ES2554452T3 - Cooking plate and procedure for controlling the operation of a cooking plate - Google Patents

Abstract

Cooking plate (1) comprising a cooking surface (6) that receives cooking vessels (3), at least one heating assembly (14, 15) comprising at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) independent and predetermined, at least one control unit, at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), at least one display means and at least one control means (7, 16) of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), characterized in that: - said at least one display means comprises a display panel (9) of graphic objects representing said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), - wherein said display panel (9) represents by means of a single graphic object (11) said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) controlled together upon activation of said at least one means of cont role (7, 16) and if said at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a container (3).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Cooking plate and procedure for controlling the operation of a cooking plate.

The present invention relates to a hob, in particular to an induction hob.

It also refers to a procedure for controlling the operation of a hob.

In general, it refers to a cooking plate comprising at least two predetermined heating zones and associated with power control means, and possibly timing. One or more containers can be placed and heated to the level of predetermined heating zones on a cooking surface of the cooking plate.

The present invention relates, in general, to cooking plates and, more particularly, to domestic cooking plates comprising different cooking zones whose operation can be controlled by means of control available to a user.

This type of cooking plate comprises heating means, for example inductors, arranged at the level of the heating zones below the cooking surface.

Cooking plates comprising a cooking surface that receives cooking vessels, a plurality of heating zones, at least one control unit, at least one detection means of a container associated with each of these heating zones are known , at least one display means and control means of these heating zones.

The control unit of these cooking plates makes it possible to control the operation of one or more heating zones separately by means of the control means, or at least two heating zones together by means of the control means.

However, these cooking plates have the disadvantage of not visually informing the user about the number of heating zones put into operation and guaranteeing the heating of a container after the activation of the control means that allow said at least two zones to be controlled. of heating together.

If a container is disposed above at least two heating zones and the control means are activated, no visual information means is provided to warn the user if the container only sufficiently covers only one of the two heating zones to ensure the heating of the

container.

The only visual information returned to the user by said at least one display means is that the operation of the heating assembly formed by said at least two heating zones is controlled.

Therefore, the visual information returned to the user is only global for the heating assembly formed by said at least two heating zones and not in detail for each heating zone belonging to the heating assembly formed by said at least two heating zones.

heating.

Thus, a container is not heated along its entire covering surface of said at least two heating zones jointly controlled in case the container insufficiently covers one of said at least two heating zones to operate it.

Document FR 2 758 934 A1 is also known which describes a cooking plate comprising a cooking surface that receives cooking vessels, a heating assembly comprising four independent and predetermined heating zones, control means of the heating zones and display media. The cooking plate comprises light indicators and digital displays that indicate the selection of the heating zones, and a light indicator can display the off-center of a vessel with respect to the heating zones.

The present invention aims at resolving the aforementioned drawbacks and proposing a cooking plate, and a procedure for controlling the operation of an associated cooking plate, which allows to easily identify the heating zone (s) of the cooking plate put into operation. either individually or together.

To this end, the present invention has, according to a first aspect, a cooking plate comprising a cooking surface that receives cooking vessels, at least one heating assembly comprising at least two independent and predetermined heating zones, when minus one unit

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of control, at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones, at least one display means and at least one control means of said at least two heating zones.

According to the invention,

- said at least one display means comprises a display panel of graphic objects representing said at least two heating zones,

- wherein said display panel represents by means of a single graphic object said at least two heating zones controlled together after the activation of said at least one control means and if said at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones detect the presence of a container.

Thus, the graphic object display panel allows visually identifying that said at least two jointly controlled heating zones are all in operation when said at least one detection means of each of said at least two heating zones detects the presence of a container.

In this way, the graphic object display panel represents by means of a single graphic object the joint operation of at least two heating zones.

The activation of at least one control means can make it possible to heat a single container that covers at least partially said at least two jointly controlled heating zones or a plurality of containers that cover at least partially the assembly formed by said at least two zones heating, in particular covering each container at least partially a heating zone.

Preferably, said display panel represents by means of a graphic object one of said at least two heating zones upon activation of said at least one control means and if said at least one detection means of a container of a single one of said at least Two heating zones detect the presence of a container.

