WO2017185191A1 - Cooking device and method for cooking goods in such a device - Google Patents

Cooking device and method for cooking goods in such a device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017185191A1
WO2017185191A1 PCT/CH2017/000034 CH2017000034W WO2017185191A1 WO 2017185191 A1 WO2017185191 A1 WO 2017185191A1 CH 2017000034 W CH2017000034 W CH 2017000034W WO 2017185191 A1 WO2017185191 A1 WO 2017185191A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cooking
duration
control unit
goods
microwave
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CH2017/000034
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas Johann Sigrist
Original Assignee
V-Zug Ag
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 V-Zug Ag filed Critical V-Zug Ag
Publication of WO2017185191A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017185191A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C7/00—Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
    • F24C7/08—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24C7/087—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices of electric circuits regulating heat
    • F24C7/088—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices of electric circuits regulating heat on stoves
    • 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
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/647—Aspects related to microwave heating combined with other heating techniques
    • H05B6/6473—Aspects related to microwave heating combined with other heating techniques combined with convection heating
    • 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
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/647—Aspects related to microwave heating combined with other heating techniques
    • H05B6/6473—Aspects related to microwave heating combined with other heating techniques combined with convection heating
    • H05B6/6479—Aspects related to microwave heating combined with other heating techniques combined with convection heating using steam
    • 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
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/647—Aspects related to microwave heating combined with other heating techniques
    • H05B6/6482—Aspects related to microwave heating combined with other heating techniques combined with radiant heating, e.g. infrared heating
    • 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
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/66—Circuits
    • H05B6/68—Circuits for monitoring or control
    • H05B6/687—Circuits for monitoring or control for cooking
    • 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
    • H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B6/66—Circuits
    • H05B6/68—Circuits for monitoring or control
    • H05B6/688—Circuits for monitoring or control for thawing
    • 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
    • H05B2206/00—Aspects relating to heating by electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields covered by group H05B6/00
    • H05B2206/04—Heating using microwaves
    • H05B2206/042—Microwave oven combined with a toaster or including a toaster

Definitions

  • Cooking device and method for cooking goods in such a device are described.
  • the invention relates to a cooking device for cooking goods comprising a microwave generator and a fur ⁇ ther heat source, such as a hot-air generator and/or a heating device and/or a steam generator.
  • the invention also relates to methods for cooking goods in such a cooking device.
  • Prior art cooking devices have been known to comprise , selectively or in combination, a microwave gen ⁇ erator, the hot-air generator, a heating device for heating the cooking chamber and/or a steam generator for feeding steam to the cooking chamber .
  • a microwave gen ⁇ erator for heating the cooking chamber
  • a steam generator for feeding steam to the cooking chamber .
  • the problem to be solved by the invention is to provide the cooking device with an improved ease of operation .
  • the cooking device comprises a cooking chamber for receiving the goods to be cooked. It further comprises a microwave generator for heating the goods. "Cooking" in the context of the present invention is to be understood as any type of heating of the goods to be cooked, for example the warm ⁇ ing up, the heating, but also the defrosting of foodstuff, meals, liquids, etc.
  • the cooking device comprises a hot- air generator and/or a heating device for heating the cooking chamber and/or a steam generator for feeding steam to the cooking chamber.
  • a heating device is a resistive heating arranged within the cooking chamber or at the wall of the cooking chamber, in particular a grill heater, a top heater and/or a bottom heater .
  • the cooking device further comprises a control unit structured and adapted to control a cooking process and a storage storing at least one cooking program. It further comprises an input/output-device for inputting a process parameter.
  • the cooking program defines an initial state of the goods (for example "frozen carrots” or “non-frozen veal-filet") as well as the final state (e.g. "firm to the bite” or “medium-rare”) the goods 3. ⁇ to be transformed into.
  • the control unit comprises a time mode, i.e. it has an operating state called the "time mode" .
  • the time mode the process parameter to be entered is the desired cooking duration
  • the control unit is structured and adapted to select the amount applied microwave power in the cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that the cooking process is completed in the desired cooking duration.
  • the control unit has a power mode, i.e. it has an operating state called the "power mode".
  • the process pa ⁇ rameter to be entered in the power mode is the desired microwave power, and the control unit is structured and adapted to calculate, as a function of the process param ⁇ eter, the expected cooking duration for the cooking pro ⁇ cess and to display the same on the input/output-device .
  • heating process is to be understood as an arbitrary time-span during which the cooking device is operation. This time-span during does not necessarily encompass the complete cooking process. It is also possible that the user changes the cooking program or the mode during the cooking process, which starts a new cooking process.
  • the invention in a second aspect, relates to a cooking device comprising
  • control unit structured and adapted to control a cooking process
  • control unit is structured and adapted to be operative in a time mode , wherein in said time mode said process parameter is a desired cooking duration and said control unit is structured and adapted to select an amount of microwave power fed during the cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that the cooking process is completed in the desired cooking duration, and/or
  • control unit is structured and adapted to be operative in a power mode, wherein in said power mode the process parameter is a desired microwave power and the control unit is structured and adapted to calcu ⁇ late, as a function of the process parameter, an expected cooking duration for the cooking process and to display said expected cooking duration on said input/output-de ⁇ vice .
  • the cooking programs can be designed arbi ⁇ trarily.
  • one cooking program may provide the user with the possibility to enter all parameters that define the cooking program, while another cooking program may e.g. apply calculated parameters upon entry of, for example, of the type of the goods to be cooked, its ini ⁇ tial state and the desired final state.
  • the desired value of the process parameter and the cooking program can be entered through the input/output-device.
  • This can also include that the control unit provides a standard value for the process parameter, which standard value is to be applied if the user does not specify the desired value of the process parameter .
  • the time mode and the power mode are basically the same modes with the exception that the process parameters are selected differently .
  • Cooking duration, microwave power, and the cooking program are the basis for the procedure .
  • the microwave power is determined by the control unit as a function of the desired cooking duration and as a function of the cooking program.
  • the cooking duration is de ⁇ termined as a function of the desired microwave power and as a function of the cooking program.
