EP0901309A2 - Power control device - Google Patents

Abstract

The power control device has a thermic release (24) for the electric hob switch (12), operated by an electrically operated control heating element, with a control device (53) coupled to sensors (55) for controlling the control heating element in response to detected conditions, e.g. the presence of a cooking vessel, or the maximum cooking duration. OF DLRAWING - The drawing shows a circuit diagram of the power control device for an electric cooking hob. Electric hob switch, 12. Control device, 53. Pan sensor, 55.

Description

APPLICATION AREA AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a power control device, in particular for electrical heating devices, with a thermal over electrical Control heating actuated trigger device for one therein included device switch by the trigger device is switchable. Such power control devices are, for example as clocking power control devices in electric cookers used.

As a rule, they serve to supply mains voltage to one Radiator to create an electric cooker, so that this Heating power generated. The heating power generated by the radiator is achieved by clocking the power control unit, by this, depending on the amount of a set Performance levels, on or in certain time intervals turns off. Furthermore, are in conventional electric stoves Pot detection sensors available, which the radiator one Switch off the active hotplate from which a saucepan is attached was removed. This does not result in an accident risk covered hot plates largely avoided and energy saved. For this shutdown of the radiator, however an electromagnetic relay used by one with the control connected to the pot sensors Switch off the mains voltage from the radiator. This solution is however disadvantageous since at least one relay per radiator is needed. There is also a separate power supply necessary for the relay, which further increases the effort. Are the hotplates with so-called dual-circuit radiators equipped, the effort for the relays increases further. Because the additional power supply is able must, if necessary, switch all relays simultaneously, With the number of relays, the effort for Power supply.

Another case in which a shutdown of the radiator may be desired is a performance-dependent maximum operating time. This means that depending on the amount of the Power control unit set power the hotplate is switched off after a certain maximum operating time, so that in the event of a long absence of a user or inadvertent operation of the hotplate, neither the pot together with the contents, the electric cooker is damaged by overheating can be. Also in the course of usual energy saving measures this makes sense.

TASK AND SOLUTION

The invention has for its object a cost-effective, reliable and simple solution for switching a To provide power control device that is effective and is diverse in application.

This task is done by means of tax change Control heating solved by external influence. Since the Control heating for actuating the triggering device of the Device switch, you get a kind of thermal relay. It becomes a new one compared to the usual power control units Function to influence the switch as desired.

The control means can include a controller, in particular low-current electronics and other components contain. In the control means or the control become the conditions for a change in tax heating checked. You can use sensors or detection means for Detection of various operating states of the power control device device supplied with electrical energy or other external conditions.

The control means can be used for a pot detection function Pot detection means can be connected to one of the Power control device supplied with electrical power Radiators are assigned to detect a patch Pot, especially one provided for this radiator Pot size. The pot detection means can be one or multi-winded pot detection coil can be designed that pot size detection enables. This is mostly at so-called dual-circuit heaters, which operate a enable small or large pots on a hob, advantageous. The pot detection means are preferred directly connected to the control. The radiator can be of any kind, it only has to be for one Control with a power control device according to the Have control of the prior art or the invention.

It is advantageous if the control means for detecting the Height of a power level of the radiator from the Power control device supplied power are formed. This can be advantageous by time evaluation of the created Voltage signals and / or the clock rate take place. This is especially with a clocking power control unit from Advantage that has a relative duty cycle ED from the ratio of the time in the on State for the entire period. The connection this can be done directly at the connection of the radiator be performed, which is connected to the device switch. Out the resulting voltage signal can easily Way the operating state of the radiator and about the Time evaluation determines the level of the performance level become.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control means contain Switching means, usually as a semiconductor switch or the like are executed. These can be low Control voltages and currents can be controlled.