Thus, the graphic object display panel allows to visually identify which of said at least two jointly controlled heating zones is put into operation when said at least one detection means of one of said at least two heating zones detects the presence of a container, upon activation of said at least one control means.

In this way, the graphic object display panel represents by means of a graphic object the individual operation of a heating zone.

The graphic object display panel allows to visually identify by means of graphic objects the heating zone (s) put into operation after the activation of at least one control means and after detecting the presence of a container implemented by said at least a detection means associated with each of said at least two heating zones.

According to a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a method of controlling the operation of a cooking plate, said cooking plate comprising a cooking surface that receives cooking vessels, at least one heating assembly comprising at least two independent and predetermined heating zones, at least one control unit, at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones, at least one display means and at least one control means of said at least two heating zones.

According to the invention, the process for controlling the operation of a hob comprises at least the following steps:

- activation of said at least one control means of said at least two heating zones;

- detection of a container that respectively covers at least partially said at least two areas of

heating; and

- display of a single graphic object representing said at least two heating zones controlled together on a display panel of said at least one display means if said at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least Two heating zones detect the presence of a container.

This procedure for controlling the operation of a cooking plate has similar characteristics and advantages to those described above in relation to the cooking plate.

Other particularities and advantages are further derived from the following description.

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In the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting examples:

or Figure 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a cooking plate according to an embodiment of the invention;

or Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating a first position of a container on a heating assembly formed by two heating zones and the corresponding visualization of the heating zone put into operation individually on a display panel; or Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating a second position of a container on a heating assembly formed by two heating zones and the corresponding display of the two heating zones put into operation together on a display panel;

or Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating a third position of a container on a heating assembly formed by two heating zones and the corresponding display of the heating zone individually operated on a display panel; and o Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating the position of two containers on a heating assembly formed by two heating zones and the corresponding display of the two heating zones put into operation separately on a display panel.

Firstly, with reference to FIG. 1, a cooking plate according to an embodiment of the invention will be described.

A schematic plan view of a cooking plate 1 is illustrated in Fig. 1. The lines 10 schematize the existence of independent and predetermined heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d on which a cooking vessel 3 can be placed.

The cooking plate 1 comprises at least one heating set 14, 15 comprising at least two independent and predetermined heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In this case, and in an absolutely non-limiting manner, the cooking plate 1 comprises two heating assemblies 14, 15.

A cooking plate of this type can be recessed or form an integral part of a work surface. It can also be associated with other cooking appliances, such as a cooking oven arranged below.

Each of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d comprises at least one heating means.

The heating means or means of each of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can be supplied with electricity and / or gas. These heating means can be of the induction type, radiant or halogen, or even gas.

In this case, each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d consists of one or more inductors.

Thus, a single inductor can materialize each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

Alternatively, each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may comprise several inductors.

In one embodiment, the arrangement of the plurality of the inductors may be concentric and comprise, for example, two or three inductors that allow the size of the heating zone to be adapted to the size of the container to be heated.

In one embodiment, the arrangement of the plurality of the inductors may be adjacent, in particular, in a line, forming a triangle or forming a square, and for example comprising between two and four inductors that allow the size of the zone to be adapted. heating to the size of the container to be heated.

In this exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the cooking plate 1 comprises a cooking surface 6, in particular ceramic hob. This cooking plate 1 comprises on the cooking surface 6 several heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In this embodiment, the cooking plate 1 comprises four heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

Obviously, the number of heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is not at all limiting and their arrangement may be different.

The number of heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the cooking plate 1 is at least two.

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These heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are constituted, in this embodiment, by one or more inductors that allow heating a cooking vessel 3 by means of the induction heating principle.

In this embodiment, the cooking plate 1 comprises a control keypad 8 generally arranged on one side of the cooking plate 1, for example along a leading edge of the cooking surface 6.

