EP4335248A1

EP4335248A1 - Induction energy supply device

Info

Publication number: EP4335248A1
Application number: EP22725848.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Javier Lasobras Bernad; Sergio Llorente Gil; Jesus Manuel Moya Nogues; Jorge Pascual Aza; Javier SERRANO TRULLEN; Jorge Tesa Betes
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2021-05-03
Filing date: 2022-04-27
Publication date: 2024-03-13
Also published as: WO2022233659A1

Abstract

The invention is directed to an induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) comprising a supply unit (12a; 12b) that includes at least one supplying induction element (14a; 14b) for inductively providing energy to a positioned unit (16a; 16b), further comprising an inverter unit (18a) for operating the supplying induction element (14a; 14b), also comprising a control unit (20a; 20b) for controlling the inverter unit (18a), and comprising a communication unit (22a; 22b) for wireless communication between the control unit (20a; 20b) and the positioned unit (16a; 16b). In order to enhance ease of operation, according to the invention, the control unit (20a, 20b) is intended to interrupt operation of the inverter unit (18a) at repeated, in particular periodic, intervals during an interruption time window (24a, 26a) for wireless communication.

Description

induction power supply device

The invention relates to an induction energy supply device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating an induction energy supply device according to the preamble of claim 13.

Induction energy supply devices for the inductive transmission of energy from a primary coil of a supply unit to a secondary coil of a set-up unit are already known from the prior art. For example, US Pat. No. 3,761,668 A proposes an induction hob which, in addition to inductively heating cookware, is also intended to supply power to small household appliances, such as a mixer. Energy provided inductively by a primary coil of the induction cooktop is partially transferred to a secondary coil integrated into the small household appliance.

More modern induction energy supply devices, which are known from the prior art, also have some communication units for wireless communication between a control unit, for controlling the supply unit, and the installation unit. The disadvantage of previously known solutions is that wireless communication signals partially interact with the alternating electromagnetic field of the supply unit, which disadvantageously interferes with wireless communication and can lead to transmission errors, so that the ease of use for users is reduced as a result.

The object of the invention is in particular, but not limited to, to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of ease of use. 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 dependent claims.

The invention is based on an induction energy supply device with a supply unit which has at least one supply induction element for the inductive supply of energy to a set-up unit, with an inverter unit for operating the supply induction element, with a control unit for control the inverter unit and with a communication unit for wireless communication between the control unit and the installation unit.

It is proposed that the control unit is provided to interrupt operation of the inverter unit at recurring, in particular periodic, intervals during an interruption time window for the wireless communication.

Such a configuration advantageously makes it possible to provide an induction energy supply device with a particularly high level of operating convenience. A particularly reliable wireless data transmission with a very low susceptibility to interference can advantageously be made possible. In addition, an induction energy supply device with improved properties in terms of electromagnetic compatibility can advantageously be provided. Furthermore, an induction energy supply device with a particularly large power spectrum for the supply of different installation units with different power requirements can advantageously be provided if the duration of the interruption time window is extended by the control unit to reduce the inductively provided energy. In addition, a soft start and/or a soft stop and thus a particularly gentle operation of the set-up unit can advantageously be made possible if the control unit operates the inverter unit during at least one transition time window with a frequency that is different from a target power frequency. An induction energy supply device can thus be provided which, in addition to being particularly easy to operate, is also advantageously characterized by particularly great flexibility and outstanding durability and reliability.

The induction energy supply device has at least one main functionality in the form of wireless energy transmission, in particular in a wireless energy supply of set-up units. The induction power supply device may be formed as part of an induction power supply system. In an advantageous embodiment, the induction energy supply device is designed as an induction cooking device with at least one further main function that deviates from a pure cooking function, in particular at least one energy supply and operation of small household appliances. For example, the induction energy supply device could be used as an induction oven device and/or as an induction be designed grill device. In particular, the supply unit could be designed as part of an induction oven and/or as part of an induction grill. The induction energy supply device designed as an induction cooking device is preferably designed as an induction hob. The supply unit is then designed in particular as part of an induction hob. In a further advantageous embodiment, the induction energy supply device is designed as a kitchen energy supply device and, in addition to a main function in the form of energy supply and operation of small household appliances, can also be provided for the provision of cooking functions.

A “supply unit” is to be understood as meaning a unit which provides inductive energy in at least one operating state and which in particular has a main functionality in the form of providing energy. To provide energy, the supply unit has at least one supply induction element, which in particular has at least one coil, in particular at least one primary coil, and/or is designed as a coil and which in particular provides inductive energy in the operating state. The supply unit could have at least two, in particular at least three, advantageously at least four, particularly advantageously at least five, preferably at least eight and particularly preferably several supply induction elements, which in the operating state could each provide inductive energy, specifically in particular to a single receiving induction element or to at least two or more pick-up induction elements of at least one erection unit and/or at least one further erection unit. At least some of the supply induction elements could be arranged in a close proximity to one another, for example in a row and/or in the form of a matrix.

