DE102010063485A1 - Cooking hob e.g. induction cooker hob, for e.g. baking oven, has switch relay connected with control device to actuate switch relay with main switch timing signal that corresponds to clock relay timing signals - Google Patents

Abstract

The hob (101) has two cooking areas (102, 103) connected with a main switch relay (104) and clock relays (105, 106). A control device(107) controls clock relay timing signals (S2, S3) of the clock relays. The switch relay is operably clocked and connected with the control device to actuate the switch relay with a main switch timing signal (S1) that corresponds to the clock relay timing signals. The cooking areas are connected with an outer conductor (L1) and a neutral conductor (N), where the switch relay and one of the clock relays are arranged at the outer and neutral conductors. The control device is designed as a central controller. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a cooking area of a cooking hob.

Description

The invention relates to a hob with at least one cooking point, wherein the cooking point is connected to a main switch relay and a clock relay and having a control device which is adapted to drive the clock relay with a clock relay clock signal. The invention further relates to a method for operating at least one cooking zone of a hob, each cooking station is operated clocked by means of a clock relay.

Nowadays common hobs typically have a main switch coupled to at least one (i.e., one or more) main switch relays. Depending on the structure of the hob, one or more cooking zones are connected to a main switch relay, each cooking point may have one or more radiators. The at least one main switch relay is switched on and off with actuation of the main switch. During operation of the hob, the at least one main switch relay is no longer switched. During operation of the cooktop, electrical power is supplied to the respective cooktop in a timed manner, wherein a higher power is set by longer switch-on cycles of the clock. This can be achieved in particular by means of a pulse width modulation. To implement the clocking each of the hotplates is electrically connected in series with a clock relay. The clock relay can be controlled by means of a control device. The control device controls the clock relay on the basis of a user input, for. As a cooking level or power level for a particular cooking area, or due to an expiring cooking program.

In this case, it is disadvantageous that, if the clock relay remains in its closed state ("gluing"), the hotplate heats up at full power despite a user-side switch-off when operating another hotplate (the main switch being switched on). To deactivate or switch off the hob, the main switch and thus the main switch relay must be opened.

The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above and in particular to specify a more reliable operation of a cooking surface of a hob.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

To solve the problem, a hob is proposed, comprising at least one hotplate, wherein the hotplate is connected to a main switch relay and a clock relay, and having a control device which is adapted to the clock relay with a clock signal ("clock relay clock signal") to control wherein the main switch relay is clocked operable and the control means is adapted to drive the main switch relay with a clock signal ("main switch clock signal"), which is tuned to the clock relay clock signal.

The main switch clock signal is thus in particular in a predetermined relationship to the clock relay clock signal, and the main switch clock signal and clock relay clock signal have time-overlapping on-periods or switch-on phases in particular during a clock. During the overlapping switch-on phases, both the main switch relay and the clock relay are closed, which allows a current to flow through the hotplate. By adjusting a period of overlapping switch-on phases, it is possible to set a power supply to the hotplate. If, however, the clock relay sticks in its closed position and consequently no longer reacts to the clock relay clock signal, then the relevant hotplate is deactivated (temporarily) when this hotplate is deactivated, since the main switch clock signal matched with the clock relay clock signal no longer shows a switch-on phase and therefore is open. In other words, the hotplate is driven by the clock of the main switch clock signal and is thus not permanently switched on. This results in the advantage that a deactivated hotplate is not simply switched on permanently even with an adhesive clock relay, which contributes to operational safety. Thus, the reliability is increased without additional switching elements (eg relays) are needed.

It should be noted that under a relay any electrically controllable switching element can be understood, for. As a mechanical relay or an electronic switch or relay, for example having at least one transistor, MOSFET, IGBT, etc.

The hob can be an independent hob or with a stove, oven in particular, combined hob, z. As a stove, his.

The hotplate, which may also be referred to as a cooktop, may include one or more radiators for generating heat at the hob. The cooking point may alternatively have at least one coil for generating an alternating magnetic field, for. B. for an induction hob or a transformer hob.

Each hob can be electrically connected in series with the main switch relay and the clock relay in particular.

