CN118401782A - Cooking appliance with muffle having walls of different thickness - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an embodiment of a cooking appliance (1) having a muffle (8) and a housing (2).

Description

Cooking appliance having a muffle furnace with walls of varying thickness

Technical Field

An aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing and a muffle furnace, which is arranged at the housing. The muffle furnace defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with a wall.

Background technique

Cooking appliances, such as ovens or microwave cooking appliances or steam cooking appliances, have a muffle furnace made of metal. In order to minimize the weight of the muffle furnace, the wall is designed to be as thin as possible. In conventional cooking appliances, it is provided that the heating element or heating body can not only be arranged within the cooking space, such as can be the case in upper heating bodies and/or grilling heating bodies. On the other hand, such heating elements can also be arranged outside the muffle furnace, such as can be the case in lower heating bodies. In the case of heating elements as resistance heating bodies, a large amount of heat is also directly transferred to the wall of the muffle furnace. This can also cause deformation of the muffle furnace.

In addition, it is also the case in known cooking appliances that the upper heating body can also be arranged outside the cooking space. For example, such a cooking appliance is known from DE 102010039342 A1. A cooking appliance is also known from US 2019/0045590 A1, which has such an upper heating body constructed from multiple separate heating units as the upper heating body.

In the cooking appliance, the upper heating element is arranged outside the muffle furnace and in particular above the top wall of the muffle furnace, and in such a cooking appliance, the insulating material is also arranged in the gap between the top wall of the muffle furnace and the top wall of the housing of the cooking appliance. Another cooking appliance with a special upper heating element is known from DE 102015225928 A1.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance which is improved with regard to the heat management during operation of a heating element of the cooking appliance, in particular with regard to the protection of certain components of the cooking appliance.

This object is achieved by a cooking appliance having the features according to claim 1 .

An independent aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an outer housing. The cooking appliance also has a muffle furnace. The muffle furnace is a separate component relative to the housing. The muffle furnace is arranged in the housing. The muffle furnace defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with a wall. In particular, the cooking space is at least partially directly defined by the wall of the muffle furnace.

In particular, the cooking device has at least one heating element. The heating element is in particular strip-shaped or rod-shaped and is multiply bent. In an embodiment, at least one heating element is arranged outside the muffle. The heating element is in particular arranged in a gap between the housing and the muffle. In particular, the heating element is arranged in the gap spaced apart from a wall of the muffle facing the heating element and adjacent thereto. The wall is the wall of the muffle that is closest to the heating element.

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance has a distance keeping unit. The distance keeping unit is constructed in accordance with regulations and is provided for positioning the heating element in the gap at a predetermined or discrete predetermined distance relative to the wall of the muffle furnace. The heating element is then arranged outside the cooking space, and the heating element is also positioned in the gap in a predetermined method and manner without contact with the outer side of the wall of the muffle furnace. As a result, the posture of the heating element relative to the wall can be set and predetermined particularly accurately. Just when the heating element extends in a surface oriented parallel to the wall of the muffle furnace by its strip-shaped and multiply wound shape, in particular, a very precise and uniform distance can now be set for the entire heating element relative to the wall of the muffle furnace. The surface oriented parallel to the wall of the muffle furnace is in particular such a surface in which the heating element extends in a planar manner with its strip-shaped and wound shape. This means that the heating element is arranged in a stretched manner in the extension surface at least 80%, in particular at least 90%. Even during the operation of the heating element, the spacing is thus maintained constantly or substantially constantly relative to the wall of the muffle furnace. In particular, the distance keeping unit is arranged between the heating element and the wall. This allows a direct coupling between the distance keeping unit and the heating element and the muffle furnace. This also enables very precise positioning and mechanically stable fastening.

With such a distance keeping unit, it is possible to achieve a more precise setting of the highly precise positioning relative to the wall, especially for such heating elements arranged outside the muffle. Therefore, in particular when the heating element is a resistance heating element, the heat released by the heating element can also be transferred to the wall more evenly and also over the entire surface with a specific heat distribution. The heating of this wall of the muffle is thereby improved, so that the heat dissipation from the wall into the cooking space is also improved. Because here, a more uniform heat dissipation from the wall into the cooking space can also be achieved. Unwanted or positionally shifting heat hot spots can thus be avoided in an improved manner.

By means of such a distance keeping unit, the attitude can also be set continuously and accurately. In particular, even if the heating element is in operation and also releases a large amount of heat, the attitude relative to the wall which can then possibly also be deformed can be maintained very uniformly or with a small tolerance.

In an embodiment, the distance-keeping unit has distance-keeping rods. These distance-keeping rods are oriented with their longitudinal axis at least partially and in sections protruding from the following surface, which is stretched by observing the main surface of the heating element according to the size. Here, as in other embodiments, the surface can be flat or curved. The rod is therefore not mainly oriented in the following plane or does not extend in the following plane, in which the heating element mainly extends. On the one hand, a very delicate distance-keeping unit can be realized by the distance-keeping rods. Therefore, the distance-keeping unit can be designed space-savingly and also lightly. On the other hand, corresponding mechanically stable elements are also provided by the rods, which can maintain the desired prescribed distance of the heating element relative to the adjacent wall of the muffle furnace. The rods are also very insensitive to the heat that occurs in this regard, so that the undesirable deformation of the rods can be avoided.

Furthermore, a particularly precise mechanical coupling to other components of the cooking appliance can also be achieved by means of such a distance rod. This results in a mechanically stable connection. The distance unit itself can thus also be arranged in the cooking appliance in a precisely positioned and fixed manner. By orienting the distance rod, the corresponding length can also be set very precisely. This in turn results in a very precise setting of the spacing of the heating element relative to the wall of the muffle.

In an embodiment, at least one distance rod has a bend at the end facing away from the heating element. The bend is formed to accommodate the coupling element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bend is in particular a freely projecting end piece of the spacer rod.

In an embodiment, the distance keeping unit is placed with the bend on the side of the counter-coupling element of the cooking utensil facing the heating element. In particular, this placement is provided in terms of coupling at a set distance. In particular, the bend is placed directly on the facing side of the counter-coupling element. Although the rod is then used as an element of the distance keeping unit here, it is possible to achieve not only point contact with the facing side of the counter-coupling element, but also line contact in an embodiment through the bend. A mechanically stable coupling can thus be achieved. A more mechanically stable coupling and improved position fixation are also achieved thereby.

In an embodiment, the bend is arranged at an angle of between 80° and 100°, in particular between 85° and 95°, relative to the remaining area of the spacer rod connected to it backwards. Such an angle of the spacer rod also enables a very stable and uniform placement on the facing side of the counter-coupling element.

In an embodiment, at least one distance holding rod has a bend at the end facing away from the heating element. In an embodiment, the bend is formed as a rear-engaging coupling. In the assembled state, the distance holding unit abuts against the side of the counter-coupling element of the cooking utensil facing away from the heating element by means of the rear-engaging coupling. Here, this mechanical coupling is also particularly directly provided for the coupling of setting the distance. By such a rear-engaging coupling, a mechanically stable and very precisely positioned connection of the distance holding unit to the counter-coupling element can be achieved. This supports very precise posture fixing.

When not only one distance holding rod is realized with a rear engagement coupling and the other distance holding rod is realized with a placement coupling, it is particularly advantageous to arrange the distance holding unit in such a fixed position and with an accurate posture at the counter-coupling element. Because the counter-coupling element can then be mechanically contacted by the distance holding rod from both sides with respectively corresponding bent parts to a certain extent. A particularly stable mechanical connection is thus achieved. In particular, it is then also possible to form a clamping or clamping retention of the distance holding unit at the counter-coupling element by these two bent parts. A posture-fixed and mechanically stable installation is thus achieved particularly advantageously. In particular, even if deformations and/or posture changes may sometimes occur during the operation of the heating element due to a large amount of heat, this mechanical connection is just particularly advantageous so as to allow or react to the corresponding deformations and posture changes to a minimum extent.

In an embodiment, the counter-coupling element has a continuous, in particular open cutout on the edge side. The distance-keeping rod penetrates the cutout with a rod formed in front of the bend, so that the rear coupling piece connected to the rod piece is arranged on the side of the counter-coupling element facing away from the heating element. This also supports the compact and mechanically stable structure of this mechanical connection. Therefore, the rod piece, in particular, connected to the rear coupling piece, is also arranged mechanically stably. In particular, a higher anti-slip property relative to the counter-coupling element is also achieved thereby. This again supports the fixed position arrangement of the distance-keeping unit at the counter-coupling element.

In an embodiment, it is provided that the counter-coupling element is arranged in particular in a clamped manner between the placement coupling and the rear engagement coupling. The advantages that can be achieved by this have already been explained above. In particular, a position fixation along at least one, in particular at least two, and preferably all three spatial directions is thus achieved.

In an embodiment, the distance holding unit is configured to fix the position of the heating element at at least one counter-coupling element of the cooking appliance along at least two, in particular all three spatial directions. In particular, the distance holding unit is directly coupled to the counter-coupling element. This also advantageously supports a mechanically stable arrangement.

In an embodiment, the distance keeping unit has a height in a direction perpendicular to the surface which is spanned by the main surface of the heating element when viewed in terms of size, which height is many times greater than the thickness of the strip of the heating element. This allows the distance keeping unit to be positioned flexibly locally, since a corresponding height can nevertheless always provide a sufficient distance between the heating element and a wall of the muffle which is arranged adjacent to the heating element and in particular extends parallel thereto. The distance keeping unit can thus also be arranged directly on an element of the cooking appliance which is not a wall of the muffle relative to which the heating element is to be arranged spaced apart.

In an embodiment, the heating element is arranged at a distance relative to the outer side of the adjacent wall by means of a distance-keeping unit, and the distance is between 0.8 and 1.5 times the thickness of the strip of the heating element, in particular the diameter. In an embodiment, it can be provided that the heating element is arranged at a distance relative to the outer side of the adjacent wall by means of a distance-keeping unit, and the distance is between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, in particular between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. Such a spacing setting can achieve that the heating element and the wall are always arranged contactlessly relative to each other even when the heating element is in operation. In addition, however, the spacing is specified in such a way that a particularly large heat transfer of the heat generated by the heating element to the wall can be achieved. As a result, a very favorable energy transmission and therefore a very high efficiency are achieved in terms of heating this wall of the muffle furnace.

Furthermore, a very compact design, especially in view of the height of the cooking device, can nevertheless be achieved, in particular when the heating element is arranged in the gap between the top wall of the muffle and the top wall of the housing, as viewed in the height direction.

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance has a position fixing element which is directly connected to a plurality of strip sections of the heating element in each case so that the strip sections are fixed in position relative to one another. This prevents undesired deformations of the heating element and in particular undesired relative movements of the strip sections relative to one another. This achieves a particularly advantageous retention of the shape of the heating element.

In an embodiment, the posture fixing element is formed as a posture fixing rod. In particular, in an embodiment, the distance holding rods of the distance holding unit are respectively arranged at the opposite ends of the posture fixing rod. In particular, the distance holding rod is arranged on the end side along the direction bent relative to the posture fixing rod. A multifunctional component is thus provided by such a posture fixing rod. On the one hand, the component holds the strip sections of the heating element in position relative to each other, and on the other hand, the component is formed as a direct receiving part for the distance holding rod.

In an embodiment, it can be provided that the attitude fixing rod and the spacer rod are formed in one piece. For example, this can be a metal rod. In an embodiment, the spacer rod is arranged with its longitudinal axis at an angle between 85° and 95° relative to the longitudinal axis of the attitude fixing rod.

In an embodiment, the attitude fixing rod and the two distance retaining rods are constructed in one piece. In particular, they together form a U-shaped carrier and a positioning rod. As a result, such an integral rod can also be arranged mechanically in a clamp-like manner or as a clamping part at the opposite region of the counter-coupling element, in particular in a clamping manner. This further improves the retention.

In particular, a plurality of such U-shaped supports and positioning rods are arranged. Therefore, the supporting bracket can also be formed by a plurality of such supports and positioning rods.

In an embodiment, the distance holding unit is coupled to at least one counter-coupling element of the cooking utensil for position fixing. In an embodiment, the counter-coupling element is formed as a flange at the outside of the muffle furnace and protruding from the outside. In an embodiment, a strip-shaped tab protruding toward the side, especially along the width direction of the cooking utensil, is thus formed, which tab is represented by the counter-coupling element. It can be provided that such a flange extends within the entire depth of the wall of the muffle furnace when viewed in the depth direction of the cooking utensil. This can be constructed without interruption. The counter-coupling element itself is thus stable and rigid. Direct mechanical coupling with a distance holding rod, especially a plurality of distance holding rods, especially with a rear engagement coupling and a placement coupling can thus be achieved in a particularly stable manner.

