of at least two boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (1) adjoining to the cutout (3) are provided with one or several recesses (4) and that the insertion plate (2) is at least partially accommodated within the recesses (4), so that the insertion plate (2) bears at least partially on the boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (1) adjoining to the cutout (3).

2. Cooking hob according to claim 1,
characterized in, that
at least one recess (4) is provided with a rebate-shaped and/or L-shaped and/or step-like profile.

3. Cooking hob according to claim 1 or claim 2,
characterized in, that
at least one recess (4) is provided with a rounded and/or curved profile.

4. Cooking hob according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in, that
at least one recess (4) is provided with a chamfered profile.

5. Cooking hob according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the insertion plate (2) is non-detachably connected to the boundary sections (5) of the cooking hob plate (2) adjoining to the cutout (3), in particular by an adhesive connection (6), preferred by silicone-adhesive connection.

6. Cooking hob according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the insertion plate (2) covers the cutout (3) completely.

7. Cooking hob according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
at least one boundary section (5) at the upper side of the insertion plate (2) is formed as a slant, that tapers off to the cooking hob plate (1).

8. Cooking hob according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
at least one recess (4) is provided with a gasket (7), in particular a stamped gasket.

9. Cooking hob according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the insertion plate (2) is made of glass, glass-ceramic or plastics material.

10. Cooking hob according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the insertion plate (2) is transmissive only for wave lengths within a defined sector of the optical spectral range.

11. Cooking hob according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the insertion plate (2) is transmissive for all wave lengths of the optical spectral range.

12. Cooking hob according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the optical properties of the insertion plate (2) are adapted to the light emitted by the display element.

Drawing