EP4352418A1

EP4352418A1 - Cooktop with overflow detection

Info

Publication number: EP4352418A1
Application number: EP22729633.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tingting ZHU; Li Fang; Jinhua Wu; Weiwei Miao
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2021-06-11
Filing date: 2022-05-19
Publication date: 2024-04-17
Also published as: CN216203551U; US20240263799A1; WO2022258341A1

Abstract

An embodiment of the present utility model relates to a cooktop with overflow detection. The cooktop includes: a burner; a panel assembly; a gas valve for adjusting a flow rate of gas supplied to the burner; an overflow sensor, configured to detect an overflow state of a cooking utensil, where a quantity of overflow sensors is N, and the overflow sensors are disposed around the burner. In this way, overflows from different directions can be detected, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of overflow detection.

Description

COOKTOP WITH OVERFLOW DETECTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the utility model relate to the field of cooktops, and in particular, to a cooktop with overflow detection.

BACKGROUND

The Chinese patent No. CN106969387CN discloses a cooktop, including a burner, an electronic control gas valve, a temperature sensor, a controller, and a cooking program built in the controller. A gas inlet and a gas supply pipe of the electronic control gas valve are in communication with each other, and a gas outlet of the electronic control gas valve is communicated with a gas inlet of the burner. The temperature sensor and the cooktop are configured to detect the temperature of the cookware. The cooking program is configured with a time-related specified value of a cookware temperature and a time. The controller controls the electronic control gas valve according to the specified value and a measured value of the cookware temperature in the cooking program, and adjusts the power of the burner, so that the measured value of the cookware temperature reaches the specified value until the cooking program is executed, and cooking is completed.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present application is to provide an improved cooktop with overflow detection for improving user experience.

The present utility model relates to a cooktop with overflow detection. The cooktop includes: a burner; a panel assembly; a gas valve for adjusting a flow rate of gas supplied to the burner; an overflow sensor, configured to detect an overflow state of a cooking utensil, where a quantity of overflow sensors is N, and the overflow sensors are disposed around the burner.

First, the present application provides a cooktop with overflow detection. When an overflow occurs and a fluid flows to a panel assembly, gas supply is controlled in time to prevent continuous fluid spilling, which both reduces food waste and reduces possibility of the cooktop being difficult to clean due to fluid spilling.

Besides, N overflow sensors are disposed around the burner, so that N detection points may be formed around the burner, and overflows from different directions can be detected, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of overflow detection. In a possible implementation, N is greater than or equal to 3, which may further improve the accuracy and reliability of overflow detection.

In a possible implementation, the panel assembly includes a panel main body and/or a fluid pan, and the overflow sensor is concealed below the panel assembly. The overflow sensor is concealed below the panel assembly, so that the overflow sensor is not exposed above the panel assembly. In this way, the panel assembly is relatively flat and easy to clean, and the overflow sensor can be better protected, thereby prolonging the service life of the overflow sensor.

In a possible implementation, the overflow sensor includes a temperature sensor, where the temperature sensor is configured to detect temperature information of N temperature measurement points of the panel assembly; and a controller, respectively electrically connected to the gas valve and the temperature sensor and configured to receive temperature values of the N temperature measurement points of the panel assembly detected by the temperature sensor, and calculate a temperature difference of a temperature change of each temperature measurement point, where the controller is configured such that: a temperature difference threshold is pre-stored in the control unit, the received temperature difference of the temperature measurement point is compared with the temperature difference threshold, and the quantity n of temperature measurement points whose temperature differences exceed the temperature difference threshold are calculated; and the controller sends out different indication information according to a value of the quantity n to adjust gas output of the burner. When the overflow occurs, the temperature change of the panel assembly is relatively obvious, there is a temperature measurement point whose temperature difference exceeds the temperature difference threshold, and it may be accurately determined whether the overflow occurs, to avoid the continuous overflow.

