EP1556651B1 - Actuation device for a cooking appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention is based on an actuating device for a cooking hob according to the preamble of claim 1.

The DE 198 54 576 A1 describes an actuating device for a hob with four burners, each hob is associated with an actuating element in the form of a conical control stick. Each joystick has on its underside a convex shaped extension, below which a matrix of position sensors is arranged. By means of the position sensors actuation modes of the joystick are sensible, which include the selection of the hotplate, the setting of the heating level, the activation of the selected hotplate and the deactivation of the selected hotplate. In addition, it can be sensed by means of the position sensors whether a specific cooking function, for example the cooking function "frying", "cooking" or "heating" is selected.

The EP 0 448 005 A1 describes an operating device for electronically controlled household appliances, such as a microwave oven. The operating device is designed as a multi-function switch, which comprises a rotary selector switch and a rotary knob, wherein the rotary selector switch is arranged concentrically around the rotary knob. By means of the rotary selector switch, power levels can be selected, or an additional radiator can be switched on. The rotary knob is used to set a time or temperature at which the selected heating is switched off. By pressing the pressure switch different functions can be set, for example, a so-called quick start can be performed.

The DE 196 45 907 A1 describes a cooking zone with two control panels for operating four cooking zones. In a first control panel ten actuating sensors for adjusting the cooking stages are arranged semicircular. The other control panel is used to select the hotplate to be operated.

From the EP 0 962 707 A2 an actuator for a hob with four burners is known. The actuating device comprises an actuating element with a associated sensor unit, via the types of actuation of the actuating element for selecting the hotplates and for setting a heating level of each selected cooking point are sensed. To select one of the hotplates designed as Kippknebel actuating element is tilted from its initial position in the direction of the selected cooking area in a selection position. To set and activate a heating level of the selected hotplate, the actuator is rotated in the selection position. After releasing the actuator this is returned by a restoring force to its original position. To deactivate the selected and activated hotplate, the actuator is rotated in its initial position counterclockwise.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a generic actuator to achieve increased ease of use of a cooktop. The object is achieved by the features of claim 1, while advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention can be taken from the dependent claims.

The invention is based on an actuating device for a cooktop with at least two cooking zones, which has at least one actuating element with an associated sensor unit, via the types of actuation of the actuating element for selecting the hotplates, setting a heating level and activating the respective selected cooking position and for deactivating the selected and activated hotplate are sensible.

It is proposed that at least one further type of actuation of the actuating element can be sensed via the sensor unit in addition to the types of actuation for selecting the cooking zones, setting a heating level and activating the respective selected cooking position and for deactivating the selected and activated cooking zone. Advantageously, further functions can be clearly integrated into the actuating element, encompassing and actuation of a further actuating element can be at least largely avoided, operating convenience can be increased and additional components, in particular actuating elements, can be saved. About the further actuation of the actuator, for example, a general functional readiness of the cooktop and / or a parboiling a selected and activated hotplate triggered, a cooking automatic and / or cooking sensor activated and / or another heating element switched on and / or off.

In principle, all other types of actuation that appear reasonable to a person skilled in the art are conceivable. However, if via the sensor unit an actuation of the actuating element, starting from a starting position in at least one, preferably in several directions of actuation next to the cooking sensible, can already assigned types of actuation and in particular to actuations in the direction of actuation of the cooking zones for selecting the respective hob, more sensible types of actuation especially structurally simple and inexpensive to be realized with few or possibly even without additional components. Furthermore, an easily understandable function assignment of the types of actuation can be achieved. A required sensor element for sensing the further type of actuation of the sensor unit may be integral with one or more other sensor elements or may advantageously be designed to be similar to other sensor elements.

According to the invention it is proposed that the actuating device comprises a mechanism via which an extension of the actuating element via a cooking surface of the cooking position is variable, so that upon actuation of the actuating element reaches a large, comfortable extent and after the actuation of the actuating element, the extent at least largely reduced and a disability of the further cooking operation can be safely avoided. About the mechanism, the actuator may be at least partially or advantageously fully retractable and / or may be made telescopically variable in its extension.

If an actuation of the actuating element in an actuating direction pointing in front of the hob can be sensed via the sensor unit, an advantageously clear differentiation from existing types of actuation can be achieved. Furthermore, in addition to an easily understandable function assignment, an advantageously clear differentiation from existing types of actuation can be achieved by integrating a pushbutton in the actuation element. The pushbutton can be formed by an additional component integrated in the actuating element, for example by a printhead integrated in a gripping surface or advantageously on an end face of the actuating element, or can be at least largely integral with the actuating element be carried out itself, for example by the actuating element itself serves as a push button and a pressure actuation of the actuating element via a sensor element is sensed.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the actuating element is formed by a toggle which has a diameter between 0.8 cm and 1.2 cm in its grip region, whereby a comfortable actuation of the actuating element can be achieved.

