EP3679301B1 - Pan support, gas hob and method for producing a pan support - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pot support, a gas hob with such a pot support and a gas stove with such a gas hob and/or such a pot support. The invention also relates to a method for producing a pot support.

Gas hobs usually include a hob plate with a through hole on which a gas burner is arranged. The gas burner has a gas valve for providing fuel gas, the gas valve usually being arranged below the hob plate. The fuel gas must be mixed with primary air to form a combustible fuel gas-air mixture. This usually takes place in a mixing chamber that is arranged below the hob plate.

A gas hob can also include a pot support. The pot support can be provided as a removable component, for example to simplify cleaning of the gas hob. The pot support is usually just a support structure that is designed to hold a food container above the gas burner.

The gas burner usually comprises an upper burner part which is arranged above the hob plate and has gas burner openings. The fuel gas-air mixture is provided at the gas burner openings in order to maintain a flame below the food container to heat it. As a rule, the burner upper part and the pot support are designed as separate components.

The document US 6,148,811 A discloses a combined burner and grate structure for a gas stove with one or more burner elements. Each burner element has one or more fuel inlets, one or more fuel outlets located on one or more side surfaces, and a top. A horizontal support for a cooking vessel is formed on the top of each burner element.

GB 2 240 168 A discloses a star-shaped gas stove burner head with radial legs forming a pan support and including a gas distributor and a mounting cap.

US 2010/126496 A1 discloses a burner fire cap for a gas hob comprising a substantially annular cover body. Furthermore, the reveals US 2014/076302 A1 a fire pit burner. The US 2016/201902 A1 reveals another gas burner.

US 2017/0205075 A1 discloses a cooktop appliance having a gas burner assembly positioned on a panel of the cooktop appliance and a grate suspending the burner in the air above the panel. The gas burner assembly includes an inwardly directed burner that provides more even heating of cookware supported on the grate. Additionally, a large opening extends through the center of the burner to ensure the proper supply of air to mix with fuel for combustion. The resulting stovetop device provides improved heating of all cookware and simplifies the cleaning process.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved pot support.

This task is solved by the pot support according to claim 1. Embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

Accordingly, a pot support for a gas stove is proposed, with a support structure for a food container, which has a support surface for the food container and a channel for a combustible fuel gas air mixture, which leads to gas outlet openings.

The “support surface” means, for example, a pot support surface. “Channel” means a cavity that is surrounded along its extent by a solid material of the support structure and is designed to contain a fluid, in particular a fluid, along its extent Fuel gas air mixture to conduct. Therefore, for example, the channel is essentially gas-tight when all channel openings are closed. For example, the channel can be divided at least in sections into several channel strands. The support structure includes the gas outlet openings for providing a fuel gas-air mixture. The gas outlet openings are designed, for example, as gas burner openings. The pot support is designed to provide a flame at the gas outlet openings for heating the food container.

By forming the gas outlet openings on the support structure, functional integration can be achieved, since the support structure carries the food container and at the same time can provide the fuel gas-air mixture for generating and/or maintaining the flame. For example, an additional gas burner cover or a burner top with gas outlet openings is not required. In addition, an individual and high-quality design of the pot holder, a gas hob and a gas stove can be provided. This also makes cleaning a gas hob equipped with the pot support easier.

According to the invention, the support structure is formed in one piece or in one piece of material. This results in the advantage that easy handling of the pot support can be ensured, especially when removing the pot support from a hob plate. “One-piece material” means that the pot support is made, in particular originally formed, from a base material/raw material. For example, the pot support is manufactured using 3D printing. A one-piece pot support eliminates the need for complex joining steps during production. In addition, a high-quality appearance of the pot support can be provided.

According to a further embodiment, the pot support comprises a pipe section for mixing primary air and fuel gas to form the combustible fuel gas air mixture, wherein the support structure and the pipe section are in particular designed in one piece or in one piece of material.

