ES2913797T3 - Method for controlling a heating device of a cooking hob and cooking hob - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for controlling a heating device (HE) of a cooking hob (11) that has the following steps: - a cooking container (T) is placed on a first heating device (HE) of the cooking hob (11 ) and is heated by the latter with a first relatively high power, the first relatively high power being at least 50% of the maximum possible continuous power of the first heating device (HE), - if the cooking vessel (T) is displaced by at least 4 cm, - the cooking container (T) is heated with a second power reduced compared to the first, - this reduction of the heating power of the cooking container (T) from the first power to the second power signaled visually and/or acoustically to an operator, - with power reduction, a counter starts counting down from a predetermined decision time, and this countdown as a sequence is signaled visually and/or acoustically to a operator, - where in a first case the operator does not react during the decision time, - in the first case, the cooking vessel (T) is permanently reheated with the first power after the decision time has elapsed, - in a second case, the operator reacts during the decision time and changes the power to a third power, - in the second case, the cooking vessel (T) is permanently heated with the third power after the change to the third power or after that the decision time has elapsed.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Method for controlling a heating device of a cooking hob and cooking hob Field of application and state of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling a heating device of a cooking hob, as well as a corresponding cooking hob. The cooktop has various heating devices below a cooktop, as well as pot detection means, for recognizing a position of a cookware on the cooktop.

[0002] From EP 2 211 591 A1 it is known that in an induction cooktop with a multitude of induction heating coils as heating devices below a cooktop those induction heating coils which are covered by the cookware completely or at least 50% take over the heating of an arranged cookware or its contents. If the cookware is, for example, deliberately moved to a new position, for example because more space is needed on the cooktop or because the cookware interferes at this point, a previous power level is taken as the first power density. surface power for heating the cooking container. The displaced cookware is also heated in the new position with this first specified surface power density. Consequently, this saves an operator the effort of re-entering the previous power level or surface power density for the cooking vessel in its new position.

[0003] From EP 3 297 397 A1 a method for operating a cooktop with several heating devices is known. Different thermal powers can be set for a cooking container installed on the cooking hob, so that the cooking container moves on the cooking hob and different power densities are associated with the different positions. If the hob is moved, the power is modified. But it is possible for an operator to get an option for a time after displacement to modify a surface power density and thus to modify a heat capacity for the cooking vessel according to one's own choice. This can differ from position-dependent heating.

[0004] From FR 2863039 A1 an induction hob is generally known, in which a multitude of heating devices are arranged below the hob. A cooking vessel installed on the cooking plate is usually heated from these various heating devices. Depending on the coverage of the heating device by the cooking container, the produced thermal capacity of this heating device can vary, in particular this with smaller coverage is smaller. task and solution

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a method mentioned above as well as a cooking hob mentioned above, with which the problems of the state of the art can be avoided and in particular it is possible to handle the cooking hob in a feasible and advantageous way. ie to allow comfortable use, in particular when moving a cooking container.

[0006] This task is achieved by means of a method with the characteristics of claim 1 as well as through a cooking hob with the characteristics of claim 13. Advantageous configurations, as well as preferred ones of the invention are the object of the additional claims and are explained in more detail below. Some of the features are described either for the method only or for the cooktop only. Regardless of this, however, they should be able to be used autonomously and independently of one another both for the method and for the cooktop.

[0007] The cooktop, which can be put into operation with the method according to the invention and which is designed for execution, has a cooktop and at least two heating devices below the cooktop. Advantageously, they are induction heating coils, which can be put into operation individually or as a whole, in order to be able to heat a cooking container placed on top. Furthermore, the cooking hob has pot detection means, in order to be able to recognize a position of a cooking container on the cooking plate. These pot detection means can be formed in a general way, for example, they can be formed from the aforementioned induction heating coils themselves or from additional sensor coils, for example according to DE 102014224 051 A1. Alternatively, a camera or the like can be arranged above the cooktop and optically capture the state or procedures on the cooktop. Finally, the cooktop still has a control device with control elements and at least one display, as well as a control for the cooktop.

[0008] With such a cooktop, the method according to the invention can be carried out particularly well. In this method, a cooking vessel is installed on a first heating device of the cooktop, possibly also above several heating devices or above several heating elements, which together can form a heating device relative to the cooking vessel. By means of this heating device it is heated with a relatively high first power, where this relatively high first power is at least 50% of the maximum possible continuous power of the first heating device, i.e. at least 50% continuous rated power. This is significant especially in the case of induction heating coils, which can be operated in the so-called boost mode also at a power higher than this continuous nominal power, for example with up to 50% above. However, at this power they can only work for a few minutes. However, the relatively high first named power can also be such a pushing power.

