CN118401782A

CN118401782A - Cooking appliance with muffle having walls of different thickness

Info

Publication number: CN118401782A
Application number: CN202280082221.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·亚当; C·卡多; O·霍夫曼; J-P·科施
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2021-12-13
Filing date: 2022-11-14
Publication date: 2024-07-26
Also published as: WO2023110248A1; EP4449026A1

Abstract

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

Description

Cooking appliance with muffle having walls of different thickness

Technical Field

Aspects of the present invention relate to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing and a muffle disposed at the housing. The muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls.

Background

Cooking appliances, wherein, for example, an oven or a microwave cooking appliance or a steam cooking appliance has a muffle made of metal. In order to be able to keep the weight of the muffle to a minimum, the walls are designed as thin as possible. In conventional cooking appliances, it is provided that the heating element or heating body can be arranged not only within the cooking space, as can be the case, for example, in upper heating bodies and/or barbecue heating bodies. On the other hand, such heating elements can also be arranged outside the muffle, as can be the case, for example, in lower heating bodies. In the case of heating elements as resistive heaters, a large amount of heat is also transferred in this respect directly to the wall of the muffle. Deformation of the muffle can thus also occur.

This is also the case in known cooking appliances, namely: the upper heating body can also be arranged outside the cooking space. A cooking appliance of this type is known, for example, from DE 102010039342 A1. A cooking appliance is also known from US2019/0045590 A1, which has an upper heating body of this type, which is formed from a plurality of individual heating units, as upper heating body.

In a cooking appliance in which the upper hot heating body is arranged outside the muffle and in particular above the top wall of the muffle, insulating material is also arranged in the gap between the top wall of the muffle and the top wall of the housing of the cooking appliance. A further cooking appliance with a specific upper heating body is known from DE 1020125928 A1.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to create a cooking appliance which is improved in terms of thermal management during operation of the heating element of the cooking appliance, in particular in terms of 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 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 further has a muffle. The muffle is a separate component from the housing. The muffle is disposed in the housing. The muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. In particular, the cooking space is at least partially defined directly by the wall of the muffle.

In particular, the cooking appliance has at least one heating element. The heating element is in particular of strip-like or rod-like shape and is bent in multiple fashion. In an embodiment, the at least one heating element is arranged outside the muffle. The heating element is arranged in particular in the gap between the housing and the muffle. In particular, the heating element is arranged in the gap in spaced relation to the wall of the muffle facing the heating element and adjacent thereto. The wall is the closest wall of the muffle to the heating element.

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance has a distance holding unit. The distance-keeping unit is configured and arranged in a defined manner for positioning the heating element in the gap at a defined or discrete predetermined distance from the wall of the muffle. The heating element is then arranged outside the cooking space, which is also positioned in the gap in a defined manner and without contact with the outside of the wall of the muffle. In this way, the position of the heating element relative to the wall can be set and predefined particularly precisely. In particular, the heating element is preferably arranged in a plane parallel to the wall of the muffle, and the heating element is preferably arranged in a plane parallel to the wall of the muffle. The surface oriented parallel to this wall of the muffle is in particular the surface in which the heating element extends in the form of a strip and in the form of a coil. This means that at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, of the heating elements are arranged in the extension plane in a stretched manner. The distance is thereby maintained constantly or substantially constantly with respect to the wall of the muffle, even during operation of the heating element. In particular, the distance maintenance unit is arranged between the heating element and the wall. A direct coupling between the distance maintenance unit and the heating element and the muffle is thereby enabled. This also enables very precise positioning and mechanically stable fastening.

With such a distance-keeping unit, a highly accurate positioning of the setting in relation to the wall is achieved more precisely just for such heating elements arranged outside the muffle. In particular when the heating element is a resistive heating body, the heat released by the heating element can thus also be transferred more uniformly and also over the entire surface to the wall 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. As here too a more uniform heat dissipation from the wall into the cooking space can be achieved. In this way, undesired hot spots of heat, which are moved or are moved in position, can be avoided in an improved manner.

The posture can also be continuously and accurately set by such a distance holding unit. In particular, even if the heating element is in operation and also emits a large amount of heat, the position relative to the wall, which can then be deformed if necessary, can be maintained very uniformly or with small tolerances.

In an embodiment, the distance holding unit has a distance holding rod. The distance holders are oriented with their longitudinal axes protruding at least in sections from the face which is spread apart by viewing the main surface of the heating element as sized. Here, as also in other embodiments, the face can be flat or curved. The rod is thus not oriented or extends substantially in the plane in which the heating element extends substantially. On the one hand, a very elaborate distance-keeping unit can be realized by means of the distance-keeping lever. The distance holding unit can thus be designed in a space-saving and also weight-saving manner. On the other hand, corresponding mechanically stable elements are also provided by the rods, which elements are able to maintain such desired defined distance maintenance of the heating element relative to the adjacent wall of the muffle. The rod is also very insensitive in this respect to the heat that occurs, so that undesired deformations of the rod can be avoided.

In addition, a particularly precise mechanical coupling to other components of the cooking appliance can also be achieved by means of such a distance-retaining lever. A mechanically stable connection is thus obtained. The distance-keeping unit itself can thus also be arranged in a position-accurate and positionally fixed manner in the cooking appliance. The corresponding length can also be set very precisely by the orientation of the distance-keeping rod. 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, the at least one distance-keeping rod has a curvature at an end facing away from the heating element. The curved portion is formed to receive the coupling member.

In an embodiment, the curvature is in particular embodied as a freely protruding end piece from the holding rod.

In an embodiment, the distance holding unit is placed with the bend on a side of the counter-coupling element of the cooking appliance facing the heating element. In particular, this positioning is provided in terms of coupling at a set distance. In particular, the curvature is placed directly on this facing side of the counter-coupling element. Although the lever here then serves as an element of the distance-keeping unit, not only in the embodiment, but also a line contact can be achieved by the bend with this facing side of the counter-coupling element. A mechanically stable coupling can thereby be achieved. A more mechanically stable coupling and an improved positioning are thereby also achieved.

In an embodiment, the curvature is arranged at an angle of between 80 ° and 100 °, in particular between 85 ° and 95 °, with respect to the remaining region of the distance-keeping rod to which it is coupled back. Such an angle from the retaining bar in turn enables a very stable and uniform placement on this facing side of the counter-coupling element.

In an embodiment, the at least one distance-keeping rod has a curvature at an end facing away from the heating element. In an embodiment, the curved portion is formed as a back-engaging coupling. The distance holding unit rests in a back-engaging manner with the back-engaging coupling on a side of the counter-coupling element of the cooking appliance facing away from the heating element in the assembled state. The mechanical coupling is also here in particular a coupling for setting the distance. By means of such a back-engaged coupling, a mechanically stable and very precisely positioned connection of the distance maintenance unit to the counter-coupling element can be achieved. Thereby supporting very accurate attitude fixing.

This fixed and precise-position arrangement of the distance holding units at the mating coupling elements is particularly advantageous when not only one distance holding lever is realized with a rear-engaging coupling element but also the other distance holding lever is realized with a placement coupling element. Since then the counter-coupling elements can be contacted mechanically by the distance-holding rod from both sides to a certain extent with respectively corresponding bends. A particularly stable mechanical connection is thereby achieved. In particular, it is then also possible to form a clamping or clamping holding of the distance holding unit at the mating coupling element by means of the two bends. This is particularly advantageous in order to achieve a stationary and mechanically stable installation. In particular, even though deformations and/or changes in posture may sometimes occur due to a large amount of heat during operation of the heating element, such a mechanical connection is just as advantageous in order to permit or react to the corresponding deformations and changes in posture, perhaps to a minimum.

In an embodiment, the counter coupling element has a continuous recess, in particular open on the edge side. The distance-keeping rod penetrates the recess with a rod formed in front of the bend, so that the rear joint coupling with the rod is arranged on the side of the counter-coupling element facing away from the heating element. Whereby a compact and mechanically stable structure of such a mechanical connection is also supported. The rod element, which is in particular coupled to the rear coupling element, is thus also arranged mechanically stable. In particular, a higher slip resistance with respect to the mating coupling element is thereby also achieved. This again supports a fixed-position arrangement of the distance-keeping unit at the mating coupling element.

In an embodiment, it is provided that the counter-coupling element is arranged, in particular in a sandwiched manner, between the placement coupling and the rear engagement coupling. The advantages that can be achieved thereby have been explained above. In particular, a positional 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 for fixing the position of the heating element at the at least one counter-coupling element of the cooking appliance in at least two, in particular all three spatial directions. In particular, the distance holding unit is directly coupled to the counter coupling element. This advantageously also supports a mechanically stable arrangement.

In an embodiment, the distance-keeping unit has a height in a direction perpendicular to a face which is spanned by the main surface of the heating element viewed in size, said height being many times greater than the thickness of the strip of the heating element. The distance-keeping unit can thus be positioned in a locally flexible manner, since a sufficient distance between the heating element and the wall of the muffle, which is arranged adjacent to the heating element and extends in particular parallel thereto, can nevertheless be set by the corresponding height. The distance-keeping unit can thus also be arranged directly at an element of the cooking appliance which is not such a wall of the muffle, with respect to which the heating element should be arranged at a distance.

In an embodiment, the heating elements are arranged with respect to the outer side of the adjacent wall by a distance from the holding unit which is between 0.8 and 1.5 times the thickness, in particular the diameter, of the strip of heating elements. In an embodiment, it can be provided that the heating elements are arranged with respect to the outer side of the adjacent wall by a distance from the holding unit of between 0.3mm and 0.7mm, in particular between 0.3mm and 0.5 mm. Such a distance setting enables the heating element and the wall to be arranged in a contactless manner relative to one another at all times even when the heating element is in operation. Furthermore, however, the distance is specified such that a particularly large heat transfer of the heat generated by the heating element to the wall is possible. This achieves a very advantageous energy transmission and thus a very high efficiency in terms of heating this wall of the muffle.

Furthermore, a very compact design, especially with regard to the height of the cooking appliance, can nevertheless be achieved. Particularly when the heating element is arranged in a gap between the top wall of the muffle and the top wall of the housing, seen in the height direction.

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance has an attitude fixing element which is directly connected to the strip sections of the heating element, respectively, such that the strip sections are fixed in position relative to one another. Unwanted deformations of the heating element, in particular unwanted relative movements of the strip-shaped sections with respect to each other, are thereby prevented. A particularly advantageous maintenance of the shape of the heating element is thereby achieved.

In an embodiment, the posture fixing member is formed as a posture fixing lever. In particular, in the embodiment, distance holding bars of the distance holding unit are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the posture fixing bar. In particular, the distance-keeping lever is arranged for this purpose on the end side in the direction of bending relative to the attitude-fixing lever. By means of such a posture fixation rod, a versatile component is thus provided. The component on the one hand holds the strip-shaped sections of the heating element in position relative to one another, and on the other hand forms a direct receptacle for the distance-keeping rod.