This control keypad 8 comprises means for controlling the operation of the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In this embodiment and in an absolutely non-limiting manner, the control keyboard 8 comprises different touch keys that allow the user, by simply pressing a key materialized by a demarcated area on the cooking surface 6, to control and / or modify the operation of one or more heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

These touch keys can be operated by means of capacitive sensors arranged under an electrically insulating plate, in particular ceramic hob, which constitutes the cooking surface 6.

In the embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 1, the control keyboard 8 comprises control means 7 for selecting a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In this case, a control means 7 for selecting a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is associated with each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The selection of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can also be carried out automatically with the detection of a container 3 on a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, in particular when heating means such as inductors are used.

The inductors can, in this case, serve as detection means of a container 3 placed on a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In the embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 1, the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are associated with a control means 4 for adjusting the power level, the adjustment of which is accessible to the user. by means of a touch control zone associated with the set of heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The power level adjustment control means 4 can be activated by sliding the user's finger over the touch zone. This touch zone of the control means 4 may be constituted by a single touch sensor or by a plurality of touch keys, in particular of the capacitive type.

The control means 4 for adjusting the power level makes it possible to increase or decrease the power emitted by a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d depending on the direction of sliding of the user's finger on the touch zone.

In the embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 1, the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are also associated with a control means 5 for setting a timer, the setting of which is accessible to the user. by means of control keys associated with the set of heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The control means 5 for setting a timer can in practice comprise two setting keys that respectively allow to increase or decrease the duration associated with a timer of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

Preferably, the setting control means of a timer allow parameterizing the duration of a timer from which a countdown means can allow the power supply to be automatically cut off from one or more heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d once the parameterized duration has elapsed.

In this embodiment, tactile control means directly accessible at the level of the cooking surface 6 of the cooking plate 1 have been illustrated in Figure 1.

The control means 7 for selecting a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d respectively allows the heating or switching off of the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d respectively, and the selection of a heating zone 2a, 2b , 2c, 2d to allow adjustment of the power level of this heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d through the control means 4, for example according to a number of positions between 0 and 9, and / or the adjustment of a timer of this heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d through the control means 5, for example for a duration between 0 and 99 minutes.

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In addition, a display panel 9 allows to display different parameters that are being adjusted or adjusted, such as a power level for each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d or even a duration associated with a timer for each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

It will be noted that in this embodiment of the invention, the control means 4, 5 for adjusting the power level and adjusting a timer of the control keypad 8 are common to all heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d they will be fed with energy.

Obviously, the number and position of the control means are not at all limiting and may be different, in particular associated with a group of heating zones, or multiplied depending on the number of heating zones.

In addition, the control means for adjusting the power level and adjusting a timer can be implemented either by a single touch zone for sliding control, or respectively by a touch zone for sliding control, or by means of control keys common, or respectively using control keys.

The control means 4, 5, 7 for setting the power level, setting a timer and selecting act in conjunction with a control unit, such as, for example, a control card equipped with a microcontroller. The control unit of the cooking plate 1 allows to adjust the power supply of each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and / or adjust the timing associated with each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d depending on the power and / or timing control requested by the user.

Obviously, the control means 4, 5, 7 for setting the power level, setting a timer and selecting can be replaced by all kinds of optical control elements, with a push button or a rotary button.

The cooking plate 1 comprises at least one detection means (not shown) associated with each of the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d covered by a container 3.

For this, each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d may comprise at least one means of detecting a container already known to the person skilled in the art, for example inductive loops.

Obviously, other types of detection means could be used, and for example thermal, infrared, etc. detection means.

Preferably, the detection means may be of the inductive type, which allow detecting the presence of a container 3 above a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d when the average current measured at the terminals of said at least one means of detection varies.

In this embodiment of the invention where the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are in turn constituted by inductors, it is particularly advantageous to provide that these inductors also constitute means of detecting the presence of a container 3 on a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The cooking plate 1 comprises a control keypad 8 that communicates with a control unit. Said control unit is in turn associated with the heating means of the cooking plate 1 and with the detection means of a container 3.

The control unit therefore allows to control the operation of the heating means or means of each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and to control the operation of the detection means of a container 3.

