EP2603739A1

EP2603739A1 - Household appliance having a cooktop and method for displaying a consumption of power

Info

Publication number: EP2603739A1
Application number: EP11736076.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario Kojer
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2010-08-09
Filing date: 2011-07-21
Publication date: 2013-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-21
Also published as: EP2603739B1; WO2012019891A1; DE102010039070A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance comprising a cooktop (1) having at least one cooking zone (7a; 7b), wherein the cooktop (1) is set up for determining and displaying a consumption of power of the at least one cooking zone (7a; 7b). The method serves for displaying a consumption of power on a household appliance, wherein the household appliance comprises a cooktop (1) having at least one cooking zone (7a; 7b), and a consumption of power for each cooking zone (7a; 7b) is determined and displayed individually and/or cumulatively for all cooking zones (7a; 7b) on the basis of the cooktop (1) being switched off.

Description

Household appliance with a hob and method for displaying energy consumption

The invention relates to a domestic appliance having a hob with at least one cooking zone, e.g. a cooking area or a stove. The invention further relates to a method for displaying a power consumption of a household appliance.

For electric heaters or instantaneous water heaters (for example of the type Stiebel-Eltron DHE 21 SL electronic comfort) integrated energy consumption displays are known. For refrigerators, energy efficiency ratings (e.g., from TV to 'F') are known which provide a rough estimate of relative power consumption to a user.

It is the object of the present invention to increase environmental awareness and / or a cost consciousness when operating kitchen appliances.

The object is achieved by a household appliance, in particular kitchen appliance, comprising a hob with at least one cooking zone, wherein the hob is adapted to determine and display an energy consumption of the at least one cooking zone. This household appliance has the advantage that a user obtains accurate information about the energy consumption and the associated costs incurred during cooking, etc. The user can also determine which configurations consume how much energy and thus learn a particularly energy-friendly cooking. For example, the user can vividly and without much effort compare energy consumption for a cooking process with a cooking vessel with and without lid together or compare a cooking process with a cooking vessel on a large and a small cooking zone.

The energy consumption may be, for example, an electrical energy consumed by the at least one cooking zone. The energy consumption can be determined and / or displayed in particular in kWh, which advantageously represents a quantity known to many users, which can be easily compared. The household appliance can be, for example, a stand-alone hotplate, a stove or another combi appliance.

The determining may include measuring the energy, e.g. by means of one or more sensors, e.g. by means of an electric knife. The determining may also include calculating (instead of measuring) the energy, e.g. by linking known Relaistaktzeiten for activation of a cooking zone with associated known current levels. The determination by means of the calculation has the advantage that there are no costs for a measurement setup.

It is an embodiment that the cooktop is adapted to determine and display the energy consumption for each of the at least one cooking zone. This allows a user to easily find out about the energy consumption of a particular cooking zone and a food prepared on it. The energy consumption can be displayed for a switch-on duration of the hob and / or for the service life of the household appliance.

It is still an embodiment that the hob is set up to determine and display a (cumulative or cumulative) energy consumption of all cooking zones. As a result, a user can easily understand the energy consumption of all the cooking zones and all the food prepared thereon, e.g. form part of a menu sequence, inform. The energy consumption can be displayed for a duty cycle of the hob and / or for the life of the household appliance. It is also an embodiment that the hob is adapted to determine and display a power consumption during a previous duty cycle of the hob. This allows a user to easily find out about the energy consumption of a defined cooking process. It is a development that the energy consumption of a user in a memory can be stored and retrieved at any later time again.

It is also an embodiment that the hob is adapted to determine and display energy consumption for a cooker life. Thereby For example, a user may get a sense of energy consumption of the home appliance, especially when compared to other household appliances.

It is yet another design that the hob for each of the cooking zones has a cooking zone display area for displaying at least one cooking level of this cooking zone and the hob is arranged to display the energy consumption in or by the cooking zone display areas. In other words, when the cooking zones are turned off, the cooking zone display areas used in an operation of the cooking zones for displaying a cooking level (for example, from 1 to 9) can also be used to indicate an energy consumption. As a result, it is possible to dispense with a dedicated energy display area.

It is a development that the energy consumption (i.e., a certain energy consumption, for example, a cooking zone or all cooking zones cumulated) can be displayed simultaneously in several, in particular all, display areas, in particular in all cooking zone display areas. For example, each of the cooking zone display areas may display one or more different locations of energy usage. In particular, each of the cooking zone display areas may be a digit. The energy consumption can therefore be represented with as many digits as the cooking zone display areas provide.

