EP4098080A1

EP4098080A1 - Hob device

Info

Publication number: EP4098080A1
Application number: EP21700129.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Enrique CARRETERO CHAMARRO; Ana Elduque Viñuales; Javier Lasobras Bernad; Damaso Martin Gomez; Pilar Perez Cabeza; Julio Rivera Peman; Ander Villate Robles
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2020-01-31
Filing date: 2021-01-13
Publication date: 2022-12-07
Also published as: US20230021064A1; WO2021151665A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hob device (10), (20), in particular an induction hob device, comprising at least one hob plate (12) having at least one cooking region (14), comprising at least one light source unit (16) having at least one light source (18) for providing light (20), and comprising at least one light wave guide unit (22) having at least one light wave guide (24) for transmitting the light (20), in particular into at least one area (26) surrounding the cooking region (14). According to the invention, in order to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of efficiency, an end region (38) of the light wave guide (24) contacts the hob plate (12).

Description

Hob device

The invention relates to a hob device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for assembling a hob device according to the preamble of claim 13.

WO 2019/011586 A1 already discloses a hob device with at least one hob plate, with at least one heating element, with at least one light supply unit, which is arranged on a side of the heating element facing away from the hob plate and provides light in at least one operating state, and with a waveguide unit, which, in the operating state, transports light from the light supply unit to a side of the heating element facing the hob plate, is known.

The object of the invention is in particular, but not limited to, to provide a device of the generic type with improved properties with regard to efficiency. The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 13, while advantageous configurations and developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

The invention is based on a hob device, in particular an induction hob device, with at least one hob plate, which has at least one cooking area, with at least one light source unit, comprising at least one light source for providing light, and with at least one optical waveguide unit, comprising at least one optical waveguide for transmission of the light in particular in at least one surrounding area of the cooking area.

It is proposed that an end region of the optical waveguide make contact with the hob plate.

Such a configuration can advantageously increase the efficiency of lighting the cooking area and / or the surrounding area. In particular, light losses, which in particular with conventional hobs can be advantageous can be caused by a gap between the optical waveguide and the hob plate, can be minimized. In addition, symbols on the hob plate can be illuminated in a particularly targeted manner and undesired light scattering prevented, which further advantageously eliminates the need for opaque coatings on the hob plate and thus reduces production costs and / or improves the aesthetics of the hob plate. In addition, a light diffusion layer in the hob plate can advantageously be dispensed with, since diffusion of the light is made possible directly at a contact surface between the optical waveguide and the hob plate, which can further reduce costs. Furthermore, manufacturing-related tolerances of components can advantageously be compensated, whereby in particular a material scrap can be reduced and thus production costs can be reduced. As a result of the advantages mentioned, a user can be provided with a particularly energy-efficient and / or inexpensive and / or aesthetic hob device with particularly high functionality.

In a further aspect of the invention, which can in particular be viewed independently of the first aspect as well as in combination with the first aspect of the invention, it is proposed that the light source unit be arranged below an area of the hob plate outside the surrounding area and the cooking area.

With this further aspect of the invention, particularly efficient and / or inexpensive lighting of the cooking area and / or the surrounding area can advantageously be achieved. In particular, the arrangement of the light source unit outside the surrounding area and the cooking area enables the use of light sources, in particular LEDs, with lower requirements in terms of temperature resistance compared to the prior art, whereby light sources with a very high light efficiency can be used particularly advantageously. As a result, a switched-mode power supply can also advantageously be used which is designed for a lower nominal power than would be the case with conventional LEDs or other light sources. In this way, manufacturing costs can advantageously be reduced and a particularly inexpensive hob device can be provided. In addition, due to the lower temperature loads on the light source, the use of RGB LEDs is also possible, which makes the hob device advantageous, for example, can be increased by each different colored lighting of the surrounding area in different operating situations of the hob device. As a result, ease of use and / or an operating experience for users can advantageously be increased. Users also benefit from the advantageous energy-saving and / or resource-saving properties of the hob device. The arrangement of the light source units according to the invention also advantageously results in a greater variety of possibilities with regard to a particularly aesthetic design of the hob device.

