WO2017076469A1 - Induction cooker with improved usability - Google Patents

Induction cooker with improved usability Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017076469A1
WO2017076469A1 PCT/EP2015/075938 EP2015075938W WO2017076469A1 WO 2017076469 A1 WO2017076469 A1 WO 2017076469A1 EP 2015075938 W EP2015075938 W EP 2015075938W WO 2017076469 A1 WO2017076469 A1 WO 2017076469A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
induction cooker
cooking
image
heating
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/075938
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gamze DAG
Yasin Sedat Yirmili
Sinan BABA
Original Assignee
Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arcelik Anonim Sirketi filed Critical Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority to EP15790588.6A priority Critical patent/EP3372053B1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2015/075938 priority patent/WO2017076469A1/en
Publication of WO2017076469A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017076469A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
    • H05B6/02—Induction heating
    • H05B6/10—Induction heating apparatus, other than furnaces, for specific applications
    • H05B6/12—Cooking devices
    • H05B6/1209—Cooking devices induction cooking plates or the like and devices to be used in combination with them
    • H05B6/1218—Cooking devices induction cooking plates or the like and devices to be used in combination with them with arrangements using lights for heating zone state indication

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an induction cooker.
  • An induction cooker generally comprises glass top which includes one or more cooking zones each for inductively heating a ferromagnetic cooking utensil at the heating level that is respectively selected by the user and a user-interface for allowing the user to select for each heating zone the heating level from a range of heating levels.
  • WO2015096928(A1) discloses an induction cooker.
  • a problem with the prior art induction cooker is that the user cannot easily recognize the operational states of the cooking zones from the user-interface.
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide an induction cooker which solves the aforementioned problem of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables the user to easily and quickly obtain an improved overview of the operational states of the cooking zones.
  • the induction cooker of the present invention comprises one or more optical devices each adapted to project an image onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil that is placed on the respective cooking zone, wherein the image shows information which relates to the operational state of the respective cooking zone.
  • a major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can immediately recognize the operational state of each cooking zone from the image which is projected onto the respective cooking utensil. Thereby, the user can quickly ascertain whether the cooking zone is in the desired operational state and thus the food inside the coking utensil can be prevented from undercooking or overcooking.
  • Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can more easily and precisely operate the induction cooker by individually viewing the the images. Thereby, the complaints can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible.
  • optical devices can be used for illuminating the respective cooking utensils and/or for providing the user with useful information and instructions so as to interactively assist the user in cooking a particular recipe in accordance with the user-selection via the user-interface.
  • the image projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil shows the temperature of the respective cooking zone as sensed through the sensing unit and/or as accordingly set through the user-interface by way of selecting the heating level.
  • the user can immediately see the temperature of each cooking zone and prevent the food from undercooking or over cooking by increasing/decreasing the heating level.
  • the user can precisely adjust the temperature for the cooking zone by selecting the corresponding heating level and cook the food at the optimum temperature.
  • the user is enabled to correctly select the heating level that is most favorable for the food being cooked.
  • the user complaints can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible.
  • the image projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil additionally or individually shows the current operating power of the respective cooking zone. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can immediately see the current operating power of the cooking zone and correctly select the optimum heating level for the food being cooked.
  • the optical device is provided as an image projector such as an LCD projector or the like.
  • image projectors known to those skilled in the art may be alternatively used. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as a high quality image can be easily projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil.
  • the optical device has a plurality of laser diodes which are arranged to form one or more multiple segment displays that project the image onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil.
  • the optical device is arranged in close proximity to the respective cooking zone and either under the glass top or above the glass top.
  • the glass top is entirely or partly transparent so as to transmit the projected image.
  • the glass top may be opaque. The images are projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil that substantially faces the front side of the induction cooker.
  • the image projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil comprises signs, including symbols and/or words.
  • the image projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil comprises instructions to the user for a particular recipe that has been selected through the user-interface.
  • Figure 1 - is a schematic perspective view of an induction cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 - is a schematic perspective partially exploded view of an induction cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the induction cooker (1) comprises a glass top (2) which includes one or more cooking zones (3) each for inductively heating a cooking utensil (4) at the heating level that is respectively selected by the user, wherein each cooking zone (3) has one or more induction coils (not shown) and a user-interface (5) for allowing the user to select for each heating zone (3) the heating level from a range of heating levels (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
  • the induction cooker (1) of the present invention further comprises one or more optical devices (6) each adapted to project an image (7) onto the circumferential wall (8) of the cooking utensil (4) that is placed on the respective cooking zone (3), wherein the image (7) shows information which relates to the operational state of the respective cooking zone (3) (Fig. 1).
  • the optical device (6) includes an imaging unit (6a) which generates and projects the image (7) and a control unit (6b) which controls the imaging unit (6a) (Fig. 2).
  • the image (7) shows the temperature of the respective cooking zone (3) (Fig. 1).
  • each cooking zone (3) has a sensing unit (not shown) which is adapted to sense the temperature of the cooking zone (3).
  • the temperatures of the cooking zones (3) as sensed are sent to the control unit (6b) of the optical device (6).
  • the sensing unit is further adapted to sense the temperature of the induction coil of the respective cooking zone (3) by means of an NTC temperature sensor (not shown) or the like.
  • the temperatures of the cooking zones (3) which respectively correspond to the heating levels as selected by the user are sent to the control units (6b) of the optical devices (6).
  • the image (7) shows the current operating power of the respective cooking zone (3).
  • the current operating powers of the cooking zones (3) which respectively correspond to the heating levels as selected by the user are sent to the control units (6b) of the optical devices (6).
  • each optical device (6) comprises a plurality of laser diodes (9) which are arranged to form at least a pair of seven segment displays (10).
  • the laser diodes (9) are mounted onto a printed circuit board (6c) (Fig. 2).
  • each optical device (6) is arranged under the glass top (2) in close proximity to the respective cooking zone (3).
  • the glass top (2) is transparent so as to transmit the image (7) being projected (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
  • a major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can immediately recognize the operational state of each cooking zone (3) from the image (7) which is projected onto the respective cooking utensil (4) (Fig. 1). Thereby, the user can quickly ascertain whether the cooking zone (3) is in the desired operational state and thus the food inside the coking utensil (3) can be prevented from undercooking or overcooking.
  • Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can more easily and precisely operate the induction cooker (1) by individually viewing the the images. Thereby, the complaints can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible.
  • optical devices (6) can be used for illuminating the respective cooking utensils (3) and/or for providing the user with useful information and instructions so as to interactively assist the user in cooking a particular recipe in accordance with the user-selection via the user-interface (5).

