DE102008020189A1 - Cooking equipment, has set of electric circuits associated with insertion plane locked by pushing insert into one of set of insertion planes, where electrically conductive region of insert and light sources are part electric circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment (1) has a set of insertion holders (11, 12) defining a set of insertion planes (EE1-EE3), where the planes are vertically arranged at a distance from each other. An insert (14) is inserted into the insertion planes, and a set of light sources (L1-L3) lights up the insertion planes respectively. Electric circuits (20-29) associated with the insertion plane and with the insert are locked by pushing the insert into one of the planes, where an electrically conductive region of the insert and the light sources are a part the electric circuit. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling illumination of insertion planes in a cooking area of a cooking equipment.

Description

The The invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a cooking chamber with a variety of slide-in brackets, respectively, in particular vertically spaced, define insertion levels and into each a drawer is inserted, and with at least one light source per shelf level for illuminating at least the respective shelf levels, and a method of controlling the illumination of a plurality of shelves in a cooking chamber of such a cooking appliance.

cooking appliances typically have several one above the other within their cooking chamber arranged shelf levels, in the example baking trays or grates for carrying food can be inserted. Generally, the occupancy of the rack levels with slots as well as the occupancy of these bays with food not only influence on the operation of the cooking appliance, but also on the lighting of the cooking chamber. So leads about the insertion from opaque baking sheets to an uneven one Lighting the oven, especially if only one light source is used to illuminate the cooking chamber.

From the state of the art it is known to arrange a plurality of light sources distributed over several insertion levels in the cooking chamber to improve the lighting. For example, with the generic DD 221 346 A1 proposed a lighting device for ovens, in which for the illumination of a baking chamber light from a cooking chamber external light source is passed via optical fibers to a plurality of light exit points in the oven. In this case, one or more light exit points can be provided for different insertion levels or insertion heights in the baking chamber.

The DE 103 40 879 A1 discloses a cooking appliance in which two-part slide-in holders for receiving inserts are formed on the lateral cooking chamber walls. For example, the front, the cooking chamber door facing part as a role and the rear, the cooking chamber rear wall facing part can be designed as a slide. In this case, a sensor, for example a light barrier, or a lighting unit can be integrated in the roller-like first part of the insertion holder.

Moreover, it is known from the prior art to detect the occupancy of the insertion levels of a cooking chamber by means of sensors. For example, from the US Pat. No. 6,815,644 B1 a Schnellkoch-cooking appliance with a cooking chamber for receiving a variety of inserts known. By means of a sensor, for example in the form of a pressure, weight or load sensor, the number of slots inserted into the cooking chamber is detected and forwarded to a control unit of the cooking appliance. In the presence of several bays in the oven, an optical display element on the front of the cooking appliance is activated for the indication of a so-called multiple-slide operation.

Finally, in the US 7,183,521 B2 discloses an oven with at least one removable holding rack with multiple shelves, in which the presence or absence of the holding rack is detected in the oven by means of a sensor. With the US 7,183,521 B2 It is proposed to design this sensor as a mechanical sensor, optical sensor, magnetic sensor, proximity sensor or ultrasonic sensor. Moreover, the sensor may be formed such that in the case of the presence of a support frame, a circuit is closed. If now the sensor detects the presence of the holding rack in the cooking chamber, an audible or visual signal is output from the cooking appliance.

adversely On the one hand, the state of the art, on the one hand, is that occupancy recognition of inserts is known, however, the possibilities for controlling the operation of the cooking appliance in dependence the recognized occupancy are not sufficiently used, and on the other hand, that through the use of numerous light sources in the cooking chamber, which distributes over several shelves of the cooking chamber are, although a homogeneous illumination of the cooking chamber is done, this but not flexible to the respective cooking situation, in particular in an energy-saving way, is customizable.

It is thus the object of the present invention, the genus Further develop cooking appliance such that the disadvantages overcome in the prior art. Especially a cooking appliance to be provided, in which one at different cooking situations adapted illumination of the cooking chamber done in a user-friendly, energy-efficient and robust way.

These The object is achieved according to the invention that by inserting a slot in one of the insertion levels one of the rack level associated with the slot circuit closable is, wherein at least one electrically conductive region of the insert and at least one light source part of the circuit are.

there it can be provided that the insertion brackets each at least comprise a first and at least one second contact element or wear, wherein the contact elements from each other and / or from the insertion brackets are electrically insulated and electrically conductive Regions of the inserts in electrical contact brought are.