The control unit communicates with the control keypad 8 to receive from said control keypad 8 the operating parameters of one or more heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled by the user and to send information to said control keypad. control 8 on the status of the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d as well as the setting of the operating parameters, such as for example the power level and the duration of a timer, and / or for displaying data on the display panel 9 of the control keyboard 8.

Now, with reference to Figures 2 to 5, a display panel of at least one display means of a cooking plate according to one embodiment will be described.

Said at least one display means comprises a display panel 9 of graphic objects representing said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The display panel 9 represents by means of a single graphic object 11 said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled together upon activation of said at least one control means

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7, 16 and if said at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detects the presence of a container 3.

Thus, the display panel 9 of graphic objects allows visually identifying that said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled together are all put into operation when said at least one detection means of each of said at least Two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detect the presence of a container 3.

In this way, the display panel 9 of graphic objects represents by means of a single graphic object 11 the joint operation of at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The activation of at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled together makes it possible to adjust cooking parameters, in particular a power level and possibly a timer, common for said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The activation of at least one control means 7, 16 may allow a single container 3 to be heated at least partially covering said at least two jointly controlled heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d or a plurality of containers 3 covering at least partially the assembly formed by said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, in particular each container 3 covering at least partially a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In the embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the four heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the cooking surface 6 are independent and can be grouped in pairs according to the length of the cooking surface 6 so that they are controlled together, that is, on the one hand the heating zones 2a and 2b can be controlled independently or together and on the other hand the heating zones 2c and 2d can be controlled independently or together.

In this way, the display panel 9 of graphic objects allows to visually identify that on the one hand the two heating zones 2a and 2b controlled together, and on the other hand the two heating zones 2c and 2d controlled together, are put into operation by predetermined group when said at least one detection means of each of the two heating zones 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d detects the presence of a container 3.

Obviously, the number, position and direction of grouping of said at least two jointly controlled heating zones are not at all limiting and may be different.

In particular, the number of independent heating zones controlled together may be three, four, or more. Said at least two heating zones can be grouped according to the width of the cooking surface to be controlled together.

Preferably, the display panel 9 represents by another graphic object 12, 13 one of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d after the activation of said at least one control means 7, 16 and if said at least a means for detecting a container of only one of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detects the presence of a container 3.

Thus, the display panel 9 of graphic objects allows to visually identify which of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled together is put into operation when said at least one detection means of at least one of said at least Two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detect the presence of a container 3, after activation of said at least one control means 7, 16.

In this way, the display panel 9 of graphic objects represents by another graphic object 12, 13 the individual operation of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The display panel 9 is a graphic type display, such as for example of the LCD type (acronym for the English term Liquid Crystal Display) which can be monochrome or color.

Obviously, the type of display is not at all limiting and can be varied.

The display panel 9 allows the representation of graphic objects, in particular the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the cooking surface 6, from the information collected by a control unit of the cooking plate 1 which It comprises at least one microcontroller, wherein the information collected may in particular comprise the presence or absence of one or more containers 3 on the cooking surface 6.

The display panel 9 of graphic objects allows to visually identify by means of graphic objects 11, 12, 13 the heating zone (s) 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d put into operation after activation of at least

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a control means 7, 16 and after detecting the presence of container 3 implemented by said at least one detection means associated with each of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

The visualization of a single graphic object 11 representing the joint operation of at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d makes it possible to identify the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled together and activated after the detection of the presence of a container 3 on them.

Advantageously, the single graphic object 11 of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled and put into operation together represented by the display panel 9 is a uniform color display zone associated with said at least two zones heating 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

Likewise, the display of at least one other graphic object 12, 13 representing the individual commissioning of at least one heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d makes it possible to identify the heating zone or zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled jointly or individually and activated individually after detecting the presence of a container on them.

Advantageously, said at least one other graphic object 12, 13 of at least one heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d put into operation Individually represented by the display panel 9 is a uniform color display zone associated with a single zone of heating 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In the embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, a cooking plate 1 comprises a first heating set 14 formed by two independent heating zones 2a, 2b, and a second heating set 15 formed by two heating zones 2c, 2d independent.

Obviously and in an absolutely non-limiting manner, a cooking plate can also comprise a single heating assembly formed by at least two independent heating zones, and possibly other individually controlled independent heating zones.