In an embodiment, it can be provided that the attitude fixing lever and the distance maintaining lever are integrally formed. This can be, for example, a metal rod. In an embodiment, the distance maintenance rod is arranged with its longitudinal axis at an angle between 85 ° and 95 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the attitude fixing rod.

In an embodiment, the attitude fixing lever and the two distance holding levers are integrally configured. In particular, they together form a U-shaped carrier and a positioning rod. Such a monolithic rod can thereby also be arranged mechanically in a clip-like manner or as a clamping element at opposite regions of the mating coupling element, in particular in a clip-like manner. This again improves this retention.

In particular, a plurality of such U-shaped carriers and positioning bars are arranged. The support bracket can thus also be formed by a plurality of such supports and positioning bars.

In an embodiment, the distance holding unit is coupled with at least one mating coupling element of the cooking appliance for position fixation. In an embodiment, the counter-coupling element is formed as a flange at and protruding from the outside of the muffle. In an embodiment, a strip-shaped tab is thus formed, which protrudes in particular in the width direction of the cooking appliance toward the side, which tab represents the counter-coupling element. It can be provided that such a flange extends over the entire depth of the wall of the muffle, seen in the depth direction of the cooking appliance. This can be constructed without interruption. The counter-coupling element itself is thereby stable and rigid. In this way, a direct mechanical coupling to a distance rod, in particular to a plurality of distance rods, in particular to a rear coupling element and to a positioning coupling element, can be achieved in a particularly stable manner.

In an embodiment, the flange is arranged offset downwards relative to a top wall of the muffle forming a wall adjacent to the heating element, seen in the height direction of the cooking appliance. In particular, the flange is arranged at the outside of at least one side wall of the muffle. In an embodiment, the flange is arranged offset downwards with respect to the lid of the muffle forming a top wall of the wall adjacent to the heating element, seen in the height direction of the cooking appliance. In particular, the flange is arranged at the outside of the basin flange of the basin-shaped top wall of the muffle. The pivot point or coupling point between the distance-keeping lever and the counter-coupling element is thus displaced downwards relative to the pot lid as seen in the height direction, but nevertheless is formed at the top wall itself. This also improves the mechanical coupling and the position-fixing arrangement of the distance-keeping unit. The top wall itself can then also be produced and shaped individually and has a flange integrally formed therewith.

In an embodiment, the heating element is an upper heat and/or a barbecue heating body of the cooking appliance. It is particularly advantageous if the heating element is a resistive heating element. Such heating elements generate heat by themselves by the supplied electrical energy. For this purpose, heating element temperatures of greater than 650 ℃, in particular greater than 700 ℃, and if necessary temperatures up to 750 ℃ or more than 750 ℃ can occur. The invention is particularly advantageous just in the case where such heating elements are resistive heating elements. Since such heat must be generated in the case of positioning such heating elements outside the cooking space, the cooking space can correspondingly also be indirectly heated by the muffle wall. By means of the heating element arranged outside the cooking space, the correspondingly high thermal energy of the heating element and thus the corresponding heat also acts directly on the adjacent wall of the muffle. It is also desirable and necessary, for example, to correspondingly heat the top wall of the muffle just in the upper heating and/or grilling heating body, in order then to be able to release the corresponding heat again into the cooking space. It is therefore particularly advantageous in such a solution to set a spaced-apart arrangement of such resistance heating elements relative to the adjacent wall. In particular in order not to generate undesired thermal effects, in particular undesired deformations, in particular locally at the muffle, due to the strip-shaped sections placed there. In this case, it is also particularly advantageous if the heating element and the muffle are also positioned very precisely relative to one another during operation and this is also maintained.

A further independent aspect of the 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 further has a muffle. The muffle is a separate component from the housing. The muffle is disposed in the housing. The muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. In particular, the cooking space is at least partially defined directly by the wall of the muffle.

In particular, the cooking appliance has at least one heating element. The heating element is in particular of strip-like or rod-like shape and is bent in multiple fashion. In an embodiment, the at least one heating element is arranged outside the muffle. The heating element is arranged in particular in the gap between the housing and the muffle. In particular, the heating element is arranged in the gap in spaced relation to the wall of the muffle facing the heating element and adjacent thereto. The wall is the wall of the muffle closest to the heating element.

A heat shielding unit of the cooking appliance is disposed in the gap. The heating element is thermally shielded functionally and in a defined manner with respect to the housing by the heat shielding unit. In an embodiment, the material of the heat shielding unit characterizes a melting point which is higher than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element. The heat shield unit thus has at least proportionally a material having a temperature value as the melting point which is higher than the maximum settable operating temperature of the heating element. In a particularly advantageous manner, it is thus possible to realize that such a heating element located outside the cooking space, in particular a resistive heating element, is particularly advantageously thermally insulated with respect to the housing. Even at the very high temperatures that can occur during operation of the heating element, an advantageous thermal shielding is then achieved between the heating element and the housing. In particular, melting of the material during operation of the heating element can be avoided by such a specific material selection of the heat shield unit. This is particularly advantageous in particular if: the heat shielding unit is arranged at least partially in direct contact with the heating element. By means of such a construction, the cooking appliance is realized in a particularly compact manner at least in the height direction, while on the other hand no undesired damage to the heat shield unit occurs just in the case of such high temperatures of the resistance heating body.

In an embodiment, the material of the heat shielding unit is at least proportionally asbestos. Preferably the heat shield unit is formed entirely of asbestos. The material has a particularly high melting point. This material can thus be used particularly advantageously in the case of: the heating element is a resistive heating body which in operation can have an operating temperature of up to more than 700 ℃. In particular, the material is needled asbestos (GENADELTE STEINWOLLE). In particular, it has an inorganic binder. In particular, the material has a density between 80g/m3 and 120g/m 3.

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit is a mat composed of a fibrous material. The pad is preferably elastically deformable. In this way, it is possible to adapt to the installation conditions in a particularly advantageous manner. Furthermore, the pad can be mounted in a particularly advantageous manner in direct contact with respect to the heating element. In this case, the pad can be shaped in various ways.

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit has a thickness of between 12mm and 18mm, in particular between 13mm and 17mm, in particular 15 mm. The shielding unit can thus be designed relatively thin. As a result, on the one hand, installation space can be saved, and on the other hand, sufficient thermal insulation can nevertheless be achieved without adversely affecting the function of the heat shield unit during operation due to the heat of the heating element. Preferably, such a thickness is provided in the upper gap region, in which the upper heating and/or grilling heating body is arranged as a heating element. There, further heat insulation units, for example glass fibers, can then also be arranged. A multi-layer composite structure of thermally insulating different materials is thus obtained.

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

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit is in direct contact with the heating element as already explained above. This can be achieved just in the case that: the condition mentioned at the beginning exists that the melting point of the shielding element material is higher compared to the maximum operating temperature of the heating element.

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit is arranged in the gap between the heating element and the housing only on a side of the heating element facing away from the muffle. It is also important in this case that the heating element arranged outside the cooking space is capable of releasing maximum heating energy towards the adjacent wall of the muffle. Thermal insulation will here have an adverse effect on the efficiency of the heating element. On the other hand, the region of the heating element facing away from the muffle and located between the heating element and the housing should be thermally insulated as well as possible. This also means that the housing is not undesirably heated and thus does not deform undesirably.

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

In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit has a metal plate or a metal grid. The heat shield unit can be designed particularly thinly, so that a particularly compact structure is achieved here. In an embodiment, the infrared reflector can additionally be realized with a metal plate. On the other hand, the use of sheet metal makes it possible to protect the otherwise present thermal insulation element in the exemplary embodiment, which is arranged in the gap between the heating element and the housing, in particular between the sheet metal and the housing. Thus, in embodiments such metal plates or metal grids are also suitable in order to be able to be used as such heat shielding elements.

In an embodiment, at least one thermal insulation unit, which is separate with respect to 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 walls of the muffle, respectively the walls of the housing, which should be considered are arranged in parallel or substantially parallel planes with respect to each other. The gap or the gap region of the gap is then considered here, which is defined by parallel and spaced-apart walls (i.e. the wall of the muffle on the one hand and the wall of the housing on the other hand). They extend in particular parallel to one another.

By means of this thermal insulation unit, an advantageous thermal insulation effect with respect to the housing can in turn be achieved. In an embodiment, the thermal 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 insulating element is arranged between the heat shielding unit and the wall of the housing. The heat shield unit can functionally and substantially also select the additional heat insulating element such that it has a melting point that is less than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element. As the thermally insulating element is separated from the heating element by the heat shield unit located therebetween. For this purpose, a simpler and possibly more cost-effective thermal insulation material can also be used for the thermal insulation unit.

In an embodiment, it can be provided that the thermal insulation unit is a mat made of a fibrous material. It can, for example, have glass fibers or consist entirely of glass fibers.

In an embodiment, the heat insulating unit is thicker than the heat shielding element or the heat shielding unit. The material of the heat shielding unit is in particular different, in particular completely different, from the material of the heat insulating 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 embodiment the maximum operating temperature of the heating element is greater than 500 ℃, in particular greater than 700 ℃, in particular between 700 ℃ and 800 ℃.

In particular the heating element is a resistive heating element. In an embodiment, the heating element is shaped in strips and multiple bends. In particular, the heating element is an upper heating and/or a barbecue heating body. The upper heating and/or grilling heating body is thus arranged in the gap between the top wall of the muffle and the top wall of the housing.

A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an outer housing. In addition, the cooking appliance also has a muffle. The muffle is a separate component of the cooking appliance with respect to the housing. The muffle is disposed in the housing. The muffle has walls with which the muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance. In particular, the cooking space is defined directly by the walls of the muffle. Furthermore, the cooking appliance has at least one heating element, in particular in the form of a strip or rod, which is bent in multiple fashion in a single plane. The heating element is arranged outside the muffle in a gap between the housing and the muffle. The heating element is arranged here only in the gap region of the gap, which is formed between only one wall of the muffle and only one outer wall of the housing, which is spaced apart from and arranged at least substantially parallel thereto. In an embodiment, the heating element is formed or extends substantially only in a face between only one wall of the muffle and only one outer wall of the housing. In an embodiment, the heating element has a first strip-shaped heating part element which is formed in a multiple bending manner in a single extension plane. In an embodiment, the heating element has a second strip-shaped heating part element which is bent in multiple, in particular in a single extension plane. The two heating section elements are separate sections of the heating element. One heating sub-element is surrounded by the other heating sub-element as seen in the projection plane. The turns of one heating portion element are spaced around the other heating portion element. The heating section elements can be operated independently of one another in the possible operating modes and can be operated together in the further operating modes. This means that the cooking appliance has at least three different modes of operation in terms of the mode of operation of the heating element. In this case, for example, the first heating sub-element can be operated in the first operating mode and thus activated. The second heating portion element is deactivated. In the second operating mode, the first heating sub-element can be deactivated and the second heating sub-element can be operated or activated. In the third operating mode, both the first heating sub-element and the second heating sub-element can then be activated.