It is a particularly simple and inexpensive development that a cooking zone display area is a segment display, e.g. a 7-segment display or a 14-segment display.

It is also a development that the cooking zone display areas are adapted to an intermediate cooking level, which is between two full cooking levels (eg, an intermediate cooking level "1.", which lies between the cooking levels "1" and "2") , by means of eg a point, for example by means of a 7-segment display or a 14-segment display. By a representation of the point at a suitable location, a number divider can be realized.

It is also an embodiment that the hob is set up to display the cooking zone display area for the cooking zone whose energy consumption is currently up to date is displayed to design differently to the displays of the cooking zone display areas for the other cooking zones, in particular by a different brightness. For example, an indication of power consumption of a first cooking zone may be visually emphasized by making the figure located in the cooking zone display area associated with the first cooking zone distinctively lighter or darker than the digits of the other (eg, second to fourth) cooking zones -Anzeigenbereiche. Thus, the energy consumption is easily recognizable and at the same time the associated cooking zone easily identifiable. This embodiment is also easily ausgestaltbar, eg by known dimmable segment displays.

It is a development that is visually particularly well distinguishable that a display of the cooking zone display area for that cooking zone whose energy consumption is currently displayed can be configured by a color different from the displays of the cooking zone display areas for the other cooking zones.

It is a development that is visually likewise distinguishable that a display of the cooking zone display area for the cooking zone whose energy consumption is currently displayed can be configured by flashing differently from the displays of the cooking zone display areas for the other cooking zones which are continuously lit is. This development also has the advantage that the display need not be set up either for a change in brightness or for a color change.

To display an energy consumption accumulated over the cooking zones, an indication of the energy consumption can be displayed identically, at least for the cooking zone display areas, in particular with a same, in particular increased, brightness.

It is an especially easy to implement and readable development that a display of the cooking zone display area for the cooking zone whose energy consumption is currently displayed by a previous display of a predetermined, in particular alphanumeric, character string in this cooking zone display area as opposed to the displays the cooking zone display areas for the other cooking zones is ausgestaltbar. This development also has the advantage that the display need not be set up either for a brightness change or for a color change. Due to the temporal separation of the identification of the cooking zone from the display of the energy a simple conception is facilitated. The string may include one or more characters. The string is advantageously designed to be particularly intrusive for a user, rather than for an indication of energy, such as "E", "En" or "EnEr", etc. For example, before displaying the energy consumption of the first cooking zone in the associated cooking zone display area, a " E "while the other cooking zone display areas do not display a string.

It is also an embodiment that the cooktop is set up to display the energy consumption (in particular a specific energy consumption, eg a cooking zone or all cooking zones cumulated) in cooking zone display areas, as well as to display an alphanumeric and / or symbolic character string identifying the associated cooking zone. Such a string may be, for example, "E1" for the first cooking zone, "E2" for the second cooking zone, and so on. It is also an embodiment that the hob is set up to display the energy consumption (in particular a certain energy consumption, eg a particular cooking zone or all cooking zones cumulated) in cooking zone display areas, as well as to display the associated cooking zone by means of a symbol, the symbol being a having the cooking zone identifying position. Such a symbol can be, for example, for a (from the user's view) bottom left arranged first cooking zone, eg square, symbol, which assumes a lower left position in a display area, etc. This symbol can be illuminated, for example by means of an LED and thus switched on and off. It is a further development that the hob is set up to display the character string identifying the associated cooking zone or the icon identifying the cooking zone in at least one display area other than a cooking zone display area. Thus, the associated cooking zone identifying string can be displayed simultaneously with the energy consumption, resulting in a quick and clear display. In particular, the other display area may be a display area for a timer or "timer"("timer display area") as it is often already present in existing hobs. The character string identifying the associated cooking zone can be displayed or displayed in particular for all ads of an energy consumption in the same other display area. It is a further development that the cooktop is set up to display the character string identifying the associated cooking zone or that the cooking zone identifies the icon in at least one cooking zone display area. In addition to an alphanumeric display, the cooking zone display areas can also display at least one symbol, for example an arrow or the like. The symbol may preferably be used in normal operation, the arrow for example for displaying an activated timer function for this cooking zone, so that in this case a conventional cooking zone display area can also be used for an indication of the energy consumption.