In the operating state, the inverter unit preferably performs a frequency conversion and, in particular, converts a low-frequency AC voltage on the input side into a high-frequency AC voltage on the output side. Preferably, the low-frequency AC voltage has a frequency of at most 100 Hz. The high-frequency AC voltage preferably has a frequency of at least 1000 Hz. The inverter unit is connected to the control unit and can be controlled by the control unit using control signals. The inverter unit is preferably provided for setting the at least one supply inductance onselement inductively provided energy by adjusting the high-frequency AC voltage. The supply unit preferably includes at least one rectifier. The inverter unit preferably has at least one inverter switching element. To operate the at least one supply induction element, the inverter switching element preferably generates an oscillating electric current, preferably with a frequency of at least 15 kHz, in particular at least 17 kHz and advantageously at least 20 kHz. The inverter unit preferably comprises at least two inverter switching elements, which are preferably in the form of bipolar transistors with an insulated gate electrode, and particularly advantageously at least one damping capacitor.

A “installation unit” should be understood to mean a unit which inductively receives energy in at least one operating state and at least partially converts the inductively received energy into at least one other form of energy to provide at least one main function. For example, the energy inductively received by the installation unit in the operating state could be converted, in particular directly, into at least one other form of energy, such as heat. Alternatively or additionally, the set-up unit could have at least one electrical consumer, for example an electric motor or the like. The installation unit has at least one receiving inductive element for receiving the inductively provided energy. The installation unit could, for example, have at least two, in particular at least three, advantageously at least four, particularly advantageously at least five, preferably at least eight and particularly preferably several receiving induction elements, which in particular in the operating state could receive energy inductively, in particular from the supply induction element. The set-up unit could, for example, be designed as a cooking utensil. The cooking utensil preferably has at least one food receiving space and in the operating state at least partially converts the inductively received energy into heat for heating food arranged in the food receiving space. Preferably, the set-up unit configured as a cooking utensil has at least one additional unit for providing at least one additional function that goes beyond pure heating of food and/or differs from heating of food. For example, the additional unit could be designed as a temperature sensor or as a stirring unit or the like. Alternatively, the installation unit could be used as a Be trained small household appliance. The small household appliance is preferably a location-independent household appliance which has at least the recording induction element and at least one functional unit which, in an operating state, provides at least one household appliance function. In this context, “independent of location” is to be understood as meaning that the small household appliance can be positioned freely in a household by a user, and in particular without tools, in particular in contrast to a large household appliance, which is fixed in a specific position in a household and/or installed, such as an oven or refrigerator. The small household appliance is preferably designed as a small kitchen appliance and, in the operating state, provides at least one main function for processing food. The household appliance could be, for example, but not limited to, a food processor and/or a blender and/or a stirrer and/or a grinder and/or a kitchen scale or a kettle or a coffee maker or a Rice cooker or as a milk frother or as a fryer or as a toaster or as a juicer or as a slicer or the like.

The pick-up induction element of the installation unit comprises at least one secondary coil and/or is designed as a secondary coil. When the display unit is in an operating state, the receiving inductive element supplies electrical energy to at least one consumer of the display unit. In addition, it is conceivable that the set-up unit has an energy store, in particular an accumulator, which is provided to store electrical energy received via the receiving inductive element in a charging state and to make it available in a discharging state to supply the functional unit.

The induction energy supply device preferably has at least one mounting plate for setting up the mounting unit. A “mounting plate” should be understood to mean at least one, in particular plate-like, unit which is provided for setting up at least one mounting unit and/or for placing at least one item to be cooked on it. The mounting plate could for example be designed as a worktop, in particular as a kitchen worktop, or as a portion of at least one worktop, in particular at least one kitchen worktop, in particular the induction energy supply device. Alternatively or additionally, the installation be designed as a hob plate. The mounting plate designed as a hob plate could, in particular, form at least part of an outer hob housing and, in particular, together with at least one outer housing unit, with which the mounting plate designed as a hob plate could be connected in at least one assembled state, at least to a large extent form the outer hob housing. The mounting plate is preferably made of a non-metallic material. The installation plate could, for example, at least for the most part be made of glass and/or glass ceramic and/or Neolith and/or Dekton and/or wood and/or marble and/or stone, in particular natural stone, and/or be made of laminate and/or plastic and/or ceramic. In the present application, position designations, such as “below” or “above”, refer to a mounted state of the mounting plate, unless this is explicitly described otherwise. In the assembled state, the supply unit is preferably arranged below the mounting plate.

A “control unit” should be understood to mean an electronic unit that is provided to control and/or regulate at least the inverter unit. The control unit preferably includes a computing unit and, in particular, in addition to the computing unit, a memory unit with a control and/or regulating program stored therein, which is intended to be executed by the computing unit.