In an embodiment, at least one of the heating section elements has a maximum possible heating power of greater than or equal to 2 kW. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided in an embodiment that the two heating section elements have an overall maximum heating power of greater than or equal to 3kW in a further operating mode in which both are operated simultaneously. In such an embodiment of the cooking appliance, it is thus possible to arrange the heating element compactly and locally in the case of a heating element arranged outside the cooking space, on the other hand with at least two individual heating section elements which are still arranged specifically with respect to one another. The at least two heating section elements of the heating element are arranged exactly. In principle, a more flexible and variable operating mode of the heating element can be achieved thereby. By means of the specific arrangement of the heating section elements relative to one another and the very specific heating power values, it is possible in particular to realize at least one heating section element with a relatively high maximum heating power and also a relatively high total heating power, and such a heating element can also be used in a particularly advantageous manner as a barbecue heating body for a cooking appliance. The heating power provided by such a high level therefore considerably expands the application possibilities of the heating element. Although such heating elements are then locally fixed in place in this regard, they can be used in cooking appliances in a very wide variety of ways by means of the number of components, their arrangement relative to one another and the specific heating power values. In this way, a compact design can thus also be achieved with a reduced number of components.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of one heating section element is smaller than the maximum heating power of the other heating section element. Thus, two identical heating section elements are not used. This is then advantageous in order that on the one hand the overall system without heating elements is oversized, but on the other hand there is a heating section element of the two heating section elements with a relatively high maximum heating power. This can be seen not only in general but also in comparison to at least one further heating section element of the heating element. The purpose of use of such heating elements can thus be widely designed and a wide range of modes of operation can be achieved. It is then also possible to provide a relatively high maximum heating power of the heating element with one of the two heating sub-elements. If this maximum heating power for the cooking process of the cooking substance has to be large, then a further mode of operation can be performed in such a way that: at least two heating section elements of the heating element are operated simultaneously. However, if on the other hand only a lower heating power is required if necessary, it is possible to operate only a heating sub-element which has a lower maximum heating power than the other heating sub-element. In principle, a very energy-efficient operation can thus also be achieved in all operating modes of the heating element. Since the configuration of the heating section element for the operation can then always be selected as required, the operation provides the necessary heating power as required and in an energy-saving manner.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the heating section element with the larger 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 section element with the smaller heating power. This is also a very advantageous embodiment, since these maximum heating powers are thus not only minimally different from each other, but also differ by at least the half percentage. The advantages mentioned above are thus met in a particular way.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the heating section element with the smaller maximum heating power is between 1.0kW and 1.5 kW. In particular, the maximum heating power is between 1.1kW and 1.3kW, especially 1.2kW. Just this interval of value makes it possible to use the heating section elements individually already for a completely dedicated and relatively large number of cooking processes. The maximum heating power is therefore not so small that only this one heating section element is sufficient for exceptional cases.

In an embodiment, the maximum heating power of the heating section element with the larger maximum heating power is between 2.0kW and 2.5 kW. In particular, the maximum heating power is between 2.1kW and 2.3 kW. A heating section element is thus provided which itself alone has a relatively high maximum heating power. It is thereby also possible to use the heating section element alone to perform a wide variety of cooking cycles, wherein a higher heating power is required.

As already mentioned above, a further mode of operation can be achieved when this heating power of the heating section element alone is no longer sufficient to perform the cooking process. Here, it is then advantageously provided that the overall maximum heating power of the heating element is between 3.0kW and 4.0kW, in particular between 3.2kW and 3.5kW, in particular 3.4kW. Just afterwards the heating element can also be used as a broil heating body of a cooking appliance.

In an embodiment, the first heating section element encloses the second heating section element as seen in the projection plane, wherein the first heating section element has a larger maximum heating power than the second heating section element. The first heating section element with the greater maximum heating power in this configuration is then the heating section element which is external as viewed in the projection plane. Whereby a larger heating power can be distributed more evenly over a larger capacity space. The release source is then not locally concentrated as is the case with the inner second heating section element in the projection plane. Such an arrangement is therefore advantageous for a more desirable and more uniform or homogeneous release just for a greater heating power.

In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the respective geometry or strip-like course of the individual heating section elements is provided. On the one hand, this can lead to a very advantageous and possibly locally personalized release of the heating power in the combined action, respectively, in order to achieve a very desired and uniform release of the heating power.

In an embodiment, the strip-like shape of the entire strip of heating section elements, in particular the heating section elements which are internal in the projection plane, have an asymmetrical H-shape. Just this shape on the one hand gives itself the advantages already mentioned above, and on the other hand gives the advantages already mentioned above in connection with other heating section elements.

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

In an embodiment, the heating element has a greater surface density on the edge side than in the middle, as seen in the extension plane. The heating section elements are also correspondingly arranged relative to one another in this connection, in particular by their particular strip-shaped course being matched to them.

By means of such a configuration with a greater surface density on the edge side, an improved distribution and release of the heating power can be achieved, in particular in the case of very high heating powers. Thereby enabling improved cooking results.

In an embodiment, as already explained above and if necessary also improved by an advantageous embodiment, the heating element of the cooking appliance is the heating and/or grilling heating body of the cooking appliance. In addition or alternatively, in a further embodiment, the heating element of the cooking appliance can also be a lower heating body, as formed according to the above-mentioned aspects or as modified according to an advantageous embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, it is therefore possible to design only one heating and/or grilling body correspondingly. In a further embodiment only the lower heating body of the cooking appliance can have a corresponding shape. However, in a further embodiment, it is also possible that not only the upper heat and/or the barbecue heating body of the cooking appliance but also the lower heat heating body are correspondingly formed. In such an embodiment, it is also possible that the upper and/or barbecue heating body and the lower heating body are identical. This can involve not only the geometric aspects and/or the operating parameters or physical parameters of the heating body.

In a further embodiment, at least one temperature sensor of the cooking appliance can be arranged adjacent to the two heating section elements. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the entire heating element in a further operating mode. On the other hand, in a further operating mode in which only one of the two heating section elements is activated, the temperature of this only activated heating section element can be detected. In particular, the temperature of the adjacent walls of the muffle are detected with a temperature sensor. By means of the position of the temperature sensor with respect to the two strip-shaped sections of the heating part element at the same or substantially the same distance, 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 section elements, the temperature detection in all operating modes of the heating elements is particularly accurate. The specific exposed position of the temperature sensor is thus able to detect the respective temperature of the one or more heating section elements in dependence on the respective operating mode. It is thus also possible to detect the temperature of the correspondingly activated heating-section element accurately with a single temperature sensor in different operating modes. In this connection, it is thus also possible to provide an arrangement of the temperature sensor's reduction components. Then, for example, only one temperature sensor is used in order to detect the temperature of the respective activated heating-portion element in the 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. These temperature sensors can then also detect the temperature of the at least one active heating-section element in each case depending on the respectively provided operating mode.

A further independent aspect of the 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 further has a muffle. The muffle is a separate component of the cooking appliance with respect to the housing. The muffle is disposed in the housing. The muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. In particular, the muffle defines the cooking space directly with walls. The cooking appliance further has at least one heating element, in particular in the form of a strip or rod, which is bent multiple times in a particularly single main extension plane.

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

The heating element is arranged outside the muffle in a gap between the housing and the muffle. The heating element is arranged only in a gap region of the gap, which is formed between only one wall of the muffle and only one outer wall of the housing arranged spaced apart from and at least substantially parallel thereto. The heating element has a first heating part element, which is in particular strip-shaped or rod-shaped and is bent in multiple fashion in a single main extension plane. The heating element furthermore has a second heating part element which is different from it and which is separate, in particular strip-shaped or rod-shaped, and which is bent in multiple in only one single main extension plane. Viewed in a projection plane extending parallel to the main extension plane in which the heating elements extend in a planar manner, one heating sub-element is surrounded by the other heating sub-element. In a possible operating mode of the heating element, one heating sub-element can be operated independently of the other heating sub-element. In a further operating mode of the heating element, the at least two heating partial elements of the heating element are operated jointly and thus simultaneously. At least three different operating modes can also be present here, as already 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 and between the two heating section elements. This corresponds in particular to the case in projection plane viewing. The cooking appliance has, in particular, at least one temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall of the muffle. The temperature sensor is arranged in the gap region and adjacent to and between the two heating section elements. In these operating modes of the heating element, the temperature of the wall of the muffle can be detected by a temperature sensor, in particular at the same location.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor has a spacing relative to the first heating portion element that is equal to or substantially equal to the spacing of the temperature sensor relative to the second heating portion element. This applies in particular also in the projection plane. Preferably, the difference in the 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 of the two spacings can be achieved here. In particular, this is measured at the location of the temperature sensor which has the shortest distance, viewed along a straight line, relative to the respectively adjacent heating portion elements. Such a positioning of the temperature sensor can be achieved particularly accurately, detecting the current temperature of the wall. In particular, this information can then be transmitted not only to the control unit of the cooking appliance. With which a corresponding analysis of the information obtained by the sensor can then be achieved. In particular, a suitable manner of operation of at least the heating element can then be achieved. In particular, control and/or regulation can then be effected here.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor is arranged directly against the outside of the muffle. The temperature sensor can be formed at least in sections in a tubular shape.

It can be provided that the temperature sensor is a PT-sensor. Which can be PT500 or PT1000, among others.

In an embodiment, the input circuit for the sensor is protectively arranged with respect to the heating element. This can be in terms of location and/or by a corresponding heat-resistant coating of the cable or wire. For example, it can also be provided that the electrical circuit is completely laid out by the thermally insulating unit and/or by the heat shielding unit arranged in the region of the gap. Advantageous thermal insulation of the cable of the sensor can thereby also be achieved.

A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an outer housing. In addition, the cooking appliance also has a muffle. The muffle is a separate component of the cooking appliance with respect to the housing. The muffle is disposed in the housing. The muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. In particular, the muffle defines the cooking space directly with walls. The muffle has a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and side walls. In an embodiment it is provided that the thickness of the side wall is different from the thickness of the bottom wall and/or from the thickness of the rear wall and/or from the thickness of the top wall. Such an embodiment of the muffle is then particularly advantageous in order to have as little deformation as possible in the case of a corresponding thermal action of the externally located heating element. In this way, the heating element can be operated with a particularly high heating power, at least in some operating modes, even if the heating element is arranged outside the cooking space in the case of a cooking appliance and thus in the gap between the muffle and the housing. Such heating elements are thus particularly hot, which are then in particular resistive heating elements. Correspondingly, temperatures of up to more than 700 ℃ can occur here. This temperature then also acts at least partially on the adjacent walls of the muffle. Such heating elements are then provided, for example, when heating and/or grilling heating bodies, and then heat is correspondingly applied to the adjacent ceiling wall. This can also be the case for the lower heating body of the cooking appliance, in addition or as an alternative. Whereby the corresponding heat also acts on the bottom wall of the muffle. In order to maintain a high shape stability of the muffle just in such a specific configuration, the above-mentioned aspects of the 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, depending on the respective arrangement, even in the case of very high thermal effects from outside the muffle.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the side wall is smaller than the thickness of the bottom wall. Additionally or alternatively, the thickness of the side walls can be less than the thickness of the rear wall. In particular, in an embodiment, the thickness of the side walls can also be smaller than the thickness of the top wall. Since the heating elements are arranged adjacent and above the top wall and/or adjacent and below the bottom wall of the muffle according to the possible embodiments mentioned above, these walls of the muffle are subjected to a special thermal action. It is therefore particularly advantageous in this case that the walls are thicker than the side walls which are arranged remote from the heating element. The container-like shape of the muffle and the mentioned direct proximity of the walls can also correspondingly occur or transmit mechanical stresses and deformation trends. In order to have a corresponding deformation stability here, it is particularly advantageous if the bottom wall and/or the top wall is thicker than the other walls of the muffle.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the side walls 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 0.2mm and 0.5mm, in particular between 0.25mm and 0.35 mm. Just such a difference in value between a thinner wall and a thicker wall enables the advantages mentioned above to be achieved in a particular way. On the one hand, thinner walls can be designed here as desired and do not have to be too thick. On the other hand, thicker walls can be matched in an improved manner to the possibly greater thermal effect. Furthermore, this difference also prevents an undesired strong occurrence of weight asymmetry in the shaping of the muffle. This difference in value of the thickness is therefore particularly suitable for the functionalities and advantages mentioned.

