EP2604932B1 - Cooking hob and method of operation of the cooking hob - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hob and a method for operating the hob.

Hobs with minute meters, also known as "timers" are known. For example, the counter can be set to an initial value between 1 and 99 minutes. After that, the counter counts down the time, starting from the set initial value. During this time, the hob heats, for example, a food container with therein befindlichem food. When the counter reaches zero, the cooktop is switched off, for example, no power being supplied to a corresponding cooktop panel of the cooktop.

Induction and gas hobs are able to heat a corresponding Gargutbehälter with food within a very short time, for example, 30 seconds. However, such a short period of time can not be displayed with the currently known counters or known cooktops are not designed so that such a short period of time can be set at the counter.

WO 00/53975 A2 discloses a safety device for use in conjunction with an electric cooker. A control unit of the security device has a timer which starts a countdown as soon as no person is detected near the hearth.

US 2003/047553 A1 discloses a cooker having a display for displaying a countdown.

AU 494 555 B2 discloses a glass panel with elements that can be capacitively coupled to ground by a user.

Nearest prior art provides the JP2004357895 A The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved hob and an improved method for operating the hob.

Accordingly, a hob, in particular an induction or gas hob, proposed with a first display device, a first control element and a second control element. The first display device is set up to optionally display a minute or second accurate counter. The first operating element is set up in response to a first user input to control the first display device for displaying the minute or second-precise counter. The second operating element is set up to set a value of the minute or second counter in dependence on a second user input. A second display device is provided which is adapted to indicate whether the first display device displays the minute or second counter.

Characterized in that on the first display device optionally a minute or second accurate counter can be displayed, the desired second-precise counter can be provided for displaying short periods of time. The first display device is thus assigned a double function. An additional display device can be saved. In addition, a comprehensive adaptation of the design of the known cookers described in the introduction is not required. The minute exact counter existing in these known cooktops is merely supplemented by the function of a second-precise counter and provided with the corresponding switching function. The external appearance of the hob can remain unchanged. Since the first display device is capable of displaying the minute or second counter, it is preferably provided that the user is informed by the second display device as to which counter is currently being displayed to him.

According to one embodiment, a control device is provided, which counts down the counter and, depending on the remaining value of the counter, drives a heating device of the hob. The second control element typically sets the initial value of the counter, which is then counted down.

According to a further embodiment, the first display device comprises two seven- or eight-segment displays. Seven-segment displays are in themselves suitable to display a corresponding value of the counter. In many cases, however, eight-segment displays already exist on hobs so that they can form the first display device. The two seven- or eight-segment displays can display a value between 0 and 99 seconds or between 0 and 99 minutes.

According to another embodiment, the counter occupies seven segments of a respective eight-segment display. The "point" of a respective eight-segment display is not used to display the counter.

According to a further embodiment, the second display device is designed as the eighth segment of one of the two eight-segment displays. For example, a "dot" of one of the eight segment displays may be used to indicate to the user whether the minute or second accurate counter is being displayed. For example, if the "dot" illuminates one of the eight segment displays, then the user knows that the first display indicates the second-by-second counter.

According to a further embodiment, the first operating element is set up to control the first display device for displaying the minute or second counter in dependence on the duration of the first user input. The first operating element can thus be designed, for example, as a pushbutton which, depending on whether it is pressed for a long or short time, actuates the first display device for displaying the meter which is accurate to the minute or to the second. For example, a brief press of the button may trigger the first display device to display the second-by-second counter, while a long press of the button activates the first display device to display the one-minute counter.

According to a further embodiment, the first operating element is simultaneously set up to switch over the hob between a counter mode, in which the control device controls the heating device as a function of the value of the counter, and a manual mode, in which the heating device can be activated in response to a user input , The manual mode corresponds to the conventional operation of cooktops by a user, wherein the user controls the heater, such as the corresponding cooktop panel, on or off or controls this for heating to a specific, manually enterable level. Characterized in that the first control element is used both for switching between the two modes as well as for controlling the first display device, advantageously results in an integration of several functions in the first control element. Further operating elements can thus be saved.

According to a further embodiment, the heating device is designed as an electric induction field or a gas burner. These are each capable of one Gargutbehälter with appropriate food within a very short time, for example, 30 seconds to heat.

According to another embodiment, the controller, during the countdown of the counter, drives the heater to deliver maximum power. Thus, the food container is heated with the food inside it within a very short time.

According to a further embodiment, the first and / or second operating element is designed as a push-button. This results in a simple operation of the hob. The buttons can be designed, for example, in the form of softkeys on a touchscreen.