  • the time mode as well as the power mode pro ⁇ vide for an easy operation of the cooking device because the control unit determines, as a function of the process parameter, the a further value of the process automati ⁇ cally .
  • the input/output-device is structured and adapted for inputting the amount and/or type of the goods to be cooked.
  • the control unit is structured and adapted to
  • a) in the time mode determine the microwave power to be applied as a function of the entered amount and/or type of the goods to be cooked, and/or
  • the amount and/or the type of the goods to be cooked can, for example, be entered by the user into the cooking device by means of the input /output-device .
  • the cooking device comprises suitable detector, in particular a scale or an optical detector, for recognizing the goods to be cooked, by means of which the control unit can determine the amount and/or type of the goods to be cooked by itself. Further, the device can be equipped to determine information about the type and/or amount cf the goods to be cooked based on the microwave power absorbed by them. Such detectors, by means of which the cooking device can, by itself, determine the type and/or amount of the goods to be cooked by itself, are also to be understood as "input/output-device" .
  • the control unit can determine the microwave power independent of the goods to be cooked more accurately in order to improve the quality of the cooking result . Also , the cal ⁇ culation of the cooking duration can be more precise thanks to the additionally available information about the amount and/or type of the goods to be cooked .
  • control unit can be structured and adapted to propose, in the time mode, as a function of the entered quantity and/or type of the goods to be cooked, a selection of microwave powers on said input/output device, i.e. to limit the range of the process parameter .
  • control unit carries out a pre-se- lection of the possible microwave powers and cooking du ⁇ rations, such that the user cannot select values of the process parameters that would lead to an unfavorable cooking result.
  • At least three different desired cooking durations can be entered in the time mode and/or at least three different desired microwave powers can be entered in the power mode.
  • control unit is structured and adapted to determine, in the time mode, the microwave power such that a cooking result is achieved that is comparable to the one of a cooking process without operating the microwave generator.
  • control unit is structured and adapted to add, as a function of the entered cooking duration, only the minimum amount of microwave power required to obtain the same cooking result as if the cooking process were carried out without the addition of microwaves at its maximum duration .
  • control unit limits the microwave power, and that it varies it as a function a function of the time passed during the cooking process .
  • a highest possible microwave power can be used if goods from the fridge are to be heated to room temperature.
  • only small microwave powers should be applied in order to achieve a consistent cooking result.
  • control unit can be structured and adapted to correct the selection or to propose possible cooking durations.
  • Two cooking results can e.g. be tested for equality by means of a texture analysis for assessing the mechanical and physical parameters of the goods after the cooking process.
  • the cooking device can com ⁇ prise a storage storing model parameters for determining the microwave power to be applied in the time mode as a function of a quantity and/or type of the goods and as a function of the desired cooking duration.
  • the storage can also store model parameters for determining the cooking duration to be calculated in said power mode as a function of the quantity and/or the type of the goods and as a function of the desired microwave power.
  • model parameters is to be under ⁇ stood as relating to arbitrary information that can be used by the control unit for calculating the microwave power and/or the cooking duration as a function of the entered process parameter and a function of the selected cooking program. It can, for example, comprise tabulated values or function parameters. Further, it is also possi ⁇ ble that the cooking device itself records data during operation and optimizes, thereby, the model parameters stored in the cooking device.
  • control unit is structured and adapted to calculate, in the power mode, the reduction of the cooking duration for the cook ⁇ ing process with the desired microwave power as compared to the cooking duration of the cooking process without applying microwave power .
  • the control unit is structured and adapted to calculate, in the power mode, the reduction of the cooking duration for the cook ⁇ ing process with the desired microwave power as compared to the cooking duration of the cooking process without applying microwave power .
  • control unit can be structured and adapted to take account of a temperature of a magnetron for determining the microwave power and/or for cal ⁇ culating the cooking duration.
  • the temperature of the magnetron is its current temperature at the time of entering the desired microwave power or the desired cooking duration.
  • the invention also relates to a method for cooking of goods in a cooking device. This method can use the time mode or the power mode or, selectively, any of these two modes.
  • the invention relates to a method for cooking goods in a cooking device, wherein said cooking device comprises
  • said method comprising the steps of a) receiving, through said input/output-de ⁇ vice, at least a desired cooking duration and a selection of at least one cooking program,
  • the invention relates to a method for cooking of goods in a cooking device, wherein said cooking device comprises
  • the fourth aspect can be combined with the third aspect by adding the step of receiving, through said input /output-de ice , instructions an instruction if said device is to be operated in a time mode or in a power mode.
  • the steps a) to c) of the fourth aspect are carried out.
  • the steps a) to c) of the third aspect are carried out (in which case these steps are called a' , b' , and c' ) .
  • Fig. 1 is a flow chart of the procedure for operating the cooking device
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the dependence between the cooking duration and the microwave power for a specific foodstuff to be cooked
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram cooking device.
  • Fig . 3 shows a cooking device .
  • control unit 1 which can e.g. be a suitably programmed microprocessor or microcontrol ⁇ ler. Its hard- and software structure and adapt it to the purposes described herein .
  • Control unit 1 is connected to access the data in a storage 2, which can e.g. be a volatile or nonvolatile semiconductor memory device .
  • Storage 2 can be part of control unit 1 or external thereto .
  • Control unit 1 is also connected to an in ⁇ put /output-device 3, which can e.g. be a touchscreen dis ⁇ play providing combined input and output functionality . It may e.g. also comprise a display and separate input means, such as buttons, knobs or sliders, or it can be a web interface.
  • an in ⁇ put /output-device 3 can e.g. be a touchscreen dis ⁇ play providing combined input and output functionality . It may e.g. also comprise a display and separate input means, such as buttons, knobs or sliders, or it can be a web interface.
  • the cooking device further comprises a cooking chamber 4 that provides the space where the goods are cooked .
  • a microwave generator 5 comprising a magne ⁇ tron is provided for supplying microwave radiation to cooking chamber 4.
  • the cooking device comprises at least one further heat source for heating cooking chamber 4.