It is still an embodiment that the display areas are arranged in a matrix. The display areas may, for example, be arranged in a row (m x 1 matrix) or arranged in a square (m x m matrix). The arrangement of the display areas in a row has the advantage that a reading of the energy consumption can be done line by line.

The object is also achieved by a method for displaying energy consumption in a household appliance, wherein the household appliance comprises a hob with at least one cooking zone and determined by switching off the hob energy consumption for each cooking zone individually and / or cumulatively for all cooking zones and displayed becomes.

The method can be configured in particular analogously to the household appliance. It is an embodiment that the method comprises the following steps:

(i) initiate a turn-off operation;

(ii) darkening at least the cooking zone display areas for a predetermined period of time;

(iii) successively displaying the energy consumption of the individual cooking zones; (iv) re-darkening at least the cooking zone display areas for a predetermined period of time and

(v) displaying the cumulative energy consumption and / or the total energy consumption of the cooking zones. In particular, the steps (v) and (iii) can also be exchanged. For example, steps (ii) and (iv) may also be omitted.

Step (iii) may include, for example, a direct sequential indication of the energy consumption of the individual cooking zones, or a sequential indication of the energy consumption of the individual cooking zones separated by a brief dark switching.

The allocation of the currently displayed energy consumption to the individual cooking zones can, as already described above, be achieved, for example, by a blinking, a changed brightness, an assignment of an explanatory character string or symbol, a preceding display of an explanatory character string, etc.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims.

In the following figures, the invention will be described schematically with reference to exemplary embodiments. In this case, the same or equivalent elements may be provided with the same reference numerals for clarity.

1a-1j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop according to a first embodiment;

Figs. 2a-2j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop according to a second embodiment;

3a-3n show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop according to a third embodiment;

4a-4j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooking hob according to a fourth embodiment;

5a-5j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop according to a fifth embodiment;

6a-6j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop according to a sixth embodiment;

FIGS. 7a-7j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooking hob according to a seventh embodiment; 8a-8j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop according to an eighth embodiment;

9a-9j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop according to a ninth embodiment.

1 a shows a plan view of a section of a hob 1. The hob 1 may for example be a single device or a part of a cooker. The section shows a lower edge of the hob 1, in front of which usually a user is to operate the hob 1. The lower edge is here indicated as a bar 2, e.g. brushed aluminum. Above the strip 2 is an upper-side cooktop cover 3 made of glass or glass ceramic, on which various symbols S are arranged in a row parallel to the bar 2. These symbols S can be underlaid with sensor fields, for example, so that they serve as sensor buttons. For example, the symbol S shown at the far left indicates an on / off switch 4 which, when actuated or touched by a user, turns on or off the hob. To the right are two sensor buttons "-" 5a and "+" 5b for lowering or raising a cooking level of an associated cooking zone. The cooking zone is identifiable by a symbol 6 located above the sensor buttons 5a and 5b, here indicating by the filled point below an open point a cooking zone 7a of four square cooking zones located within the square pattern at a lower left position.

To the right of the sensor button 5b to raise the cooking level of the lower left hob 7a is a sensor button 8 u.a. to activate a parental control.

To the right of the sensor button 8, analogous to the two sensor buttons 5a and 5b, there are again two sensor buttons 9a and 9b for lowering or raising a cooking level of a left upper cooking zone (not shown), which is indicated and identifiable by the printed symbol 10.

To the right of the sensor buttons 9a and 9b there are again two sensor buttons 11a and 11b for lowering or raising an input value, but now for setting a time at a timer or "timer", which is indicated by the clock-shaped timer symbol 12. Above the symbols assigned to the timer and Button 11 a, 1 1 b, 12 is a timer display area 23 for displaying an associated period of time. The timer display area 23 has for this purpose two 7-segment or 14-segment displays. To the right of the icons or buttons 11 a, 1 1 b, 12, two pairs of sensor buttons 13a and 13b and 15a and 15b are respectively analogous to the left side for downshifting or upshifting a cooking stage of the right upper cooking zone, as indicated by the symbol 14th indicated, or the lower right cooking zone 7b, as indicated by the symbol 16.

The row of symbols S may also have further sensor buttons or other operating elements or symbols.