Farther the invention provides that the insertion brackets each one first, in particular left, insertion rail and a second, in particular right, insertion rail in each case for receiving a lateral guide edge a slide.

One Cooking appliance according to the invention can furthermore be characterized in that the first and second contact element associated with the first insertion rail or the second insertion rail are, or the first contact element of the first insertion rail and associated with the second contact element of the second insertion rail is, or the first contact element of the second insertion rail and associated with the second contact element of the first insertion rail is.

Of Furthermore, it can be provided that the insertion brackets means, in particular spring means for pressing the contact elements include an inserted slot.

With The invention also proposes that the insertion brackets are arranged by means of a Einhängegestells in the oven, wherein the suspension rack in particular from the oven is removable.

One Cooking appliance according to the invention can thereby be characterized by at least one voltage source and for each rack level at least one closable circuit.

Also can be provided that each circuit the voltage source, the light source, the first and second contact element and the slot includes.

there may be provided that a first pole of the voltage source via a first line having a first pole of a light source a second Pol the light source via a second line with at least a first contact element and a second pole of the voltage source via a third line with at least one second contact element electrically are connectable.

invention Cooking appliances can be characterized in that a pole of the voltage source and connected to this pole Contact element connected to the ground potential of the cooking appliance is, in particular, this contact element with at least one Part of the insertion bracket is electrically connected.

It may be advantageous that the voltage U ₀ between the first pole and the second pole of the voltage source in the low-voltage range, in particular in the range of 12 volts, is located.

As well may be advantageous that the voltage source is a DC voltage source or an AC voltage source, in particular with a frequency of 50 Hz, using an AC source prefers the contact elements with an inserted slot over inductive or capacitive components can be contacted.

Further can a cooking appliance according to the invention characterized be by at least one current measuring unit per rack level for Measurement of the current flowing in the respective circuit wherein the current is measured in particular by a measurement of the low-impedance, to the circuit in series resistor R voltage applied can be detected by the current measuring unit.

moreover can a cooking appliance according to the invention characterized be by a control unit, in particular with resources for the digital storage, evaluation and processing of data, in operative connection with the voltage source, the current measuring units, a display unit and / or an input unit.

there it can be provided that the display unit has at least one display element for indicating the occupancy of the insertion levels.

With The invention also provides a method of controlling the illumination a plurality of insertion levels in a cooking chamber of an inventive Cooking appliance proposed, which characterized is that one assigned to a shelf level, first open circuit by inserting a slot in this Shaft level is closed, with the current flowing through the circuit Current operates at least one of the shelf level associated light source, which specifically illuminates the insertion level occupied by the slot.

Further can be provided that between the first and second Contact element of a slide-in holder during and / or after completing the insertion of a slot into this slot an electrical contact between the contact elements and the slot will be produced.

Of Furthermore, it can be provided that the electrical contact between the first and second contact element of the insertion bracket during and / or after completing extraction of the insert therefrom Insertion bracket is interrupted, so that no current through the Light source flows.

advantageous Embodiments of the method can thereby be characterized that each light source only when flowing through a Turns on current above a threshold current.

there it can be provided that the current of the closed circuit, powered by the voltage source, at least the light source, the first and second contact element and at least one electrically flows through the conductive region of the insert.

Also can be provided that by the control unit by means of the measured current values measured and stored with the current measuring units Reference values are compared to determine the occupancy of the Shelf levels.

After all can be provided that the occupancy of the bays over the display unit of the cooking appliance displayed and / or at at least one later work program, comprising at least one Cooking program, cleaning program and / or evaluation program, taken into account becomes.

It is thus the surprising finding of the invention that by inserting a drawer into a slide-in holder or a rack level of a cooking chamber closed a circuit can be a light source for targeted illumination of this Thrust level drives. Thus finds in a simple way an optimal Illumination of the cooking chamber to the effect that only such insertion levels be illuminated, which are also occupied with inserts. This saves energy and facilitates the operation of the cooking appliance.

For Each rack level of the oven is thus provided a circuit, which is closed when the insert is inserted. The one in these circuits flowing electricity can be detected by means of a current measuring unit and transmitted the measured values to a control unit of the cooking appliance become. By an evaluation of the thus obtained measured values can on the part of the control unit determines the occupancy state of the individual shelf levels become. The present invention thus relates to advantageous Way an occupancy detection of the shelf levels with an optimized illumination of the cooking chamber depending on the assignment of slots. The detected assignment can, for example, via a display unit of the cooking appliance an operator displayed or for control a cooking process can be used. Moreover receives an operator already through the selective lighting only such Shelf levels, which are also occupied, a well-perceived information about the occupancy state of the cooking chamber. This is especially true of Advantage, if, for example, a rolling feed of the cooking appliance, often individual bays at different times pushed into the oven or be pushed out and a corresponding operator at Load specifically a slot in a non-illuminated and thus insert free shelf level.

