EP2690925B1 - Hotplate device - Google Patents

Description

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

From the DE 198 17 195 C1 In particular, a hob with a touch-sensitive user interface unit is known, with touch-sensitive input elements being arranged outside of a housing unit.

The document EP2397773A1 discloses a cooktop device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of space utilization and/or protection against high temperatures. The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of patent claim 1, while advantageous configurations and developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a hob device, in particular an induction hob device, with at least one housing unit, which has at least one hob plate and at least one housing module, which is arranged on an underside of the hob plate at least in one operating state, and with at least one user interface unit, which has at least one touch-sensitive Has input element and at least one display element.

It is proposed that at least one display element and at least one touch-sensitive input element are arranged outside of the housing unit. A “housing unit” should be understood to mean a unit that is intended to form and at least essentially enclose an operating space, in which preferably at least heating elements, in particular induction heating elements, and/or power electronics, in particular alternators and/or rectifiers, of the hob device are arranged. In particular, the housing unit forms a holding unit which is intended to hold components of the hob device, in particular heating elements and/or power electronics. preferably to wear. A "hob plate" is to be understood as meaning a plate unit on which cooking utensils, in particular a pot, a pan and/or the like, can be placed, preferably for heating. In particular, the hob plate has a high temperature resistance, in particular at least up to 100° C., advantageously at least up to 200° C., preferably at least up to 300° C. In particular, the hob plate has a linear thermal expansion coefficient that is low in terms of absolute value, in particular less than 1*10 ^-6 m/(m*K), advantageously less than 0.5*10 ^-6 m/(m*K), preferably less than 0.1 •10 ^-6 m/(m•K), on. The hob plate is preferably formed from at least one at least glass-like material, in particular borosilicate glass and/or glass ceramic. The hob plate preferably has a transparency of at most 30%, advantageously at most 10%, in particular at least 1%, advantageously at least 5%. A “panel unit” is to be understood in particular as a unit that has a thickness that corresponds to a maximum of 50%, in particular a maximum of 20%, advantageously a maximum of 10%, preferably a maximum of 5%, a length and/or a width of the unit. In particular, it has a thickness of at most 8 mm, advantageously at most 6 mm, in particular at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm. The panel unit preferably has at least one, preferably at least two, in particular opposing sides which have a flat, in particular smooth, surface and advantageously form at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, advantageously at least 80% of an entire surface of the panel unit. A housing module should be understood to mean an individual component or a group of components of the housing unit that are different from a hob plate. The housing module preferably forms a housing shell. In particular, the housing module is intended to be closed by the hob plate to form an at least substantially closed housing. In particular, the housing module has at least one opening which is used for ventilation and/or cooling. In particular, the housing module is fastened, in particular glued, to the underside in an operating state. An “underside” of the hob plate is to be understood in particular as a side of the hob plate that faces away from an operator in the operating state, or that is opposite a side of the hob plate that is intended to hold cooking utensils for heating. The underside advantageously takes up at least 20%, advantageously at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, of a surface of the hob plate. In particular, the housing unit is provided in a