[0009] You can even provide that the first named power is even at least 70% of the maximum possible power permanently. In cooking levels it can be from level 8.

[0010] The cooking vessel is then displaced by at least 4 cm, possibly so much that it no longer covers the first heating device. This displacement is recognized by a control of the cooking hob, advantageously with the help of the previously mentioned pot detection means.

[0011] As a result of the detection of this displacement, the cooking container is heated with a second power, this second power being reduced compared to the first. Advantageously, this second power is at least between 10% and 50% lower than the first. This reduction in power to heat the cooking vessel from the first power to the lower second power is signaled to an operator visually and/or acoustically that it is doing so. Otherwise, they might assume that there is a fault, for example because the cooking image or the status in the cooking vessel has changed.

[0012] Simultaneously with the power reduction, a counter starts counting down from a predetermined decision time. This countdown is signaled visually and/or acoustically as a sequence to an operator so that he can see it clearly. Advantageously, the countdown of a time is visually indicated as a countdown. In a first case, the operator does not react during the decision time, which in this case means that he does not make any changes to the heating power for this cooking vessel or for the previous first heating device or for a new heating device. heating which is now covered by the cooking vessel due to displacement. Thus, it is possible for the operator to make a control input for other cookware or other cookpoints formed for the cookware, but this should not count for the cookware that has been moved. In a second case, the operator reacts during the decision time and changes the power, advantageously to a third power. In a particularly advantageous manner, this third power is reduced compared to the first power, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. It can be reduced by at least 10% to 50%.

[0013] Then, according to the invention, in the first case, the cooking vessel is continuously heated again with the first power after the decision time has elapsed, which is advantageously done in such a way that, in terms absolute, the cookware is heated again with the same power as before according to the first power. Whether it is done by a single heating device or by several, especially in the case of induction heating coils, is irrelevant.

[0014] In the second case, the cooking vessel is heated continuously with the changed power after the power has been changed, in particular to the third power, or after the decision time has elapsed, i.e. immediately or only after the decision time has elapsed. This is preferably with the third power.

[0015] This means that in case of a special application, namely heating of a cooking vessel with a relatively high first power according to the aforementioned definition, the heating of the cooking vessel is first reduced in the new position when the cookware moves by an amount that actually means safe movement and can be recognized as such. This is also valid when the cooking container contains water and food to be cooked, such as noodles or potatoes. This requires a high power, for example power level 9. If the water overflows, the instinctive reaction of the operator is usually to move the cookware immediately, as was the case with old cast iron cooktops. This displacement also has the advantage that the cooking container is not only not or only slightly above the previous heating device, but is also likely to be on a cold area of the cooking plate. This causes it to cool down a bit, so that the water stops boiling relatively quickly, which corresponds to this instinctive reaction of the operator. This ensures that the water in the cooking container stops boiling or overflows as quickly as possible. However, if the operator wants the water to continue boiling, this is done automatically after the decision time has elapsed, for example after a few seconds. To do this, the operator does not have to take no further action and possibly you can remove a lid from the boiling pot, which can also reliably prevent overflow.

[0016] However, if the operator has not moved the cooking container because he wants to stop or prevent an annoying boil, but for other reasons, that is, deliberately and on purpose, for example, for reasons of space, he can still change the power during the decision time, so that the original first power is no longer present. This may be related to the fact that you have moved the cookware. It is possible that for a short time you have fried or boiled something in the cooking container in the front area of the hotplate at high power, which will then continue cooking at lower power in the rear area of the hotplate. cookware to which the cookware has been moved. The possibilities of setting a different or lower power are explained in more detail below.

[0017] Thus, with the invention, an operator can, on the one hand, be informed about the change or reduction in power. At the same time, he is urged or has the power to make the potency valid again without intervening. Alternatively, you can determine the power setting by direct intervention.

[0018] Said minimum displacement can thus be advantageously greater than 4 cm, particularly advantageously greater than 10 cm. This means that a very small displacement of the cookware, for example 1 to 4 cm, which can also occur unintentionally, should have no effect or the cookware then heats up as before without the intervention of a hob control. of cooking In general, one direction of travel can be neglected. This means that it can be taken into account that several cookware can be placed on the hob during use and that it is not always possible or the cookware can only be moved backwards, which is probably the most common case and simple, but it may also be necessary to move it obliquely backwards or even forwards.