In a possible implementation, the cooktop further includes a determining unit connected to the controller, for determining whether there is a person around the cooktop, where the controller is further configured as follows: the quantity n=N, and when the determining unit determines that there is a person around the cooktop, the controller sends out indication information to control the gas valve not to act; and when the determining unit determines that no person is around the cooktop, the controller sends out indication information to control the gas valve to decrease power or switch off the gas valve.

When the temperature differences of all the temperature measurement points exceed the threshold, if there is a person around the cooktop, the cooktop may be operated artificially, for example, the power is artificially increased. In this case, cooking performed by the user is affected if the gas valve decreases the power or the gas valve is switched off. Therefore, this case can be avoided by using this structure. When there is a person around the cooktop, even if the temperature of the temperature measurement point changes, the gas valve does not act, which reduces man-made interference in overflow detection, ensures that the user can cook, and improves the user experience. When no person is around the cooktop, if the temperature differences of all temperature measurement points exceed the threshold, the gas valve decreases the power or the gas valve is switched off, to avoid the continuous overflow.

In a possible implementation, the determining unit includes a human body detection unit, and the human body detection unit is configured to detect whether there is a person around the cooktop.

In a possible implementation, the human body detection unit includes an infrared temperature sensor.

In a possible implementation, the determining unit includes a position sensor disposed on a knob of the gas valve, and the position sensor is configured to detect whether a position of the knob of the gas valve changes, to determine whether there is a person around the cooktop. When the position of the knob of the gas valve does not change, it is determined that there is no person around the cooktop, and the gas valve is controlled to decrease power or the gas valve is switched off, to reduce the occurrence of the overflow. When the position of the knob of the gas valve changes, it is determined that there is a person around the cooktop, and the gas valve is controlled not to act. The user can adjust the power as needed to obtain an expected cooking effect. Therefore, the cooktop is more intelligent, thereby improving the user experience.

In a possible implementation, the position sensor includes a resistor, an encoder, or the like.

In a possible implementation, the controller is further configured as follows: when the quantity n = 0, the controller sends out indication information to control the gas valve not to act. Therefore, when no temperature difference of the temperature measurement point exceeds the temperature difference threshold, it is determined that no overflow occurs, and the gas valve does not act.

In a possible implementation, the controller is further configured as follows: when the quantity N>n>0, the controller sends out indication information to control the gas valve to decrease power or switch off the gas valve. When the temperature differences of not all the temperature measurement points exceed the temperature difference threshold, regardless of whether there is a person around the cooktop, it is determined that an overflow occurs, and the gas valve is controlled to decrease power or the gas valve is switched off.

In a possible implementation, the cooktop further includes an overflow trigger switch disposed on the panel assembly, where the overflow trigger switch is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller is further configured as follows: when the overflow trigger switch is triggered and the quantity n>0, the controller sends out indication information to control the gas valve to decrease power or switch off the gas valve. Therefore, when the user needs to leave the kitchen or has no time to take care of the cooktop even if the user is in the kitchen, the user needs to only turn on the overflow trigger switch. When a temperature difference of a temperature measurement point exceeds the temperature difference threshold, an overflow state is determined, and the gas valve is controlled to decrease power or the gas valve is switched off, to better improve the user experience.

In a possible implementation, the overflow trigger switch includes a button or a touch key.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is partial schematic diagram of a cooktop according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 2 is partial schematic diagram of a cooktop according to another embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 3 is partial schematic diagram from another perspective according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of FIG. 3 from another perspective;

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic diagram from another perspective according to another embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic structural diagram of an overflow sensor and a casing pipe in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a principle diagram of an electric appliance according to an embodiment of the present utility model; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of control according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

Cooktop 1 Burner 20 Overflow sensor 30 Temperature probe 31

Panel assembly 40 Panel main body 41 Fluid pan 42 Knob 60

Mounting bracket 50 Mounting hole 51 Elastic structure Adjustment assembly member 52 53

