WO2023099676A1

WO2023099676A1 - Domestic appliance device, domestic appliance and method for operating a domestic appliance device

Info

Publication number: WO2023099676A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/084092
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jorge ESPAÑOL LEZA; Miguel Labodia Doce; Arturo Mediano Heredia; Antonio Muñoz Fumanal; Pilar Perez Cabeza; Jorge Tesa Betes
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2021-12-03
Filing date: 2022-12-01
Publication date: 2023-06-08

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic appliance device (12a-n), in particular cooktop device, having a housing unit (16a) with at least one main antenna (20a) located in an interior space (18a) of the housing unit (16a) and with at least one secondary antenna (21a-n) cooperating with the main antenna (20a), the secondary antenna being provided for communication with an outer space (24a) of the housing unit (16a).

Description

Household appliance device, household appliance and method for operating a household appliance device

State of the art

The invention relates to a household appliance device according to claim 1, a household appliance according to claim 13 and a method for operating a household appliance device according to claim 14.

A household appliance with a housing unit that is at least largely made of metal is already known from the prior art. An antenna for wireless communication with an exterior of the housing unit is arranged inside the housing unit in an interior area. In this case, the housing unit, which is at least largely made of metal, influences the efficiency and/or performance of the antenna when interacting with the outside area and at least partially weakens it.

The object of the invention consists in particular, but not limited thereto, in providing a generic device with improved properties in terms of efficiency. The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1, 13 and 14, while advantageous configurations and developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

Advantages of the Invention

A household appliance device, in particular a hob device, is proposed with a housing unit, with at least one main antenna arranged in an interior area of the housing unit, and with at least one auxiliary antenna that interacts with the main antenna, the auxiliary antenna being provided for interaction with an exterior area of the housing unit.

Such a configuration can increase efficiency. The efficiency can be increased, for example, with regard to product and/or labor and/or assembly and/or manufacturing and/or cost and/or performance efficiency. An interaction between an interior area of a housing unit and an exterior area of the housing unit can be improved by means of an auxiliary antenna, and thus in turn convenience, specifically user comfort, can be increased. This can provide improved wireless communication performance between indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, a construction can be improved and by using at least the auxiliary antenna an influence, namely a weakening, of the communication performance by the housing unit, which is mostly made of metal, can be at least partially reduced and preferably almost completely prevented. In addition, implementations of more complex communication services and/or data transmissions that require a larger bandwidth, such as video communication and/or exchange of large amounts of data, may be enabled between indoors and outdoors.

The domestic appliance device could be, for example, a cooking device device, possibly a microwave device and/or a grill device and/or a steam device device and/or an oven device and/or preferably the hob device. Alternatively and/or additionally, the household appliance device could also be a household refrigeration appliance device, in particular a refrigerator and/or freezer device, and/or a household cleaning appliance device, for example a dishwasher device and/or a washing machine device and/or a tumble dryer device. In one installed position, the household appliance device forms a subassembly of a household appliance, in particular a household refrigerator and/or a household cleaning appliance, for example a dishwasher and/or a washing machine and/or a tumble dryer, and/or a cooking appliance, such as a microwave and/or a grill and /or a steamer and/or an oven and/or preferably a hob. The hob device can be designed as an induction hob device. The hob device designed as an induction hob device is advantageously a subassembly of an induction hob. The induction hob device could possibly also include additional accessory units for the hob, such as a sensor unit for measuring the temperature of a set-up unit, in particular a cooking utensil, and/or a cooking item and/or a detection unit for detecting at least the set-up unit. It would also be conceivable that the household appliance device includes the entire household appliance, in particular the entire hob.

The household appliance device and/or the household appliance is/are intended for use and/or arrangement in a household, in particular a kitchen. The household appliance could in turn be part of a household appliance system, in which case the household appliance system could have a large number of units and/or devices which can be used to treat and/or process food. For example, the household appliance system could be embodied as a hob system and in particular additionally have at least one extractor unit and/or at least the sensor unit and/or further sensor units, in particular at least one temperature sensor, which could be provided for placement in the cookware and/or in the food to be cooked, for example in the form of a skewer.

The housing unit could, for example, consist at least partially and preferably at least to a large extent of a mineral, for example glass and/or ceramics, and/or a plastic and/or a metal and/or a composite material. The expression “for the most part” should be understood to mean, for example, at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85% and particularly advantageously at most 95% of a volume and/or mass fraction. The housing unit advantageously forms a housing at least for accommodating an electronics unit and/or a blower unit and/or at least one heating unit of the household appliance device. In particular, the housing unit is designed as a cooktop housing.

The housing unit can have a carrier unit. In particular, the carrier unit is intended to carry and/or hold a weight exerted by the electronics unit and/or the blower unit and/or the heating unit in at least one installed state and advantageously to attach this weight to at least one further structural unit, for example a built-in cabinet and/or or a piece of household furniture, in particular a kitchen worktop, into which the housing unit could be used in the assembled state.

The housing unit advantageously has a mounting plate. Preferably, the mounting plate at least partially delimits the interior space and and/or at least partially closes If the housing unit, in particular the carrier unit, faces upwards and particularly preferably forms part of an assembly of the household appliance and/or kitchen cabinets and/or other household appliances, which are at least partially closed off at the top by means of the mounting plate. In the present application, position designations such as “below” or “above” refer to the mounted state of the mounting plate, unless this is explicitly described otherwise. The mounting plate could, for example, consist at least partially and preferably at least to a large extent of a mineral, for example glass and/or ceramics, and/or a plastic and/or a metal and/or a composite material. In the case of the household appliance device designed as a hob device, the mounting plate can be designed at least partially or advantageously completely as a hob plate. The hob plate could be designed as a glass ceramic plate. In a preferred embodiment, the entire mounting plate is designed as a hob plate, with the mounting plate having a thickness of in particular at most 50 mm, preferably at most 30 mm and particularly preferably at most 15 mm.