Under a "hob device", in particular under one

“Induction hob device” should be understood to mean in particular at least a part, in particular a subassembly, of a hob, in particular an induction hob, and in particular accessory units for the hob can also be included, such as a sensor unit for external measurement of a temperature of a cookware and / or of a food to be cooked. In particular, the hob device, in particular the induction hob device, can also include the entire hob, in particular the entire induction hob. As an alternative to an induction hob device, the hob device can in particular be at least a part, in particular a subassembly, of a glass ceramic electric hob or a mass hob or a gas hob and in particular also include the entire glass ceramic electric hob or the entire mass hob or the entire gas hob.

A "hob plate" is to be understood in particular as a unit which is provided in at least one operating state for setting up cooking utensils and which is provided in particular to form part of a hob outer housing, in particular the hob device and / or a hob having the hob device. In particular, in an installed position, the hob plate forms a part of the hob outer housing facing an operator.

The hob plate consists in particular at least to a large extent of glass and / or glass ceramic. Alternatively, the hob plate could consist of other suitable materials known to a person skilled in the art. It is particularly conceivable that the hob plate consists of an at least partially coated material. “At least to a large extent” is intended to include, in particular, a portion, in particular a portion Mass and / or volume fraction of at least 70%, in particular of at least 80%, advantageously of at least 90% and preferably of at least 95%.

A “light source unit” is to be understood in particular as a unit which has at least one light source and which provides light, in particular visible light, in at least one operating state, in particular by means of the light source. In particular, the light source unit has at least two, in particular at least four, advantageously at least eight, particularly advantageously at least twelve and preferably a plurality of light sources. At least one light source of the light source unit could, for example, be designed as a, preferably backlit, display unit, in particular as a matrix display unit, preferably as an LCD display, or as an OLED display. In particular, at least one light source of the light supply unit, advantageously at least a large part of the light sources, preferably all of the light sources of the light source unit, is designed as an LED. “Visible light” is to be understood as meaning, in particular, electromagnetic radiation from a wavelength range from 380 nm to 780 nm.

An “optical waveguide unit” is to be understood in particular as a unit which comprises at least one optical waveguide and which is provided in at least one operating state for light, in particular visible light, in particular targeted and / or directed, from a first area into at least one of the first different and / or spaced-apart second areas, in particular from one area of the light source unit to at least one surrounding area of the cooking area. An "optical waveguide" is to be understood in particular as an element which, in at least one operating state, emits electromagnetic radiation, in particular visible light and / or infrared radiation, advantageously both visible light and infrared radiation

The direction of longitudinal extent of the optical waveguide is transmitted, in particular transported, preferably via total reflections within the optical waveguide. In particular, in at least one operating state, the optical waveguide prevents at least an entry and / or exit of at least electromagnetic radiation in directions that are at least substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the optical waveguide extends. In particular, the Optical waveguide unit at least two, in particular at least four, advantageously at least eight, particularly advantageously at least twelve and preferably a plurality of optical waveguides. A number of optical waveguides preferably corresponds to a number of light sources and, in particular, precisely one optical waveguide is assigned to each light source of the light source unit. A “direction of longitudinal extent” of an object is to be understood in particular as a direction which is aligned parallel to a longest side of a smallest imaginary geometric cuboid which just completely surrounds the object. The term "essentially perpendicular" is intended here to define, in particular, an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, the direction and the reference direction, particularly viewed in a plane, enclosing an angle of 90 ° and the angle including a maximum deviation of, in particular, less than 8 °, advantageously less than 5 ° and particularly advantageously less than 2 °.

A “cooking area” is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a sub-area of the hob device, in particular a sub-area of the hob plate, which is provided for setting up at least one cookware and for heating at least one item to be cooked in the cookware. Below the cooking area, in particular on a side of the hob plate facing away from the user when the hob device is in a mounted state, at least one heating element, in particular at least one induction heating element, is arranged, which in at least one operating state provides heating energy to heat the cooking area and / or a cooking utensils set up in the cooking area and / or items to be cooked within the cooking utensils. The heating element can in particular be part of the hob device. Alternatively, the heating element can be part of a hob which has the hob device.

A “surrounding area of the cooking area” is to be understood in particular as an area of the hob plate which also includes at least the entire cooking area and which can additionally include an area surrounding the cooking area, the outer boundary of which is a shortest distance from an outer boundary of the cooking area of at least 1 cm, in particular of at least 2 cm, advantageously of at least 2.5 cm, and of at most 7 cm, in particular of at most 5 cm, advantageously of at most 4 cm. In relation to the hob plate, the term “below” relates in particular to an installation position of the hob plate. In an installation position of the hob plate, an area above the hob plate faces a user with a line of sight perpendicular to a main extension plane of the hob plate, while the area below the hob plate is on the side opposite the area above and faces away from the user.