For example, the pipe section can be referred to as part of a Venturi nozzle, Venturi nozzle section and/or mixing chamber. Advantageously, a pot support, a gas burner cover/burner upper part and a nozzle arrangement for forming a fuel gas mixture, such as a Venturi nozzle, are provided in one component. For example, primary air is provided at an opening in the pipe section and is mixed with fuel gas. In particular, the pipe section includes a channel section. The pipe section extends, for example, in a vertical direction. A length of the pipe section is preferably greater than a distance between the support surface and a contact surface of the pot support on a hob plate.

According to the invention, the support structure has at least two fingers, in particular exactly three, four, five or six fingers, which are arranged in particular radially around a central axis of the pot support.

A “central axis” can be understood to mean an axis that extends parallel to the vertical direction. Viewed from a top view, the central axis passes through a radial center to which or to which the fingers point. For example, the fingers include a radial section that extends in a radial direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The radial section is, for example, designed as a T-profile when viewed in cross section in order to enlarge the contact surface. The pipe section is arranged, for example, around the central axis, so that the central axis forms the longitudinal axis of the pipe section. For example, the fingers protrude away from the pipe section. In particular, the fingers include a contact surface which is designed to rest on an upper side of the hob plate. The fingers in particular are therefore designed to be supported on a hob plate. Alternatively, the fingers can be attached to a base frame which is supported on the hob plate and extends around the pipe section.

In embodiments, the fingers converge on the pipe section.

According to a further embodiment, the fingers are L-shaped. For example, a respective finger extends from the contact surface first in the vertical direction to form a column section, bends and then extends in the radial direction R to form the radial section towards the central axis. This ensures that the pot holder remains stable on the hob plate be guaranteed. In embodiments, the pot support stands on a surface of a hob plate on the fingers, and the pipe section extends through an opening in the hob plate below the hob plate and absorbs the fuel gas-air mixture into the channel there.

According to the invention, at least one of the fingers has the gas outlet openings.

For example, the channel includes channel strands formed in the fingers. Preferably, the channel section, which is arranged within the pipe section, is divided into the channel strands, so that a fluid connection is formed between the channel section and the channel strands.

According to a further embodiment, the gas outlet openings are arranged next to one another along an extension direction of the at least one finger. Advantageously, a special appearance of the pot support can be provided. Furthermore, heat can be transferred evenly and over a large area to the underside of the food container. Preferably, the gas outlet openings provided on one of the fingers are provided at the same height and spaced apart from each other at an equal distance.

According to a further embodiment, the gas outlet openings are open to one side of the finger.

For example, the gas outlet openings are formed on a side surface or side wall of the radial section.

According to a further embodiment, at least some of the gas outlet openings are open at the top.

The upwardly open part of the gas outlet openings is formed, for example, on a wall which delimits the pipe section at the top and has a main extension plane which runs perpendicular to the vertical direction. Therefore, gas exits directly upwards at at least some of the gas outlet openings. In particular, there are additional gas outlet openings formed on the fingers, which are open to the side.

According to a further embodiment, the at least part of the gas outlet openings is formed between at least two support surfaces for the food container, which are formed by different fingers, one of which is the support surface.

Therefore, the upwardly open gas outlet openings are arranged between the support surfaces, so that a flame provided centrally on the underside of the cookware can be provided.

A gas hob with a pot support, as described above, is also proposed.

According to one embodiment, the gas hob has a hob plate with at least one opening and a gas nozzle arranged below the hob plate for providing fuel gas, a channel of the pot support extending at least partially through the at least one opening or being fluidly connected to it, and the channel thereto is set up to direct a fuel gas air mixture of primary air and fuel gas to the gas outlet openings.

The pot support is in particular provided on the hob plate in a removable manner. For example, since a top side of the hob plate is smooth when the pot support is removed and no projection, in particular a burner lid, is provided above the hob plate, cleaning the hob plate is made easier. For example, the gas nozzle can protrude into the channel.

According to a further embodiment, the gas hob has a pipe section for mixing primary air and fuel gas to form a combustible fuel gas air mixture, which is in particular designed in one piece or in one piece with a support structure of the pot support, the pipe section piercing the hob plate downwards.

For example, a lower opening of the pipe section, which is open downwards, is arranged directly above the gas nozzle. This allows fuel gas to easily flow from the gas nozzle into the channel. This ensures that the fuel gas-air mixture can flow to the gas outlet openings. For example, the pipe section extends through the opening of the hob plate and protrudes from an underside of the hob plate.