One Closing the circuit assigned to a rack level takes place during and / or after the insertion of at least one partially electrically conductive insert in a Insertion bracket of this rack level. In this case, includes the insertion bracket a first and a second contact element, each having an electrical Make contact with the slot, making a stream from the first Contact element over the slot to the second contact element can flow. In particular, this exploits that the bays, such as baking trays or grates, at least partly made of metal and thus an electrically conductive Material are constructed. Even such inserts, the non-conductive Subregions include, for example, an anti-stick coating, can be in a cooking appliance according to the invention use if it is ensured that only conductive Areas are contacted by the first and second contact elements.

The Circuits for the individual rack levels are each powered by a voltage source, which is an electrical voltage in the low voltage range, in particular in the range of about 12 volts supplies. This has two advantages: First, the handling of live components at such a low To classify tension as harmless to humans. On the other hand are a number of commercially available, standardized light sources matched to a 12 volt power supply, so that these in the cooking appliance according to the invention in a cost-efficient way.

Further Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following Description in which a cooking appliance according to the invention and a method for the targeted illumination of insertion levels in a cooking appliance according to the invention a schematic drawing is exemplified. The only figure shows a scheme for an electrical Control for illuminating the cooking chamber of an inventive Cooking appliance, the cooking appliance greatly simplified is shown in a sectional view.

The cooking appliance 1 includes according to the figure, a cooking chamber 2 with a cooking space wall 3 in which a hanging rack 4 is positioned. The hanging rack 4 typically consists of a left part 5 and a right part 6 , where a total of three as slide-in rails 11 . 12 out shaped slide-in brackets 11 . 12 are attached. As can be seen from the figure, includes a slide-in bracket 11 . 12 in each case a first, left insertion rail 11 and a second, right-hand insertion rail 12 , The three slide-in brackets 11 . 12 define a total of three insertion levels EE ₁ , EE ₂ , EE ₃ , in which by an operator bays 14 can be inserted for carrying food. In the case shown, two insertions are exemplary 14 shown inserted into the first rack level EE ₁ and the third rack level EE ₃ , while the second rack level EE _{2 is} unused.

For individual lighting of the three levels EE ₁ , EE ₂ , EE ₃ is laterally above this between the left part 5 of the hanging rack 4 and the left side of the cooking chamber wall 3 in each case a light source L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ per rack level EE ₁ , EE ₂ , EE _{3 shown} in the figure. The three light sources L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ can be from a voltage source 20 operate. A first pole 21 the voltage source 20 is about branch points 23 to three first lines 22 connected. For measuring the current I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ in the first lines 22 a current measuring unit A is connected in series with each first line. The first lines 22 are each with a first pole 24 the respective light source L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ connected. The second pole 25 the light source L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ is in turn in each case via a second line 26 connected to a first contact element, not shown in the figure, which in the corresponding left insertion rail 11 for contacting with a slot 14 is integrated. Similarly, in the three right slide rails 12 the insertion holder integrated second contact elements, which also makes electrical contact with an inserted slot 14 on the respective insertion level EE ₁ , EE ₂ , EE ₃ produce. The second contact elements are via third lines 27 and recombination points 29 with a second pole 28 the voltage source 20 connected.

The total of three first and second contact elements of the three insertion levels EE ₁ , EE ₂ , EE ₃ each serve to make electrical contact with an inserted slot 14 manufacture. For example, the first and second contact elements may be in the form of flat contact plates on the top of the left insertion rails 11 or right slide rails 12 be trained on the left 15 Guide edges or right guide edges 16 the inserted slots 14 be hung up. By inserting a slot 14 in one of the insertion levels EE ₁ , EE ₂ , EE _{3 of} the cooking chamber 2 Thus, an electrical contact between the first contact element and the slot 14 and the second contact element and the slot 14 produced on this rack level.

If initially no slots 14 into one of the slot mounts 11 . 12 is inserted, thus falls between each of the first contact element on the left insertion rail 11 and the second contact element on the right insertion rail 12 the open circuit voltage U _{0 of} the voltage source. In order that no current flows in this case, advantageously the first and second contact elements of the typically conductive slide rails 11 . 12 and the hanging rack 4 electrically isolated.

