EP4608072A1

EP4608072A1 - Cooking device, cooking utensil and cooking assembly

Info

Publication number: EP4608072A1
Application number: EP24159023.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hannes Uwe Floessholzer
Original assignee: Versuni Holding BV
Current assignee: Versuni Holding BV
Priority date: 2024-02-22
Filing date: 2024-02-22
Publication date: 2025-08-27
Also published as: WO2025176357A1

Abstract

Provided is a cooking device (100) comprising an induction heating element assembly (108, 110). The induction heating element assembly comprises an induction heating element (108) for inductively heating a cooking utensil (102). The cooking device further comprises a rotatable magnetic assembly (116) for magnetically coupling to a utensil coupling part (104). The rotatable magnetic assembly is arranged around the induction heating element so that the induction heating element is nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly. Additionally provided is a cooking assembly (106) comprising the cooking device, and one or both of a cooking utensil for being inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly, and a utensil coupling part that is magnetically attractable to, and rotatable together with, the rotatable magnetic assembly. Further provided is a cooking utensil for use with a cooking device, which cooking device has an induction heating element assembly. The cooking utensil comprises a heatable portion (112) that is inductively heatable by the induction heating element assembly. The cooking utensil further comprises a rotatable magnetic arrangement for magnetically coupling to a device coupling part of the cooking device. The rotatable magnetic arrangement is arranged around the heatable portion so that the heatable portion is nested within the rotatable magnetic arrangement.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cooking device comprising an induction heating element assembly for inductively heating a cooking utensil, and a rotatable magnetic assembly for coupling to a utensil coupling part.
The invention also relates to a cooking assembly comprising the cooking device, and one or both of the cooking utensil and the utensil coupling part.
The invention further relates to a cooking utensil comprising a heatable portion that is inductively heatable by an induction heating element of a cooking device, and a rotatable magnetic arrangement for magnetically coupling to a device coupling part of the cooking device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various multipurpose cooking devices are known. Such cooking devices may, for example, have both food manipulation, e.g. food processing, functionality and heating capability.
The heating capability may be provided by an integrated heating element or heat conduction surface. A custom cooking pot may, for example, be mechanically connectable to the cooking device, e.g. via a bayonet coupling, a cradle/holder etc.
A rotatable food implement, in other words a rotatable tool, may be arranged in a center of the cooking pot.
Inclusion of both heating capability and food manipulation functionality may present challenges in terms of providing a cooking device and/or a cooking utensil that is/are relatively lightweight, compact, safe and convenient to use and/or cost-effective to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims.
According to examples in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cooking device comprising: an induction heating element assembly comprising an induction heating element for inductively heating a cooking utensil; and a rotatable magnetic assembly for magnetically coupling to a utensil coupling part, wherein the rotatable magnetic assembly is arranged around the induction heating element so that the induction heating element is nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly.
This arrangement may offer various advantages relative to, for instance, a scenario in which a peripheral induction heating element is instead arranged around a central rotatable magnetic assembly. In particular, arranging the rotatable magnetic assembly around the induction heating element may allow transfer of greater torque by the rotatable magnetic assembly, due to the arrangement allowing the rotatable magnetic assembly to span a wider area than when the above-mentioned central rotatable magnetic assembly's width/diameter is constrained by the peripheral induction heating element that surrounds the central rotatable magnetic assembly.
Arranging the rotatable magnetic assembly around the induction heating element may further permit heating of relatively small cooking utensils, such as relatively small vessels or pots, located at a center of the arrangement. Such a centrally positioned smaller cooking utensil may not, or may at least be less efficiently, heatable when it is instead the rotatable magnetic assembly that is centrally disposed with the induction heating element being arranged around the rotatable magnetic assembly.
By the induction heating element being arranged within the rotatable magnetic assembly, a heat transfer path in the cooking utensil may not be required to circumvent the utensil coupling part in order to reach food in/on the cooking utensil. Thus, relatively long heat transfer paths and/or a hot standing foot of the cooking utensil can be avoided. The latter can help to reduce the risk of the user being burned via contact with the cooking utensil.
In more general terms, an outside or housing of the cooking utensil may not be required to heat up significantly during induction heating using the cooking device, as the outside/housing may not be used for heat transfer to food being cooked using the cooking utensil.
It is noted that the term "nested within" in the present context refers to positioning of the induction heating element and the rotatable magnetic assembly being so that the induction heating element is placed inside the rotatable magnetic assembly.