This has the advantage that the pot support is positively connected to the hob plate in the radial direction. Furthermore, positioning aids, in particular downwardly projecting projections, in particular pipe pieces, can be provided on the pot support, which engage in openings in the hob plate in order to prevent rotation. A single projection is enough to ensure anti-twist protection. This makes it easier to attach the pot support to the hob plate. Alternatively, the lower opening of the tube section may be open to one side of the tube section and fluidly connected to a gas supply line which extends in the radial direction.

According to the invention, the support structure of the pot support has at least two, in particular three, four, five or six fingers, each of which includes a support surface for a food container and is supported on the hob plate.

The pot support is preferably supported on an upper side of the hob plate. For example, the fingers are connected to the pipe section in one piece of material. In addition, a household appliance, in particular a gas stove, with a pot support, as described above, and/or a gas hob, as described above, is proposed.

A method for operating a gas hob is also proposed, in which a fuel gas-air mixture is led through a channel integrated in a pot support to gas outlet openings. The pot support is designed in particular as described above and below.

Furthermore, a method for producing a pot support, in particular as described above, is proposed, wherein the pot support is produced using 3D printing, in particular selective laser melting.

This has the advantage that complex shapes of the pot supports can be produced. For example, the channel can be provided within the pot support during 3D printing. Furthermore, it is possible to take into account individual customer requests that cannot be produced using conventional processes (for large quantities) when producing such pot supports.

The embodiments and features described for the proposed pot holder apply accordingly to the gas hob, the gas stove and the proposed methods.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Haushaltsgeräts;

Fig. 2

zeigt eine schematische Aufsicht des Haushaltsgeräts gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Topfträgers aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

zeigt einen Schnitt IV aus Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

zeigt einen Schnitt V aus Fig. 3;

Fig. 6

zeigt einen weiteren Schnitt des Topfträgers gemäß Fig. 3; und

Fig. 7

zeigt einen Schnitt IIV aus Fig. 2.

Further advantageous refinements and aspects of the invention are the subject of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention is further explained in more detail using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

Fig. 1

shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a household appliance;

Fig. 2

shows a schematic view of the household appliance Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

shows a perspective view of a pot support Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

shows a section IV Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

shows a section V Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 6

shows another section of the pot support according to Fig. 3 ; and

Fig. 7

shows a section IIV Fig. 2 .

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

The Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a household appliance 1. The household appliance 1 is in particular a household cooking appliance Gas stove or a household cooking stove. The household appliance 1 can be a built-in device or a free-standing device.

The household appliance 1 includes two pot supports 2. The pot supports 2 are each designed to hold a food container (in Fig. 1 not shown) above a flame (in Fig. 1 not shown). In other words, the pot support 2 serves as a support structure for a food container. The pot supports 2 can also be connected to form one element, so that there is a one-piece pot support that can carry two food containers. The number of pot supports 2 is arbitrary. For example, four pot supports 2 can be provided. The pot supports 2 are arranged on a common hob plate 3. For example, the pot supports 2 can be attached to the hob plate 3. The pot support or supports 2 are usually supported on the hob plate 3. For example, the pot support or supports 2 rest on the hob plate 3. Furthermore, a piece of pipe 16 protrudes in sections through the hob plate 3 (indicated by dots).

The hob plate 3 can be, for example, a sheet steel, a glass plate or a glass ceramic plate. Each pot support 2 is assigned a control element 4 for a gas valve or gas control valve, with the help of which a fuel gas stream supplied to the respective pot support 2 can be selectively switched on, switched off and, in particular, switched on continuously. Alternatively, the gas control valves can also be set up to regulate the fuel gas flow supplied to the respective pot support 2 in stages. This means that the gas control valves can be designed as stepped gas control valves or as so-called step valves.