In particular, the clock relay clock signal and the main switch clock signal may be digital signals and have respective switch-on phases during which the associated relay is closed and have switch-off phases during which the associated relay is open. The switch-on phase and the switch-off phase differ by their signal level. For example, the clock signal may have a comparatively high signal level ("high") during the switch-on phase, while the switch-off phase may have a comparatively low signal level ("low"). In particular, the clock signals may be generated based on pulse width modulation.

The main switch relays can be switched off by a, in particular manual, switching off the main switch.

The controller may include a microprocessor, ASIC, FPGA, etc. The control device can be designed as a central control device of the hob.

A further development is that the hob has a plurality of cooking zones, wherein at least two of the cooking zones are connected to a common main switch relay and these hotplates are connected to a respective clock relay. Each hob can in particular be connected in series with the common main switch relay and with the respective clock relay.

In particular, it is a development that the main switch clock signal at least substantially corresponds to an OR operation of the clock relay clock signals.

If several of the burners are connected to a common main switch relay, but to a respective clock relay, the main switch relay is essentially always closed when only one (or more) of the clock relay is driven by a clock relay clock signal which has a switch-on phase. The main switch relay is essentially only opened when none of the clock relay is activated or all clock relays are driven by a clock relay clock signal, which has no switch-on.

It is also a development that the main switch clock signal is synchronous with the OR operation of the at least one clock relay clock signal.

Furthermore, it is a further development that the main switch clock signal is time-delayed with respect to the clock relay clock signals, in particular leads and / or lags. This can avoid that both the main switch relay and the clock relay are switched under load or it is achieved that only that relay is switched under load, which is closed last. Thus, the life of at least the non-load relay can be extended overall.

Yet another embodiment is that the main switch clock signal with respect to the clock relay clock signals at a power-on (transition from a power-off phase to a power-up phase) leads ahead and at a power off (transition from a power-on phase to a power-off phase) lags. As a result, the main switch relay is not switched under load during both the switch-on and the switch-off, and thus particularly protected. Alternatively, the clock relay clock signals can lead the main switch clock signal at power up and lag the master switch clock signal when turned off

A further embodiment is that the main switch clock signal alternately leads and lags the clock relay clock signals. As a result, the relays can be switched alternately, in particular always alternately, under load and without load, which prolongs a service life of both relays in comparison with simultaneous switching. In particular, the clock relay and the main switch relay can switch under load alternately after n switching operations.

A next development is that the hotplate or its at least one radiator is connected to an outer conductor or a phase and a neutral conductor of a power supply, wherein the main switch relay is arranged on the outer conductor and the clock relay is arranged on the neutral conductor.

Yet another development consists in that the hotplate or its at least one radiator is connected to an outer conductor or a phase and to a neutral conductor of a power supply, wherein the main switch relay and the clock relay are arranged on the outer conductor. The neutral conductor is in particular without a relay interruption permanently to the other terminal of the radiator.

Yet another development is that the hob has a plurality of groups of the above-described arrangement (s), which are controlled in particular by the same control device. In particular, the groups may be interconnected by the number of hotplates and therewith Timing relay and / or differ by the outer conductor used.

The above object is also achieved by a method for operating at least one cooking zone of a hob, each cooking station is operated clocked by a clock relay, wherein a connected to the hotplate main switch relay is clocked to the clock relay operated.

The method gives the same advantages as the device described above and can be designed in particular analogously thereto.

Thus, it is an embodiment that the hob has a plurality of burners with a common main switch relay and the main switch relay is substantially turned on when at least one of the clock relay is turned on.

The object is also achieved by a method for operating a hob, wherein the hob has at least one cooking point, wherein the cooking point is connected to a main switch relay and a clock relay and wherein the clock relay is driven by a clock relay clock signal, wherein the main switch relay clocked is operated and the main switch relay is driven by a main switch clock signal, which is tuned to the clock relay clock signal.

The method gives the same advantages as the device and can be configured analogously.

Embodiments of the invention are shown and explained schematically with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent elements may have the same reference numerals for different embodiments.

