EP2951809B1 - Cooking appliance with a transparent display - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance with a transparent display, according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the field of cooking appliances, there is an ongoing desire to continue to increase the ease of use of the cooking appliances. This desire stems, on the one hand, from the fact that in the hectic pace of a kitchen operation, especially larger restaurants with many guests, or in large kitchens, a quick and accurate operation of the cooking appliances used should be ensured. On the other hand, more and more unskilled workers are deployed, for whom a simple and clear operating option is crucial for correct operation. Conventionally, a cooking appliance, in particular a steam cooker or combi steamer, has a front side which has a cooking chamber door for opening and closing the cooking chamber behind it and at least one wider side pillar, in which the operating elements, such as knobs, but also screens and touchscreens are housed. Due to the limited available in the side post front surface, the areal display and controls such as screens or touchscreens have only a limited own area.

From the EP 1 891 499 B1 is a household appliance with a hideable user interface is known in which an opening in the front of the device is occupied by a plate, the opacity of which is opaque to transparent adjustable, whereby the inside of the device is visible from the outside. In addition, an action performed by the user of the device in its virtual UI can be captured. The display of the information is carried out according to this prior art by means of a projection from the back of the cooking appliance on the front, which means a lot of effort and moreover has the disadvantage that the projection beam is obstructed by occupied in the oven shelf levels at its progress to the front.

From the EP 2 182 503 A1 Furthermore, a cooking appliance with a housing, a cooking chamber door for opening and closing a cooking chamber of the cooking appliance, and a viewing opening in the cooking chamber door is known, wherein a part of the viewing port is able to accept the states transparent and opaque, the one part of the viewing port a transparent display capable of displaying information.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a cooking appliance which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides an indication on which information can be displayed unhindered and in such a size that they are easily recognizable from a greater distance from the cooking appliance, wherein it is still possible, if necessary from the outside to see the inside of the cooking appliance.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the cooking appliance is characterized in that the at least one part of the viewing opening has a transparent display which is able to display information.

This ensures that a much larger area for displaying information is created, as with the conventional display and / or control panels in the side frame of the cooking appliances, so that the user or chef necessary information from a much greater distance can be seen and he can keep up to date with a large distance from the cooking device on the state or the course of the cooking programs of the individual food, for example, the display of the Restgarzeit individual food.

In addition, additional information can advantageously be displayed by the larger display and it is possible to provide an improved spatial allocation of the information to the respective cooking chamber areas.

According to the invention, the cooking appliance is further distinguished by the fact that the transparent display at least partially covers the various cooking zones or insertion levels of the cooking space and is suitable for representing the spatially associated information about the different cooking zones or shelf levels.

This has the great advantage that an exact assignment of the display is made possible to the corresponding food and information about the appropriate Gargutebene can be displayed according to the right place, so that confusion can be largely avoided. Large Gargerate can have a variety of shelves, so that it can quickly become confused in the rush of kitchen operation, especially unskilled forces, whereby the kitchen operation undergoes a corresponding disorder. Advantageously, a direct assignment of information to the corresponding insertion levels is thus made possible.

Advantageously, at least a part of the viewing opening can assume the state semi-transparent, ie, that the information shown on the display before transparent viewing surface appear, comparable to an on-screen display, whereby the view into the cooking chamber is kept correspondingly limited.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that at least a part of the viewing aperture which can be adjusted in its transparency has a transparent touch-sensitive input field, in particular a touchscreen. This ensures that next to one Display can also be made directly input and, for example, the input field in the side frame of the cooking appliance can be omitted. This has the advantage that the side frame can be made smaller, ie can be made narrower or the cooking chamber can be made wider. In doing so, the "technical room" will be relocated to the back or down or up, and due to the size of the display, it will also be possible to provide considerably more information and input fields.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the viewing opening is illuminated. This results in a particularly good visibility of the information presented on the Diplay.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the illumination of the viewing opening takes place from the cooking chamber and / or from the edge region of the cooking chamber door. Thus, the display can be formed up to the size of the entire viewing aperture and neither the display nor the view into the cooking chamber is disturbed by lighting devices. In the cooking chamber located internals or items to be cooked in such a structure does not affect the backlight of the transparent display.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the transparent display is connected to a controller and an input device and is suitable for displaying the data from the input device on the transparent viewing region of the viewing aperture.