In an embodiment, the flange is arranged displaced downward relative to the top wall of the muffle furnace, which forms a wall adjacent to the heating element, as viewed in the height direction of the cooking utensil. In particular, the flange is arranged at the outer side of at least one side wall of the muffle furnace. In an embodiment, the flange is arranged displaced downward relative to the top wall of the muffle furnace, which forms a wall adjacent to the heating element, as viewed in the height direction of the cooking utensil. In particular, the flange is arranged at the outer side of the basin flange of the basin-shaped top wall of the muffle furnace. As a result, the fulcrum or coupling point between the distance-keeping rod and the matching coupling element is displaced downward relative to the basin cover, as viewed in the height direction, but is nevertheless formed at the top wall itself. As a result, the mechanical coupling and posture-fixed arrangement of the distance-keeping unit are also improved. The top wall itself can also be manufactured and shaped individually and have a flange in an integrated structure therewith.

In an embodiment, the heating element is a heating and/or grilling heating body of a cooking appliance. It is particularly advantageous that the heating element is a resistance heating element. Such a heating element generates heat by itself through the supplied electrical energy. For this purpose, a heating element temperature of more than 650°C, in particular more than 700°C, can occur, and if necessary, a temperature of up to 750°C or even more than 750°C can occur. The present invention is particularly advantageous precisely when such a heating element is a resistance heating element. Because such a heating element must generate such heat when it is positioned outside the cooking space, so that the cooking space can also be heated indirectly through the muffle wall accordingly. Therefore, through the heating element arranged outside the cooking space, the corresponding high thermal energy of the heating element and therefore the corresponding heat also directly act on the adjacent wall of the muffle. It is also desirable and necessary to heat the top wall of the muffle in the heating and/or grilling heating body accordingly, so that the corresponding heat can then be released into the cooking space again. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous precisely in such a scheme to set a spaced arrangement of such a resistance heating element relative to the adjacent wall. In particular, so that undesirable thermal effects, especially undesirable deformations, are not generated, especially locally, at the muffle due to the strip sections placed there. In addition, it is also particularly advantageous in such a case that the heating element and the muffle are also positioned very accurately relative to each other during operation and this is also maintained.

Another independent aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an outer housing. The cooking appliance also has a muffle furnace. The muffle furnace is a separate component relative to the housing. The muffle furnace is arranged in the housing. The muffle furnace defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with a wall. In particular, the cooking space is directly defined at least partially by the wall of the muffle furnace.

In particular, the cooking device has at least one heating element. The heating element is in particular strip-shaped or rod-shaped and is multiply bent. In an embodiment, at least one heating element is arranged outside the muffle. The heating element is in particular arranged in a gap between the housing and the muffle. In particular, the heating element is arranged in the gap spaced apart from a wall of the muffle facing the heating element and adjacent thereto. The wall is the wall of the muffle that is closest to the heating element.

A heat shielding unit of the cooking device is arranged in the gap. The heat shielding unit is used to heat shield the heating element from the housing in a functional and prescribed manner. In an embodiment, the material of the heat shielding unit is characterized by a melting point that is higher than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element. The heat shielding unit therefore at least proportionally has the following material, which has a temperature value as a melting point that is higher than the maximum settable operating temperature of the heating element. It can therefore be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner that such a heating element (especially a resistance heating element) located outside the cooking space is particularly advantageously thermally insulated from the housing. Even at very high temperatures that can occur during the operation of the heating element, an advantageous heat shielding is then achieved between the heating element and the housing. In particular, by this special material selection of the heat shielding unit, it is possible to avoid melting of the material during the operation of the heating element. This is particularly advantageous in the following case, that is, the heat shielding unit is arranged at least partially in direct contact with the heating element. By such a structure, the cooking device is particularly compact at least in the height direction, and on the other hand, undesirable damage to the heat shielding unit does not occur just at such high temperatures of the resistance heating body.

In an embodiment, the material of the heat shielding unit is at least in part asbestos. Preferably, the heat shielding unit is formed completely from asbestos. The material has a particularly high melting point. As a result, the material can be used particularly advantageously when the heating element is a resistance heating body that can have an operating temperature of up to more than 700° C. during operation. In particular, the material is needle-punched asbestos. In particular, it has an inorganic binder. In particular, the material has a density between 80 g/m3 and 120 g/m3.

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit is a mat made of fiber material. The mat is preferably elastically deformable. This allows it to be adapted to the installation conditions in a particularly advantageous manner. In addition, the mat can be mounted in direct contact with the heating element in a particularly advantageous manner. In this case, the mat can be shaped in a variety of ways.

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit has a thickness between 12 mm and 18 mm, in particular between 13 mm and 17 mm, in particular 15 mm. This allows the shielding unit to be designed relatively thin. This can save structural space on the one hand, and on the other hand, sufficient thermal insulation can be achieved without adversely affecting the function of the heat shielding unit during operation due to the heat of the heating element. Preferably, this thickness is arranged in the upper gap area, and the upper heating and/or grilling heating body is arranged as a heating element in the upper gap area. Thereafter, other thermal insulation units, such as glass fibers, can also be arranged. This results in a multilayer composite structure consisting of different materials for thermal insulation.

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit has a thickness between 35 mm and 45 mm, in particular between 38 mm and 42 mm, in particular 40 mm. Preferably, this thickness is provided in the lower gap region, in which the lower heating body is arranged as a heating element. This then results in a feasible solution in which only such a heat shielding unit is arranged.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heat shielding unit is in direct contact with the heating element as explained above. This can be achieved only if the aforementioned condition exists, namely that the melting point of the shielding unit material is higher than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element.

In an embodiment, the heat shield is arranged in the gap between the heating element and the housing only on the side of the heating element facing away from the muffle. In this case, it is also important that the heating element arranged outside the cooking space can release maximum heating energy toward the adjacent wall of the muffle. Thermal insulation would have a negative impact on the efficiency of the heating element here. On the other hand, the region of the heating element facing away from the muffle and between the heating element and the housing should be thermally insulated as well as possible. This also means that the housing is not heated undesirably and thus no undesirable deformations occur.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element is planarly parallel to a nearest wall of the muffle which is arranged adjacent to the heating element and extends in area in a plane parallel to a main extension plane of the heating element, in particular at least substantially, in particular completely.

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit has a metal plate or a metal grid. The heat shielding unit can be designed to be particularly thin, so that a particularly compact structure is achieved here. In an embodiment, the infrared reflector can be additionally realized using the metal plate. On the other hand, the metal plate can be used to protect the heat insulation element that exists in the embodiment, which is arranged between the heating element and the housing, in particular in the gap between the metal plate and the housing. Therefore, in an embodiment, such a metal plate or a metal grid is also suitable so that it can be used as such a heat shielding unit.

In an embodiment, at least one heat insulation unit which is separate from the heat shielding unit and/or differs in at least one material parameter is arranged in the gap between the wall of the muffle and the wall of the housing.

In general and not only in the embodiments mentioned here, the muffle walls to be considered in each case and the housing walls are arranged in parallel planes or substantially parallel planes relative to one another. Here, then, a gap or a gap region of the gap is considered in each case, which is defined by parallel and spaced-apart walls, namely the muffle walls on the one hand and the housing walls on the other hand. In particular, they extend parallel to one another.

By means of the heat insulation unit, an advantageous heat insulation effect relative to the housing can be achieved. In an embodiment, the heat insulation unit is also arranged only in the region of the gap between the heating element and the wall of the housing. In particular, the heat insulation element is arranged between the heat shielding unit and the wall of the housing. By means of the heat shielding unit, the additional heat insulation element can be functionally and substantially selected so that it has a melting point that is lower than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element. Because the heat insulation element is separated from the heating element by the heat shielding unit located in between, a simpler and, if necessary, more cost-effective heat insulation material can therefore also be used for the heat insulation unit.

In an embodiment, it can be provided that the thermal insulation unit is a mat composed of a fiber material, which can contain glass fibers or consist entirely of glass fibers, for example.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heat insulation unit is thicker than the heat shield element or the heat shield unit. The material of the heat shield unit is in particular different, in particular completely different, from the material of the heat insulation unit.

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit and the insulation unit are separate components. However, they can be arranged directly against each other in the gap.

As already mentioned above, in an exemplary embodiment, the maximum operating temperature of the heating element is greater than 500° C., in particular greater than 700° C., in particular between 700° C. and 800° C.

In particular, the heating element is a resistance heating element. In an embodiment, the heating element is strip-shaped and multiply bent. In particular, the heating element is a top heating and/or grilling heating body. The top heating and/or grilling heating body is therefore arranged in the gap between the top wall of the muffle furnace and the top wall of the housing.

Another independent aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an external housing. In addition, the cooking appliance also has a muffle furnace. The muffle furnace is a separate component of the cooking appliance relative to the housing. The muffle furnace is arranged in the housing. The muffle furnace has a wall, and the muffle furnace uses the wall to define the cooking space of the cooking appliance. In particular, the cooking space is directly defined by the wall of the muffle furnace. In addition, the cooking appliance has at least one heating element that is particularly strip-shaped or rod-shaped and bent multiple times in a single plane. The heating element is arranged in the gap between the housing and the muffle furnace outside the muffle furnace. Here, the heating element is arranged only in the gap area of the gap, which is formed between only one wall of the muffle furnace and only one outer wall of the housing that is spaced apart from it and arranged at least substantially parallel to it. In an embodiment, the heating element is basically formed or extended only in a surface between only one wall of the muffle furnace and only one outer wall of the housing. In an embodiment, the heating element has a first strip-shaped heating part element that is constructed multiple times in a single extension surface. In an embodiment, the heating element has a second strip-shaped and multiply bent heating element in particular in a single extension plane. The two heating elements are separate parts of the heating element. When viewed in the projection plane, one heating element is surrounded by another heating element. The turns of a heating element are arranged spaced apart around another heating element. The heating elements can be operated independently of each other in feasible operating modes, and can be operated together in other operating modes. This means that the cooking utensil has at least three different operating modes in terms of the operating mode of the heating element. Here, for example, the first heating element can be operated in the first operating mode and therefore activated. The second heating element is then deactivated. In the second operating mode, the first heating element can be deactivated and the second heating element is operated or activated. In the third operating mode, not only the first heating element but also the second heating element can be activated simultaneously.

In an embodiment, at least one of the heating sub-elements has a maximum feasible heating power greater than or equal to 2 kW. As a supplement or alternative, it can be provided in an embodiment that the two heating sub-elements have an overall maximum heating power greater than or equal to 3 kW in another operating mode in which both are operated simultaneously. In such an embodiment of the cooking appliance, it is therefore possible to arrange the heating element compactly and locally in the case of a heating element arranged outside the cooking space, and on the other hand, the heating element has at least two separate heating sub-elements, which are also still arranged specifically relative to each other. The at least two heating sub-elements of the heating element are just arranged. In principle, a more flexible and variable operating mode of the heating element can be achieved. By also being able to achieve at least one heating sub-element with a relatively high maximum heating power and also a relatively high total heating power by also being able to achieve at least one heating sub-element with a relatively high maximum heating power and also a relatively high total heating power by also being able to use such a heating element particularly advantageously as a grill heating body for the cooking appliance. The application possibilities of the heating element are thus significantly expanded by the higher heating power provided in this way. Although such a heating element is then locally fixed in place, it can be used in a very diverse manner in a cooking appliance by means of the number of components, their arrangement relative to one another and the specific heating power values. Thus, a compact design can also be achieved with a reduced number of components.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of one heating element is less than the maximum heating power of another heating element. Therefore, two identical heating elements are not used. This is advantageous so that on the one hand, the overall system of the heating element is not oversized, but on the other hand, one of the two heating elements has a relatively high maximum heating power. This can be seen not only in general but also in comparison with at least one other heating element of the heating element. Therefore, the purpose of use of such a heating element can be designed widely and a variety of operating modes can be achieved. Then, it is also possible to provide a relatively high maximum heating power of the heating element with one of the two heating elements. If this maximum heating power for the cooking process of the cooking object must be larger, then another operating mode can be performed in the form of: operating at least two heating elements of the heating element simultaneously. However, if on the other hand, only a lower heating power is required as necessary, then only the following heating element can be operated, which has a smaller maximum heating power than the other heating element. In principle, it is also possible to achieve very energy-efficient operation in all operating modes of the heating element. This is because the configuration of the heating subelements can then always be selected as required for the operation which provides the necessary heating power as required and in an energy-saving manner.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the heating sub-element with the greater maximum heating power is at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at most 90% greater than the maximum heating power of the heating sub-element with the lesser heating power. This is also a very advantageous embodiment, since the maximum heating powers thus not only differ from one another to a minimum, but also differ by at least half of this percentage. The advantages mentioned above are thus met in a particular manner.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the heating element with the smaller maximum heating power is between 1.0 kW and 1.5 kW. In particular, the maximum heating power is between 1.1 kW and 1.3 kW, in particular 1.2 kW. This value range enables the heating element to be used individually for a relatively large number of cooking processes. The maximum heating power is therefore not so small that only this one heating element is sufficient only for exceptional cases.