For example, the induction heating element and the rotatable magnetic assembly may be concentrically arranged about the rotatable magnetic assembly's rotation axis, with the rotation axis extending through the induction heating element.
The induction heating element may, however, be statically mounted in the cooking device such that the induction heating element remains stationary during rotation of the rotatable magnetic assembly. Statically mounting the induction heating element in this manner can assist to simplify manufacture of the cooking device. The induction heating element may, for example, not be in contact with the rotatable magnetic assembly, in spite of the induction heating element being nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly.
It is noted that the induction heating element may be an induction coil.
In some embodiments, the induction heating element assembly comprises a further induction heating element spaced apart from the induction heating element and the rotatable magnetic assembly. Thus, the cooking device can inductively heat the cooking utensil over a larger area and/or may inductively heat several cooking utensils, e.g. at the same time.
The further induction heating element may be an induction coil. For example, the further induction heating element may be a further induction coil when the induction heating element is an induction coil.
In some embodiments, the further induction heating element is arranged around at least part of the rotatable magnetic assembly. Thus, the further induction heating element may be regarded as an outer or peripheral induction heating element, with the induction heating element being an inner or central induction heating element.
This may provide a spatially efficient arrangement of the induction heating element, the further induction heating element, and the rotatable magnetic assembly. Such an arrangement may also, for example, assist the cooking device to inductively heat a larger cooking utensil whose inductively heatable portion spans both the induction heating element and the further induction heating element.
For example, the induction heating element, the rotatable magnetic assembly, and the further induction heating element may be arranged concentrically, with the induction heating element being nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly, and the rotatable magnetic assembly and the induction heating element being together arranged within the further induction heating element.
The cooking device may include a support member for supporting the cooking utensil while the cooking utensil is being inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly, with the support member separating the cooking utensil from each of the induction heating element and the rotatable magnetic assembly when the cooking utensil is supported by the support member. In at least some embodiments, the support member comprises a support plate on which the cooking utensil is supportable.
The support member may be formed from any suitable material that enables the cooking utensil to be inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly and also allows magnetic interaction between the rotatable magnetic assembly and the utensil coupling part. In some embodiments, the support member is formed from glass.
The rotatable magnetic assembly may comprise a spindle that extends along the rotatable magnetic assembly's rotation axis. Alternatively or additionally, the cooking device comprises a motor assembly for driving rotation of the rotatable magnetic assembly. The motor assembly may, for example, be coupled to the rotatable magnetic assembly via the spindle.
In embodiments in which the rotatable magnetic assembly's rotation is driven by the motor assembly, and the rotatable magnetic assembly drives rotation of the utensil coupling part, the rotatable magnetic assembly can be regarded as a driving coupling part that transfers torque via magnetic attraction to a driven/follower coupling part in the form of the utensil coupling part.
The magnetic interaction between the rotatable magnetic assembly and the utensil coupling part may provide contactless driving of movement of at least part of the cooking utensil by the motor assembly.
In some embodiments, the rotatable magnetic assembly comprises a plurality of permanent magnets spaced apart from each other and arranged around the rotatable magnetic assembly's rotation axis. Such permanent magnets may provide a relatively straightforwardly manufacturable way of implementing the rotatable magnetic assembly.
Other types of rotatable magnetic assembly can also be contemplated. For example, the rotatable magnetic assembly can include electromagnet(s).
In some embodiments, wiring for connecting, e.g. supplying power, to the induction heating element is arranged in a conduit included in the spindle. The conduit may, for example, be in the form of a groove or hole defined in the spindle.
In this way, an electrical connection with the induction heating element can be conveniently established, in spite of the induction heating element being arranged within the rotatable magnetic assembly.
In embodiments in which the further induction heating element is included in the induction heating element assembly, an electrical connection may be provided between the induction heating element and the further induction heating element.
One or more recesses may be defined in the support member, with the recess(es) facing the rotatable magnetic assembly. The recess(es) may, in particular, be defined in an interior surface of the support member, e.g. glass plate, that faces the rotatable magnetic assembly.
In such embodiments, at least part of the electrical connection between the induction heating element and the further induction heating element may be received in the one or more recesses. In this way, the electrical connection between the induction heating element and the further induction heating element may be established in a way that still allows positioning of the rotatable magnetic assembly proximal to the support member. This can assist to provide strong magnetic interaction between the rotatable magnetic assembly and the utensil coupling part.