  • it can comprise one or more of the following additional further heat sources:
  • a heating device 6 As mentioned, this is a resistive heater arranged within the cooking chamber or at a wall of the cooking chamber. In can e.g. be a grill heater, a top heater and/or a bottom heater.
  • This device feeds hot air to the cooking chamber.
  • it comprises a heater outside the cooking chamber as well as a fan for cycling air from cooking chamber 2 to the heater and back into cooking chamber 2.
  • a steam generator 8 This device feeds hot steam to cooking chamber 2. It can e.g. comprise a container holding water and a heater arranged in the container. The heater is operated to generate steam, which is then fed to cooking chamber 2.
  • Control unit 1 controls the power of micro ⁇ wave generator 5, heating device 6, hot-air generator 7 and steam generator 8.
  • the device further comprises a temperature sensor 10 for measuring the temperature of the magnetron of microwave generator 5.
  • the cooking device described here comprises a cooking chamber 4 where the goods (i.e. the foodstuff to be cooked) can be heated by means of the microwave generator 5 as well as another heat source .
  • the "other heat source” is advantageously a resistive heat source, which is arranged at a wall of the cooking chamber 4, and/or a steam generator, by means of which hot steam can be fed into the cooking chamber 4.
  • the device is further equipped with the control unit 1 and an input/output-device 3.
  • the control unit 1 offers a plurality of cooking programs to the user.
  • the user can select one of these at the input/output-device 3.
  • a part of the cooking programs can be of a conventional nature, e.g. they can be classic modes of operation, such as steam cooking, microwave cooking, etc.
  • At least part of the cooking programs are, however, designed as automatic programs. If one of these is selected, the control unit 1 assumes an additional degree of control over the process, as described in the following.
  • the cooking programs of interest here (which are generally designated as “cooking programs” or “cooking program” in the following) are provided to transfer goods under the control of the control unit 1 from a de ⁇ fined initial state to a defined final state in an automated manner.
  • a cooking program of this type is defined by characteristic parameters, which the goods are to have at the beginning and at the end of the cooking process .
  • Characteristic parameters at the beginning of the cooking process can, e.g., the one or more of the following parameters:
  • the type of the goods e.g. meat and/or the type of meat, vegetable and/or the type of vegetable
  • the amount of the goods (e.g. their weight, volume, thickness , etc . )
  • the temperature or the phase state of the goods (e.g. the initial temperature and/or an indication if the goods are frozen or non—frozen) .
  • One or more of the following parameters can e.g. be used as characteristic parameters at the end of the cooking process:
  • the cooking degree (for meat this can e.g. be an indication if the meat is to be “well done”, “medium” or “rare”; for vegetables, it can e.g. be an indi ⁇ cation if they are to be firm to the bite or soft)
  • Final temperature of the goods (this can e.g. be an indication of the final core or surface temperature) .
  • the selection of the cooking program can be completely manual, or (using suitable sensors) it can be partially or fully automatic.
  • the user can also choose a process parameter of the cooking program.
  • This can be the desired cooking duration t or the desired microwave power P.
  • This process parameter can be entered by the user e.g. explicitly (e.g. in minutes for the cooking duration t or as a percentage or maximum power in watts for the microwave power P) .
  • the process parameter can be entered implicitly ("long", “medium” or “short” for the duration t or "no microwave”, “medium microwave” or “maximum microwave” for the power P) .
  • the functions f() and/or g() can be determined by the manufacturer of the device, for example by test runs, and they can be stored in the control unit 1 or the storage as numerical parameters.
  • Fig. 2 shows an example of the relation between microwave power P (vertical axis) and cooking duration t (horizontal axis) for three different cooking programs represented by the curves CI, C2 and C3.
  • the microwave power P decreases with increasing duration T, typically monotonously .
  • the model parameters allow the microwave power P to be calculated as a function of the desired cooking duration t, and/or they allow the expected cooking duration t to be calculated from the desired microwave power P. This is shown in Fig .
  • control unit 1 can use interpolation in order to predict the pre ⁇ cise cooking duration or to adjust the microwave power in an optimum manner.
  • curves for different cooking degrees can be stored (e.g. for "firm to the bite”, “soft”, “puree” ) .
  • Fig. 1 shows a flow diagram for a procedure that can be used for operating the cooking device.
  • step SO the user switches the cooking device on by means of the input /output-device 3.
  • the con ⁇ trol unit 1 proposes a default for a cooking program to the user.
  • This can e.g. be a conventional cooking program, such as an oven program at 190°C hot air heating or a cooking program using microwaves, or it can be one of the automatic programs mentioned above.
  • the user can then accept this proposal or he can choose another cooking program. For example, he may select a cooking program from programs such as "entrecote", "filet”, “vegetables", “pizza”, etc., and he may then refine his selection even further by entering characteristic parameters of the initial state and/or of the end state of the goods . In the present embodiment , for example, the user selects the cooking program "entrecote” and specifies that the entrecote is to be "medium” cooked at the end of the cooking process .
  • step SI it is checked if further infor ⁇ mation is required for the cooking program or if such in ⁇ formation is already known .
  • Such information can e.g. comprise the mentioned characteristic parameters about the initial or final state, which allow specifying the cooking program more accurately .
  • a scale 13 can e.g. be provided for determining the amount of the goods, and/or a foodstuff tempera ⁇ ture sensor 12 can be used, which the user inserts into the goods in order to determine the starting core temper ⁇ ature of the goods. Alternatively, the user can enter respective values by means of the input/output-device 3.
  • step S3 it is tested if the user has ac ⁇ tivated the power mode or the time mode by means of the input/output-device 3. These two modes are described in the following.
  • control unit 1 calculates, in step S4, the allowable cooking durations as a function of the available data, from which allowable cooking durations the user can then select one. The higher the measured weight and the lower the starting core temperature measured by foodstuff sensor are, the larger the allowable minimum cook ⁇ ing duration will be that to control unit 1 can offer to the user for selection.
  • the magnetron temperature of the microwave generator 5 can also be used for determining the possible cooking durations. If the magnetron temperature is already at a high level when entering the desired cooking duration and/or microwave power, the control unit 1 takes into account , when it calculates the cooking duration, that the cooking process cannot be run with full micro ⁇ wave power. In this case, the minimum allowable cooking duration will be increased accordingly.