In particular, the set-up plate is provided for setting up at least the set-up unit, in particular the cooking utensil, for the purpose of heating the set-up unit. A “cooking utensil” should be understood to mean a unit which at least partially defines and/or delimits at least one food receiving space and which is provided for heating, in particular by at least one heating unit, advantageously the aforementioned heating unit, which could be arranged within the carrier unit . Furthermore, the cooking utensil can be provided to heat and/or cook and/or keep warm at least one item to be cooked, in particular food, arranged in the food receiving space by means of energy absorbed by the heating. For example, the cooking utensil could be intended to be placed in at least one cooking chamber, in particular a household appliance designed as an oven. The cooking utensil is preferably intended to be set up on at least the set-up plate for the purpose of heating. The cooking utensil could, for example, be in the form of a pot and/or a pan and/or a coffee maker and/or a baking sheet. The set-up unit can possibly also be a coffee maker and/or a kettle and/or a kitchen appliance, in particular a food preparation appliance such as a blender and/or a stirrer. It would also be conceivable for the mounting plate to be designed at least partially as a kitchen worktop. The set-up plate designed as a kitchen worktop, in particular in contrast to the hob plate, is advantageously additionally provided to provide a food preparation area, in particular by cutting and/or mixing and/or pounding and/or peeling of food, for example.

In particular, the mounting plate and the carrier unit at least partially and preferably completely delimit the interior area. In particular, the inner area extends between the mounting plate and the carrier unit. At least the electronics unit and/or at least the blower unit and/or at least the heating unit is/are advantageously at least partially arranged in the interior area.

Preferably, the main antenna is located entirely in the interior. In the present case, a “main antenna” should be understood to mean an element which is designed as a converter and is intended to convert electrical energy into electromagnetic waves and vice versa. Furthermore, an “antenna” is provided for receiving and/or transmitting electromagnetic waves. The main antenna and/or the auxiliary antenna is/are preferably provided for wireless communication with the outside area of the housing unit, in particular an external unit. In particular, the external unit is located outside of the housing unit. In at least one operating state, the auxiliary antenna and/or the main antenna preferably communicates by means of wireless communication with the outside area of the housing unit, in particular with the external unit, with at least one signal, in particular information, between the inside area and the outside area of the housing unit, in particular the external unit. can be transmitted by means of the auxiliary antenna and/or the main antenna. In a method for operating the household appliance device, signals could be transmitted by means of the auxiliary antenna and/or the main antenna when interacting with the exterior of the housing unit. In at least one operational step of the method of operation, the auxiliary antenna could cooperate with the main antenna for interaction with the outside area, so that signals can be transmitted between the inside area and the outside area.

The installation unit could be the external unit. The interior of the housing unit could be in at least the operating state by means of the auxiliary antenna and the main antenna communicate with the outside area, namely the set-up unit. It would also be conceivable that the external unit could be a remote control and/or a multimedia unit. The multimedia unit could be, for example, a terminal, preferably a mobile terminal, with the multimedia unit being provided in particular for entertainment purposes for the user. The end device could be a computer, in particular a desktop computer, and/or a laptop and/or a convertible, for example. Alternatively, the multimedia unit could be the mobile terminal device, which is a mobile phone and/or a tablet and/or a phablet and/or a personal digital assistant (PDA), for example. The information transmitted between at least the auxiliary antenna and/or at least the main antenna and the external unit using electromagnetic waves could, for example, be an advisory message and/or a digital medium such as an image and/or a video and/or music and/or a Control command and / or an operating command. It would be conceivable for the external unit to be provided for at least partial operation and/or control of the household appliance device, in particular the electronic unit and/or the blower unit and/or the heating unit, preferably by means of the control and/or operating command which is/are in at least is/are transferrable to the operating state by means of the auxiliary antenna and/or the main antenna.

In particular, the auxiliary antenna is designed separately from the main antenna. The main antenna, in particular in addition to the auxiliary antenna, is advantageously provided for interaction, preferably for wireless communication in particular, with the outside area. When the main antenna communicates wirelessly with the outside of the housing unit, the auxiliary antenna can support the main antenna. When interacting with the outside area, in particular the external unit, the auxiliary antenna interacts with the main antenna. In at least the operating state, the auxiliary antenna can receive signals from the main antenna and forward them to the outside area and/or forward a signal received from the outside area to the main antenna. The auxiliary antenna can be provided to support signal transmission between the indoor area and the outdoor area. In particular, the auxiliary antenna is provided for passive signal transmission between the main antenna and the outside area. In particular, the auxiliary antenna is a secondary antenna. The auxiliary antenna and/or the main antenna could use microwaves and/or radio waves and/or infrared radiation, for example using Bluetooth and/or Wifi and/or NFC and/or RFID and/or ZigBee and/or another suitable standard, signals and /or transfer data. In at least the operating state, the main antenna and/or the auxiliary antenna can have an operating frequency of, for example, at least 1 GHz, advantageously at least 2.4 GHz, preferably at least 3 GHz and preferably at least 5 GHz.

