ES2599530T3 - Control procedure of a cooking plate and associated cooking plate - Google Patents

Abstract

Control method of a cooking plate (10) comprising at least two cooking lights (F) associated with control means (11), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - acquiring by means of an acquisition key (12) a signal input adapted to indicate the presence of a container (R) on the cooking plate; - detecting the focus (F) covered by said container (R) in response to the emission of said input signal; e - identify by a visual signal the control means (11) associated with said detected focus (F).

Description

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Control procedure of a cooking plate and associated cooking plate.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a hob comprising at least two cooking foci.

It also refers to a cooking plate adapted to implement the control procedure according to the invention.

In general, the present invention relates to cooking plates that have at least two cooking lights associated with power control means.

The commissioning and adjustment of each focus requires the identification of the focus and the selection of the control associated with the focus.

Thus, cooking plates are known which comprise separate and independent control means, assigned to each cooking focus.

After the placement of a container, it is necessary to identify the control means associated with the chosen focus to control the operation and adjust the power assigned to this focus.

There are also cooking plates that comprise control means common to all cooking foci, and focus selection means must be previously used.

Therefore, the user must locate in the control part of the hob the keys or keys that correspond to the focus he wants to use.

The location of the cooking focus and the control means associated with this focus that must be put into operation and adjust its power is not necessarily intuitive and often leads the user to control errors, and may eventually lead to believe that there is a malfunction of the apparatus. In addition, mistakenly turning on a light bulb may present risks, particularly if there is an object placed on it.

EP 0 429 120 describes a cooking plate comprising cooking foci and means of detecting a focus covered by a container. A visual signal identifies the control means associated with the detected cooking focus.

The presence of a new container placed on the cooking plate is permanently detected.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and provide a control procedure for a hob by facilitating the location of the chosen focus associated with its control zone.

To this end, the present invention relates according to a first aspect to a control method of a cooking plate comprising at least two cooking foci associated with control means.

This control procedure comprises the following stages:

- Acquire an input signal adapted by means of an acquisition key to indicate the presence of a container on the hob;

- detecting the focus covered by said container in response to the emission of said input signal; and

- identify by a visual signal the control means associated with said detected focus.

Thus, as soon as the cooking plate receives information indicating the presence of a container on a cooking focus, the automatic detection of the focus and the highlighting of its control means allow the user to easily control the power of the focus.

In one embodiment, the detection stage is put into practice with the inactive cooking lights of the cooking plate, thus allowing the detection of a new container placed on the already active cooking plate for other focuses.

Advantageously, the control procedure further comprises a step of putting into operation the control means associated with the detected focus.

Thus, the automatic detection of the focus covered by a container also results in the activation of the control means associated with this focus, thus allowing the user to adjust the power directly at the level of the

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In practice, when the cooking lights are associated respectively with at least two control means, the identification step can be implemented by illuminating a diode arranged in the vicinity of the control means associated with the detected focus or by means of the illumination of visualization means integrated in the control means associated with the detected focus.

According to a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a cooking plate comprising at least two cooking foci associated with control means, means for detecting a focus covered by a container, and means for identifying control means. associated to the focus detected by a visual signal.

This cooking plate includes:

- at least one acquisition key of an input signal adapted to indicate the presence of a container on the cooking plate.

This cooking plate has characteristics and advantages analogous to those described above in reference to the control procedure according to the invention.

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

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

- Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a hob according to an embodiment of the invention; Y

- Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the means of implementing the control procedure according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a cooking plate will first be described according to an embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the cooking plate comprises four cooking lights F.

These cooking foci are constituted, in this embodiment, by one or more inductors that allow heating a vessel by the induction principle.

In this embodiment, each focus F is associated with a power control means 11 whose adjustment is accessible to the user by means of control keys associated with each focus F.

In this embodiment, tactile control means directly accessible at the level of the cooking plate 10 have been illustrated.

These control means 11 allow each focus to be switched on or off and control the power, for example according to an index between 1 and 12.

These control means 11 act in conjunction with a global control system 20 as illustrated in Figure 2 which allows adjusting the power supply of each focus according to the power control required by the user.

The cooking plate 10 further comprises an input means of a signal in the global control system 20 which allows to indicate the presence of a container on one of the focuses of the cooking plate. This input means is constituted by an acquisition key 12 arranged on the cooking plane 10.

In this embodiment, a touch control input key 12 has been illustrated, also provided at the level of the cooking plane 10 of the plate, which allows the user to indicate, by touching this input key 12, the presence of a container R on one of the hotplates of the plate.

Naturally, these power controls 11 and this touch control input key 12 could be replaced by any type of control by push button or rotary button.

The cooking plate also includes means for detecting a focus F covered by the container R.

For this, each cooking focus F is associated with detection means that allow the presence of a container to be detected above the focus.

Preferably, these detection means can be inductive type means that allow detecting the

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presence of a container when the average current measured at the terminals of these inductors varies.

In this embodiment where the cooking foci themselves are constituted by inductors, it is particularly advantageous to provide that these inductors also constitute means of detecting the presence of a container R on a focus F.