The communication unit is preferably provided for bidirectional wireless data transmission, that is to say both for wireless reception and for wireless transmission of data. The communication unit preferably has at least one communication element, which is connected to the control unit and is provided in particular for receiving and sending data wirelessly. The communication unit preferably has at least one further communication element, which is arranged within the set-up unit and is provided in particular for receiving and sending data wirelessly. The communication unit could be provided for wireless data transmission between the installation unit and the control unit via RFID, or via WIFI, or via Bluetooth, or via ZigBee, or for wireless data transmission according to another suitable standard. The communication unit is preferably provided for wireless data transmission between the set-up unit and the control unit via NFC. The control unit is preferably provided to interrupt the operation of the inverter unit in such a way that at least one inverter switching element of the inverter unit, which provides inductive energy to the installation unit for the operation of the supply induction element during at least one time window outside of the interruption time window, during the interruption time window is not supplied with a low-frequency AC voltage on the input side. It is particularly conceivable that the control unit is provided to operate at least one additional inverter switching element of the inverter unit, which is provided for the inductive provision of energy to a further installation unit, during the interruption time window. The control unit could be provided to interrupt the operation of the inverter unit at irregularly recurring intervals, for example during at least three irregularly spaced interruption time windows within a control period. Preferably, the control unit is provided to interrupt the inverter unit at regular, in particular periodically, recurring intervals, for example at intervals which correspond to a fraction or a multiple of a period of an AC line voltage, during the interruption time window.

“Provided” is to be understood to mean specially programmed, designed and/or equipped. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function should be understood to mean 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 duration of the interruption time window is at least 1.0 ms. As a result, operating comfort can advantageously be further improved. In particular, reliable and interference-free wireless communication can be achieved. The duration of the interruption time window is advantageously at least 1.25 ms, particularly advantageously at least 1.5 ms, preferably at least 1.75 ms and particularly preferably at least 2.0 ms. The duration of the interruption time window could be at most 1.5 ms. The duration of the interruption time window is advantageously at most 2 ms, particularly advantageously at most 3 ms, preferably at most 4 ms and particularly preferably at most 5 ms. The duration of the interruption time window preferably corresponds to at most a quarter of a period of a mains alternating Voltage with which the induction energy supply device is supplied in an operating state.

In addition, it is proposed that the control unit is provided to extend the duration of the interruption time window in order to reduce the energy provided inductively. As a result, operating comfort can advantageously be further improved. An induction energy supply device with a particularly large power spectrum for supplying different installation units with different power requirements can be provided particularly advantageously if the duration of the interruption time window is extended by the control unit to reduce the inductively provided energy. The control unit is preferably provided to extend the duration of the time window for reducing the energy provided inductively by the supply unit, in particular by the supply inductive element of the supply unit, in such a way that an average power of the set-up unit, in particular by the receiving inductive element of the set-up actuator, inductive energy received is reduced. In particular, the control unit is intended to reduce the duration of the interruption time window to reduce the inductively provided energy by at least 1.0 ms, advantageously by at least 1.5 ms, particularly advantageously by at least 2.0 ms, preferably by at least 2.5 ms and most preferably lengthened by at least 3.0 ms.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the control unit is provided for the purpose of chronologically spacing successive interruption time windows by at least half a period of a mains AC voltage. As a result, operating comfort can advantageously be further increased. In particular, it can be ensured that the inverter unit is supplied with energy at least part of the time for operation of the supply induction element within a period of the mains AC voltage, so that an average power of the energy provided inductively to the installation unit, in particular over a period of several periods of the mains AC voltage, at least corresponds to a minimum output of the installation unit. The control unit is preferably provided for chronologically spacing successive interruption time windows by integer multiples of half the period duration of the AC mains voltage. In addition, it is proposed that the control unit is provided to operate the inverter unit during at least one transition time window at a frequency that is different from a target power frequency. As a result, ease of use can be further improved before geous. Advantageously, a soft start and/or soft stop of the set-up unit and thus a particularly gentle operation of the set-up unit can be achieved. The longevity of the erection unit can thus advantageously be improved. The transition time window preferably represents a transition between two states of the inverter, namely a transition between a state in which operation of the inverter unit is interrupted and a state in which the inverter unit is operated at the target power frequency.