The main antenna and/or the auxiliary antenna preferably consist at least partially and advantageously to a large extent of an electrically conductive material. For example, the auxiliary antenna and/or the main antenna can consist at least partially and preferably for the most part of silver, copper, gold, aluminum, tungsten, zinc, nickel and/or iron and/or a composite material. Possibly at least one additional main antenna of the household appliance device could also be arranged in the interior of the housing unit. The main antenna and at least the further main antenna could interact together with at least the auxiliary antenna. It would also be conceivable for the household appliance device to have further auxiliary antennas, namely at least one further auxiliary antenna, in which case the main antenna could interact with the auxiliary antenna and the further main antenna with the further main antenna when interacting with the outside area.

“Provided” here and in the following is to be understood to mean specially programmed, designed and/or equipped. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function should be understood to mean that the object fulfills and/or executes this specific function in at least one application and/or operating state.

It is also proposed that the housing unit has a housing element, in particular a hob plate, to which the auxiliary antenna is connected, in particular in one piece. As a result, efficiency can be further increased and a construction can be optimized. Further, a compact and simple construction can be provided, and at the same time, efficiency in terms of performance when interacting with an exterior of a housing unit can be increased. In addition, manufacturing effort and/or manufacturing costs can be reduced. The housing element is preferably designed as the mounting plate, in particular the hob plate described above. The housing element can delimit the interior area at least partially and preferably completely with the carrier unit. The auxiliary antenna is fixed to the housing element, preferably with a material connection to the housing element. It would be conceivable for the auxiliary antenna to be glued onto the housing element by means of an adhesive film. Alternatively and/or additionally, non-positive and/or positive connections could also be used to fix the auxiliary antenna to the housing element, such as plug-in connections and/or rotary connections and/or screw connections. The auxiliary antenna is particularly preferably designed in one piece with the housing element. “In one piece” is to be understood as being at least cohesively connected, for example by a welding process, an adhesive process, an injection molding process and/or another process that appears sensible to a person skilled in the art, and/or advantageously formed in one piece, for example by manufacture from a single cast and/or by being manufactured in a one-component or multi-component injection molding process and advantageously from a single blank.

In addition, it is proposed that the auxiliary antenna is coated on a surface of the housing element. As a result, comfort and efficiency can be increased in terms of product and/or work and/or manufacturing and/or cost efficiency. In addition, a particularly convenient and compact construction can be provided by means of an auxiliary antenna coated on one surface. By means of a material connection between the auxiliary antenna and the surface, additional fastening elements, for example for a non-positive and/or positive connection, can preferably be dispensed with. Costs, in particular manufacturing and/or assembly costs, and expenditure, in particular manufacturing and/or assembly expenditure, can thus be reduced.

The housing element can have a side facing the interior and/or a side facing away from the interior. The surface could be part of the side of the housing element facing away from the interior and the auxiliary antenna could be arranged on the side of the housing element facing away from the interior. Said surface is preferably part of the side facing the interior area. In particular is the auxiliary antenna is arranged on the side of the housing element facing the interior area.

It would be conceivable for the auxiliary antenna to be coated on at least 2%, advantageously at least 5% and preferably at most 20% of the surface of the housing element. The coating can be a thin layer, a thick layer or several layers that are connected to one another. A thin layer, particularly a thin layer or film, is a layer of solid matter in the micron or nanometer range. The thin layer can have a thickness of at most 100 μm, in particular at most 10 μm, advantageously at most 100 nm, preferably at most 10 nm. In a method for producing the household appliance device, the thin layer could be produced or vapor-deposited on at least the surface, for example by sputtering or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The thick layer could be a layer with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, advantageously at least 2 mm, preferably at least 10 mm and particularly preferably at most 5 cm. A sheet resistance of the auxiliary antenna could have a value in a range from at least 5 ohms/sq to at most 20 ohms/sq.

Preferably the auxiliary antenna is printed on the surface of the housing member. The auxiliary antenna could be applied to the surface of the housing element by using printing methods known to those skilled in the art, such as screen and gravure printing, and/or by a PVD method and/or by means of digital production techniques based on inkjet technology, specifically printable be. It would also be conceivable that the auxiliary antenna is hot stamped onto the surface. The auxiliary antenna could be hot stamped onto the surface using a hot stamping unroll process or a hot stamping stroke process. The film, in particular the hot embossing film, could be connectable to the surface, at least in a material-to-material manner, by means of pressure and heat.

An electrically conductive material is preferably printed onto the surface, which at least partially and advantageously completely forms the auxiliary antenna. The electrically conductive material could be, for example, electrically conductive ink, such as silver and/or copper ink and/or ceramic ink. It would be conceivable that a protective element, in particular a protective layer, for at least partially and preferably completely covering the auxiliary antenna over the electrically conductive material is applied to the surface. The surface could have the protective element, for example a protective film.

In at least the operating state, the auxiliary antenna is preferably provided to emit energy into the room, specifically the interior and/or the exterior. The auxiliary antenna could have different radiation types, in particular radiation patterns, such as a pencil beam pattern, fan beam pattern, shaped beam pattern and/or an omnidirectional pattern. In addition to a main radiation area, the auxiliary antenna advantageously has at least one secondary radiation area. The auxiliary antenna preferably emits more energy in the main radiation area than in the secondary radiation area. The main radiation area can have, for example, at least one radiation lobe, in particular in the case of a graphic representation of the radiation pattern. A directivity of the auxiliary antenna could be non-uniform or non-uniform over the solid angle. In particular, there is a directional effect in the case of a directional characteristic that is unevenly distributed over the solid angle. A main extension direction of the main radiation area, in particular of the radiation lobe, preferably indicates the directivity of the auxiliary antenna. The directivity can be qualitatively described by the directivity factor, the directivity factor generally expressing the fact that a radiated power is concentrated on a specific part of the room and the radiation is not homogeneous.