In an exemplary embodiment, the maximum heating power of the heating element with the greater maximum heating power is between 2.0 kW and 2.5 kW. In particular, the maximum heating power is between 2.1 kW and 2.3 kW. Thus, a heating element is provided which has a relatively high maximum heating power. It is thus also possible to carry out a wide variety of cooking processes with this heating element alone, in which a higher heating power is required.

As already mentioned above, another operating mode can be implemented when the heating power of the heating element sub-element alone is no longer sufficient to carry out the cooking process. It is then advantageously provided that the total maximum heating power of the heating element is between 3.0 kW and 4.0 kW, in particular between 3.2 kW and 3.5 kW, in particular 3.4 kW. The heating element can then also be used as a grill heater for a cooking appliance.

In an embodiment, the first heating sub-element surrounds the second heating sub-element when viewed in the projection plane, wherein the first heating sub-element has a greater maximum heating power than the second heating sub-element. Thus, in this configuration, the first heating sub-element with a greater maximum heating power is the heating sub-element that is viewed on the outside in the projection plane. As a result, the greater heating power can be distributed more evenly over a larger volume space. The release source is not locally concentrated like the second heating sub-element inside in the projection plane. Therefore, such an arrangement is advantageous for a more demanding and more even or more homogeneous release just for a greater heating power.

In this case, a corresponding geometric shape or strip shape of the individual heating sub-elements is particularly advantageous, which on the one hand each in itself allows for a very desired and uniform release of the heating power and on the other hand in cooperation can lead to a very advantageous and as locally individualized release of the heating power as possible.

In the embodiment, the strip shape of the entire strip of heating sub-elements, in particular the inner heating sub-elements in the projection plane, has an asymmetrical H-shape. This shape alone, on the one hand, obtains the advantages already mentioned above, and on the other hand, in combination with other heating sub-elements, obtains the advantages already mentioned above.

In an embodiment, the strip shape of the entire strip of the heating sub-element, in particular the outer heating sub-element in the projection plane, is formed with two L-shaped strip sections, which are formed into a hollow L-shape by the strip run. In particular, the two L-shapes, in particular the hollow L-shapes, are arranged mirror-symmetrically relative to each other with respect to the central symmetry axis of the heating element. In particular, the symmetry axis is parallel to the electrical connection end parts of the two heating sub-elements. This specific shape of the heating sub-element also additionally supports the advantages mentioned above.

In an embodiment, the heating element has a greater surface density on the edge side than in the center when viewed in the extension plane. In this regard, the heating sub-elements are also arranged correspondingly relative to each other, in particular by matching them with their specific strip-shaped course.

Such an arrangement with a greater surface density on the edge side can result in an improved distribution and release of the heating power, in particular at very high heating powers, thereby enabling improved cooking results to be achieved.

In an embodiment, as has been described above and as can also be improved by advantageous embodiments when necessary, the heating element of the cooking utensil is the upper heat and/or grilling heating body of the cooking utensil. As a supplement or alternative, in other embodiments, as formed according to the aspects mentioned above or improved according to advantageous embodiments, the heating element of the cooking utensil can also be a lower heat heating body. Therefore, it is feasible in an embodiment to design only an upper heat and/or grilling heating body accordingly. In other embodiments, only the lower heat heating body of the cooking utensil can have a corresponding shape. However, it is also feasible in other embodiments that not only the upper heat and/or grilling heating body of the cooking utensil but also the lower heat heating body are formed accordingly. In such an embodiment and it is also feasible that the upper heat and/or grilling heating body and the lower heat heating body are the same. This can not only relate to the geometric aspects and/or operating parameters or physical parameters of the heating body.

In another embodiment, at least one temperature sensor of the cooking appliance can be arranged adjacent to the two heating elements. In an embodiment, the temperature of the entire heating element can be detected in another operating mode using the temperature sensor. On the other hand, in another operating mode in which only one of the two heating elements is activated, the temperature of the only activated heating element can be detected. In particular, the temperature of the adjacent wall of the muffle furnace is detected with the temperature sensor. By the position of the temperature sensor at the same or substantially the same spacing relative to the two strip sections of the heating element, the temperature of the wall can be detected locally at the same position in all operating modes of the heating element. By this closest position of the temperature sensor relative to the two heating elements, the temperature detection in all operating modes of the heating element is particularly accurate. Therefore, the corresponding temperature of one or more heating elements can be detected by this specific exposed position of the temperature sensor depending on the corresponding operating mode. Therefore, it can also be achieved that the temperature of the corresponding activated heating element can be accurately detected in different operating modes with a single temperature sensor to a certain extent. In this regard, the arrangement structure of the temperature sensor with reduced components can also be set. For example, then only one temperature sensor is then used in order to detect the temperature of the respectively activated heating sub-element in different operating modes of the heating element.

In this case, it is also possible to provide a plurality of temperature sensors which are arranged in a correspondingly exposed manner and which can then also respectively detect the temperature of at least one activated heating sub-element as a function of the respectively provided operating mode.

Another independent aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an outer housing. The cooking appliance also has a muffle furnace. The muffle furnace is a separate component of the cooking appliance relative to the housing. The muffle furnace is arranged in the housing. The muffle furnace defines the cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. In particular, the muffle furnace directly defines the cooking space with walls. The cooking appliance also has at least one heating element that is particularly strip-shaped or rod-shaped and is multiply bent in a particularly unique main extension surface.

In this main extension plane, and this applies to all aspects and embodiments of the invention, the heating element mainly extends with its dimension.

The heating element is arranged in the gap between the housing and the muffle furnace outside the muffle furnace. The heating element is arranged only in the gap region of the gap, which is formed between only one wall of the muffle furnace and only one outer wall of the housing spaced apart from it and arranged at least substantially parallel to it. The heating element has a first heating part element that is particularly strip-shaped or rod-shaped and bent multiple times in a single main extension surface. The heating element also has a second heating part element that is different from it and is separate, particularly strip-shaped or rod-shaped and bent multiple times in only a single main extension surface. When observed in a projection plane extending parallel to the main extension surface (the heating element extends in the main extension surface in a planar manner), a heating part element is surrounded by another heating part element. In the feasible operating mode of the heating element, a heating part element can be operated independently of another heating part element. In the other operating modes of the heating element, the at least two heating part elements of the heating element are operated together and therefore simultaneously. At least three different operating modes can also exist here, as explained above.

The cooking appliance preferably has at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heating element. The temperature sensor is arranged in the gap region and adjacent to the two heating sub-elements and between the heating sub-elements. This corresponds to the described situation in particular when viewed in the projection plane. The cooking appliance in particular has at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall of the muffle furnace. The temperature sensor is arranged in the gap region and adjacent to the two heating sub-elements and between the heating sub-elements. With one temperature sensor, the temperature of the wall of the muffle furnace can be detected in these operating modes of the heating element, in particular at the same position.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor has a spacing relative to the first heating part element, which is equal to or substantially equal to the spacing of the temperature sensor relative to the second heating part element. This also applies in particular to the projection plane. Preferably, the difference in spacing in this regard is less than 10% of one of the two spacings. In particular, a deviation of less than or equal to 10% of the smaller spacing of the two spacings can be achieved here. In particular, this is measured at the position of the following temperature sensor, which has the shortest spacing relative to the respectively adjacent heating part elements along a straight line. Such positioning of the temperature sensor can be achieved particularly accurately, detecting the current temperature of the wall. In particular, this information can then not only be transmitted to the control unit of the cooking appliance. With it, a corresponding analysis of the information obtained by the sensor can then be achieved. In particular, the operating mode of at least the heating element can then be adapted. In particular, control and/or regulation can then be achieved here.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor is arranged directly against the outside of the muffle.The temperature sensor can be at least partially tubular in form.

It can be provided that the temperature sensor is a PT sensor, which can be in particular a PT500 or a PT1000.

In an embodiment, the input circuit for the sensor is arranged protected from the heating element. This can be done in terms of position and/or by a corresponding heat-resistant sheathing of the cable or wire. For example, it can also be provided that the circuit is laid completely via a thermal insulation unit and/or via a heat shielding unit arranged in the gap region. This also makes it possible to achieve an advantageous thermal insulation of the cable of the sensor.

Another independent aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an external housing. In addition, the cooking appliance also has a muffle furnace. The muffle furnace is a separate component of the cooking appliance relative to the housing. The muffle furnace is arranged in the housing. The muffle furnace defines the cooking space of the cooking appliance with a wall. In particular, the muffle furnace directly defines the cooking space with a wall. The muffle furnace has a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and a side wall. In an embodiment, it is provided that the thickness of the side wall is different from the thickness of the bottom wall and/or different from the thickness of the rear wall and/or different from the thickness of the top wall. Such an embodiment of the muffle furnace is particularly advantageous so as to have as little deformation as possible under the corresponding thermal action of the heating element placed outside. Just when the heating element is arranged outside the cooking space and therefore arranged in the gap between the muffle furnace and the housing in the case of the cooking appliance, the heating element can be operated with a particularly high heating power at least in some operating modes. As a result, this type of heating element is particularly hot, and the heating element is then especially a resistance heating element. Correspondingly, temperatures up to more than 700° C. can occur here. This temperature then also acts at least partially on the adjacent wall of the muffle furnace. It is then provided when such a heating element is, for example, an upper heating and/or grilling heating body, and then also heat is applied accordingly to the adjacent top wall. As a supplement or alternative, this can also be the case for the lower heating body of the cooking utensil. The corresponding heat thus also acts on the bottom wall of the muffle furnace. In order to maintain the high shape stability of the muffle furnace just in such a specific configuration, the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention are advantageous. In this case, the wall is therefore designed thicker or thinner as required in order to obtain a particularly high shape rigidity even in the case of very high thermal effects from outside the muffle furnace, depending on the corresponding configuration.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the side wall is less than the thickness of the bottom wall. As a supplement or alternative, the thickness of the side wall can be less than the thickness of the rear wall. In particular, in an embodiment, the thickness of the side wall can also be less than the thickness of the top wall. Since the heating element is arranged adjacently and above the top wall and/or adjacently and below the bottom wall of the muffle furnace according to the feasible embodiments mentioned above, it is precisely these walls of the muffle furnace that are subjected to special thermal effects. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous in this case that these walls are thicker than the side walls arranged away from the heating element. Based on the container-like shape of the muffle furnace and the direct proximity of the walls mentioned to each other, mechanical stresses and deformation tendencies can also occur or be transmitted here accordingly. It is particularly advantageous to have a corresponding deformation stability here that the bottom wall and/or the top wall are thicker than the other walls of the muffle furnace.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the side wall is smaller than the thickness of the bottom wall and/or the thickness of the rear wall and/or the thickness of the top wall by a value between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm, in particular between 0.25 mm and 0.35 mm. Such a difference in values between thinner walls and thicker walls can achieve the advantages mentioned above in a special way. On the one hand, thinner walls can be designed as required and do not have to be too thick. On the other hand, thicker walls can be adapted in an improved manner to the possibly greater thermal effects. In addition, such a difference also avoids undesirably strong weight asymmetries in the shape of the muffle furnace. Such a difference in values of thickness is therefore particularly suitable for the mentioned functionality and advantages.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the side wall is between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm, in particular between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the bottom wall is between 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm, in particular between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm. In an embodiment, it can be provided that the thickness of the top wall is between 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm, in particular between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm. The mentioned individually possible thickness values for the walls also allow a particularly high deformation rigidity of the muffle, in particular even if, due to heating elements of the cooking utensils arranged outside the muffle, a large amount of heat acts on these walls arranged adjacent to the heating elements.

In an embodiment, the muffle is constructed of metal.

In an embodiment, it can be provided that the muffle furnace is provided at least on the outside at least in places with an additional material relative to the base material, such as steel, which has a heat resistance of up to 550° C., in particular up to 530° C. Thus, additional protection of the wall of the muffle furnace can be achieved. This further increases the deformation stability. In an embodiment, it is provided that this applied material is a coating on the outside of the base material of the wall of the muffle furnace. In particular, this applied material is an enamel with a heat resistance of up to 550° C., in particular up to 530° C.

Another independent aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can be referred to as an external housing. The cooking appliance also has a muffle furnace. The muffle furnace is a separate component relative to the housing. The muffle furnace is arranged in the housing. The muffle furnace defines the cooking space of the cooking appliance with a wall. In particular, the muffle furnace directly defines the cooking space with a wall. In addition, the cooking appliance has at least one first heating element that is particularly strip-shaped or rod-shaped and extends in a planar and multiple curved manner in a single main extension surface. The heating element is arranged in the gap between the housing and the muffle furnace outside the muffle furnace. The first heating element is arranged in the gap region above the gap as an upper heating and/or grilling heating element. The gap region is formed between the upper wall of the cooking appliance when observing the muffle furnace in the height direction and the upper outer wall of the housing that is spaced apart from it and arranged at least substantially parallel to it. In addition, the cooking appliance has at least one second heating element that is particularly strip-shaped or rod-shaped and extends in a single main extension surface and is multiple curved. The second heating element is arranged outside the muffle in the gap between the housing and the muffle. The second heating element is arranged as a bottom heating and/or grilling heating element in the gap region below the gap when viewed in the height direction, wherein the gap region is located between the lower wall of the muffle and the lower outer wall of the housing, which is spaced apart from and at least substantially parallel to it.