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

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

In an embodiment, the muffle is constructed of metal.

In an embodiment, it can be provided that the muffle is provided at least locally at the outer side with an additional material, which has a heat resistance of up to 550 ℃, in particular up to 530 ℃, relative to the base material, such as, for example, steel. Thus enabling additional protection of the wall of the muffle. This again improves the deformation stability. In an embodiment it is provided that such applied material is a coating on the outside of the base material of the wall of the muffle. In particular, such applied materials are enamels having a heat resistance of up to 550 ℃, in particular up to 530 ℃.

A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can be referred to as an outer housing. The cooking appliance further has a muffle. The muffle is a separate component with respect to the housing. The muffle is disposed in the housing. The muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. In particular, the muffle directly defines the cooking space with walls. The cooking appliance further has at least one first heating element, which is in particular strip-shaped or rod-shaped and extends in particular in a planar manner and in multiple curves in a single main extension plane. The heating element is arranged outside the muffle in a gap between the housing and the muffle. The first heating element is arranged as an upper heating and/or broiling heating element in the gap region above the gap. The gap region is formed between a wall of the cooking appliance above the muffle, viewed in the height direction, and an upper outer wall of the housing, which is arranged at least substantially parallel thereto, spaced apart from it. The cooking appliance further has at least one second heating element, which is in particular strip-shaped or rod-shaped and extends in particular in a single main extension plane and is bent in multiple fashion. The second heating element is arranged outside the muffle in a gap between the housing and the muffle. The second heating element is arranged as a lower heating and/or broiling heating element in a gap region below the gap as viewed in the height direction, wherein the gap region is located between a lower wall of the muffle and a lower outer wall of the housing, which is arranged spaced apart from and at least substantially parallel thereto.

In an embodiment, the first heating element, i.e. the upper heating and/or the broiling heating element, and the second heating element, i.e. the lower heating and/or the broiling heating element, are identically configured with respect to at least one electrical heating element parameter and/or with respect to at least one geometric heating element parameter. A cooking appliance is thus provided which is adapted with respect to the lower and upper heat and/or broiling heating elements, or which locally and functionally specific heating elements are adapted to one another. Thus, the heating function can be improved. In particular, a more satisfactory operation of the heating element can thereby also be achieved. Furthermore, the lower heating and/or grilling heating body or the lower heating and/or grilling heating element can thus also be used for functions which are not suitable in conventional appliances. This is especially true if the previously unrealized operating mode can be achieved with lower heating and/or broiling heating elements, in particular with a specific heating power.

It is thus also possible, for example, to operate the thermal heating element such that pizza can also be cooked in the cooking space, for example on the bottom wall of the muffle. It is now also possible to provide a lower heating element which is to some extent a pizza cooking heating element. The grilling function can also be provided by the lower heating body. Thus, the barbecue can be realized from the lower side.

In an embodiment, the electrical heating element parameter is a maximum heating power of the entire heating element and/or a maximum heating power of at least one heating portion element of the plurality of heating portion elements of the heating element when the heating element has a plurality of individual heating portion elements. In particular, in such an embodiment, the plurality, in particular at least two individual heating sub-elements are arranged in a common main extension plane or extend in a plane-like manner in the main extension plane. The heating sub-elements can then be arranged in the main extension plane in such a way that they are guided into each other, or one heating sub-element can at least partially enclose the other heating sub-element as seen in the main extension plane. The outer heating part element surrounds the further inner heating part element with its turns at a distance.

In an embodiment, the geometrical heating element parameter is for example a strip length of the heating element and/or a strip length of at least one heating section element of the plurality of heating section elements of the heating element. In further embodiments the geometric heating element parameter can also be the shape of the strip of the heating element and/or the dimensions of the heating element in the 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 the exemplary embodiment that all electrical heating element parameters and/or all geometric heating element parameters of the two heating elements are identical. They can thus also be identical heating elements in this embodiment.

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

The cooking appliance can also be configured with a pizza cooking mode of operation, just when the lower heating body is similar or identical to the upper heating body, in particular, a corresponding maximum heating power can be achieved. Furthermore, as a supplement or alternative, it is then also possible to achieve a broiling in the cooking space by means of such an increased heating power of the lower heating body, wherein the broiling heating body is arranged below the bottom wall of the muffle, i.e. is formed by the lower heating body. The grilling function can then be realized with a heating body which provides the heating power for grilling from below. In addition, a pyrolysis operation is thereby also achieved, which, starting from below, provides a corresponding heating power via the lower heating body. In addition, high-power cooking can be realized from below with corresponding heating power. This can be advantageous, for example, for cooking fruit. In particular, it is then possible to perform a baking of fruit, such as for example plums or the like, in the cooking space.

It is also often advantageous to position the heating elements outside the cooking space, since then these heating elements are not subjected to steam and not to moisture, as would occur in the cooking space. Corrosion damage of the heating element can thereby be avoided. In this way, a material which does not have to be protected against corrosion can also be used for the heating element.

A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can also be referred to as an outer housing. In addition, the cooking appliance has a muffle. The muffle is a separate component with respect to the housing. The muffle is disposed in the housing. The muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. The muffle defines the cooking space directly with walls. The muffle has top, bottom, rear and side walls as walls. The top wall and the side wall are provided as separate components which are connected with an undetachable connection. In addition or alternatively, provision can be made, for example, for the components to be provided as separate components from the side wall, which are connected to the side wall with a connection that cannot be released. The top wall and/or the bottom wall has a basin shape. By means of such modular structures of the muffle furnace, they can be designed more rigidly. Firstly, the modular parts, i.e. the top and/or bottom walls and the individual side walls thereof, which are produced individually and are provided in particular in the final shape, make it possible to design these individual components individually. The individual components themselves can thus be adapted more individually to the requirements of high rigidity of the entire muffle. The requirements can be better taken into account with this construction of the muffle, even when this rigidity and deformation stability are necessary in the operation of the at least one heating element of the cooking appliance. The basin shape of the two very exposed module assemblies, i.e. the top wall and the bottom wall, of just the muffle also enables in this case a higher stiffness of the assemblies themselves alone. The upper and lower closure portions of the muffle itself can thus be more stably constructed in this case. Just the basin shape enables a higher torsional stiffness in this case. In this way, it is also possible to achieve a mechanical coupling, in particular by means of a later-produced, undetachable connection to the side wall, which likewise leads to an improvement in the overall rigidity of the muffle. In this case, the undetachable connection represents the interface between the single components of the muffle, which are configured in a modular manner, when they are connected to one another. The unreleasable connection is a structure that cannot be reversibly formed and released again without damaging or destroying at least one of the components. The unreleasable connection is, for example, a welded connection. The unreleasable connection can also be regarded and recognized as such at the produced muffle, so that in this case too: the single component of the muffle is already manufactured in the mould before and thus before the unreleasable connection itself and is 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 thereby improved again. Particularly high rigidity and high deformation stability are thereby achieved, in particular in the case of a corresponding thermal action of the resistance heating element of the cooking appliance. Just when the heating element is arranged as an upper heat-heating element immediately adjacent to the top wall, the deformation of the top wall is significantly reduced compared to a conventional muffle. The same applies to the bottom wall, in addition or alternatively, when a lower heating element of the cooking appliance is arranged next to the bottom wall, for example, in particular when it is configured as a resistive heating element. Since the correspondingly high heat just in the resistive heating element is also released directly to the adjacent walls, so that the walls are heated strongly.

In an embodiment, the top wall has a bowl cover and a bowl flange. The basin flange is arranged at least partially circumferentially around the basin cover at the rim of the basin cover. In an embodiment, the basin cover is at least partially, in particular arcuately, arched. Such arches of specific partial elements of the top wall also contribute to better rigidity and higher deformation stability.

In an embodiment, the bottom wall has a basin bottom and a basin flange, which is arranged at least in sections around the rim of the basin bottom, wherein the basin bottom is at least in sections, in particular arched. The corresponding advantages in this respect then apply to the bottom wall, as already mentioned for the advantageous embodiments mentioned above relating to the top wall.

In an embodiment, the bowl cover has an arch such that the distance of the dimension determined in the height direction between the highest position of the arch and the lowest position of the bowl cover is between 10mm and 15mm, in particular between 11mm and 13 mm. As a result, an arch is obtained which is relatively flat on the one hand, so that the installation space does not increase undesirably in the height direction. On the other hand, a corresponding stiffening is achieved by the arch compared to a completely flat pot cover.

In an embodiment, the basin bottom of the bottom wall can be correspondingly arched. Corresponding advantages are then achieved here as well.

In an embodiment, the top wall has a bowl cover and a bowl flange. The basin flange is arranged at least partially circumferentially at the rim of the basin cover. The basin flange forms a basin-shaped sidewall. A flange protruding laterally therefrom is arranged in particular at the basin flange. The flange is in particular constructed in one piece with the basin flange. In particular, the entire top wall is formed integrally with the basin cover and the basin flange, in particular also with additional flanges which are optionally present. Such a shaping of the top wall can be produced, for example, from a provided blank, in particular a sheet metal, by a corresponding deformation process. In an embodiment, the same can be done with a bottom wall.

By means of the projecting flange, additional stiffening of the top wall, in particular also of the basin flange, is achieved.

In an embodiment, such laterally projecting flanges can also be formed at the basin flange of the bottom wall. The corresponding advantages here are also applicable, as already mentioned for the top wall.

In an embodiment, such flanges are mating coupling elements provided for coupling with a distance keeping unit of the cooking appliance. In particular, such a distance-keeping unit can then be mechanically coupled directly to the counter-coupling element. The distance holding unit is provided in particular expediently 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 thus designed to be versatile. On the one hand for stiffening the top wall or the bottom wall and on the other hand for direct mechanical coupling with such a separate distance maintenance unit.