The target power frequency preferably corresponds to a frequency at which the control unit must operate the inverter unit so that a portion of the power provided inductively by the supply inductive element, which is received by the receiving inductive element, corresponds to a target power of a currently set power level of the installation unit. An amount of the frequency changed compared to the target power frequency deviates from the target power frequency in particular by at least 5%, advantageously by at least 7.5%, particularly advantageously by at least 10%, preferably by at least 12.5% and particularly preferably by at least 15%. The control unit is preferably provided to operate the inverter unit at least at one point in time within the transition time window with a frequency that has changed as much as possible compared to the target power frequency, and to operate it at at least one further point in time within the transition time window with a frequency that has changed minimally compared to the target power frequency. The control unit is preferably provided to vary the frequency at which the inverter unit is operated in the transition time window in such a way that there is a transition, in particular at least essentially stepless, between the maximum frequency that has changed compared to the target power frequency and the minimum frequency that has changed compared to the target power frequency changed frequency is reached. Depending on the operating mode with which the control unit operates the inverter unit, an amount of the frequency that has changed compared to the target power frequency can be greater or smaller than an amount of the target power frequency. The control unit is preferably provided to operate the inverter unit in a zero-voltage switching mode (ZVS mode), with an amount of the frequency changed compared to the target power frequency preferably being greater than an amount of the target power frequency, so that the proportion of the the supply induction element within the transition time window inductively provided average power, which is received by the recording induction element, is lower than the target power of a currently set power level of the installation unit. Alternatively or additionally, it would also be conceivable for the control unit to be provided to operate the inverter unit in a zero current switching mode (ZCS mode), with an amount of the frequency changed compared to the target power frequency preferably being smaller is an amount of the target power frequency, so that the proportion of the average power provided inductively by the supply induction element within the transition time window, which is received by the receiving induction element during the transition time window, is lower than the target power of a currently set power level of the installation unit.

It is also proposed that the control unit be provided to arrange the transition time window and the interruption time window directly adjacent to one another in terms of time. As a result, operating comfort can advantageously be further improved. A particularly gentle operation of the installation unit can advantageously be achieved. In one operating state, the control unit could arrange the transition time window immediately after the interruption time window. In this way, a smooth start-up of the installation unit can advantageously be achieved. In the operating state, the control unit could, alternatively or additionally, arrange the transition time window immediately before the interruption time window. In this way, a soft stop of the installation unit can advantageously be achieved.

In addition, it is proposed that a duration of the transition time window corresponds at least to a duration of the interruption time window. As a result, operating comfort can advantageously be further improved. In particular, a precise adjustment of the frequency between the frequency changed compared to a target power frequency and the target power frequency and thus a particularly gentle operation of the installation unit can be made possible. Furthermore, it is proposed that the duration of the transition time window corresponds at most to half a period of a mains AC voltage. Such a configuration can advantageously further improve operating convenience. In particular, a transition time window can be created which, on the one hand, lasts long enough to ensure a precise adjustment of the frequency between the frequency that has changed compared to a target power frequency and the target power to allow processing frequency and on the other hand allows a quick start-up of the installation unit. The duration of the transition time window preferably corresponds to a maximum of a quarter of the period duration of the mains AC voltage.

In addition, it is proposed that the control unit is provided to carry out at least one further operation during the interruption time window in addition to an interaction with the communication unit. As a result, operating comfort can advantageously be further improved. The control unit performs a first operation in the form of an interaction with the communication unit in the interruption time window. The interaction of the control unit with the communication unit can include, but is not limited to, an exchange and processing of data, for example operating parameters of the installation unit, which are received by the installation unit by means of the communication unit and forwarded to the control unit, and/or operating parameters of the supply unit, which are sent from the control unit to the installation unit via the communication unit. The further operation that the control unit performs during the interruption time window could, without being limited to this, involve, for example, an interaction with a user, for example the output of current information regarding an operating state, via an input connected to the control unit. and output unit, and/or the recording and processing of operating commands entered by the user via the input and output unit. In addition, the further operation could be an arithmetic operation, for example a calculation of a power curve of a supply induction element of the supply unit, in particular based on the operating parameters of the set-up unit received via the communication unit.

In addition, it is proposed that the further operation includes a detection of, in particular metallic, foreign objects in the vicinity of the supply induction element. As a result, operating comfort can advantageously be increased further. In addition, operational safety for a user can advantageously be increased and the risk of damage to components of the induction energy supply device can be minimized. To detect foreign objects, the control unit could use at least one additional inverter switching element of the inverter unit, which is provided for operating an additional supply induction element and which different from the inverter switching element for supplying the supply induction element whose operation is interrupted during the interruption period, by means of a detection signal. In the event that a metallic foreign object, for example metallic cutlery, is located on the mounting plate in the vicinity between the supply induction element and the further supply induction element, a resonant frequency of an electrical resonant circuit, which includes the further inverter switching element and the further supply induction element, changes. compared to a reference value stored in the memory unit of the control unit, and the control unit detects the presence of the foreign object therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for foreign objects to be detected optically, for example by means of a camera of the induction energy supply device connected to the control unit.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the induction energy supply device has the set-up unit, which is designed as a small household appliance. As a result, an I induction energy supply device with a particularly high degree of functionality and flexibility can be provided.

