An induction cooking hob with a pot detection device

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob with a pot detection device according to the preamble of claim 1. Further, the present invention relates to a method for starting the operation of an induction cooking hob with a pot detection device.

[0002] In an induction cooking hob, the pot detection device checks, if a cooking vessel is adapted to said induction cooking hob. The pot detection device further detects those cooking zones of the cooking hob, on which the cooking vessel is positioned. When the pot detection recognises that the cooking vessel is suitable for the induction cooking hob and placed in a correct position, then the selected power is supplied.

[0003] Normally, the user selects the desired power and places the cooking vessel on a cooking surface. Then, the power is automatically supplied to the cooking zone. However, there is time limit for placing the cooking vessel correctly on the cooking zone. If the user exceeds said time limit, then the power will not be supplied to the cooking zone. In this case, the user possibly does not recognise that no power is supplied to the cooking zone.

[0004] FR 2 863 039 A1 discloses a cooking hob including heating elements associated with inductors. The inductors form elements for detecting the presence of a container. A heating area is defined by those heating elements, which are at least partially covered by the container. A power supplied to each heating element of the heating area is computed on the basis of the total specified power of the heating area and the degrees of coverage of the heating elements by the container.

[0005] WO 2009/053279 A1 discloses a cooking hob having a plurality of heating elements. The heating elements generate freely definable heating zones. The heating elements are actuated by a control unit. A user interface is provided for inputting a parameter for determining a target heat power. The control unit defines at least one parameter of one heating zone in a first operation mode in a detection step depending on a position and/or size of a detected cooking utensil element. The target power is read from the user interface in an adjustment step. The defined heating zone is heated at the target power in a heating phase.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an induction cooking hob, which provides clear information about the state of the cooking hob to the user.

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by the induction cooking hob according to claim 1.

[0008] According to the present invention the pot detection device is activated by an on-off key, the input unit and the display unit are formed as a touch screen, so that the input area and display area are identical, the display unit comprises a schematic picture illustrating the cooking surface and at least one symbol representing the cooking zone(s), the symbol is illuminated, if the corresponding cooking zone is covered by the cooking vessel, and the power switch is integrated within or corresponds with the symbol representing the cooking zone(s).

[0009] The main idea of the present invention is that the power is manually set by the user, after the pot detection device has identified the cooking zone(s) and/or induction coil(s) covered by the cooking vessel. The on-off key activates only the pot detection device, but not the cooking zone(s) and/or induction coil(s). The cooking zone(s) and/or induction coil(s) are activated, when the user has manually set the power.

[0010] According to the present invention the input unit and the display unit are formed as a touch screen.

[0011] The display unit illustrates the cooking surface.

[0012] The display unit comprises at least one symbol representing the cooking zone(s).

[0013] The power switch is integrated within or corresponds with the symbol representing the cooking zone(s).

[0014] Further, the pot detection device may be provided for checking, if the cooking vessel placed on the cooking surface is adapted to the induction cooking hob.

[0015] For example, the pot detection device is provided for detecting a current through the induction coil(s).

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the pot detection device may be provided for detecting a voltage at the induction coil(s).

[0017] Further, the pot detection device may be provided for detecting a phase shift of the current through and/or the voltage at the induction coil(s).

[0018] The object of the present invention is further achieved by the method according to claim 5.

[0019] The inventive method for starting the operation of an induction cooking hob with a pot detection device comprises the step of:

• activating the pot detection device after the induction cooking hob has been activated by a user,
• identifying the cooking zone(s) and/or induction coil(s) covered by a cooking vessel,
  indicating the cooking zone(s) and/or induction coil(s) covered by the cooking vessel by a display unit,
• inviting the user to set the power for the displayed cooking zone(s) and/or induction coil(s) by an input unit, and
• activating the cooking zone(s) and/or induction coil(s) with the power set by the user.

[0020] The core of the inventive method is that the power is manually set by the user, after the pot detection device has identified the cooking zone(s) and/or induction coil(s) covered by the cooking vessel.