[0019] The method is particularly advantageous in the event of a significant displacement of the cooking container such that the cooking container is completely removed from the first heating device and moved over at least one second heating device. At this point, the cooking container must be heated by at least the second heating device with the second power, at least during the decision time.

[0020] A third case can be envisaged in the invention, namely that the operator reacts during the decision time, ie before it expires, and actuates an operating element. It may advantageously be a specific control element intended precisely for this purpose. In this case, the decision time is interrupted immediately, ie it is no longer counted. In addition, the cooking container is immediately reheated with the original first power. This covers the aforementioned option of the operator wanting the cookware to continue heating at first power. Furthermore, this third case is also intended to cover the possibility of the operator moving the cooking container back to the original position, ie moving the cooking container again.

[0021] Furthermore, it may advantageously be provided that the second potency is reduced by about 25% to 40% compared to the first potency. Thus, it is not reduced as much, but it is enough to briefly interrupt, for example, a boiling process of the water in the boiling pot and thus prevent it from overflowing.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the relatively high power mentioned has a surface power density of more than 3.5 W/cm2. It can also be higher than 5 W/cm2 or even higher than 7 W/cm2, which corresponds to a power or cooking level of level 8 or 9.

[0023] In another configuration of the invention, it is advantageous to visually indicate to the operator the decision time count as a sequence during the sequence. This can be done, for example, at one second intervals. To do this, a decreasing or also increasing number can be used in a cooking zone indicator. Also, a decreasing or increasing progress bar may alternatively or additionally be used for display. For this purpose, for example, so-called bar indicators for sliders can be used as control elements for power adjustment, as is known in particular from DE 102004044355.

[0024] A visual indication of the count as the decision time elapses may additionally be done with a blink. In this case, an already mentioned number or progress bar may flash, which especially ensures that the operator is aware of it.

[0025] In another configuration of the invention, it can be provided that in a fourth case the operator reacts during the decision time and permanently sets the power to the second power by activating a control element, in particular a control element specifically provided for this purpose, in order to continue heating the cooking container. In this way, the operator can set the second power as the second power. permanent additional power even before the decision time has elapsed, for example, because it considers this power to be advantageous.

[0026] In another embodiment of the invention, provision is made for the power currently used to heat the cooking container to be displayed as a number or as a power indicator. This advantageously corresponds to a power level. In this way, the operator always knows at a glance how intensely the cookware is being heated at any given time.

[0027] In the context of the invention it can be understood that a heating device does not have a single heating element. Thus, for example, between two and four induction heating coils can be used to heat a single cooking vessel and be considered as a single heating device having the same wattage, at least the same area wattage and/or the same wattage. absolute.

[0028] A cooktop with which the method described above can advantageously be carried out has more than the usual four or six heating devices for four or six discrete cooking zones. For example, at least two times three or two times four heating devices, in particular three times four heating devices, may be provided. The arrangement of these must be regular so that a good coverage of the cooking plate is achieved.

[0029] These and other features emerge not only from the claims but also from the description and the drawings, it being possible for the individual features to be implemented in each case alone or in several in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields and which constitute advantageous embodiments that are protectable in their own right and for which protection is claimed herein. The subdivision of the application into individual sections, as well as the intermediate headings, do not limit the general validity of the declarations made in them.

Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following. The drawings show:

Fig.1

a view from above on an induction cooking hob with several induction heating coils, two cooking vessels placed on top and a control device with slider and displays,

Fig.2

an enlarged representation of the front area on the left of the control device with setting of a first power for the left-hand cooking vessel before a shift,

Fig.3

An enlarged representation of the left front area of the control device with reduced second power for the left cooking pot after a shift,

Fig.4

the representation of the decision time count on a slider with individual light segments and on a seven-segment display with numbers,

Fig.5

the front left area of the control device with another setting of the first power so that heating continues for the left cooking container after the decision time has elapsed without reaction by the operator.

Detailed description of embodiments

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a top view of an induction cooking hob 11 according to the invention initially described for carrying out the method according to the invention, which has a cooking plate 12. The rear part and by far The larger part of the cooking plate 12 forms a heating area 13, in order to be able to heat cooking vessels or pots placed on it in this way. Below the heating area 13 eight induction heating coils 15 are arranged, here represented by HE10 to HE23. The left half of the heating zone 13 has four induction heating coils 15 and the right half also. However, this division is not necessarily necessary, it is also possible to provide fewer and especially more induction heating coils for the total heating area 13.