In an alternative advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the induction energy supply device has the installation unit, which is designed as a cooking utensil. As a result, an induction energy supply device can advantageously be made available with a particularly high level of operating convenience, in particular with regard to precise control of energy provided inductively by the supply unit for heating foodstuffs arranged in the cooking utensil.

The invention is also based on a method for operating an induction energy supply device, in particular according to one of the configurations described above, with a supply unit which has at least one supply induction element for inductively providing energy to a set-up unit and with an inverter unit for operating the supply induction element, and with a communication unit for wireless communication with the installation unit.

It is suggested that operation of the inverter unit is suspended at regular intervals during a wireless communication time window. With such a method, a particularly user-friendly, convenient Tabler and less fault-prone operation of the induction energy supply device, in particular with regard to wireless communication between the control unit and the installation unit, can be achieved.

The induction power supply device should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, in order to fulfill a function described herein, the induction energy supply device can have a number of individual elements, components and units that differs from the number specified herein.

Further advantages result from the following description of the drawing. In the undersigned voltage two embodiments of the invention are shown. 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 further meaningful combinations.

Show it:

Fig. 1 A schematic representation of an induction energy supply device with a supply unit, a control unit, a communication unit, a set-up unit and a further set-up unit,

2 shows a schematic electrical equivalent circuit diagram for representing an inductive energy transfer between a supply induction element of the supply unit, which is operated by an inverter unit, and a receiving induction element of the erection unit,

3 shows a schematic diagram showing a time course of an alternating current with which the inverter unit operates the supply induction element in a first control period,

4 shows a schematic diagram showing a time course of an alternating current with which the inverter unit operates the supply inductance element in a second control period.

5 shows a schematic diagram showing a power curve of the supply inductive element of the supply unit, 6 shows a schematic diagram showing a method for operating the induction energy supply device, and FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an induction energy supply device with a supply unit, a control unit, a positioning unit and a further positioning unit in a schematic representation.

FIG. 1 shows an induction energy supply device 10a in a schematic representation. The induction energy supply device 10a has a supply unit 12a. The supply unit 14a has at least one supply induction element 14a for the inductive provision of energy. In the present case, the supply unit 12a comprises a total of four supply induction elements, namely two supply induction elements 14a and two further supply induction elements 96a, with any other number being conceivable.

The induction energy supply device 10a has an installation unit 16a. The installation unit 16a is designed as a small household appliance 48a, specifically as a kitchen machine. The installation unit 16a has a receiving inductive element 56a for receiving at least part of the energy provided inductively by the supply unit 12a. The induction energy supply device 10a has a further installation unit 52a. The further set-up unit 52a is designed as a further small household appliance 54a, specifically as a kettle. The further positioning unit 52a also has a receiving inductive element 56a for receiving at least part of the energy provided inductively by the supply unit 12a.

In the present case, the induction energy supply device 10a includes an induction hob 98a. The induction energy supply device 10a has an installation plate 100a. The mounting plate 100a is presently designed as a hob plate 102a of the induction hob 98a. The erection plate 100a is provided for erecting the erection unit 16a and the additional erection unit 52a.

The induction energy supply device 10a has an inverter unit 18a (cf. FIG. 2). The inverter unit 18a is intended to operate the supply inductance elements 14a and to operate the further supply inductance elements 96a and includes a plurality of inverter switching elements (not shown) which are embodied as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT).

The induction power supply device 10a has a control unit 20a for controlling the inverter unit 18a. The control unit 20a is electrically conductively connected to the inverter unit 18a. When the induction energy supply device 10a is in an operating state, the control unit 20a controls the inverter unit 18a by means of control signals. The control unit 20a includes a memory unit 106a in which, among other things, operating parameters of the supply unit 12a, for example inductivities of the supply induction elements 14a, are stored.

