EP3864349A1

EP3864349A1 - A cooking device comprising a cooking stone

Info

Publication number: EP3864349A1
Application number: EP19762921.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yusuf Koc; Unsal KAYA; Mustafa ONAL; Nevin AKKAS; Beria Isik CANTURK
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-10-10
Filing date: 2019-08-29
Publication date: 2021-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-29
Also published as: EP3864349B1; WO2020074179A1; PL3864349T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a body (2); a cooking cavity (3) which is arranged in the body (2) and wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a casing (4) in the form of a box with an open front side which surrounds the cooking cavity (3); a heater (5) which is disposed in the cooking cavity (3) and which provides the cooking of the foodstuffs; a cooking stone (6) which is disposed into the oven cavity (3), which is produced from a refractory material and which has a support surface (S) whereon the foodstuff is placed; a camera (8) which is disposed on the body (2) and which has an imaging means (7) disposed on the cooking cavity (3) and capturing the images of the interior of the cooking cavity (3); and a control unit (9) which provides the identification of dirty regions of the cooking stone (6) by means of the images received from the camera (8).

Description

A COOKING DEVICE COMPRISING A COOKING STONE

The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising a cooking stone.
In ovens, the cooking process is performed by dissipating the heat generated by the heater into the cooking device by means of the fan. The cooking process is performed by dissipating the hot air into the cooking device. Therefore, foodstuffs are cooked by means of air without getting into contact with a hot surface. This causes difficulties in cooking dough foods such as pizza, etc., and the cooking process takes a long time. This causes the dough to harden or fail to be cooked as desired. In the state of the art cooking stones for cooking dough foods are used. Generally the state of the art cooking stones are produced from refractory materials, such as ceramic or stone, which have a high capacity of storing heat and releasing the heat slowly over time, thus allowing to directly heat the base of the dough food which is in contact with the tray. However, the cooking stones which are used frequently get dirty in the course of time. As the dirt accumulates on the surface, the cooking process cannot be performed with high efficiency, causing the foodstuffs to be undercooked or overcooked. The cooking stones have to be cleaned by the user at certain intervals. In the state of the art automatic washing systems are used. However, as the automatic washing systems clean every region equally, problems arise in cleaning regions with heavy dirt. Moreover, as the clean regions are also washed, water is not used efficiently.
In the state of the art United States Patent Document No. US20150285512, the positioning of a camera system which captures images of the oven interior is disclosed.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooking device comprising a cooking stone which is cleaned efficiently.
The cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body; a cooking cavity wherein the foodstuffs are cooked; a casing which surrounds the cooking cavity; a heater which is provided in the cooking cavity and which provides the heating of the foodstuffs; and a cooking stone which is produced from a refractory material and whereon the foodstuffs are cooked. A camera which captures the images of the interior of the oven cavity is provided on the cooking cavity. By using the images captured by the camera, the dirty regions of the cooking stone are determined by means of a control unit. An imaging means which is connected to the camera is provided in the cooking cavity. The camera is provided on the body. The image which is captured by the imaging means is processed by the camera and then transmitted to the control unit. The control unit detects the dirty regions of the cooking stone via the image.
The cooking device of the present invention comprises a receptacle which is disposed under the cooking stone. The water collected in the receptacle is transferred into the cooking cavity by means of a spraying member. By means of a guiding member, the water sprayed into the cooking cavity is delivered to the dirty regions depending on the information received from the control unit.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device comprises the guiding member having a shaft, a flap and a motor. The shaft extends from the body into the cooking cavity. The flap is provided on the shaft. The flap with one surface fixed on the shaft makes angular movement.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit enables the flaps to move so as to guide the water to the dirty regions determined by means of the image received from the camera. With the angular movement of the flaps, the water is delivered to the dirty regions.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device comprises the flap of which the movement is controlled by means of a gear box. The gear box is connected to the motor. The flap moves by means of the gear box energized by the motor.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device comprises a pump which enables the water delivered from the spraying member to be transferred back to the spraying member after filling into the receptacle from over the cooking stone.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device comprises the imaging means which is produced from a refractory material and which is detachably mounted onto the cooking cavity. Thus, the imaging means is enabled to capture images without being affected by heat and can be easily detached and cleaned by the user.
By means of the present invention, a cooking device comprising an easily-cleanable cooking stone is realized.
The cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the cooking device.
Figure 2 - is the rear perspective view of the cooking device.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the guiding member.
Figure 4 - is the front view of the cooking cavity.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cooking device
Body
Cooking cavity
Casing
Heater
Cooking stone
Imaging means
Camera
Control unit
Receptacle
Spraying member
Guiding member
Shaft
Flap
Motor
Gear box
Pump