The present invention also includes classical input means such as e.g. the entry by selector switch or device-fixed touch panel / touch screens, or the input with additional devices such. PDA, tablet, smartphone and smartwatch.

Advantageously, the input device is a relatively small touchpad, which is arranged in a side region of the front side of the cooking appliance or in the door frame of the cooking chamber door of the cooking appliance. For example, the touchpad may have a similar size as a smartphone, the operability of which is increasingly familiar to the broadest sections of the population and thus leads to an easier operability of the cooking appliance.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that by means of the transparent display contents or information from any sources, in particular advertising information, layout of the device owner, such as name of the restaurant or information of a computer or notebook represent a large secondary monitor. For example, in a supermarket on the cooking appliance according to the invention, which is behind the meat counter on the cooking chamber door extensively advertised for special offers or special goods. Thus, the cooking appliance according to the invention can be provided with network interfaces and connections for external storage media such as e.g. USB memory, SD memory cards and so on. As a result, information can be transmitted to the cooking appliance. In combination with the present invention, for example, the day menu of a restaurant can be displayed. An effective control with small devices such as smartphones or smartwatches is facilitated by an additional monitor.

The adaptation of the layout of the cooking appliances, in particular the controls, for OEM partners and customers requires a component variation, for example, by a slide in the area of the control panel. With a large display area, which provides an area for this customer-specific data, this customization can be supported, if necessary. even the component variation is eliminated.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the cooking device has a sensor for presence detection and the transparent display displays information in dependence on a presence detection. The display without a recognized user on the cooking appliance could, for example, as in the Fig. 22b or 22c appearance. Even from a greater distance, the remaining time and the food can be read. If the user steps in front of the cooking appliance, the view into the cooking chamber could be released, cf. Fig. 22a and could possibly. Control elements are displayed.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the area of the transparent display provided for the input is displaceable in its position, in particular height-displaceable, whereby an ergonomic operability is achieved because the input height can be adapted to the size of the operator.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that in processes in which the cooking chamber or areas thereof should or should not be visible, the transparent display is total or in these areas in an opaque state can be switched. This lack of transparency mainly affects cleaning processes of the cooking chamber.

On the other hand, it can also be chosen that at the moment in which a food of a rack level cooking is finished, the display in the range of this rack level from transparent to transparent, so that the operator or the chef can immediately recognize that this rack level finished is cooked and can now be further processed or served. Advantageously, the present invention provides a variety of ways of information display, which ensures a fast and secure detection of individual operations and processes.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that safety instructions can be displayed over a large area, which increases the safety of the cooking appliance and its operation. Thus, during the cleaning process, a large safety message on the entire door, eg: "Do not open the door!" if necessary. with corresponding symbols.

Advantageously, areas of the cooking chamber that are not covered with food can be highlighted and the display indicates further suitable items to be cooked in this area which, for example, match the cooking climate prevailing in the cooking space, which leads to an optimization of the utilization of the cooking appliance.

Furthermore, with great advantage, the control surface of the transparent display spatially associated with a cooking chamber associated here, which significantly increases their ergonomics. The cooking of the food of a shelf level can be directly influenced and controlled. An input similar to that of Fig. 21 is possible. Peas and beans are selected. If the display is fully touch-enabled, tapping the third drawer opens from the bottom a selection of matching food items and selecting carrots, for example, assigns them directly to the drawer.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that information about running cooking programs and consumer information are displayed over a large area. On the one hand, this relates to cooking appliances that can be viewed directly at the point of sale by customers. But even with cooking appliances used in internal operation, there are advantages of quick recognition.

With particular advantage, the display and / or control input of several cooking appliances can be done on a display of a cooking appliance. Thus, the advantage of an operation of several stacked cooking devices, for example, on the upper better accessible display allows, over that cooking appliance, which stands on the floor and allows the saving of the operation on the cooking appliance to be achieved inferior. For example, two ovens or combi steamers can be arranged and connected one above the other. The upper one is equipped with display door and touch screen, whereas the lower one can save the touch screen. The operation then takes place via the upper touch screen while both are displayed.

Due to the size of the display also large controls (touchscreen keys) can be formed. Larger controls can usually be faster and easier to use because their accuracy is much higher than on small input surfaces, for example, on the order of smartphones.

