EP2390578B1 - Hob with a hob plate and multiple cooking zones - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hob with a hob plate and an optical display device.

Hobs are known to have a cooktop plate, which is formed of glass ceramic or a similar material. On this preparation vessels, such as saucepans, pans and the like can be placed on cooking zones to prepare the food introduced in the preparation vessels. Such hobs also have an operating device, which may include controls in the form of rotary switches or push buttons or the like. In addition, touch-sensitive controls can be provided. Typically, such cooktops also include a display device in which operating conditions or parameter values of cooktop settings or individual cooking zones may be displayed. This can be done by symbols and / or numbers and / or letters. In addition, simple optical signal displays can be provided in the display device, which signal only by lighting or non-lighting certain operating conditions. Thus, in this context, a residual heat indicator can be provided.

In known hobs, these optical display devices are formed in the hob plate itself. Thus, it may happen that these are relatively close to a cooking zone and thus are not perceived by a user, as possibly also a preparation vessel is partially parked on it. In addition, such devices are usually relatively small, since the hob plate is occupied in its surface as far as possible through the cooking zones.

From the US 5,162,636 A a hob is known in which a stainless steel ring is arranged by means of a silicone gasket to other components.

Furthermore, from the DE 10 2007 016 466 B1 an operating device for a hob known. A display area is located next to a cooktop panel.

In addition, from the DE 298 21 862 U1 a hob with a glass ceramic plate known. On the periphery of this glass ceramic plate glass moldings are arranged. At corner nodes, these glass parts can be illuminated by a lighting device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooktop with a cooktop panel and an optical display device, in which the optical display device is arranged in a user-friendly manner.

This object is achieved by a hob, which has the features of claim 1.

A hob according to the invention comprises a hob plate and an optical display device. A display area of the display device is located adjacent to the cooktop panel and then to the cooktop panel. The display area of the display device is thus displaced out of the hob plate and is thus arranged next to the hob plate. By such a configuration, a cover with preparation vessels can be avoided. In addition, the other area of the hob plate with such a display area is no longer crowded, so that the size of the display area can be configured otherwise and user-friendly. In principle, therefore, the intuitive perceptibility of the visual displays for a user can be made more comprehensible and easier to see. Even with a position of the user spaced or farther away from the hob so the visual display can be perceived at any time and improved.

The display area is formed by a translucent filling material which can be illuminated by at least one light source of the display device. This embodiment thus a very specific area is filled laterally of the hob and can be illuminated accordingly to represent a visual display. As a result of the filling material, a particularly flexible and variable shape that can be designed individually is thus made possible, so that the design of the display area can also be designed very individually and adapted to the hob situation.

The filler is a silicone gasket. As a result of this embodiment, the display area is designed to be multifunctional since it also ensures the sealing functionality in addition to its visual display capability. Just by the direct attachment of this filler on the side of the hob plate thus a particularly advantageous embodiment is achieved.

The gasket is designed to seal a clearance between the cooktop panel and an edge of a worktop in which the cooktop is installed. In such an embodiment, therefore, a frameless cooktop is used, which has a corresponding optical display area side of the hob.

Preferably, the display area is formed directly adjacent to one side of the cooktop panel. By this configuration, the display area is thus positioned in direct connection to the hob plate, so that even here the affiliation with the hob plate and thus the hob is still given and thus the assignment for a user is easily recognizable. This configuration thus also creates a compact arrangement. Especially in the integration of such a hob in a worktop therefore does not need to be additionally created a further receiving area for the display device. Rather, in the anyway generated in the worktop recess for inserting the hob and the display area can be arranged.

Preferably, the display area is directly connected to the side of the hob plate. As a result, a mechanical fastening connection and thus fixing position to each other can be created and the assignment to the hob can be made even more user-friendly.