In an embodiment, the first heating element, i.e. the upper heating and/or grilling heating element, and the second heating element, i.e. the lower heating and/or grilling heating element, are identically constructed in terms of at least one electric heating element parameter and/or in terms of at least one geometric heating element parameter. Therefore, a cooking utensil is provided, which is adapted with respect to the lower heating and/or grilling heating element and the upper heating and/or grilling heating element, or these locally and functionally specific heating elements are adapted to each other. Therefore, the heating function can be improved. In particular, a more demand-oriented operation of the heating element can also be achieved thereby. In addition, the lower heating and/or grilling heating body or the lower heating and/or grilling heating element can also be used for the following functions, which are not suitable for the functions in conventional utensils. This is especially reflected when an operating mode that could not be achieved before can also be achieved with the lower heating and/or grilling heating element, especially with a specific heating power.

Thus, for example, it is also possible to operate the bottom heating element in such a way that, for example, a pizza can also be cooked on the bottom wall of the muffle in the cooking space. Thus, it is now also possible to provide a bottom heating element which is, to a certain extent, a pizza cooking heating element. A grilling function can also be provided by the bottom heating element. Thus, grilling can also be achieved from below.

In an embodiment, the electric heating element parameter is the maximum heating power of the entire heating element and/or the maximum heating power of at least one of the plurality of heating sub-elements of the heating element when the heating element has a plurality of individual heating sub-elements. In particular, in such an embodiment, these plurality, in particular at least two individual heating sub-elements are arranged in a common main extension surface or extend in the main extension surface in a planar manner with a main extension dimension. These heating sub-elements can then be arranged in the main extension surface in a manner guided into each other, or one heating sub-element can at least partially surround another heating sub-element when viewed in the main extension surface. The outer heating sub-element surrounds the other inner heating sub-element with its turns spaced apart.

In an embodiment, the geometric heating element parameter is, for example, the strip length of the heating element and/or the strip length of at least one heating sub-element of a plurality of heating sub-elements of the heating element. In other embodiments, the geometric heating element parameter can also be the strip shape of the heating element and/or the size of the heating element in a plane.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the first heating element and the second heating element can be the same.

In principle, it is also possible in an embodiment that all electrical heating element parameters and/or all geometric heating element parameters of the two heating elements are identical. In this embodiment, they can therefore also be completely identical heating elements.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the first heating element is between 3.0 kW and 4.0 kW, in particular between 3.2 kW and 3.6 kW. Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the second heating element can be between 3.0 kW and 4.0 kW, in particular between 3.2 kW and 3.6 kW.

Just when the lower heating body is similar or identical to the upper heating body, in particular when the corresponding maximum heating power can be achieved, the cooking appliance can also be equipped with a pizza cooking operating mode. In addition, as a supplementary solution or alternative solution, it is also feasible to achieve grilling in the cooking space by this increased heating power of the lower heating body, wherein the grilling heating body is arranged below the bottom wall of the muffle furnace, that is, formed by the lower heating body. The grilling function can then be achieved with a heating body that provides a heating power for grilling from below. In addition, a pyrolysis operation is also achieved thereby, which provides a corresponding heating power from below by the lower heating body. In addition, high-power cooking can also be achieved from below with a corresponding heating power. This can be advantageous, for example, for cooking fruit. In particular, it is then possible to perform roasting of dried fruit, such as, for example, plums, etc., in the cooking space.

It is usually also advantageous to position the heating elements outside the cooking space, since they are then not exposed to steam and moisture, as would occur in the cooking space. Corrosion damage to the heating elements can thus be avoided. Thus, a material that does not necessarily have to be corrosion-resistant can also be used for the heating elements.

Another independent aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an external housing. In addition, the cooking appliance has a muffle furnace. The muffle furnace is a separate component relative to the housing. The muffle furnace is arranged in the housing. The muffle furnace defines the cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. The muffle furnace directly defines the cooking space with walls. The muffle furnace has a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall and side walls as walls. The top wall and the side walls are provided as separate components, which are connected with a connection that cannot be loosened. As a supplement or alternative, it can be provided, for example, as a separate component relative to the side walls, which are connected to the side walls with a connection that cannot be loosened. The top wall and/or the bottom wall have a basin shape. Through this type of modular structure of the muffle furnace, they can be designed more rigidly themselves. First of all, the modular parts that are manufactured separately and provided in the final shape in particular, i.e. the top wall and/or the bottom wall and the side walls that are separate from them, can achieve that these single components are designed individually. As a result, these single components themselves can be more individually adapted to the high rigidity requirements of the entire muffle furnace. Just when this rigidity and deformation stability are necessary in the operation of at least one heating element of the cooking utensil, the requirements can be better considered with this structure of the muffle furnace. Just the two very exposed module components of the muffle furnace, i.e. the basin shape of the top wall and the bottom wall, can also achieve higher rigidity of these components themselves in this case. Therefore, the upper closure and the lower closure of the muffle furnace itself can be constructed more stably in this case. Just the basin shape can achieve higher torsional rigidity in this case. It can also be realized that the mechanical coupling, especially through the connection that cannot be loosened with the side wall that is produced afterwards, also causes the improvement of the overall rigidity of the muffle furnace. In this case, the connection that cannot be loosened is the intersection between the single components (when these single components are connected to each other) of the muffle furnace constructed in a modular manner. The connection that cannot be loosened is such a structure that cannot be reversibly formed and loosened again without damaging or destroying at least one component in the assembly. The connection that cannot be loosened is, for example, a welding connection. The non-detachable connection can also be seen and recognized as a structure on the finished muffle, so that in this case it can also be recognized that the individual components of the muffle were already produced in the mold before the non-detachable connection and were then subsequently assembled.

In an embodiment, not only the top wall but also the bottom wall has a basin shape. The advantages mentioned above are thus improved again. In particular, a particularly high rigidity and a high deformation stability are achieved in the case of a corresponding thermal action of a resistance heating element of a cooking appliance. When the heating element is arranged directly adjacent to the top wall as an upper heat-heating element, the deformation of the top wall is significantly reduced compared to a conventional muffle furnace. As a supplement or alternative, the same applies to the bottom wall when, for example, a lower heat heating element of a cooking appliance is arranged adjacent to the bottom wall, in particular when it is configured as a resistance heating element. Because the correspondingly high heat in the resistance heating element is also released directly to these adjacent walls, these walls are heated intensely.

In an embodiment, the top wall has a pot cover and a pot flange. The pot flange is arranged around the pot cover at least partially at the edge of the pot cover. In an embodiment, the pot cover is at least partially curved, in particular in an arched manner. Such a curvature of a specific part of the top wall also contributes to better rigidity and higher deformation stability.

In an embodiment, the bottom wall has a pot bottom and a pot flange, which is arranged at least partially around the edge of the pot bottom, wherein the pot bottom is at least partially curved, in particular in an arched manner. In this respect, corresponding advantages apply to the bottom wall, as have already been mentioned for the advantageous embodiments mentioned above regarding the top wall.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bowl cover has a camber such that the distance between the highest point of the camber and the lowest point of the bowl cover measured in the height direction is between 10 mm and 15 mm, in particular between 11 mm and 13 mm. This results in a camber which, on the one hand, is relatively flat, so that the installation space is not undesirably enlarged in the height direction. On the other hand, the camber achieves a corresponding reinforcement compared to a completely flat bowl cover.

In an embodiment, the basin bottom of the bottom wall can be correspondingly curved. Corresponding advantages are then also achieved here.

In an embodiment, the top wall has a pot cover and a pot flange. The pot flange is arranged at least partially around the edge of the pot cover. The pot flange forms a pot-shaped side wall. A flange protruding laterally from the pot flange is especially arranged at the pot flange. The flange is especially constructed in one piece with the pot flange. In particular, the entire top wall is constructed in one piece with the pot cover and the pot flange, in particular also with the additional flange that is present if necessary. Such a shape of the top wall can be manufactured, for example, from a provided blank, in particular a metal sheet, by a corresponding deformation process. In an embodiment, the same can be achieved with the bottom wall.

An additional reinforcement of the cover wall, in particular also of the bowl flange, is achieved by means of the protruding flange.

In an embodiment, such a flange protruding laterally can also be formed on the pot flange of the bottom wall. The corresponding advantages also apply here, as have been mentioned for the top wall.

In an embodiment, such a flange is a counter-coupling element, which is arranged for coupling to a distance keeping unit of a cooking appliance. In particular, such a distance keeping unit can then be directly mechanically coupled to the counter-coupling element. The distance keeping unit is particularly provided in accordance with regulations for positioning the heating element spaced apart from the adjacent top wall or for positioning the heating element adjacent to the bottom wall. The flange is therefore designed multifunctionally. On the one hand, it is used to reinforce the top wall or the bottom wall, and on the other hand, it is used for direct mechanical coupling to a separate distance keeping unit of this type.

In an embodiment, the flange is formed at the free edge of the basin flange facing away from the basin cover. In particular, the flange is freely protruding outwards and is arranged to protrude laterally from the basin flange. The flange is therefore a flat tab or a strip-shaped tab.

The flange can be formed at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, in particular at least 90% over the entire length of the side wall of the pot flange. In addition or as an alternative, such a flange can also be at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 70% over the length of a partial section of the back side of the pot flange.

In an embodiment, the side wall of the muffle furnace is directly connected to the basin flange in an unreleasable manner. The unreleasable connection, such as a welded connection, is then directly connected between the edge of the side wall and, for example, the basin flange of the top wall and/or the basin flange of the bottom wall. It can also be provided that the side wall is arranged overlapping with the top wall, especially the basin flange of the top wall, as viewed in the height direction. In other embodiments, as a supplementary solution or an alternative, the same situation can also be provided with the bottom wall. Because the sinking of the side wall into the basin of the top wall and/or into the basin of the bottom wall, which is viewed in the height direction, can improve stability again. In particular, the releasable connection can be produced in a larger range and/or a larger area in this case. It is thus also possible to design the corresponding intersections between the various module parts of the muffle furnace more stably and more load-bearing.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the side wall is different from the thickness of the bottom wall. As a supplement or alternative, it can be provided that the thickness of the side wall is different from the thickness of the rear wall and/or different from the thickness of the top wall. In particular, the thickness of the side wall is less than the thickness of the top wall and/or less than the thickness of the bottom wall.

In an embodiment, the muffle furnace has a front flange as a further separate module component. The front flange is formed as a preferably continuous frame, which in the assembled state of the muffle furnace abuts against the top wall and/or the bottom wall and/or the side wall at the front side. It is also possible here to provide such a front flange which is first pre-machined and then subsequently connected to the other wall of the muffle furnace by a mechanical connection, in particular a connection that cannot be loosened, such as a welded connection. Preferably, the front flange has a thickness between 1.1 mm and 1.4 mm, in particular between 1.2 mm and 1.3 mm. In an embodiment, the front flange is configured with a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the top wall and/or the thickness of the bottom wall.

In an embodiment, additional material is applied on the outside of the basic material of the muffle furnace, especially metal, such as steel, and/or on the inside of the basic material of the muffle furnace. The material can be, for example, enamel. The enamel can be applied as a coating. In an embodiment, the thickness of the enamel material at the inside is between 0.10mm and 0.20mm, especially between 0.13mm and 0.17mm. In an embodiment, the thickness of the enamel material at the outside of the muffle furnace is between 0.050mm and 0.100mm, especially between 0.060mm and 0.080mm. Just by these values of the enamel coating, the heat resistance of the muffle furnace, especially the basic material (the basic material is especially steel), can be improved on the one hand. These layer thicknesses can also be achieved, and the rigidity of the muffle furnace is improved again and the deformation stability is therefore also improved. Especially when the corresponding heat acts on the muffle furnace.

In an embodiment, the bottom wall is designed in the same shape and size as the top wall and/or in the same size and/or of the same material. In an embodiment, the side walls can be formed with the rear wall as a U-module produced in one piece, wherein the U-module is then directly connected to the top wall, which is separate, and to the bottom wall, which is separate, respectively, by a non-detachable connection.

In an embodiment, it can be provided that the side walls have additional embossings. This increases the intrinsic rigidity of the side walls themselves. The same situation can also be provided in the rear wall as a supplement or alternative.

Preferably, the non-detachable connection is formed as a welded connection, in particular a clamped welded connection. These non-detachable connections are particularly stable and durable, especially under severe thermal effects and high mechanical stresses.