  • step Z5 the user selects the desired cooking duration t from the possible cooking durations .
  • step Z6 the control unit 1 adjusts the course of the cooking program according to the cooking duration selected by the user .
  • the control unit 1 calculates the micro ⁇ wave power P according to above equation 2.
  • low-temperature cooking can be used to cook the goods at a low cooking chamber temperature without the addition of microwave power.
  • the cooking program starts with a maximum microwave power in order to elevate the goods' temperature to a given temperature level.
  • the control unit 1 can then reduce the microwave power as the core temperature of the goods increase.
  • the microwave power P don' t have to be constant over the whole cooking process. It is, however, always dependent on the desired cooking duration t and the selected cooking program G.
  • Fig. 1 shows a slightly modified variant of this procedure, where the control unit 1 monitors the state of the goods, for example by means of a core tem ⁇ perature sensor .
  • the control unit 1 repetitively tests in a step Z7 if the desired cooking duration t can be maintained under the current conditions. If the core temperature of the goods increase more slowly than predicted, the control unit 1 can, for example, increase the microwave power or the cooking chamber temperature , or it may reduce the microwave power at a later time only, in order to maintain the desired cooking duration t .
  • the control unit 1 also monitors the magnetron temperature .
  • the control unit 1 reduces the microwave power and optionally increases the cooking chamber temperature in order to maintain the desired cooking duration t . If, in step S3, the user has activated the power mode by means of the input /output-device 3, the control unit 1 calculates, in step L4, a possible selection of microwave powers, which are then proposed to the user by means of the input/output-device 3 and from which he can select one. In order to determine the possible microwave powers, the control unit 1 takes into account in ⁇ formation derived from the characteristic parameters of the cooking program, just as in the time mode. If, for example, the cooking program "entrecote" has been selected and the foodstuff is e.g. at room temperature, the control unit 1 proposes the user not to use high micro ⁇ wave powers because these might lead to an unsatisfactory cooking result.
  • step L5 the user selects one of the pos ⁇ sible microwave powers as a desired microwave power P.
  • the control unit 1 calculates then, in step L6, the ex ⁇ pected cooking duration t using above equation (1) .
  • the control unit 1 can then display the cooking duration t determined in this manner by means of the input /output-device 3 for example as an absolute value or as a deviation in respect to the same cooking process without microwave power . This makes it easier for the user to select the desired microwave power because the control unit 1 always keeps him advised on the remaining cooking duration .
  • control unit 1 can now start the cooking process and stop it after expiry of the determined cooking duration t.
  • control unit 1 can repetitively check, in step L7, if the cooking process proceeds as predicted. If not , it can recalculate the cooking duration and display it to the user .

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  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract

A cooking device comprises a microwave generator (2) as well as a further heat source, such as a heating device (6), a steam generator (8), or a hot-air generator (7). The combination of these cooking technologies allows to optimize the cooking duration and the cooking result. The device comprises time mode (Z4 - Z7), in which a desired cooking duration can be entered. If, for example, a short cooking duration is desired, the amount of microwave power is increased. On the other hand, the cooking device has the power mode (L4 - L7), in which the desired microwave power can be entered. In this case, the device calculates the expected cooking duration as a function of the microwave power and displays it on an input/output-device.

Description

Cooking device and method for cooking goods in such a device .
Cross References to Related Applications
This application claims the priority of Swiss patent application 00549/16, filed 25 April 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Technical Field
The invention relates to a cooking device for cooking goods comprising a microwave generator and a fur¬ ther heat source, such as a hot-air generator and/or a heating device and/or a steam generator.
The invention also relates to methods for cooking goods in such a cooking device.
Background Art
Prior art cooking devices have been known to comprise , selectively or in combination, a microwave gen¬ erator, the hot-air generator, a heating device for heating the cooking chamber and/or a steam generator for feeding steam to the cooking chamber . By combining several different cooking technologies in a single device , costs and space can be saved . In such combined devices , a user can select the cooking technology or a simultaneous application of several cooking technologies at the begin¬ ning of the process .
Disclosure of the Invention The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide the cooking device with an improved ease of operation .
This problem is solved by the cooking device with the features of the independent claims. The cooking device comprises a cooking chamber for receiving the goods to be cooked. It further comprises a microwave generator for heating the goods. "Cooking" in the context of the present invention is to be understood as any type of heating of the goods to be cooked, for example the warm¬ ing up, the heating, but also the defrosting of foodstuff, meals, liquids, etc.
Further, the cooking device comprises a hot- air generator and/or a heating device for heating the cooking chamber and/or a steam generator for feeding steam to the cooking chamber. In this context, a "heating device" is a resistive heating arranged within the cooking chamber or at the wall of the cooking chamber, in particular a grill heater, a top heater and/or a bottom heater .
The cooking device further comprises a control unit structured and adapted to control a cooking process and a storage storing at least one cooking program. It further comprises an input/output-device for inputting a process parameter.
Advantageously, the cooking program defines an initial state of the goods (for example "frozen carrots" or "non-frozen veal-filet") as well as the final state (e.g. "firm to the bite" or "medium-rare") the goods 3.ΈΘ to be transformed into.
The control unit comprises a time mode, i.e. it has an operating state called the "time mode" . In the time mode, the process parameter to be entered is the desired cooking duration, and the control unit is structured and adapted to select the amount applied microwave power in the cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that the cooking process is completed in the desired cooking duration.
Alternatively to or in addition to the time mode, the control unit has a power mode, i.e. it has an operating state called the "power mode". The process pa¬ rameter to be entered in the power mode is the desired microwave power, and the control unit is structured and adapted to calculate, as a function of the process param¬ eter, the expected cooking duration for the cooking pro¬ cess and to display the same on the input/output-device .
The term "cooking process" is to be understood as an arbitrary time-span during which the cooking device is operation. This time-span during does not necessarily encompass the complete cooking process. It is also possible that the user changes the cooking program or the mode during the cooking process, which starts a new cooking process.