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

The flange can be configured over at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, in particular at least 90% of the entire length of the side wall of the basin flange. In addition or alternatively, such a flange can also be at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, within the length of the partial section of the rear side of the basin flange.

In an embodiment, the side wall of the muffle is directly connected to the bowl flange without release. The non-releasable connection, for example a welded connection, is then connected directly between the edge of the side wall and the basin flange, for example the top wall and/or the basin flange of the bottom wall. It can also be provided that the side walls are arranged, as viewed in the height direction, overlapping the top wall, in particular the basin flange of the top wall. In a further embodiment, the same can be provided with a bottom wall, in addition to or instead of this. Since the sinking of such a height-wise viewing section into the basin of the top wall and/or into the basin of the bottom wall can be improved again with respect to stability. In particular, the releasable connection can be produced in this case over a larger area and/or over a larger area. The corresponding interface between the individual modules of the muffle can thus also be designed more stably and more stress-carrying.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the side wall is different from the thickness of the bottom wall. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the thickness of the side walls differs from the thickness of the rear wall and/or from the thickness of the top wall. In particular, the thickness of the side walls is smaller than the thickness of the top wall and/or smaller than the thickness of the bottom wall.

In an embodiment, the muffle has a front flange as a further separate module assembly. The front flange is formed as a preferably continuous frame which in the assembled state of the muffle rests on the front side against the top and/or bottom wall and/or side walls. It is also possible here to provide such a front flange which is first prefabricated and then subsequently connected to the further wall of the muffle by means of a mechanical connection, in particular a connection which cannot be released, such as a welded connection. Preferably, the front flange has a thickness of between 1.1mm and 1.4mm, in particular between 1.2mm and 1.3 mm. In an embodiment, the front flange is configured with a thickness 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, in particular metal, e.g. steel, and/or on the inside of the basic material of the muffle. The material can be, for example, an enamel. The enamel can be applied as a coating. In an embodiment, the thickness of the enamel material at the inner side is between 0.10mm and 0.20mm, in particular between 0.13mm and 0.17 mm. In an embodiment, the thickness of the enamel material at the outside of the muffle is between 0.050mm and 0.100mm, in particular between 0.060mm and 0.080 mm. These values, just through the enamel coating, on the one hand, enable an improvement in the heat resistance of the muffle furnace, in particular of the base material, in particular of the steel. These layer thicknesses can also be achieved, again improving the stiffness of the muffle and thus also the deformation stability. Especially when the corresponding heat is applied to the muffle.

In embodiments, the bottom wall is dimensionally and/or identically sized and/or identically constructed with the top wall shape. In an embodiment, the side walls can be formed as integrally produced U-modules with the rear wall, wherein the U-modules are then directly connected to the respective top wall and the respective bottom wall by means of a releasable connection.

In an embodiment, provision can be made for the side wall to have an additional imprint. Thereby increasing the inherent stiffness of the sidewalls themselves. The same can be provided in the rear wall as a supplement or alternative.

The connection which cannot be released is preferably formed as a welded connection, in particular a welded joint. These unreleasable connections are particularly stable and durable just under severe thermal and high mechanical stresses.

A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. The housing can be referred to as an outer housing. The cooking appliance further has a muffle. The muffle is a separate component with respect to the housing. The muffle is disposed in the housing. The muffle defines a cooking space of the cooking appliance with walls. In particular, the muffle directly defines the cooking space with walls. The cooking appliance further has at least one first heating element, which is in particular strip-shaped or rod-shaped and extends in particular in a planar manner and in multiple curves in a single main extension plane. The heating element is arranged outside the muffle in a gap between the housing and the muffle. The first heating element is arranged as an upper heat-heating element, in particular as an upper heat and/or a grill heating element, in the gap region above the gap. The gap region is formed between a wall of the upper muffle and an upper outer wall of the housing, which is arranged at least substantially parallel thereto, spaced apart from it, as viewed in the height direction of the cooking appliance. The cooking appliance further has at least one second heating element, in particular a strip-shaped or rod-shaped second heating element, which extends in particular in a single main extension plane and is bent in multiple. The second heating element is arranged outside the muffle in a gap between the housing and the muffle. The second heating element is arranged as a lower heating element, in particular as a lower heating and/or broiling heating element, in a lower gap region of the gap, viewed in the height direction, wherein the gap region is located between a lower wall of the muffle and a lower outer wall of the housing, which is arranged spaced apart from and at least substantially parallel to it.

In an embodiment, the first heating element, i.e. the upper heating and/or the broiling heating element, and the second heating element, i.e. the lower heating and/or the broiling heating element, are identically configured with respect to at least one electrical heating element parameter and/or with respect to at least one geometric heating element parameter. A cooking appliance is thus provided which is adapted with respect to the lower and upper heat and/or broiling heating elements, or these heating elements which are locally and functionally specific are adapted to one another. Thus, the heating function can be improved. In particular, a more satisfactory operation of the heating element can thereby also be achieved. Furthermore, the lower heating and/or grilling heating body or the lower heating and/or grilling heating element can thus also be used for functions which are not suitable in conventional appliances. This is especially true if the previously unrealized operating mode can be achieved with lower heating and/or broiling heating elements, in particular with a specific heating power.

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

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

In general and also in this case, it is possible for the actual heating power selected or set by the operating device to be evaluated by a control unit of the cooking appliance and for the heating elements to be actuated accordingly by means of the control unit. In this case, it is also possible to then monitor the active heating element by means of an adjustment algorithm and to correspondingly adjust the desired actual heating power.

It can be provided that both heating elements have the same maximum heating power. With the described aspect of the invention, it is not only possible to achieve a different possible setting from the maximum heating power only, but also to set an actual heating power different from this in at least one heating element.

In an embodiment, at least one of the mentioned actual heating powers of the at least two 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 is also possible to implement by operating the device. In this case, it is also possible that the actual heating power of the at least two heating elements can be set with the operating device in terms of the ratio of the percentages relative to one another. Here, not only continuous setting but also setting at discrete levels can be achieved. In this case, it is also possible to predefine discrete levels, which can then be selected. These specific levels can each be a percentage of the maximum heating power. In a further embodiment, it can also be provided that at least one of the two heating elements has two separate heating section elements. These heating section elements can be operated independently of each other. In an embodiment, the individual actual heating powers of the respective heating elements can then also be selected and set by selecting these heating partial elements. In an embodiment, at least three different actual heating powers of the heating element can thus be set. When only one of the two heating elements is activated, this can be achieved, on the one hand, by the heating power of the first heating portion elements of these heating elements and, on the other hand, by the heating power of at least the further second heating portion elements. However, it is also possible to operate together the two heating sub-elements of the heating element with at least the two heating sub-elements in a further selection process. A third heating power of the heating element is then obtained. This third heating power is then in particular the maximum heating power of the heating element.

Aspects of the invention and/or advantageous embodiments thereof are advantageous embodiments of further independent aspects of the invention, as already mentioned. All disclosed embodiments are therefore capable of functioning as embodiments in each of the separate mentioned aspects of the invention.

The terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth", "width", "height" etc. are used to describe the position and orientation obtained with a proper use and a proper arrangement of the appliance.

Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the drawings and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned in the foregoing description and the features and feature combinations mentioned in the description of the figures below and/or shown individually in the figures can be used not only in the specified combination but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention. The following embodiments of the invention, which are not explicitly shown and described in the figures, but can be derived and produced from the described embodiments by means of individual feature combinations, should therefore also be regarded as included and disclosed. Embodiments and combinations of features that do not have all of the features of the initially described independent claims should also be regarded as being disclosed.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.

Wherein:

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

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

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

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

fig. 5 shows a top view of the arrangement according to fig. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a cooking appliance along with a partial area of an embodiment of a particular assembly;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the arrangement according to FIG. 6;

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

fig. 9 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a muffle according to the invention of a cooking appliance;

Fig. 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of an 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 portion element of a heating element together with a temperature sensor of an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the present invention;

Fig. 13 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a muffle according to the invention of an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the invention; and

Fig. 14 shows the muffle according to fig. 13 in the assembled state.

In the drawings, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description

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 microwave and/or steam cooking functions.

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. Furthermore, the cooking appliance 1 has a muffle 8. The muffle 8 is a separate component of the cooking appliance 1 with respect to the housing 2. A muffle 8 is received in the housing 2. The muffle 8 is constructed of metal. The muffle can be constructed from steel. Muffle 8 has a top wall 9, a bottom wall 10, a rear wall 11, and opposed 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. Furthermore, the cooking appliance 1 has a door 15. The door is movably arranged at the housing 2 and/or the muffle 8. The door is here pivotable about a vertical axis a. A door 15 is arranged for closing the cooking space 14 at the front side.

A gap 16 is formed between the muffle 8 and the housing 2. The gap 16 has a gap region 17 above in the height direction (y-direction) of the cooking appliance 1. The gap 16 has a gap region 18 located below as viewed in the height direction. The upper gap region 17 extends in the height direction between the top wall 9 of the muffle 8 and the top wall 3 of the housing 2. A lower gap region 18 extends between the bottom wall 10 of the muffle 8 and the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2. In an embodiment, the cooking appliance 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 here in the gap 16, in particular in the upper gap region 17. The heating element 19 is here a resistive heating element. As is evident from fig. 1, the heating element is formed in the shape of a bar or rod. The strip or the rod is formed in a multi-bent or multi-wound manner. The heating element 19 is an upper heat-heating element or a grill heating element. In particular, the heating element is an upper heat and/or a barbecue 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 arranged in particular in the gap, preferably in the lower gap region 18. The heating element 20 is in particular a lower thermal heating element. The heating element can also be a lower heating and/or broiling heating element of the cooking appliance 1.

In an embodiment, the heating element 19 is arranged in the gap region 17 spaced apart from the top wall 9. The heating element is also arranged in particular spaced apart from the top wall 3 of the housing 2. The heating element 19 is formed with its main extension in the main extension plane. The main extension surface is particularly open in the width direction (x-direction) and the depth direction (z-direction) of the cooking appliance 1. The main extension surface can be flat or curved. The strip-like shape of the heating element 19, which has a curved shape, is thus laid to some extent in this horizontal main extension plane. In the exemplary embodiment, the heating element 19 is arranged at a distance from the wall 9, in particular from an outer side 9a of the wall 9 facing away from the cooking space 14, by a distance-keeping unit 21 (as shown in fig. 2) of the cooking appliance 1. In the embodiment, the distance holding unit 21 has a plurality of distance holding rods 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 29. The number and arrangement of these distance maintenance bars 22 to 29 should be understood only by way of example. These distance struts 22 to 29 are oriented at least in sections protruding from a main extension surface which is braced by the main dimension of the heating element 19 when viewed in size. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the distance struts 22 to 29 thus protrude downward from the main extension plane, in which main extension plane the main extension or main dimension of the heating element 19 is formed.

With this distance keeping unit 21, the heating element 19 is arranged to be placed on the muffle 8 from above. This means that the distance maintenance unit 21 is placed directly on the muffle 8. In an embodiment, the distance maintenance bars 22 to 29 can thus be placed with their cross section directly on the muffle 8.