The induction power supply device 10a has a communication unit 22a. The communication unit 22a is provided for wireless communication between the control unit 20a and the installation unit 16a. The communication unit 22a is also provided for wireless communication between the control unit 20a and the further installation unit 52a. The communication unit 22a has a communication element 58a, which is connected to the control unit 20a and is provided for wireless transmission and reception of data. The communication unit 22a has a further communication element 60a, which is arranged in the installation unit 16a and is provided for wireless transmission and reception of data. The communication unit 22a also has a further communication element 62a, which is arranged in the further set-up unit 52a and is provided for wireless transmission and reception of data. In the present case, the communication unit 22a is embodied as an NFC communication unit and is provided for wireless communication via NFC between the control unit 20a and the installation unit 16a and/or the additional installation unit 52a.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic electrical equivalent circuit diagram for representing an inductive energy transmission between the supply inductive element 14a of the supply unit 12a and the receiving inductive element 56a of the receiving unit 16a. In the operating state of the induction energy supply device 10a, the inverter unit 18a supplies the supply induction element 14a with an alternating current 74a (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4) for the inductive provision of the energy. In the operating state, the control unit 20a controls the energy provided inductively by the supply induction element 14a by changing a frequency of the alternating current 74a provided by the inverter unit 18a. In the operating state, the supply induction element 14a generates an alternating electromagnetic field, by means of which the energy is made available inductively. In the operational state, the receiving induction element 56a is arranged at a distance from the supply induction element 14a. In the operating state, a magnetic flux of the electromagnetic alternating field, which is generated by the supply inductive element 14a, is at least partially coupled to the receiving inductive element 56a, so that an AC voltage is induced in the receiving inductive element 56a and at least part of the inductively provided energy is received. The installation unit 16a has at least one electrical load 64a. The electrical load 64a represents an electrical consumer of the installation unit 16a, which in the operating state is supplied with the AC voltage induced in the receiving inductive element 56a in order to provide at least one function of the installation unit 16a.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a first control period 66a of a control of the inverter unit 18a by the control unit 20a. A time in milliseconds is plotted on an abscissa 68a of the diagram. A magnitude of the alternating current 74a is plotted in amperes on a first ordinate 70a of the diagram. A magnitude of an AC line voltage 34a of a power supply system (not shown) to which the induction energy supply device 10a is connected in the operating state is plotted on a second ordinate 72a of the diagram.

The control unit 20a is intended to interrupt operation of the inverter unit 18a at recurring, in particular periodic, intervals during an interruption time window 24a for the wireless communication between the control unit 20a and the installation unit 16a. During the interruption time window 24a, the supply inductive element 14a is not supplied with the alternating current 74a, or the magnitude of the alternating current 74a is 0 amperes. A duration 28a of the interruption time window 24a is at least 1.0 millisecond. The duration 28a of the interruption time window 22a is 1.5 milliseconds in the present case.

The control unit 20a is intended to delay successive interruption time windows 24a by at least half a period 32a of the mains AC voltage 34a to space. A mains frequency of the mains AC voltage 34a is presently 50 Hertz. The period 32a of the mains AC voltage 34a is accordingly 20 milliseconds. In the present case, the control unit 20a spaces the successive interruption time windows 24a within the control period 66a by exactly half a period 32a. In the present case, the interruption time windows 24a are spaced apart from one another by exactly 10 milliseconds within the control period 66a. In the present case, the control period 66a lasts at least two periods 32a, ie at least 40 milliseconds.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a second control period 76a of control of the inverter unit 18a by the control unit 20a. The second control period 76a follows the first control period 66a (cf. FIG. 3). A time in milliseconds is plotted on an abscissa 78a of the diagram. A magnitude of the alternating current 74a is plotted in amperes on a first ordinate 80a of the diagram. A magnitude of the mains AC voltage 34a of the power supply network (not shown) to which the induction energy supply device 10a is connected in the operating state is plotted on a second ordinate 82a of the diagram.

The control unit 20a is intended to interrupt operation of the inverter unit 18a at recurring, in particular periodic, intervals during an interruption time window 26a for the wireless communication between the control unit 20a and the installation unit 16a. During the interruption time window 26a, the supply inductive element 14a is not supplied with the alternating current 74a, or the magnitude of the alternating current 74a is 0 amperes. A duration 30a of the interruption time window 26a is at least 1.0 millisecond. The control unit 20a is intended to extend the duration 30a of the interruption time window 26a in order to reduce the energy inductively provided by the supply induction element 14a. In the present case, the control unit 20a extends the duration 30a of the interruption time window 26a within the second control period 76a by 3.5 milliseconds compared to the interruption time window 24a of the first control period 66a (cf. FIG. 3). The duration 30a of the interruption time window 26a is a total of 5 milliseconds, which corresponds to a quarter of the period 32a of the AC voltage 34a. As a result, an average power is provided within the second control period 76a by the supply inductive element 14a inductively Significantly reduced energy compared to an average power within the first control period 66a.