Naturally, other types of detection means could be used, and for example thermal detection means.

Finally, the cooking plate comprises identification means 13 of the detected focus F by means of a visual signal

In this embodiment, the identification means are constituted by an LED 13 (electroluminescent diode) arranged in the vicinity of the control means 11.

The illumination of this LED 13 allows the user to visually signal the control means 11 associated with the focus on which a container R. has been placed.

Naturally, other types of visualization means could be used.

In particular, in certain cooking plates, the control means associated with each cooking focus can be integrated in the display means that allow indicating, for example, the active or inactive state of these control means or even indicating, for example by means of a figure, the power level programmed by the user. In such a case, the identification stage can be implemented by illuminating these visualization means integrated in the control means.

In the embodiments described above, the identification of the focus detected by a visual signal is made directly at the level of the control means associated respectively with each focus of the cooking plate.

On the other hand, although in this case a single input key 12 has been illustrated that allows the user to indicate the placement of a new container on one of the focuses F of the cooking plate, the cooking plate could have several input keys which indicate the placement of a container. In particular, any control key 11, provided that it is in an inactive state, could constitute a key to acquire an input signal and thus allow the issuance of a signal indicating the presence of a new vessel and constitute a means of input of a signal adapted to indicate the presence of a container for any of the foci.

In response to this signal, the global control system 20 of the cooking plate implements the detection of a new vessel and visually indicates the control keys 11 actually associated with the focus used.

The control system associated with a cooking plate of this type is illustrated in Figure 2 and allows the implementation of the following control procedure.

An input signal acquired by the acquisition key 12 is transmitted to the global control system 20 which, in response, controls the implementation of a stage of detection of a focus covered by the container.

Each focus F of the plate is associated with a detection system 21. Depending on the signal measured by this detection system, for example the value of a current in the terminals of an inductor, which is modified according to the load ( vessel) placed in front of this inductor, the focus F covered with a new vessel is detected.

Preferably, the detection of a container on a focus is only implemented with the detection systems 21 for which the associated focus is no longer in use and with its controlled power. Therefore, detection is implemented only with inactive cooking lights.

In practice, from the signals restored by the detection systems 21, the global control system 20 identifies the focus covered by the container and generates in this embodiment an order of ignition of a diode 13 associated with the means of control 11 assigned to this detected focus.

Then, in a classical manner, the user can direct and control the heating power of the spot asf detected, by the control means 11 asf located on the cooking plane.

Preferably, in parallel to the generation of a lighting control of the diode 13, the global control system 20 is adapted to operate the control means 11 associated with the detected focus F. Thus, the user can directly locate the control means 11 associated to the chosen focus and to control the power attributed to the focus by means of these control means, without having to previously set

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Then, the operation of the cooking focus thus detected is implemented in a classical manner by means of power supply means 22, controlled by the global control system 20, at a power level such as that required at the media level. of control 11 associated with the focus F. By way of example, these power supply means 22 may be constituted by a power generator when each cooking focus is of the inductive type.

Naturally, other control keys 14 can be associated with the global control system 20, and for example a timer 14 associated with each control means 11 which allows to program a duration of operation or even a delayed start for a given focus.

The method of controlling the invention thus allows to control a cooking plate thanks to an automatic detection device of a container that allows the user to intuitively control the power associated with the chosen focus.

It will be observed in particular that when the automatic detection stage of a container preferably with an inactive focus is implemented, it allows a new container placed by the user on the cooking plate to be detected.

In the particular case where two containers are present on the cooking plate on inactive foci, the control procedure according to the invention will perform the double detection and visually signal the two foci detected.

In addition, timing means can also be integrated into the hob so that the visual signal is automatically switched off when no power indication is entered by the user at the level of the identified control means. As an example, this timing period may be of the order of 30 seconds.

Also, in certain particular cases of use, a container may remain on an off focus after cooking.

Preferably, the detection means of the container do not take into account such a container.

To do this, memorization means are integrated in the cooking plate and allow to keep in memory, for a given duration, an active state of a light bulb, even after turning it off.

When a new container is placed on the cooking plate and the detection of the focus is put into practice after the acquisition of an input signal indicating the presence of a container, the detection means 21 simultaneously detects the new container and the container used previously. The global control system 20 is therefore adapted to identify by a visual signal only the focus for which an active state has not been memorized.

This active state of a focus can be retained in memory for a certain duration, for example equal to one hour.

Different operating examples implemented by the hob according to the invention will be described by way of non-limiting examples.

In practice, a memory associated with the global control system 20 is adapted to memorize different states associated with each focus of the hob.

These states are in particular:

- unoccupied focus;

- active focus, that is to say covered by a container and in operation;

- focus covered by a new container and still inactive; Y

- focus covered by an old container (cooking stopped or already carried out) possibly associated with an order number.

Next, different examples of implementation will be described.

Example 1: a new container placed on an inactive focus, one or more other eventually active foci:

- activation of the acquisition key;

- search among inactive foci;

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- detection of the focus covered by the new container;

- identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the detected focus; Y

- user adjustment.