A “main extension plane” of a structural unit is to be understood in particular as a plane which is parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid, which just completely encloses the structural unit, and in particular runs through the center of the cuboid.

An “end region” of the optical waveguide is to be understood in particular as an area of the optical waveguide which comprises at least one point and / or a surface of the optical waveguide through which the light transmitted and / or transported by the optical waveguide exits and which is extends from this point and / or this surface in the radial direction of the optical waveguide to an outer surface of the optical waveguide. Starting from the point and / or the surface of the optical waveguide through which the light transmitted and / or transported by the optical waveguide exits the optical waveguide, the end region extends in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the optical waveguide, in particular by a length between 0.1% and 5% of a total length of the optical waveguide. Starting from the point and / or the surface of the optical waveguide through which the light transmitted and / or transported by the optical waveguide exits the optical waveguide, the end region extends in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the optical waveguide, in particular by a length of at least 1 mm.

The fact that a first object “contacts” a second object is to be understood in particular as meaning that a distance between the first and second object in the area of contact is negligibly small and, in particular, is zero.

“Provided” is to be understood in particular as specifically designed and / or equipped. Including that an object is intended for a specific function is to be understood in particular that the object fulfills and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

It is also proposed that the area be an edge area of the hob plate. In this way, the requirements placed on the light source with regard to temperature resistance can advantageously be further reduced, in particular minimized, whereby the use of particularly light-efficient LEDs is made possible. An "edge area" is to be understood in particular as an area below the hob plate which extends in a direction parallel to the main extension plane of the hob plate, starting from at least one outer edge of the hob plate, by a maximum of 10 cm, in particular by a maximum of 8 cm, advantageously by a maximum of 7 cm cm, preferably by at most 6 cm and particularly preferably by at most 5 cm in the direction of a center line of the hob plate running through a center point of the hob plate. The edge area is preferably arranged at a maximum distance from the surrounding area.

It is also proposed that the hob device have a fastening unit for fastening the optical waveguide unit below the hob plate. This advantageously enables the optical waveguide unit to be fastened below the hob plate using simple technical means. The fastening unit forms, in particular, a fastening area in which the optical waveguide unit, in particular the optical waveguide of the optical waveguide unit, is fastened. A fastening of the optical waveguide unit in the fastening area of the fastening unit can be realized in particular by means of a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material connection. For example, it is conceivable that the optical waveguide unit is adhesively bonded or welded to the fastening unit in the fastening area. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the fastening unit has at least one fastening element, by means of which the optical waveguide unit is fastened to the fastening unit in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, for example via a latching and / or plug-in connection and / or by means of a screw connection.

It is also proposed that the fastening unit is part of a shielding unit which is provided for shielding an electromagnetic field. As a result, a number of components can advantageously be reduced. Furthermore, a space-saving arrangement of the fastening unit and thus a particularly compact design of the hob device can be achieved. A “shielding unit” is to be understood in particular as a unit which is used to shield from outside the shielding unit, in particular below a heating unit of the hob device and / or the hob having the hob device, in particular electrical and / or electronic components of the hob device and / or or of the hob having the hob device, for example a control unit, opposite an electromagnetic field which is generated by at least the heating unit, in particular by at least one induction heating element of the heating unit, the hob device and / or the hob having the hob device.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the optical waveguide be arranged in a self-supporting manner starting from a fastening area on the fastening unit. As a result, assembly of the optical waveguide can advantageously be improved. In particular, a number of fastening elements of the fastening unit can advantageously be reduced, in particular minimized, whereby in particular material costs and / or assembly costs can be reduced. In particular, a section of the optical waveguide that encompasses the end region of the optical waveguide is arranged in a self-supporting manner. The fact that the optical waveguide and in particular the section of the optical waveguide comprising the end region of the optical waveguide is "self-supporting" is to be understood in this context in particular as the optical waveguide starting from the fastening area in which the optical waveguide is fastened by means of at least one fastening element of the fastening unit is, extends and / or protrudes and / or protrudes into a further area lying outside the fastening area, in particular in the direction of the hob plate, and is arranged in this further area without additional fastening elements, the optical waveguide in particular having sufficient stability for this purpose to allow the arrangement to be maintained at least essentially permanently in the further area. The end region of the optical waveguide is in contact with the hob plate in particular without an additional fastening, in particular permanently.