In this case and in no way limiting, a single graphic object 11 that can be represented on the left side of the display panel 9 corresponds to the heating assembly 14 formed by the heating zones 2a and 2b, and a single graphic object 11 that can represented on the right side of the display panel 9 corresponds to the heating assembly 15 formed by the heating zones 2c and 2d. Another graphic object 12 that can be represented on the left side, or respectively on the right side, of the display panel 9 corresponds to the heating zone 2a, or respectively to the heating zone 2c, and another graphic object 13 that can be represented over the left part, or respectively on the right part, of the display panel 9 corresponds to the heating zone 2b, or respectively to the heating zone 2d.

A heating assembly 14, 15 can be operated by at least one control means 7, 16.

The activation of said at least one control means 7, 16 implies that the two heating zones 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15 can be activated by said at least one control means 7, 16 if the two heating zones 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d are sufficiently covered by a container 3.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, said at least one control means may be a selection key 7 of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d in order to control said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d together.

Thus, after at least the activation of a selection button 7 of one of the two heating zones 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d of the first or second heating set 14, 15, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 active said at least one detection means of each heating zone 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15 to determine the presence or absence of a container 3 on each heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d .

In this way, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 determines whether a single heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15 has been activated or if the two heating zones 2a have been activated , 2b or 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15.

Next, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 communicates with the display panel 9 to display a single graphic object 11 if the two heating zones 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d of the heating assembly 14 have been activated, 15 associated, or to display another graphic object 12, 13 if a single heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15 has been activated.

In one embodiment, the interruption of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a set of

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heating 14, 15 that was previously put into operation to heat a vessel 3 is implemented by a long press on the selection button 7 associated with the heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously put into operation.

The interruption of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15 previously put into operation to heat a vessel 3 can also be implemented by decreasing the power of the heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d up to a null value, or even by pressing on a start / stop key of the cooking plate 1 which causes the interruption of all heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously put into operation.

In one embodiment, if a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15 is previously operated to heat a vessel 3, a long press on a selection key 7 associated with another zone heating 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d turned off cannot allow the heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d to be shut down to start previously to heat a vessel 3.

Thus, a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15 previously put into operation to heat a container 3 cannot be stopped involuntarily in order to avoid mishandling. As soon as a selection key 7 associated with a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is attributed to a container 3 placed on the cooking surface 6 after the detection of this container 3 by the heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c , 2d, only this selection key 7 allows to act on the heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d at least partially covered by the container 3.

In one embodiment, if a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15 is previously operated to heat a vessel 3, a press on a selection key 7 associated with another zone of heating 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d off, belonging or not to the same heating assembly 14, 15 as the heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously put into operation, triggers a detection of container 3 that at least partially covers the minus a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously turned off of the cooking surface 6.

The heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15 previously put into operation to heat a container 3 is not taken into account during the detection of container 3 triggered by a press on an associated selection key 7 to another heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously turned off.

In this way, the detection of a container 3 that covers at least partially at least one heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously turned off of the cooking surface 6, allows activating one or more new heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d covered by a container 3 of the cooking surface 6 by simply pressing on a selection button 7 associated with at least one heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously turned off.

In addition, the use of a selection key 7 associated with another heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d turned off belonging or not to the same heating assembly 14, 15 as the heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d put into operation prior to triggering a detection of container 3 that at least partially covers at least one heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously turned off of the cooking surface 6 allows limiting the number of keys of the control keypad 8.

In this way, the cost of obtaining the cooking plate 1 is lower since the control keypad 8 is simplified.

In another embodiment, said at least one control means for commissioning a heating assembly 14, 15 is a common control means 16 of at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d in order to control said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d together.

The common control means 16 can be a single control key, which can be tactile and in particular capacitive, represented in broken lines in Figures 1 to 5.

Thus, after at least the activation of a single control key of the first or second heating set 14, 15, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 activates said at least one detection means of each heating zone 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15 to determine the presence or absence of a container 3 on each heating zone 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d.