The external influence is preferably dependent on the Detection of a pot, its size and / or the level of the power level supplied to the radiator Power. Thus, the power control device in the manner of a Thermal relay affected depending on the above factors become. In particular, it can remove the pot can be switched off if the pot is not sufficiently covered or when placing a pot that is too small on a hotplate with two-circuit heating, the pot being used for this falls below the intended minimum size.

The control heater can be changed by the control or the switching means of the control with contact means, preferably in the form of contact springs.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Control means the tax heating by increasing yours supplied electrical power or heating power. A Increasing can be done via the switching means. To this One way is to switch the device switch of the power control device can be brought about in a targeted and quick manner. By an increase in the applied heating power will be compared to a power control device according to the state of the Technology no significant changes or additions to the mechanical Construction necessary.

It is considered favorable if the trigger device at least one bimetal element and as control heating has at least one heating device. The warms up Control heating after application of electrical power the bimetal element, which is used to switch the device switch deformed. The control heater can be on the side of the bimetallic element can be arranged, the larger Has expansion coefficient. It is also possible that Control heating the bimetal element at least partially to perform surrounding. In normal operation, it can run in parallel to the radiator switched by the power control device are on the supply voltage, with a switching clock is preferably dependent on the position of the device switch.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Tripping device on an additional heater that forms part of the control heating. It works with electrical, in particular from tax funds, Power applied in addition to the regular heating device on the bimetal and contributes to its deformation at. In this way it is possible to increase the Control heating by the additional heating device too achieve, and for example a consequent of the control means controlled shutdown of the radiator.

According to another way of designing the invention the trigger device has a single heating resistor on. The control means can the resistance value by additional contacting or partial bridging by means of the contact and switching means change, with the heating resistor due to this change an increased heating capacity generated, in particular by increased current flow at a constant applied voltage.

The heating device can be a flat, in particular elongated, Heating resistor, especially a thick film resistor, be on a support that is at least partially through the contact means is contacted. This makes it possible for example a part or section of the heating resistor short circuit to achieve a higher current flow, the an increase in heat development and thus the heating output has the consequence. Shorting can be done easily by an additional contact spring or the like directly to the flat resistance or one with a point or Section connected in the area of the heating resistor Contact field. A carrier can either be made of insulating Ceramic material or metal, the one Has insulating layer for heating resistors. Are suitable so-called thick-layer steels, e.g. a stainless steel 1.4016. A Metallic carrier can be used to make contact with a heating resistor to serve.

An additional resistance on the carrier, for example with insulation, on the opposite Page may be provided. But it is also possible an additional carrier with one attached to it Provide thick film resistance. If the heating resistor from a heating wire or the like wound around a support can be formed in a similar manner as above Tapped by an additional contact spring or the like at any point, such as a Sliding resistance.

Mechanical are preferred in the power control unit Locking means provided by actuation by the triggering device switch, in particular the Switch contact, automatic and independent of the triggering device hold and / or lock in a switch position. This will turn off the heater after it has been completed Locking possible, reducing both energy consumption as well as wear can be reduced. The preferred Switch position is an open device switch.

The locking means can be actuated, in particular deactivated by turning back an actuator and the device switch, especially the switch contact, release for switching again. The actuator can be a commonly used rotary knob for Power control devices that are on the same axis as one Adjustment device for the performance level sits. A through possible malfunctions in the control means Switching on again by the electronics becomes impossible made. Once the locking means is activated they can only be accessed by the user can be deactivated, manually. That way a kind of automatic control of the electric stove by the User after a shutdown due to an illegal Operating status reached.

The control means preferably have a time delay element, whose time delay particularly depends on the amount of Power levels of the power applied to the radiator is dependent. So it is possible, for example, after Detect an absence of a saucepan on a hotplate that Switch off after a few seconds. This is This is particularly advantageous if a pot is only for a short time has been moved or removed. The user can use the pot set up again before switching off.