In addition to the operating elements, in particular sensor buttons, and printed symbols, the hob 1 still has display areas, which either have a fixed shape and can be switched on and off or which allow a flexible display of several symbols or signs, etc. Specifically, the hob 1 has a display area 17 located above the on / off switch 4, which lights when the hob is on and dark (turned off or deactivated) when the hob 1 is off or within a shutdown sequence located. Each of the cooking zones 7a, 7b is further associated with a cooking level display in the form of a cooking zone display area 18 to 21, each realized by a segment display. For example, the segment display may represent the digits 0 through 9 and various letters and characters, such as dots. Here, the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 indicate the following cooking levels with a hob 1 on: cooking level "9" for the left lower cooking zone, cooking level "5" for the upper left cooking zone, cooking level "1" for the upper right cooking zone and cooking level "3." for the right lower cooking zone 7b. The cooking level "3." represents an intermediate stage between the cooking stages 3 and 4, so that a total of each of the cooking zones 7a and 7b can be operated with 17 or 18 cooking stages. 1a thus shows a switched-on hob 1, in which all four cooking zones 7a, 7b are activated.

1 b shows the hob 1 after a user has actuated the on / off switch 4. As a result, the hob 1 is turned off, including a hob 1 associated Control unit a shutdown sequence or routine activated. For this purpose, first the display areas 17 and the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 are switched to dark or deactivated. At the same time, a power icon display area 22 is activated. The power symbol display area 22 indicates to the user that the cooking panel 1 is in a state in which it calculates and displays an energy consumption of the cooking zones 7a, 7b. The power symbol display area 22 fixedly displays the character string "kWh" in which unit the consumed power is displayed below. This ad in kWh is known to a user and therefore accessible for comparison.

FIG. 1 c shows the hob 1 with a displayed first energy consumption in the preceding switch-on interval, namely for the left lower cooking zone 7 a. The cooking zone display areas 18 to 21, which are arranged in a row, now serve to display the various digits of the value of the energy consumed. The displayed energy consumption here is "0.623" kWh, i. 0.623 kWh, wherein the point of the segment display of the cooking zone display area 18 represents the divider.

In order for a user to identify the cooking zone 7a to which the display of energy consumption relates, the cooking zone display area (here: 18) that corresponds to the associated cooking zone (here: 7a) is in one of the other cooking zone display areas 19 to 21 different brightness displayed. For this purpose, the symbol "0" displayed in the cooking zone display area 18 is shown. displayed brighter than the symbols displayed in the cooking zone display areas 19 to 21 (numbers "6", "2" and "3"). Alternatively, the display of the cooking zone display area associated with the currently displayed cooking zone may also be darker.

Fig.l d shows an analogous to Fig.1 c representation of energy consumption, but now for the upper left cooking zone. For this purpose, the cooking zone display area 19 radiates brighter for this cooking zone than the other cooking zone display areas 18, 20, 21. An energy consumption of 0.872 kWh is displayed.

Fig.le and Fig.lf show in an analogous way the energy consumption for the right upper cooking zone and the right lower cooking zone 7b, namely a power consumption of 0.144 kWh and 0.259 kWh, respectively. The displayed energy consumption corresponds in each case to the energy consumption per cooking zone for the duration between the last switching on of the hob 1 and the corresponding switching off (duty cycle).

1 g shows the energy consumption of the individual cooking zones 7 a, 7 b the cumulative or added energy consumption of all four cooking zones 7 a, 7 b for the last duty cycle of the hob 1, namely 1, 898 kWh (= 0.623 kWh + 0.872 kWh + 0, 144 kWh + 0.259 kWh). To distinguish the display of the cumulative energy consumption, the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 illuminate with the same brightness, so that no highlighting of a particular cooking zone 7a, 7b occurs.

1 h shows following a total energy consumption of the hob 1 since its first start, namely here of 278 kWh. Here, the rightmost cooking zone display areas 21 indicate a point as a divider. The "first start-up" can be understood as meaning the total energy consumption over the lifetime of the hob 1, the total energy consumption since the last connection to a power supply and / or the energy consumption since a last-time reset of a memory storing the total energy consumption.

FIG. 1 shows a state of the cooktop 1 following the display of the values of the different energy consumptions, in which, analogously to FIG. 1b, the cooking zone display regions 18 to 21 are again all switched off. Fig.l i corresponds to an end of a routine or sequence for displaying the energy consumption.