In order to avoid obstruction of an operator by the actuator when cooking on the cooktop as possible and to reduce the risk of damage to the actuator, for example by a saucepan, the actuating element of the actuator extends in the mounted state, at least in The actuator could also be formed by a ball rotatably mounted in a recess or by a Berührfeld. In such actuators particular types of actuation particularly easy to integrate and it can be achieved a total of a particularly comfortable operation of the actuator. Between different functional levels could be switched back and forth, for example, by simple and / or multiple taps and / or pressing the actuator. In this context, the term "touch panel" should be understood, in particular, to mean fields over which a travel path of an object, in particular a finger of an operator, can be sensed, as are known in particular in portable computers for controlling a display arrow on a screen.

Furthermore, in principle all types of scanning which appear to the person skilled in the art to be suitable are conceivable by the sensor unit, such as, in particular, mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic and / or optical scans, non-contact scans generally being preferable to touching scans.

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

Fig. 1

eine Kochmulde mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Betätigungsvorrichtung in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 2

einen schematisch dargestellten Schnitt entlang der Linie II-II in Fig. 1,

Fig. 2a

einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 2 bei ausgefahrenem Betätigungselement,

Fig. 3

ein Funktionsmuster eines Betätigungselements der Betätigungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine zu Fig. 1 alternative Kochmulde mit einer Wärmehaltestelle und einer alternativen Betätigungsvorrichtung in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 5

einen schematisch dargestellten Schnitt entlang der Linie V-V in Fig. 4 und

Fig. 6

ein Funktionsmuster eines Betätigungselements der Betätigungsvorrichtung aus Fig. 4.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a cooktop with an actuating device according to the invention in a plan view,

Fig. 2

a schematically illustrated section along the line II-II in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 2a

a section from Fig. 2 when the actuator is extended,

Fig. 3

a functional pattern of an actuating element of the actuator Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4

one too Fig. 1 alternative cooktop with a heat station and an alternative actuator in a plan view,

Fig. 5

a schematically illustrated section along the line VV in Fig. 4 and

Fig. 6

a functional pattern of an actuating element of the actuator Fig. 4 ,

Fig. 1 shows a substantially square cooking hob 10 with four hotplates 12, 13, 14, 15 and an actuator according to the invention. The actuating device comprises an actuating element 16 designed as a toggle toggle and a sensor unit 18 (FIG. Fig. 1 and 2 ).

The actuating element 16 is arranged in the depth 33 of the hob 10 in the front region thereof on an imaginary line through two, an operator-facing ends of the front cooking zones 14, 15 and is arranged centrally in the width 34 of the hob 10 substantially. On the actuating element 16, a hemispherical bearing head 30 is integrally formed at its lower end, via which the actuating element 16 is mounted in a hemispherical indentation 31 of a glass ceramic plate of the hob 10. The bearing head 30 is located in the indentation 31 on the glass ceramic plate of the hob 10, but could also be stored in the indentation 31 via a magnetic field at least substantially without contact.

By way of the optical sensor unit 18 arranged in the region of the indentation 31 below the glass-ceramic plate of the hob 10, optical input variables can be sensed upon actuation of the actuating element 16, namely via the sensor unit 18 actuation modes of the actuating element 16 for selecting the hotplates 12, 13, 14, 15 , for setting a heating level and activating the respective selected hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15 and for deactivating the selected and activated hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15 sensibly.

To select one of the cooking zones 12, 13, 14 and 15, the actuating element 16 is tilted from a starting position 24 in the actuating direction 35, 36, 37 and 38 to the respective cooking point 12, 13, 14 and 15 respectively. The actuating element 16 comprises a telescopic mechanism 50 and can be operated in the retracted state or can be telescoped to approximately hand width, ie to about 9 cm for actuation (see. Fig. 2a ). The actuating element 16 has in its grip area a diameter 29 of about 1.0 cm and extends in the retracted state about 2.0 cm above cooking surfaces of the cooking zones 12, 13, 14, 15th

In order to avoid that the actuating element 16 is released when pulling out of the recess 31 of the glass ceramic plate, this is secured with a mechanism, not shown in the recess 31, which also resets the actuator 16 after releasing its original position 24. Instead of or in addition to the mechanism, the actuating element 16 could also be secured by magnetic forces in the indentation 31 and loaded in the direction of its starting position 24.