It is also proposed that the optical waveguide be designed to be at least substantially dimensionally stable and elastic. As a result, an assembly of the Optical fiber to be improved. The assembly of the optical waveguide can in particular be improved by, on the one hand, in particular due to the elastic properties of the optical waveguide, allowing flexibility of the optical waveguide and reducing the risk of damage to the optical waveguide, while, in particular due to the dimensionally stable properties of the optical waveguide, at the same time a particularly efficient assembly, in particular with a very small number of fastening elements, can be achieved. In addition, a particularly long-life optical waveguide can advantageously be provided. In particular, the optical waveguide has a flexural rigidity which is selected so that the optical waveguide is sufficiently elastically deformable, in particular bendable, in particular for assembly, and at the same time is sufficiently dimensionally stable in an assembled state and to maintain an intended arrangement. In particular, the optical waveguide has a material and / or consists at least essentially of a material whose modulus of elasticity, in particular depending on a diameter of the optical waveguide, is selected so that the optical waveguide is sufficiently elastically deformable and at the same time dimensionally stable. In particular, the optical waveguide has a material with a modulus of elasticity between 2,500 MPa and 4,500 MPa. The optical waveguide preferably consists at least essentially of a material with a modulus of elasticity between 2,500 MPa and 4,500 MPa.

It is also proposed that the optical waveguide have a temperature resistance of at least 230 ° C. The optical waveguide preferably has a temperature resistance of at least 250.degree. In this way, a particularly reliable and / or long-lasting hob device can advantageously be provided. A “temperature resistance” of an object and / or material is to be understood in particular as an object-specific and / or material-specific temperature and / or an object-specific and / or material-specific temperature range to which the object and / or material is exposed, in particular permanently and directly can without thereby affecting the functionality of the object and / or material to fulfill an intended function of the relevant object and / or material properties beyond a tolerable level for the intended application and / or function of the object and / or material change addition. In particular, the object and / or material is at the temperature and / or in the temperature range which the Temperature resistance of the object and / or material defined, functional and / or unimpaired and / or undamaged. Due to its temperature resistance, the optical waveguide can be permanently and directly exposed to temperatures of at least 230 ° C, without the properties of the optical waveguide, in particular a light permeability and / or elasticity and / or dimensional stability of the optical waveguide, affecting the function of the optical waveguide within the hob device also change a tolerable amount.

It is also proposed that the optical waveguide has at least one transparent thermoplastic, in particular a plastic from the group of methacrylic polymers, preferably polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), particularly preferably polymethacrylmethylimide (PMMI), and in particular consists of such a material. In this way, a production process for the optical waveguide can advantageously be improved. In addition, an optical waveguide with particularly advantageous material properties can be provided. In particular, an optical waveguide with a high degree of light transmittance can be provided, which at the same time also has high dimensional stability with sufficient elasticity and sufficient temperature resistance. Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable that the optical waveguide has another transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate (PC) and / or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and / or polystyrene (PS) and / or polyphenylene ether (PPO) and / or polyethylene (PE) and in particular consists of such. The optical waveguide can in particular be produced in a molding process suitable for the transparent thermoplastic material, in particular in a single or multi-component injection molding process or in an extrusion process. In addition, it would alternatively or additionally be conceivable for the optical waveguide to have a transparent inorganic material, for example glass, and in particular to consist of such a material.

It is also proposed that the optical waveguide has an outer layer with a lower refractive index than a core of the optical waveguide. In this way, light losses can advantageously be reduced, in particular minimized.