The time delay can limit the maximum operating time depending on the level of performance, so that with continuous operation of the hotplate itself with the Pot after a period depending on the set output from about one to twelve hours. It can one assume that a high-powered one The hotplate is normally not operated for more than an hour shall be. Operations such as boiling down take place at a much lower power, need much more longer. Here, an automatic switch-off is only later take place in order to achieve the desired by a user Operating state not to be interrupted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control of several, in particular four, power control devices for each heating of a cooking area of an electric cooker are connected, the switching and the Contact means as well as an optional pot detection for each Power control unit are available. In this way the Effort for a with power control devices according to the invention equipped electric stove to a minimum.

Furthermore, it is possible to have a temporary or permanent one A user switches off a hotplate by a signal display, either optically or acoustically. Signals can either the affected hotplate or the whole Cooking hob must be assigned.

To improve the setting accuracy in the lower and upper performance range and to reduce a cracking rate in the The device switch can operate in the medium power range variable contact distance between switching and counter contact exhibit.

The invention is despite the description for electric stoves a variety of electrical heating devices generally applicable.

The device switch preferably has to optimize the Switching operations a snap element carrying the switching contact, especially a snap spring with a striking fork, on. This allows the switching operations of the snap element in both directions can be carried out particularly quickly and annoying contact erosion or sticking of the contacts and Radio interference is reduced or avoided.

These and other features of the invention go beyond those of Claims also from the description and the drawings , the individual features each individually or more in the form of sub-combinations in one Embodiment of the invention and in other fields be realized and advantageous as well as protectable Can represent designs for which protection here is claimed. The division of the registration into individual Sections and sub-headings limit the below these statements made in their general validity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine Innenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Leistungssteuergeräts mit einer Heizeinrichtung für eine Auslösevorrichtung eines Geräteschalters;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf eine Heizeinrichtung, die aus einem Träger mit zwei darauf befindlichen und durch Kontaktfedern kontaktierten Heizwiderständen besteht;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf eine Heizeinrichtung mit einem darauf angebrachten länglichen Heizwiderstand, der sowohl an beiden Enden als auch etwa in seiner Mitte kontaktiert ist;

Fig. 4

ein Prinzipschaltbild zur Ansteuerung eines Heizkörpers mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Leistungssteuergerät, Steuermitteln und Topferkennungsmitteln, wobei die Steuerbeheizung durch eine Heizeinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 2 gebildet wird und

Fig. 5

ein Prinzipschaltbild entsprechend dem aus der Fig. 4, bei dem allerdings die Steuerbeheizung durch eine Heizeinrichtung entsprechend der Fig. 3 gebildet wird.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings:

Fig. 1

an interior view of a power control device according to the invention with a heating device for a triggering device of a device switch;

Fig. 2

a plan view of a heating device, which consists of a carrier with two heating resistors located thereon and contacted by contact springs;

Fig. 3

a plan view of a heater with an elongated heating resistor mounted thereon, which is contacted both at both ends and approximately in the middle;

Fig. 4

a basic circuit diagram for controlling a radiator with a power control device according to the invention, control means and pot detection means, the control heating being formed by a heating device according to FIG. 2 and

Fig. 5

a basic circuit diagram corresponding to that of FIG. 4, but in which the control heating is formed by a heating device according to FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 is an internal view of a clocking Power control device 11 shown for electric heaters. It has a device switch 12 which one closes contact. This contact consists of one fixed counter contact 14 and a switching contact 15, the is attached to the device switch 12. The switch contact 15 is a commonly used dome-shaped contact head, which is fixed by riveting.

