EP1706673B2 - Cooking device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance according to the preamble of claim 1.

Cooking appliances are known from the prior art, which are already provided by the manufacturer with predetermined programs or operating modes. Within these programs or operating modes, the parameters are also preset accordingly. Under a program for a cooking appliance is to be understood in the following a generic term, can be classified under the various modes that run sequentially.

Preset operating modes or cooking programs usually have cooking parameters that are usually set in the middle in the possible setting range. Preset operating modes or cooking programs allow a user to easily and efficiently use a cooking appliance, as such cooking appliances provide a tremendous amount of work and save time.

A disadvantage of the known cooking appliances, however, that, as stated above, the default settings are very flat and are usually in a standard range. An individual setting of cooking parameters to operate very specific cooking process or to cook certain food, is only very limited or not possible with the known cooking appliances. This considerably limits the usability of such cooking appliances with predetermined operating modes or cooking programs.

From the DE 198 32 757 A1 a generic cooking appliance is known in which individual parameters of a cooking program are preset. However, the parameters can be changed via change function elements. The acceptance or storage of the parameter thus changed takes place either by confirmation via a confirmation element or automatically after the expiry of a certain period of time.

The DE 101 48 897 A1 discloses a control device for controlling a baking oven with an operating element and a sensor device for detecting an actuation of the operating element and for dispensing control signals in accordance with the actuation of the operating element. An associated display device is used to display a selection menu, which includes several operating modes of the oven and the operating modes associated operating parameters. The control device is configured such that only one control element has to be actuated for a menu-driven selection of an operating mode and also a menu-driven setting of an operating parameter assigned to the operating mode.

From the EP 0 971 173 A1 a control device for a programmable home appliance with a display is known, with an input unit for selecting a desired country program list whose various sequentially stored control programs or control descriptors descriptive of the control programs are displayed, which input unit is further used to select a single control program from the selected country program list, and a memory element in which the country program lists are stored with the respective control programs and the control program descriptors.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a cooking appliance, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular has a high flexibility and a variety of uses, while easy to use.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

It can be provided that the specific period of time is adjustable, preferably via the operating element, and in particular about 1 to about 30 seconds after the last actuation of the operating element.

It is likewise preferred that at least one change can be carried out within predefined, unchangeable limits, the limits preferably being country-specific for the respective installation site and / or the selectable operating language.

It can be provided that the default setting is automatically carried out in dependence on a, in particular a location system, detected site and / or a selected operating language.

Finally, an embodiment is proposed according to the invention, which is characterized by a control and / or regulating unit in operative connection with the change function element, the confirmation and / or memory function element, the location system and / or the sinking device.

The invention is based on the surprising finding that preset cooking parameters for predetermined cooking programs and / or cooking modes can be changed in a simple manner and then confirmed and / or stored in order to increase the flexibility and the possible applications of a cooking appliance, without compromising the complexity of To increase operability as well. In the context of the present application, the term "confirmation" is to be understood to mean a change in cooking parameters only for the cooking program currently being performed or the current cooking mode, while the term "storage" includes a transfer of the changed cooking parameters into a store that is future-proof To be performed cooking programs or cooking modes based on the corresponding cooking parameters. Both confirmation and storage are either active, namely by actuation of a control element, or automatically, namely after the lapse of a certain period of time.

By the term "bar graph" as used in the present application is to be understood a bar of a touch screen, which includes a kind of scaling, on which can be adjusted by sweeping the user's finger, a desired parameter value.

Interlocking or co-operating controls save space. Retractable controls are not only aesthetics, but facilitate operation, especially when they emerge programmatically, namely only when they are operated or actuated.

The cooking appliance according to the invention is characterized by a country-specific specification of cooking parameters and / or limits of the same, especially if this automatically adjusts to the site, which further simplifies the operation of the cooking appliance according to the invention.