Gas valve 70 Controller 80 Determining unit 90 Screw 54 Screw hole 55 Casing pipe 56

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a further understanding of the objectives, structures, features and functions of the present invention, a detailed description is made below in cooperation with embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a cooktop 1 includes a panel assembly 40 and a burner 20 and a knob 60 of a gas valve that are disposed on the panel assembly 40. The burner 20 has an inner ring and an outer ring, and when the burner 20 burns, an inner ring flame and an outer ring flame are formed respectively. The gas valve 70 is a plug valve, and a user manually adjusts the knob 60 of the gas valve 70 to adjust a flow rate of gas supplied to the burner 20.

The cooktop 1 further includes an overflow sensor 30 configured to detect an overflow state of a cooking utensil, and the overflow sensor 30 is concealed below the panel assembly 40. That is, the overflow sensor 30 is disposed on a side of the panel assembly 40 facing the interior of the cooktop 1. The overflow sensor 30 is not exposed to the user when the user is cooking, which not only makes the panel assembly 40 look flat, easy to clean, and more aesthetic, but also makes the overflow sensor 30 be better protected, thereby prolonging the service life of the overflow sensor 30.

The panel assembly 40 includes a panel main body 41 and a fluid pan 42. The fluid pan 42 is located below the burner 20 and disposed around the burner. The fluid pan 42 is configured to receive a fluid spilled from the cooking utensil.

During cooking, when an overflow occurs, a size of an overflow region where a fluid flows out is different due to different sizes of the cooking utensils. The overflow region may be the fluid pan 42, or may be the panel main body 41, or may be the fluid pan 42 and the panel main body 41. The overflow sensor 30 is disposed within the scope of the overflow region, that is, the overflow sensor 30 is disposed on the fluid pan 42 and/or the panel main body 41.

In a possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the overflow sensor 30 may be concealed below the fluid pan 42, that is, the overflow sensor 30 is concealed on a side of the fluid pan 42 facing the interior of the cooktop 1. The overflow sensor 30 is represented in a dashed line. The overflow sensor 30 and the fluid pan 42 can be integrated together, which facilitates assembly and improves production efficiency.

In another possible embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the panel assembly 40 includes a metal panel main body 41, the overflow sensor 30 is concealed below the metal panel main body 41, that is, the overflow sensor 30 is concealed on a side of the metal panel main body 41 facing the interior of the cooktop 1. The overflow sensor 30 is represented in a dashed line. The overflow sensor 30 and the metal panel main body 41 can be integrated together, which facilitates assembly and improves production efficiency.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there are a plurality of or N overflow sensors 30, and the plurality of overflow sensors 30 are arranged in an annular array around a center of the burner 20. By setting a plurality of sensors, regardless of which direction a fluid of the cooking utensil first overflows from, the overflow can be quickly detected, reducing the possibility of continuous fluid flow.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of overflow sensors 30 are uniformly distributed around the center of the burner 20, that is, the plurality of overflow sensors 30 are distributed at an equal central angle, which is more conducive to accurately and quickly detecting an overflow state and further improves the user experience.

In an embodiment, a quantity of overflow sensors 30 is greater than or equal to 3. The quantity of overflow sensors 30 may also be 4, and are symmetrically disposed around the burner 20.

As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the overflow sensor 30 includes a temperature probe 31, where the temperature probe 31 abuts against a lower surface of the panel assembly 40, that is, the temperature probe 31 abuts below the panel main body 41 and/or the fluid pan 42. During cooking, the temperature probe 31 is seamlessly attached to the lower surface of the panel assembly 40.

The cooktop 1 further includes an elastic structure member 52 disposed around the overflow sensor 30, and the elastic structure member 52 is connected to the overflow sensor 30. The elastic structure member 52 may be a spring piece, an elastic sheet, or the like. The overflow sensor 30 cooperates with the elastic structure member 52 and is subject to an elastic force of the elastic structure member 52, and under the elastic force, the overflow sensor 30 has a tendency to repel the panel assembly 40, so that the overflow sensor 30 is closely attached to the panel assembly 40.