[0032] A pot T1 is placed as a cooking vessel in the front left part of the induction cooking hob 11. It largely covers the front left induction heating coils HE10. On the right, a larger oval pot T2 is placed as a cooking container corresponding to a rotisserie, ie approximately centrally between and above both induction heating coils HE20 and HE23.

[0033] The induction cooking hob 11 shows in front of the heating area 13 a control device 17, advantageously arranged under the same cooking plate 12 and with touch switches, advantageously made with capacitive sensor elements and light or LED indication. The control device 17 has four so-called sliders 19a to 19d which extend horizontally in a special arrangement, which does not play any significant role here. Each slider has ten light segments 20, with each light segment 20 also having a separate sensor element provided. In this way such a slider 19 is a kind of illuminated touch strip. On the right next to each slider 19 a display 21 is arranged, whereby four displays 21a to 21d are also provided. The displays 21 respectively have two seven-segment displays for the representation of numbers and corresponding characters or symbols, as can be clearly seen in the following figures 2 to 4.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows how the set target powers are displayed by way of example on the control device 17 . For pot T1, the target power with power level 8 is adjusted on the lower left slider 19a. For cooktops, power setting or power adjustment in levels is common. This can occur by sliding a finger over slider 19a, alternatively by using it directly. If a finger is placed on the slider 19a on the second light segment 20a on the right, which seen from the left is the ninth light segment, then the power level 8 can also be adjusted directly. display 21a shows the power level 8 through illumination with the right digit, advantageously through constant illumination. On the slider 19a itself, the eight leftmost light segments 20a light up and thus the power level set as target power for pot T1 is also clear. The placement of pots T1 and T2 can be recognized by the HE induction heating coils themselves. Alternatively it may have been detected by other sensors.

[0035] Power level 8 corresponds to a surface power density of approximately 5 W/cm2 for pot T1. This first power is therefore a high power. If the first power was far below 3.5 W/cm2 or 3 W/cm2 or a power level of "7" or "6" or was set below, then the method would not be applied according to the invention and in particular no power reduction would take place in the second new position.

[0036] Correspondingly a target power for the right pot T2 can be set and displayed on the slider 19d and on the display 21a.

[0037] At any time, for example, because the water with noodles in it, which are to be cooked in the pot T1, has just boiled strongly, the pot T1 is moved back by the operator to the new second position T1' . This serves to quickly react to the fact that the water in pot T1 threatens to overflow or is already somewhat overflowing, which is not desired by the operator. Moving pot T1 is then, at least subjectively or intuitively for many operators, faster and more direct, as well as more reliable than reducing power via the control device.

[0038] In the new second position T1', which is distant from the original first position by the distance d, this distance d being greater than a predetermined minimum displacement of, for example, 4 cm or 10 cm, this position of the pot T1' is again detected, as before also the position T1. If the distance d were less than the minimum travel path mentioned at the beginning, no action would occur.

[0039] Next, according to the invention, pot T1' is operated with a reduced power as a new second power. Thus, the power is reduced, and significantly. In this case, it has been made up to power level 4, which is again displayed on slider 19a by four light segments 20a. Display 21a shows power level 4 with the digit on the right. Advantageously, there is also an acoustic signal for the operator.

[0040] At the same time, a predetermined decision time starts running or is counted in a counter in said induction cooker control unit 11. In this case, it is advantageously selected to be 10 seconds. The expiration of this decision time should be visually indicated to the operator, as shown in Fig. 4. The left side shows how ten of these light segments are first lit on a slider 19 with ten light segments 20, as shown in Fig. upper part. Then only nine light segments light up, then eight light segments 20 and so on. Advantageously, one more light segment is switched off per second, so that the decision time is counted visually.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, but advantageously only alternatively, the numerical count of the decision time can be shown as a kind of countdown on the display 21 with the seven-segment indicators. At the bottom, when no light segment 20 lights up on the slider 19 shown on the left, a "0" would then light up respectively on the right.

Alternatively, the power reduction may be shown on the display 21, for example, by a letter such as "U". Again, alternatively, the second reduced power can be shown on the display 21, ie number 4 according to Fig. 3, as the power actually used. The decision time is therefore advantageously counted visually on the slider 19. The expiry of the decision time can also be displayed, according to Fig. 4, by the flashing of the slider 19 or its light segments 20 and/or of display 21.