In this way, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 determines whether a single heating zone 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15 has been activated or if the two heating zones 2a have been activated , 2b or 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15.

Next, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 communicates with the display panel 9 to

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display a single graphic object 11 if the two heating zones 2a, 2b or 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15 have been activated, or to display another graphic object 12, 13 if a single heating zone 2a has been activated , 2b or 2c, 2d of the associated heating assembly 14, 15.

The selection key 7 of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d and / or the common control means 16 of at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d serves to trigger a detection of container 3 on said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15.

Advantageously, the detection of the presence of a container 3 on the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d can be carried out after the activation of a selection control means 7 of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d , or after the activation of a single control key 16 of a heating assembly 14, 15, and then after the activation of a power adjustment control means 4 of a heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

With reference to Figure 2, a container 3 is placed on the cooking surface 6 above the heating zone 2a of the heating assembly 14. Said at least one means of detecting the heating zone 2a detects the presence of the container 3 upon activation of said at least one control means 7, 16 since the percentage of coverage of the heating zone 2a by the container 3 is greater than a predetermined value of the percentage of coverage, which may be for example of the order of %.

Thus, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 detects the presence of the container 3 on the heating zone 2a and communicates with the display panel 9 to display a graphic object 12 on it, corresponding to the individual commissioning. of the heating zone 2a.

In this way, the graphic object 12 represented on the display panel 9 indicates to the user that only the heating zone 2a has been activated.

With reference to Figure 3, a container 3 is placed on the cooking surface 6 above the two heating zones 2a, 2b of the heating assembly 14. Said at least one respective detection means of the two heating zones 2a, 2b detects the presence of the container 3 after activation of said at least one control means 7, 16 since the percentage of respective coverage of the two heating zones 2a, 2b by the container 3 is greater than a predetermined value of percentage of covering.

Thus, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 detects the presence of the container 3 on the two heating zones 2a, 2b and communicates with the display panel 9 to display a single graphic object 11 on it corresponding to the setting in joint operation of the two heating zones 2a, 2b.

In this way, the single graphic object 11 represented on the display panel 9 indicates to the user that the two heating zones 2a, 2b of the heating assembly 14 have been activated.

With reference to Figure 4, a container 3 is placed on the cooking surface 6 above the two heating zones 2a, 2b of the heating assembly 14. Said at least one means of detecting the heating zone 2b detects the presence of the container 3 after the activation of said at least one control means 7, 16 since the percentage of coverage of the heating zone 2b by the container 3 is greater than a predetermined value of percentage of coverage. While said at least one means of detecting the heating zone 2a detects the absence of the container 3 after activation of said at least one control means 7, 16 given that the percentage of coverage of the heating zone 2a by the container 3 is less than a predetermined coverage percentage value.

Thus, the control unit of the cooking plate 1 detects the presence of the container 3 only on the heating zone 2b and communicates with the display panel 9 to display a graphic object 13 on it corresponding to the individual commissioning. of the heating zone 2b.

In this way, the graphic object 13 represented on the display panel 9 indicates to the user that only the heating zone 2b of the heating assembly 14 has been activated.

In this case, the display panel 9 allows the user to indicate that the container 3 is heated only by the heating zone 2b since the heating zone 2a is inactive.

Thus, the user benefits from the possibility of moving the container 3 or towards a position thereof that does not exceed the heating zone 2b already activated in order to optimize the heating of the container 3 by the heating zone 2b activated, or either towards a position thereof that covers the two heating zones 2a, 2b of the heating assembly 14 in order to optimize the heating of the container 3 by the heating zones 2a, 2b activated together.

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In one embodiment, the displacement, either by lifting of the cooking surface 6 or by sliding on the cooking surface 6, of a container 3 on the cooking surface 6 causes the activation of said at least one means of detection of the presence of a container on each of the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the cooking surface 6 to determine the position of the container 3 and to represent the new position of the container 3 on the display panel 9 with the condition that said at least one means of detecting the presence of a container of at least one zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously activated detects an absence of container 3 thereon.