In a second aspect, the invention relates to a cooking device comprising
- a cooking chamber,
- a microwave generator associated with the cooking chamber,
- a further heat source associated with the cooking chamber,
- a control unit structured and adapted to control a cooking process,
- a storage device storing at least one cooking program,
- an input /output-device structured and adapted for inputting at least one process parameter and a selection of at least one cooking program,
wherein
said control unit is structured and adapted to be operative in a time mode , wherein in said time mode said process parameter is a desired cooking duration and said control unit is structured and adapted to select an amount of microwave power fed during the cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that the cooking process is completed in the desired cooking duration, and/or
said control unit is structured and adapted to be operative in a power mode, wherein in said power mode the process parameter is a desired microwave power and the control unit is structured and adapted to calcu¬ late, as a function of the process parameter, an expected cooking duration for the cooking process and to display said expected cooking duration on said input/output-de¬ vice .
The cooking programs can be designed arbi¬ trarily. For example, one cooking program may provide the user with the possibility to enter all parameters that define the cooking program, while another cooking program may e.g. apply calculated parameters upon entry of, for example, of the type of the goods to be cooked, its ini¬ tial state and the desired final state.
The desired value of the process parameter and the cooking program can be entered through the input/output-device. This can also include that the control unit provides a standard value for the process parameter, which standard value is to be applied if the user does not specify the desired value of the process parameter .
The time mode and the power mode are basically the same modes with the exception that the process parameters are selected differently . Cooking duration, microwave power, and the cooking program are the basis for the procedure . In the time mode, the microwave power is determined by the control unit as a function of the desired cooking duration and as a function of the cooking program. In the power mode , the cooking duration is de¬ termined as a function of the desired microwave power and as a function of the cooking program.
The time mode as well as the power mode pro¬ vide for an easy operation of the cooking device because the control unit determines, as a function of the process parameter, the a further value of the process automati¬ cally .
Advantageously the input/output-device is structured and adapted for inputting the amount and/or type of the goods to be cooked. The control unit is structured and adapted to
a) in the time mode: determine the microwave power to be applied as a function of the entered amount and/or type of the goods to be cooked, and/or
b) in the power mode: calculate the expected cooking duration as a function of the entered amount and/or the type of the goods to be cooked.
The amount and/or the type of the goods to be cooked can, for example, be entered by the user into the cooking device by means of the input /output-device .
It is also possible that the cooking device comprises suitable detector, in particular a scale or an optical detector, for recognizing the goods to be cooked, by means of which the control unit can determine the amount and/or type of the goods to be cooked by itself. Further, the device can be equipped to determine information about the type and/or amount cf the goods to be cooked based on the microwave power absorbed by them. Such detectors, by means of which the cooking device can, by itself, determine the type and/or amount of the goods to be cooked by itself, are also to be understood as "input/output-device" .
Using this additional information, which further parameterizes the cooking program to be applied, the control unit can determine the microwave power independent of the goods to be cooked more accurately in order to improve the quality of the cooking result . Also , the cal¬ culation of the cooking duration can be more precise thanks to the additionally available information about the amount and/or type of the goods to be cooked .
Further, the control unit can be structured and adapted to propose, in the time mode, as a function of the entered quantity and/or type of the goods to be cooked, a selection of microwave powers on said input/output device, i.e. to limit the range of the process parameter .
Thus, the control unit carries out a pre-se- lection of the possible microwave powers and cooking du¬ rations, such that the user cannot select values of the process parameters that would lead to an unfavorable cooking result.
Advantageously, at least three different desired cooking durations can be entered in the time mode and/or at least three different desired microwave powers can be entered in the power mode.
Hence, for example, it is not only possible to activate and to deactivate the microwave power, but a graded adjustment thereof is possible, which can be more precise if the number of desired cooking durations and/or microwave powers that can be entered is large.
Advantageously, the control unit is structured and adapted to determine, in the time mode, the microwave power such that a cooking result is achieved that is comparable to the one of a cooking process without operating the microwave generator.
This can e.g. be achieved if the control unit is structured and adapted to add, as a function of the entered cooking duration, only the minimum amount of microwave power required to obtain the same cooking result as if the cooking process were carried out without the addition of microwaves at its maximum duration .
Further , it is also possible that the control unit limits the microwave power, and that it varies it as a function a function of the time passed during the cooking process . For example, a highest possible microwave power can be used if goods from the fridge are to be heated to room temperature. However, towards the end of the cooking process , depending on the goods to be cooked, only small microwave powers should be applied in order to achieve a consistent cooking result.
If the desired cooking duration entered in the time mode should be too low, the control unit can be structured and adapted to correct the selection or to propose possible cooking durations.
Two cooking results can e.g. be tested for equality by means of a texture analysis for assessing the mechanical and physical parameters of the goods after the cooking process.
Advantageously, the cooking device can com¬ prise a storage storing model parameters for determining the microwave power to be applied in the time mode as a function of a quantity and/or type of the goods and as a function of the desired cooking duration.
The storage can also store model parameters for determining the cooking duration to be calculated in said power mode as a function of the quantity and/or the type of the goods and as a function of the desired microwave power.
The term "model parameters" is to be under¬ stood as relating to arbitrary information that can be used by the control unit for calculating the microwave power and/or the cooking duration as a function of the entered process parameter and a function of the selected cooking program. It can, for example, comprise tabulated values or function parameters. Further, it is also possi¬ ble that the cooking device itself records data during operation and optimizes, thereby, the model parameters stored in the cooking device.
In a particular embodiment, the control unit is structured and adapted to calculate, in the power mode, the reduction of the cooking duration for the cook¬ ing process with the desired microwave power as compared to the cooking duration of the cooking process without applying microwave power . By displaying this reduction of the cooking duration, it is possible to show the user the amount of time saved by applying the desired microwave power the power mode. Hence, the user can decide, by selecting the microwave power, if he is ready to accept a larger addition of microwave power in order to achieve a faster preparation of the goods to be cooked.
Further, the control unit can be structured and adapted to take account of a temperature of a magnetron for determining the microwave power and/or for cal¬ culating the cooking duration. In particular, the temperature of the magnetron is its current temperature at the time of entering the desired microwave power or the desired cooking duration.