Furthermore, a method for operating the hob according to the invention is proposed. The first display device is driven in response to a first user input for selectively displaying a minute or second accurate counter, and a value of the minute or second accurate counter is set in response to a second user input.

According to another embodiment, the counter is counted down and a heater of the hob is controlled in dependence on the remaining value of the counter.

According to another embodiment, the counter is displayed on two seven- or eight-segment displays. According to the invention, it is displayed whether the minute or second accurate counter is displayed.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the embodiments of the invention described below. Furthermore, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

• Fig. 1: ausschnittsweise und schematisch ein Kochfeld mit einer ersten Anzeigeeinrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• Fig. 2: die Ansicht aus Fig. 1, wobei ein erster Wert auf der ersten Anzeigeeinrichtung angezeigt wird;
• Fig. 3: die Ansicht aus Fig. 1, wobei ein zweiter Wert auf der ersten Anzeigeeinrichtung angezeigt wird; und
• Fig. 4: die Ansicht aus Fig. 1, wobei ein dritter Wert auf der ersten Anzeigeeinrichtung angezeigt wird.

It shows:

• Fig. 1 FIG. 2 is a fragmentary and schematic view of a hob with a first display device according to an embodiment; FIG.
• Fig. 2 : the view off Fig. 1 wherein a first value is displayed on the first display device;
• Fig. 3 : the view off Fig. 1 wherein a second value is displayed on the first display device; and
• Fig. 4 : the view off Fig. 1 wherein a third value is displayed on the first display device.

In the figures, the same or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference numerals, unless stated otherwise.

Fig. 1 shows a detail and schematically a hob 1, which is formed for example as an induction or gas hob.

The cooktop 1 comprises an operating module 2, which is integrated, for example, in a top 3 of the cooktop 1.

The operating module 2 has two eight-segment displays 5, 6. A respective eight-segment display 5, 6 is composed of seven lines 7 and a point 10. A first display device 4 of the operating module 2 comprises seven lines 7 each both eight-segment displays 5, 6. By means of the first display device 4, a counter 12 can be displayed, see Figures 2-4 , The counter 12 may have a maximum value of "99", as in FIG FIG. 3 shown. The minimum value of the counter 12 is "00", but is not shown in any of the figures. The counter 12 can express minutes or seconds. The counter 12 may thus have, for example, a value between 0 and 99 minutes or between 0 and 99 seconds.

In order to indicate to the user whether the first display device 4 displays the minute or second counter 12, the operating module 2 has a second display device 11. The second display device 11 is designed, for example, in the form of the right-hand point 10 of the eight-segment display 5. If point 10 does not light up, as shown in the example in FIG FIG. 2 As shown, the user knows that the counter 12 indicates a minute value. According to the embodiment in FIG. 2 a value of "12" minutes is displayed. In contrast, the point 10 lights in the states according to Figures 3 and 4 , so that there the counter 12 each indicates a second-precise value "99" or "35".

Furthermore, the operating module 2 on a first control element 13 in the form of a button. By means of the first control element 13, the first display device 4 can be used to display the minute or second accurate counter 12, as will be explained in more detail below. In addition, the first control element 13 associated with other functions. This will also be explained in more detail below.

Furthermore, the operating module 2 has a second operating element 14, which is designed in the form of two buttons 15, 16. By means of the second control element 14, the value of the minute or second accurate counter 12 can be specified. Also, this will be explained in more detail later.

Furthermore, a control device 17 may be integrated into the operating module 2. The control device 17 is connected to the first display device 4, the second display device 11, the first control element 13 and the second control element 14 signal technically in a manner not shown. In addition, the control device 17 is signal-technically connected to a heating device 21 and controls it. The heater 21 may, for example, as induction hob plate or Gas burner be formed. Further shows FIG. 1 a cup 22 with a liquid 23 therein, which is to be heated by the heater 21.

A user may now first of all choose to heat the cup 22 with the liquid 23 in a manual mode or in a counter mode (also referred to as a "timer mode"). In the manual mode, for example, the user turns on the heater via a corresponding rotary knob, not shown, and thereby provides a step, for example between "1" and "10", with which the heater 21 heats the cup 22 with the liquid 23. However, this requires that the user stops in front of the hob 1 and monitors the heating process, since otherwise, for example, a foaming of the liquid 23 may occur.