Another independent aspect of the present invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can be referred to as an external housing. The cooking appliance also has a muffle furnace. The muffle furnace is a separate component relative to the housing. The muffle furnace is arranged in the housing. The muffle furnace defines the cooking space of the cooking appliance with a wall. In particular, the muffle furnace directly defines the cooking space with a wall. In addition, the cooking appliance has at least one first heating element that is particularly strip-shaped or rod-shaped and extends in a planar and multiple curved manner in a single main extension surface. The heating element is arranged in the gap between the housing and the muffle furnace outside the muffle furnace. The first heating element is arranged in the gap region above the gap as an upper heating-heating element, especially as an upper heating and/or grilling heating element. The gap region is formed between the wall of the muffle furnace above and the upper outer wall of the housing that is spaced apart from it and arranged at least substantially parallel to it when viewed in the height direction of the cooking appliance. In addition, the cooking appliance has at least one second heating element that is particularly strip-shaped or rod-shaped and extends in a single main extension surface and is multiple curved. The second heating element is arranged outside the muffle in the gap between the housing and the muffle. The second heating element is arranged as a bottom heating element, in particular as a bottom heating and/or grill heating element, in a gap region of the gap viewed in the height direction, wherein the gap region is located between the bottom wall of the muffle and the bottom outer wall of the housing, which is spaced apart therefrom and arranged at least substantially parallel thereto.

In an embodiment, the first heating element, i.e. the upper heating and/or grilling heating element, and the second heating element, i.e. the lower heating and/or grilling heating element, are identically constructed in terms of at least one electric heating element parameter and/or in terms of at least one geometric heating element parameter. Therefore, a cooking utensil is provided, which is adapted with respect to the lower heating and/or grilling heating element and the upper heating and/or grilling heating element, or these locally and functionally specific heating elements are adapted to each other. Therefore, the heating function can be improved. In particular, a more demand-oriented operation of the heating element can also be achieved thereby. In addition, the lower heating and/or grilling heating body or the lower heating and/or grilling heating element can therefore also be used for the following functions, which are not suitable for the functions in conventional utensils. This is especially reflected when an operating mode that could not be achieved before can also be achieved with the lower heating and/or grilling heating element, especially with a specific heating power.

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance has an operating device. The operating device is designed so that the actual heating power of one of the two heating elements can be set differently from the actual heating power of the other heating element at least in one operating mode of the cooking appliance, in which the upper heating element (preferably the upper heating and/or grilling heating element) and the lower heating element (preferably the lower heating and/or grilling heating element) are activated simultaneously. Therefore, it is also possible in the cooking appliance to set different heating powers of the various activated heating elements by the operating device. Therefore, a more personalized cooking process can be obtained. If, for example, the lower heating element requires less actual heating power than the upper heating element, this can be set by the operating device. In the same case, for example, the opposite can also be true: for the cooking process, a greater actual heating power of the lower heating element is required than that of the upper heating element.

It is therefore generally possible to set the actual heating power differently relative to the maximum heating power of one of the heating elements. Thus, when two heating elements are activated, a very individual and varied configuration of the total heating power of the two heating elements can be set.

Usually and also in this case, it is possible that the actual heating power selected or set by the operating device is evaluated by the control unit of the cooking appliance and the heating elements are controlled accordingly by means of the control unit. In this case, it is also possible to then monitor the activated heating elements by a control algorithm and adjust the desired actual heating power accordingly.

It can be provided that both heating elements have the same maximum heating power. This aspect of the invention not only makes it possible to set different settings than are possible for only the maximum heating power, but also to set different actual heating powers in at least one heating element.

In an embodiment, at least one of the actual heating powers of the at least two mentioned heating elements of the cooking appliance can be set as a percentage of the maximum heating power of the heating element. In an embodiment, it can also be achieved by an operating device. In this case, it is also feasible that the actual heating powers of the at least two heating elements can be set with an operating device in terms of the percentage ratio relative to each other. Not only can continuous setting be achieved here, but also setting can be achieved in discrete levels. In this case, it is also feasible to pre-set discrete levels and then select these levels. These specific levels can be percentages of the maximum heating power, respectively. In another embodiment, it can also be provided that at least one of the two heating elements has two separate heating sub-elements. These heating sub-elements can be operated independently of each other. In an embodiment, it is also possible to select and set the personalized actual heating power of the corresponding heating element by selecting these heating sub-elements. In an embodiment, at least three different actual heating powers of the heating element can therefore be set. When only one of the two heating elements is activated respectively, this can be achieved on the one hand by the heating power of the first heating sub-element of these heating elements, and on the other hand by the heating power of at least another second heating sub-element. However, in a further selection process, at least the two heating sub-elements of this heating element with the two heating sub-elements can also be operated together. A third heating power of the heating element is then obtained. The third heating power is then in particular the maximum heating power of the heating element.

Aspects of the invention and/or advantageous embodiments thereof serve as advantageous embodiments of further independent aspects of the invention, as already mentioned. All disclosed embodiments can therefore serve as embodiments in each of the mentioned independent aspects of the invention.

The terms "above", "below", "front", "back", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" etc. are used to describe the position and direction obtained when the device is used in accordance with the prescribed procedures and arranged in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

Further features of the invention are derived from the claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description of the drawings and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the drawings and/or shown individually in the drawings can be used not only in the specified combination but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the following embodiments of the invention should also be considered to be included and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the drawings, but can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by independent feature combinations. Therefore, embodiments and feature combinations that do not have all the features of the initially described independent claims should also be considered to be disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings.

in:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the present invention;

2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a heating element according to the invention together with an embodiment of a distance keeping unit according to the invention;

3 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a heating element according to the invention together with an embodiment of a distance keeping unit according to the invention;

FIG4 shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG3 ;

FIG5 shows a top view of the arrangement according to FIG3 ;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of a cooking appliance together with certain components;

FIG7 shows a top view of the arrangement according to FIG6;

8 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a heating element according to the invention together with an embodiment of a distance keeping unit according to the invention;

FIG9 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a muffle furnace of a cooking appliance according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a partial assembly of an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a partial region of an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a partial illustration of a heating element of a heating part element together with a temperature sensor according to an embodiment of a cooking appliance of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a muffle furnace according to the present invention, according to an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the present invention; and

FIG. 14 shows the muffle furnace according to FIG. 13 in the assembled state.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

Detailed ways

In Fig. 1, an embodiment of a cooking appliance 1 is shown in a perspective view. The cooking appliance 1 can be an oven. The cooking appliance 1 can be a microwave cooking appliance or a steam cooking appliance. It is also possible that the cooking appliance is an oven with a microwave function and/or a steam cooking function.

The cooking appliance 1 has a first housing 2. The first housing can also be referred to as an outer housing. The housing 2 has a top wall 3, a bottom wall 4, a rear wall 5 and side walls 6 and 7. In addition, the cooking appliance 1 has a muffle 8. The muffle 8 is a separate component of the cooking appliance 1 relative to the housing 2. The muffle 8 is received in the housing 2. The muffle 8 is constructed of metal. The muffle can be constructed of steel. The muffle 8 has a top wall 9, a bottom wall 10, a rear wall 11 and opposite side walls 12 and 13. The cooking space 14 of the cooking appliance 1 is defined by the muffle 8. In particular, the cooking space 14 is directly defined at least partially by the walls of the muffle 8. In addition, the cooking appliance 1 has a door 15. The door is movably arranged at the housing 2 and/or the muffle 8. The door can be pivoted around a vertical axis A here. The door 15 is arranged to close the cooking space 14 at the front side.

A gap 16 is formed between the muffle furnace 8 and the housing 2. The gap 16 has a gap area 17 at the top along the height direction (y-direction) of the cooking device 1. In addition, the gap 16 has a gap area 18 at the bottom viewed along the height direction. The upper gap area 17 extends between the top wall 9 of the muffle furnace 8 and the top wall 3 of the housing 2 along the height direction. The lower gap area 18 extends between the bottom wall 10 of the muffle furnace 8 and the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2. In the embodiment, the cooking device 1 has a heating element 19. The heating element 19 is arranged outside the cooking space 14 in the embodiment shown. The heating element is arranged in the gap 16 here, especially in the upper gap area 17. The heating element 19 is a resistance heating element here. As shown in FIG. 1, the heating element is formed in a strip or rod shape. This strip or rod is multi-bent or multi-wound. The heating element 19 is a top heating-heating element or a grill heating element. In particular, the heating element is an upper heating and/or grilling heating element. In an embodiment, the cooking appliance 1 has a further heating element 20. The heating element 20 is arranged outside the cooking space 14. The heating element is particularly arranged in the gap, preferably in the lower gap region 18. The heating element 20 is particularly a lower heating element. The heating element can also be a lower heating and/or grilling heating element of the cooking appliance 1.

In an embodiment, the heating element 19 is arranged in the gap area 17 at a distance from the top wall 9. The heating element is also arranged at a distance from the top wall 3 of the housing 2. The heating element 19 is formed in a main extension plane with its main extension. The main extension plane is especially stretched by the width direction (x-direction) and the depth direction (z-direction) of the cooking utensil 1. The main extension plane can be flat or curved. The strip shape of the heating element 19 with a curved shape is therefore laid to a certain extent in the horizontal main extension plane. In an embodiment, the heating element 19 is arranged at a distance from the wall 9, especially from the outer side 9a of the wall 9 facing away from the cooking space 14, by the distance keeping unit 21 of the cooking utensil 1 (as shown in FIG. 2). In an embodiment, the distance keeping unit 21 has a plurality of distance keeping rods 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29. The number and arrangement of these distance keeping rods 22 to 29 should only be understood as examples. The spacer rods 22 to 29 are oriented so as to protrude at least in sections from a main extension surface which, when viewed in terms of size, is spanned by a main dimension of the heating element 19. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the spacer rods 22 to 29 therefore protrude downward from the main extension surface in which the main extension or main dimension of the heating element 19 is formed.

The heating element 19 is arranged to rest from above on the muffle 8 by means of the distance holding unit 21. This means that the distance holding unit 21 rests directly on the muffle 8. In the exemplary embodiment, the distance holding rods 22 to 29 can therefore rest directly on the muffle 8 with their cross section.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , at least one distance-keeping rod has a bend at the end facing away from the heating element 19. Thus, with respect to the distance-keeping rod 22, it is provided that the distance-keeping rod has a bend 22a at the end side. The bend at the end side is connected to the side or the end facing away from the heating element 19 of the other rod 22b. The bend 22a is a placement coupling member in the distance-keeping rod 22, with which the distance-keeping unit 21 is placed, in particular directly, on the side of the mating coupling element of the cooking appliance 1 facing the heating element 19, in order to achieve the coupling of the set distance. As can be seen, in the embodiment, the bend 22a is arranged at an angle of 85° and 95°, in particular 90°, relative to the other and directly following rod 22b. In the present embodiment, at least one other distance holding rod is formed on this side of the distance holding unit 21 (here the distance holding rod 25) with a bend 25a and a rod 25b correspondingly as the distance holding rod 22. In the embodiment, a corresponding structure is also provided in the distance holding rod 26, which also has a bend 26a and a rod 26b here. Correspondingly, in the embodiment, the distance holding rod 29 also has a bend 29a and a rod 29b following it. As can be seen here, the bends 22a, 25a, 26a and 29a extend in the horizontal direction, especially in the width direction with their longitudinal axes. In the embodiment, these bends are arranged in essentially four corner regions of the heating element 19.

In addition, a different distance retaining rod is provided in the embodiment. Then the distance retaining rod 23 also has a bend 23a at the end side, for example. The bend is connected to the side of the distance retaining rod 23 that faces away from the heating element 19 or the end of another rod 23b that faces away. As can be seen here, the bend 23a extends along the depth direction (z-direction) with its longitudinal axis. In addition, it is provided that, when observed along the height direction (y-direction), the bend 23a is located deeper and therefore further away from the heating element 19 than the bend 22a of the distance retaining rod 22. Similarly, in the embodiment, this height misalignment of the bend 23a is also formed compared to the bends 25a, 26a and 29a. In the embodiment, the distance retaining rod 24 is constructed according to the distance retaining rod 23. There, the bend 24a and the rod 24b are also provided. In other embodiments, this is also provided in the distance retaining rod 28. In the embodiment, the distance retaining rod is also formed with a bend 28a and a rod 28b that follows it. The same structure is also formed by the bend 27a and the rod 27b of the distance retaining rod 27 in other embodiments. In particular, the bends 23a, 24a, 27a and 28a are arranged at the same or substantially the same height position. As can be seen from the outside, the bends 23a and 24a extend with their longitudinal axis along the depth direction. They are particularly facing each other. In the embodiment, this also applies to the bends 27a and 28a. In other embodiments, it can also be realized that the bends 23a and 24a and/or the bends 27a and 28a are directly connected to each other. Thus, a continuous curved rod is actually formed along the depth direction.

In an embodiment, a back-joining coupling is formed respectively by these bent portions 23a, 24a, 27a and 28a, by means of which the distance keeping unit 21 is arranged to abut against the side of the mating coupling element of the cooking appliance 1 facing away from the heating element 19 in a back-joining manner, in particular directly, for achieving coupling at a set distance.