[0021] The method is provided for the induction cooking hob with the pot detection device described above.

[0022] Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0023] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG 1

illustrates a top view of an induction cooking hob with four cooking zones according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG 2

illustrates a top view of the induction cooking hob with six cooking zones according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG 1 illustrates a top view of an induction cooking hob with four cooking zones 14 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The induction cooking hob includes a cooking surface 10 and an input and display unit 12.

[0025] In this embodiment, the cooking surface 10 comprises four cooking zones 14. In general, the cooking surface 10 may comprise an arbitrary number of cooking zones 14. Each cooking zone 14 includes or corresponds with one or more induction coils. Each induction coil is connected to a high-frequency generator and to a control unit. The induction coils of one cooking zone 14 may be arranged side-by-side or into each other.

[0026] In this example, the input and display unit 12 is a touch screen, so that the input area and display area are identical. Alternatively, the cooking hob may comprise an input unit and a display unit formed as separate components.

[0027] The cooking hob comprises a pot detection device for detecting a cooking vessel. The pot detection device recognises, if the cooking vessel is placed on the cooking surface 10. Further, the pot detection device determines the cooking zone 12, on which the cooking vessel is positioned. Moreover, the pot detection device ascertains if the cooking vessel is even suitable for the induction cooking hob. Preferably, the pot detection device is activated by pressing an on-off key 16.

[0028] The input and display unit 12 comprises a schematic picture of the cooking surface 10. The four cooking zones 14 are illustrated by corresponding symbols 18 on the input and display unit 12.

[0029] If a suitable cooking vessel is put onto the cooking surface 10 and the on-off key 16 is pressed by the user, then the pot detection device recognises said cooking vessel. After that, the input and display unit 12 indicates by illuminating the corresponding symbol 18 or symbols 18, which cooking zone 14 or cooking zones 14, respectively, is or are covered by said cooking vessel. Then, the user can set the power for said cooking zone 14 or cooking zones 14, respectively, by touching an according key of the input and display unit 12. For example, the key or keys for setting the power is or are arranged within the corresponding symbol 18. Only those induction coils covered by the cooking vessel are activated. If the cooking vessel covers two cooking zones 14, then the according induction coils are activated.

[0030] When the cooking vessel is removed from the cooking surface 10, then the induction coils are deactivated. For a predetermined period of time, the pot detection device is activated again. If the cooking vessel is placed on the substantially same position again, then the induction coils are activated in the same way. If the cooking zone 14 is partially covered by the cooking vessel and an addition cooking vessel is placed within the same cooking zone 14, then the pot detection device indicates that a new cooking vessel is present. Now, the user has to set the power for the induction coils covered by said new cooking vessel.

[0031] FIG 2 illustrates a top view of the induction cooking hob with six cooking zones 14 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This induction cooking hob also includes the cooking surface 10 and the input and display unit 12. In this embodiment, the cooking surface 10 comprises six cooking zones 14. Accordingly, the input and display unit 12 comprises a schematic picture of the cooking surface 10, wherein the six cooking zones 14 are illustrated by six corresponding symbols 18. Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

[0032] 

10

cooking surface

12

input and display unit

14

cooking zone

16

on-off key

18

symbol

Claims

1. An induction cooking hob with a pot detection device, wherein:

- the induction cooking hob includes a cooking surface (10) comprising one or more cooking zones (14),

- each cooking zone (14) comprises or corresponds with at least one induction coil,

- the induction cooking hob includes an input unit (12) and a display unit (12),

- the input unit (12) comprises an on-off key (18) for activating the pot detection device,

- the pot detection device is provided for identifying the cooking zone(s) (14) and/or induction coil(s) covered by a cooking vessel,

- the display unit (12) is provided for indicating the cooking zone(s) (14) and/or induction coil(s) covered by the cooking vessel, and

- the input unit (12) comprises at least one power switch for a manual setting of the power to be supplied to the identified cooking zone(s) (14) and/or induction coil(s), respectively,

characterized in, that
the pot detection device is activated by an on-off key (16), the input unit (12) and the display unit (12) are formed as a touch screen, so that the input area and display area are identical, the display unit (12) comprises a schematic picture illustrating the cooking surface (10) and at least one symbol (18) each representing a corresponding cooking zone (14), the symbol (18) is illuminated, if the corresponding cooking zone (14) is covered by the cooking vessel, and the power switch is integrated within or corresponds with the symbol (18) representing the cooking zone(s) (14).