Alternatively or additionally, the electrical connection may comprise a conductive coating, for example in the form of thin film wires, provided on the interior surface of the support member that faces the rotatable magnetic assembly. This may facilitate relatively close positioning of the rotatable magnetic assembly to the support member.
The conductive coating, e.g. thin film wires, can be formed from any suitable electrically conductive material, for example indium tin oxide.
According to a second aspect there is provided a cooking utensil for use with a cooking device having an induction heating element assembly, the cooking utensil comprising: a heatable portion that is inductively heatable by the induction heating element assembly; and a utensil coupling part comprising a rotatable magnetic arrangement for magnetically coupling to a device coupling part of the cooking device, wherein the rotatable magnetic arrangement is arranged around the heatable portion so that the heatable portion is nested within the rotatable magnetic arrangement.
Arranging the utensil coupling part around the heatable portion in this manner can enable the cooking utensil to be made more lightweight, since heat transfer may be concentrated in a center of the cooking utensil, which can assist to reduce wall thickness. This can also help to minimize or avoid that hot material/metal of the heatable portion makes contact with the support member or with a kitchen countertop.
A central heatable portion with a peripheral utensil coupling part arranged therearound can further assist to enhance stability of the cooking utensil, also noting that the rotatable magnetic arrangement and the rotatable magnetic assembly are magnetically attracted to each other.
It is noted that the term "nested within" in this context refers to positioning of the heatable portion and the rotatable magnetic arrangement being so that the heatable portion is placed inside the rotatable magnetic arrangement.
For example, the heatable portion and the rotatable magnetic arrangement may be concentrically arranged about the rotatable magnetic arrangement's rotation axis, with the rotation axis extending through the heatable portion.
In some embodiments, the heatable portion is statically mounted in the cooking utensil such that the heatable portion remains stationary during rotation of the rotatable magnetic arrangement.
It is also noted that the cooking utensil according to this second aspect may be suitable for use with the cooking device described herein in relation to the first aspect.
Due to the heatable portion nested within the rotatable magnetic arrangement of the cooking utensil mirroring the induction heating element's nested positioning within the rotatable magnetic assembly, the cooking utensil according to the second aspect and the cooking device according to the first aspect may be regarded as interrelated products.
Implicit in the heatable portion being inductively heatable by the induction heating element assembly is that the heatable portion comprises an electrically conductive material, for example an electrically conductive and ferromagnetic material, in which heat can be induced by induction field(s) generated by operation of the induction heating element assembly.
According to a third aspect there is provided a cooking assembly comprising: the cooking device according to any of the embodiments described herein; and one or both of: a cooking utensil for being inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly; and a utensil coupling part that is magnetically attractable to, and rotatable together with, the rotatable magnetic assembly.
The cooking utensil may, for example, include the utensil coupling part.
The cooking utensil may, for instance, be the cooking utensil described herein in relation to the second aspect.
In some embodiments, the cooking utensil comprises a food implement for coupling to, and being moveable by movement of, the utensil coupling part. The food implement can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the food implement is in the form of a food processing tool, a blender tool, a stirrer tool, a cutter, a dough kneader or a mixer.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A schematically depicts a cooking assembly according to an example;
FIG. 1B shows the cooking assembly depicted in FIG. 1A but with a cooking utensil lifted from a cooking device;
FIG. 2 schematically depicts a cooking assembly according to another example;
FIG. 3 schematically depicts part of a cooking assembly according to yet another example;
FIG. 4 schematically depicts part of a cooking assembly according to a further example;
FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cooking device according to an example;
FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cooking device according to another example; and
FIG. 7 schematically depicts a cooking device according to a further example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be described with reference to the Figures.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, systems and methods of the present invention will become better understood from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the Figures are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to indicate the same or similar parts.
Provided is a cooking device comprising an induction heating element assembly. The induction heating element assembly comprises an induction heating element for inductively heating a cooking utensil. The cooking device further comprises a rotatable magnetic assembly for magnetically coupling to a utensil coupling part. The rotatable magnetic assembly is arranged around the induction heating element so that the induction heating element is nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly.
Additionally provided is a cooking assembly comprising the cooking device, and one or both of a cooking utensil for being inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly, and a utensil coupling part that is magnetically attractable to, and rotatable together with, the rotatable magnetic assembly.