An operating section may be arranged in each area of the display surface. For a reduced load due to mechanical shocks and vibrations, the touchscreen can advantageously be arranged on the hinge side of the cooking chamber door.

Advantageously, the viewing opening is formed by a multi-layered plate-shaped structure. This allows a safe and flexible design of the viewing port with display and if necessary. Touchscreen.

It is advantageous that the multi-layered plate-like structure has an outer glass pane, an inner, directed to the cooking glass and a screen forming the film layer, which is located on the inside of the outer glass.

Advantageously, a further touch screen film layer is provided, which is arranged between the display film layer and the outer glass pane, wherein the touch screen film layer is touch-sensitive and preferably formed from a capacitive film layer.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that a first free space is provided between the film layer and the inner glass pane, which is filled with air or vacuum, or is cooled by flowing air or gas. Thus, the reliability of the display and if necessary. arranged touch screens increased or ensured.

Advantageously, effective illumination is provided by providing at least one lateral illumination which radiates from the frame region of the cooking chamber door into the first free space and illuminates the film layer of the display.

It is particularly advantageous if the lighting is in the form of an LED light bar or a LED light strip.

Fig. 1

eine Frontansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts in einer relativ großen Bauform mit einem in der Sichtöffnung der Garraumtür angeordneten transparentem Display und einer Eingabeeinrichtung mit Eingabefeld im Seitenpfosten des Gargeräts;

Fig. 2

eine ähnliche Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts wie in Fig. 1, jedoch mit einem deutlich reduzierten Eingabefeld im Seitenpfosten des Gargeräts;

Fig. 3

in vergrößertem Maßstab das Eingabefeld von Fig. 2;

Fig. 4a

eine schematische Darstellung einer alternativen Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts zu jener von Fig. 2 mit einem schmalen Seitenpfosten;

Fig. 4b

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts der Fig. 1 bis 4a mit einem Eingabefeld im Bereich des Türrahmens der Garraumtür;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische fotografische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung eines Gargeräts mit einem transparentem Display über die gesamte Fläche der Sichtöffnung;

Fig. 6

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform des Gargeräts von Fig. 5 der vorliegenden Erfindung mit angedeuteten Einschubebenen im Garraum;

Fig. 7.

eine Ansicht von vorne auf das Gargerät von Fig. 6 mit geschlossener Garraumtür;

Fig. 8a

eine Schnittansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Garraumtür entlang der Linie A-A von Fig. 7 mit einer Display-Folienschicht;

Fig. 8b

eine Schnittansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Garraumtür entlang der Linie A-A von Fig. 7 mit einer Display-Folienschicht;

Fig. 8c

eine Schnittansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform einer Garraumtür entlang der Linie A-A von Fig. 7 mit einer Display-Folienschicht;

Fig. 9a

eine Schnittansicht der ersten Ausführungsform einer Garraumtür von Fig. 8a, jedoch zusätzlich mit einer Touchscreen-Folienschicht;

Fig.9b

eine Schnittansicht der zweiten Ausführungsform einer Garraumtür von Fig. 8b, jedoch zusätzlich mit einer Touchscreen-Folienschicht;

Fig.9c

eine Schnittansicht der dritten Ausführungsform einer Garraumtür von Fig. 8c, jedoch zusätzlich mit einer Touchscreen-Folienschicht;

Fig. 10

eine weitere Ausführungsform des Gargeräts der vorliegenden Erfindung mit höhenverschiebbarem Eingabefeld;

Fig. 11

eine weitere Ausführungsform des Gargeräts der vorliegenden Erfindung mit einem Display, das Informationen zu einzelnen Einschubebenen anzeigt;

Fig. 12

schematisch die Anordnung eines Näherungssensors bei einem Annähern einer schematisch dargestellten Bedienungsperson an das erfindungsgemäße Gargerät;

Fig. 13

schematisch eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts mit auf Intransparenz bzw. Undurchsichtigkeit umgeschaltetem Display, beispielsweise bei einem Reinigungsvorgang;

Fig. 14

schematisch eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts mit der Möglichkeit einer kundenspezifischen Anzeige einschließlich der Möglichkeit auch andere Geräte anzuzeigen;