In this way, when the container 3 moves and is placed on the cooking surface 6 over at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15, said at least two heating zones 2a , 2b, 2c, 2d are put into operation together and display panel 9 indicates

visually a single graphic object 11 on it corresponding to the commissioning

together of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

In another embodiment, after displacement, either by lifting the cooking surface 6 or by sliding on the cooking surface 6, of a container 3 on the cooking surface 6, said at least one control means 7 , 16 associated with at least one previously switched off heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d is activated so that said at least one means of detecting the presence of a container is triggered on each of the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the cooking surface 6 to determine the position of the container 3 and to represent the new position of the container 3 on the display panel 9.

In this way, when the container 3 moves and is placed on the cooking surface 6 over at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15, said at least two heating zones 2a , 2b, 2c, 2d are put into operation together and display panel 9 indicates

visually a single graphic object 11 on it corresponding to the commissioning

together of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d.

Advantageously, the display panel 9 represents by another first graphic object 12, 13 a first of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d after the activation of said at least one control means 7, 16 and if said at least one detection means of a container of a first of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detects the presence of a container 3.

Likewise, after adding a container 3 on the cooking surface 6, the display panel 9 represents by another second graphic object 12, 13 a second of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d if said at least one means for detecting a container of a second of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detects the presence of a container 3.

Thus, in such a case, as illustrated in Figure 5, where a first container 3 is placed on the cooking surface 6 above a first heating zone 2a of a heating assembly 14, this first container 3 is detected by said at least one means of detecting the first heating zone 2a after the activation of said at least one control means 7, 16, and then heating up by the first heating zone 2a, as described above with reference to figure 2.

The display panel 9 thus represents a graphic object 12 indicating the presence of a first container 3 on the first heating zone 2a of a heating assembly 14.

If a second vessel 3 is added on the cooking surface 6 above a second heating zone 2b of a heating assembly 14, this second vessel 3 is detected by said at least one detection means of the second heating zone 2b after activation of at least one selection control means 7, and then it is put on heating by the second heating zone 2b.

The display panel 9 thus represents a first graphic object 12 indicating the presence of a first container 3 on the first heating zone 2a of a heating assembly 14 and a second graphic object 13 indicating the presence of a second container 3 on the second heating zone 2a of

heating set 14.

In this case, the two heating zones 2a, 2b of the same heating assembly 14 are not controlled together since the two containers 3 have been placed on the cooking surface 6 one after the other to allow each of these containers to be controlled 3 separately, in particular at a power level

different.

Next, a method of controlling the operation of a hob according to an embodiment of the invention will be described.

The process for controlling the operation of a hob includes at least the following

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stages:

- activation of said at least one control means 7, 16;

- detecting a container 3 that respectively covers at least partially said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d; Y

- display of a single graphic object 11 representing said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled together on a display panel 9 of said at least one display means if said at least one means of detecting a container associated to each of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detects the presence of a container 3.

The activation stage of said at least one control means 7, 16 is implemented by the user so that the detection stage of the presence of container 3 is triggered on several heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of an assembly heating 14, 15 implemented by the control unit of the cooking plate 1.

Thus, a container 3 placed on the cooking surface 6 cannot be heated by at least one of the heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d without voluntary user action.

In this way, a container 3 or other object placed on the cooking surface 6 cannot be accidentally or accidentally heated in order to guarantee the safety of the user and the proper functioning of the cooking plate 1.

The step of detecting the presence of container 3 on heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14, 15 allows determining the heating zone (s) 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of a heating assembly 14 , 15 to be activated to heat one or more containers 3 placed on the cooking surface 3 after the activation stage of said at least one control means 7, 16.

The display of a single graphic object 11 representing said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d controlled together on a display panel 9 of said at least one display means is implemented if the percentage of respective coverage of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d by a container 3 is greater than or equal to a predetermined coverage threshold value.

In addition, the method comprises a display stage on the display panel 9 of another graphic object 12, 13 representing one of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d if said at least one means of detecting a container of one of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detects the presence of a container 3.

The display of another graphic object 12, 13 representing one of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d individually controlled on a display panel 9 of said at least one display means is implemented if the percentage of covering a single of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d by a container 3 is greater than or equal to a predetermined coverage threshold value.