Further provided is a cooking utensil for use with a cooking device, which cooking device has an induction heating element assembly. The cooking utensil comprises a heatable portion that is inductively heatable by the induction heating element assembly. The cooking utensil further comprises a rotatable magnetic arrangement for magnetically coupling to a device coupling part of the cooking device. The rotatable magnetic arrangement is arranged around the heatable portion so that the heatable portion is nested within the rotatable magnetic arrangement.
FIGs. 1A and 1B schematically depict a cooking device 100 according to an example. The cooking device 100 is suitable for inductively heating a cooking utensil 102, as well as being suitable for driving movement of a utensil coupling part 104.
The cooking device 100 may, for example, be regarded as a base station.
Such a base station may support, e.g. may be compatible with, various types of cooking utensils 102.
The present disclosure is partly directed to the cooking device 100 per se, since the cooking device 100 can in principle be supplied to the user separately from the cooking utensil 102 and the utensil coupling part 104.
Analogously, the present disclosure partly concerns the cooking utensil 102 per se, on the basis that the cooking utensil 102 can be supplied to the user separately from the cooking device 100, e.g. base station.
The present disclosure is further directed to a cooking assembly 106 comprising the cooking device 100 and one or both of the cooking utensil 102, and the utensil coupling part 104. Thus, the user may be conveniently supplied with the cooking device 100 together with the cooking utensil 102 and/or the utensil coupling part 104.
The cooking device 100 comprises an induction heating element assembly 108, 110 comprising (at least) an induction heating element 108, e.g. an induction coil, for inductively heating the cooking utensil 102. The induction heating element assembly 108, 110 may enable food to be heated with minimal impact of operation of the induction heating element assembly 108, 110 on functioning of moving parts involved in driving movement of the utensil coupling part 104. This is because induction heating does not rely on conduction of heat generated in the induction heating element(s) 108, 110 itself/themselves.
To this end, the utensil 102 comprises a heatable portion 112 that is inductively heatable by (at least part of) the induction heating element assembly 108, 110.
Implicit in the heatable portion 112 being inductively heatable by the induction heating element assembly 108, 110 is that the heatable portion 112 comprises an electrically conductive material, for example an electrically conductive and ferromagnetic material, in which heat can be induced by induction field(s) 113A generated by operation of the induction heating element assembly 108, 110.
Heat induced, due to the induction heating element assembly 108, 110, in the heatable portion 112 may be transferred to food to be cooked using the cooking utensil 102, e.g. food that is in contact with the heatable portion 112, via thermal conduction.
This thermal conduction is denoted in FIG. 1A by the arrows 113B.
The cooking device 100 may comprise a support member 114 for supporting the cooking utensil 102 while the cooking utensil 102 is being inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly 108, 110. For example, at least part of the induction heating element assembly 108, 110 may be arranged beneath the support member 114. In at least some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B, the support member 114 is a support plate on which the cooking utensil 102 is supportable.
The support member 114 may be formed from any suitable material that enables the cooking utensil 102 to be inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly 108, 110. In some embodiments, the support member 114 is formed from glass.
Particular mention is made of the support member 114 being in the form of a glass plate.
As well as being compatible with induction heating, glass may benefit from being relatively easy to clean. Any suitable glass, e.g. glass-ceramic, can be used to form the support member 114, for example Ceran^® glass from Schott Ceran.
The cooking device 100 comprises a rotatable magnetic assembly 116 for magnetically coupling to the utensil coupling part 104. When the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 is magnetically coupled to the utensil coupling part 104, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 and the utensil coupling part 104 may rotate together with each other.
The rotatable magnetic assembly 116 may be included in, e.g. may define, a device coupling part. A magnetic coupling may be formed by coupling of the device coupling part and the utensil coupling part 104.
As shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B, the utensil coupling part 104 comprises, e.g. is defined by, a rotatable magnetic arrangement for magnetically coupling to the device coupling part.
In some embodiments, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 comprises a plurality of permanent magnets 120 spaced apart from each other and arranged around the rotatable magnetic assembly's 116 rotation axis 122. The permanent magnets 120 may, for example, be distributed around the rotation axis 122, with north poles of neighboring permanent magnets 120 being orientated in opposite directions relative to each other.
Alternatively or additionally, the rotatable magnetic arrangement of the utensil coupling part 104 may comprise a plurality of permanent magnets 124 spaced apart from each other and arranged around the rotatable magnetic arrangement's rotation axis. The permanent magnets 124 may, for example, be distributed around the rotation axis, with north poles of neighboring permanent magnets 124 being orientated in opposite directions relative to each other.