Figure 1j shows a subsequent display of residual heat for the cooking zones 7a, 7b associated with the indicated cooking zone display areas 18 to 21, the segment displays being an "H" for a hot cooking zone 7a, 7b and a "h" for a less hot cooking zone Show.

2a to 2j show a sequence of a power consumption display analogous to the sequence shown in FIGS. 1a to 1j, except that for an indication of the energy consumption of the individual cooking zones 7a, 7b, the associated cooking zone display area 18 to 21 does not have a different brightness identifies but flashes as indicated by the in Fig.2c to Fig.2f shown rays indicated. The accumulated energy consumption values for the preceding duty cycle of the cooktop 1 or for the total energy consumption of the cooktop 1 shown in FIGS. 2g and 2h have no flashing cooking zone display area 18 to 21. The flashing display has the advantage that it can also be implemented in displays that do not allow gradable brightness, and they are also very noticeable, which facilitates the identification of the current cooking zone.

3 a to 3 b show a sequence of a power consumption display of the cooktop 1 according to a third embodiment, wherein instead of one of the displays 1 c to 1 g or 2 c to 2 g, two steps or sub-steps are carried out in each case. Instead of a differentiation or a lack of a differentiation of the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21, a first sub-step is first carried out in each case at which a cooking zone display area 18 to 21 whose energy consumption is to be displayed (corresponding to the figures 1 c to 1 f or 2c to 2f), one character is displayed and no character is displayed in the other cooking zone display areas 18 to 21. For example, the character may be an abbreviation for the term "energy" eg "E". The sign can, as indicated here, flash. By this first partial step, which is shown in FIGS. 3 b, 3 d, 3 f and 3 h, the user gives an indication to the cooking zone 7 a, 7 b by the "E", which in the following (in FIGS. 3 c, 3 e, 3g or 3i) is displayed. The energy consumption displayed below can be displayed in the same way for all cooking zone display areas 18 to 21, ie without brightness differences and without flashing. This embodiment has the advantage that an identification of the cooking zone 7a, 7b and an associated display of the energy consumption are separated in time, so that a user can concentrate better on the reading of the energy consumption, which is also easier to read. The cumulative energy consumption analogous to FIGS. 1g or 2g for the preceding switch-on duration of the hob 1 is displayed here so that, as shown in FIG. 3j, all the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 are each represented by a (flashing or non-flashing ), Whereby a user immediately intuitively recognizes that in the following, as shown in Fig. 3k, the energy consumption of all cooking zones NEN 7a, 7b displayed together. The total energy consumption of the cooktop 1 shown in FIG. 31 since its first startup can be directly connected to the display of the cumulative energy consumption for the previous on-time. By the in Figs. 3b, 3d, 3f, 3h and 3j can be compared to the prior to differentiate the timing of the displays in Figs. 1 b and 1 i or 2b and 2i dark switching of the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 are omitted.

4 a to 4 j show a flow of a power consumption display of the cooktop 1 according to a fourth embodiment. The display flow according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the display flow, for example, according to the first embodiment as shown in Figs. 1 a to 1 j, but now additionally a display area for the timer, hereinafter referred to as "timer display area" 23, for identification a cooking zone 7a, 7b or all cooking zones 7a, 7b is used, and that instead of a differentiation of a display of the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21. It is particularly exploited here that the timer display area 23 can represent at least two digits. The first digit is intended to symbolize a power indicator, e.g. "E", while the second digit is associated with a cooking zone 7a, 7b associated number.

For example, FIG. 4c analogous to FIG. 1c in the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 shows the energy consumption of the lower left cooking zone 7a. The cooking zone 7a is referred to as a "first cooking zone" and displayed in the timer display area 23 as a character string "E1". A user thus knows that the number displayed in the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 corresponds to a power consumption for the previous on state of the cooking zone 1 of the first cooking zone 7a. Similarly, Figs. 4d to 4f show the respective energy consumption of the second (upper left) cooking zone "E2", the energy consumption of the third (upper, right) cooking zone "E3" and the energy consumption of the fourth (lower, right) cooking zone "E4". 7b. The designation of the cooking zones as the first to fourth cooking zone corresponds to the row of cooking zone symbols 6, 10, 14 and 16 indicated in the reading direction from left to right.