The control unit 20a is provided to carry out at least one operation during the interruption time window 24a (see FIG. 3) or during the interruption time window 26a (see FIG. 4). In the present case, an operation which the control unit 20a carries out during the interruption time window 24a or during the interruption time window 26a is an interaction with the communication unit 22a. During the interruption time window 24a, 26a, the control unit 20a processes data, for example operating parameters of the installation unit 16a and/or the additional installation unit 52a, which were received via the communication unit 22a from the installation unit 16a or from the additional installation unit 52a and/or data, for example operating parameters the supply unit 12a, which are to be sent via the communication unit 22a to the installation unit 16a or to the further installation unit 52a. In the present case, the control unit 20a is provided to carry out at least one further operation during the interruption time window 24a, 26a in addition to the interaction with the communication unit 22a. In the present case, the further operation includes a detection of foreign objects 44a in a close range 46a of the supply induction element 14a (cf. FIG. 1). To detect a foreign object 40a, for example a metal fork shown as foreign object 44a in FIG. If a foreign object 44a is located in the vicinity 46a, between the inductive supply element 14a and the inductive supply element 96a, on the installation platform 100a, at least one parameter changes, for example a resonant frequency, of an oscillating circuit (not shown) of the supply unit 12a, which Supply inductive element 96a comprises against a reference parameter stored in memory unit 106a and the presence of foreign object 44a is detected by control unit 20a.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram for representing a power curve 84a of the supply inductive element 14a of the supply unit 12a. A power in watts is plotted on an ordinate 86a of the diagram. On an abscissa 88a is a Frequency of the alternating current 74a plotted in kilohertz. The power of the energy provided inductively by the supply inductive element 14a varies depending on the frequency of the alternating current 74a.

The control unit 20a is intended to operate the inverter unit 18a during at least one transition time window 36a (cf. FIG. 3) at a frequency 40a that is different than a target power frequency 38a. In the present case, the control unit 20a operates the inverter unit 18a in the operating state in a zero-voltage switching mode. The changed frequency 40a is presently greater than the target power frequency 38a, wherein when the inverter unit 18a is operated at the changed frequency 40a, a power provided inductively by the supply induction element 14a is lower than an inductively provided power when the inverter unit 18a is operated at the target power frequency. When the inverter unit 18a is operating at the target power frequency 38a, a proportion of the inductively provided power of the supply inductive element 14a, which is taken up by the receiving inductive element 56a of the installation unit 16a, corresponds to a target power for providing a currently set function of the installation unit 16a.

The control unit 20a is provided for the purpose of arranging the transition time window 36a and the interruption time window 24a directly adjacent to one another in terms of time. In the present case, the control unit 20a arranges the transition time window 36a immediately after the interruption time window 24a in the operating state. In the present case, the transition time window 36a is used to provide a soft start for the installation unit 16a. In the operating state, the control unit 20a controls the inverter unit 18a at the beginning of the transition time window 36a to operate at the changed frequency 40a in order to limit the power provided inductively by the supply inductive element 14a and to enable the erection unit 16a to start softly. During a time course of the transition time window 36a, the control unit 20a reduces a value of the frequency of the alternating current 74a provided by the inverter unit 18a from the value of the changed frequency 40a to a value which is only slightly higher than the value of the target power frequency 38a. During a target performance time window 94a, which is immediately adjacent to the transition time window 36a, the control unit 20a controls the inverter unit 18a to operate at the target power frequency 38a.

As an alternative or in addition, it would also be conceivable for the transition time window 36a to be provided in order to provide a smooth run-down of the positioning unit 16a. To do this, the control unit 20a would arrange the transition time window 36a immediately after the target power time window 94a and the value of the frequency of the alternating current 74a provided by the inverter unit 18a within the transition time window 36a, starting from the value which is only slightly higher than the value of the target power frequency 38a, control increasing up to the value of the changed frequency 94a. In this case, the transition time window 36a would immediately precede the interruption time window 24a and the control unit 20a would interrupt the operation of the inverter unit 18a based on the changed frequency 94a at the end of the transition time window 36a at the beginning of the interruption time window 24a.

A duration 42a of the transition time window 36a corresponds at least to the duration 28a of the interruption time window 24a. The duration 42a of the transition time window 36a corresponds at most to half a period 32a of the mains AC voltage 32a. In the case of a network frequency of 50 Hertz, the duration 42a of the transition time window 36a corresponds to a maximum of 10 milliseconds. In the present case, the duration 38a corresponds exactly to the duration 28a of the interruption time window 24a and is 1.5 milliseconds.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram for representing a method for operating the induction energy supply device 10a. In the method, operation of the inverter unit 18a is interrupted at regular intervals during a wireless communication interruption time window 24a, 26a. The method comprises at least two method steps. In a first method step 90a, the operation of the inverter unit 18a is interrupted by the control unit 20a. In a second method step 92a, wireless communication takes place between the control unit 20a and the installation unit 16a, specifically by means of the communication unit 22a.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, with regard to components, features and functions that remain the same tion referred to the description of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6 who can. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 6 is replaced by the letter b in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. With regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference symbols, reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and/or the description of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS.

FIG. 7 shows an induction energy supply device 10b in a schematic representation. The induction energy supply device 10b has a supply unit 12b. The supply unit 12b has at least one supply induction element 14b for the inductive provision of energy. In the present case, the supply unit 12b comprises a total of two supply induction elements 14b, with any other number being conceivable.