It is noted that the patterned and unpatterned portions of the permanent magnets 120, 124 shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B (as well as in the other Figures) denote north and south poles of the permanent magnets 120, 124.
The rotatable magnetic assembly 116 may include a holder 126 for holding magnetic material, e.g. the permanent magnets 120. Alternatively or additionally, the rotatable magnetic arrangement of the utensil coupling part 104 may include a (further) holder 128 for holding magnetic material, e.g. the permanent magnets 124.
The holder 126 and the further holder 128 may be formed from any suitable material, such as from one or more of aluminum, austenitic stainless steel and plastic.
The rotatable magnetic assembly 116 may comprise a spindle 130 that extends along the rotatable magnetic assembly's rotation axis 122. In such embodiments, the holder 126 may, for example, be fixed or keyed to the spindle 130 so that the holder 126 and the spindle 130 rotate together with each other.
A food implement 132 for contacting and processing food may be coupled to, and may thus be moveable by movement of, the utensil coupling part 104.
The food implement 132 may be coupled to the utensil coupling part 104, for example to the further holder 128 thereof, via a shaft 133.
Whilst the food implement 132 is shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B being mounted via, e.g. extending from, a bottom of the food utensil 102, this is not intended to be limiting and in other embodiments, the food implement 132 is mounted/located elsewhere, e.g. may extend from a top of the cooking utensil 102.
It is also noted that the food implement 132 may be coupled to the utensil coupling part 104 in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the food implement 132 is coupled to the utensil coupling part 104 via a drive train, e.g. gear arrangement.
The food implement 132 can have any suitable design. In some embodiments, the food implement 132 is in the form of a food processing tool, a blender tool (as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B), a stirrer tool, a cutter, a dough kneader or a mixer.
More generally, any driven tool or functionality may be coupled to, and thus moveable by movement of, the utensil coupling part 104.
The cooking utensil 102 can be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, the cooking utensil 102 comprises a receptacle 134 in which food is receivable in order to be heated by heat transferred from the cooking utensil's 102 heatable portion 112.
The cooking utensil 102, for example the receptacle 134 thereof, may include a standing foot 136 for supporting the cooking utensil 102 on a surface on which the cooking utensil 102 is disposed.
The standing foot 136 may, for instance, support the cooking utensil 102 on an exterior surface 138 of the support member 114.
In some embodiments, the standing foot 136 and/or at least part of the receptacle 134 of the cooking utensil 102 is or are formed from a material that is not inductively heatable, such as an electrically insulating plastic material.
Thus, the standing foot 136 and/or the receptacle 134 may be more safely handled by a user of the cooking assembly 106, for example when lifting the receptacle 134 off the support member 114, as shown in FIG. 1B.
It is noted, more generally, that the support member 114 may separate the cooking utensil 102 supported thereby from each of the induction heating element assembly 108, 110 and the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 when the cooking utensil 102 is supported by the support member 114. Thus, the support member 114 may also serve the purpose of protecting (at least) the induction heating element assembly 108, 110 and the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 from, for example, contamination by food, etc.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B, the utensil coupling part 104 is arranged so that the movement of the utensil coupling part 104 enables manipulation of food also being heated via induction heating of the cooking utensil 102 by the induction heating element assembly 108, 110.
For example, the food implement 132 may be arranged or arrangeable within the receptacle 134, with the utensil coupling part 104 being arranged to move, e.g. rotate, the food implement 132 within the receptacle 134.
Thus, the food implement 132 may be moved to manipulate the food within the receptacle 134 while the food is being heated, by operation of the induction heating element assembly 108, 110.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B, the cooking utensil 102 comprises a sealing member 140 for providing a seal between a food supporting region of the cooking utensil 102 and the utensil coupling part 104.
The sealing member 140 may minimize the risk of the utensil coupling part 104 being contaminated by food in/on the cooking utensil 102.
More generally, the cooking device 100 may include a motor assembly for driving rotation of the rotatable magnetic assembly 116. The motor assembly may, for example, be coupled to the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 via the spindle 130.
The motor(s) included in the motor assembly may be of any suitable type. In some embodiments, the motor assembly comprises at least one brushless DC motor.
In embodiments in which the rotatable magnetic assembly's 116 rotation is driven by the motor assembly, and the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 drives rotation of the utensil coupling part 104, the device coupling part can be regarded as a driving coupling part that transfers torque via magnetic attraction to a driven/follower coupling part in the form of the utensil coupling part 104.