1 shows a circuit diagram of a hob according to a first embodiment.

1 shows a circuit diagram of a hob 101 according to a first embodiment. The stove top 101 has two cooking zones 102 and 103 on, each having a radiator. The hotplates 102 and 103 each have two electrical connections I1 and I2, which may be, for example, electrical contacts of the radiator.

An outer conductor or phase L1 is via a main switch relay 104 with the first connection I1 of the hob 102 connected. The second connection I2 of the hob 102 is about a clock relay 105 connected to a neutral conductor N. Next is the outer conductor L1 via the main switch relay 104 with the first connection I1 of the hob 103 connected, and the second port I2 of the cooking area 103 is about a clock relay 106 connected to the neutral conductor N. The clock relay 105 . 106 and the main switch relay 104 be from a controller 107 driven. For controlling the main switch relay 104 is from the controller 107 a main switch clock signal S1 is output, for driving the clock relay 105 a clock relay clock signal S2 and for driving the clock relay 106 a clock relay clock signal S3.

The control device 107 is also with a control panel 108 connected, via which specifications of a user to operate the hobs 102 and 103 can be entered. The clock signals S1, S2 and S3 are used in particular for pulse width modulated control of the relay 104 . 105 respectively. 106 and thus can during a turn-on a constant first signal level ("high") and during a turn-off phase, a constant second signal level ("low"), z. B. zero, have. However, the hob is 101 not limited thereto and may, for example during a switch-on a lower first signal level ("low") and during a switch-off have a higher second signal level ("high"). In general, different polarities, signal levels and / or assignments of the signal levels of the clock signals S1, S2 and S3 are switching-on phases and switching-off phases of the relays 104 . 105 respectively. 106 possible. In particular, a different control of the main switch relay 104 on the one hand and the clock relay 105 . 106 on the other hand possible.

Before cooking, all cooking zones 102 . 103 turned off, and it is controlled by the controller 107 no clock signal S1, S2 or S3 output or the clock signals S1 to S3 are all on 'low'. During their off phase, the relays are 104 to 106 opened, so that no current can flow through them, the hotplates 102 . 103 are deactivated or de-energized.

At the beginning of a cooking process, a user poses via the control panel 108 a power level or cooking level for one or both of the hobs 102 and or 103 one. Alternatively, the power can be adjusted based on a cooking program. The control device 107 generates on the basis of the set cooking level (s) a clock relay clock signal S2 and / or a clock relay clock signal S3 with a cooking stage-dependent duration of the switch-on. To get a current through the cooking area (s) 102 and or 103 The main switch relay will also flow 104 controlled by the main switch clock signal S1, in such a way that the main switch clock signal S1 substantially always has a switch-on when at least one of the clock relay clock signals S2 and / or S3 has a switch-on. In other words, the main switch clock signal S1 corresponds to a logical OR operation of the clock relay clock signals S2 and S3. Is only one of the hotplates 102 or 103 activated, the main switch clock signal S1 substantially corresponds to the corresponding clock relay clock signal S2 or S3. The main switch relay 104 is thus essentially always closed, if only one of the clock relays 105 or 106 closed is. As a result, this corresponds to operation as if the main switch relay 104 permanently closed

An advantage over when the hob is switched on 101 permanently closed main switch relay 104 is now that if one of the clock relay 105 or 106 sticks, the associated cooking area 102 respectively. 103 is not operated at full power, but only with a power corresponding to the OR-linked clock relay clock signals S2 and S3. Is that the adhesive clock relay 105 or 106 associated cooking area 102 respectively. 103 switched off (ie, that their clock relay 105 respectively. 106 is not controlled), this hotplate is 102 respectively. 103 only with the clock signal S3 or S2 or the corresponding clock ratio of the other hob 103 or 102 operated. Especially when the hob is switched on 101 and equipped cooking rings 102 and 103 does not become one of the cooking zones 102 and 103 energized. This increases the reliability of the hob 101 ,

Since the main switch clock signal S1 corresponds to a logical OR of the clock relay clock signals S2 and S3, the main switch relay 104 in each cycle at the same time as the clock relay 105 and or 106 be turned on. The load of switching is on both the main switch relay 104 as well as on the clock relay 105 and or 106 ,