The cooktop 1 further includes a mounting bracket 50 located below the panel assembly 40 and used for mounting the overflow sensor 30. The mounting bracket 50 is fixed on the lower surface of the panel assembly 40, and the mounting bracket 50 is fixed to the panel main body 41 and/or the fluid pan 42 by using a glue, a snap, or a screw.

As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the mounting bracket 50 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 51 corresponding to the plurality of overflow sensors 30, and the overflow sensors 30 abut against the panel assembly 40 through the mounting holes 51. The overflow sensor 30 can move with movement of the elastic structure member 52 within a specific range, and under an elastic force of a spring, the overflow sensor 30 is movable in a vertical direction along the mounting hole 51.

During the use of the cooktop 1, when there is a gap between the overflow sensor 30 and the panel assembly 40 or the panel assembly is not flat, under the elastic force of the elastic structure member 52, the overflow sensor 30 moves toward a direction of the panel assembly 40, so that the overflow sensor 30 is closely attached to the panel assembly 40. Therefore, regardless of whether the panel assembly 40 is flat, the overflow sensor 30 can be closely attached to the panel assembly 40.

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the cooktop 1 further includes an adjustment assembly 53 for adjusting a distance between the overflow sensor 30 and the panel assembly 40. During the use of the cooktop 1, if the overflow sensor 30 is not attached to the panel assembly 40 due to the elasticity of the elastic structure member 52 being weakened or other failures, the adjustment assembly 53 can be adjusted to shorten the distance between the overflow sensor 30 and the panel assembly 40, so that the overflow sensor 30 is closely attached to the panel assembly 40, which facilitates after-sales detection and maintenance.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, an end of the elastic structure member 52 is connected to the overflow sensor 30, and an other end is connected to the panel assembly 40 which is close to the mounting hole 51. Under the action of the elastic force, the overflow sensor 30 is movable vertically along the mounting hole 51. The adjustment assembly 53 includes a threaded structure and a screw 54 matching the threaded structure that are disposed on the lower surface of the panel assembly 40. The mounting bracket 50 is provided with a screw hole 55 through which the screw 54 passes. The screw 54 passes through the screw hole 55 and matches the threaded structure, not only the mounting bracket 50 can be fixed to the panel assembly 40, but also the distance between the overflow sensor 30 and the panel assembly 40 can be adjusted through the vertical movement of the screw 54, so that the overflow sensor 30 can be re-attached to the panel assembly 40.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the overflow sensor 30 is configured within an external threaded casing pipe 56 that is located in the mounting hole 51. An end of the elastic structure member 52 is connected to the external threaded casing pipe 56, and an other end is connected to the overflow sensor 30. Under the elastic force of the elastic structure member 52, the overflow sensor 30 is movable vertically within a specific range along the casing pipe 56. The mounting hole 51 on the mounting bracket 50 has an internal threaded structure matching an external threaded structure of the casing pipe 56. Through matching between the mounting hole 51 and the threaded structure of the casing pipe 56, not only the casing pipe 56 can be mounted to the mounting bracket 50, but also the casing pipe 56 can be movable vertically along the mounting hole 51. The distance between the overflow sensor 30 and the panel assembly 40 can be adjusted through the movement of the casing pipe 56, so that the overflow sensor 30 can be re-attached to the panel assembly 40.

The overflow sensor 30 is a temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature change of the panel assembly 40 to determine whether an overflow occurs. N temperature measurement points are set on the panel assembly 40, and a corresponding temperature sensor is configured for each temperature measurement point to detect temperature changes. A quantity of temperature measurement points corresponds to a quantity of overflow sensors 30, and N is greater than or equal to 3.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cooktop 1 further includes a controller 80, and the controller 80 is electrically connected to the overflow sensor 30 and the gas valve 70. The controller 80 is configured to receive temperature values of the N temperature measurement points of the panel assembly 40 detected by the temperature sensor, and calculate a temperature difference of a temperature change of each temperature measurement point.