Operating state at least essentially, in particular at least 50%, advantageously at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, in particular to be sunk completely down to the hob plate in a mounting opening of a worktop. An “operator interface unit” is to be understood in particular as a whole of all operating elements and, preferably visible, display elements of the hob device that are accessible to an operator in at least one standard operating state. Advantageously, the operator interface unit has at least one carrier board, which is intended to carry at least two, in particular at least five, advantageously at least eight, preferably at least sixteen, input elements and/or display elements. In particular, connection lines that connect the input and/or display elements to the control unit should not be understood as belonging to the operator interface. An “input element” should be understood to mean an element that is provided to convert an operator interaction into a preferably electrical signal that can be interpreted by a control unit. A "touch-sensitive input element" is to be understood as an input element that is provided for at least one, preferably gentle, in particular pressure-free, touch and/or an approach of an object, in particular a body part, preferably a finger, of an operator to a touch surface, in particular within a distance of at most 10 cm, in particular at most 3 cm, advantageously at most 1 cm, preferably at most 0.5 cm, into a signal that can be interpreted by the control unit. The touch-sensitive input element preferably reacts to an approach independently of a direct touch and/or the exertion of pressure, in particular through a touch surface. At least 40%, in particular at least 60%, advantageously at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of the input elements are advantageously designed as touch-sensitive input elements. A “display element” should be understood to mean an element which is intended to convert signals from a control unit into optical, acoustic and/or tactile signals which are intended to be perceived by an operator. The display element preferably has at least one light-emitting element, that is to say a light-generating element which, in particular, converts electrical energy into light, in particular an LED, advantageously an OLED. In particular, the display element is designed as a group of light-emitting elements, for example as a pixel display and/or as a segment display, which has a character display, in particular a Digit display, forms. The fact that a display element or an input element is arranged "outside" the housing unit should be understood to mean that the display element or the input element is arranged outside the operating space formed or at least essentially enclosed by the housing unit. A "control unit" is to be understood in particular as an electronic unit which is preferably provided to control and/or regulate at least the operating unit and preferably heating elements and/or power electronics. Preferably, the control unit comprises an arithmetic unit and, in particular, in addition to the arithmetic unit, a memory unit with a control and/or regulation program stored therein, which is intended to be executed by the arithmetic unit. “Provided” should be understood to mean, in particular, specially programmed, designed and/or equipped. In particular, a durable arrangement can be achieved. In particular, a temperature load on the at least one display element and/or the at least one touch-sensitive input element can be minimized. In particular, a high level of security can be achieved by arranging at least one touch-sensitive input element away from heat sources. In particular, an increased installation space can be achieved in an interior of the housing unit, as a result of which installation space can indirectly be saved.

It is advantageously proposed that the operator interface unit is at least largely, in particular at least 30%, advantageously at least 50%, particularly advantageously at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, outside the housing unit. The fact that the operator interface unit is largely arranged outside the housing unit is to be understood in particular as meaning that at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, advantageously at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, of the input elements of the operator interface unit and/or at least 30%, in particular at least 50%, advantageously at least 70%, preferably at least 90%, of the display elements of the user interface unit are arranged outside the housing unit. In particular, a long service life of the operator interface unit can be achieved. In particular, a high level of safety and/or an optimized use of space can be achieved.

According to an embodiment which is not part of the invention, it is proposed that at least one display element and at least one touch-sensitive input element are arranged in a vicinity of the hob plate. A “near area” of the hob plate is to be understood in particular as an area which surrounds the hob plate at a maximum distance of 10 cm, in particular a maximum of 5 cm, advantageously a maximum of 2 cm, preferably a maximum of 0.5 cm. In particular, intuitive operation can be achieved.

According to the invention, the operator interface unit is arranged at least for the most part, in particular at least 60%, advantageously at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, on an underside of the hob plate. In particular, the user interface unit is arranged behind the hob plate, as seen from an operator. In particular, the operator interface unit is glued to the underside. In particular, at least some of the display elements and/or input elements are connected to the underside. In particular, good protection of the operator interface unit can be achieved. In particular, a component-saving configuration can be achieved.

According to the invention, the hob plate has at least one recess on its underside, which is intended to accommodate at least part, in particular at least 10%, advantageously at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, of the user interface unit. In particular, the recess has a depth of at least 0.1 mm, in particular at least 1 mm, advantageously at least 2 mm. In particular, the recess is intended to accommodate at least one display element. The fact that a part of the user interface is “received” in the recess is to be understood in particular to mean that the part of the user interface is arranged in an imaginary, smallest convex completion of the hob plate. In particular, a small gap can be achieved between the hob plate and the worktop. In particular, improved protection can be achieved.

Advantageously, it is proposed that the at least one recess is provided to completely accommodate the operator interface unit. In particular, the hob plate has a plurality of recesses which are each provided for a part of the operator interface unit, in particular one interface module each. In particular, the operator interface unit is accommodated in its entirety, distributed over a number of recesses. In particular, a reduction in the number of work steps can be achieved, since only one large recess has to be produced instead of a large number of small recesses.

It is also proposed that the operator interface unit is arranged at least partially, in particular at least 5%, advantageously at least 10%, particularly advantageously at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, within the housing unit, i.e. within the operating space. The fact that the operator interface unit is arranged partially within the housing unit is to be understood in particular as meaning that at least 5%, in particular at least 10%, advantageously at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, of the input elements of the operator interface unit and/or at least 5%, in particular at least 10%, advantageously at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, of the display elements of the user interface unit are arranged within the housing unit. In particular, a good spatial separation can be achieved between input elements belonging to different interface modules. An "interface module" is to be understood in particular as a large subset of the input elements and display elements of the user interface, which are intended to influence only a specific cooking zone or display its data in cooperation with the control unit.