An outer layer is to be understood in particular as a layer which completely surrounds the core of the optical waveguide. The outer layer can in particular be formed in one piece with the core of the optical waveguide. Alternatively, the outer layer in particular be designed as a coating, for example as a coating made of silicon germanium. The outer layer could be coated by a coating process, in particular by a screen printing process, by spin coating, by dip coating, by a sol-gel process, by spraying, by an inkjet printing process, by a chemical gas deposition process ( CVD: Chemical Vapor Deposition) and / or by a physical gas deposition process (PVD: Physical Vapor Deposition), be applied to the core of the optical waveguide. The outer layer could for example have inorganic materials, in particular glass, and / or consist of such. The outer layer is preferably made from a plastic. The core and the outer layer are particularly preferably made from essentially the same material, in particular in a two-component injection molding process. In this context, “essentially the same material” should in particular mean that a composition of a first material based on mole fractions of a composition of a second material based on mole fractions in particular by less than 25%, preferably by less than 10% and particularly preferably by deviates by less than 5%. For example, it would be conceivable that the core of the optical waveguide is formed from a first polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and the outer layer is formed from fluorinated PMMA, with a refractive index that is lower than that of the first PMMA. In particular, it would be conceivable that the core of the optical waveguide is formed from a first polymethacrylmethylimide (PMMI) and the outer layer is formed from a second PMMI with a lower mole fraction of imide than the first PMMI and thus a lower refractive index.

It is also proposed that the at least one light source is designed as an RGB LED. This can advantageously increase the functionality of the hob device. In particular, it would be conceivable that the RGB-LED enables the surrounding area to be illuminated in different colors for different operating situations of the hob device. Furthermore, an individual adaptation of the lighting of the surrounding area, for example in his favorite color, could be made possible for a user, whereby an operating experience can advantageously be improved and / or user satisfaction can be increased. Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the at least one light source is designed as a single-color LED. It is also proposed that the end region of the optical waveguide has a purely convex shape. In this way, particularly targeted illumination of an area to be illuminated, in particular at least a partial area of the surrounding area, of the hob plate can advantageously be achieved. In addition, in particular more uniform illumination of the area to be illuminated can be achieved, which advantageously makes it possible to dispense with a light diffusion layer in the hob plate. In addition, light losses can advantageously be reduced and, in particular, energy-efficient lighting of the area to be illuminated can be achieved. Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the end area has no curvature and is designed as a flat surface which makes contact with the cooking area.

It is further proposed that the optical waveguide unit have at least one collimator for collimating the light provided by the light source. In this way, particularly targeted and efficient lighting of an area to be illuminated can advantageously be achieved. In particular, light losses, which can occur in particular in a transition between the light source and the optical waveguide, can advantageously be further reduced. The collimator can in particular be designed as a converging lens and arranged directly in front of the optical waveguide. By means of the collimator, in particular a beam path of light emitted divergently by the light source can be parallelized and transmitted to the optical waveguide in a particularly targeted manner.

It is also proposed that a surface of the optical waveguide outside the end region is opaque. In this way, light losses can advantageously be further reduced. In particular, light scattering can advantageously be reduced. In particular, it is conceivable that the optical waveguide has an opaque coating outside the end region of the optical waveguide. The opaque coating can in particular by a coating process, in particular by a screen printing process, by spin coating, by dip coating, by a sol-gel process, by spraying, by an inkjet printing process, by a chemical vapor deposition process (CVD: Chemical Vapor Deposition ) and / or by a physical gas deposition process (PVD: Physical Vapor Deposition), be applied to the surface of the optical waveguide. Furthermore, a method is proposed for assembling a hob device with at least one hob plate, which has at least one cooking area, with at least one light source unit, comprising at least one light source for providing light, and with at least one optical waveguide unit, comprising at least one optical waveguide for transmitting the light , wherein a self-supporting end region of the optical waveguide is contacted when the hob plate is installed by an underside of the hob plate and the optical waveguide is elastically deformed by a subsequent lowering of the hob plate. In this way, a particularly efficient method for assembling the hob device can advantageously be provided.

The hob device is not intended to be restricted to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the hob device can have a number of individual elements, components and units that differs from a number of individual elements, components and units mentioned herein in order to fulfill a mode of operation described herein.

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawings. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Show it:

1 shows a hob with a hob device in a schematic plan view,

Fig. 2 the hob device with a hob plate, a

Light source unit and an optical waveguide unit in a schematic lateral sectional view,

3 shows an optical waveguide of the optical waveguide unit in a schematic side view,

4 shows the optical waveguide in a schematic perspective view, and 5 shows a schematic diagram to illustrate a method for assembling the hob device.