The cumulative energy consumption during the previous on-duration of the cooktop 1 can be symbolized, for example, by the character string "En", as in FIG Fig.4g shown. The string "En" can also be displayed during the display of the total energy consumption of the hob 1, as shown in Figure 4h, wherein a user between the cumulative energy consumption and the total energy consumption firstly by the sequence of the display and by the size of the displayed energy value can differentiate.

This embodiment has the advantage that an indication of the energy consumption is easily readable and assignable to a specific cooking zone at the same time. 5a to 5j show a flow of a power consumption display of the cooktop 1 according to a fifth embodiment. This process is similar to the procedure according to the fourth embodiment shown in Figs. 4a to 4j, wherein now in the timer display area 23 no string of numbers and / or letters is displayed, but a symbol, here: a small square 24 whose Position in the timer display area 23 corresponds to a relative position of an associated cooking zone 7a, 7b on the hob 1. For example, FIGS. 5c to 5f successively show the square 24 as a symbol for the respective cooking hob 7a, 7b displayed, for example, the square 24 in FIG. 5c, which occupies a relative left lower position in the timer display area 23, left lower cooking zone 7a corresponds. Similarly, the square 24 in FIG. 5d is in a left upper position of the timer display area 23, thus identifying an indication of energy consumption for the corresponding cooking zone located on a top left position on the hob 1, etc. The cumulative energy consumption for the preceding duty cycle of the cooktop 1 can, as shown in Figure 5g, be symbolized, for example by displaying all squares 24, which can be realized here, for example by displaying two digits "8". Again, a user can determine the energy consumption of a cooking zone 7a, 7b on the order of the display in addition to the displayed position of the respective square 24. The total energy consumption, as shown in FIG. 5h, can be distinguished, for example, from the other energy consumption indications that the timer display area 23 is darkened. 6a to 6j show a flow of a power consumption display of the cooktop 1 according to a sixth embodiment similar to the flow of the energy consumption display according to the fifth embodiment, but now for identifying a cooking zone 7a, 7b or all cooking zones 7a, 7b in the Timer display area 23 is not the same symbol, but differs depending on the associated cooking zone 7a, 7b. Thus, Fig. 6c, which is analogous to Fig. 5c, no longer shows a full square, but only two beams which abut one another essentially at right angles and which can be interpreted as an arrowhead 25. This arrowhead 25 is located not only in a lower left portion of the timer display section 23 and thus identifies the lower left cooking zone 7a, but the arrowhead 25 also points in the lower left direction. This facilitates recognition of the position of the icon 25 in the timer display area 23. Accordingly, the arrowheads 25 for Fign.6d to 6f to the top left, top right or bottom right. The cumulative energy consumption display shown in Figure 6g is composed of all the arrowheads 25 and results in a hollow square symbol, which stands as a symbol for an outer contour of the entire hob 1 and is easily recognized as such by a user.

7a to 7j show a flow of a power consumption display of the cooktop 1 according to a seventh embodiment, which is similar to the flow of the power consumption display according to the fourth embodiment. However, while in FIGS. 4c to 4h the corresponding energy consumption indications can be differentiated or differentiated by means of a different display of the timer display area 23 (also the character string "En" shown in FIG. 4h may be replaced by another character string, "Eg" etc.), the same display sequence "En" is now displayed in the timer display area 23 for each of the energy consumption values shown in FIGS. 7b to 7h, which is merely intended to symbolize that the displayed digits are to a power consumption display belong. A differentiation between the different types of energy consumption is done by another symbol, namely a lying above the digits of the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 lying arrow 26. This arrow 26 may be part of the segment display of the cooking zone display area 18 to 21 or a separate display area be. in the normal operation, this horizontal arrow 26, for example, a symbolize for the associated cooking zone 7a, 7b timer or timer. 7c thus shows, by way of example, an energy consumption display for the left lower cooking zone 7a, since the lying arrow 26 is located above the cooking level display for the left lower cooking zone 7a. The cumulative energy consumption for all the cooking zones 7a, 7b during the preceding switch-on period can be symbolized by the arrows 26 of each of the cooking zones 7a, 7b being activated or lighting up, as shown in FIG. 7g. The total energy consumption may be identified, for example, by the absence of the indication or by the deactivation of the horizontal arrows 26, as shown in FIG. 7h. The use of the timer display area 23 has the further advantage that the separate energy symbol display area 22 can be dispensed with.