Fig. 15

schematisch eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts mit einer Anzeige, welche Einschubebene als nächste zu bestücken ist;

Fig. 16

schematisch eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts, in der auf der Sichtöffnung ein Logo anzeigt, beispielsweise ein Produktlogo, zugeordnet zur entsprechenden Einschubebene;

Fig. 17a-d

eine Ausführungsform des erfinderischen Gargeräts mit einem Beispiel der Anzeige auf der Gargerätetür und Bedienung schematisch mit einer Mehrzahl von Anzeigefeldern und einem TouchBedienelement;

Fig. 18a-d

eine weitere Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung des erfinderischen Gargeräts mit einem weiteren Beispiel der Anzeige auf der Gargerätetür und Bedienung schematisch mit einer Mehrzahl von Anzeigefeldern und einem Touch-Bedienelement;

Fig. 19a-d

eine weitere Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung mit übereinander angeordneten Gargeräten und der Bedienung beider Gargeräte mittels des oberen Geräts;

Fig. 20a, b

die Höhenverstellbarkeit der Anzeige bei einem erfindungsgemäßen Gargerät in Abhängigkeit von der Größe der Bedienungsperson;

Fig. 21

die Anzeige von weiteren Vorschlägen passend zum aktuellen Gargut; und

Fig. 22a-c

weitere Möglichkeiten von Anzeigen von Produkten und darauf bezogene Informationen.

Further details, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a front view of a cooking appliance according to the invention in a relatively large size with a arranged in the viewing opening of the cooking chamber door transparent display and an input device with input field in the side post of the cooking appliance;

Fig. 2

a similar view of a cooking appliance according to the invention as in Fig. 1 but with a clearly reduced input field in the side post of the cooking appliance;

Fig. 3

on an enlarged scale the input field of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4a

a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the cooking appliance according to the invention to that of Fig. 2 with a narrow side post;

Fig. 4b

a schematic representation of another alternative embodiment of the cooking device according to the invention the Fig. 1 to 4a with an input field in the region of the door frame of the cooking chamber door;

Fig. 5

a perspective photographic representation of another embodiment of the present invention of a cooking appliance with a transparent display over the entire surface of the viewing port;

Fig. 6

a schematic perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the cooking appliance of Fig. 5 the present invention with indicated insertion levels in the cooking chamber;

Fig. 7.

a view from the front of the cooking appliance of Fig. 6 with closed oven door;

Fig. 8a

a sectional view of a first embodiment of a cooking chamber door along the line AA of Fig. 7 with a display film layer;

Fig. 8b

a sectional view of a second embodiment of a cooking chamber door along the line AA of Fig. 7 with a display film layer;

Fig. 8c

a sectional view of a third embodiment of a cooking chamber door along the line AA of Fig. 7 with a display film layer;

Fig. 9a

a sectional view of the first embodiment of a cooking chamber door of Fig. 8a but additionally with a touch screen film layer;

9b

a sectional view of the second embodiment of a cooking chamber door of Fig. 8b but additionally with a touch screen film layer;

Fig.9c

a sectional view of the third embodiment of a cooking chamber door of Fig. 8c but additionally with a touch screen film layer;

Fig. 10

a further embodiment of the cooking device of the present invention with height-adjustable input field;

Fig. 11

another embodiment of the cooking appliance of the present invention with a display indicating information on individual shelves levels;

Fig. 12

schematically the arrangement of a proximity sensor when approaching a schematically illustrated operator to the cooking appliance according to the invention;

Fig. 13

schematically an embodiment of the cooking appliance according to the invention with switched to non-transparency or opacity Display, for example, in a cleaning process;

Fig. 14

schematically an embodiment of the cooking appliance according to the invention with the possibility of a custom display including the ability to display other devices;

Fig. 15

schematically an embodiment of the cooking appliance according to the invention with an indication of which rack level is to be populated next;

Fig. 16

schematically an embodiment of the cooking appliance according to the invention, in which on the viewing opening displays a logo, for example, a product logo, assigned to the corresponding insertion level;

Fig. 17a-d

an embodiment of the inventive cooking appliance with an example of the display on the cooking appliance door and operation schematically with a plurality of display panels and a TouchBedienelement;

Fig. 18a-d

another embodiment of the present invention of the inventive cooking appliance with a further example of the display on the cooking appliance door and operation schematically with a plurality of display panels and a touch control;

Fig. 19a-d

a further embodiment of the present invention with stacked cooking appliances and the operation of both cooking appliances by means of the upper device;

Fig. 20a, b

the height adjustability of the display in a cooking appliance according to the invention in dependence on the size of the operator;

Fig. 21

the display of further suggestions suitable for the current food; and

Fig. 22a-c

further possibilities of displaying products and related information.