According to an embodiment which is not part of the invention, it is proposed that the operator interface unit is at least partially arranged in a separate strip which is arranged in a vicinity of the hob plate. In particular, at least one display element and at least one touch-sensitive input element are arranged in the separate bar. In particular, the strip is formed onto the hob plate and has an at least essentially edge-free transition to it. The strip is advantageously formed from at least one material, in particular glass, metal or plastic, which differs from the material of the hob plate. In particular, a cost-saving configuration can be achieved. In particular, increased comfort can be achieved. In particular, a clear distinction can be made between the hob plate and the user interface.

It is also proposed that the operator interface unit has at least two, in particular at least three, advantageously at least four, interface modules which are each arranged in the vicinity of a heating element assigned to the corresponding interface module. Each interface module of the operating unit is preferably arranged in the vicinity of a heating element assigned to the corresponding interface module. A "near area" of a heating element is to be understood in particular as an area around the heating element which is spaced from it by a maximum of 30 cm, in particular a maximum of 20 cm, advantageously a maximum of 15 cm. In particular, intuitive operation can be achieved.

Further advantages result from the following description of the drawing. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination.

Fig. 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Kochfeld,

Fig. 2

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie II-II in Figur 1,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt analog Figur 2 eines Kochfelds das nicht Teil der Erfindung ist,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt analog Figur 2 eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Kochfelds,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt analog Figur 2 eines Kochfelds das nicht Teil der Erfindung ist,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt analog Figur 2 eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Kochfelds,

Fig. 7

ein alternatives erfindungsgemäßes Kochfeld und

Fig. 8

einen Schnitt analog Figur 2 eines Kochfelds das nicht Teil der Erfindung ist.

It shows in schematic representations:

1

a hob according to the invention,

2

a section along line II-II in figure 1 ,

3

a cut analogous figure 2 a hob which is not part of the invention,

4

a cut analogous figure 2 an alternative hob according to the invention,

figure 5

a cut analogous figure 2 a hob which is not part of the invention,

6

a cut analogous figure 2 an alternative hob according to the invention,

7

an alternative hob according to the invention and

8

a cut analogous figure 2 a cooktop which is not part of the invention.

figure 1 shows a hob 10a designed as an induction hob with a hob device 12a designed as an induction hob device. The hob device 12a has a housing unit 14a, which is formed by a housing module 16a and a hob plate 18a. The housing module 16a forms a stepped housing shell which is arranged on an underside 20a of the hob plate 18a. The housing unit 14a forms an operating space 15a. Four heating elements 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a designed as induction heating elements and power or supply electronics are arranged in the operating space 15a. Furthermore, the hob device 12a has an operator interface unit 22a. The operator interface unit 22a has nine touch-sensitive input elements 34a, 36a, 44a, 46a, 54a, 56a, 64a, 66a, 74a and five display elements 32a, 42a, 52a, 62a, 72a. Four of the display elements 32a, 42a, 52a, 62a are designed as LED segment displays and are intended to display a heating power level of an associated heating element 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a. A fifth display element 72a is in the form of an LED and is intended to display a switched-on state of the hob 10a. Eight of the touch-sensitive input elements 34a, 36a, 44a, 46a, 54a, 56a, 64a, 66a are provided to allow an operator to increase and decrease a heating power level of an associated heating element 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a. A ninth of the touch-sensitive input elements 74a is provided to enable an operator to switch the hob 10a on or off. The touch-sensitive input elements 34a, 36a, 44a, 46a, 54a, 56a, 64a, 74a and the display elements 32a, 42a, 52a, 62a, 72a are arranged on a common circuit board 26a which is intended to provide stability to the operator interface unit 22a. The operator interface unit 22a is arranged on a front side of the cooktop panel 18a. The input elements 34a, 36a, 44a, 46a, 54a, 56a, 64a, 66a and the display elements 32a, 42a, 52a, 62a form four interface modules 31a, 41a, 51a, 61a, the respective different ones of the heating elements 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a assigned.