In the embodiment, the cooking device 1 has a posture fixing element. The posture fixing element is formed by posture fixing rods 30, 31, 32 and 39 here. The number should be understood only by way of example here. In the embodiment, such a posture fixing rod 39, which is particularly straight, is directly arranged at the lower side of the heating element 19. Here, a fixed connection between the posture fixing rods 30 to 32, 39 and the heating element 19 is particularly constructed. A connection that is preferably not releasable can be provided here. For example, a welding connection can be realized. As can be seen here, the posture fixing rods 30, 31 and 39 extend within the scope of the entire width of the heating element 19. In the present embodiment, the other posture fixing element or the other posture fixing rod 32 is not constructed within the scope of the entire width, but extends with the posture fixing rod sections corresponding to each other at the opposite side of the middle axis M. However, in the embodiment, the posture fixing rod 32 can also be a single continuous rod, as shown in FIG. 2. In this regard, this posture fixing rod 32 is not completely linearly constructed, but at an angle. This also enables the position fixing of the electrical, in particular rod-shaped, coupling elements 33, 34, 35 and 36. In this case, parts of the position fixing rod 32 are arranged directly on the underside of these coupling elements 33 to 36.

In the embodiment, a distance rod is arranged at at least one attitude fixing rod 39, in particular at the opposite ends. In particular, the distance rod is constructed integrally with the attitude fixing rod. Thus, for example, it is provided that the distance rods 22 and 26 are directly formed at the opposite ends of the attitude fixing rod 39. This results in a U-shaped carrier and positioning rod.

In the exemplary embodiment, this can also be provided in the preferably present further position fixing rods 30, 31 and also 32. Here too, spacer rods 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 and 29 are formed at the end at the opposite ends, which are arranged in a manner bent relative to the position fixing rods 30 to 32. This also forms a rod support on which the heating element 19 is placed.

The heating element 19 has at least two heating part elements 37 and 38 in a preferred embodiment. The two heating part elements 27 and 38 are separated and independent of each other. So the first heating part element 37, which is strip-shaped or rod-shaped and multiply bent, has two electrical connectors 33 and 36. The second heating part element 38, which is also strip-shaped or rod-shaped and multiply bent, has its own electrical connectors 34 and 35. As can be seen in the embodiment in Figure 2, the two heating part elements 37 and 38 extend in the main extension plane with their curved shape. The main extension plane can be a horizontal plane. In an embodiment, the two heating part elements extend in the same main extension plane, which is stretched by the width direction and depth direction of the cooking utensil 1. As can be seen in addition, when projecting and observing toward the main extension plane, one heating part element is surrounded by another heating part element. It is provided here that the first heating part element 37 surrounds the second heating part element 38 on the peripheral side when observed in the projection plane. The turns of one heating sub-element 37 surround, at a distance from one another, the turns of another heating sub-element 38. The second heating sub-element 38 is surrounded in a frame-like manner by the first heating sub-element in the main extension plane.

In the embodiment, the second heating part element 38 has an asymmetrical H-shape when viewed in the projection plane. Then, a smaller H-shaped leg 38a, a larger H-shaped leg 38b and a connecting leg 38c are formed by the strip section of the entire strip shape of the second heating part element 38. In this case, the first H-shaped leg 38a is shorter than the other H-shaped leg 38b, but wider.

As can be seen from the outside, the first heating part element 37 has U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b. Here, they are arranged symmetrically relative to each other with respect to the middle axis M. Observed along the depth direction, these U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37a are arranged in an overlapping manner with the short H-shaped leg 38a and the connecting leg 38c. In particular, no overlapping arrangement scheme with the longer H-shaped leg 38b is provided along the depth direction. However, in particular in this case, an overlapping arrangement scheme is formed between the H-shaped leg 38b and the U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b along the width direction x-direction. These U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b do not overlap with the shorter H-shaped leg 38a and the connecting leg 38c in the width direction. Viewed in the width direction, the U-shaped strip sections 37 a and 37 b are in particular the components or strip sections of the first heating sub-element 37 which are closest to the shorter H-leg 38 a and the connecting leg 38 c .

As can be seen in FIG. 2 , in a further embodiment, it is provided that, viewed outwardly in the width direction (x-direction), these U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b are connected with further strip sections 37c and 37d, which extend in particular parallel thereto. In an embodiment, a double U-shape of these strip sections is thereby formed respectively. In an embodiment, a multiply bent connecting structure 37e of the first heating part element can be constructed, for example, at the sides of these U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b facing each other. This connecting structure can again have multiple U-shapes oriented in the depth direction, as shown in FIG. 2 , in particular at least two, preferably three, U-shaped strip areas directly connected to each other. In particular, this can be five U-shaped areas oriented alternately relative to each other, as is realized in FIG. 2 .

In another embodiment of the heating element 19, as shown in FIG. 3 in a perspective view, the first heating sub-element 37 can be formed in another way as in FIG. 2 in the connecting area of the U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b facing each other. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a straight strip 37f of the first heating sub-element 37 is formed on the front side and in a way that defines the strip shape. This straight strip then transitions into a curved U-shaped area. Thus, instead of the U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b, whose U-shape is open on the side facing away from the electrical connectors 33 to 36, a corresponding L-shape of the strip section appears. Here, L-shaped strip sections 37g and 37h are then formed respectively. In this regard, a hollow L-shape is formed to a certain extent. It can also be seen in the embodiment in FIG. 3 that the bends 23a and 24a are directly connected to each other there and thus an integral rod is realized as a bend.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 3 .

As can also be seen here, the height misalignment explained between the bends 26a and 23a and between the bends 22a and 23a that can be seen in Figure 4 can be seen along the height direction (y-direction). In particular, the height misalignment makes the lower edge of the bend 26a at a higher position higher than the upper edge of the bend 28a by a spacing. The same situation applies to the bends 22a and 23a and the other bends shown by way of example in Figures 2 and 3. Thus, a gap is formed between the lower side of the bend 26a at a higher position and the upper side of the bend 28a at a lower position. In particular, the gap is dimensioned so that the matching coupling element of the cooking utensil 1 can be arranged between it. In particular, in the case of other paired bends present here (as can be seen in Figure 4 and in particular in Figure 2), a corresponding height misalignment implementation is formed.

As can also be seen in FIG. 4 , in the exemplary embodiment, the spacer bars 22 to 29 extend in the height direction within a height that is many times greater than the diameter of the strip of the heating element 19. Preferably, such a height of the spacer bars 21 to 29 is such that in the assembled state of the arrangement according to FIG. 4 , the bottom side of the heating element 19 is arranged without contact with the outside 9 a of the top wall 9. In this regard, preferably, the vertical spacing between the outside 9 a of the heating element 19 and the bottom side is between 0.8 times the thickness of the strip of the heating element 19 and 0.5 times the thickness, and/or the heating element 19 is arranged by the spacer unit 21 at a spacing dimensioned in the height direction with respect to the adjacent wall, here the outside 9 a of the top wall 9, which is between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, in particular between 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm.

FIG5 shows a top view of the arrangement structure according to FIG3 and FIG4. By way of example, the spacing and size values between the various strip sections and/or the distance-keeping elements and/or the attitude-fixing elements of the heating element 19 are also marked here. In the embodiment, the diameter of the strip of the heating element 19 is between 6 mm and 7 mm, especially between 6 mm and 6.5 mm. In this embodiment, the attitude-fixing rod 28, which is the farthest from the electrical connectors 33 to 36, is also not linear, but is constructed at an angle. As can be seen in this projection observation shown in the x-z-plane, in this embodiment, the attitude-fixing rod 39 in the front and the attitude-fixing rod 32 in the rear closest to the electrical connector part rods 33 to 36 are observed in the depth direction and extend further outward in the width direction than the attitude-fixing rods 30 and 31, which are more centered in this embodiment. Therefore, in the embodiment, the rods 26b, 29b, 22b and 25b are also arranged in a staggered manner further outwards in the width direction than the other rods 23b, 24b, 27b and 28b. Here, the hollow L-shaped sections 37h and 37g can also be seen. They are framed in a manner represented by dashed lines.

In FIG. 6 , a perspective partial illustration of a muffle furnace 8 with an arrangement according to FIG. 2 is shown in an embodiment. Here, the housing 2 is removed. As can be seen here, a counter-coupling element 40 is formed at the outer side 8a of the muffle furnace 8. The counter-coupling element 40 is a flange protruding from the outer side 8a. The flange is arranged offset downward relative to the top wall 9 when viewed in the height direction. In an embodiment, the flange can be arranged at the outer side of the side walls 12 and 13 of the muffle furnace 8. The flange protrudes laterally in the width direction. In other embodiments, the flange can also be formed at the top wall 9 formed in a basin shape.

As can be seen in FIG. 6 , the counter-coupling element 40 extends as a continuous web or strip. It extends over substantially the entire depth of the side wall 12 or 13. It can be provided that the counter-coupling element 40 is also arranged on the outside of the rear wall 11 of the muffle furnace 8 and in this respect protrudes backwards. As can be seen here, the distance keeping unit 21 is placed on the upper side 40a of the counter-coupling element 40 or the side facing the heating element 19 with the bends 22a, 25a, 26a, 29a that are higher in the height direction. In addition, the bends 23a, 24a, 27a and 28a abut against the lower side 40b of the counter-coupling element 40 or the side facing away from the heating element 19. Therefore, the plurality of bends 22a to 29a surround the counter-coupling element 40 on both sides. In the embodiment, the counter-coupling element 40 is therefore arranged between the bends 22a to 29b, in particular arranged in a clamped manner therein.

As can also be seen in this case, in the embodiment, the counter-coupling element 40 has particularly continuous, particularly open cutouts 40c and 40d (Fig. 6) on the edge side. Rods 23b and 24b penetrate through these cutouts from above, so that the bent portions 23a and 24a are arranged below the counter-coupling element 40. Through these cutouts 40c and 40d open on the edge side, rods 23b and 24b can be accurately positioned and received. The position of the distance holding unit 21 at the muffle furnace, especially at the counter-coupling element 40, is thus improved. It is also possible to realize the arrangement of the carrier and the positioning rod at the opposite section of the counter-coupling element 40, which is clamped along the width direction. The corresponding explanation (as already explained in Fig. 6 with respect to the distance holding rods 22 to 25) also applies to the opposite distance holding rods 26 to 29. 6 , the bends 21a and 25a are placed as placement couplings on the upper side 40a of the counter-coupling element 40 facing the heating element 19. The further bends 23a and 24a are placed as back-engaging couplings from below in a back-engaging manner against the facing away lower side 40b of the counter-coupling element 40.

In addition, the muffle front flange 41 is also shown in FIG6 . The muffle front flange covers the gap 16 on the front side. In the top view in FIG5 , the multiply bent or wound strip-shaped or rod-shaped strip sections of the heating element 19 , in particular the heating sub-elements 37 and 38 , shown in the present exemplary embodiment, can also be seen.

The same applies to the other FIGS. 2 , 3 and 6 .

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the illustration in FIG. 6 . Here, further openings 40 e and 40 f of the counter-coupling element 40 can also be seen, through which the rods 27 b and 28 b of the distance retaining rods 27 and 28 pass. In one embodiment, the heating element 19 is formed by at least two heating part elements 37 and 38, which extend in a common main extension plane with their larger size and therefore with their main surface. As can also be seen in FIG. 7 , the heating element 19 is arranged within the surface dimensions of the top wall 9 when viewed in projection. This applies to the entire strip section of the heating element 19 except for the electrical connections 33 to 36.

The heating element 19 is then located only in the gap region 17 which is defined by adjacent and in particular parallel walls of the muffle 8 and the housing 2. In this case, in the present exemplary embodiment, this is formed by the cover wall 9 and the cover wall 3.

If the heating element 19 has at least two such individual heating sub-elements 37 and 38, which are wound in an interlaced manner, in particular, then in an exemplary embodiment at least one heating sub-element is designed with a maximum heating power of greater than or equal to 2 kW. In addition or as an alternative, it can also be provided that the at least two heating sub-elements 37 and 38 have an overall maximum heating power of greater than or equal to 3 kW in a common operating mode.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of one of the two heating sub-elements 37, 38 is less than the maximum heating power of the other heating sub-element 37, 38. In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the one heating sub-element with the greater maximum heating power is greater than the maximum heating power of the other heating sub-element 37, 38 with the smaller maximum heating power by at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least a maximum of 90%. In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the heating sub-element 37, 38 with the smaller maximum heating power is between 1.0 kW and 1.5 kW, in particular between 1.1 kW and 1.3 kW, in particular 1.2 kW. In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the heating sub-element with the greater maximum heating power is between 2.0 kW and 2.5 kW, in particular between 2.1 kW and 2.3 kW.

In an embodiment, the overall maximum heating power of the heating element 19 is between 3.0 kW and 4.0 kW, in particular between 3.2 kW and 3.6 kW, in particular between 3.3 kW and 3.5 kW.