In order to provide a particularly convenient construction and to further increase efficiency, it is proposed that at least the main radiation area be aligned in the direction of the main antenna. Due to a special alignment of the auxiliary antenna with respect to the main antenna, interaction, in particular wireless communication, between an interior area and an exterior area of a housing unit can be further optimized and power efficiency can be increased. The main extension direction of the main radiation area, in particular of the radiation lobe, is preferably at least essentially perpendicular to a main extension plane of the auxiliary antenna, with an angle between the main extension plane and the main extension direction of the main radiation area being at most 5°, advantageously at most 2° and particularly preferably at most 1° deviates from a right angle.

The main extension plane of the auxiliary antenna preferably extends at least essentially parallel to a main extension plane of the housing element, in particular special of the mounting plate. A “main extension plane” of an object should be understood to mean a plane which is parallel to a largest side surface of an imaginary cuboid which just about completely encloses the object and in particular runs through the center point of the cuboid. A “main extension direction” of an object should be understood to mean a direction that runs parallel to a longest edge of a smallest geometric cuboid that just about completely encloses the object.

The auxiliary antenna could be designed with one arm. The auxiliary antenna preferably has at least two arms. As a result, efficiency can be further increased and interaction, in particular communication, between an interior area of a housing unit and an exterior area of a housing unit can be improved. This in turn can increase convenience, specifically user convenience.

The auxiliary antenna could be a dipole antenna, for example. The at least two arms of the auxiliary antenna could be formed at least partially in one piece, in particular in one piece. The at least two arms could, for example, have an angular shape and/or be connected to one another at an angle. The auxiliary antenna could be U-shaped, for example. The at least two arms could be arranged at least essentially parallel to one another. An object and/or a direction which is/are aligned parallel to another object and/or another direction deviates by less than 10%, preferably less than 5% and particularly preferably less than 2% from an alignment of the further direction and / or arrangement and / or orientation of the other object. It would also be conceivable for the at least two arms to be arranged at least substantially in alignment with one another. An object and/or a direction that is/are aligned at least substantially in alignment with another object and/or another direction deviates by less than 10%, preferably less than 5% and particularly preferably less than 2% an orientation of the further direction and/or arrangement and/or orientation of the further object.

The auxiliary antenna could have an L-shape. A first arm of the arms could have a longer main extent than a second arm of the arms. The main extension of the first arm could be at least 30%, advantageously at least 50% and preferably at least 70% greater than a main extension of the second arm. The auxiliary antenna preferably has at least one line antenna area. A particularly convenient, compact and/or integrative construction can thus be provided and efficiency can be increased. Furthermore, costs, in particular manufacturing and/or assembly costs, and expenditure, in particular manufacturing and/or assembly expenditure, can be reduced.

The auxiliary antenna can be designed as a wire antenna. In particular, the line antenna area is a line-shaped area of the auxiliary antenna. In particular, the auxiliary antenna has a rod-like shape and/or a line shape in the line antenna area.

A longitudinal extension of the auxiliary antenna in the line antenna area is particularly preferably at least 50%, at least 70% and preferably at least 80% greater than a transverse extension of the auxiliary antenna in the line antenna area. Advantageously, the auxiliary antenna has a maximum of 10% in the line antenna area. In this context, a “longitudinal extension” of an object is to be understood as meaning an extension of the object in a direction of longitudinal extension of the object. The “longitudinal direction” of the object is a direction which is parallel to a longest edge and/or side of the smallest, in particular imaginary, cuboid just surrounding the object. In particular, the direction of longitudinal extent extends along a longitudinal axis of the auxiliary antenna. The longitudinal axis is advantageously arranged in the line antenna area. In this context, a “transverse extent” of an object is to be understood as meaning an extent of the object in a direction of transverse extent of the object. The “direction of transverse extension” of the object is a direction which is parallel to a second-longest edge and/or side of a cuboid, in particular the smallest one mentioned, that just barely encloses the object, in particular an imaginary cuboid.

The auxiliary antenna preferably has an at least essentially constant width in at least the line antenna area. In the line antenna area, the auxiliary antenna could have a width of at least 0.5 mm, advantageously at least 2 mm and preferably at most 5 mm. Advantageously, the width, in particular the transverse extension, of the auxiliary antenna in the line antenna area corresponds to a maximum of 3% and preferably a maximum of 5% of the longitudinal extension of the auxiliary antenna. The auxiliary antenna could be designed as a rod antenna and/or strip line. It would also be conceivable for the auxiliary antenna, at least in sections, to have a semicircular shape and/or a circular shape and/or an oval shape, which could be open or closed. The auxiliary antenna preferably has a spiral shape. In particular, the auxiliary antenna is designed as a spiral antenna. At least the two arms of the auxiliary antenna could be spirally arranged. Advantageously, at least the two arms are wound together at least in sections and/or intertwined and/or arranged next to one another repeatedly at least in sections. A “spiral antenna” is understood to mean a planar antenna in the present case, which consists of one or more conductors wound spirally in one plane. In particular, the at least two arms form the ladders mentioned. The spiral antenna could have a constant, in particular constant, distance between its conductors, in particular the at least two coiled arms. If the spiral antenna is formed as a logarithmic spiral antenna, a radius of curvature and an effective cross section of the conductors may increase from inside to outside. In at least the operating state, the auxiliary antenna preferably generates a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave. The spiral-shaped auxiliary antenna can emit electromagnetic waves in both spatial directions perpendicular to its main plane of extension.