The display area is arranged next to the cooktop panel such that the display area extends with its upper side substantially at the height level of the upper side of the cooktop panel, in particular flush with this upper side of the cooktop panel. The display area is thus also virtually submerged next to the hob plate with respect to the height configuration arranged and it can thus be avoided that the display area protrudes in an undesirable manner upwards. This can also impact or damage the display area be avoided. Last but not least, it is therefore also particularly suitable for the optical presentation of information and it is not undesirably blurred through other areas.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the light source, viewed in terms of the height level, is arranged under the cooktop panel. As a result, it can be positioned particularly protected.

In particular, in combination with the local arrangement of the display area laterally and thus outside the dimensions of the cooktop panel thereby a particularly advantageous embodiment can be made possible also with regard to thermal influence of the light source and the display area. Temperature critical conditions for the display area and in particular for the light source can be avoided.

In particular, it is also provided that the light source is also arranged with respect to its horizontal arrangement under the hob plate. As a result, a particularly compact design is achieved with regard to the horizontal dimensions of the hob.

Preferably, a light source is designed as a light emitting diode. This is a particularly space-saving component, which can also be operated very energy efficient and still has a very high luminosity.

It can be provided that, when the light source is arranged under the cooktop panel, a light deflection or light reflection takes place up to the side of the cooktop panel. In particular, a reflector may be arranged for this purpose, which then directs the light to the seal arranged on the side of the hob plate. This is particularly advantageous if the seal does not extend over the entire height of the hob plate and in particular does not extend below the hob plate.

Preferably, the optical display area is formed as a strip.

In particular, it is provided that with respect to the display of operating states of the hob or of subcomponents thereof, for example of cooking zones, it generates only an optical signal without further information. Thus, for example, a residual heat of an associated cooking zone or an electric power of the cooking zone can be displayed by the display area.

It can be provided that the optical display area can be illuminated by a light source with only one light color and thus only a single light color can be emitted. However, it can also be provided that a plurality of different light colors can be emitted through the optical display area. As a result, different operating states can be displayed.

Additionally or instead, it can also be provided that the display area is designed to display symbols and / or letters and / or numbers. Preferably, the display area in the longitudinal direction of the hob plate is formed on the length level of a cooking zone, and formed to indicate operating conditions of this associated cooking zone. It may also be provided here a residual heat indicator or a power indicator for this cooking zone. In principle, such a locally specified attachment of an optical display area of a display device can also be provided in other household appliances that are arranged in a recess of a worktop. Thus, for example, even in compact dishwashers, scales or sterilizers adjacent to or directly adjacent to a side at least one display area may be formed, which in particular represents a seal which is illuminated by a light source.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kochfelds;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittdarstellung eines Teilbereichs der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1; und

Fig. 3

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kochfelds.

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

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hob according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a sectional view of a portion of the illustration according to Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 3

an exploded view of another embodiment of a hob according to the invention.

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

In a perspective view according to Fig. 1 a hob 1 is shown, which is arranged in a worktop 2. The worktop 2 has for this purpose a recess 3, so that the cooktop 1 is arranged sunken therein. The hob 1 comprises a hob plate 4, which is formed for example of glass ceramic.

On the hob plate 4 preparation vessels can be placed in unspecified cooking zones and thereby arranged in the Zubreitungsgefäßen food can be prepared by heating through the cooking zones.

The hob 1 with its hob plate 4 is frameless in the embodiment shown. This means that the cooktop 4 is no longer surrounded by an additional metal frame, such as a drawing frame or the like. Rather, the hob plate 4 is inserted directly into the recess 3. In the embodiment shown in square cooking hob or the square cooking hob plate 4, this has four sides 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. The hob plate 4 is sealed from the edges of the recess 3, wherein a silicone seal 5 is circumferentially formed. This means that between the sides 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and the edge of the recess 3, this seal 5 is introduced and touches and seals both sides of the hob plate 4 and the edge of the recess 3.
In addition, in the illustration according to Fig. 1 the hob 1 is also formed with an optical display device 6. This optical display device 6 includes an optical display section 7. This is formed immediately adjacent to and adjacent to the cooktop panel 4. As shown in Fig. 1 For this purpose, the seal 5 is designed to be multifunctional, since it is designed in addition to its sealing functionality for visual display and is associated with the display area. As shown in the illustration Fig. 1 can be seen, the display area 7 is strip-like next to the hob plate 4 and then arranged directly to the side 4d. The display area 7 is thus positioned in a fixed position between the hob plate 4 and the edge of the recess 3.
In addition, it is provided that the display area 7 is arranged with its upper side, which thus also corresponds to the upper side of the seal 5, in particular flush with the upper side of the hob plate 4.