For coated baking trays, the coating may not be electrically conductive. In this case, make sure that at the contact points between the slide rails 11 . 12 and the leading edges 15 . 16 the bays 14 For example, is dispensed with a coating. An insert to be used here 14 should therefore be at least partially electrically conductive, namely a current flow at its guide edges 15 . 16 to enable.

By inserting a slot 14 in a rack level EE ₁ , EE ₂ , EE ₃ thus the circuit between the first and second contact element of this rack level is closed, so that the associated light source L ₁ , L ₂ , L _{3 is} activated for selective illumination of this rack level. In the case shown in the figure are by the inserted slots 14 in the first rack level EE ₁ and the third rack level EE _3, the light sources L ₁ and L _{3 is} activated, which in 1 is illustrated by the outgoing of said light sources L ₁ , L ₃ arrows.

An inventive cooking appliance 1 also includes a control unit 30 , the left of the cooking chamber according to the figure 2 is arranged. The control unit 30 includes means for digital storage, evaluation and processing of data, in particular for controlling the cooking appliance 1 , Advantageously, both the voltage source 20 and the current measuring units A together with the control unit 30 be educated. The control unit 30 is in particular in operative connection with the current measuring units A, so that the control unit 30 Based on the measured currents I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ receives information about which insertion levels EE ₁ , EE ₂ , EE _{3 are} occupied or are not occupied. The statement that a rack level is occupied by a slot, for example, then from the control unit 30 are taken when the corresponding measured current I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ exceeds a certain previously stored current threshold I _TH . By means of a display device of the cooking appliance, not shown in the figure 1 connected to the control unit 30 is in operative connection, so an operator information about the occupancy state of the insertion levels can be displayed.

The Current measuring units A can for example be shaped in this way be that the current to be measured by a low-impedance electrical Resistor flows and the voltage applied to this resistor Voltage is used to determine the flow of current.

According to the figure, the first and second contact elements on the respectively opposite insertion rails 11 . 12 formed of the insertion bracket. This configuration has the advantage that when the circuit is idling possible leakage currents are minimized, which can be caused by a wetting of Garraumelementen with conductive Garflüssigkeiten, especially salt solutions. Alternatively, it is possible to form the first and second contact elements on only one insertion rail, so that the two contact elements have a reduced distance from each other. This configuration has the advantage that the shortened distance which the current has to cover after closing the circuit within the insert reduces the electrical resistance of the insert within the circuit, thus minimizing electrical losses.

As well It may be advantageous, a plurality of first and / or second contact elements per tray mount, so that the impact of a faulty contact is compensated.

The in the above description, in the drawing and in the Claims disclosed features of the invention can both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments be essential.

1

Cooking appliance

2

oven

3

cooking chamber

4

hanging rack

5

left part

6

right part

11 12

slide-rail

14

insertion

15 16

leading edge

20

voltage source

21

first Pole of the voltage source

22

first management

23

branch points

24

first Pole of the light source

25

second Pole of the light source

26

second management

27

third management

28

second Pole of the voltage source

29

recombination points

U ₀

tension

I ₃

electricity

L ₁ -L ₃

light source

EE ₁ -EE ₃

Shelf position

A

Current measuring unit

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DD 221346 A1 [0003]
• - DE 10340879 A1 [0004]
• - US 6815644 B1 [0005]
• - US 7183521 B2 [0006, 0006]

Claims (22)