2. The induction cooking hob according to claim 1, characterized in, that
the pot detection device is provided for detecting a current through the induction coil(s).

3. The induction cooking hob according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in, that
the pot detection device is provided for detecting a voltage at the induction coil(s).

4. The induction cooking hob according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the pot detection device is provided for detecting a phase shift of the current through and/or the voltage at the induction coil(s).

5. A method for starting the operation of an induction cooking hob with a pot detection device according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said method comprises the step of:

- activating the pot detection device after the induction cooking hob has been activated by a user,

- identifying the cooking zone(s) (14) and/or induction coil(s) covered by a cooking vessel,

- indicating the cooking zone(s) (14) and/or induction coil(s) covered by the cooking vessel by a display unit (12),

- inviting the user to set the power for the displayed cooking zone(s) (14) and/or induction coil(s) by an input unit (12), and

- activating the cooking zone(s) (14) and/or induction coil(s) with the power set by the user.

Ansprüche

1. Induktionskochfeld mit einer Topferkennungsvorrichtung, wobei:

- das Induktionskochfeld eine Kochfläche (10) aufweist, die eine oder mehrere Kochzonen (14) umfasst,

- jede Kochzone (14) wenigstens eine Induktionsspule umfasst oder einer solchen entspricht,

- das Induktionskochfeld eine Eingabeeinheit (12) und eine Anzeigeeinheit (12) aufweist,

- die Eingabeeinheit (12) eine An-/Aus-Taste (18) zur Aktivierung der Topferkennungsvorrichtung umfasst,

- die Topferkennungsvorrichtung zur Identifizierung der von einem Kochgefäß bedeckten Kochzone(n) (14) und/oder der Induktionsspule(n) bereitgestellt ist,

- die Anzeigeeinheit (12) zur Anzeige der von einem Kochgefäß bedeckten Kochzone(n) (14) und/oder Induktionsspule(n) bereitgestellt ist, und

- die Eingabeeinheit (12) wenigstens einen Netzschalter zur manuellen Einstellung der Leistung, die der bzw. den identifizierten Kochzone(n) (14) und/oder Induktionsspule(n) zugeführt werden soll, umfasst, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

die Topferkennungsvorrichtung mit einer An-Aus-Taste (16) aktiviert wird, die Eingabeeinheit (12) und die Anzeigeeinheit (12) als Touchscreen geformt sind, so dass die Eingabefläche und die Anzeigefläche identisch sind, wobei die Anzeigeeinheit (12) ein schematisches Bild, das die Kochfläche (10) darstellt, und wenigstens ein Symbol (18) umfasst, jeweils eine entsprechende Kochzone (14) darstellend, wobei das Symbol (18) beleuchtet ist, wenn die entsprechende Kochzone (14) von dem Kochgefäß bedeckt ist, und wobei der Netzschalter in dem die Kochzone(n) (14) darstellenden Symbol (18) integriert ist oder diesem entspricht.

2. Induktionskochfeld nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Topferkennungsvorrichtung zum Nachweis eines Stroms durch die Induktionsspule(n) bereitgestellt ist.

3. Induktionskochfeld nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Topferkennungsvorrichtung zum Nachweis einer Spannung an der bzw. den Induktionsspule(n) bereitgestellt ist.

4. Induktionskochfeld nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Topferkennungsvorrichtung zum Nachweis einer Phasenverschiebung des Stroms durch die und/oder der Spannung an der bzw. den Induktionsspule(n) bereitgestellt ist.