The induction energy supply device 10b has an installation unit 16b. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, the positioning unit 16b is designed as a cooking utensil 50b. The installation unit 16b has a receiving induction element 56b for receiving at least part of the energy provided inductively by the supply unit 12b. The induction energy supply device 10b has a further installation unit 52b. The further positioning unit 52b is designed as a further small household appliance 54b, specifically as a food processor. The further positioning unit 52b also has a receiving inductive element 56b for receiving at least part of the energy provided inductively by the supply unit 12b.

In the present case, the induction energy supply device 10b comprises an induction hob 98b which, in contrast to the induction hob 98a of the previous exemplary embodiment, is designed as an invisible induction hob 98b. The induction energy supply device 10b has an installation plate 100b. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, the installation plate 100b is designed as a kitchen worktop 104b and is not part of the induction hob 98b. The erection plate 100b is provided for erecting the erection unit 16b and the additional erection unit 52b. The induction power supply device 10a includes an inverter unit (not shown). The inverter unit is provided for operating the supply inductance elements 14b and comprises a plurality of inverter switching elements (not shown), which are in the form of insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT).

The induction power supply device 10b has a control unit 20b for controlling the inverter unit. The control unit 20b is provided to interrupt operation of the inverter unit at recurring, in particular periodic, intervals during an interruption time window (not shown) for the wireless communication. With regard to the mode of operation of the control unit 20b, reference can be made to the above description of the mode of operation of the control unit 20a of the previous exemplary embodiment in FIGS.

Reference sign

10 induction power supply device

12 supply unit

14 supply induction element

16 installation unit

18 inverter unit

20 control unit

22 communication unit

24 break time windows

26 break time windows

28 duration

30 duration

32 period duration

34 AC Mains Voltage

36 transition time windows

38 target power frequency

40 altered frequency

42 duration

44 foreign object

46 close range

48 small household appliance

50 cookware

52 additional installation unit

54 other small household appliance

56 pickup inductor

58 communication element

60 additional communication element

62 additional communication element

64 electrical load first control period, abscissa, first ordinate, second ordinate, alternating current, second control period, abscissa, first ordinate, second ordinate, power curve, ordinate, abscissa, first process step, second process step, target power time window, further supply induction element, induction hob, set-up plate, hob plate, kitchen worktop, storage unit

Claims

Expectations

1. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) with a supply unit (12a; 12b) which has at least one supply induction element (14a; 14b) for the inductive provision of energy to a set-up unit (16a; 16b), with an inverter unit (18a) for Operation of the supply induction element (14a; 14b), with a control unit (20a; 20b) for controlling the inverter unit (18a) and with a communication unit (22a; 22b) for wireless communication between the control unit (20a; 20b) and the installation unit ( 16a; 16b), characterized in that the control unit (20a; 20b) is provided to allow operation of the inverter unit (18a) at recurring, in particular periodic, intervals during an interruption time window (24a, 26a) for the wireless communication interrupt.

2. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 1, characterized in that a duration (28a) of the interruption time window (24a, 26a) is at least 1.0 ms.

3. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (20a; 20b) is provided to extend a duration (28a) of the interruption time window (26a) to reduce the inductively provided energy.

4. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20a;

20b) is provided for chronologically spacing successive interruption time windows (24a, 26a) by at least half a period (32a) of a mains AC voltage (34a).

5. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20a;

20b) is provided to operate the inverter unit (18a) during at least one transition time window (36a) with a frequency (40a) that is different from a target power frequency (38a).

6. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 5, characterized in that the control unit (20a; 20b) is provided for arranging the transition time window (36a) and the interruption time window (24a, 26a) immediately adjacent to one another in terms of time.

7. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a duration (42a) of the transition time window (36a) corresponds to at least one duration (28a) of the interruption time window (24a, 26a).

8. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a duration (42a) of the transition time window (36a) corresponds to a maximum of half a period (32a) of a mains AC voltage (34a).

9. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20a;

20b) is provided to carry out at least one further operation during the interruption time window (24a, 26a) in addition to an interaction with the communication unit (22a; 22b).

10. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 9, characterized in that the further operation includes a detection of foreign objects (44a) in a close range (46a) of the supply induction element (14a).

11. induction energy supply device (10a) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the installation unit (16a), which is designed as a small household appliance (48a).

12. induction energy supply device (10b) according to claim 1 to 10, characterized by the installation unit (16b), which is designed as a cooking utensil (50b).

13. A method for operating an induction energy supply device (10a;

10b), in particular according to one of Claims 1 to 12, with a supply unit (12a; 12b) which has at least one supply induction element (14a; 14b) for the inductive provision of energy to a set-up unit (16a; 16b) and with an inverter unit ( 18a) for operating the supply induction element (14a; 14b), and with a communication unit (22a; 22b) for wireless communication with the installation unit (16a; 16b), characterized in that operation of the inverter unit (18a) at regular intervals during a Interruption time window (24a, 26a) for the wireless se communication is interrupted.