The user enters the counter mode by briefly pressing the button 13, for example for one second. As a result, the first display device 4 for displaying the minute-exact counter 12 is simultaneously activated. The first display device 4 can initially display a value of "00". By means of the keys 15, 16 can then be a suitable value between 0 and 99 minutes, for example, "12" minutes, see FIG. 2 , to adjust. Thereafter, the cup 22 is heated with the liquid 23 by means of the heater 21 comparatively slowly over 12 minutes. In addition, the control device 17 counts down the counter 12, that is, for example, to "11" after the lapse of one minute, to "10" after the lapse of two minutes, etc.

However, if the user wishes rapid warming of the cup 22 with the liquid 23, he may either hold the button 13 in the manual mode or in the counter mode for a long time, for example 3 seconds, whereupon the first display means 4 will indicate the display by the control means 17 second accurate counter 12 is switched. With the aid of the illuminated point 10 (display device 11) it is then recognizable to the user that a meter-second counter 12 is displayed to him. For example, the value of the second-by-second counter 12 may initially also be "00". By means of the buttons 15, 16, a suitable value between 0 and 99 seconds can then be set on the first display device 4. Is a set the appropriate value, controls the control device 17, the heater 21 for delivering a maximum heating power to the cup 22 with the liquid 23 at. At the same time, the second-by-second counter 12 is counted down, that is, for example, starting from "35" seconds, as in FIG FIG. 4 displayed at "34" seconds after 1 second, "33" seconds after 2 seconds, etc.

The cup 22 with the liquid 23 is heated in the counter mode for a predetermined period of time without requiring supervision by the user.

The operating module 2 may have a touch screen, which forms the buttons 13, 15 and 16, which are thus formed in the form of softkeys. Instead of the buttons 13, 15, 16 and one or more rotary dials could be used.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is variously modifiable, the scope of protection being defined by the claims.

Used reference signs:

1

hob

2

adjustment module

3

top

4

first display device

5

Eight-segment display

6

Eight-segment display

7

stroke

10

Point

11

second display device

12

counter

13

first operating element

14

second operating element

15

button

16

button

17

control device

21

heater

22

Cup

23

liquid

Claims (13)

1. Cooking hob (1), in particular induction or gas hob, with a first display device (4) which is designed to optionally display a counter (12) which is accurate to the minute or second, a first control element (13) which is designed to control the first display device (4) for displaying the counter (12) which is accurate to the minute or second as a function of a first user input, a second control element (14), which is designed to adjust a value of the counter (12) which is accurate to the minute or second as a function of a second user input, characterised by a second display device (11), which is designed to display whether the first display device (4) displays the counter (12) which is accurate to the minute or second.
2. Cooking hob according to claim 1, characterised in that a control device (17) is provided, which counts down the counter (12) and controls a heating device (21) of the cooking hob (1) as a function of the remaining value of the counter (12).
3. Cooking hob according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first display device (4) comprises two seven or eight segment displays (5, 6).
4. Cooking hob according to claim 3, characterised in that the counter (12) uses seven segments (7) of a respective eight segment display (5, 6).
5. Cooking hob according to claim 4, characterised in that the second display device (11) is embodied as the eighth segment (10) of one of the two eight segment displays (5, 6).
6. Cooking hob according to claim 5, characterised in that the first control element (13) is designed to control the first display device (4) for displaying the counter (12) which is accurate to the minute or second as a function of the duration of the first user input.
7. Cooking hob according to one of claims 2 - 6, characterised in that the first control element (13) is simultaneously designed to switch the cooking hob (1) between a counter mode, in which the control device (17) controls the heating device (21) as a function of the value of the counter (12), and a manual mode, in which the heating device (21) can be controlled as a function of a user input.
8. Cooking hob according to one of claims 2 - 7, characterised in that the heating device (21) is embodied as an induction hotplate or as a gas burner.
9. Cooking hob according to one of claims 2 - 8, characterised in that the control device (17) controls the heating device (21) for outputting a maximum output when the counter (12) is counted down.
10. Cooking hob according to one of claims 1 - 9, characterised in that the first and/or second control element (13, 14) is embodied as a push-button.
11. Method for operating a cooking hob (1) according to one of claims 1 - 10, wherein a first display device (4) is controlled as a function of a first user input for optionally displaying a counter (12) which is accurate to the minute or second, wherein as a function of a second user input, a value of the counter (12) which is accurate to the minute or second is adjusted, characterised in that the second display device (11) displays whether the counter (12) which is accurate to the minute or second is displayed.
12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the counter (12) is counted down and a heating device (21) of the cooking hob (1) is controlled as a function of the remaining value of the counter (12).
13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the counter (12) is displayed on two seven or eight segment displays (5, 6).

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