Each pot support 2 is assigned to a gas hob 5. For example, the pot supports 2 could have a base frame section (in Fig. 1 not shown), which rests on the hob plate 3 and encloses the gas hobs 5, in particular be connected in one piece of material. The household appliance 1 includes two gas hobs 5. Furthermore, the household appliance 1 could additionally comprise hobs that are operated using electrical energy, such as an induction hob (in Fig. 1 Not shown). For example, the household appliance 1 includes three or four such gas hobs 5.

Fig. 2 shows household appliance 1 Fig. 1 in a schematic supervision. The household appliance 1 includes a front 6, on which the operating elements 4 are arranged and which generally faces a user who is standing in front of the household appliance 1.

Furthermore, opposite the front 6, a back 7 of the household appliance 1 is provided, which is generally facing away from the user who is standing in front of the household appliance 1. In addition, the household appliance 1 includes a left side 8 and a right side 9 arranged opposite the left side 8.

When viewed from above, the pot supports 2 have a cross-shaped shape with four fingers. How out Fig. 2 As can be seen, there is no additional burner cover or upper burner part. The pot supports 5 have channels and gas outlet openings so that the flames arise directly on your fingers during operation. Possible exemplary embodiments for pot supports are explained in the following figures.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a pot support 2, which is in the household appliance Fig. 2 can be used. The pot support 2 includes a support structure 10 for the food container. The support structure 10 has four fingers 11 which are arranged radially around a central axis M of the pot support 2 at an angular distance of 90°. Two fingers 11 lie opposite each other in mirror symmetry. As in Fig. 2 shown, viewed from the central axis M, one of the fingers 11 of the pot support 2 points to the left side 8, one to the right side 9, one to the back 7 and one to the front 6 of the household appliance 1. Alternatively, the fingers 11 could also be diagonal to the sides 7, 8, 9, 10.

Each of the fingers 11 includes a support surface 12 for the food container and a contact surface 13, which is intended to rest on the hob plate 3 and to support the pot support 2 on the hob plate 3. Each of the fingers 11 extends from the contact surface 13 first in a vertical direction Z to form a column section 14, bends and then extends in a radial direction R, which runs perpendicular to the vertical direction Z, to form a radial section 15 towards the central axis M. The central axis M runs parallel to the vertical direction Z. Consequently, the fingers 11 have an L shape. The radial section 15 is designed as a T-shaped profile or T-shaped bar to enlarge the support surface 12.

The pot support 2 further comprises a pipe section 16 for mixing primary air and fuel gas to form the combustible fuel gas air mixture. The tube section 16 is arranged centrally relative to the fingers 11 and extends in the vertical direction Z, so that the central axis M forms the longitudinal axis of the tube section 16. The radial sections 15 are connected to the pipe section 16 on its outer surface 17. The support structure 10 and the pipe section 16 are in particular designed in one piece or in one piece of material.

The pipe section 16 ends in the vertical direction Z with a wall 18 which has a horizontal main extension plane E. The wall 18 extends parallel to the support surfaces 12 and to the hob plate 3. Furthermore, the wall 18 is arranged below the support surfaces 12. In addition, the wall 18 includes a plurality of gas outlet openings 19 which are open at the top. The gas outlet openings 19, which are open at the top, are visibly arranged between the four support surfaces 12 when viewed from above. The fuel gas air mixture therefore exits directly upwards.

Furthermore, at least one of the fingers 11 includes the gas outlet openings 19. These are formed on the radial section 15 and are arranged next to one another along the radial direction R. The gas outlet openings 19 formed on the radial section 15 are open to one side (i.e. not downwards or upwards) of the radial section 15. Consequently, the fuel gas air mixture initially exits parallel to the support surface 12. The gas outlet openings 19 formed on the radial section 15 are correspondingly arranged on side surfaces 20 of the radial section 15, which are formed perpendicular to the support surface 12. Furthermore, gas outlet openings 19 can be formed on two opposite side surfaces 20 of a radial section 15.

Fig. 4 shows a section IV Fig. 3 , which cuts the pot support 2 into two equal halves and runs lengthways through two opposing fingers 11 and the pipe section 16. The pot support 2 has a channel 21 for the fuel gas air mixture, which leads to the gas outlet openings 19. The channel 21 has a channel section 22 running from bottom to top, which is enclosed by the pipe section 16 and begins at a lower opening 24 of the pipe section 16, which is open at the bottom. The channel section 22 is columnar and has a round outer contour. The pipe section 16 can, for example, be referred to as a Venturi nozzle together with a nozzle (not shown) for the fuel gas.