This can for example be achieved by measuring the temperature of the magnetron at the time of entry of the process parameter in order to predict if only a reduced microwave power can be generated during the cooking process because the magnetron is too hot, in which case the cooking duration is increased.
The invention also relates to a method for cooking of goods in a cooking device. This method can use the time mode or the power mode or, selectively, any of these two modes.
Hence, in a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for cooking goods in a cooking device, wherein said cooking device comprises
- a cooking chamber,
- a microwave generator associated with the cooking chamber,
- a further heat source associated with the cooking chamber,
- a control unit,
- a storage device storing at least one cooking program,
- an input /output-device ,
said method comprising the steps of a) receiving, through said input/output-de¬ vice, at least a desired cooking duration and a selection of at least one cooking program,
b) selecting, by means of said control unit, an amount of microwave power fed during a cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that said cooking of the goods is completed in the desired cooking duration,
c) activating said further heat source and, in accordance with said selected microwave power, said microwave generator for cooking said goods.
And in a fourth aspect the invention relates to a method for cooking of goods in a cooking device, wherein said cooking device comprises
- a cooking chamber,
- a microwave generator associated with the cooking chamber,
- a further heat source associated with the cooking chamber,
- a control unit,
- a storage device storing at least one cooking program,
- an input/output-device,
said method comprising the steps of
a ) receiving, through said input/output-device , at least a desired microwave power and a selection of at least one cooking program,
b) calculating, by means of said control unit , an expected cooking duration as a function of the process parameter and displaying said cooking duration on said input /output-device,
c) activating said further heat source and, in accordance with said desired microwave power, said microwave generator for cooking said goods .
The fourth aspect can be combined with the third aspect by adding the step of receiving, through said input /output-de ice , instructions an instruction if said device is to be operated in a time mode or in a power mode. In this case, if the power mode is selected, the steps a) to c) of the fourth aspect are carried out. If, on the other hand, the time mode is selected, the steps a) to c) of the third aspect are carried out (in which case these steps are called a' , b' , and c' ) .
Description of the Drawings
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. This description makes reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a flow chart of the procedure for operating the cooking device,
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the dependence between the cooking duration and the microwave power for a specific foodstuff to be cooked, and
Fig. 3 is a block diagram cooking device.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
Fig . 3 shows a cooking device .
It comprises a control unit 1, which can e.g. be a suitably programmed microprocessor or microcontrol¬ ler. Its hard- and software structure and adapt it to the purposes described herein .
Control unit 1 is connected to access the data in a storage 2, which can e.g. be a volatile or nonvolatile semiconductor memory device . Storage 2 can be part of control unit 1 or external thereto .
Control unit 1 is also connected to an in¬ put /output-device 3, which can e.g. be a touchscreen dis¬ play providing combined input and output functionality . It may e.g. also comprise a display and separate input means, such as buttons, knobs or sliders, or it can be a web interface.
The cooking device further comprises a cooking chamber 4 that provides the space where the goods are cooked .
A microwave generator 5 comprising a magne¬ tron is provided for supplying microwave radiation to cooking chamber 4.
In addition, the cooking device comprises at least one further heat source for heating cooking chamber 4. In particular, it can comprise one or more of the following additional further heat sources:
- A heating device 6: As mentioned, this is a resistive heater arranged within the cooking chamber or at a wall of the cooking chamber. In can e.g. be a grill heater, a top heater and/or a bottom heater.
- A hot-air generator 7 : This device feeds hot air to the cooking chamber. Advantageously, it comprises a heater outside the cooking chamber as well as a fan for cycling air from cooking chamber 2 to the heater and back into cooking chamber 2.
- A steam generator 8 : This device feeds hot steam to cooking chamber 2. It can e.g. comprise a container holding water and a heater arranged in the container. The heater is operated to generate steam, which is then fed to cooking chamber 2.
Control unit 1 controls the power of micro¬ wave generator 5, heating device 6, hot-air generator 7 and steam generator 8.
The device further comprises a temperature sensor 10 for measuring the temperature of the magnetron of microwave generator 5.
As mentioned, the cooking device described here comprises a cooking chamber 4 where the goods (i.e. the foodstuff to be cooked) can be heated by means of the microwave generator 5 as well as another heat source . The "other heat source" is advantageously a resistive heat source, which is arranged at a wall of the cooking chamber 4, and/or a steam generator, by means of which hot steam can be fed into the cooking chamber 4.
The device is further equipped with the control unit 1 and an input/output-device 3.
The control unit 1 offers a plurality of cooking programs to the user. The user can select one of these at the input/output-device 3. A part of the cooking programs can be of a conventional nature, e.g. they can be classic modes of operation, such as steam cooking, microwave cooking, etc. At least part of the cooking programs are, however, designed as automatic programs. If one of these is selected, the control unit 1 assumes an additional degree of control over the process, as described in the following.
The cooking programs of interest here (which are generally designated as "cooking programs" or "cooking program" in the following) are provided to transfer goods under the control of the control unit 1 from a de¬ fined initial state to a defined final state in an automated manner.
Preferably, a cooking program of this type is defined by characteristic parameters, which the goods are to have at the beginning and at the end of the cooking process .
Characteristic parameters at the beginning of the cooking process can, e.g., the one or more of the following parameters:
- The type of the goods (e.g. meat and/or the type of meat, vegetable and/or the type of vegetable)
- The amount of the goods (e.g. their weight, volume, thickness , etc . )
- The temperature or the phase state of the goods (e.g. the initial temperature and/or an indication if the goods are frozen or non—frozen) . One or more of the following parameters can e.g. be used as characteristic parameters at the end of the cooking process:
- The cooking degree (for meat this can e.g. be an indication if the meat is to be "well done", "medium" or "rare"; for vegetables, it can e.g. be an indi¬ cation if they are to be firm to the bite or soft)
- Final temperature of the goods (this can e.g. be an indication of the final core or surface temperature) .
The selection of the cooking program can be completely manual, or (using suitable sensors) it can be partially or fully automatic.