[0042] Within the expiring decision time, the operator can now react as described above. If it does not react at all within the decision time, pot T1' in the new position immediately resumes operation with the original first power, ie power level 8, after the decision time has elapsed. This is shown in Fig. 6.

[0043] In the second mentioned case, the operator reacts during the decision time of 10 seconds and changes the power to a third power with a control element or with the slider 19, which remains active despite the expiration indication of decision time. This third power can be reduced compared to the first, but it does not have to be. The third power can also correspond to the second. In this second case, the pot T1' in the new position is continuously heated with this third power immediately after the change to the third power. Alternatively, it can also be done after the decision time has elapsed, but this is considered disadvantageous.

[0044] If the operator reacts during the counting of the decision time, he can actuate a control element in the third case mentioned, advantageously a specific control element provided for this. This causes the immediate interruption of the decision time and the decision time count, in which case the pot T1' is immediately heated again with the first power.

[0045] In a fourth case mentioned above, the operator also reacts during the counting of the decision time and actuates a control element, advantageously a control element specifically provided for this purpose. In this way, you can permanently set the power to the second power to heat pot T1', for example, because you have found that this corresponds to the wish to heat pot T1' in the new position.

[0046] The same as described above applies to the pot T2 when it moves to the new position T2'. It covers two induction heating coils in both positions, once as pot T2 the induction heating coils HE20 and HE23, and as pot T2' in the offset position the induction heating coils HE21 and HE22. Also in this case, if the pot is heated with a correspondingly high first power, the power is first reduced after displacement by the distance d. The two induction heating coils are treated as one. The same thing would happen if a pot moved from two previous induction heating coils to one, or if a pot moved from a single previous induction heating coil to two. In terms of absolute power or a power level, it should change for the pot as described above, regardless of the number of induction heating coils required. This applies at least as long as the desired power can be supplied.

Claims (13)

1. Method for controlling a heating device (HE) of a cooking hob (11) that has the following steps: - a cooking container (T) is placed on a first heating device (HE) of the cooking plate (11) and is heated by the latter with a first relatively high power, the first relatively high power being at least 50 % of the maximum possible continuous power of the first heating device (HE), - if the cooking container (T) is displaced by at least 4 cm, - the cooking vessel (T) is heated with a second reduced power compared to the first, - this reduction in the heating power of the cooking vessel (T) from the first power to the second power is signaled visually and/or acoustically to an operator, - with power reduction, a counter starts counting down from a predetermined decision time, and this countdown as a sequence is signaled visually and/or acoustically to an operator, - where in a first case the operator does not react during the decision time, - in the first case, the cooking vessel (T) is permanently reheated with the first power after the decision time has elapsed, - in a second case, the operator reacts during the decision time and changes the power to a third power, - in the second case, the cooking container (T) is permanently heated with the third power after the change to the third power or after the decision time has elapsed. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a displacement of the cooking container (T) must occur by at least 10 cm, preferably by at least the diameter of the cooking container (T), in order to be recognized as motion and evaluated as such. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cooking vessel (T) is removed from the first heating device (HE) and moved over a second heating device (HE), and is then heated by at least the second heating device (HE) with the second power. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a third case, the operator reacts during the decision time and, by activating a control element (19), preferably a specific control element provided for it , causes the immediate interruption of the decision time and the calculation of the decision time, where then the cooking container (T) is immediately heated again with the first power. 5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second power is at least between 10% and 50% lower than the first power, preferably between 25% and 40% lower. 6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third power is reduced with respect to the first. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the countdown is visually indicated to the operator as the decision time elapses during expiration, preferably every second, in particular by means of a decreasing or increasing number or by means of a bar decreasing or increasing progress. 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the visual indication of the count as the elapsing of the decision time is carried out with a blink, preferably with an intermittent representation of the number or the progress bar. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a fourth case, the operator reacts during the decision time and continuously adjusts the power to the second power to heat the cooking vessel (T) actuating a special operating element. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power currently used to heat the cooking container (T) is displayed as a number or as a power indicator. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device comprises two to four heating elements (He) operating together with the same power density and/or power. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device or heating elements of the heating device are induction heating coils (HE). 13. Cooking hob (11) to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a cooking plate (12), - at least two heating media (HE) under the cooking plate (12), - pot detection means (HE) for detecting the position of a cooking container (T) on the cooking plate, - a control device (17) with control elements (19) and displays (20, 21), and - a controller for the hob (11), which is designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.