Furthermore, the channel section 22 is bounded at the top by the wall 18 and opens into channel strands 23 which are arranged within the radial sections 15. The gas outlet openings 19 create access from an environment U, which surrounds the pot support 2, and the channel section 22 and the channel strands 23. Therefore, the fuel gas-air mixture can reach the environment U, in which it can burn. A respective channel strand 23 extends in the radial direction R and ends within the respective radial section 15.

The pot support 2 is produced, for example, using 3D printing, in particular selective laser melting. It is possible to produce the fingers 11 and/or the pipe section 16 and/or the wall 18 as a one-piece material component, in particular with a channel section 22 provided therein and/or channel strands 23 provided therein and/or gas outlet openings 19 provided therein. For example, the pot support 2 is made of a metal, or the pot support has a metal.

Fig. 5 shows a section V Fig. 3 , which runs across the radial section 15 of one of the fingers 11. This shows Fig. 5 the channel strand 23 in cross section. The channel strand 23 has a rectangular cross-sectional geometry and is formed as a cuboid volume. A height D1 of the finger 11 between the contact surface 13 and the support surface 12 is smaller than a distance D2 between the lower opening 24 of the pipe section 16 and the support surface 12, the difference between the distance D2 and the height D1 being in particular greater than a thickness/ Strength D3 (see Fig. 7 ) of the hob plate 3.

Fig. 6 shows another sectional view of the pot support 2 according to Fig. 3 . In contrast to Fig. 4 a receptacle 25 is provided for a lower end 26 of the pipe section 16. The receptacle 25 has an annular ring section 27 into which the lower end 26 of the pipe section 16 can be inserted. An inner diameter D4 of the ring section 27 essentially corresponds to an outer diameter D5 of the lower end 26 of the pipe section 16. The receptacle 25 is at an opening 29 (in Fig. 6 not shown) attached to the hob plate 3 and attached to it.

In addition, an upwardly open gas nozzle 28 is provided below the ring section 27 and the pipe section 16. The gas nozzle 28 is fluidly connected to a gas supply line 29 and is designed to provide the fuel gas. For this purpose, the gas nozzle 28 is arranged below the opening 24 so that the fuel gas can rise directly into the pipe section 16. In addition, primary air is provided at the opening 24 so that a combustible fuel gas air mixture can form. For example, the channel section 22 can be referred to as a corresponding mixing chamber.

Alternatively, the opening 24 could be open to one side instead of downwards, so that the fuel gas air mixture can flow into the pipe section 16 from the side.

Fig. 7 shows a section IIV Fig. 2 , wherein the gas hob 5 is shown in a schematic cross-sectional view. The gas hob 5 includes the hob plate 3, the pot support 2, the receptacle 25 and the gas nozzle 28. In the hob plate 3, the opening 29, which is designed as a through opening, is provided for the ring section 27 of the receptacle 25. The lower end 26 of the pipe section 16 is received by the ring section 27, so that the pipe section 16 partially protrudes downwards from an underside 30 of the hob plate 3. Furthermore, the contact surfaces 13 lie on a top side 31 of the hob plate 3.

The channel 21 of the pot support 2 thus extends at least partially through the opening 29. Alternatively, no receptacle 25 could be provided, so that the end 26 of the pipe section 16 is received directly by the opening 29 and is in contact with an inside 32 of the same. Further alternatively, the pipe section 16 could be fluidly connected to the opening 29. For example, the pipe section 16 could stand on the top 31 of the hob plate 3, so that the opening 24 of the pipe section 16 is provided flush over the opening 29 of the hob plate 3.

How out Fig. 7 As can be seen, there is the advantage that when the pot support 2 is removed, the hob plate 3 has no projections (e.g. gas burner upper part or burner lid), so that, for example, cleaning the hob plate 3 is easier.