In the figures, like elements are designated by the same reference numerals. The various embodiments of the fermenters of the present invention and their elements are all designated by the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 is a front view of an inventive cooking appliance 1 shown in a relatively large design. The cooking appliance 1 conventionally has a housing 2, on which a cooking appliance door or cooking chamber door 3 is articulated movably and serves to close a cooking chamber 4 arranged in the interior of the cooking appliance 1. The opening and closing of the cooking chamber door 3 by pressing a handle 7 and a corresponding pivoting the cooking chamber door. How out Fig. 1 can be seen, located to the left of the cooking chamber door 3, a side post 5, which covers a so-called technical room in which various elements of the cooking appliance are arranged in a conventional manner, such as fluid supply, electrical control, fan drive, etc. The cooking appliance 1 relies on four Cooking appliance feet 6 off.

In the cooking chamber door 3, a viewing opening 9 is provided, which is usually formed of a transparent glass pane. In the side post 5, an input or control panel 8 is further arranged, which is designed as a small touch screen, which can be caused by appropriate contact, for example with a finger 10, a corresponding display on a display 11. The display 11 is according to the embodiment Fig. 1 arranged in the height range of the input or control panel 8 and covers part of the viewing opening. 9

By moving the finger 10 in the direction of the arrow 12, a display, shown only symbolically as a circle, according to arrow 16 is moved. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1 the display of the display and control panel 8 is displayed enlarged on the display 11.

In Fig. 2 is a cooking appliance 1 comparable to that of Fig. 1 shown. One difference is the much smaller input or control panel 18, which increases in size Fig. 3 is shown. The reason for this is that a display is omitted, because this is done only via the display 11. For pure input, only a correspondingly smaller area is needed. By means of a wiping movement of the finger 10 According to arrow 12, a display 14 is moved on the display according to arrow 16 from left to right. With the help of this option, a particularly ergonomic way of operating the cooking appliance is created, which ensures the ease of use of the cooking appliance.

The enlarged view in Fig. 3 of the control panel 18 shows that this preferably corresponds to a mouse control panel of a laptop, with a touch panel 50, a left mouse button 51 and a right mouse button 53.

Due to the small footprint of the control panel 18, the cooking appliance 1 according to the invention also a design according to Fig. 4a have, with a considerably slimmer side post 5 and if necessary. a wider cooking chamber door 3 with a wider viewing opening 9 and consequently also a wider display 11.

According to the embodiment of in Fig. 4b shown cooking appliance 1, the control panel 18 is inserted into the door frame 29 of the cooking chamber door and the cooking chamber door completely covers the front of the cooking device. 1

In Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a cooking appliance 1 according to the invention, with a likewise almost the entire front area of the cooking appliance 1 overlapping cooking chamber door 3 and a correspondingly large viewing opening 9, which is completely occupied by a display 11. The side post 5 is correspondingly formed slim in the housing 2. The cooking appliance 1 is in this embodiment with his feet 6 on a pedestal 45th

How out Fig. 5 can be seen on the display 11 two times and specified in the upper part menu displays and otherwise the display 11 is transparent and leaves the view freely on the insertion levels arranged behind it in the oven 4.

In the embodiments of the Fig. 4a . 4b and 5 For reasons of space, the technical room is located, for example, at least partially on the rear side of the cooking appliance.

In Fig. 6 an inventive cooking appliance 1 is shown with open cooking chamber door 3. In Fig. 6 can be seen in the open cooking chamber 4 schematically indicated stacked Einschubleisten 13, which have a corresponding counterpart on the other side of the cooking chamber and serve to accommodate inserts occupied with food and thus create superimposed insertion levels.

Furthermore, a drain 15 offset to the left and a heat exchanger 17 arranged below the cooking appliance are indicated schematically. In the bottom 19 a compartment or a drawer 21 is further provided for electronics. In this way, a very compact design of the cooking device 1 can be achieved.