8a to 8j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop 31 according to an eighth embodiment. In the hob 31, the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 are now no longer linearly arranged from left to right (i.e., in a 4x1 matrix arrangement), but square in a 2x2 array arrangement. The position of the respective cooking zone display area 18 to 21 corresponds to a relative position of the associated cooking zone 7a, 7b on the hob 31. An activation of a setting of a respective cooking zone 7a, 7b is effected, for example, by a multiple touch or "toggle". a hob activation button 48 of the respective cooking zone display area 18 to 21. Subsequently, a timer function for the associated cooking zone 7aa, 7b can be activated by pressing a timer activation button 49. The activated timer function is indicated by the lighting of a timer activation display area 47. Each of the cooking zone display areas 18 to 21 is associated with a watch-like, printed timer icon 42 and one of the timer activation display areas 47 adjacent thereto.

After actuating the on / off switch 4, first, as shown in FIG. 8b, the character string "En" is displayed in two adjacent cooking zone display areas 19, 20 in order to prepare a user for energy consumption in the following is shown.

8c in the cooking zone display areas 19, 20, 18, 21 from top left to bottom right, the corresponding digits of the value of the consumed energy indicated, first symbolizing an energy consumption of 0.872 kWh for the upper left cooking zone, which is identifiable by the timer activation display area 47 illuminated on the associated cooking zone display area 19. Accordingly, the energy consumption values for the right upper cooking zone, the lower left cooking zone 7a and the right lower cooking zone 7b are successively displayed as shown in Figs. 8d to 8f. The cumulated energy consumption of all cooking zones 7a, 7b for the last on-duration of the hob 31 is symbolized by activating all the timer activation display areas 47. The total energy consumption, as shown in Fig. 8h, is identified by the fact that none of the timer activation display areas 47 is activated. Thereafter, in Fig. 8i, completion of the power display sequence is symbolized by re-displaying the character string "En". Here too, the separate energy symbol display area 22 can be dispensed with.

9a to 9j show a flow of a power consumption display of a cooktop 51 according to a ninth embodiment. The hob 51 now has cooking zone display areas 58 to 61, which are arranged in a 2x2 matrix form, wherein the position of the cooking zone display areas 58 to 61 at least approximately corresponds to a relative position of the associated cooking zones on the hob 51. The cooking zone display areas 58 to 61 are each arranged laterally adjacent to an associated cooking zone icon display area 58a to 61a, each of the cooking zone icon display areas 58a to 61a symbolizing an associated cooking zone. The cooking zone symbol display areas 58a to 61a are thus also arranged in a 2x2 matrix form. The cooking zone icon display areas 58a-61a also serve as sensor buttons or touch-sensitive displays, whereby a user can activate setting of parameters to the associated cooking zone by activating one of the cooking zone icon display areas 58a-61a. An activated cooking zone symbol display area 58a to 61a may illuminate accordingly while the other cooking zone icon display areas 58a to 61a are at least partially darkened. The cooktop 51 also has a timer display area 52 laterally spaced from the cooking zone display areas 58 to 61 and the cooking zone icon display areas 58a to 61a. The display of the energy consumption values starts, as shown in Fig. 9b, after deactivating the cooking field 51 by displaying the character string "En" in the timer display area 52, which indicates an indication of energy consumption. The cooking zone display areas 58 to 61 and the cooking zone symbol display areas 58a to 61a are darkened or not activated.

Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 9c, the cooking zone icon is displayed in the cooking zone symbol display area 59a, for whose associated (upper left) cooking place the power consumption for the last power-up phase is displayed. The power consumption display is made in two horizontally adjacent cooking zone display areas 59 and 60, with the left cooking zone display area 59 indicating the places before the decimal point and the cooking zone display area 60 indicating the places after the decimal point. Hereinafter, as shown in FIGS. 9d to 9f, a respective power consumption for an associated cooking zone 7a, 7b can be displayed in the same cooking zone display areas 59, 60 at correspondingly activated cooking zone symbol display areas 58a to 61a.

9g shows the display of the cumulative energy consumption for the previous duty cycle of the hob 51, now all the cooking zone symbol display areas 58a to 61a are activated.

9h shows the display of the total energy consumption, which is identifiable for a user in that all the cooking zone symbol display areas 58a to 61a are also lit, but only an integer value of energy consumption is displayed, here for example only in the upper right cooking zone - Display area 60.