The switch contact 15 is elongated at one end bistable snap spring 16 attached and protrudes on both Pages about this about. The snap spring 16 has two elongated hairpin-shaped legs 22 on your at the Switch contact 15 opposite end 17 merged are attached to a carrier 18. Between the legs 22 the snap spring 16 runs a snap bracket 19, the near the end of the Schanppfeder carrying the switch contact 15 bent upwards in the direction of the free end 17, and there curved upward under tension standing against an abutment 20 is applied. This Abutment is attached to a support plate 21 and is preferably from part of the also on the support plate 21st attached bracket 18 formed. The function of the device switch In principle, 12 looks like this:

Is the point at which the snap bracket 19 on the Abutment 20 abuts above the level of the two hairpin-shaped Leg 22 of the snap spring 16, is located the snap spring in a first position. The Switch contact 15 pressed against the counter contact 14. Now exerted pressure on the free end 17 of the snap spring 16 and this deflected downward according to FIG. 1 approaches the switching point of the system of the snap bracket 19 in Abutment 20 of the level of the legs 22 movable leg 22 of the spring 16 under the the fixed position of the support plate 21 fixed switching point pressed, the snap spring snaps and the Device switch switches. That means that the switch contact 15 load-bearing end of the snap spring 16 through the snap bracket 19 is suddenly bent downwards. To this The switching contact 15 is no longer on the mating contact 14 on, and the contact or device switch 12 is in opened in a second position.

The switching process of the device switch 12 is triggered by an actuator in the form of a downward bent Bimetal elements 24. It lies with one of the device switches facing top, which is essentially rectilinear runs, on a heater 25 or the like. With the free end, which is bent like a hook, that lies Bimetallic element 24 at the free end 17 of the snap spring 16. The bimetal element 24 and the heating device 25 form in FIG this case essentially the triggering device for the Device switch 12.

It is the combination of the two metals that creates the bimetal effect cause so chosen that the metal with the larger coefficients of expansion on that on the heater 25 adjacent side of the bimetallic element 24. The Heating device 25 is together with the bimetal element 24 in a bracket 26 held on the housing of the power control unit 11 is resiliently attached. The bracket 26 forms part of the contacting for the heater 25. Are for further contact a main contact spring 28 and an additional contact spring 29 provided, each with one end of the heating device Contact 25, and preferably through their other end are connected to a power supply. The contact springs 28 and 29 are on a cylindrical main projection 31 or a cylindrical additional projection 32 mounted and / or supported.

The heater 25 is only when the contact is closed between the switching contact 15 and the counter contact 14 of Current flowed through, as did the parallel one Electric heater, see Fig. 4 and 5. It heats up Heating device 25, the bimetallic element 24, its shape changed and by an increasing curvature towards the Snap spring 16 presses on its free end 17. After expiration a certain time given by an increase in Heat development in the heating device 25 and / or the Change in shape of the bimetallic element 24 is the free end 17 the snap spring 16 pressed so far that the Leg 22 is below the switch point, whereupon the snap spring snaps and the switch contact 15 of the Counter contact 14 releases. At the same time, the power supply to the heater 25 and the electric heater interrupted, and as the cooling begins, it wanders Bimetal element 24 again in the direction of its starting position back. If the changeover point is exceeded during the Wandering back, the snap spring 16 snaps back again, the switch contact 15 is again on the counter contact 14 and the heating process starts again.

To change the adjustable one desired by an operator Power must be the power supply for the electric heater be clocked, because on the electric heater in general Mains voltage is present and the performance is not directly changed can be. That means that during a certain Time interval the switched voltage on the electrical heating device is present, and during a certain one of them independent time interval, no voltage is present. The The sum of these two times results in a period. The Times depend on the way that the free one End 17 must travel until the snap spring 16 snaps and the device switch 12 switches.

A change in this path length is known achieved that the support plate 21, the snap spring 16th carries, against the outer radius of a cam 34, which an axis 35 sits, is pressed elastically. On this Axis 35 is at its front end after installation a rotary knob, not shown, in an electric cooker forms an actuator for the power control unit 11.