Also characteristic of the cooking appliances according to the invention is a language-specific specification of cooking parameters as a function of a selected operating language. Such a language-specific presetting allows the operation of the cooking appliance regardless of a site where a different language is spoken than the one with which the cooking appliance is to be operated. The variation of the default settings of cooking parameters on the site and the operating language increases the flexibility of the cooking appliance according to the invention. With a language-specific specification, the cooking appliance according to the invention can therefore be variably adapted to any user by the user enters his preferred operating language for the cooking appliance. Thus, it is possible, for example, that an English-speaking user of the cooking appliance according to the invention who wants to eat a steak completely cooked, the cooking appliance without problems, although this is set up in France, where a steak should be cooked rather "medium" in the rule. For this purpose, the English-language user merely sets English as the operating language, so that the cooking parameters preset for the English operating language are called up for the given cooking program in the cooking appliance. By using the change function element of the cooking appliance according to the invention, the user can then optimize the preset cooking parameters according to his wishes.

For storing changed cooking parameters, cooking programs and / or cooking modes, a not-block function is preferably provided, which is particularly preferably provided as a touch element on a touchscreen of the operating element of the cooking appliance. This notepad function allows structured storage to be made in different operating menu levels. For example, the operation of the scratch pad function may result in termination of the input operation (that is, the change of cooking parameters or the like), or may result in switching to the next cooking mode.

• Figur 1 einen Ausschnitt einer Hauptmenüebene eines Bedienelements bei Inbetriebnahme eines erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts;
• Figur 2 einen Ausschnitt einer ersten Untermenüebene, die aus der Hauptmenüebene aus Figur 1 hervorgeht;
• Figur 3 einen Ausschnitt einer zweiten Untermenüebene, die aus der ersten Untermenüebene aus Figur 2 hervorgeht; und
• Figur 4 die zweite Untermenüebene aus Figur 3 bei Betrieb eines Garverfahrens im erfindungsgemäßen Gargerät.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in which an embodiment of the invention with reference to a schematic drawing is explained in detail. Showing:

• FIG. 1 a detail of a main menu level of an operating element when commissioning a cooking appliance according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 a section of a first submenu level that is from the main menu level FIG. 1 worked;
• FIG. 3 a section of a second submenu level that is from the first submenu level FIG. 2 worked; and
• FIG. 4 the second submenu level FIG. 3 during operation of a cooking process in the cooking appliance according to the invention.

As FIG. 1 can be seen, a main menu level of a control element 1 for a cooking appliance according to the invention comprises a plurality of actuators 2, for example, when switching on the cooking appliance offer a selection of cooking programs for which the cooking appliance offers corresponding modes and cooking parameters preset. According to FIG. 1 Such cooking programs may include, for example, "roast", "roast", "poultry", "fish", "baking", "side dishes" or "finishing". These cooking programs are preferably shown in the form of pictograms on the actuating elements 2. In particular, it is also preferred if the actuating elements 2 are touch elements of a touchscreen. The actuator 2 "F" represents a function key, with the other functions of the cooking appliance can be selected, such as a programming lock, a start time input, a cleaning program, a descaling program or the like, which therefore do not concern cooking.

Below the actuating elements 2 is in FIG. 1 in addition to a program key element 3, a rotary wheel 4 is provided, which can be rotated in the directions of the arrows in order to change preset cooking parameters, as will be described below. The rotary 4 further includes a push button 5, by the operation of example changed cooking parameters can be confirmed and / or stored.

Starting from the main operating level, the in FIG. 1 is shown in sections, you get, for example, by pressing the actuator 2 "large roast" to the in FIG. 2 partial first submenu level. Also, this first submenu level again includes a plurality of actuators 2 ', which offer the possible under the cooking program "large roast" cooking programs. These are for example the in FIG. 2 Cooking programs "universal roast", "roast with crust", "soft roast", "soft cooking", "overnight roast" and "overnight cooking".

For example, by pressing the operating element 2 '"universal roast" one automatically reaches an in FIG. 3 shown second submenu level. These second submenu level offers the possibility of modifying individual operating modes or cooking parameters of the cooking process for the "Universal roasting" cooking program. Exemplary are in FIG. 3 It is readily conceivable that many other actuators may be provided for other cooking parameters.

The actuation elements 2 "comprise a first touch element 7a or 8a and respectively a bar graph 7b or 8b as the second touch element With the one bar graph 7b, for example, the desired browning of the roast can be set between the threshold values" light "and" dark "by the user sets his finger over the bargraph 7b and adjusts the parameter accordingly The set value is highlighted by a frame 9. In the same way, the cooking parameter for the core temperature of the frying can be set via the other bar graph 8b. pink "and" by "corresponding core temperature values are stored.