In particular, an embodiment and/or shape and/or size of the auxiliary antenna depends on its operating frequency, in particular a wavelength for the wireless communication function. The relevant dimensions of the auxiliary antenna are preferably whole fractions of the operating frequency. A diameter of the circular or spiral-shaped auxiliary antenna can depend on the operating frequency, in particular the wavelength. For example, if the operating frequency is 2.45 GHz and the wavelength is 122 mm, a 1 fraction may be 61 mm and a 14 fraction may be 30 mm. Furthermore, a radius of the spiral antenna, given in mm, can be calculated, for example, using the mathematical formula: r = Rmin x exp(0.10 x cp), where Rmin is the initial and minimum radius from the center of the spiral, proportional to the wavelength and cp is an angle ranging from 0 rad to 3π rad.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the auxiliary antenna has at least one planar antenna area. As a result, efficiency can be increased further and a larger-area antenna area can be provided. the assistants For example, ne could have a square and rectangular shape. The auxiliary antenna is advantageously designed as a planar antenna. The planar antenna can have at least the planar antenna area. It would be conceivable for the auxiliary antenna to have a planar dipole. In particular, the planar antenna area differs from the line antenna area at least in that the auxiliary antenna in the planar antenna area is free of line shapes and/or a rod-shaped configuration. Advantageously, the width, in particular the transverse extension, of the auxiliary antenna in the planar antenna area corresponds to at least 10% and preferably at least 30% of the longitudinal extension of the auxiliary antenna. The transverse extent of the auxiliary antenna and the longitudinal extent of the auxiliary antenna could, for example, be at least essentially the same length.

If the auxiliary antenna has a two-fold symmetry, a particularly advantageous construction can be provided and efficiency can be further increased. The auxiliary antenna is preferably of mirror-symmetrical design. The auxiliary antenna could have at least one, advantageously two and preferably four mirror symmetry axes.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the auxiliary antenna is arranged in a user interface area of the housing unit. As a result, a comfortable construction can be provided and efficiency can be further increased. Furthermore, comfort can be improved in that, possibly by means of an auxiliary antenna arranged in an operator interface area, an efficient and preferably interference-free interaction between an inner area of a housing unit, namely an auxiliary antenna, which is arranged in the inner area, and an outer area of the housing unit can be provided. In addition, communication, namely wireless communication, of an operator interface with the outside area could possibly be improved by means of the auxiliary antenna, which cooperates with the main antenna.

The household appliance device may have an operator interface, which is arranged in the operator interface area. The operator interface may be part of the electronics unit and at least partially located in the interior. The user interface can be designed as a cooktop user interface. The operator can use the hob user interface to operate at least one household appliance function, in particular an operating parameter and/or an operating function set and/or select the household appliance, preferably the hob. It would be conceivable for the user interface to interact with the outside area, in particular the external unit, by means of the main antenna and/or the auxiliary antenna. Preferably, the main antenna is located in the operator interface area. The main antenna can be part of the operator interface. In particular, the carrier unit and/or the housing element has the operator interface area.

In addition, it is proposed that the domestic appliance device has a touch sensor element which is at least partially formed in one piece with the auxiliary antenna. As a result, a particularly integrative, compact and convenient construction can be provided and efficiency can be increased. In addition, comfort, in particular user comfort, can be improved since an auxiliary antenna can be integrated into a user interface in a way that is particularly unobtrusive for a user. Furthermore, the efficiency can be increased, for example with regard to product and/or work and/or assembly and/or manufacturing and/or cost and/or performance efficiency. The touch sensor element can be part of the operator interface. In particular, the touch sensor element is arranged in the operator interface area. The operator could use the touch sensor element to set and/or select at least the household appliance function, in particular the operating parameter and/or the operating function, for operating the household appliance, preferably the hob.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the domestic appliance device has further auxiliary antennas, which form a set of auxiliary antennas with the auxiliary antenna and which interact with the main antenna and are intended to interact with the outside area. As a result, an efficiency in terms of product and/or work and/or assembly and/or manufacturing and/or cost and/or performance efficiency can be increased. By means of a set of auxiliary antennas, an interaction between an interior area of a housing unit and an exterior area of the housing unit can be further improved and thus in turn convenience, specifically user comfort, can be increased. In addition, implementations of more complex communication services and/or data transmissions that require greater bandwidth, such as video communication and/or large amounts of data can be exchanged between indoors and outdoors.

At least two auxiliary antennas of the set of auxiliary antennas could be designed differently. For example, at least the two auxiliary antennas of the set of auxiliary antennas could differ in terms of material properties and/or shape and/or size. In order to further increase efficiency, it is proposed that at least two, preferably all, auxiliary antennas of the set of auxiliary antennas are designed to be at least essentially identical to one another. Preferably, at least the two auxiliary antennas of the set of auxiliary antennas are designed to be at least essentially identical to one another in terms of material properties and/or a shape and/or a size.