By turning the axis 35 lies depending on the set Position the support plate 21 at another location on the Outer circumference of the cam disc 34, and depending on the radius the disc at this point is the support plate and thus the snap spring 16 in a certain position to the Bimetallic element 24. For a low level of performance is the Radius large, whereby the device switch 12 is close to the Tripping device is located. The bimetallic element 24 only has to cover a short distance to switch the device switch. However, if a high level of performance is set, the radius is small and the device switch has one larger distance from the trigger device. So must the bimetallic element 24 has a larger path (corresponds to larger Time) to switch the device switch 12 to switch. The setting in FIG. 1 corresponds to one medium performance level.

The top view of the heater 25 in FIG. 2 is their structure and connection can be clearly seen. On one Ceramic carrier 37 is a connection contact field on the left side 38 applied on the right side in the lower Half a main contact pad 39 and one in the top half Additional contact field 40. Starting from the connection contact field 38 run two elongated thick film resistors as Heating resistors to contact fields 39 and 40 on the right side. These are one to the main contact field 39 running main heating resistor 41 and one to the additional contact field 40 running additional heating resistor 42. The contact fields 38, 39 and 40 consist of one usually in the Thick film technology used for contact fields metal alloy, while the thick film resistors 41 and 42 are off specially coordinated for this purpose and definitely different resistance alloys can exist. There the thick film resistors according to the contact fields on the Ceramic carrier 37 are applied is a very good one You can contact them via the contact fields.

With its left end, the ceramic carrier 37 is in the Bracket 26 held in a manner not described in detail. Here, a downward-reaching contact tongue 44 contacted the contact pad 38 via the bracket 26. The further contact is made on the one hand by the main contact spring 28, which is mounted on the main projection 31 and rests against the main contact pad 39 in an elastically pressed manner. It is in a manner not shown with a connection option connected. The additional contact spring also contacts 29 the additional heating resistor 42 via the additional contact field 40. It is mounted on the additional projection 32 and in a manner not shown with a connection option connected. The connection options can either over the free ends of the springs. As well it is also possible to make the projections 31 and 32 conductive to carry out, and to make contact via them. For example, they can be designed as metal parts, at the other end in connector lugs or plugs pass and through appropriate recesses in the housing of the power control unit 11 are pressed.

In Fig. 3, a heater 25 is shown, the used instead of that of Fig. 2 in a power control device can be. The ceramic carrier 37 also has the left side the contact pad 38 and on the right the main contact field 39. From the connector pad 38 runs a thick film resistor 45 to the Main contact field 39. It runs approximately in the middle a contact bridge 46 leading to one above the main contact field 39 applied additional contact field 40 passes. The thick-film resistor can thus be applied via this additional contact field 40 45 contacted at the location of the contact bridge 46 become. Thus, the contact bridge 46 divides it in half, namely in a main part resistor 48 in the left section and a sub-section resistor 49 in the right section. At a contact through the connector pad 38 and the Main contact spring 28 are the main part resistor 48 and the Secondary resistor 49 connected in series. When contacting to the connection contact field 38 and the additional contact spring 29 on the other hand, you only have the main part resistance 48.

As in FIG. 2, the ceramic carrier 37 is with its left end held in the bracket 26, again the Contact tongue 44 contacts the contact pad 38.

Fig. 4 shows the basic connection of a radiator 51 of an electric heating device via an inventive Power control unit 11 at two voltage connections P1 and P2, which preferably have mains voltage. Here is the Connection of the radiator 51 to P1 by the device switch 12 interrupted and can be closed or opened by switching become. The other connection of the radiator 51 is permanently at connection P2.

The device switch 12 is by the trigger device operated here by a heater 25 accordingly 2 is shown. This consists, as in FIG. 2 shown, from a main heating resistor 41 and one Additional heating resistor 42. The main heating resistor is located here 41 parallel to the radiator 51. In the power control unit 11 may be further switching contacts that regardless of the device switch 12 or simultaneously with him can be operated by the trigger device. The is shown by the open representation of the Power control unit clarifies.