The set cooking parameters regarding the tan and the core temperature of the roast can also be changed or fine-tuned as follows:

Off on the second sub-operating level FIG. 3 should, for example, the cooking parameters regarding the browning of the roast are changed. For this purpose, first of all the touch element 7a is actuated, which activates the actuation element 2. If the actuation element 2 "is activated, the corresponding cooking parameter can be adjusted either by corresponding rotation of the rotary wheel 4 or by stroking over the bar graph 7b be set as desired. Im in FIG. 4 In the case shown, the parameter is set in a middle position between "light" and "dark", which is indicated by the frame 9.

A confirmation or storage of the set Garparamters with respect to the tanning can be done for example by pressing the push button 5. However, it is also conceivable that the modified cooking parameter is automatically taken over after a predetermined period of time after the last input or change by the cooking appliance. An acknowledgment can also be made by finally pressing the touch element 7a.

Finally, in the second sub-operating level, there is also provided a storage element 10 which makes it possible to store the changed cooking parameter via a notepad function, as has been described above.

Preferably, it is also provided that an acknowledgment or storage of set cooking parameters is connected to an acoustic signal of the cooking appliance or to a color change in the operating element of the cooking appliance.

To change the core temperature, the touch element 8a can be actuated in an analogous manner and the parameter can then be changed via the bar graph 8b or the rotary wheel 4.

As can be seen from the touch element 8a, the adjustment of the core temperature requires the insertion of a temperature sensor into a roast. Preferably, it is provided that the cooking appliance emits a request or a signal when it detects that the temperature sensor is not plugged into the roast.

The adjustment of the cooking parameters via the rotary wheel 4 or the bar graphs 7b, 8b is preferably substantially continuously possible. As will be understood by a person skilled in the art, for the in FIG. 4 shown cooking parameters suitable temperature values deposited as outer end values. The corresponding presetting can be country-specific, ie depend on the place of installation. For example, in Germany the selection of "pink" when setting the core temperature corresponds to a desired core temperature of, for example, 65 ° C, while for the setting "through" a core temperature of 78 ° C is to be achieved. For example, in France, these values may be preset differently. The site is automatically detected, for example, a location system of the cooking appliance, so that a country-specific default setting of the parameters can be done automatically.

FIG. 4 shows the second submenu level in the operation of a cooking process. In this submenu level further information can be displayed, such as a remaining time 11 of the cooking process or a present actual core temperature 12 of the roast.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

operating element

2, 2 ', 2 "

actuator

3

Program key element

4

rotating wheel

5

push-button

7a, 8a

touch element

7b, 8b

Bar graph

9

frame

10

storage element

11

Remaining time display

12

Actual core temperature display

Claims (5)

1. Cooking device in which at least one cooking parameter for at least one predefined cooking program, and/or for at least one predefined cooking mode of operation, is preset, the preset cooking parameter can be changed by means of at least one change function element (4, 7b, 8b) of an operator control element (1) of the cooking device and the change can be automatically confirmed, accepted and/or stored during a specific time period by means of at least one confirmation and/or store function element (5, 7a, 8a) of the operator control element (1) of the cooking device and can be automatically confirmed, accepted and/or stored by the cooking device after this specific time period elapses, characterized in that
   the cooking device contains two presetting options as follows:

   • the cooking parameter is preset in a country-specific manner for the respective installation site and

   • the cooking parameter is preset specific to a respectively selectable operator control language of the cooking device,

   with all the cooking parameters of at least one cooking program and/or at least one cooking mode of operation preferably being preset for the respective installation site and/or the selectable operator control language.
2. Cooking device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the specific time period can be set, preferably by means of the operator control element (1), and in particular lasts for approximately 1 to approximately 30 seconds after the last operation of the operator control element (1).
3. Cooking device according to Claim 2, characterized in that at least one change can be carried out within prespecified fixed limits, with the limits preferably being preset in a country-specific manner for the respective installation site and/or the selectable operator control language.
4. Cooking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the presetting operation can be carried out automatically as a function of an installation site, which is in particular detected by means of a position-identification system, and/or a selected operator control language.
5. Cooking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit in operative connection with the change function element, the confirmation and/or store function element, the position-identification system and/or the lowering device.

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