Besides selecting the cooking program, the user can also choose a process parameter of the cooking program. This can be the desired cooking duration t or the desired microwave power P. This process parameter can be entered by the user e.g. explicitly (e.g. in minutes for the cooking duration t or as a percentage or maximum power in watts for the microwave power P) . Alternatively, the process parameter can be entered implicitly ("long", "medium" or "short" for the duration t or "no microwave", "medium microwave" or "maximum microwave" for the power P) .
The control unit 1 of the device then controls the cooking process as a function of the cooking program G and the indicated process parameter or P. For this purpose , it uses a numerical model that relates to parameters G, t and P to each other. This model is stored in the control unit 1 in such a manner that the control unit 1 can calculate the microwave power P from G and t , or the cooking duration t from the given parameters G and P. For this purpose, the control unit 1 can be equipped to calculate one or both of the following functions f() or g ( ) : t = f (G, P) (1) P = g(G, t) (2)
The functions f() and/or g() can be determined by the manufacturer of the device, for example by test runs, and they can be stored in the control unit 1 or the storage as numerical parameters.
Fig. 2 shows an example of the relation between microwave power P (vertical axis) and cooking duration t (horizontal axis) for three different cooking programs represented by the curves CI, C2 and C3.
As can be seen, the microwave power P decreases with increasing duration T, typically monotonously .
The curve CI of the type shown in Fig. 2, whose parameters are stored in the control unit 1 or the storage device, can be used for calculating equation 1 (for a given microwave power P) as well as for calculating equation 2 (for a given cooking duration t) .
For example, a given cooking program with the microwave power P of 300 W can be carried out in a given time t300, while, for a microwave power P = 100 W, a time tlOO > t300 is required.
As mentioned, corresponding data for several, different cooking programs are stored in the control unit
1 or storage device. These cooking programs differ by characteristic parameters of the goods to be cooked at the beginning of the cooking process and/or at the end of the cooking process. For each cooking program, model parameters are stored in the storage device. The model parameters allow the microwave power P to be calculated as a function of the desired cooking duration t, and/or they allow the expected cooking duration t to be calculated from the desired microwave power P. This is shown in Fig .
2 by means of the further curves C2 , C3 , for example for different types of goods to be cooked or for different weights of the goods to be cooked . For example, curves for different quantities of goods to be cooked can be stored. When a cooking program for a given amount of goods is selected, the control unit 1 can use interpolation in order to predict the pre¬ cise cooking duration or to adjust the microwave power in an optimum manner.
Further, curves for different cooking degrees can be stored (e.g. for "firm to the bite", "soft", "puree" ) .
Procedure :
Fig. 1 shows a flow diagram for a procedure that can be used for operating the cooking device.
In step SO, the user switches the cooking device on by means of the input /output-device 3. The con¬ trol unit 1 proposes a default for a cooking program to the user. This can e.g. be a conventional cooking program, such as an oven program at 190°C hot air heating or a cooking program using microwaves, or it can be one of the automatic programs mentioned above. The user can then accept this proposal or he can choose another cooking program. For example, he may select a cooking program from programs such as "entrecote", "filet", "vegetables", "pizza", etc., and he may then refine his selection even further by entering characteristic parameters of the initial state and/or of the end state of the goods . In the present embodiment , for example, the user selects the cooking program "entrecote" and specifies that the entrecote is to be "medium" cooked at the end of the cooking process .
In step SI, it is checked if further infor¬ mation is required for the cooking program or if such in¬ formation is already known . Such information can e.g. comprise the mentioned characteristic parameters about the initial or final state, which allow specifying the cooking program more accurately . A scale 13 can e.g. be provided for determining the amount of the goods, and/or a foodstuff tempera¬ ture sensor 12 can be used, which the user inserts into the goods in order to determine the starting core temper¬ ature of the goods. Alternatively, the user can enter respective values by means of the input/output-device 3.
In step S3, it is tested if the user has ac¬ tivated the power mode or the time mode by means of the input/output-device 3. These two modes are described in the following.
If the user has decided to use the time mode, he has to specify, by means of the input/output-device 3, the desired cooking duration t within which the cooking process is to be completed in the next step. For this purpose, the control unit 1 calculates, in step S4, the allowable cooking durations as a function of the available data, from which allowable cooking durations the user can then select one. The higher the measured weight and the lower the starting core temperature measured by foodstuff sensor are, the larger the allowable minimum cook¬ ing duration will be that to control unit 1 can offer to the user for selection.
The magnetron temperature of the microwave generator 5 can also be used for determining the possible cooking durations. If the magnetron temperature is already at a high level when entering the desired cooking duration and/or microwave power, the control unit 1 takes into account , when it calculates the cooking duration, that the cooking process cannot be run with full micro¬ wave power. In this case, the minimum allowable cooking duration will be increased accordingly.
In step Z5, the user selects the desired cooking duration t from the possible cooking durations .
In step Z6, the control unit 1 adjusts the course of the cooking program according to the cooking duration selected by the user . For this purpose , in the simplest case, the control unit 1 calculates the micro¬ wave power P according to above equation 2.
If the user has e.g. decided to use a long cooking duration, in the cooking program "entrecote" , low-temperature cooking can be used to cook the goods at a low cooking chamber temperature without the addition of microwave power.
If the user has e.g. decided for the shortest possible cooking duration, the cooking program starts with a maximum microwave power in order to elevate the goods' temperature to a given temperature level. In order to avoid a poor cooking result the control unit 1 can then reduce the microwave power as the core temperature of the goods increase. In other words, the microwave power P don' t have to be constant over the whole cooking process. It is, however, always dependent on the desired cooking duration t and the selected cooking program G.
This allows to execute the cooking program with the determined microwave power P and to stop it automatically at the end of the cooking duration t.