A control 53 is also shown as the control means, which contains, among other things, low-current electronics 54. On this is a pot detection sensor 55 as a pot detection means connected, which is assigned to the radiator 51. over a signal line 56 is the low-current electronics 54 the connector of the radiator 51 connected to the connector P1 can be closed.

There is also a switch S1 and a switch S2, which are formed by electronic switches. Here is the switch S1 with the connection P1 and the switch S2 connected to terminal P2. The switches are operated S1 and S2 through the low-current electronics 54. Preferred semiconductor switches are used, for example triac's or transistors. The switches S1 and S2 are on their other connection connected to each other and via a connecting line 57 connected to the additional heating resistor 42. In low-current electronics, among other things, a Microprocessor included by special programming a desired operation of the power control device can effect.

For the power supply of the low-current electronics is in the Controller 53 contain a power supply 58, which by a series resistor, a zener diode matching the desired one Contains voltage and a capacitor.

The arrangement in Fig. 5 corresponds essentially to that of Fig. 4, but here the heater 25 is corresponding 3 executed. The controller 53 has only that Switch S1 open. The thick-film resistor is connected via the connecting line 57 45 of the heating device 25 approximately in the middle contacted, and so according to FIG. 3 in the main part resistance 48 and the secondary resistor 49 divided.

FUNCTION

In principle, the function of the power control device according to the invention regardless of the heater design 25 equal. That is why it becomes general in the following described, and in detail will depend on the differences Execution of the heating device received.

By operating a rotary toggle on the axis 35 a desired performance level is set and accordingly is the device switch 12 in a certain Position to the trigger device. The switch contact 15 bears on the mating contact 14, so both are Radiator 51 and the heater 25 at least partly on the mains voltage via connections P1 and P2 on. The radiator 51 is powered and sets the Cooking area in operation. The heater 25 is also flowed through by electricity and developed heat. In individual cases is that either the main heating resistor 41 or the series connection from main part resistance 48 and secondary part resistance 49. Due to the development of heat, they act on the bimetal element 24 one that starts on the device switch 12 act. Depending on the position of the device switch will switch device switch 12 after a certain time and open the contact. Thus, neither radiators 51 still the heater 25 continues to flow through electricity.

A switch-off process that takes place independently of the clocking by changing the control heating can be divided into two cases become.

1. The device switch is closed:

Switching off can be done either by removing the pot from the hotplate or by exceeding the maximum operating time (depending on the set performance level) to be triggered. If one of these two cases exists, the low power electronics 54 decides that shutdown shall be. The switched-on state of the device switch 12 recognizes the controller 53 via the signal line 56 on the when the device switch is closed, the voltage signal from P1 is present, but not when open.

Thereupon she opens the switch S2, and thus puts on the Connection line 57 also the additional heating resistor 42 the connections P1 and P2 to mains voltage. Through this additional Heat development becomes the bimetal element 24 essential deformed faster and can thus be adjusted with an Switch device switch 12 after a delay. Via the signal line 56, the controller 53 recognizes that the device switch 12 is open, whereupon the switch S2 is open and there then switch S1 is closed. This will the main heating resistor 41 and the additional heating resistor 42 in Connected in series and via the connections P1 and P2 to mains voltage placed. This leads to a permanent thermal opening performance for the device switch by the permanent deformed bimetallic element 24, which is only on command from the Control 53 is removed again.

To avoid overloading the heating device 25 and Locking means, not shown, can save energy lock the device switch in the open position. This can be in contrast to the normal opening of the device switch 12 done by the bimetallic element 24 that the additional heating power the bimetal element is deformed even further and thereby the locking means activated. Thereafter, the controller 53 can also switch S1 open, and the device switch 12 remains open.

2. The device switch is open:

The low power electronics 54 decides that shutdown to be recognized by the signal line 56 that the Device switch 12 just during the opening period in the open position. As a result, the switch S1 becomes equal closed, and thereby either the device switch permanently kept open or, as described above, the locking means activated. This case is for both arrangements from Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 exactly the same. With the arrangement accordingly Fig. 5, the switch S1 is closed, the Secondary resistance 49 bridges and only the main resistance 48 to the mains voltage. This will increase the heat increased according to the invention.