In Fig. 7 is the cooking appliance of Fig. 6 shown with closed cooking chamber door. Schematically is in Fig. 7 provided on the edge of the viewing opening 9 and in the context of the cooking chamber door 3, a plurality of lighting devices 31 and 32, which better represent in the alternative embodiments Fig. 8a-c and 9a-c to see which is a sectional view along the line AA of Fig. 7 represent.

A significant problem with the arrangement of a display and control panel on or in the viewing opening 9 of the cooking appliance door is the prevailing during cooking in the oven temperature that exceeds the allowable operating temperature of conventional displays and touchscreens. For this reason, the present invention proposes a multi-layer transparent cooking appliance face opening 9, which may have the following structure.

In Fig. 8a is a first embodiment of the Garaumtür 3 shown in section. An outer plate-shaped glass plate 25 and an inner, to the cooking chamber 4 facing glass plate 33 define an inner space 37. The inner space 37 is filled with air or vacuum. Alternatively, it can also be cooled by means of cooling air. On the inside of the plate-shaped glass pane 25 is a film layer 23, which forms the display 11. With this embodiment, the advantage is achieved that the flat outer glass provides a flat surface that can be cleaned well and quickly and is relatively insensitive to often rough kitchen operation.

To increase the thermal insulation can according to embodiment of Fig. 8a a further cutting disc 35 may be provided in the free space 37 which divides this and forms a separate free space 27. The plate-shaped structure 22 forming the viewing opening 9 is received in a door frame 29. How out Fig. 8a can be seen, located on the vertical inner sides of the door frame 29, a lighting 31, which lights in the space 37 and thus the display 11 illuminated. Correspondingly directed light can also penetrate into the cooking chamber 4. The lighting 31 may be formed, for example, in the form of LED strips.

Instead of a "triple glazing" according to Fig. 8a , show the Fig. 8b and 8c only a "double glazing", in which the middle cutting disk 35 is missing. While the third embodiment of Fig. 8c same lighting as those of Fig. 8a shows, the second embodiment of the cooking chamber door 3, a lighting 32, which is formed of a double strand of LED lights. Of course, other embodiments of the lighting are possible.

The three embodiments of the Fig. 9a-c differ from those of Fig. 8a-c only in that, in addition to the display film layer 23, a touch screen film layer 24 is provided, which is arranged between the display film layer 23 and the outer glass pane 25. The touch screen film layer may extend over the entire viewing opening 9 or only in partial areas thereof, as represented for example by the input field 41.

The touchscreen film layer 24 is designed as a capacitive touch-sensitive layer and reacts when the outer glass pane 25 touches.

In Fig. 10 schematically an embodiment is given, in which a display and control panel 41 can be moved in the vertical direction within the display 11 in order to assume the optimum height for the operator. The size of the control panel is the device designs reserved, for example, only half the width of the viewing opening 9 or the entire width.

The embodiment of the cooking device 1 in Fig. 11 shows a schematic arrangement of three display and control panels 41 on the field of view 9, which are assigned to the respective rack level. Thus, the upper display shows the time of 22 minutes and 40 seconds as the remaining cooking time for the food of this tray, the middle level shows the time of 13 minutes and 20 seconds, and the lower level indicates the time of 7 minutes and 41 seconds. Furthermore, the operator recognizes that there is still one insertion level below the top shelf level unoccupied. Due to the size of the display fields, the remaining cooking times according to this arrangement example of Fig. 11 be readily recognized at a great distance, after which, for example, the chef can be directed to prepare, for example, other foods in a timely manner at another hotplate, such as a gas stove to the Restgarzeiten.

In the right-hand field of the respective display field 41, for example, the corresponding food item could be displayed in the form of a pictogram or photograph, which further facilitates the assignment, in particular in the case of large cooking appliances with a large number of shelf levels. Fig. 12 schematically shows the arrangement of a proximity sensor 43, which automatically lights up the display, for example, when approaching an operator.

If the device is in certain operating positions such as the cleaning process, by driving the display 11, the viewing opening 9 can be made opaque, ie it is intransparent. This is in Fig. 13 shown.

Another way to use the display 11 shows the Fig. 14 , On the display further customer-specific information can be made. In a further alternative according to Fig. 15 it is possible to indicate by means of a corresponding indication which insertion level is to be used for the upcoming cooking step.