Abstract

The present invention relates to an induction cooker (1) comprising a glass top (2) which includes one or more cooking zones (3) each for inductively heating a cooking utensil (4) at the heating level that is respectively selected by the user and a user-interface (5) for allowing the user to select for each heating zone (3) the heating level from a range of heating levels. The induction cooker (1) of the present invention further comprises one or more optical devices (6) each adapted to project an image (7) onto the circumferential wall (8) of the cooking utensil (4) that is placed on the respective cooking zone (3), wherein the image (7) shows information which relates to the operational state of the respective cooking zone (3).

Description

INDUCTION COOKER WITH IMPROVED USABILITY
The present invention relates to an induction cooker.
Induction cookers are commonly known in the art. An induction cooker generally comprises glass top which includes one or more cooking zones each for inductively heating a ferromagnetic cooking utensil at the heating level that is respectively selected by the user and a user-interface for allowing the user to select for each heating zone the heating level from a range of heating levels.
WO2015096928(A1) discloses an induction cooker.
A problem with the prior art induction cooker is that the user cannot easily recognize the operational states of the cooking zones from the user-interface.
An objective of the present invention is to provide an induction cooker which solves the aforementioned problem of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables the user to easily and quickly obtain an improved overview of the operational states of the cooking zones.
This objective has been achieved by the induction cooker as defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
The induction cooker of the present invention comprises one or more optical devices each adapted to project an image onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil that is placed on the respective cooking zone, wherein the image shows information which relates to the operational state of the respective cooking zone.
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can immediately recognize the operational state of each cooking zone from the image which is projected onto the respective cooking utensil. Thereby, the user can quickly ascertain whether the cooking zone is in the desired operational state and thus the food inside the coking utensil can be prevented from undercooking or overcooking. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can more easily and precisely operate the induction cooker by individually viewing the the images. Thereby, the complaints can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the optical devices can be used for illuminating the respective cooking utensils and/or for providing the user with useful information and instructions so as to interactively assist the user in cooking a particular recipe in accordance with the user-selection via the user-interface.
In alternative embodiments, the image projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil shows the temperature of the respective cooking zone as sensed through the sensing unit and/or as accordingly set through the user-interface by way of selecting the heating level. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the user can immediately see the temperature of each cooking zone and prevent the food from undercooking or over cooking by increasing/decreasing the heating level. Thereby, the user can precisely adjust the temperature for the cooking zone by selecting the corresponding heating level and cook the food at the optimum temperature. Thereby, the user is enabled to correctly select the heating level that is most favorable for the food being cooked. Thereby, the user complaints can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible.
In another alternative embodiment, the image projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil additionally or individually shows the current operating power of the respective cooking zone. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can immediately see the current operating power of the cooking zone and correctly select the optimum heating level for the food being cooked.
In another embodiment, the optical device is provided as an image projector such as an LCD projector or the like. Other image projectors known to those skilled in the art may be alternatively used. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as a high quality image can be easily projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil.
In other alternative embodiments, the optical device has a plurality of laser diodes which are arranged to form one or more multiple segment displays that project the image onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the production and assembly costs can be reduced both in terms of material and labor.