In a further embodiment, as it is shown in fig. 2, at least one distance-keeping rod has a curvature at the end facing away from the heating element 19. Thus, a distance-keeping lever 22 having an end-side bent portion 22a is provided. The end-side curvature is coupled to the side of the further rod 22b facing away from the heating element 19 or to the facing away end. The curvature 22a is a placement coupling in the distance-keeping lever 22, with which the distance-keeping unit 21 is placed in particular directly on the side of the counter-coupling element of the cooking appliance 1 facing the heating element 19 for achieving the coupling of the set distance. As can be seen, in an exemplary embodiment, the curvature 22a is arranged at an angle of 85 ° and 95 °, in particular 90 °, to the further rod 22b which directly follows it. In the present embodiment, at least one additional distance maintaining lever is formed on the side of the distance maintaining unit 21 (here, the distance maintaining lever 25) in a curved portion 25a and a lever 25b as the distance maintaining lever 22, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, corresponding structures are also provided in the distance-keeping lever 26, which here likewise has a curvature 26a and a lever 26b. Correspondingly, in the embodiment, the distance maintaining lever 29 also has a bent portion 29a and a lever 29b immediately following it. As can be seen here, the bends 22a, 25a, 26a and 29a extend in the horizontal direction, in particular in the width direction with their longitudinal axes. In an embodiment, these bends are arranged in substantially four corner regions of the heating element 19.

Furthermore, a different distance holder is provided in the exemplary embodiment. The distance-keeping lever 23 then has, for example, a curved portion 23a on the end side as well. The bend is coupled to the side of the holding rod 23 facing away from the heating element 19 or to the end of the further rod 23b facing away. As can be seen here, the curvature 23a extends with its longitudinal axis in the depth direction (z-direction). Furthermore, it is provided that the curvature 23a is located deeper and thus farther from the heating element 19 than the curvature 22a of the holding rod 22, as seen in the height direction (y-direction). Also, in the embodiment, such a height dislocation of the bent portion 23a is also formed as compared to the bent portions 25a, 26a, and 29 a. In an embodiment, the distance maintenance lever 24 is configured according to the distance maintenance lever 23. There are also provided a bent portion 24a and a rod 24b. In a further embodiment, this is also provided in the distance maintenance lever 28. In the embodiment, the distance maintaining lever is also formed with a bent portion 28a and a lever 28b immediately following it. The same structure is also formed in the other embodiments by the curved portion 27a and the lever 27b of the distance maintaining lever 27. In particular, the curved portions 23a, 24a, 27a and 28a are arranged at the same or substantially the same height position. As can also be seen, the bends 23a and 24a extend with their longitudinal axes, seen in the depth direction. They face in particular towards each other. In the embodiment, the same applies to the bent portions 27a and 28a. In a further embodiment, it is also possible to connect the bends 23a and 24a and/or the bends 27a and 28a directly to one another. Whereby a continuous curved bar is formed, in fact, seen in the depth direction.

In the exemplary embodiment, by means of these bends 23a, 24a, 27a and 28a, respectively, a rear-engaging coupling is formed, with which the distance-keeping unit 21 is in a rear-engaging manner in particular directly against the side of the counter-coupling element of the cooking appliance 1 facing away from the heating element 19 for achieving the coupling of the set distance.

In the embodiment, the cooking appliance 1 has an attitude fixing element. The attitude fixing elements are here formed by attitude fixing levers 30, 31, 32 and 39. The numbers should be understood here only by way of example. In the exemplary embodiment, such an in particular straight posture fixing bar 39 is arranged directly at the underside of the heating element 19. In particular, a fixed connection between the position-fixing bars 30 to 32, 39 and the heating element 19 is formed here. A preferably releasable connection can be provided here. For example, a welded connection can be realized. As can be seen here, the attitude fixing bars 30, 31 and 39 extend over the entire width of the heating element 19. In the present exemplary embodiment, the further posture fixing element or the further posture fixing bar 32 is not formed over the entire width, but extends with a respective corresponding posture fixing bar section on opposite sides of the middle axis M. However, in an embodiment, the attitude fixing lever 32 can also be a single continuous lever, as this is shown in fig. 2. In this regard, the posture fixing bar 32 is not entirely straight, but is angled. This also results in the fixing of the position of the electrical, in particular rod-shaped, coupling elements 33, 34, 35 and 36. Here, part of the components of the attitude fixing lever 32 are directly arranged at the lower sides of these links 33 to 36.

In the exemplary embodiment, a distance-retaining lever is arranged at least one of the position-fixing levers 39, in particular at the opposite end. In particular, the distance-maintaining lever is integrally constructed with the posture-fixing lever. Thus, for example, the distance holders 22 and 26 are formed directly at the opposite ends of the position-fixing bar 39. Thereby a U-shaped carrier and a positioning rod are obtained.

In the embodiment, this can also be provided in the additional attitude determination bars 30, 31 and also 32 which are preferably present. Here too, distance holding rods 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 and 29, which are arranged in a bent manner relative to the position fixing rods 30 to 32 and are arranged opposite to this, are formed at the opposite ends, respectively, on the end side. Thereby also a rod rest is formed, on which the heating element 19 is placed.

The heating element 19 has in a preferred embodiment at least two heating section elements 37 and 38. The two heating section elements 27 and 38 are separate and independent of each other. The strip-shaped or rod-shaped and multiply curved first heating part element 37 then has two electrical connections 33 and 36. The second heating part element 38, which is likewise configured in a strip-like or rod-like manner and in a multiple-bending manner, has its own electrical couplings 34 and 35. As can be seen in the embodiment in fig. 2, the two heating part elements 37 and 38 extend in their curved shape in the main extension plane. The main extension surface can be a horizontal surface. In an embodiment, both heating part elements extend in the same main extension plane, which is open by the width direction and the depth direction of the cooking appliance 1. As can also be seen, in projection view onto the main extension plane, one heating sub-element is surrounded by the other heating sub-element. Here, it is provided that the first heating sub-element 37 surrounds the second heating sub-element 38 on the peripheral side as seen in the projection plane. The turns of one heating portion element 37 are spaced around the turns of the other heating portion element 38. The second heating part element 38 is enclosed in a frame-like manner in the main extension plane by the first heating part element.

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

As can also be seen, the first heating part element 37 has U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b. In this connection, they are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another with respect to the central axis M. These U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37a are arranged, as viewed in the depth direction, in particular overlapping the short H-shaped leg 38a and the connecting leg 38 c. In particular, no overlapping arrangement of the longer H-shaped leg 38b in this depth direction is provided here. However, in particular in this case, an overlapping arrangement is formed between the H-shaped leg 38b and the U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b in the width direction x-direction. These U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b do not overlap in particular with the shorter H-shaped leg 38a and the connecting leg 38c in the width direction. These U-shaped strip-shaped sections 37a and 37b are, in particular, the assembly or strip-shaped section of the first heating part element 37 closest to the shorter H-shaped leg 38a and the connecting leg 38c, seen in the width direction.

As can be seen in fig. 2, in a further exemplary embodiment, further strip-shaped sections 37c and 37d extending parallel thereto, in particular, are provided, which are connected to these U-shaped strip-shaped sections 37a and 37b, viewed in the width direction (x-direction). In an embodiment, these strip-shaped sections are thus each formed in a double U-shape. In an exemplary embodiment, at the sides of the U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b facing one another, for example, a multiply curved connection 37e of the first heating part element can be formed. The connection structure can in turn, as shown in fig. 2, have a multiplicity of U-shaped, in particular at least two, preferably three, U-shaped strip-shaped regions which are directly connected to one another, oriented in the depth direction. In particular, this can be five U-shaped regions alternately oriented with respect to one another, as is realized in fig. 2.

In a further embodiment of the heating element 19, as shown in the perspective illustration in fig. 3, the first heating part element 37 can be formed in other ways as in fig. 2 in the connection region of the U-shaped strip sections 37a and 37b facing one another. As can be seen in fig. 3, a straight strip 37f of the first heating section element 37 is formed on the front side and in a manner defining a strip shape. The straight strip then transitions into a curved U-shaped region. Instead of the U-shaped strip-shaped sections 37a and 37b, the U-shape of which is open on the side facing away from the electrical connections 33 to 36, a corresponding L-shape of the strip-shaped section thus occurs. Here, L-shaped strip sections 37g and 37h are then formed, respectively. In this connection, hollow L-shapes are each formed to some extent. It can also be seen in the embodiment in fig. 3 that the bends 23a and 24a are directly connected to one another here and thus an integrated lever is realized as a bend.

In fig. 4, a side view of the arrangement according to fig. 3 can be seen.

As can also be seen here, the already explained height offset between the bends 26a and 23a and between the bends 22a and 23a, which can be seen in fig. 4, can be seen along the height direction (y-direction). In particular, the height offset is such that the lower edge of the curve 26a lying higher is above the upper edge of the curve 28a, in particular at a distance. The same applies to the bends 22a and 23a and to the further bends shown by way of example in fig. 2 and 3. Thereby forming a gap between the lower side of the bent portion 26a at the higher position and the upper side of the bent portion 28a at the lower position. The gap is in particular dimensioned such that mating coupling elements of the cooking appliance 1 can be arranged between them. In particular, in the case of the other pairs of bends that are also present here (as can be seen in fig. 4 and in particular also in fig. 2), a corresponding height offset embodiment is formed.

As can also be seen in fig. 4, in an exemplary embodiment the distance-keeping bars 22 to 29 extend in the height direction over a height which is many times greater than the diameter of the strips of the heating element 19. The height of the distance holders 21 to 29 is preferably such that in the assembled state of the arrangement according to fig. 4 the underside of the heating element 19 is arranged in a contactless manner with respect to the outer side 9a of the top wall 9. In this connection, it is then preferable for the vertical distance between the outer side 9a and the underside of the heating element 19 to be between 0.8 and 0.5 times the thickness of the strip of the heating element 19, and/or for the heating element 19 to be arranged by the distance-keeping unit 21 relative to the adjacent wall, here the outer side 9a of the top wall 9, at a distance which is dimensioned in this respect in the height direction, which distance is between 0.3 and 0.7mm, in particular between 0.3 and 0.4 mm.

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the arrangement according to fig. 3 and 4. The values for the distance and the dimensions between the individual strip sections of the heating element 19 and/or the distance holding element and/or the posture fixing element are also shown here by way of example. In an embodiment, the heating element 19 has a strip diameter of between 6mm and 7mm, in particular between 6mm and 6.5 mm. In this embodiment, too, the attitude fixing lever 28 furthest from the electrical couplings 33 to 36 is not linearly but is angularly configured. As can be seen also in this projection view shown in the x-z-plane, in the present embodiment, the posture fixing lever 39 at the front as viewed in the depth direction and the posture fixing lever 32 at the rear nearest to the electric coupling section levers 33 to 36 extend further outward in the width direction than the posture fixing levers 30 and 31 more centered in the present embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment, the bars 26b, 29b, 22b and 25b are therefore also arranged offset further outward in the width direction than the other bars 23b, 24b, 27b and 28 b. Here again, hollow L-shaped sections 37h and 37g can be seen. They are framed in a manner indicated by dashed lines.