The controller 80 is configured such that: a temperature difference threshold is pre-stored in the controller 80, the received temperature difference of the temperature measurement point is compared with the temperature difference threshold, and a quantity n of the temperature measurement points whose temperature differences exceed the temperature difference threshold is calculated. The controller 80 sends out different indication information according to a value of the quantity n to adjust gas output of the burner 20.

When the overflow occurs, the temperature change of the panel assembly 40 is relatively obvious, there is a temperature measurement point whose temperature difference exceeds the temperature difference threshold, and it may be accurately determined whether the overflow occurs, to avoid the continuous overflow.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cooktop 1 further includes a determining unit 90 configured to determine whether there is a person around the cooktop 1. The determining unit 90 is electrically connected to the controller 80 and is configured to send detected information to the controller 80.

The determining unit 90 may include a human body detection unit, and the human body detection unit is configured to detect whether there is a person around the cooktop 1.

The human body detection unit includes an infrared temperature sensor. The overflow sensor 30 does not work when the human body detection unit detects that there is a person around the cooktop 1, and the overflow sensor 30 starts working when the human body detection unit detects that no person is around the cooktop 1.

The determining unit 90 may further include a position sensor disposed on the knob 60 of the gas valve 70, and the position sensor is configured to detect whether a position of the knob 60 of the gas valve 70 changes within a specific period of time to determine whether there is a person around the cooktop 1. When the position of the knob 60 of the gas valve 70 changes within a specific period of time, it is determined that there is a person around the cooktop 1, and the overflow sensor 30 does not work. When the position of the knob 60 of the gas valve 70 does not change within a specific period of time, it is determined that there is no person around the cooktop 1, and the overflow sensor 30 starts working. The position sensor includes a resistor or an encoder.

As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 80 is further configured such that:

When a quantity n=N, temperatures of all temperature measurement points have changed. When the determining unit 90 determines that there is a person around the cooktop 1, the controller 80 sends out indication information to control the gas valve 70 not to act; and when the determining unit 90 determines that no person is around the cooktop 1, the controller 80 sends out indication information to control the gas valve 70 to decrease power or switch off the gas valve 70.

When a quantity n=0, there is no temperature change at the temperature measurement points, and the controller 80 sends out indication information to control the gas valve 70 not to act.

When quantity N > n > 0, the controller 80 sends out indication information to control the gas valve 70 to decrease power or switch off the gas valve 70.

Therefore, when no temperature difference of the temperature measurement point exceeds the temperature difference threshold, it is determined that no overflow occurs, and the gas valve 70 does not act. When the temperature differences of not all the temperature measurement points exceed the temperature difference threshold, regardless of whether there is a person around the cooktop 1, it is determined that an overflow occurs, and the gas valve 70 is controlled to decrease power or the gas valve 70 is switched off. When the temperature differences of all the temperature measurement points exceed the threshold, if there is a person around the cooktop 1, the cooktop 1 may be operated artificially, for example, the power is artificially increased, and it is necessary to make corresponding instructions depending on whether there is a person is around the cooktop 1.

This may not only ensure the cooking effect, but also reduce the occurrence of an overflow, so that the home appliance system is more intelligent, thereby bringing greater convenience to users, better maintaining the home environment, and improving the user experience.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cooktop 1 further includes an overflow trigger switch 43 disposed on the panel assembly 40. The overflow trigger switch 43 is electrically connected to the controller 80. The overflow trigger switch includes a button or a touch key.

The controller 80 is further configured such that: when the overflow trigger switch is triggered and the quantity n>0, the controller 80 sends out indication information to control the gas valve 70 to decrease power or switch off the gas valve 70.