Upon reaching a Kippendstellung or a selection position, the respective hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15 is selected, which is in a display device 48 which is arranged in front of the actuating element 16, by lighting one of the respective hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15th associated lighting element 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 is displayed to the operator. In order to avoid that the display device 48 is covered during actuation, this can also be arranged by the operator in the direction of the cooking zones 12, 13, 14, 15 after the actuating element 16.

For setting a desired heating level and activating the respective selected cooking point 12, 13, 14 and 15, the actuating element 16 is rotated about its longitudinal axis. The set heating level is displayed with a seven-segment display element 44, 45, 46 and 47 assigned to the hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15, respectively. To deactivate the selected and activated hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15, the heating level is set to zero via the actuating element 16 in the respective Kippendstellung. In principle, it is also conceivable that even when selecting the hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15, a certain heating level is set automatically.

It is via the sensor unit 18 in addition to the types of operation for selecting the hotplates 12, 13, 14, 15, for setting a heating level and activating the respective selected hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15 and for deactivating the selected and activated hotplate 12, 13th , 14 bzw.15 further types of actuation of the actuating element 16 sensible.

Via the sensor unit 18, actuations of the actuating element 16, starting from the starting position 24 in three actuating directions 25, 26, 27 next to the cooking zones 12, 13, 14, 15 are sensible, in front of the hob 10 facing actuating directions 25, 26, 27th By an operation or by tilting the actuating element 16, starting from the starting position 24 in the perpendicular to a front side of the hob 10 extending actuating direction 26, a basic functional readiness of the hob 10 can be activated and deactivated, with the same function is activated by operating the actuating element 16 in the direction of actuation 26 and activated when disabled Functional readiness the same deactivated by actuation of the actuating element 16 in the direction of actuation 26. In the actuator 16 thus the function of a main switch is integrated, via which all cooking zones 12, 13, 14, 15 can be switched off at a time. If the basic functional readiness of the cooktop 10 is activated, this is indicated to the user by illuminating a light-emitting element 19 in the display device 48.

By actuation or by tilting of the actuating element 16, starting from the starting position 24 in the direction of actuation 25, a cooking automatic can be activated and deactivated for the selected hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15 so that heating stages are set at least partially automated. By actuating or by tilting the actuating element 16, starting from the starting position 24 in the actuating direction 27, a cooking sensor, not shown, can be activated and deactivated. If the automatic cooking or the cooking sensor is activated, this is indicated to the operator by lighting a light element 20 or 21 respectively.

Between the actuation directions 35, 36 and between the actuation directions 37, 38 is an angular distance of about 50 °, between the actuation directions 36, 37 is an angular distance of about 60 °, between the actuation directions 25, 35 and between the actuation directions 27th , 38 is an angular distance of about 55 ° and between the actuating directions 25, 26 and between the actuation directions 26, 27 is an angular distance of about 45 ° (see. Fig. 3 ). Instead of the angular distances shown in the embodiment, other, the skilled person appear reasonable angle distances between the actuation directions 25, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38 conceivable, in particular, the actuation directions 35, 36, 37, 38 advantageously evenly over 180 ° be arranged distributed to achieve large distances between these actuation directions 35, 36, 37, 38. Furthermore, all actuation directions 25, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38 could be distributed uniformly over 360 ° in order to achieve a maximum possible angular distance between all actuation directions 25, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38.

In an angular range of ± 10 ° to the actuation directions 25, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, a tilting of the actuating element 16 via the sensor unit 18 is detected and than in the respective actuating direction 25, 26, 27, 35, 36 , 37 and 38 interpreted, which basically can be dispensed with a guide of the actuating element 16. However, in order to avoid undesired tilting of the actuating element 16 when the actuating element 16 is rotated, the actuating element 16 can also be configured to be guided, for example via a link.

Further, in the actuating element 16 on the front side designed as a push-button 28 is integrated. If the actuator 16 for selecting a cooking position 12, 13, 14 and 15 tilted in the direction of actuation 35, 36, 37 and 38 thereof, after setting a heating level and activating the respective selected hotplate 12, 13, 14 and 15 by pressing the push button 28 is triggered and also deactivated again. When selecting the hotplate 12, a second heating element or a second heating circuit 32 can also be switched on and off in quick succession by pressing the push-button 28 twice.