In Fig. 16 an alternative is shown, the product, which is located behind it in the corresponding shelf level in the cooking chamber to display a logo on the display.

For connecting the elements used in the cooking appliance door, such as lighting and display and control panel (display and touch screen), a corresponding data and energy transfer is required. For this purpose used cables (not shown) must be able to cope with the mechanical and thermal continuous load.

Hereinafter, further alternative embodiments of the present invention will be described.

The Fig. 17a to 17d schematically show the view from the front of a cooking appliance 1 respectively on the cooking appliance door 3. The door has a circumferential frame and the display 11 corresponds to the entire viewing surface 9. In addition, an input field 41 is provided for example as a touch screen.

In Fig. 17a In the control panel 41, the "roast" food is selected. In Fig. 17b this is pulled to the lowest shelf level. In Fig. 17c the food is selected "vegetables" and in Fig.17d the vegetables are placed on the second level from below. Thus, the cooking space can be successively occupied.

Is according to Fig. 18a to 18d not the entire display surface by touch (touch) can be operated, a scheme of the cooking chamber can be displayed within the control. In this scheme of the cooking chamber, which may have six levels of insertion, level 6 is activated, for example, and the food "roast" selected (see Fig. 18a ). After confirming this selection, "roast" is displayed in the correct level (see Fig. 18b ). Then, for level 5, select "vegetables" in the touch area (see Fig. 18c ) and after confirmation at the real position in the cooking compartment.

in the Fig. 19a to 19d the cooking appliance 1 is connected to a further cooking appliance 1 'and the selection and distribution of the food and / or cooking programs can be carried out from an operating area. For example, the cooking appliance 1 in Fig. 19a the cooking chamber 1 and the cooking chamber 2 displayed. In Fig. 19b is decided by input on the control panel 41 that the roast in the cooking chamber 2 of the cooking appliance 1 'to order is. The choice of vegetables according to Fig. 19c done as in Fig. 19d shown by selecting the cooking chamber 1 by means of the display and control panel 41st

Reference is now made to the Figs. 20a and 20b , In Fig. 20a a relatively large person is shown on the cooking appliance 1 according to the invention and the display and control panel 41 is located in the upper region of the visible surface 9 of the cooking appliance door 3, which closes the cooking chamber 4. A person 47 has a good view of the high position of the display and control panel 41 due to their height.

According to the present invention, an adjustment to the body size of a second person 49, which is smaller than the person 47, can be made, and the display and control panel 41 can be moved down accordingly, as in FIG Fig. 10 shown.

In Fig. 21 It is stated that suggestions for further items to be cooked, for example two inserts of other vegetables suitable for the cooking space climate for the food beans and peas on the part of the cooking appliance can be proposed and displayed accordingly.

In the Fig. 22a to 22c By way of example, further possible displays are shown: transparent with a small display according to the display and control panel 41, in FIG Fig. 22 Display over the entire field of view with the warming statement "Fresh rolls in 2.00 minutes" or according to Fig. 22c The goods can be displayed buns, with the note that fresh rolls are available in two minutes.

According to the present invention, the view into the cooking chamber can be made abrupt, in steps or by increasing transparency and exert a signal effect. For example, bakery products are finished in the cooking appliance in an area visible to the customer. At the end of the cooking time, the cooking appliance control ends the state of the viewing opening from opaque to transparent and allows a view of the ready-made baked goods. This can be done according to, for example Fig. 22b such that the message "Fresh rolls in 2 minutes" is connected to an opaque display, and when the two minutes have expired, the display becomes transparent again.

The present invention thus provides a cooking appliance having a considerably enlarged display, on which a large amount of information can also be displayed on an enlarged scale, which also easily detects from a greater distance from the operator, the cook or the customer in the store can be. If the display additionally has a touchscreen function, at least in some areas, then correspondingly comfortable possibilities of operation and device control result, as they were previously not available in the devices of the state of the art.