As mentioned above, the heater 51 may turn off triggered by removing the pot from the hotplate become. It is possible to switch off the maximum operating time to provide. The level of a set performance level recognizes the low-current electronics 54 via the radiator 51 connected signal line 56, or via the Duration of the on or off State of the device switch 12 Controller 53 determine the maximum operating time after which it causes a shutdown. In the controller 53 microprocessor can be programmed A number of other situations are given that a Switching off should result.

A power control device according to the invention can be equipped with two-circuit heaters be used.

The fact that the structure of the heater 25 of the external dimensions and the contact via the main contact spring 28 a heating device according to the prior art corresponds and the manufacture of those shown in Figs. 2 and 3 Heating devices requires only a little additional effort, can the invention in electric stoves without pot detection function be used. The additional contact About the additional contact spring 29 is simply omitted.

The design of the resistors 41, 42 or 48 and 49 can can be varied in a very wide range to a desired one To achieve function.

Claims (16)

Power control device, in particular for electrical heating devices, with a thermal via electrical control heating actuated trigger device for one therein included device switch (12) by the trigger device is switchable, characterized by control means to change the control heating by external Influencing. Power control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means on sensors or detection means for the detection of different operating states, especially the electric heater are. Power control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized characterized in that the control means on pot detection means (55) are connected, one of which Power control device (11) with electrical power supplied radiator (51) to detect a patch Pot, especially one for this radiator intended pot size, are assigned. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the control means to detect a level of a performance level of a radiator (51) from the power control device (11) electrical power supplied, in particular by temporal evaluation of applied voltage signals and / or a clock rate. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the control means Switching means, in particular semiconductor switches (S1, S2), which have an energy supply (P1, P2) are connected. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the external Influencing depends on the recognition of a patch Pot, the size and / or height of one Power levels supplied by a radiator (51) electrical power. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the control means, especially to the switching means, additional Contact means, in particular contact springs (28, 29), are connected to change the control heating by the control means, preferably by increasing the Actuation of the control heating with electrical Performance, in particular the increase over the Switching means takes place. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the Tripping device at least one bimetallic element (24) and as a control heater at least one heater (25), the control heating after application with electrical power the bimetal element warmed, and this turns the device switch (12) deformed. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the triggering device has an additional heating device (42), which forms part of the control heating and with electrical, in particular supplied by the control means, Power applied to the bimetallic element (24) acts. Power control device according to claim 8, characterized in that the trigger device is a single Has heating resistor (45) and the control means Resistance value of the heating resistor through additional contacting (46) or partial bridging using the Change contact means and the switching means, the Heating resistor through this change an increased heating capacity generated, especially by increased current flow at a constant applied voltage. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a heating device a flat, especially elongated, Heating resistor is, in particular a thick film resistor (41, 42, 45) on a carrier (37), preferably a ceramic support, the heating resistor at least is partially contacted by the contact means. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized by locking means, in particular mechanical locking means by Actuation by the triggering device switch (12), in particular a switch contact attached to it (15), automatically and independently of the triggering device hold in a switch position and / or lock. Power control device according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking means by actuation in particular by turning back an actuator can be deactivated and the device switch (12), especially the switch contact (15), for a new one Enable switching. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the control means have a time delay element, the time delay in particular on the level of performance of one Radiator (51) supplied electrical power is dependent. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the control means for connecting at least two, especially four, Power control devices (11) for one hotplate each an electric cooker are formed, each for Power control device separate switching means and contact means and / or pot detection means (55) are present are. Power control device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the device switch (12) a variable contact distance between one Switch contact (15) and a counter contact (14) for Improve the setting accuracy in the lower and upper performance range and to reduce a cracking rate in the medium performance range.

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