Therefore, when the user needs to leave the kitchen or has no time to take care of the cooktop 1 even if the user is in the kitchen, the user needs to only turn on the overflow trigger switch. When a temperature difference of a temperature measurement point exceeds the temperature difference threshold, an overflow state is determined, and the gas valve 70 is controlled to decrease power or the gas valve 70 is switched off, to better improve the user experience.

Various embodiments illustrated with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 may be combined with each other in any given manner to realize the advantage of the present utility model. In addition, the present utility model is not limited to the shown embodiments. Usually, apart from the shown means, other means can also be used as long as the means can also achieve the same effect.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A cooktop (1) with overflow detection, comprising: a burner (20); a panel assembly (40); a gas valve (70) for adjusting a flow rate of gas supplied to the burner (20); an overflow sensor (30), configured to detect an overflow state of a cooking utensil, and characterized in that a quantity of overflow sensors (30) is N, and the overflow sensors (30) are disposed around the burner (20).

2. The cooktop (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that N is greater than or equal to

3.

3. The cooktop (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the panel assembly (40) comprises a panel main body (41) and/or a fluid pan (42), and the overflow sensor (30) is concealed below the panel assembly (40).

4. The cooktop (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflow sensor (30) comprises a temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect temperature information of N temperature measurement points of the panel assembly (40); and a controller (80), respectively electrically connected to the gas valve (70) and the temperature sensor and configured to receive temperature values of the N temperature measurement points of the panel assembly (40) detected by the temperature sensor, and calculate a temperature difference of a temperature change of each temperature measurement point, wherein the controller (80) is configured such that: a temperature difference threshold is pre-stored in the controller (80), the received temperature difference of the temperature measurement point is compared with the temperature difference threshold, and the quantity n of temperature measurement points whose temperature differences exceed the temperature difference threshold are calculated; and the controller (80) sends out different indication information according to a value of the quantity n to adjust gas output of the burner (20).

5. The cooktop (1) according to claim 4, characterized by further comprising a determining unit (90) connected to the controller (80), for determining whether there is a person around the cooktop (1), wherein the controller (80) is further configured as follows: the quantity n = N, and when the determining unit (90) determines that there is a person around the cooktop (1), the controller (80) sends out indication information to control the gas valve (70) not to act; and when the determining unit (90) determines that no person is around the cooktop (1), the controller (80) sends out indication information to control the gas valve (70) to decrease power or switch off the gas valve (70).

6. The cooktop (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the determining unit (90) comprises a human body detection unit, and the human body detection unit is configured to detect whether there is a person around the cooktop (1).

7. The cooktop (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the human body detection unit comprises an infrared temperature sensor.

8. The cooktop (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the determining unit (90) comprises a position sensor disposed on a knob (60) of the gas valve (70), and the position sensor is configured to detect whether a position of the knob (60) of the gas valve (70) changes, to determine whether there is a person around the cooktop (1).

9. The cooktop (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the position sensor comprises a resistor, an encoder, or the like.

10. The cooktop (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the controller (80) is further configured as follows: when the quantity n = 0, the controller (80) sends out indication information to control the gas valve (70) not to act.

11. The cooktop (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the controller (80) is further configured as follows: when the quantity N>n>0, the controller (80) sends out indication information to control the gas valve (70) to decrease power or switch off the gas valve (70).

12. The cooktop (1) according to claim 4, characterized by further comprising an overflow trigger switch (43) disposed on the panel assembly (40), wherein the overflow trigger switch (43) is electrically connected to the controller (80), and the controller (80) is further configured as follows: when the overflow trigger switch (43) is triggered and the quantity n>0, the controller (80) sends out indication information to control the gas valve (70) to decrease power or switch off the gas valve (70).

13. The cooktop (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the overflow trigger switch (43) comprises a button or a touch key.