Cooking appliance, comprising a cooking chamber ( 2 ) with a plurality of insertion brackets ( 11 . 12 ), in each case, in particular vertically spaced, insertion levels (EE ₁ -EE ₃ ) define and in each of which a slot ( 14 ) is insertable, and with at least one light source (L ₁ -L ₃ ) per rack level (EE ₁ -EE ₃ ) for illuminating at least the respective rack level (EE ₁ -EE ₃ ), characterized in that by inserting a slide ( 14 ) in one of the insertion levels (EE ₁ -EE ₃ ) at least one of the insertion level (EE ₁ , EE ₃ ) with insert ( 14 ) associated circuit ( 14 - 16 . 20 - 29 , L ₁ -L ₃ ) is closable, wherein at least one electrically conductive region of the insert ( 14 ) and at least one light source (L ₁ -L ₃ ) are part of the circuit. Cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion holders ( 11 . 12 ) each comprise at least a first and at least one second contact element or carry, wherein the contact elements from each other and / or from the insertion brackets ( 11 . 12 ) are electrically isolated and with electrically conductive areas of the bays ( 14 ) can be brought into electrical contact. Cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insertion holders ( 11 . 12 ) in each case a first, in particular left, insertion rail ( 11 ) and a second, in particular right, slide rail ( 12 ) each for receiving a lateral guide edge ( 15 . 16 ) of a plug-in ( 14 ). Cooking appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the first and second contact element of the first insertion rail ( 11 ) or the second insertion rail ( 12 ) are assigned, or the first contact element of the first insertion rail ( 11 ) and the second contact element of the second insertion rail ( 12 ) is assigned, or the first contact element of the second insertion rail ( 12 ) and the second contact element of the first insertion rail ( 11 ) assigned. Cooking appliance according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the insertion holders ( 11 . 12 ) Means, in particular spring means for pressing the contact elements on an inserted slot ( 14 ). Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion holders ( 11 . 12 ) by means of a suspension rack ( 4 . 5 . 6 ) in the cooking chamber ( 2 ) are arranged, wherein the suspension frame ( 4 . 5 . 6 ) in particular from the cooking chamber ( 2 ) is removable. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one voltage source ( 20 ) and for each rack level (EE ₁ -EE ₃ ) at least one closable circuit ( 14 - 16 . 20 - 29 , L ₁ -L ₃ ). Cooking appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that each circuit is the voltage source ( 20 ), the light source (L ₁ -L ₃ ), the first and second contact element and the slot ( 14 ). Cooking appliance according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a first pole ( 21 ) of the voltage source ( 20 ) via a first line ( 22 ) with a first pole ( 24 ) of a light source (L ₁ -L ₃ ), a second pole ( 25 ) of the light source (L ₁ -L ₃ ) via a second line ( 26 ) with at least one first contact element and a second pole ( 28 ) of the voltage source ( 20 ) via a third line ( 27 ) are electrically connectable with at least one second contact element. Cooking appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that a pole ( 21 . 28 ) of the voltage source ( 20 ) and connected to this pole contact element with the mass potential of the cooking appliance ( 1 ), wherein in particular this contact element is electrically connected to at least a part of the insertion holder. Cooking appliance according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the voltage U ₀ between the first pole ( 21 ) and the second pole ( 28 ) of the voltage source ( 20 ) in the low-voltage range, in particular in terms of magnitude in the range of 12 volts. Cooking appliance according to claim 7 to 11, characterized in that the voltage source ( 20 ) is a DC voltage source or an AC voltage source, in particular with a frequency of 50 Hz, wherein when using an AC voltage source preferably the contact elements with an inserted slot ( 14 ) are contactable via inductive or capacitive components. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one current measuring unit (A) per rack level (EE ₁ -EE ₃ ) for measuring the current flowing in the respective circuit current (I ₁ -I ₃ ), wherein the current (I ₁ -I ₃ ) can be detected in particular by a measurement of the current applied to a low-resistance, the circuit in series resistor R voltage from the current measuring unit (A). Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control unit ( 30 ), in particular with means for digital storage, evaluation and processing of data, in operative connection with the voltage source ( 20 ), the current measuring units (A), a display unit and / or an input unit. Cooking appliance according to claim 14, characterized in that the display unit comprises at least one display element for indicating the occupancy of the insertion levels (EE ₁ -EEE ₃ ). Method for controlling the illumination of a plurality of shelves in a cooking chamber of a cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that one of a rack level associated, initially open circuit closed by inserting a slot in this rack level is, wherein the current flowing through the circuit at least one the shelf level associated light source operates with the the insertion occupied occupancy level selectively illuminates. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that that between the first and second contact element of a slide-in holder during and / or after completing the insertion of a Insert in this rack mount an electrical contact between the contact elements and the slot is made. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that that the electrical contact between the first and second contact element the insertion bracket during and / or after completion of a Pulling out of the insert interrupted from this insertion bracket so that no current flows through the light source. Method according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that each light source only when flowing through of a current above a threshold current turns on. Method according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the current of the closed circuit, which is fed by the voltage source, at least the light source, the first and second contact element and at least one electrically flows through the conductive region of the insert. Method according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that by the control unit by means of the current measurement units measured current measured values and with stored reference values are compared to determine the Assignment of the shelf levels. Method according to one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the assignment of the bays over the display unit of the cooking appliance displayed and / or at at least one later work program, comprising at least a cooking program, cleaning program and / or evaluation program, considered becomes.