In addition, the invention is based on a method for operating a household appliance device, in particular the aforementioned household appliance device. Such an assembly method can provide efficient interaction, in particular communication, between an interior area and an exterior area of a housing unit. Signals can be efficiently transmitted between the indoor area and the outdoor area by means of an auxiliary antenna that interacts with a main antenna. A convenience, specifically a user convenience, can thus be improved. The method for operating the domestic appliance device could have a number of method steps and/or partial method steps. The method preferably comprises at least the operating step described above. The operating step could in turn consist of several operating sub-steps.

The household appliance device and/or the household appliance and/or the method should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the household appliance device and/or the household appliance and/or the method for fulfilling a functionality described herein can have a number of individual elements, components, units and method steps that differs from the number specified herein. In addition, in the value ranges specified in this document, values lying within the stated limits should also be considered disclosed and can be used as desired. drawings

Further advantages result from the following description of the drawings. Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into further meaningful combinations.

Show it:

1 shows a household appliance designed as a hob with a household appliance device designed as a hob device,

2 shows a detailed view of part of a housing unit of the household appliance device with a main antenna of the household appliance device arranged in an interior space of the housing unit,

3 shows the household appliance device with the main antenna and an auxiliary antenna,

4 shows a detailed view of the auxiliary antenna with its radiation pattern,

5 shows a schematically illustrated method for operating the household appliance device,

6 shows a set of auxiliary antennas of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

7 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

8 shows a set of auxiliary antennas of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

9 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

10 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

11 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

12 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment, 13 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

14 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

15 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

16 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment,

17 shows an auxiliary antenna of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment and

18 shows a set of auxiliary antennas of a household appliance device in a further exemplary embodiment

Description of the exemplary embodiments

In the following, only one of the multiple objects in the figures is provided with a reference number. Furthermore, the present figures are schematic representations that are not true to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a household appliance 10a designed as a hob with a household appliance device 12a in a schematic perspective view. Alternatively and/or additionally, the household appliance 10a could also be designed, for example, as an oven, a microwave, a refrigerator, a chest freezer, a dishwasher, a washing machine and/or as a dryer.

In the present case, the household appliance device 12a is accordingly designed as a hob device. The household appliance device 12a has a housing unit 16a. The housing unit 16a forms a housing at least for accommodating an electronics unit 86a and/or a blower unit and/or at least one heating unit of the household appliance device 12a (not shown). In this exemplary embodiment, the housing unit 12a is designed as a hob housing. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the housing unit 16a is inserted into a worktop 80a, specifically a kitchen worktop of household furniture and/or a built-in cupboard. Furthermore, the household appliance 10a designed as a hob is integrated into the household furniture and/or the built-in cupboard. FIG. 2 shows only part of the housing unit 16a. The housing unit 16a has a carrier unit 82a. FIG. 2 shows a simplified representation of the carrier unit 82a. The carrier unit 82a delimits an inner region 18a of the housing unit 16a at least on one side and in the present case at least on five sides. The electronics unit 86a is arranged on the carrier unit 82a in the interior area 18a. The electronic unit 86a is arranged in a user interface area 56a of the domestic appliance device 12a. The household appliance device 12a has an operator interface 88a (cf. FIG. 1). Here, operator interface 88a is part of electronics unit 86a. Operator interface 88a defines operator interface area 56a (see Figure 1).

At least one main antenna 20a of the household appliance device 12a is arranged in the interior area 18a of the housing unit 16a. Here, the main antenna 20a is located in the operator interface area 56a. In this exemplary embodiment, the main antenna 20a is part of the electronics unit 86a.

Figures 1 and 3 show that the household appliance device 12a has a housing element 26a, which is presently designed as a mounting plate 78a. The mounting plate 78a is designed as a hob plate. The housing element 26a at least partially delimits the interior area 18a of the housing unit 16a. The housing element 26a is arranged on the carrier unit 82a and delimits the inner area 18a together with the carrier unit 82a. In the present case, the erection plate 78a is provided for erecting at least one erection unit 76a for the purpose of heating the erection unit 76a (cf. FIG. 1).

The household appliance device 12a has an auxiliary antenna 21a. The auxiliary antenna 21a is intended to interact with an outer area 24a of the housing unit 16a.

The auxiliary antenna 21a is connected to the case member 26a. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21a is connected in one piece to the housing element 26a (FIG. 3). The auxiliary antenna 21a is coated on a surface 30a of the case member 26a. In this exemplary embodiment, auxiliary antenna 21a is printed on surface 30a. Said surface 30a can be part of a side of the housing element 26a facing away from the inner region 18a. In the present case, the surface 30a is part of an interior area 18a immigrated side 62a of the housing element 26a. In this exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary antenna 21a is arranged on the side 62a of the housing element 26a that faces the interior area 18a, specifically printed on the surface 30a. The auxiliary antenna 21a is located in the operator interface area 56a of the housing unit 16a. The household appliance device 12a has a touch sensor element 60a, with which the auxiliary antenna 21a is at least partially formed in one piece.

The auxiliary antenna 21a has at least two arms 36a, 38a. The two arms 36a, 38a of the auxiliary antenna 21a are formed at least partially in one piece. In the present case, the two arms 36a, 38a of the auxiliary antenna 21a are made in one piece. The auxiliary antenna 21a has at least one line antenna area 50a (cf. FIG. 4). The arms 36a, 38a are part of the line antenna area 50a. The auxiliary antenna 21a has a two-fold symmetry. In this exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary antenna 21a is formed as a spiral antenna.

FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatically illustrated radiation pattern of the auxiliary antenna 21a. Due to the spiral shape, the auxiliary antenna 21a has a main radiation area 32a and a further main radiation area 28a. The main radiation area 32a and the further main radiation area 28a are shown in outline as radiation lobes. The auxiliary antenna 21a is oriented on the surface 30a such that the main radiation area 32a is oriented toward the main antenna 20a. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21a is arranged above the main antenna 20a (cf. FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 shows a process flow diagram of a process for operating the household appliance device 12a. The method of operation could include several method steps. In the present case, the method is only described by way of example on the basis of a method step 100a. In the method for operating the household appliance device 12a, signals are transmitted by means of the auxiliary antenna 21a and/or the main antenna 20a when interacting with the outside area 24a. In at least the method step 100a, the auxiliary antenna 21a interacts with the main antenna 20a for interaction with the outer area 24a, so that signals can be transmitted between the inner area 18a and the outer area 24a. Further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. The following descriptions and the drawings are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, whereby with regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numbers, the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular Figures 1 and 5, can be referenced. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a follows the reference number of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 18, the letter a has been replaced by the letters b to n.

FIG. 6 shows a set of auxiliary antennas 21b, 66b, 68b, 70b of a domestic appliance device 12b. The household appliance device 12b has an auxiliary antenna 21b. The auxiliary antenna 21b is of identical spiral design to the auxiliary antenna 21a already described in the exemplary embodiment a according to FIGS. The embodiment b differs from the embodiment a by the set of auxiliary antennas 21b, 66b, 68b, 70b. The domestic appliance device 12b has further auxiliary antennas 66b, 68b, 70b, which form the set of auxiliary antennas 21b, 66b, 68b, 70b with the auxiliary antenna 21b, and which interact with the main antenna 21b. At least two, here all, auxiliary antennas 21b, 66b, 68b, 70b of the set of auxiliary antennas 21b, 66b, 68b, 70b are designed at least essentially identical to one another. The auxiliary antennas 21b, 66b, 68b, 70b all have the same shape and size. The auxiliary antennas 21b, 66b, 68b, 70b are all spiral-shaped.

FIG. 7 shows an auxiliary antenna 21c of a household appliance device 12c in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 21c has at least one line antenna area 50c. The auxiliary antenna 21c is designed as a rod antenna and/or line antenna. The auxiliary antenna 21c has at least two arms 36c, 38c. The arms 36c, 38c are integral, namely integrally connected to each other. The auxiliary antenna 12c has a twofold symmetry.

FIG. 8 shows a set of auxiliary antennas 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d of a household appliance device 12d. The household appliance device 12d has an auxiliary antenna 21d. The auxiliary antenna 21d is of rod-shaped design identical to the auxiliary antenna 21c already described in the exemplary embodiment c according to FIG. The embodiment d differs from the embodiment c by the set of auxiliary antennas 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d. The household appliance device 12d has further auxiliary antennas 66d, 68d, 70d, which form the set of auxiliary antennas 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d with the auxiliary antenna 21d, and which interact with the main antenna 21d. At least two, in this case all, auxiliary antennas 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d of the set of auxiliary antennas 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d are designed at least essentially identical to one another. The auxiliary antennas 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d all have the same shape and size. The auxiliary antennas 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d are all rod-shaped. In this exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary antennas 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d are connected to one another.

FIG. 9 shows an auxiliary antenna 21e of a household appliance device 12e in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 21e has at least one line antenna area 50e. The auxiliary antenna 21e has at least two arms 36e, 38e. In the present case, the arms 36e, 38e are in one piece, specifically connected to one another in one piece. The auxiliary antenna 21e has an L-shape. In this exemplary embodiment, arm 36e is longer than arm 38e.

FIG. 10 shows an auxiliary antenna 21f of a household appliance device 12f in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 21f has at least one line antenna area 50f. The auxiliary antenna 21f has at least two arms 36f, 38f. In the present case, the arms 36f, 38f are in one piece, specifically connected to one another in one piece. The auxiliary antenna 12f has a twofold symmetry. In this exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary antenna 21f is U-shaped.

FIG. 11 shows an auxiliary antenna 21g of a household appliance device 12g in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 21g has at least one line antenna area 50g. The auxiliary antenna 21g has at least two arms 36g, 38g. In the present case, the arms 36g, 38g are in one piece, specifically connected to one another in one piece. The auxiliary antenna 12g has a twofold symmetry. In this exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary antenna 21g has an angular shape.

FIG. 12 shows an auxiliary antenna 21h of a household appliance device 12h in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 21h has at least one line antenna area 50h. The auxiliary antenna 21h has at least two arms 36h, 38h. In the present case, the arms 36h, 38h are in one piece, specifically connected to one another in one piece. the auxiliary antenna 12h has two-fold symmetry. In this exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary antenna 21h has an angular shape.

FIG. 13 shows an auxiliary antenna 21i of a household appliance device 12i in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 21i has at least one planar antenna area 52i. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21i has a further surface area 72i. The auxiliary antenna 21i has at least two arms 36i, 38i. In the present case, the two arms 36i, 38i are arranged without contact with one another. Alternatively, however, the arms 36i, 38i could also be connected to one another at least in one piece or in one piece. The arm 36i has the further surface area 72i and the arm 38i has the surface area 52i. The auxiliary antenna 12i has at least twofold symmetry. In this exemplary embodiment, the arms 36i, 38i are each configured in the shape of a pyramid. In the present case, the tips of the pyramid-shaped arms 36i, 38i are aligned towards one another. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21 i is designed as a butterfly antenna.