At the completion of the power consumption display sequence, the cooking zone display areas 58 to 61 and the associated cooking zone icon display areas 58a to 61a are darkened, as shown in Fig. 9i.

As shown in FIG. 9j, a display of residual heat in the individual cooking zone display areas 58 to 61 follows in turn. Here too, the separate energy symbol display area 22 can be dispensed with.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown.

Thus, the ad areas are not limited to use with segment displays. For example, liquid crystal displays can also be used.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 hob

2 bar

3 hob cover

4 on / off switch

5a sensor button, - "

5b sensor button,, + "

6 cooking zone icon

7a left lower hob / hob / cooking zone

7b right lower hob / hob / cooking zone

8 sensor buttons

9a sensor button

9b sensor button

10 cooking zone icon

11a sensor button

11 b sensor button

12 timer icon

13a sensor button

13b sensor button

14 cooking zone icon

15a sensor button

15b sensor button

16 cooking zone icon

17 Ad area

18 cooking zone display area

19 cooking zone display area

20 cooking zone display area

21 cooking zone display area

22 energy symbol display area

23 Timer display area

24 square

25 arrowhead

26 arrow hob

Hob cover

a sensor button

b sensor button

timer icon

Timer activation display area

Hob activation button

hob

Timer display area

Cooking zone display area a cooking zone symbol display area

Claims

claims

Household appliance comprising a hob (1; 31; 51) with at least one cooking zone (7a; 7b), characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to reduce energy consumption of the at least one cooking zone (7a; 7b) to determine and display.

Domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to determine and display the energy consumption for each of the at least one cooking zone (7a; 7b).

Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to determine and display an energy consumption of all the cooking zones (7a; 7b).

Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to determine and display a power consumption during a duty cycle of the hob (1; 31; 51).

Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to determine and display an energy consumption for a service life of the hob (1; 31; 51).

Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) has a cooking zone display area (18; 19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61) for each of the cooking zones (7a; 7b). 7b), and the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to reduce the energy consumption in the cooking zone display areas (18; 19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61) ).

Domestic appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the energy consumption can be displayed simultaneously in several, in particular all, display areas (18; 19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61).

Domestic appliance according to claims 2 and 7, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to display a cooking zone display area (18; 19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61) for the one Cooking zone (7a; 7b), whose energy consumption is currently displayed, different from the display of the cooking zone display areas (18; 19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61) for the other cooking zones (7a; 7b), in particular by

a different brightness,

a different color,

a flashing and / or

a previous display of a predetermined alphanumeric string.

Domestic appliance according to claims 2 and 7, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to indicate the energy consumption in cooking zone display areas (18; 19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61), as well as

to display an alphanumeric and / or symbolic character string identifying the associated cooking zone (7a; 7b) or

to indicate the associated cooking zone (7a; 7b) by means of a symbol (14; 16), wherein the symbol (14; 16) has a position identifying the cooking zone (7a; 7b).

Domestic appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to identify the character string identifying the associated cooking zone (7a; 7b) or the symbol (14; 16) identifying the cooking zone (7a; 7b) at least one other display area (23; 52), in particular in a display area (23; 52) for a timer (12).

Domestic appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the hob (1; 31; 51) is adapted to identify the character string identifying the associated cooking zone (7a; 7b) or the symbol (14; 16) identifying the cooking zone (7a; 7b) at least one cooking zone display area (18; 19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61).

12. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display areas (18; 19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61) are arranged in the form of a matrix.

13. A method for displaying an energy consumption of a domestic appliance, characterized in that the household appliance comprises a hob (1; 31; 51) with at least one cooking zone (7a; 7b) and a switching off of the hob (1; 31; 51) Energy consumption for each cooking zone (7a; 7b) is determined and displayed individually and / or cumulatively for all cooking zones (7a; 7b).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

(i) initiate a turn-off operation;

(ii) darkening at least the cooking zone display areas (18; 19; 20; 21;

58; 59; 60; 61) for a predetermined period of time;

(iii) successively displaying the energy consumption of the individual cooking zones (7a; 7b);

(iv) re-darkening at least the cooking zone display areas (18;

19; 20; 21; 58; 59; 60; 61) for a predetermined period of time and

(v) displaying the cumulative energy consumption of the cooking zones (7a; 7b).