In fig. 6, a perspective partial illustration of the muffle 8 is shown in an exemplary embodiment together with the arrangement according to fig. 2. 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 8. The counter coupling element 40 is here a flange protruding from the outer side 8 a. Which flange is arranged offset downwards with respect to the top wall 9 as seen in the height direction. In an embodiment, the flange can be arranged at the outside of the side walls 12 and 13 of the muffle 8. The flange projects laterally in the width direction. In further embodiments, the flange can also be formed at the basin-shaped top wall 9.

As can be seen in fig. 6, the counter-coupling element 40 extends as a continuous web or strip. Which 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 at the outside of the rear wall 11 of the muffle 8 and protrudes rearward in this connection. As can be seen here, the distance-keeping unit 21 is placed with the upper bends 22a, 25a, 26a, 29a in the height direction on the upper side 40a of the counter-coupling element 40 or on the side facing the heating element 19. Furthermore, the bends 23a, 24a, 27a and 28a rest against the underside 40b of the counter-coupling element 40 or the side facing away from the heating element 19. The plurality of curved portions 22a to 29a thus surrounds the counterpart coupling element 40 on both sides. In an embodiment, the counter-coupling element 40 is thus arranged between the curved portions 22a to 29b, in particular in a clamped manner therein.

As can also be seen in this case, in the exemplary embodiment, the counter-coupling element 40 has particularly continuous recesses 40c and 40d (fig. 6), which are open in particular on the edge side. The rods 23b and 24b pass through these recesses from above, so that the bends 23a and 24a are arranged below the counter-coupling element 40. The bars 23b and 24b can be received in a precisely positioned manner by these recesses 40c and 40d which are open on the edge side. This improves the position of the distance holder unit 21 at the muffle, in particular at the mating coupling element 40, with respect to its fixed position. The arrangement of the carrier and the positioning lever in the width direction clips at the opposite sections of the counter coupling element 40 is likewise possible. The corresponding explanations (as already explained in fig. 6 with respect to the distance holders 22 to 25) also apply to the opposite distance holders 26 to 29. As can be seen in fig. 6, these bends 21a and 25a are placed as a placement coupling on this upper side 40a of the counter-coupling element 40 facing the heating element 19. The further bends 23a and 24a, as a back-engaging coupling, bear in a back-engaging manner from below against the facing away underside 40b of the counter-coupling element 40.

Also shown in fig. 6 is a muffle front flange 41. The muffle front flange covers the gap 16 on the front side. In the top view of fig. 5, the strip-shaped sections of the heating element 19, in particular of the heating section elements 37 and 38, which are shown in the exemplary embodiment, can also be seen here in the form of multiple bent or wound strips or rods.

The same applies to the further fig. 2, 3 and 6.

In fig. 7, a top view of the diagram in fig. 6 is shown. Here, it can also be seen that further recesses 40e and 40f of the counter coupling element 40 open on the edge side, through which the rods 27b and 28b of the distance holders 27 and 28 pass. In one embodiment, the heating element 19 is formed by at least two heating sub-elements 37 and 38, in which embodiment the two heating sub-elements 37 and 38 extend with their larger dimensions and thus with their main surfaces in a common main extension plane. As can also be seen in fig. 7, the heating element 19 is arranged within the surface dimensions of the top wall 9 in the projection view. This applies to the entire strip-shaped section of the heating element 19, except for the electrical couplings 33 to 36.

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

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

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

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

In particular, in the embodiment, the heating section element with the larger maximum heating power is the heating section element which is seen externally in the projection plane, here the first heating section element 37 in the present embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element 19 is configured with a surface density, which is greater on the edge side than in the center as seen in the projection plane.

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

In the exemplary embodiment, it is furthermore provided that the cooking appliance 1 has a temperature sensor 42, as is shown in fig. 7. The temperature sensor 42 is disposed outside the cooking space 14. The temperature sensor 42 is configured to detect the temperature of the heating element 19 and/or a wall of the muffle 8 adjacent to the heating element 19 (here the top wall 9). In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 42 is arranged in the gap region 17 and is arranged adjacently with respect to and between the two heating section elements. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 42 is arranged at the hottest location in operation. This relates in particular to the hottest position between the heating section elements 37 and 38. In particular, this relates to the hottest position of the wall of the muffle 8 (here the top wall 9), which is arranged adjacently with respect to the heating element (here the heating element 19). In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 42 can be arranged directly at the outer side 9 a. The temperature sensor is able to directly detect the temperature of the wall, here the top wall 9. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the temperature sensor 42 is arranged, in particular in the case of projection viewing, between the heating section elements 37 and 38. In particular, the temperature sensor is preferably arranged here in the projection view at the same or substantially the same, in particular the shortest distance, relative to the adjacent heating section elements 37 and 38. The temperature sensor 42 can be a PT-sensor, in particular PT500 or PT1000.

If the temperature sensor 42 is not arranged at the hottest location of the muffle 8, which is heated by the heating element 19 adjacent to the ceiling 9 here, it is preferably provided that a temperature deviation value is generated. 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 damaging the wall of the muffle) is smaller than can occur at the hottest point of this wall of the muffle. For example, it can be provided that a maximum permissible occurring temperature of 500 ℃ can occur at the hottest location of the wall adjacent to the heating element 19. If the temperature sensor 42 is then not arranged at this hottest position of the top wall 9, a corresponding temperature deviation value should be specified. The temperature deviation value can be, for example, 20 ℃ lower. However, this is only an embodiment, since such a deviation value depends on where the temperature sensor 42 is arranged and in this respect what lower temperature can occur in the operation of the heating element 9 than in the hottest position of the top wall 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 the two heating sub-elements 37 and 38, respectively, in particular at substantially the same distance from the closest region of the heating sub-element 37 and the other heating sub-element 38, as seen in the projection plane.

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

In an embodiment, a cooking appliance 1 can be realized in which the heating elements 19 are identically configured with respect to at least one electrical heating element parameter and/or with respect to 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. It is also possible that at least two heating sub-elements of the heating elements 20 and 19 respectively have the same maximum heating power, when the two heating elements 19, 20 respectively have the same number of different individual heating sub-elements 37 and 38 respectively. It is also possible that the heating section elements of the heating section elements 19, 20 have the same maximum heating power as the further heating section elements of the further heating elements 19, 20. The further heating sub-elements of the heating elements 19, 20 can then also have the same maximum heating power as the other further heating sub-elements of the further heating elements 19, 20 in further embodiments.

In an embodiment, the geometric heating element parameter can be, for example, a strip length of the heating element. The further geometric heating element parameter can be, for example, a strip length of at least one heating section element of the plurality of heating section elements of the heating element. Further geometric heating element parameters can be, for example, the strip-shaped form of the heating element and/or the dimensions of the heating element in the plane. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment, the heating element 18 configured as a lower heating body can also have a maximum heating power, as already explained above for the exemplary embodiment of the heating element 19 configured in particular as an upper heating and/or a barbecue heating body.

A further embodiment of the heating element 19 is shown in a perspective view in fig. 8. In this embodiment the electrical couplings 33 to 36 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the middle axis M. In addition, the shaping of at least two individual heating sub-elements 37 and 38 corresponds here to the embodiment in fig. 5. Fig. 8 also shows an alternative embodiment for the distance-keeping unit 21. The distance holding units are here not integrally connected with the posture fixing bars 39, 30, 31 and 32. Rather here the distance maintenance bars 22, 25, 26 and 29 are bars separate therefrom. These distance-keeping rods pass in the embodiment through suspension bends, of which only one embracing suspension portion 26c is shown in fig. 8 for clarity. Furthermore, the explanations already set forth for the other embodiments also apply to this embodiment.

Fig. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a muffle of a cooking appliance 1 in a simplified front view. In an 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. Additionally or alternatively, the thickness d2 of the side walls 12 and 13 can also differ 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 by a value between 0.2mm and 0.5mm, in particular between 0.25mm and 0.35mm, respectively, than the thickness d1 of the top wall 9. In an embodiment, the thickness d2 is between 0.4mm and 0.8mm, in particular between 0.4mm and 0.6 mm. In an embodiment, the thickness d3 of the bottom wall 10 is between 0.6mm and 1.0mm, in particular between 0.7mm and 0.9 mm. In an embodiment, the thickness d1 of the top wall 9 is between 0.6mm and 1.0mm, in particular between 0.7mm and 0.9 mm.

The muffle 8 is constructed in particular from 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 in some areas with an additional material at the outer side 8a facing away from the cooking space 14, which additional material has a heat resistance of up to 550 ℃, in particular up to 530 ℃. The material can be applied as a coating to the outside 8a of the muffle 8. The material can, for example, have an enamel which has a heat resistance of up to 550 ℃, in particular up to 530 ℃. In an embodiment, such additional material can also be applied at least locally at the inner side 8b of the muffle 8.

In addition, as in the schematic illustration according to fig. 9, it can also be provided in the exemplary embodiment that additional material can be applied at least in sections on the outside of the muffle 8. The additional material can be, for example, a coating 45. The coating 45 can have an enamel. In particular, it can be entirely enamel. In an embodiment, the coating 45 has a thickness at the outer side 8a of the muffle 8 of between 0.050mm and 0.100mm, in particular between 0.060mm and 0.080 mm, in particular 0.070 mm. Furthermore, a further coating 46 can be applied at least locally at the inner side 8b of the muffle 8. Here as well as an additional material. The base material can be a metal, in particular steel. In an embodiment, the coating 46 is formed with a layer thickness of between 0.100mm and 0.200mm, especially between 0.140mm and 0.160mm, especially 0.150 mm.

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

In the exemplary embodiment, at least one heat shielding unit 43 of the cooking appliance 1 is arranged in the gap 16, in particular in the gap region 17. In the embodiment, the heat shielding unit 43 is configured in a plate shape. The material of the heat shielding means 43 has, in particular, as the melting point, a temperature value which is greater than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element 19 which is likewise arranged in the gap part-region 17. In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit 43 has asbestos. In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit 43 is a mat composed of a fibrous material. In an embodiment, the heat shielding unit has a thickness a of between 12mm and 18mm, in particular between 14mm and 16 mm.

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

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance 1 has a separate heat insulation unit 44 with respect to the heat shielding unit 43. The thermal insulation unit is arranged in the gap 16, in particular in the gap part-region 17. In an embodiment, the thermal insulation unit is a mat composed of a fibrous material. In particular, the thermal insulation unit can have glass fibers or be composed of glass fibers. In an embodiment, the thermal insulation unit 44 has a thickness b. Thickness b is in particular greater than thickness a. The thickness b can be between 20mm and 30mm, in particular between 24mm and 26 mm. In particular, the material of the thermal insulation unit 44 is designed with a temperature value as the melting point that is lower than the maximum operating temperature of the heating element 19. In particular, the thermal insulation unit 44 is arranged only between the heating element 19 and the top wall 3 of the housing 2. The thermal insulation unit 44 is not arranged between the heating element 19 and the top wall 9 of the muffle 8. In particular, the thermal 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 thermal insulation unit 44, in particular glass fibers, can be arranged in the lower gap region 18. It can have a thickness d there of between 35mm and 45mm, in particular between 39mm and 41 mm. This is especially the case in the following cases, namely: no heat shield 43 is arranged in the lower gap region 18.