On the other hand, the method comprises a display stage on the display panel 9 of another first graphic object 12, 13 representing a first of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d if said at least one means of detecting a container of a first of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detects the presence of a first container 3, a new stage of detection of a second container 3 covering respectively at least partially a second of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d after adding a container 3 on the cooking surface 6, and a display stage on the display panel 9 of another second graphic object 12, 13 representing a second of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d if said at least one detection means of a container of a second of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d detects the presence a of a second container 3.

In one embodiment, the new detection stage of a second container 3 covering respectively at least partially a second of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d after adding a container 3 on the cooking surface 6 at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d belonging to the heating assembly 14, 15 having a first heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously activated can be carried out periodically.

In another embodiment, the new detection stage of a second container 3 covering respectively at least partially a second of said at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d after adding a container 3 on the cooking surface 6 at least two heating zones 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d belonging to the heating assembly 14, 15 having a first heating zone 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d previously activated after activation of at least one can be implemented control medium 7.

Thanks to the present invention, the visual information represented on the display panel of graphic objects as a function of the position of a container detected on a heating assembly formed by a set of independent heating zones after the activation of at least one means of control allows indicating the heating zone (s) activated to the user so that the user can decide to move a container to a position with respect to a heating assembly that allows optimizing the heat distribution in the container.

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

Claims (2)

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Five fifty Cooking plate (1) comprising a cooking surface (6) that receives cooking vessels (3), at least one heating assembly (14, 15) comprising at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) Independent and predetermined, at least one control unit, at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), at least one display means and at least one control means (7, 16) of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), characterized in that: - said at least one display means comprises a display panel (9) of graphic objects representing said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), - wherein said display panel (9) represents by means of a single graphic object (11) said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) jointly controlled after activation of said at least one control means (7 , 16) and if said at least one detection means of a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a container (3). Cooking plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said display panel (9) represents by another graphic object (12, 13) one of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) after the activation of said at least one control means (7, 16) and if said at least one detection means of a container of one of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a container (3). Cooking plate (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said display panel (9) represents by another first graphic object (12, 13) a first of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) after activation of said at least one control means (7, 16) and if said at least one detection means of a container of a first of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a container (3), and because, after adding a container (3) on said cooking surface (6), said display panel (9) represents by another second graphic object (12, 13) a second of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) if said at least one detection means of a container of a second of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a container (3). Cooking plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one control means is a selection key (7) of a heating zone (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) to be able to control said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) together. Cooking plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one control means is a common control means (16) of at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) in order to control said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) together. Cooking plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said single graphic object (11) of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) controlled and put into operation together represented by said display panel (9) is a uniform color display zone of at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). Cooking plate (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) comprises at least one heating means. Cooking plate (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said heating means are inductors. 55 60 Process for controlling the operation of a cooking plate (1), said cooking plate (1) comprising a cooking surface (6) that receives cooking vessels (3), at least one heating assembly (14, 15) which it comprises at least two independent and predetermined heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), at least one control unit, at least one detection means of a container (3) associated with each of said at least two zones of heating (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), at least one display means and at least one control means (4, 7, 16) of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), characterized because said procedure comprises at least the following stages: - activation of said at least one control means (7, 16); - detection of a container (3) covering at least partially said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d); and - display of a single graphic object (11) representing said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) jointly controlled on a display panel (9) of said at least one display means if said at least a means for detecting a container associated with each of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a container (3). 10. Procedure for controlling the operation of a hob (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said method comprises the following step: 10 15 11. twenty 25 - display on said display panel (9) of another graphic object (12, 13) representing one of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) if said at least one detection means of a container from one of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a container (3). Process for controlling the operation of a hob (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: - display on said display panel (9) of another first graphic object (12, 13) representing a first of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) if said at least one means of detecting a container of a first of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a first container (3); - detecting a second container (3) covering at least partially a second one of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) after adding a container (3) on said cooking surface (6); Y - display on said display panel (9) of another second graphic object (12, 13) representing a second of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) if said at least one means of detecting A container of a second of said at least two heating zones (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) detects the presence of a second container (3).