The invention has been described by way of example in various embodiments of cooking appliances, which are designed in the form of combi steamers. However, the invention also includes crucible-like or pan-type cooking appliances in which the viewing opening is formed in the appliance lid, which may have a similar structure as the cooking chamber door of a combi steamer.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

- cooking appliance

2

- Casing

3

- Gargeräte- or cooking chamber door

4

- cooking space

5

- side posts

6

- Cooking appliance foot

7

- handle

8th

- Input or control panel

9

- Visible opening / glass pane

10

- fingers

11

- Display

12

- arrow

13

- inset

14

- Display

15

- drain

16

- arrow

17

- Heat exchanger

18

- Control panel

19

- Ground

21

- drawer

22

- multi-layered plate-shaped structure

23

- Display film layer

24

- Touchscreen film layer

25

- outer glass pane

27

- Free space

29

- appliance door frame

31

- Lighting

32

- Lighting

33

- inner glass pane

35

- washer

37

- Free space

41

- Display and control panel

43

- Proximity sensor

45

- pedestal

47

- big person

49

- small person

50

- Touch control panel

51

- left mouse button

53

- right mousekey

Claims (15)

1. Cooking appliance (1) comprising a housing (2), a cooking-appliance or cooking-chamber door (3) or a cooking-appliance or cooking-chamber cover for opening and closing a cooking chamber (4) of the cooking appliance (1), and at least one viewing opening (9) in the cooking-chamber door (3) or the cooking-chamber cover, wherein at least a portion of the viewing opening is able to assume the states transparent and opaque, wherein the at least one portion of the viewing opening (9) has a transparent display (11) which is able to display information,
   characterized
   in that the transparent display (11) at least partially covers the different cooking zones or insert levels of the cooking chamber and is suitable and designed for displaying the information relating to the different cooking zones or insert levels in a manner spatially assigned to the said cooking zones or insert levels.
2. Cooking appliance according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that at least a portion of the viewing opening can assume the state semi-transparent.
3. Cooking appliance according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that at least a portion of the viewing opening (9) of which the transparency can be adjusted has a transparent touch-sensitive input field (41), in particular a touchscreen.
4. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the viewing opening (9) is illuminated, and in that the viewing opening (9) is illuminated from the cooking chamber (4) and/or from a frame region (29) of the cooking-chamber door (3).
5. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transparent display (11) is connected to a controller and an input device (8) and is suitable for displaying the data from the input device (8) on that region of the viewing opening (9) of which the transparency can be adjusted.
6. Cooking appliance according to Claim 5,
   characterized in that the input device (8) is a relatively small touchpad which is arranged in a side region or a side post (5) of the front side of the cooking appliance or in the door frame (29) of the cooking-chamber door (3) of the cooking appliance (1).
7. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that contents or information from any desired sources, in particular advertising information, layout of the owner of the appliance, such as name of the restaurant for example, or information from a computer or notebook or safety instructions, can be displayed over a large area by means of the transparent display (11) as a large monitor.
8. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the position of that region (41) of the transparent display (11) which is provided for input purposes can be moved, in particular can be vertically moved.
9. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, in processes in which it is not intended to be possible to see into the cooking chamber or regions thereof, the transparent display (11) can be switched over to an opaque state in its entirety or in these regions.
10. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that regions of the cooking chamber (4) which are not occupied by products being cooked are not displayed as transparent or blanked out.
11. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that regions of the cooking chamber (4) which are not occupied by products being cooked are highlighted and further suitable products to be cooked in these regions are indicated on the display (11).
12. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that that region (41) of the transparent display (11) which is provided for input purposes is spatially assigned to a cooking-chamber region which is associated with the said region of the transparent display.
13. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the display and/or the control input of a plurality of cooking appliances takes place on one display of a cooking appliance.
14. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the viewing opening (9) is formed by a multilayered plate-like structure (22),
    in that the multilayered plate-like structure has an outer glass pane (25), an inner glass pane (33) which is directed towards the cooking chamber (4), and a film layer (23) which forms the display (11) and is located on the inner face of the outer glass pane (25),
    in that a first clearance (37) is provided between the display film layer (23) and the inner glass pane (33) and is filled with air or negative pressure or is cooled by means of through-flowing air or gas, and
    in that at least a lateral illumination means (31, 32) is provided, which lateral illumination means emits light into the first clearance (37) from the frame region (29) of the cooking-chamber door (3) and illuminates the display film layer (23) of the display (11).
15. Cooking appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the illumination means (31, 32) is designed in the form of an LED light strip or an LED light band.

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