FIG. 14 shows an auxiliary antenna 21j of a household appliance device 12j in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 21j has at least one planar antenna area 52j. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21j is embodied as a planar antenna. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21 j has five corners. In this exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary antenna 21 j has a shape in which a corner has been cut off from a square. The auxiliary antenna 21 j has a twofold symmetry with respect to at least one axis.

FIG. 15 shows an auxiliary antenna 21k of a household appliance device 12k in a further exemplary embodiment. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21 k is designed as a planar antenna. The auxiliary antenna 21k has at least one planar antenna area 52k. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna has a further surface area 72k. In this exemplary embodiment, the surface area 52k has an L-shape. The further surface area 72k has a square shape. The surface area 52k surrounds the further surface area 72k at least on one side and in the present case at least on two sides. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21k has a square shape overall. The auxiliary antenna 21k has a twofold symmetry with respect to at least one axis.

FIG. 16 shows an auxiliary antenna 211 of a household appliance device 121 in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 211 has at least one planar antenna rich 521. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 211 is designed as a planar antenna. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 211 has a square shape overall. The auxiliary antenna 211 has a cutout 651 . In the present case, the recess 651 is elongate. The auxiliary antenna 121 has a twofold symmetry with respect to at least one axis.

FIG. 17 shows an auxiliary antenna 21m of a household appliance device 12m in a further exemplary embodiment. The auxiliary antenna 21m has at least one planar antenna area 52m. In the present case, the auxiliary antenna 21 m is designed as a planar antenna. The auxiliary antenna 21m has a square shape here. The auxiliary antenna 12m has a twofold symmetry. In this exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary antenna 21m has four mirror symmetry axes.

FIG. 18 shows a set of auxiliary antennas 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n of a household appliance device 12n. The household appliance device 12n has an auxiliary antenna 21n. The auxiliary antenna 21 n is identical to the square auxiliary antenna 21 m already described in the exemplary embodiment m according to FIG. The exemplary embodiment n differs from the exemplary embodiment m by the set of auxiliary antennas 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n. The household appliance device 12n has further auxiliary antennas 66n, 68n, 70n, which form the set of auxiliary antennas 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n with the auxiliary antenna 21n, and which interact with the main antenna 21n. At least two, in this case all, auxiliary antennas 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n of the set of auxiliary antennas 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n are designed at least essentially identical to one another. The auxiliary antennas 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n all have the same shape and size. The auxiliary antennas 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n are all square.

Reference sign

10 home appliance

12 home appliance device

16 housing unit

18 interior

20 main antenna

21 auxiliary antenna

24 outdoor area

26 housing element

28 main radiation area

30 surface

32 main radiation area

36 arms

38 arms

50 line antenna range

52 planar antenna area

56 operator interface area

60 touch sensor element

62 page

65 recess

66 auxiliary antenna

68 auxiliary antenna

70 auxiliary antenna

72 surface area

76 installation unit

78 installation plate

80 countertop

82 carrier unit

86 electronics unit

88 operator interface 100 process step

Claims

27

Claims Household appliance device (12a-n), in particular a hob device, with a housing unit (16a), with at least one main antenna (20a) arranged in an interior area (18a) of the housing unit (16a), and with at least one auxiliary antenna that interacts with the main antenna (20a). (21a-n), which is intended to interact with an outer area (24a) of the housing unit (16a). Household appliance device (12a-n) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing unit (16a) has a housing element (26a), in particular a mounting plate (78a), to which the auxiliary antenna (21a-n) is connected. Household appliance device (12a-n) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the auxiliary antenna (21a-n) is coated, in particular printed, on a surface (30a) of the housing element (26a). Household appliance device (12a-n) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary antenna (21a-n) has at least one main radiation area (32a) which is aligned in the direction of the main antenna (20a). Household appliance device (12a-i) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary antenna (21 ai) has at least two arms (36a-i, 38a-i). Household appliance device (12a-h) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary antenna (21a-h) has at least one line antenna area (50a-h). 7. Domestic appliance device (12i-n) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary antenna (21 in) has at least one planar antenna area (52i-n).

8. Domestic appliance device (12a-n) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary antenna (21a-n) has a twofold symmetry.

9. Household appliance device (12a-n) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary antenna (21a-n) is arranged in an operator interface area (56a) of the housing unit (16a).

10. Domestic appliance device (12a-n) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a touch sensor element (60a) which is at least partially integral with the auxiliary antenna (21a-n).

11. Household appliance device (12b; 12d; 12n) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by further auxiliary antennas (66b, 68b, 70b; 66d, 68d, 70d; 66n, 68n, 70n) which are connected to the auxiliary antenna (21b; 21d ; 21n) form a set of auxiliary antennas (21b, 66b, 68b, 70b; 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d; 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n) and which interact with the main antenna (20b; 20d; 20n) and to an interaction with the outside area (24b; 24d; 24n) are provided.

12. Household appliance device (12b; 12d; 12n) according to claim 11, characterized in that at least two auxiliary antennas (21b, 66b, 68b, 70b; 21d, 66d, 68d, 70d; 21n, 66n, 68n, 70n) of the Set of auxiliary antennas (21 b, 66b, 68b, 70b; 21 d, 66d, 68d, 70d; 21 n, 66n, 68n, 70n) are formed at least substantially identical to each other.

13. Household appliance (10a), in particular a hob, with a household appliance device (12a-n) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Method for operating a household appliance device (12a-n) according to one of claims 1 to 12.