FIG. 1 shows a hob 50 with a hob device 10 in a schematic plan view. The hob device 10 comprises a hob plate 12. The hob plate 12 is made of glass ceramic. The hob plate 12 has a cooking area 14. The cooking area 14 is arranged above a heating unit 54, designed as an inductor, of the hob 50 (see FIG. 2). The cooking area 14 is provided for setting up and heating cooking utensils (not shown). A surrounding area 26 of the cooking area 14 is located around the cooking area 14.

The hob device 10 comprises a light source unit 16 with a light source 18 for providing light 20. The light source unit 16 is arranged below an area 28 of the hob plate 12 that is outside the surrounding area 26. The area 28 is an edge area 30 of the hob plate 12.

The hob device 10 comprises an optical waveguide unit 22 with an optical waveguide 24. In an operating state of the hob device 10, the optical waveguide 24 transmits the light 20 provided by the light source 18 into the surrounding area 26 of the cooking area 14.

The hob device 10 has a fastening unit 32. The fastening unit 32 is provided for fastening the optical waveguide unit 22. The fastening unit 32 has a fastening area 36. The fastening unit 32 has a fastening element 72 and a further fastening element 74. The fastening element 72 and the further fastening element 74 are arranged in the fastening region 36. The fastening element 72 and the further fastening element 74 are each designed as clips. The fastening element 72 and the further fastening element 74 encompass the optical waveguide 24 in a circumferential direction in a form-fitting manner.

The fastening unit 32 is part of a shielding unit 34. The shielding unit 32 is provided for shielding electrical and / or electronic components (not shown) of the hob device 10 and / or the hob 50 from an electromagnetic field generated by the heating unit 54. The optical waveguide 24 is fastened to the fastening unit 32 in the fastening region 36. Starting from the edge area 28 via the fastening area 36, a course of the optical waveguide 24 is essentially parallel to a main extension plane 66 of the hob plate. The optical waveguide 24 of the optical waveguide unit 22 is arranged in a self-supporting manner starting from the fastening area 36. The optical waveguide 24 extends in a self-supporting manner from the further fastening element 74 in the fastening area 36 to a bending area 64. The optical waveguide 24 is designed to be at least substantially dimensionally stable and elastic. In the bending area 64, the optical waveguide 24 is elastically bent in the direction of the hob plate 12 and runs from the bending area 64 onwards in a dimensionally stable manner and essentially perpendicular to a main extension plane 66 of the hob plate. Due to the elastic bending of the optical waveguide 24 in the bending area 64, the optical waveguide exerts a compressive force in the direction of the hob plate 12.

The optical waveguide 24 consists of a transparent thermoplastic plastic, namely of polymethacrylmethylimide (PMMI). The optical waveguide has a temperature resistance of at least 230 ° C.

3 shows a schematic view of the light source unit 16, the optical waveguide unit 22 and the hob plate 12. The light source 18 of the light source unit 16 is designed as an RGB LED 44. The optical waveguide unit 22 has a collimator 46. The collimator 46 is provided for collimation of the light 20 provided by the light source 18 of the light source unit 16. The collimator 46 is designed as a converging lens. When passing through the collimator 46, the light 20 emitted divergently by the light source is collimated.

The optical waveguide 24 has an end region 38. The end area 38 makes contact with the hob plate 12 on an underside 48 of the hob plate 12. The contact between the end area 38 and the hob plate 12 is made possible in particular by the elastic bending of the optical waveguide 24 in the bending area 64 (see FIG. 2).

The end region 38 of the optical waveguide 24 has a purely convex shape. Due to the purely convex shape of the end region 38, the light 20 is collected and focused. Uniform illumination of a symbol 68 to be illuminated (cf. FIG. 1) in the surrounding area 26 on an upper side 70 of the hob plate 12 can be achieved. A surface 52 of the optical waveguide 24 is opaque outside of the end region 38. In particular, the surface 52 of the optical waveguide 24 outside the end region 38 is coated with a lacquer and is therefore opaque.

4 shows the optical waveguide 24 of the optical waveguide unit 22 in a perspective schematic view. The optical waveguide 24 has a core 42 and an outer layer 40. The core 42 transmits the light 20 provided by the light source 18 of the light source unit 16. The core 42 is surrounded by the outer layer 40. The outer layer 40 has a lower refractive index than the core 42. At an interface 56 between the core 40 and the outer layer 38, the light 20 is reflected by means of total reflection.