Furthermore, positioning aids could be provided on the pot support 2 in order to make it easier to attach the pot support 2 to the hob plate 3. Such a positioning aid can be designed, for example, as a projection, in particular a piece of pipe, which engages in a recess in the hob plate 3. This ensures anti-twist protection.

Alternatively or additionally, the channel 21 could also be provided in the column sections 14, with the column sections 14 extending through openings (in Fig. 7 not shown) of the hob plate 3 extend or could have a fluid connection with them. The channel 21 could accordingly transition from the column sections 14 into the channel strands 23.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. The pot supports can have other shapes, for example circular arcs or have parallel fingers. It is also conceivable that a pot support is assigned to several gas hobs and forms separate channels.

Reference symbols used:

1

household appliance

2

Pot carrier

3

Hob plate

4

Control element

5

Gas hob

6

front

7

back

8th

Page

9

Page

10

Support structure

11

finger

12

Support surface

13

contact area

14

Column section

15

Radial section

16

pipe section

17

Lateral surface

18

Wall

19

Gas outlet openings

20

side surface

21

channel

22

Canal section

23

Channel line

24

opening

25

Recording

26

End

27

Ring section

28

gas nozzle

29

opening

30

bottom

31

Top

32

inside

D1

Height

D2

Distance

D3

Strength

D4

Inner diameter

D5

outer diameter

E

level

U

Vicinity

M

Central axis

R

Radial direction

Z

High direction

Claims (14)

1. Pan support (2) for a gas cooker (1), with a support structure (10) for a container for food to be cooked, which has a contact surface (12) for the container for food to be cooked and a channel (21) for a flammable combustion gas and air mixture, which channel leads to gas outlet openings (19), wherein the support structure (10) has at least two fingers (11), wherein at least one of the fingers (11) has the gas outlet openings (19),
   characterised in that the support structure (10) is formed integrally or as a single piece, wherein the channel (21) is a cavity which is surrounded by a solid material of the support structure (10) along its extension.
2. Pan support according to claim 1, characterised by a pipe section (16) for mixing primary air and combustion gas to form the flammable combustion gas and air mixture, wherein the support structure (10) and the pipe section (16) are in particular formed integrally or as a single piece.
3. Pan support according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the support structure (10) has precisely three, four, five or six fingers (11).
4. Pan support according to one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the fingers (11) are arranged radially about a central axis (M) of the pan support (2).
5. Pan support according to one of claims 1-4, characterised in that the fingers (11) are L-shaped.
6. Pan support according to one of claims 1-5, characterised in that the gas outlet openings (19) are arranged adjacent to one another along an extension direction of the at least one finger (11).
7. Pan support according to claim 6, characterised in that the gas outlet openings (19) are open at one side of the finger (11).
8. Pan support according to one of claims 1-7, characterised in that at least one part of the gas outlet openings (19) are open to the top.
9. Pan support according to claim 8, characterised in that the at least one part of the gas outlet openings (19) is formed between at least two contact surfaces (12) of different fingers (11) for the container for food to be cooked, one of which is the contact surface (12).
10. Gas hotplate (5) with a pan support (2) according to one of claims 1-9.
11. Gas hotplate according to claim 10, characterised by a hob plate (3) with at least one opening (29) and a gas nozzle (28) arranged below the hob plate (3) for providing combustion gas, wherein a channel (21) of the pan support (2) extends at least partially through the at least one opening (29) or has a fluid connection therewith, and wherein the channel is configured to guide a combustion gas and air mixture, comprising primary air and combustion gas, to the gas outlet openings (19).
12. Gas hotplate according to claim 11, characterised by a pipe section (16) for mixing primary air and combustion gas to form a flammable combustion gas and air mixture, which pipe section is embodied in particular in one piece or from a single piece of material with a support structure (10) of the pan support (2), wherein the pipe section (16) pierces through the hob plate (3) in a downward direction.
13. Gas hotplate according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the support structure (10) of the pan support (2) has two, three, four, five or six fingers (11), which each comprise a contact surface (12) for a container for food to be cooked and are supported on the hob plate (3).
14. Method for producing a pan support (2) according to one of claims 1-9, characterised in that the pan support (2) is produced by means of 3D printing, in particular selective laser sintering.

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