The magnetic interaction between the rotatable magnetic assembly 116/device coupling part and the rotatable magnetic arrangement/utensil coupling part 104 may provide contactless driving of the food implement 132 by the motor assembly, for instance so that moving parts of the device coupling part do not come into contact with moving part(s) mechanically connected to the food implement 132.
In other words, no physical contact may be necessary between the rotatable magnetic assembly 116/device coupling part and the rotatable magnetic arrangement/utensil coupling part 104.
Rotation of the utensil coupling part 104, e.g. and consequently movement of the food implement 132, may be enabled when the utensil coupling part 104 is sufficiently close to the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, for example when the cooking utensil 102 comprising the utensil coupling part 104 is being supported by the support member 114.
On the other hand, when the cooking utensil 102 is moved, e.g. lifted, sufficiently far away from the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, the utensil coupling part 104 may no longer be rotated via rotation of the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, and the heatable portion 112 may no longer be inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly 108, 110.
It is reiterated that FIG. 1B shows the cooking utensil 102 moved away from the cooking device 100, e.g. base station, and thus moved away from the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 and the induction heating element assembly 108, 110.
More generally, and continuing to refer to FIGs. 1A and 1B, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 is arranged around the induction heating element 108 so that the induction heating element 108 is nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly 116.
This arrangement may offer various advantages relative to, for instance, a scenario in which a peripheral induction heating element is instead arranged around a central rotatable magnetic assembly. In particular, arranging the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 around the induction heating element 108 may allow transfer of greater torque by the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, due to the arrangement allowing the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 to span a wider area than when the above-mentioned central rotatable magnetic assembly's width/diameter is constrained by the peripheral induction heating element.
Arranging the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 around the induction heating element 108 may further permit heating of relatively small cooking utensils 102, such as relatively small vessels or pots, located at a center of the arrangement. Such a centrally positioned smaller cooking utensil 102 may not, or may at least be less efficiently, heatable when it is instead the rotatable magnetic assembly that is centrally disposed with the induction heating element being arranged around the rotatable magnetic assembly.
By the induction heating element 108 being arranged within the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, the heat transfer path 113B in the cooking utensil 102 may not be required to circumvent the utensil coupling part 104 in order to reach food in/on the cooking utensil 102. Thus, relatively long heat transfer paths and/or a hot standing foot 136 of the cooking utensil 102 can be avoided. The latter can help to reduce the risk of the user being burned via contact with the cooking utensil 102.
In more general terms, an outside or housing of the cooking utensil 102 may not be required to heat up significantly during induction heating using the cooking device 100, as the outside/housing may not be used for heat transfer to the food in/on the cooking utensil 102.
Regarding the cooking utensil 102, and as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B, the rotatable magnetic arrangement of the utensil coupling part 104 is arranged around the heatable portion 112 so that the heatable portion 112 is nested within the rotatable magnetic arrangement.
Arranging the utensil coupling part 104 around the heatable portion 112 in this manner can enable the cooking utensil 102, e.g. the receptacle 134 thereof, to be made more lightweight, since heat transfer may be concentrated in a center of the cooking utensil 102, which can assist to reduce wall thickness. For example, a thickness of the receptacle's 134 walls may be as low as 1 mm. This can also help to minimize or avoid that hot material/metal of the heatable portion 112 makes contact with the support member 114 or with a kitchen countertop.
A central heatable portion 112 with a peripheral utensil coupling part 104 arranged therearound can further assist to enhance stability of the cooking utensil 102, also noting that the rotatable magnetic arrangement and the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 of the cooking device 100 are magnetically attracted to each other.
It is noted that the induction heating element 108 may be statically mounted in the cooking device 100 such that the induction heating element 108 remains stationary during rotation of the rotatable magnetic assembly 116. The induction heating element 108 may, for example, not be in contact with the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, in spite of the induction heating element 108 being nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly 116. Statically mounting the induction heating element 108 in this manner can assist to simplify manufacture of the cooking device 100.
Regarding the cooking utensil 102, it is noted that the heatable portion 112 may be statically mounted in the cooking utensil 102 such that the heatable portion 112 remains stationary during rotation of the rotatable magnetic arrangement.