5 shows a diagram for a schematic representation of a method for assembling the hob device 10. The method comprises a first method step 58, a second method step 60 and a third method step 62. In the first method step 58, the optical waveguide unit 22 is activated in the fastening area 36 the fastening unit 32 attached. In the second method step 60, the optical waveguide 24 is bent upwards essentially at right angles in the bending region 64. By bending the optical waveguide 24 in the bending area 64, the optical waveguide 24 is elastically deformed in a deflection area 76 between the fastening area 36 and the bending area 64 (see FIG. 2). As a result of the elastic deformation in the deflection region 76, the optical waveguide 24 is deflected in the direction of the shielding unit 34. The optical waveguide 24 is deflected in the deflection area 76 at least to such an extent in the direction of the shielding unit 34 that a longitudinal extension of the optical waveguide 24 starting from the further fastening element 74 up to the bending area 64 deviates from the main extension plane 66 by at least 2 °. As a result of the deflection of the optical waveguide 24 in the direction of the shielding unit 34, the end region 38 of the optical waveguide 24 projects in a self-supporting manner into an area in which the hob plate 12 is arranged. In the third method step 62, the self-supporting end region 38 of the optical waveguide 24 is contacted by the underside 48 of the hob plate 12. When the hob plate 12 is lowered, the optical waveguide is elastically deformed again, so that the deflection of the optical waveguide 24 in the deflection region 76 is largely eliminated and the longitudinal extension of the optical waveguide 24 starting from the further fastening element 74 up to the bending area 64 runs essentially parallel to the main extension plane 66. Due to the elastic deformation in the deflection area 76, the optical waveguide exerts a compressive force on the hob plate 12 and presses against the underside 48 of the hob plate 12, so that there is contact between the end area 38 and the underside 48 of the

Hob plate 12 is retained after the hob plate has been completely lowered and lies in the main plane 66.

Reference number

10 hob device 12 hob plate 14 cooking area 16 light source unit 18 light source 20 light

22 fiber optic unit 24 fiber optic cable 26 surrounding area 28 area 30 edge area 32 fastening unit 34 shielding unit 36 fastening area 38 end area 40 outer layer 42 core 44 RGB-LED 46 collimator 48 bottom 50 hob 52 surface 54 heating unit 56 interface 58 first process step 60 second process step 62 third process step 64 bending area Main plane of extent symbol upper side fastening element further fastening element deflection area

Claims

Expectations

1. Hob device (10), in particular induction hob device, with at least one hob plate (12), which has at least one cooking area (14), with at least one light source unit (16), comprising at least one light source (18) for providing light (20) , and with at least one optical waveguide unit (22), comprising at least one optical waveguide (24) for a transmission of the light (20) in particular in at least one surrounding area (26) of the cooking area (14), characterized in that an end area (38) of the optical waveguide (24) contacted the hob plate (12).

2. hob device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical waveguide (24) is at least substantially dimensionally stable and elastic.

3. Hob device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a fastening unit (32) for fastening the optical waveguide unit (22) below the hob plate (12).

4. Hob device (10) at least according to claim 3, characterized in that the optical waveguide (24) is arranged self-supporting starting from a fastening area (36) on the fastening unit (32).

5. hob device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end region (38) of the optical waveguide (24) has a purely convex shape.

6. hob device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide unit (22) has at least one collimator (46) for a collimation of the light (20) provided by the light source (18).

7. hob device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a surface (52) of the optical waveguide (24) outside of the end region (38) is opaque.

8. hob device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (24) has an outer layer (40), with a lower than a core (42) of the optical waveguide (24)

Refractive index.

9. hob device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (24) has a transparent and flexible thermoplastic, in particular a plastic from the group of methacrylic polymers, and in particular consists of such.

10. hob device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical waveguide (24) has a temperature resistance of at least 230 ° C.

11. hob device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one light source (18) is designed as an RGB LED (44).

12. hob (50) with a hob device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A method for assembling a hob device (10), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 11, with at least one hob plate (12), which has at least one cooking area (14), with at least one light source unit (16), comprising at least one light source ( 18) for providing light (20), and with at least one optical waveguide unit (22), comprising at least one optical waveguide (24) for transmitting the light (20), characterized in that a self-supporting end region (38) of the optical waveguide (24 ) is contacted when installing the hob plate (12) by an underside (48) of the hob plate (12) and the optical waveguide (24) is elastically deformed by a subsequent lowering of the hob plate.