To increase a lifetime, the clock signals S1 to S3 from the controller 107 be issued to each other with a time delay. In particular, the main switch clock signal S1 may be leading or lagging the clock relay clock signal S2 and / or S3. In other words, the main switch clock signal S1 advances or retreats the clock relay clock signals S2 and S3, so that a load upon turning on of the current only from the lagging main switch relay 104 or alternatively from the lagging clock relays 105 and or 106 will be carried. With only one hotplate switched on 102 or 103 Accordingly, only the main switch clock signal S1 and the clock relay clock signal S2 or S3 are offset in time with each other.

To the relays 104 to 106 To relieve more uniform and so reduce a probability of failure, the clock signals S1 to S3 may be alternately offset in time in their order, z. B. randomly offset. So like the main switch relay 104 before the clock relay 105 and or 106 be closed and another time the clock relay 105 and or 106 in front of the main switch relay 104 ,

The arrangement shown can also be extended to more than two hotplates, z. B. on three, four or five hotplates.

The hob can also have a plurality of arrangements as described, which in particular by means of a common control device 107 are operable. These arrangements may differ in particular only by the number of hotplates and / or by the outer conductor or phase used, in particular, two or three outer conductors for power supply may be available, for. B. designated L1, L2 and L3.

However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

101

hob

102

cooking

103

cooking

104

Master switch relay

105

timing relay

106

timing relay

107

control device

108

Control panel

L1

outer conductor

I1

first connection

I2

second connection

N

neutral

S1

Main switch clock

S2

Clock relay clock signal

S3

Clock relay clock signal

Claims (10)

Hob ( 101 ), comprising at least one hotplate ( 102 . 103 ), wherein the cooking point ( 102 . 103 ) with a main switch relay ( 104 ) and with a clock relay ( 105 . 106 ), and comprising a control device ( 107 ), which is adapted to the clock relay ( 105 . 106 ) with a clock relay clock signal (S2, S3), characterized in that the main switch relay ( 104 ) is clocked and the control device ( 107 ) is adapted to the main switch relay ( 104 ) with a main switch clock signal (S1), which is tuned to the clock relay clock signal (S2, S3). Hob ( 101 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hob ( 101 ) several hotplates ( 102 . 103 ), wherein at least two of the hobs ( 102 . 103 ) with a common main switch relay ( 104 ) and these hotplates ( 102 . 103 ) with a respective clock relay ( 105 . 106 ) are connected. Hob ( 101 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main switch clock signal (S1) at least substantially corresponds to an OR operation of the clock relay clock signals (S2, S3). Hob ( 101 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the main switch clock signal (S1) is synchronous with the OR operation of the clock relay clock signals (S2, S3). Hob ( 101 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the main switch clock signal (S1) with respect to the clock relay clock signals (S2, S3) is time-offset, in particular leads and / or lags. Hob according to claim 5, characterized in that the main switch clock signal (S1) with respect to the clock relay clock signals (S2, S3) leads in a turn on and lags at a power off. Hob ( 101 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the main switch clock signal (S1) alternately leads and lags the clock relay clock signals (S2, S3). Hob ( 101 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hotplate ( 102 . 103 ) is connected to an outer conductor (L1) and to a neutral conductor (N), the main switch relay ( 104 ) is arranged on the outer conductor (L1) and the clock relay ( 105 ) is arranged on the neutral conductor (N). Method for operating at least one hotplate ( 102 . 103 ) of a hob ( 101 ), each cooking place ( 102 . 103 ) by means of a clock relay ( 105 . 106 ) is operated clocked, characterized in that one with the hotplate ( 102 . 103 ) connected main switch relay ( 104 ) to the clock relay ( 105 . 106 ) is operated clocked synchronized. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the hob ( 101 ) several hotplates ( 102 . 103 ) with a common main switch relay ( 104 ) and the main switch relay ( 104 ) is substantially switched on when at least one of the clock relays ( 105 . 106 ) is turned on.

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