In some embodiments, and referring now to FIG. 2, wiring 142 for connecting, e.g. supplying power, to the induction heating element 108 is arranged in a conduit 144 included in the spindle 130. The conduit 144 may, for example, be in the form of a groove or hole defined in the spindle 130. In this way, an electrical connection with the induction heating element 108 can be conveniently established, in spite of the induction heating element 108 being arranged within the rotatable magnetic assembly 116.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 1A, 1B and 2, the induction heating element assembly 108, 110 comprises a further induction heating element 110 spaced apart from the induction heating element 108 and the rotatable magnetic assembly 116. Thus, the cooking device 100 can inductively heat the cooking utensil 102 over a larger area and/or may inductively heat several cooking utensils 102, e.g. at the same time.
In such embodiments, the further induction heating element 110 may be arranged around at least part of the rotatable magnetic assembly 116. Thus, the further induction heating element 110 may be regarded as an outer or peripheral induction heating element, with the induction heating element 108 being an inner or central induction heating element.
This may provide a spatially efficient arrangement of the induction heating element 108, the further induction heating element 110, and the rotatable magnetic assembly 116. Such an arrangement may also, for example, assist the cooking device 100 to inductively heat a larger cooking utensil 102 whose heatable portion 112 spans both the induction heating element 108 and the further induction heating element 110.
For example, the induction heating element 108, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, and the further induction heating element 110 may be arranged concentrically, with the induction heating element 108 being nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, and the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 and the induction heating element 108 being together arranged within the further induction heating element 110.
In some embodiments, and referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, the cooking device 100 comprises an electrical connection 146 arranged between the induction heating element 108 and the further induction heating element 110.
One or more recesses 148 may be defined in the support member 114, with the recess(es) 148 facing the rotatable magnetic assembly 116. The recess(es) 148 may, in particular, be defined in an interior surface 150 of the support member 114 that faces the rotatable magnetic assembly 116.
For example, the recess(es) 148 may be defined in the support member 114 in the form of a glass plate.
In such embodiments, at least part of the electrical connection 146 may be received in the one or more recesses 148. In this way, the electrical connection 146 between the induction heating element 108 and the further induction heating element 110 may be established in a way that still allows positioning of the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 proximal to the support member 114. This can assist to provide strong magnetic interaction between the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 and the utensil coupling part 104.
Alternatively or additionally, and referring now to FIG. 4, the electrical connection 146 may comprise a conductive coating, for example in the form of thin film wires, provided on the interior surface 150 of the support member 114 that faces the rotatable magnetic assembly 116. This may facilitate relatively close positioning of the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 to the support member 114.
The conductive coating, e.g. thin film wires, can be formed from any suitable electrically conductive material, for example indium tin oxide.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 5, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 comprises an outer rotatable portion and an inner rotatable portion of the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, with the outer rotatable portion being arranged around the inner rotatable portion, for instance so that the outer and inner rotatable portions are concentrically arranged about the rotation axis 122.
In such embodiments, the induction heating element 108 may be nested within the inner rotatable portion, with the inner rotatable portion being arranged between the induction heating element 108 and the outer rotatable portion.
In some embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 5, the outer rotatable portion includes outer permanent magnets 120A, for example held by an outer rotatable holder 126A. Alternatively or additionally, the inner rotatable portion may include inner permanent magnets 120B, for instance held by an inner rotatable holder 126B.
The outer rotatable portion may be rotated while the inner rotatable portion is stationary, the inner rotatable portion may be rotated while the outer rotatable portion is stationary, and/or both the outer and inner rotatable portions may be rotated at the same time, at the same or at different rotational speeds.
To this end, a first spindle 130A may extend from the outer rotatable portion, e.g. the outer rotatable holder 126A thereof, with a second spindle 130B extending from the inner rotatable portion.
The first and second spindles 130A, 130B may, for instance, be coupled to the motor assembly, e.g. to a gear box and/or clutch arrangement included in the motor assembly.
In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGs. 6 and 7, the cooking device 100 includes, in addition to the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, a further rotatable magnetic assembly 152.
The rotatable magnetic assembly 116 and the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 may be arranged with the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 being within, e.g. concentrically within, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 (as shown in FIG. 6). Alternatively, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 may be within, e.g. concentrically within, the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 (as shown in FIG. 7).
In embodiments in which the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 is within, e.g. concentrically within, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, both the induction heating element 108 and the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 may be nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly 116.
In such embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 6, the induction heating element 108 may be arranged around the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 so that the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 is nested within the induction heating element 108.
The spindle 130 may extend from the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, as previously described, with a further spindle 154 extending from the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152.
The spindle 130 and the further spindle 154 may, for instance, be coupled to the motor assembly, e.g. to a gear box and/or clutch arrangement included in the motor assembly.