The gasket 5 is a translucent silicone gasket. In the Fig. 2 is in a sectional view along the section line II-II in Fig. 1 the hob 1 shown.
It can be seen that the seal 5 extends in a free space 8 between an edge 9 of the recess 3 and the side 4 d of the hob plate 4. The seal 5 is also partially formed below the hob plate 4. In addition, it is provided in the embodiment that a light source 10, which may be, for example, a light emitting diode, is arranged below the hob plate 4 adjacent to the seal 5. By illuminating or backlighting the seal 5 by means of the light source 10, it is illuminated in the display area 7 and the light from the light source 10 exits via the seal 5 at the top 11 of the seal 5.

In Fig. 3 an additional embodiment of a hob 1 is shown in an exploded view. In this embodiment, in contrast to the embodiment in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 provided that the hob 1 also has a frame 12 which surrounds the hob plate 4 on the circumference. The frame 12 may be, for example, a metal frame in which the hob plate 4 is inserted or arranged. In this embodiment, a seal 5 between the hob plate 4 and the frame 12 is formed. Again, this is a translucent silicone gasket which is formed circumferentially around the hob plate 4. Here, too, a display area 7 is then produced laterally next to the hob plate 4, to which in turn the seal 5 is part of the display device 6. Again, analogous to the embodiment in Fig. 1 and 2 a light source 10 is provided which illuminates the seal 5, so that in turn takes place on the top 11 of the seal 5, a corresponding light emission.

Again, in turn, in a recess 3 of the worktop 2, the hob 1 can be used, in which case the frame 12 is then contacted with the edge 9 of the recess 3.

Also in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 the display area 7 is not formed on the hob plate 4, but laterally next to it as a strip, where it also connects directly to the side 4d here.

In all embodiments, only one display area 7 is shown. It can also be provided several display areas. Preferably, each cooking zone of the hob 1 is associated with such a display area and each adjacent to the side of the cooking zone.

In the exemplary embodiment, by means of the display area 7, for example, a residual heat display of the associated cooking zone can take place. However, moreover, a power display or the like may be displayed. In particular, it is provided that the display areas 7 are designed only to display light of a specific color. It can also be provided that, in addition to or instead of this, a display of symbols and / or numbers and / or letters can take place.

The only advantage is the display of a light color, since the structure can be done very easily and inexpensively.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

hob

2

countertop

3

recess

4

Hotplate

4a, 4b, 4c, 4d

page

5

silicone packing

6

display device

7

display area

8th

free space

9

edge

10

light source

11

top

12

frame

Claims (5)

1. Hob with a hob plate (4) and an optical display apparatus (6), wherein a display region (7) of the display apparatus (6) is embodied next to the hob plate (4), wherein the display region (7) is disposed next to the hob plate (4) such that the upper side (11) of the display region (7) essentially extends to the height level of the upper side of the hob plate (4), and the display region (7) is formed by a light-permeable filler material (5), which can be illuminated by at least one light source (10) of the display apparatus (6), and the filler material is a silicon seal, characterised in that
   the hob has a plurality of cooking zones and
   the silicon seal (5) is embodied to seal a free space (8) between the hob plate (4) and an edge (9) of a worktop (2), in which the hob (1) is installed.
2. Hob according to claim 1, characterised in that the display region (7) is embodied directly adjacent to a side (4a to 4d) of the hob plate (4).
3. Hob according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (10) is disposed below the hob plate (4).
4. Hob according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the display region (7) is embodied as a strip.
5. Hob according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the display region (7) is embodied in the longitudinal direction of the hob plate (4) on the longitudinal level of a cooking zone, and is embodied to display operating states of said cooking zone.

Images