In particular, in the exemplary embodiment, the heating subelement having the greater maximum heating power is the heating subelement viewed on the outside in the projection plane, here the first heating subelement 37 in the exemplary embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the heating element 19 is designed with a surface density which, viewed in the projection plane, is greater on the edge sides than in the center.

In an exemplary embodiment, the maximum operating temperature of the heating element 19 is greater than 650°C, in particular greater than 700°C, in particular between 700°C and 800°C.

In the embodiment, it is further provided that the cooking appliance 1 has a temperature sensor 42, as shown in FIG. 7 . The temperature sensor 42 is arranged outside the cooking space 14 . The temperature sensor 42 is configured to detect the temperature of the wall (here the top wall 9) of the heating element 19 and/or the muffle 8 adjacent to the heating element 19 . In the embodiment, the temperature sensor 42 is arranged in the gap region 17 and is arranged adjacent to and between the two heating sub-elements relative to the two heating sub-elements. In the embodiment, the temperature sensor 42 is arranged at the hottest position during operation. This particularly relates to the hottest position between the heating sub-elements 37 and 38 . In particular, this relates to the hottest position of the wall (here the top wall 9) of the muffle 8, which is arranged adjacent to the heating element (here the heating element 19). In the embodiment, the temperature sensor 42 can be arranged directly at the outer side 9a. The temperature sensor can directly detect the temperature of the wall (here the top wall 9). In the embodiment, the temperature sensor 42 is arranged between the heating sub-elements 37 and 38, as shown in FIG. 7 , especially in the case of projection observation. In particular, the temperature sensor is preferably arranged here at the same or substantially the same, in particular the shortest, distance from adjacent heating subelements 37 and 38, as viewed in the projection. The temperature sensor 42 can be a PT sensor, in particular a PT500 or PT1000.

If the temperature sensor 42 is not arranged at the hottest point of the muffle 8, which is heated by the heating element 19 adjacent to the ceiling 9, then preferably a temperature deviation value is provided. In this case, it can then be provided that the maximum temperature value (which the temperature sensor 42 should have or detect in order to avoid damage to the wall of the muffle) is less than this value that can occur at the hottest point of this wall of the muffle. For example, it can be provided that a maximum permissible temperature of 500° C. can occur at the hottest point of the wall adjacent to the heating element 19. If the temperature sensor 42 is then not arranged at this hottest point of the ceiling 9, then a corresponding temperature deviation value should be provided. This temperature deviation value can be, for example, 20° C. lower. However, this is only an exemplary embodiment, since such a deviation value depends on where the temperature sensor 42 is arranged and, in this respect, what lower temperatures can occur during operation of the heating element 9 compared to the hottest point of the ceiling 9.

It is also possible to provide a plurality of temperature sensors 42 which are arranged in the gap region, here in the gap region 17. These temperature sensors are preferably all arranged between two heating subelements 37 and 38, in particular, viewed in the projection plane, at substantially the same distance relative to the closest regions of the heating subelements 37 and the other heating subelements 38.

In a heating element 19 having at least two separate heating sub-elements 37 and 38, the cooking appliance 1 can have a first operating mode in which only one of the two heating sub-elements is activated, for example the first heating sub-element 37. The second heating sub-element 38 is then deactivated. In a second operating mode, only the second heating sub-element 38 can be activated. The first heating sub-element 37 is then deactivated. In a third operating mode, both heating sub-elements 37 and 38 can be activated simultaneously. It is also possible that, for each of these operating modes, an individualized maximum temperature threshold for the wall at the hottest position is specified, which maximum temperature threshold is not allowed to be exceeded. The corresponding actual actual temperature is then measured with at least one temperature sensor 42. When reached or exceeded, in particular, the actual heating power of the activated heating sub-element 37 and/or 38, which is then respectively current, is reduced. Overheating of the muffle furnace 8, in particular the wall adjacent to the heating element 19 (here the top wall 9), can be avoided thereby. Since the heating sub-elements 37 and 38 have different maximum heating powers in the exemplary embodiment, it is advantageous to also prescribe different maximum temperature thresholds in the corresponding operating modes, which in particular must not be exceeded. If both heating sub-elements 37 and 38 are activated and thus the third operating mode is activated, the maximum temperature threshold can be predefined in this respect. If only the heating sub-elements with a lower maximum heating power than the other heating sub-elements are activated, the lowest temperature threshold can be predefined in this respect. In other operating modes, only the heating sub-elements with a greater maximum heating power than the other heating sub-elements are individually activated, in which case a medium temperature threshold can be specified or predefined.

In an embodiment, a cooking appliance 1 can be realized in which the heating elements 19 are constructed identically in terms of at least one electrical heating element parameter and/or in terms of at least one geometric heating element parameter. The electrical heating element parameter can be, for example, the maximum heating power of the entire heating element. This means that the heating element 19 can have the same maximum heating power as the heating element 20. When the two heating elements 19, 20 have the same number of different individual heating sub-elements 37 and 38, it is also possible that at least two heating sub-elements of the heating elements 20 and 19 have the same maximum heating power. It is also possible that the heating sub-elements of the heating sub-elements 19, 20 have the same maximum heating power as the other heating sub-elements of the other heating elements 19, 20. In other embodiments, the other heating sub-elements of the heating elements 19, 20 can then also have the same maximum heating power as other other heating sub-elements of the other heating elements 19, 20.

In an embodiment, a geometric heating element parameter can be, for example, the strip length of the heating element. A further geometric heating element parameter can be, for example, the strip length of at least one heating sub-element of a plurality of heating sub-elements of the heating element. A further geometric heating element parameter can be, for example, the course of the strip shape of the heating element and/or the dimensions of the heating element in a plane. In particular, in an embodiment, a heating element 18 configured as a bottom-heating heating body can also have the following maximum heating power, as has already been explained above in the embodiment for a heating element 19 configured in particular as a top-heating and/or grilling heating body.

FIG8 shows another embodiment of the heating element 19 in a perspective view. In this embodiment, the electrical connectors 33 to 36 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the middle axis M. In addition, the shape of at least two separate heating partial elements 37 and 38 corresponds to the embodiment in FIG5. FIG8 also shows an alternative embodiment for the distance holding unit 21. The distance holding unit is not integrally connected to the attitude fixing rods 39, 30, 31 and 32 here. More precisely, the distance holding rods 22, 25, 26 and 29 are separate rods from them. These distance holding rods are connected by suspension bends in the embodiment, and FIG8 shows only a surrounding suspension part 26c in the suspension bend for clarity. In addition, the explanation content already described for other embodiments also applies to this embodiment.

9 shows an embodiment of a muffle of a cooking device 1 in a simplified front view. In the embodiment, the thickness d2 of the side walls 12, 13 of the muffle 8 is different from the thickness d1 of the top wall 9 and/or the thickness d3 of the bottom wall 10. In addition or as an alternative, the thickness d2 of the side walls 12 and 13 can also be different from the thickness of the rear wall 11.

In particular, the thickness d2 is smaller than the thickness d3 of the bottom wall 10 and/or smaller than the thickness d1 of the top wall 9 .

In an embodiment, the thickness d2 is smaller than the thickness d3 of the bottom wall 10 and/or correspondingly smaller than the thickness d1 of the top wall 9 by a value between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm, in particular between 0.25 mm and 0.35 mm. In an embodiment, the thickness d2 is between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm, in particular between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. In an embodiment, the thickness d3 of the bottom wall 10 is between 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm, in particular between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm. In an embodiment, the thickness d1 of the top wall 9 is between 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm, in particular between 0.7 mm and 0.9 mm.

The muffle 8 is made, in particular, of metal, in particular steel.

In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the base material of the muffle 8, in particular steel, is provided at least partially on the outer side 8a facing away from the cooking chamber 14 with an additional material having a heat resistance of up to 550° C., in particular up to 530° C. The material can be applied as a coating to the outer side 8a of the muffle 8. The material can, for example, include an enamel having a heat resistance of up to 550° C., in particular up to 530° C. In an exemplary embodiment, such an additional material can also be applied at least partially on the inner side 8b of the muffle 8.

As in the schematic diagram according to FIG. 9 , it can also be provided in the embodiment that an additional material can be applied at least partially on the outside of the muffle furnace 8. This additional material can be, for example, a coating 45. This coating 45 can have enamel. In particular, it can be completely enamel. In the embodiment, this coating 45 has a thickness of between 0.050 mm and 0.100 mm, in particular between 0.060 mm and 0.080, in particular 0.070 mm at the outside 8a of the muffle furnace 8. In addition, another coating 46 can be applied at least partially at the inside 8b of the muffle furnace 8. Here, it is also applied as an additional material. The basic material can be a metal, in particular steel. In the embodiment, this coating 46 is formed with a layer thickness of between 0.100 mm and 0.200 mm, in particular between 0.140 mm and 0.160 mm, in particular 0.150 mm.

FIG. 10 shows a partial region of an exemplary embodiment of a cooking appliance 1 in a simplified vertical section.

In an embodiment, at least one heat shielding unit 43 of the cooking device 1 is arranged in the gap 16, in particular in the gap region 17. In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit 43 is plate-shaped. The material of the heat shielding unit 43 has, in particular, a temperature value as a melting point, which is greater than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element 19 also arranged in the gap partial region 17. In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit 43 has asbestos. In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit 43 is a mat made of fiber material. In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit has a thickness a, which is between 12 mm and 18 mm, in particular between 14 mm and 16 mm.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heat shielding unit 43 is in direct contact with the heating element, here the heating element 19. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat shielding unit 43 is arranged only on the side of the heating element 19 facing away from the top wall 9 in the gap region 17. In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element 19 is completely exposed toward the top wall 9. In further exemplary embodiments, the heat shielding unit 43 can also have or be a metal plate or a metal grid.

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance 1 has a heat insulation unit 44 that is separate from the heat shielding unit 43. The heat insulation unit is arranged in the gap 16, in particular in the gap partial area 17. In an embodiment, the heat insulation unit is a mat composed of a fiber material. In particular, the heat insulation unit can have glass fibers or be composed of glass fibers. In an embodiment, the heat insulation unit 44 has a thickness b. The thickness b is in particular greater than the thickness a. The thickness b can be between 20 mm and 30 mm, in particular between 24 mm and 26 mm. In particular, the material of the heat insulation unit 44 is designed with a temperature value as a melting point, which is lower than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element 19. In particular, the heat insulation unit 44 is only arranged between the heating element 19 and the top wall 3 of the housing 2. The heat insulation unit 44 is not arranged between the heating element 19 and the top wall 9 of the muffle furnace 8. In particular, the heat insulation unit 44 is arranged between the heat shielding unit 43 and the top wall 3 of the housing 2.

In an exemplary embodiment, a heat insulation unit 44, in particular glass fiber, can be arranged in the lower gap region 18. It can have a thickness d of between 35 mm and 45 mm, in particular between 39 mm and 41 mm. This is especially true if no heat shielding unit 43 is arranged in the lower gap region 18.

If in the exemplary embodiment there are further heating elements 20, in particular as underheating and/or grill heaters, a corresponding arrangement can also be arranged in the gap region 18, which arrangement has a heat shielding unit 43 and/or a heat insulation unit 44 as already explained in FIG9 . The preferably present heat insulation unit 44 is then located here between the preferably present heat shielding unit 43 and the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2.

As can also be seen in the embodiment in FIG. 10 , the top wall 9 is not flat. An arched arch is formed here, in particular an arch pointing upward. In the embodiment, it can be provided that the heating element 19 is also correspondingly curved or formed in an arched manner. The arch can be adapted to the arch of the top wall 9. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 as a partial illustration of the cooking device 1, the arch makes it possible to observe along the height direction that the distance c between the highest position of the arch and the lowest position of the pot cover of the top wall 9 shown here can be between 10 mm and 15 mm, in particular between 11 mm and 13 mm, for example 12 mm.

This spacing c is schematically shown in FIG. 11. As a supplement or alternative, a corresponding camber can also be formed at the bottom wall 10. As a supplement or alternative, the lower heating body, which is preferably present in the form of a heating element 20, can also be correspondingly cambered. However, this is a camber that bulges outwards when viewed in the height direction.

FIG. 12 shows a partial area of the heating element 19 in an enlarged view. In the embodiment, the position of the temperature sensor 42 of the cooking device 1 is shown. The temperature sensor is formed in a tubular shape, for example. The temperature sensor is arranged at the same or substantially the same spacing d and e relative to the nearest position of the heating element 19, which is preferably present here, of the heating partial elements 37 and 38. The shape and configuration of the heating element 19 are preferably such that the hottest position at the position shown in FIG. 12 occurs at the adjacent wall of the muffle furnace 8 (here, the top wall 9). As a result, it is possible to detect the temperature with the temperature sensor 42 at the hottest point of the top wall 9 to a certain extent. The heat distribution of the heating element 19 specifies the hottest position during operation.