In the 4 to 6 an alternative embodiment is shown. In the embodiments, essentially the same components are basically numbered in the description with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, with regard to features and functions that are the same, the description of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS Fig. 1 to 3 to get expelled. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIGS Fig. 1 to 3 ,

In Fig. 4 a rectangular hob 11 is shown, which has a glass ceramic plate with a dome-shaped elevation 51, on which an actuating element 17 formed by a toggle is tiltably mounted with a bearing shell 52 ( Fig. 4 and 5 ). The cooktop 11 has, in addition to four cooking zones 12, 13, 14, 15 between them a heat holding point 53, for example, for heating plates etc. The heat station 53 can be actuated or tilted by the actuating element 17, starting from its initial position 24 in the direction of actuation 54th to the heat station 53 selected and activated by turning the actuator 17 in its corresponding Kippendstellung and deactivated.

The selection, activation and deactivation of the hotplates 12, 13, 14, 15 and the triggering of an anchor burst, the activation and deactivation of a cooking automatic, a basic functional readiness and a cooking sensor is basically the same as in the embodiment in the Fig. 1 to 3 , A difference to the embodiment in the Fig. 1 to 3 consists essentially only at angular intervals between actuation directions 25, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, 54 for selecting the individual functions, wherein the actuating directions 25, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38 are assigned to the same functions as in the embodiment in the Fig. 1 to 3 , Between the actuating directions 25, 26, 27, 35, 36, 37, 38, 54 is in each case an angular distance of approximately 45 ° ( Fig. 6 ). In addition to lighting elements 19, 20, 21, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and seven-segment display elements 44, 45, 46, 47 is in a display device 48 of the actuator in the 4 to 6 additionally a luminous element 22 and a seven-segment display element 23 for the heat-retaining point 53 are provided.

reference numeral

10

cooktop

11

cooktop

12

cooking

13

cooking

14

cooking

15

cooking

16

actuator

17

actuator

18

sensor unit

19

light element

20

light element

21

light element

22

light element

23

Seven segment display element

24

starting position

25

operating direction

26

operating direction

27

operating direction

28

pushbutton

29

diameter

30

bearing head

31

indentation

32

heating circuit

33

depth

34

width

35

operating direction

36

operating direction

37

operating direction

38

operating direction

39

light element

40

light element

41

light element

42

light element

43

light element

44

Seven segment display element

45

Seven segment display element

46

Seven segment display element

47

Seven segment display element

48

display

50

mechanism

51

increase

52

bearing shell

53

Heat station

54

operating direction

Claims (7)

1. Actuating device for a cooker hob (10, 11) with at least two cooking positions (12, 13, 14, 15), which comprises at least one actuating element (16, 17) with an associated sensor unit (18), by way of which modes of actuation of the actuating element (16, 17) for selecting the cooking positions (12, 13, 14, 15), for setting a heating stage and activating the respectively selected cooking position (12, 13, 14, 15) and for deactivating the selected and activated cooking position (12, 13, 14, 15) can be sensed, wherein apart from the modes of actuation for selecting the cooking positions (12, 13, 14, 15), for setting a heating stage and activating the respectively selected cooking position (12, 13, 14, 15) and for deactivating the selected and activated cooking position (12, 13, 14, 15) at least one further mode of actuation of the actuating element (16, 17) can be sensed by way of the sensor unit (18), characterised by a mechanism (50) by way of which a length of the actuating element (16) over a cooking surface of the cooking positions (12, 13, 14, 15) is variable.
2. Actuating device according to claim 1, characterised in that an actuation of the actuating element (16, 17) starting from an initial setting (24) in at least one actuation direction (25, 26, 27) near the cooking positions (12, 13, 14, 15) can be sensed by way of the sensor unit (18).
3. Actuating device according to claim 2, characterised in that an actuation of the actuating element (16, 17) in an actuation direction (25, 26, 27) pointing in front of the cooker hob (10) can be sensed by way of the sensor unit (18).
4. Actuating device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a pushbutton (28) is integrated in the actuating element (16, 17).
5. Actuating device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuating element (16, 17) is formed by a toggle having a diameter (29) of between 0.8 centimetres and 1.2 centimetres in a grip region thereof.
6. Cooker hob (10, 11) with an actuating device according to any one of the preceding claims.
7. Cooker hob (10, 11) according to claim 6, characterised in that the actuating element (16, 17) of the actuating device in the mounted state extends in at least one operational setting less than 2.5 centimetres over a cooking surface of the cooking positions (12, 13, 14, 15).

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