The cooking device (1) comprises a body (2); a cooking cavity (3) which is arranged in the body (2) and wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a casing (4) in the form of a box with an open front side which surrounds the cooking cavity (3); a heater (5) which is disposed in the cooking cavity (3) and which provides the cooking of the foodstuffs; a cooking stone (6) which is disposed into the oven cavity (3), which is produced from a refractory material and which has a support surface (S) whereon the foodstuff is placed; a camera (8) which is disposed on the body (2) and which has an imaging means (7) disposed on the cooking cavity (3) and capturing the images of the interior of the cooking cavity (3); and a control unit (9) which provides the identification of dirty regions of the cooking stone (6) by means of the images received from the camera (8). The images of the interior of the cooking cavity (3) are captured by the imaging means (7), and the images are processed in the camera (8) and then transmitted to the control unit (9). The control unit (9) detects the dirty regions on the cooking stone (6) via the image.
The cooking device (1) of the present invention comprises a receptacle (10) which is partially covered by the cooking stone (6) and which receives the water taken from the mains; a spraying member (11) which provides the delivery of the water in the receptacle (10) to the cooking cavity (3); and at least one guiding member (12) which enables the water sprayed from the spraying member (11) to be guided to the dirty regions depending on the information received from the control unit (9). The water is scattered into the cooking cavity (3) by means of the spraying member (11). The water hitting the walls of the cooking cavity (3) is guided by the guiding member (12), thus providing the washing of the dirty regions. Consequently, the clean regions are prevented from being washed again and the dirty regions are washed intensively. Moreover, water consumption is reduced and ease of use is provided.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises the guiding member (12) having a shaft (13) which extends from the body (2) into the cooking cavity (3), a flap (14) with which makes angular movement with one surface being fixed on the shaft (13) and which enables the water delivered by the spraying member (11) to be guided, and a motor (15) which generates the energy required for the movement of the flap (14). The shaft (13) extends from the body (2) into the cooking cavity (3). The flap (14) is arranged such that one surface thereof is fixed onto the shaft (13). The water sprayed by the spraying member (11) hits the flap (14) to be guided. By means of the angular movement of the flap (14), the water can be guided towards the dirty regions.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises the control unit (9) which enables the flap (14) to move so as to clean the dirty regions determined via the images received from the camera (8). The flap (14) is controlled by the control unit (9). Thus, the flap (14) is moved such that the water is delivered to the dirty regions predetermined by the control unit (9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises the flap (14) of which the movement is controlled by means of a gear box (16) connected to the motor (15). The flap (14) is mechanically moved by means of the gear box (16) connected to the motor (15).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises a pump (17) which enables the water sprayed by the spraying member (11) into the cooking cavity (3) and filling into the receptacle (10) from over the cooking stone (6) to be transferred back to the spraying member (11). The pump (17) enables the water collected in the receptacle (10) to be transferred back to the spraying member (11). Thus, the water sprayed into the cooking cavity (3) can be reused.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises the imaging means (7) which is produced from a refractory material and which is detachably mounted onto the cooking cavity (3). The imaging means (7) is seated onto the ceiling of the body (2). Thus, the imaging means (7) is not affected by the heat generated during the cooking process and is able to provide clear images. When dirty, the imaging means (7) can be easily detached and cleaned by the user.
By means of the present invention, dirty regions detected on the cooking stone (6) with the camera (8) are enabled to be automatically cleaned. The images of the cooking stone (6) are captured by the imaging means (7) provided in the cooking cavity (3) and are processed by the camera (8) and then transmitted to the control unit (9). The dirty regions on the cooking stone (6) are determined by the control unit (9) and the water is enabled to be directed towards the dirty regions by means of the guiding member (12) provided in the cooking cavity (3). Thus, water consumption is reduced and the dirty regions are enabled to be washed intensively.

Claims

A cooking device (1) comprising a body (2); a cooking cavity (3) which is arranged in the body (2) and wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a casing (4) in the form of a box with an open front side which surrounds the cooking cavity (3); a heater (5) which is disposed in the cooking cavity (3) and which provides the cooking of the foodstuffs; a cooking stone (6) which is disposed into the oven cavity (3), which is produced from a refractory material and which has a support surface (S) whereon the foodstuff is placed; a camera (8) which is disposed on the body (2) and which has an imaging means (7) disposed on the cooking cavity (3) and capturing the images of the interior of the cooking cavity (3); and a control unit (9) which provides the identification of dirty regions of the cooking stone (6) by means of the images received from the camera (8), characterized by a receptacle (10) which is partially covered by the cooking stone (6) and which receives the water taken from the mains; a spraying member (11) which provides the delivery of the water in the receptacle (10) to the cooking cavity (3); and at least one guiding member (12) which enables the water sprayed from the spraying member (11) to be guided to the dirty regions depending on the information received from the control unit (9).
A cooking device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the guiding member (12) comprising a shaft (13) which extends from the body (2) to the cooking cavity (3), a flap (14) with which makes angular movement with one surface being fixed on the shaft (13) and which enables the water delivered by the spraying member (11) to be guided, and a motor (15) which generates the energy required for the movement of the flap (14).
A cooking device (1) comprises as in Claim 2, characterized by the control unit (9) which enables the flap (14) to move so as to clean the dirty regions determined via the images received from the camera (8).
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized by the flap (14) of which the movement is controlled by means of a gear box (16) connected to the motor (15).
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the imaging means (7) which can detachably attached onto the cooking cavity (3).