In FIG. 13, an embodiment of a muffle furnace 8 of a cooking appliance 1 is shown in an exploded view. In this embodiment, the muffle furnace 8 is particularly modularly constructed. This also means in particular that the muffle furnace 8 is formed by a plurality of separate, pre-processed module components, which are then connected to each other by a connection method after their own manufacture, especially after their corresponding final shape. In the embodiment shown here, the muffle furnace 8 has a top wall 9 as a pre-processed individual component. In the embodiment, the bottom wall 10 is formed as a pre-processed individual component as a module component. In addition, the front flange 41 preferably present is pre-processed and provided as a separate module component of the muffle furnace 8. In addition, in the embodiment, the one-piece module component is formed by side walls 12 and 13 and rear wall 11. Therefore, a U-shaped module component or U-module is provided here in this regard. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the top wall 9 has a basin shape. As a supplement or alternative, the bottom wall 10 can also have a basin shape. The basin shape of the top wall 9 is formed by a plate-shaped basin cover 47. In addition, the top wall 9 has a pot flange 48 with respect to its pot shape. The pot flange is arranged at the edge of the plate-shaped pot cover 47 on the peripheral side, and is especially constructed in a circumferential manner within the range of at least three sides of the pot cover 47 on four sides. The pot flange forms the side wall of the pot shape. As can also be seen from outside, in the embodiment, the flange 49 of the pot shape can be additionally provided. The flange 49 is a flange protruding from the pot flange 48. It is a tab protruding outwardly and therefore laterally. The flange 49 is formed at the edge of the pot flange 48 that faces away from the pot cover 47. In particular, in the embodiment, the flange 49 is also a counter-coupling element 40 or has the counter-coupling element 40, as has been explained above. In the embodiment, the top wall 9 of the pot shape preferably has a thickness d1 that has been explained relative to Figure 9.

In the embodiment, the bottom wall 10 has a basin bottom 50. In addition, the bottom wall 10 has a basin flange 51. In the embodiment, a flange 52 can also be constructed as an additional solution. The flange can also have a matching coupling element 40 or a matching coupling element 40 accordingly. The basin shape of the bottom wall 10 can be adapted to the basin shape of the top wall 9. In the embodiment, the top wall 9 can also be identical to the bottom wall 10 structure. In particular, the basin cover 47 is provided with an arched arch, as has been explained with respect to Figures 10 and 11. As a supplementary solution or alternative, the basin bottom 50 can also be correspondingly arched. In addition, it is also shown in Figure 13 that in the embodiment, the side walls 12 and/or 13 and/or the rear wall 11 can have embossing portions 53 and 54. It is thus possible to achieve personalized reinforcement of the mentioned walls themselves. As a result, the entire muffle furnace 8 is also correspondingly more rigid in the assembled state.

In this case, the assembled state of the muffle furnace 8 is shown in FIG. 14. As can also be seen here, the side walls 12 and 13 and the rear wall 14 are sunken into the corresponding pots corresponding to the top wall 9 and the bottom wall 10, which are in particular two pot-shaped components here. This means that, compared to the situation obtained by the position of the side walls 12 and 13 and the rear wall 11, this pot of the top wall 9 extends horizontally further outward in the width direction and in the depth direction. As a supplement or alternative, the same structure can be provided for the bottom wall 10, as can be seen in FIG. 14. By this type of installation and corresponding mutual engagement, the stability of the muffle furnace is also increased again. Observing along the height direction, it is therefore provided in the embodiment that the side walls 12 and/or 13 and/or the rear wall 11 are at least slightly sunken into the pot of the top wall 9 and/or the pot of the bottom wall 10.

In addition, preferably non-releasable connections 55 are formed between the individual module parts, that is, between the top wall 9 and the side walls 12, 13 and the rear wall 11. The non-releasable connection is in particular a welded connection. As a supplement or alternative, further non-releasable connections, in particular welded connections 56, are formed between the side walls 12 and 13 and the rear wall 11 and the bottom wall 10. In an embodiment, the front flange 41 can also be connected to the top wall 9, the bottom wall 10 and the side walls 12 and 13 via a non-releasable connection, in particular a welded connection 57. In particular, the muffle 8 can be formed with thicknesses d1, d2 and d3 according to Figures 13 and 14, as already explained with respect to Figure 9. In an embodiment, a coating 45 and/or 46 can also be present here as an additional solution.

All the embodiments described here can each be considered as components of a cooking appliance in their own right. It is also possible to combine a plurality of the embodiments conceived here individually and realize further embodiments, which should also be considered disclosed. Thus, for example, the differently explained muffle 8 in the cooking appliance 1 can be combined with a correspondingly differently formed heating element. In particular, on the other hand, the individually explained heating elements 19, 20 together with different muffles can also be combined to form a specific cooking appliance. In particular, all the embodiments conceived here can also be realized in a common embodiment of the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance 1 may have an operating device 58 (FIG. 1). This operating device 58, which is symbolically shown in FIG. 1, may also be arranged locally in other ways. The operating device may be arranged at the cooking appliance 1, for example at the door 15, or may be arranged separately from the door at, for example, an existing operating panel of the cooking appliance 1. Here, the operating device 58 may be fixedly mounted at the cooking appliance 1. However, it is also possible that the operating device 58 is a separate component. The operating device in this regard may be a portable operating device 58. The operating device may also be, for example, a communication terminal, such as, for example, a mobile radio terminal device. In this case, a system may also be realized, which has at least one cooking appliance 1 and such an operating device 58 that is separate from it and particularly portable.

At least in one operating mode of the cooking appliance 1, the heating element 19, in particular the upper heating and/or grilling heating element, and the lower heating and/or grilling heating element, for example, realized by the heating element 20, are activated, in which operating mode the actual heating power of the two heating elements 19, 20 can be set differently from the actual heating power of the other heating elements 19, 20 by means of the operating device 58. In this case, the operating device 58 can be connected to a preferably existing control unit 59 (FIG. 1) of the cooking appliance 1. Thus, signals about the operating device 58 can be transmitted to the control unit 59. The heating element 19 and/or the heating element 18 can then be operated accordingly by means of the control unit 59, which can also be a control and/or regulating unit.

In this case, it is also possible that the two existing heating elements 18 and 19 have, for example, the same maximum heating power. However, these heating elements can also have different maximum heating powers. Through this possible solution, namely: the actual heating power of at least one heating element 18, 19 is also set differently from the maximum heating power, a variety of combination possibilities and setting possibilities are obtained, so that when both heating elements are running, the personalized total heating power of the two heating elements is provided. Depending on the corresponding configuration of the actual heating power setting value, it is then possible to either provide a larger actual heating power than the upper heating and/or grilling heating element by the lower heating and/or grilling heating element, or conversely, provide a larger actual heating power than the lower heating and/or grilling heating element by the upper heating and/or grilling heating element. In an embodiment, it is also possible here to set at least one of the actual heating powers as a percentage of the maximum heating power of the heating element 19, 20 by means of the operating device 58. Therefore, the actual heating power can be set at a specific discrete percentage level. In another embodiment, it is also possible to use the operating device to set the actual heating power of the two heating elements 19, 20 in a percentage ratio relative to each other. Here too, not only discrete values for this ratio can be realized, but also continuous settings can be realized in corresponding embodiments. In this case, the operating device 58 can have corresponding operating elements and/or touch-sensitive operating areas. Likewise, the operating device 58 can also additionally have a display unit, in particular a display. The corresponding settings can be displayed there. In this case, the values of the heating elements 19, 20 can be shown and/or their symbols can also be shown. Thus, in the embodiments, the actual heating power set and/or the ratio and/or percentage of the actual heating power can be shown in terms of value and/or symbolically, respectively.

In the embodiment, it is also possible to use the operating device 58 to individually select a specific heating sub-element 37 and 38 when at least one of the two heating elements 19 and/or 20 is constructed from at least two separate heating sub-elements 37 and 38. The corresponding activation of the selected heating sub-elements 37 and 38 is then achieved. Further embodiments are also conceivable, in which the individual actual heating power of the entire heating element 19 or 20 can be selected in such a configuration. In this case, either one heating sub-element 37 or the other heating sub-element 38 or both heating sub-elements 37 and 38 are selected. In this case, three different discrete actual heating powers that can be set for the heating elements are obtained in this embodiment.

List of reference numerals:

1 Cooking Utensils

2 Shell

3 Top wall

4 Bottom wall

5. Posterior wall

6 Sidewall

7 Sidewall

8Muffle furnace

8a Outer side

8b Inside

9 Top wall

10 Bottom wall

11 Back wall

12 Sidewall

13 Sidewall

14 Cooking Space

15 doors

16 Clearance

17 Gap Area

18 Clearance Area

19 Heating elements

20 Heating Elements

21 Distance keeping unit

22-29 distance holding rod

26c suspension

22a-29a Bend

22b-29b rod

30 Posture Fixed Rod

31 Posture Fixing Rod

32 posture fixed rod

33-36 Connecting parts

37 Heating element

37a, b, c, d, e strip sections

37f, g, h strip segments

37e connection structure

38 Heating element

38a, b H-shaped legs

38c connecting legs

39 Posture Fixed Rod

40 matching coupling elements

40a upper side

40b lower side

40c blank space

40d blank space

40e blank part

40f blank space

41 muffle furnace front flange

42 doors

43 shielding units

44 insulation units

45 coating

46 coating

47 Basin Cover

48 basin flange

49 Flange

50 pelvic floor

51 Basin flange

52 Flange

53Pressing Department

54Pressing Department

55 connections

56 welding connection

57 welding connection

58 Operating Equipment

59 Control Unit

M Middle axis

c spacing

d-spacing

e-spacing

x-width direction

y height direction

z depth direction.

Claims (15)

1. A cooking appliance (1) having: a housing (2); -a muffle (8) arranged in the housing (2) and defining a cooking space (14) of the cooking appliance (1) with walls (9, 10, 11, 12, 13), wherein the muffle (8) has a top wall (9), a bottom wall (10), a rear wall (11) and side walls (12, 13), characterized in that the thickness (d 2) of the side walls (12, 13) is different from the thickness (d 3) of the bottom wall (10) and/or from the thickness of the rear wall (11) and/or from the thickness (d 1) of the top wall (9).

2. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness (d 2) of the side walls (12, 13) is smaller than the thickness (d 3) of the bottom wall (10) and/or smaller than the thickness (d 2) of the rear wall (11) and/or smaller than the thickness (d 2) of the top wall (9).

3. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness (d 2) of the side walls (12, 13) is smaller than the thickness (d 3) of the bottom wall (10) and/or the thickness (d 1) of the rear wall (11) and/or the thickness (d 1) of the top wall (9) by a value between 0.2mm and 0.5mm, in particular between 0.25mm and 0.35 mm.

4. Cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness (d 2) of the side walls (12, 13) is between 0.4mm and 0.8mm, in particular between 0.4mm and 0.6 mm.

5. Cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness (d 3) of the bottom wall (10) is between 0.6mm and 1.0mm, in particular between 0.7mm and 0.9mm, and/or the thickness (d 1) of the top wall (9) is between 0.6mm and 1.0mm, in particular between 0.7mm and 0.9 mm.

6. Cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the muffle (8) is composed of metal.

7. Cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the muffle (8) is at least partially provided with an additional material at least at the outer side (3 a), said material having a heat resistance up to 550 ℃, in particular up to 530 ℃.

8. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the material is applied onto the outer side (8 a) as a coating (45), in particular having a thickness of between 0.050 and 0.1 mm.

9. Cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the muffle (8) is at least partially provided with an additional material at least at the inner side (8 b), said material having a heat resistance up to 550 ℃, in particular up to 530 ℃.

10. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the material is applied onto the inner side (8 b) as a coating (46), in particular having a thickness of between 0.1mm and 0.2 mm.

11. Cooking appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the material has an enamel with a heat resistance up to 550 ℃, in particular up to 530 ℃.

12. Cooking appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one strip-shaped heating element (19, 20) which is bent multiple times in a main extension plane, said heating element being arranged outside the muffle (8) in a gap (16) between the housing (2) and the muffle (8), wherein the heating element (19, 20) is arranged only in a gap region (17, 18) which is formed between only one wall (9, 10) of the muffle (8) and an outer wall (3, 4) of the housing (2) which is arranged spaced apart from and at least substantially parallel thereto.

13. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that heating element (19, 20) is an upper heat and/or a broiling heating body of the cooking appliance (1) and/or heating element () is a lower heat and/or a broiling heating body of the cooking appliance (1).

14. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the total maximum heating power of the heating elements (19, 20) is between 3.0kW and 4.0kW, in particular between 3.2kW and 3.5 kW.

15. Cooking appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the heating elements (19, 20) are arranged bare in the gap (16) towards the adjacent wall (9, 10) of the muffle (8) and/or that the heating elements (19, 20) are arranged spaced apart relative to the adjacent wall (9, 10) of the muffle (8).