In other alternative embodiments, the optical device is arranged in close proximity to the respective cooking zone and either under the glass top or above the glass top. In the former case, the glass top is entirely or partly transparent so as to transmit the projected image. In the latter case, the glass top may be opaque. The images are projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil that substantially faces the front side of the induction cooker.
In other alternative embodiments, the image projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil comprises signs, including symbols and/or words.
In another embodiment, the image projected onto the circumferential wall of the cooking utensil comprises instructions to the user for a particular recipe that has been selected through the user-interface.
Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the induction cooker according to the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 - is a schematic perspective view of an induction cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 - is a schematic perspective partially exploded view of an induction cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.
  1. Induction cooker
  2. Glass top
  3. Cooking zone
  4. Cooking utensil
  5. User-interface
  6. Optical device
6a. Imaging unit
6b. Control unit
6c. Printed circuit board
7. Image
8. Circumferential wall
9. Laser diode
10. Multiple segment display
The induction cooker (1) comprises a glass top (2) which includes one or more cooking zones (3) each for inductively heating a cooking utensil (4) at the heating level that is respectively selected by the user, wherein each cooking zone (3) has one or more induction coils (not shown) and a user-interface (5) for allowing the user to select for each heating zone (3) the heating level from a range of heating levels (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
The induction cooker (1) of the present invention further comprises one or more optical devices (6) each adapted to project an image (7) onto the circumferential wall (8) of the cooking utensil (4) that is placed on the respective cooking zone (3), wherein the image (7) shows information which relates to the operational state of the respective cooking zone (3) (Fig. 1). The optical device (6) includes an imaging unit (6a) which generates and projects the image (7) and a control unit (6b) which controls the imaging unit (6a) (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, the image (7) shows the temperature of the respective cooking zone (3) (Fig. 1).
In another embodiment, each cooking zone (3) has a sensing unit (not shown) which is adapted to sense the temperature of the cooking zone (3). In this embodiment, the temperatures of the cooking zones (3) as sensed are sent to the control unit (6b) of the optical device (6).
In another embodiment, the sensing unit is further adapted to sense the temperature of the induction coil of the respective cooking zone (3) by means of an NTC temperature sensor (not shown) or the like.
In another embodiment, the temperatures of the cooking zones (3) which respectively correspond to the heating levels as selected by the user are sent to the control units (6b) of the optical devices (6).
In another embodiment, the image (7) shows the current operating power of the respective cooking zone (3). In this embodiment, the current operating powers of the cooking zones (3) which respectively correspond to the heating levels as selected by the user are sent to the control units (6b) of the optical devices (6).
In another embodiment, each optical device (6) comprises a plurality of laser diodes (9) which are arranged to form at least a pair of seven segment displays (10). In this embodiment, the laser diodes (9) are mounted onto a printed circuit board (6c) (Fig. 2).
In another embodiment, each optical device (6) is arranged under the glass top (2) in close proximity to the respective cooking zone (3). In this embodiment, the glass top (2) is transparent so as to transmit the image (7) being projected (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can immediately recognize the operational state of each cooking zone (3) from the image (7) which is projected onto the respective cooking utensil (4) (Fig. 1). Thereby, the user can quickly ascertain whether the cooking zone (3) is in the desired operational state and thus the food inside the coking utensil (3) can be prevented from undercooking or overcooking. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can more easily and precisely operate the induction cooker (1) by individually viewing the the images. Thereby, the complaints can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the optical devices (6) can be used for illuminating the respective cooking utensils (3) and/or for providing the user with useful information and instructions so as to interactively assist the user in cooking a particular recipe in accordance with the user-selection via the user-interface (5).