Example 2: two new containers placed on inactive foci, one or more other eventually active foci:

- activation of the acquisition key;

- search among inactive foci;

- detection of two bulbs covered respectively by the two vessels;

- identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with a first focus of the two identified foci;

- direct adjustment by the user;

- activation of the acquisition key;

- search among inactive foci;

- detection of the focus covered by the other container;

- identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the detected focus; Y

- direct adjustment by the user.

Example 3: a new container placed on an inactive focus, a second container present on a second focus stopped after a firing, one or several other eventually active foci:

- activation of the acquisition key;

- search in inactive foci;

- detection of two foci, a new focus associated with the new vessel and the second focus;

- identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the new focus;

- direct adjustment by the user;

- activation of the acquisition key;

- search in inactive foci;

- detection of the second focus;

- identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the second focus; Y

- direct adjustment by the user.

In general, the identification of control means associated with the bulbs can be done firstly by the bulbs on which the container has been placed more recently, then with the bulbs of the one that has been turned off most recently to the one that has been turned off more time or reciprocally than it has been shut down longer than it was more recently.

Example 4: a new container placed on an inactive focus, a second container and a third container respectively arranged on a second focus and a third focus stopped after cooking, one or more other eventually active foci:

- activation of the acquisition key;

- search in inactive foci;

- detection of the first, second and third foci, the second and third foci being associated with an order number depending on the period elapsed since the shutdown of each focus;

- identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the first focus;

- direct adjustment by the user;

- activation of the acquisition key;

- search among inactive foci;

- identification of the second and third foci associated with an order number;

- identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the second focus and memorization of this identification stage;

- absence of adjustment by the user if the second focus does not correspond to what is required by the user;

- activation of the acquisition key;

- search in inactive foci;

- identification of the second and third foci associated with an order number;

- identification by activation or visualization of the control keys associated to the third focus after memorization of the previous identification stage; Y

- direct adjustment by the user.

Thus, thanks to the memorization of the state of the foci performed at each stage of detection and identification, it is possible for the user to obtain the visualization or activation of the different foci covered in a container.

Naturally, during the withdrawal of the container, the state of this focus is again inactive, with no container being detected by the detection means 21.

Naturally, numerous modifications can be made to the embodiment described above without

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leave the framework of the invention.

Thus, the cooking lights may not be constituted by inductors if not, for example, by radiant or halogen sources.

Then, detection means of a container are integrated into each focus, independent of the focus heating means.

These detection means can be as previously inductive or thermal means.

On the other hand, in the embodiments described above, the identification by a visual signal of the control means associated with the detected focus is carried out in the vicinity of the control means on the cooking plate.

The invention could also be put into practice on a cooking plate comprising common control means for all cooking foci and focus selection means that must be previously operated by the user to then control the power of the selected focus.

The identification by a visual signal of the control means could then be implemented at the level of the focus selection means, for example by illuminating a diode arranged in the vicinity of the different selection keys associated respectively with the focus lights. cooking, or even by lighting these selection keys if they comprise integrated lighting means. The identification by a visual signal of the selection of a focus allows the common control means to be automatically associated with the detected focus.

Claims (9)

10 2. 3. fifteen Four. twenty 5. 25 6. 30 35 7. 8. 40 9. 45 10. 50 11. 12. Control method of a cooking plate (10) comprising at least two cooking lights (F) associated with control means (11), characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - acquire by means of an acquisition key (12) an input signal adapted to indicate the presence of a container (R) on the cooking plate; - detecting the focus (F) covered by said container (R) in response to the emission of said input signal; and - identify by a visual signal the control means (11) associated with said detected focus (F). Control procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection stage is put into practice with inactive cooking foci (F). Control method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a step of operating control means (11) associated with said detected focus (F). Control method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least two focuses are associated respectively with at least two control means, the identification step being implemented by lighting a diode (13) arranged in the vicinity of the control means (11) associated with said detected focus (F). Control method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least two cooking lights (F) are associated respectively to at least two control means (11), the identification step being implemented by means of lighting means of display integrated in the control means associated with said detected focus (F). Cooking plate comprising at least two cooking foci associated with control means, detection means (21) of a light bulb (F) covered by a container (R), and identification means (13) of the control means ( 11) associated to said detected cooking focus (F) by means of a visual signal, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one acquisition key (12) of an input signal adapted to indicate the presence of a container (R) on the cooking plate (10). Cooking plate according to claim 6, characterized in that each cooking focus (F) comprises detection means (21) of a container. Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the detection means (21) are of the inductive type. Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that each cooking focus (F) is constituted by one or more inductors also adapted to form said detection means (21) of the presence of a container (R). Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the identification means comprise electroluminescent diodes (13) arranged respectively in the vicinity of control means (11) respectively associated with cooking lights (F) of the cooking plate (10) Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that said acquisition key comprises a single input key (12). Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that any control key, in an inactive state, is adapted to constitute an input means of a signal adapted to indicate the presence of a container.