The operator interface unit 22a is arranged together with all touch-sensitive input elements 34a, 36a, 44a, 46a, 54a, 56a, 64a, 66a, 74a and all display elements 32a, 42a, 52a, 62a, 72a outside of the housing unit 14a. The operator interface unit 22a is positioned between the cooktop panel 18a and a countertop 24a. The operator interface unit 22a is All touch-sensitive input elements 34a, 36a, 44a, 46a, 54a, 56a, 64a, 66a, 74a and all display elements 32a, 42a, 52a, 62a, 72a are arranged in a vicinity of the hob plate 18a. The operator interface unit 22a is arranged on the underside 20a of the hob plate 18a ( figure 2 ). The operator interface unit 22a is glued to the underside 20a of the cooktop panel 18a. Spacers are disposed on the cooktop panel 18a to provide sufficient spacing between the worktop 24a and the cooktop panel 18a to prevent damage to the operator interface unit 22a. The operator interface unit 22a is spaced 1 cm from a front edge of the hob panel 18a. The housing module 16a is sunk essentially in a mounting opening 25a of the worktop 24a.

In the Figures 3 , 4 , 6 further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, with regard to the same components, features and functions on the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular the figures 1 and 2 , can be referenced. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a is in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS figures 1 and 2 by the letters b to g in the reference numerals of the embodiments of FIG Figures 3 to 8 replaced. With regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference symbols, reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular the figures 1 and 2 , to get expelled.

figure 3 shows a hob 10b with a hob device 12b. The hob device 12b has a housing unit 14b with a hob plate 18b and a housing module 16b and an operator interface unit 22b. The operator interface unit 22b has touch-sensitive input elements 34b and display elements 32b. The hob plate 18b has recesses 38b on its underside 20b, each of which is provided for receiving the display elements 32b. Thus, a gap between the cooktop panel 18b and a worktop 24b can be reduced to the thickness of a circuit board 26b of the operator interface unit 22b, which carries the input elements 34b and the display elements 32b, since the touch-sensitive input elements 34b are formed as printed circuits on the circuit board 26b.

figure 4 shows a hob 10c with a hob device 12c. The cooktop device 12c has a housing unit 14c with a cooktop plate 18c and a housing module 16c and an operator interface unit 22c. Operator interface unit 22c includes touch-sensitive input elements 34c and display elements 32c. The hob plate 18c has a recess 38c on its underside 20c, which is intended to accommodate the operator interface unit 22c in its entirety, including the display elements 32c and the input elements 34c. Operator interface unit 22c is embedded in recess 38c with transparent adhesive. In this way, a gap between the hob plate 18c and a worktop 24c can be minimized.

figure 5 shows a hob 10d with a hob device 12d. The hob device 12d has a housing unit 14d with a hob plate 18d and a housing module 16d and an operator interface unit 22d. The operator interface unit 22d has touch-sensitive input elements 34d, 44d and display elements 32d, 42d. The operator interface unit 22d is disposed partially within and partially external of the housing unit 14d. Four input elements 34d of nine input elements 34d, 44d are arranged within the housing unit 14d. Furthermore, two display elements 42d of five display elements 32d, 42d are arranged within the housing unit 14d. Correspondingly, five input elements 44d of nine input elements 34d, 44d and three display elements 32d of five display elements 32d, 42d are arranged outside of the housing unit 14d. This allows additional components 28d to be placed on an underside of a common printed circuit board 26d of operator interface unit 22d within housing unit 14d.

figure 6 shows a hob 10e with a hob device 12e. The hob device 12e has a housing unit 14e with a hob plate 18e and a housing module 16e and an operator interface unit 22e. The operator interface unit 22e is analogous to FIG figure 4 educated. The hob plate 18e has a recess 38e on its underside 20e, which is intended to accommodate the operator interface unit 22e in its entirety, including display elements 32e, 42e and input elements 34e, 44e.