The rotatable magnetic assembly 116 may be rotated while the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 is stationary, the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 may be rotated while the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 is stationary, and/or both the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 and the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 may be rotated at the same time, at the same or at different rotational speeds.
In embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 7, in which the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 is within, e.g. concentrically within, the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152, both the induction heating element 108 and the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 may be nested within the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152.
In such embodiments, and still referring to FIG. 7, the further induction heating element 110 may be nested within the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152.
Alternatively or additionally, the induction heating element assembly 108, 110, 156 may include an additional induction heating element 156.
In such embodiments, the additional induction heating element 156 may be arranged around the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152, such that the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 is nested within the additional induction heating element 156.
For example, the cooking device 100 may include a concentric arrangement of the induction heating element 108 at a center of the cooking device 100, the rotatable magnetic assembly 116 outwards of the induction heating element 108, the further induction heating element 110 outwards of the rotatable magnetic assembly 116, the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152 outwards of the further induction heating element 110, and the additional induction heating element 156 outwards of the further rotatable magnetic assembly 152.
Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.
The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
If the term "adapted to" is used in the claims or description, it is noted the term "adapted to" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to".
Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

A cooking device (100) comprising:
an induction heating element assembly (108, 110) comprising an induction heating element (108) for inductively heating a cooking utensil (102); and

a rotatable magnetic assembly (116) for magnetically coupling to a utensil coupling part (104), wherein the rotatable magnetic assembly is arranged around the induction heating element so that the induction heating element is nested within the rotatable magnetic assembly.
The cooking device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the induction heating element assembly (108, 110) comprises a further induction heating element (110) spaced apart from the induction heating element (108) and the rotatable magnetic assembly (116).
The cooking device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the further induction heating element (110) is arranged around at least part of the rotatable magnetic assembly (116).
The cooking device (100) according to claim 2 or claim 3, comprising an electrical connection (146) between the induction heating element (108) and the further induction heating element (110).
The cooking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the induction heating element (108) is statically mounted in the cooking device such that the induction heating element remains stationary during rotation of the rotatable magnetic assembly (116).
The cooking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotatable magnetic assembly (116) comprises a spindle (130) that extends along the rotatable magnetic assembly's rotation axis (122), wiring (142) for connecting to the induction heating element (108) being arranged in a conduit (144) included in the spindle.
The cooking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a support member (114) for supporting the cooking utensil (102) while the cooking utensil is being inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly (108, 110), the support member separating the cooking utensil from each of the induction heating element (108) and the rotatable magnetic assembly (116) when the cooking utensil is supported by the support member.
The cooking device (100) according to claim 7 as according to claim 4, wherein the electrical connection (146) is arranged between the support member (114) and the rotatable magnetic assembly (116).
The cooking device (100) according to claim 8, wherein one or more recesses (148) is or are defined in the support member (114), the recess(es) facing the rotatable magnetic assembly (116), at least part of the electrical connection (146) being received in the one or more recesses.
The cooking device (100) according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the electrical connection (146) comprises a conductive coating provided on an interior surface (150) of the support member (114) that faces the rotatable magnetic assembly (116).
The cooking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rotatable magnetic assembly (116) comprises a plurality of permanent magnets (120) spaced apart from each other and arranged around the rotatable magnetic assembly's rotation axis (122).
The cooking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a motor assembly for driving rotation of the rotatable magnetic assembly (116).
A cooking utensil (102) for use with a cooking device (100) having an induction heating element assembly (108, 110), the cooking utensil comprising:
a heatable portion (112) that is inductively heatable by the induction heating element assembly; and

a utensil coupling part (104) comprising a rotatable magnetic arrangement for magnetically coupling to a device coupling part of the cooking device, wherein the rotatable magnetic arrangement is arranged around the heatable portion so that the heatable portion is nested within the rotatable magnetic arrangement.
A cooking assembly (106) comprising:
the cooking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and

one or both of:
a cooking utensil (102) for being inductively heated by the induction heating element assembly (108, 110); and

a utensil coupling part (104) that is magnetically attractable to, and rotatable together with, the rotatable magnetic assembly (116).
The cooking utensil (102) according to claim 13 or the cooking assembly (106) according to claim 14, comprising a food implement (132) for coupling to, and being moveable by movement of, the utensil coupling part (104); optionally wherein the food implement is in the form of a food processing tool, a blender tool, a stirrer tool, a cutter, a dough kneader or a mixer.