5. Verfahren zum Starten des Betriebs eines Induktionskochfelds mit einer Topferkennungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

- Aktivieren der Topferkennungsvorrichtung nach Aktivieren des Induktionskochfelds durch einen Anwender,

- Identifizieren der von einem Kochgefäß besetzten Kochzone(n) (14) und/oder Induktionsspule(n),

- Anzeigen der von einem Kochgefäß besetzten Kochzone(n) (14) und/oder Induktionsspule(n) mit einer Anzeigeeinheit (12),

- Auffordern des Anwenders, die Leistung für die angezeigte(n) Kochzone(n) (14) und/oder Induktionsspule(n) einzustellen, durch eine Anzeigeeinheit (12), und

- Aktivieren der Kochzone(n) (14) und/oder Induktionsspule(n) mit der von dem Anwender eingestellten Leistung.

Revendications

1. Plaque de cuisson à induction avec dispositif de détection de pot :

- la plaque de cuisson à induction comprenant une surface (10) de cuisson comportant un ou plusieurs zones (14) de cuisson,

- chaque zone (14) de cuisson comportant ou correspondant à au moins une bobine d'induction,

- la plaque de cuisson à induction comprenant une unité (12) d'entrée et une unité (12) d'affichage,

- l'unité (12) d'entrée comportant une touche (18) de marche-arrêt servant à activer le dispositif de détection de pot,

- le dispositif de détection de pot étant destiné à identifier la ou les zones (14) de cuisson et/ou la ou les bobines d'induction recouvertes par un récipient de cuisson,

- l'unité (12) d'affichage étant destinée à indiquer la ou les zones (14) de cuisson et/ou la ou les bobines d'induction recouvertes par le récipient de cuisson, et

- l'unité (12) d'entrée comportant au moins un commutateur de puissance servant à un réglage manuel de la puissance à fournir à la ou aux zones (14) de cuisson et/ou à la ou aux bobines d'induction identifiées, respectivement,

caractérisée en ce que
le dispositif de détection de pot est activé par une touche (16) de marche-arrêt, l'unité (12) d'entrée et l'unité (12) d'affichage sont formées comme un écran tactile, de telle sorte que la zone d'entrée et la zone d'affichage soient identiques, l'unité (12) d'affichage comporte une image schématique illustrant la surface (10) de cuisson et au moins un symbole (18) dont chacun représente une zone (14) de cuisson correspondante, le symbole (18) est éclairé si la zone (14) de cuisson correspondante est recouverte par le récipient de cuisson, et le commutateur de puissance est intégré à l'intérieur ou correspond au symbole (18) représentant la ou les zones (14) de cuisson.

2. Plaque de cuisson à induction selon la revendication 1,
caractérisée en ce que
le dispositif de détection de pot est destiné à détecter un courant à travers la ou les bobines d'induction.

3. Plaque de cuisson à induction selon la revendication 1 ou 2,
caractérisée en ce que
le dispositif de détection de pot est destiné à détecter une tension au niveau de la ou des bobines d'induction.

4. Plaque de cuisson à induction selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisée en ce que
le dispositif de détection de pot est destiné à détecter un déphasage du courant au travers et/ou de la tension au niveau de la ou des bobines d'induction.

5. Procédé de démarrage du fonctionnement d'une plaque de cuisson à induction avec dispositif de détection de pot selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, ledit procédé comportant les étapes consistant à :

- activer le dispositif de détection de pot après que la plaque de cuisson à induction a été activée par un utilisateur,

- identifier la ou les zones (14) de cuisson et/ou la ou les bobines d'induction recouvertes par un récipient de cuisson,

- indiquer la ou les zones (14) de cuisson et/ou la ou les bobines d'induction recouvertes par le récipient de cuisson au moyen d'une unité (12) d'affichage,

- inviter l'utilisateur à régler la puissance pour la ou les zones (14) de cuisson et/ou la ou les bobines d'induction affichées par une unité (12) d'entrée, et

- activer la ou les zones (14) de cuisson et/ou la ou les bobines d'induction avec la puissance réglée par l'utilisateur.

Drawing