Claims (5)

  1. An induction cooker (1) comprising a glass top (2) which includes one or more cooking zones (3) each for inductively heating a cooking utensil (4) at the heating level that is respectively selected by the user and a user-interface (5) for allowing the user to select for each heating zone (3) the heating level from a range of heating levels, the induction cooker (1) characterized in that one or more optical devices (6) each adapted to project an image (7) onto the circumferential wall (8) of the cooking utensil (4) that is placed on the respective cooking zone (3), wherein the image (7) shows information which relates to the operational state of the respective cooking zone (3).
  2. The induction cooker (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the image (7) shows the temperature of the respective cooking zone (3).
  3. The induction cooker (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the image (7) shows the current operating power of the respective cooking zone (3).
  4. The induction cooker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one or more optical devices (6) each comprises one or more laser diodes (9) which are arranged to form one or more multiple segment displays (10).
  5. The induction cooker (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one or more optical devices (6) are each arranged under the glass top (2) in close proximity to the respective cooking zone (3).
PCT/EP2015/075938 2015-11-06 2015-11-06 Induction cooker with improved usability WO2017076469A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15790588.6A EP3372053B1 (en) 2015-11-06 2015-11-06 Induction cooker with improved usability
PCT/EP2015/075938 WO2017076469A1 (en) 2015-11-06 2015-11-06 Induction cooker with improved usability

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2015/075938 WO2017076469A1 (en) 2015-11-06 2015-11-06 Induction cooker with improved usability

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017076469A1 true WO2017076469A1 (en) 2017-05-11

Family

ID=54427768

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2015/075938 WO2017076469A1 (en) 2015-11-06 2015-11-06 Induction cooker with improved usability

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EP (1) EP3372053B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2017076469A1 (en)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003257601A (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-12 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Induction cooker
JP2003272815A (en) * 2002-03-14 2003-09-26 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Electric heating cooker
JP2008004387A (en) * 2006-06-22 2008-01-10 Rb Controls Co Portable cooking stove
JP2012190573A (en) * 2011-03-09 2012-10-04 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Induction heating apparatus and transmission hologram writing unit used for the same
EP2876976A1 (en) * 2013-11-26 2015-05-27 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Induction heating cooker
WO2015096928A1 (en) 2013-12-27 2015-07-02 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi An induction cooker comprising an illumination element

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003257601A (en) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-12 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Induction cooker
JP2003272815A (en) * 2002-03-14 2003-09-26 Mitsubishi Electric Corp Electric heating cooker
JP2008004387A (en) * 2006-06-22 2008-01-10 Rb Controls Co Portable cooking stove
JP2012190573A (en) * 2011-03-09 2012-10-04 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Induction heating apparatus and transmission hologram writing unit used for the same
EP2876976A1 (en) * 2013-11-26 2015-05-27 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Induction heating cooker
WO2015096928A1 (en) 2013-12-27 2015-07-02 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi An induction cooker comprising an illumination element

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Publication number Publication date
EP3372053A1 (en) 2018-09-12
EP3372053B1 (en) 2020-02-12

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