If in the exemplary embodiment a further heating element 20 is present, in particular as a lower heating and/or grilling heating body, a corresponding arrangement can also be arranged in the gap region 18, which arrangement has a heat shield unit 43 and/or a heat insulation unit 44 as already explained in fig. 9. The preferably present heat insulation unit 44 is here located between the preferably present heat shielding unit 43 and the bottom wall 4 of the housing 2.

As can be seen in the embodiment in fig. 10, the top wall 9 is uneven. Here, an arch-like arch is formed, in particular an upwardly directed arch. In an exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that the heating element 19 is also correspondingly curved or arched. Which can be adapted to the arch of the top wall 9. In an embodiment, as shown in the partial illustration of the cooking appliance 1 in fig. 11, the arch is such that the distance c between the highest position of the arch, as seen in the height direction, and the lowest position of the pot lid of the top wall 9 shown here can be between 10mm and 15mm, in particular between 11mm and 13mm, for example 12mm.

This spacing c is schematically indicated at 11. In addition or alternatively, a corresponding arch can also be formed at the bottom wall 10. In addition or alternatively, the lower heating body, which is preferably present in the form of the heating element 20, can also be correspondingly arched. However, this is an arch that bulges outward as viewed in the height direction.

In fig. 12, a partial region of the heating element 19 is shown in an enlarged view. In the embodiment shown, the position of the temperature sensor 42 of the cooking appliance 1 is shown. The temperature sensor is formed here, for example, in a tubular shape. The temperature sensors are arranged here at the same or substantially the same distance d and e from the nearest positions of the heating section elements 37 and 38 of the heating element 19, which are preferably present here. The heating element 19 is preferably shaped and configured such that the hottest position in the position shown in fig. 12 occurs at the adjacent wall of the muffle 8, here the top wall 9. Whereby temperature detection at the hottest point of the top wall 9 can be performed here to some extent with a temperature sensor 42. The hottest location is specified in operation by the heat distribution of the heating element 19.

Fig. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a muffle 8 of a cooking appliance 1 in an exploded view. In this exemplary embodiment, the muffle 8 is in particular modular. This also means in particular that the muffle 8 is formed from a plurality of individual, prefabricated module components which are then connected to one another by means of a connecting method after their own production, in particular after their respective final shape. In the embodiment shown here, the muffle 8 has a top wall 9 as a separate component for the preparation. In an embodiment, the bottom wall 10 is formed as a modular component as a prefabricated separate component. Furthermore, the front flange 41, which is preferably present, is prefabricated and provided as a separate module component of the muffle 8. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the integrated module member is formed by the side walls 12 and 13 and the rear wall 11. A U-shaped module component or U-module is thus provided for this purpose. As can be seen in fig. 13, the top wall 9 has a basin shape. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom wall 10 can also have a basin shape. The basin shape of the top wall 9 is formed by a plate-like basin cover 47. Furthermore, the top wall 9 has a basin flange 48 about its basin shape. The basin flange is arranged on the peripheral edge of the plate-shaped basin cover 47, in particular in the region of at least three sides of the four-sided basin cover 47. The basin flange forms a basin-shaped sidewall. As can also be seen, in addition, in the exemplary embodiment, a basin-shaped flange 49 can be provided. The flange 49 is a flange protruding from the bowl flange 48. Is a tab that protrudes outwardly and thus laterally. The flange 49 is formed at the edge of the basin flange 48 facing away from the basin cover 47. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment, the flange 49 is also a mating coupling element 40 or has the mating coupling element 40, as already explained above. In an embodiment, the basin-shaped top wall 9 preferably has a thickness d1 which has been explained with respect to fig. 9.

In an embodiment, the bottom wall 10 has a basin bottom 50. Further, the bottom wall 10 has a basin flange 51. In an exemplary embodiment, the flange 52 can also be embodied as an additional option. The flange can also have a mating coupling element 40 or a mating coupling element 40, respectively. The basin shape of the bottom wall 10 can be adapted to the basin shape of the top wall 9. In an embodiment, the top wall 9 can also be of the same construction as the bottom wall 10. In particular, the bowl cover 47 is provided with an arch-like arch, as already explained with respect to fig. 10 and 11. Additionally or alternatively, the basin bottom 50 can also be correspondingly arched. Furthermore, it is also shown in fig. 13 that in an embodiment the side walls 12 and/or 13 and/or the rear wall 11 can have embossments 53 and 54. This allows a personalized reinforcement of the wall itself in question. Whereby the entire muffle 8 is correspondingly more rigid in the assembled state.

In this case, the assembled state of the muffle 8 is shown in fig. 14. As can also be seen here, the side walls 12 and 13 and the rear wall 14 sink in the exemplary embodiment into the respective basin of the here in particular two basin-shaped component corresponding to the top wall 9 and the bottom wall 10. This means that this basin-shape of the top wall 9 extends horizontally more outwards in the width direction and in the depth direction than is the case by the position of the side walls 12 and 13 and the rear wall 11. In addition or alternatively, the same structure can be provided for the bottom wall 10, as can be seen in fig. 14. The stability of the muffle is again increased by this type of mounting and corresponding engagement with each other. In the embodiment, it is thus provided that the side walls 12 and/or 13 and/or the rear wall 11, viewed in the height direction, at least slightly sink into the basin shape of the top wall 9 and/or the basin shape of the bottom wall 10.

Furthermore, preferably releasable connections 55 are formed between the individual module parts, i.e. 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. Additionally or alternatively, further undetachable 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 the exemplary 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 by means of undetachable connections, in particular welded connections 57. In particular, the muffle 8 can be formed with thicknesses d1, d2 and d3 according to fig. 13 and 14, as already explained with respect to fig. 9. In an embodiment, coatings 45 and/or 46 can also be present here as an addition.

All of the embodiments described herein can each be considered as a component of the cooking appliance itself. It is also possible to combine several of the embodiments individually envisaged here and to realize further embodiments which should likewise be regarded as disclosed. The differently illustrated muffle 8 in the cooking appliance 1 can then be combined with correspondingly differently formed heating elements, for example. In particular, on the other hand the individually illustrated heating elements 19, 20 together with the different muffle can also be combined into a specific cooking appliance. In particular, all embodiments envisaged herein can also be implemented in a common embodiment of a cooking appliance.

In further embodiments, the cooking appliance 1 can have an operating device 58 (fig. 1). This operating device 58, which is shown symbolically in fig. 1, can also be arranged in some other way. The operating device can be arranged at the cooking appliance 1, for example at the door 15, however, or separately from the door, at an operating panel of the cooking appliance 1, for example present. Here, the operating device 58 can be fixedly installed at the cooking appliance 1. However, it is also possible that the operating device 58 is a separate component. The operating device can in this respect be a portable operating device 58. The operating device can also be a communication terminal, such as a mobile radio terminal device, for example. In this case, a system can also be realized which has at least one cooking appliance 1 and a separate and particularly portable operating device 58 of this type.

The heating element 19, in particular an upper heating and/or a broiling heating element, and the lower heating and/or broiling heating element, for example, realized by the heating element 20, are activated at least in one operating mode of the cooking appliance 1, in which 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. The signal relating to the operating device 58 can thus be transmitted to the control unit 59. The heating element 19 and/or the heating element 18 can then be operated correspondingly by a control unit 59, which can also be a control and/or regulating unit.

In this case, it is also possible for the two existing heating elements 18 and 19 to have, for example, the same maximum heating power. However, these heating elements can also have different maximum heating powers. By this possibility, namely: the actual heating power of at least one heating element 18, 19 is also set differently from the maximum heating power, resulting in a wide variety of combination possibilities and setting possibilities in order to provide a personalized total heating power of both heating elements when both heating elements are operating. Depending on the respective configuration of the actual heating power setting, it is then possible to either provide a greater actual heating power by the lower heat and/or grill heating element than the upper heat and/or grill heating element, or vice versa. In the exemplary embodiment, it is also possible here for at least one of the actual heating powers to be set by means of the operating device 58 as a percentage of the maximum heating power of the heating elements 19, 20. The actual heating power can thus be set at a specific discrete percentage level. In a further embodiment, it is also possible to set the actual heating power of the two heating elements 19, 20 in a percentage ratio relative to one another using the operating device. Here too, not only discrete values for this ratio can be realized, but also continuous settings can be realized in the respective embodiment. In this case, the operating device 58 can have corresponding operating elements and/or touch-sensitive operating areas. The operating device 58 can likewise additionally have a display unit, in particular a display. Where the corresponding settings can be displayed. In this case the values and/or the signs of the heating elements 19, 20 can be shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the actual heating power and/or the proportion and/or percentage of the actual heating power set can then be represented in terms of value and/or symbolically, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is also possible with the operating device 58 that, when at least one of the two heating elements 19 and/or 20 is formed from at least two individual heating sub-elements 37 and 38, a particular heating sub-element 37 and 38 can also be selected individually. The corresponding activation of the selected heating section elements 37 and 38 is then effected. Further embodiments are thus also conceivable in which in such a configuration the individual actual heating power of the entire heating element 19 or 20 can be selected. 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 chosen. In this case, three different discrete settings for the actual heating power of the heating element are then obtained in this embodiment.

List of reference numerals:

1 cooking appliance

2 Shell body

3 Roof wall

4 Bottom wall

5 Rear wall

6 Side wall

7 Side wall

8 Muffle furnace

8A outside

8B inner side

9 Top wall

10 Bottom wall

11 Rear wall

12 Side wall

13 Side wall

14 Cooking space

15 Doors

16 Gap

17 Gap region

18 Gap region

19 Heating element

20 Heating element

21 Distance keeping unit

22-29 Distance keeping rod

26C hanging part

22A-29a bends

22B-29b rod

30-Gesture fixing rod

31-Posture fixing rod

32 Gesture dead lever

33-36 Coupling

37 Heating part element

37A, b, c, d, e strip-shaped section

37F, g, h bar sections

37E connecting structure

38 Heating a portion of the element

38A, b H shaped leg

38C connecting leg

39 Gesture dead lever

40 Mating coupling element

40A upper side

40B underside

40C clearance part

40D clearance part

40E clearance part

40F clearance part

41 Muffle front flange

42 Door

43 Shielding unit

44 Insulation unit

45 Coating

46 Coating

47 Basin cover

48 Basin flange

49 Flange

50 Basin bottom

51 Basin flange

52 Flange

53 Embossing part

54 Impression portion

55 Connection

56 Weld joint

57 Welded connection

58 Operating device

59 Control unit

M intermediate axis

C spacing

D spacing

E spacing

In the x width direction

Y-height direction

Z depth direction.

Claims

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).