figure 7 shows a hob 10f with a hob device 12f. The hob device 12f has a housing unit 14f with a hob plate 18f and a housing module 16f and an operator interface unit 22f. The operator interface unit 22f has four interface modules 31f, 41f, 51f, 61f, each having a circuit board with a display element 32f, 42f, 52f, 62f and two input elements 34f, 36f, 44f, 46f, 54f, 56f, 64f, 66f. The operator interface unit 22f has a further printed circuit board, which carries a display element 72f and an input element 74f, and which is intended to cause switching on and off or to signal an on state. The hob plate 18f has five recesses 38f, 48f, 58f, 68f, 78f on its underside 20f, which are provided for one of the interface modules 31f, 41f, 51f, 61f or the printed circuit board with the on/off switching interface record completely. The operator interface unit 22f is located entirely outside of the housing unit 14f. The operator interface unit is completely received in the recesses 38f, 48f, 58f, 68f, 78f. All interface modules 31f, 41f, 51f, 61f are each arranged in the vicinity of a heating element 30f, 40f, 50f, 60f assigned to the corresponding interface module 31f, 41f, 51f, 61f on a right or left side of hob plate 18f.

figure 8 shows a hob 10g with a hob device 12g. The hob device 12g has a housing unit 14g with a hob plate 18g and a housing module 16g and an operator interface unit 22g. The operator interface unit 22g is arranged in a separate bar 80g. The bar 80g is designed as a strip of low-temperature glass. The bar 80g has a recess 82g on its underside which is intended to receive the operator interface unit 22g. The strip 80g nestles against the hob plate 18g. Alternatively, it is conceivable that a sealant, for example silicone, is inserted between the strip 80g and the hob plate 18g.

In further configurations, non-transparent hob plates are conceivable, consisting of composite material, among other things, with recesses in the hob plate, which are intended to accommodate display elements of an operator interface unit, being designed as holes. In this case, the display elements are preferably cast into the holes with a transparent material, in particular a resin.

It is also conceivable that input elements and/or display elements, in particular OLED lighting elements, are applied to the back of a hob plate as printed electronics, which means that additional processing steps, such as equipping a printed circuit board and/or creating a recess in the hob plate, are dispensed with can.

In further configurations, it is conceivable that a user interface unit extends to an edge of the hob plate or protrudes beyond it, with a protruding piece advantageously being covered with a suitable strip.

Reference sign

10 hob 52 display element 12 hob device 54 input element 14 housing unit 56 input element 15 operating room 58 recess 16 housing module 60 heating element 18 hob plate 61 interface module 20 bottom 62 display element 22 operator interface unit 64 input element 24 countertop 66 input element 25 mounting hole 68 recess 26 circuit board 72 display element 28 component 74 input element 30 heating element 78 recess 31 interface module 80 strip 32 display element 82 recess 34 input element 36 input element 38 recess 40 heating element 41 interface module 42 display element 44 input element 46 input element 48 recess 50 heating element 51 interface module

Claims (4)

1. Hob device, in particular induction hob device, which has at least one housing unit (14b; 14c; 14e; 14f), which has at least one hob plate (18b; 18c; 18e; 18f) and at least one housing module (16b; 16c; 16e; 16f) that is arranged on an underside (20b; 20c; 20e; 20f) of the hob plate (18b; 18c; 18e; 18f) at least in one operating state, and has at least one user interface unit (22b; 22c; 22e; 22f), which has at least one touch-sensitive input element (34b; 34c; 34e, 44e; 34f, 36f, 44f, 46f, 54f, 56f, 64f, 66f, 74f) and at least one display element (32b; 32c; 32e, 42e; 32f, 42f, 52f, 62f, 72f) and wherein the user interface unit (22b; 22c; 22e; 22f) is arranged at least to a large extent on the underside (20b; 20c; 20e; 20f) of the hob plate (18b; 18c; 18e; 18f), wherein the at least one display element (32b; 32c; 32e; 32f, 42f, 52f, 62f, 72f;) and at the at least one touch-sensitive input element (34b; 34c; 34e; 34f, 36f, 44f, 46f, 54f, 56f, 64f, 66f, 74f) are arranged outside the housing unit (14b; 14c; 14e; 14f), characterised in that the hob plate (18b; 18c; 18e; 18f) has at least one recess (38b; 38c; 38e; 38f, 48f, 58f, 68f, 78f) on its underside (20b; 20c; 20e; 20f), which is provided so as to receive at least one part of the user interface unit (22b; 22c; 22e; 22f).
2. Hob device according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one recess (38c; 38e; 38f, 48f, 58f, 68f, 78f) is provided so as to receive all of the user interface unit (22c; 22e; 22f).
3. Hob device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the user interface unit (22e) is arranged at least partially inside the housing unit (14e).
4. Hob with a hob device (12b; 12c; 12e; 12f) according to one of the preceding claims.

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