Fig. 1 shows a slightly modified variant of this procedure, where the control unit 1 monitors the state of the goods, for example by means of a core tem¬ perature sensor . During the cooking process , the control unit 1 repetitively tests in a step Z7 if the desired cooking duration t can be maintained under the current conditions. If the core temperature of the goods increase more slowly than predicted, the control unit 1 can, for example, increase the microwave power or the cooking chamber temperature , or it may reduce the microwave power at a later time only, in order to maintain the desired cooking duration t . At the same time , the control unit 1 also monitors the magnetron temperature . If a critical temperature value is exceeded, the control unit 1 reduces the microwave power and optionally increases the cooking chamber temperature in order to maintain the desired cooking duration t . If, in step S3, the user has activated the power mode by means of the input /output-device 3, the control unit 1 calculates, in step L4, a possible selection of microwave powers, which are then proposed to the user by means of the input/output-device 3 and from which he can select one. In order to determine the possible microwave powers, the control unit 1 takes into account in¬ formation derived from the characteristic parameters of the cooking program, just as in the time mode. If, for example, the cooking program "entrecote" has been selected and the foodstuff is e.g. at room temperature, the control unit 1 proposes the user not to use high micro¬ wave powers because these might lead to an unsatisfactory cooking result.
In step L5, the user selects one of the pos¬ sible microwave powers as a desired microwave power P. The control unit 1 calculates then, in step L6, the ex¬ pected cooking duration t using above equation (1) .
The control unit 1 can then display the cooking duration t determined in this manner by means of the input /output-device 3 for example as an absolute value or as a deviation in respect to the same cooking process without microwave power . This makes it easier for the user to select the desired microwave power because the control unit 1 always keeps him advised on the remaining cooking duration .
In principle , the control unit 1 can now start the cooking process and stop it after expiry of the determined cooking duration t.
As in the time mode , the control unit 1 can repetitively check, in step L7, if the cooking process proceeds as predicted. If not , it can recalculate the cooking duration and display it to the user .
Notes : While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be dis¬ tinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and prac- ticed within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims
1. A cooking device comprising
- a cooking chamber (4) for receiving goods to be cooked,
- a microwave generator (5) for heating the goods ,
- a hot-air generator (7) and/or a heating device (6) for heating said cooking chamber (4) and/or a steam generator (8) for feeding steam to said cooking chamber ( 4 ) ,
- a control unit (1) structured and adapted to control a cooking process,
- a storage device (2) storing at least one cooking program,
- an input/output-device (3) structured and adapted for inputting at least one process parameter and a selection of at least one cooking program,
characterized in that
said control unit (1) has a time mode ( Z4 - Z7) , wherein in said time mode (Z4 - Z7 ) said process parameter is a desired cooking duration, and said control unit (1) is structured and adapted to select an amount of microwave power applied during the cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that the cooking process is completed in the desired cooking duration, and/or
said control unit (1) has a power mode (L4 - L7 ) , wherein in said power mode (L4 - L7 ) the process parameter is a desired microwave power and the control unit (1) is structured and adapted to calculate, as a function of the process parameter , an expected cooking duration for the cooking process and to display said expected cooking duration o said input /output-device (3).
2. A cooking device , in particular of claim 1 , comprising - a cooking chamber (2),
- a microwave generator (5) associated with the cooking chamber (2),
- a further heat source ( 6, 7, 8) associated with the cooking chamber (2),
- a control unit (1) structured and adapted to control a cooking process,
- a storage device (2) storing at least one cooking program,
- an input /output-device (3) structured and adapted for inputting at least one process parameter and a selection of at least one cooking program,
wherein
said control unit (1) is structured and adapted to be operative in a time mode (Z4 - Z7), wherein in said time mode ( Z4 - Z7 ) said process parameter is a desired cooking duration and said control unit (1) is structured and adapted to select an amount of microwave power fed during the cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that the cooking process is completed in the desired cooking duration, and/or
said control unit (1) is structured and adapted to be operative in a power mode (L4 - L7), wherein in said power mode (L4 - L7) the process parameter is a desired microwave power and the control unit (1) is structured and adapted to calculate, as a function of the desired microwave power, an expected cooking duration for the cooking process and to display said expected cooking duration on said input /output-device (3).
3. The cooking device of any of the preceding claims wherein said input/output-device (3) is structured and adapted for inputting a quantity and/or type of the goods to be cooked and wherein said control unit (1) is structured and aaapted to a) determine, in said time mode (Z4 - Z7), the amount of microwave power as a function of the entered quantity and/or type of the goods to be cooked and/or
b) calculate, in said power mode (L4 - L7 ) , the expected cooking duration as a function of the entered quantity and/or type of the goods to be cooked.
4. The cooking device of claim 3 wherein said control unit (1) is structured and adapted to propose, as a function of the entered quantity and/or type of the goods to be cooked, a selection of microwave powers on said input/output device.
5. The cooking unit of any of the preceding claims wherein said input/output-device (3) is structured and adapted to enter, in said time mode (Z4 - Z7) at least three different desired cooking durations.
6. The cooking device of any of the preceding claims wherein said input /output-device (3) is structured and adapted to enter, in said power mode (L4 - L7 ) , at least three different desired microwave powers.
7. The cooking device of any of the preceding claims wherein said control unit (1) is structured and adapted to determine, in said time mode (Z4 - Z7 ) , the microwave power such that a cooking result equal to a cooking process without operating the microwave generator (5) is achieved .
8. The cooking device of any of the preceding claims wherein,
- in said storage device (2 } model parameters are stored for determining the microwave power to be ap- plied in the time mode (Z4 - Z7) as a function of a quantity and/or type of the goods to be cooked and as a function of the desired cooking duration, and/or
- said storage device (2) model parameters are stored for determining the cooking duration to be calculated in said power mode (L4 - L7) as a function of a quantity and/or a type of the goods to be cooked and as a function of the desired microwave power.
9. The cooking device of claim 8 wherein said control unit (1) comprises several cooking programs dif¬ fering in characteristic parameters of the goods to be cooked at the beginning of the cooking process and/or at the end of the cooking process, wherein the model parameters for the several cooking programs are stored in said storage .
10. The cooking device of any of the preced¬ ing claims wherein said control unit (1) is structured and adapted to calculate, in said power mode, a reduction of the cooking duration for the cooking process with the desired microwave power as compared to the cooking dura¬ tion of the cooking process without microwave power,
and in particular wherein said reduction is displayed on said input/output-device (3).
11. The cooking device of any of the preceding claims , wherein said control unit ( 1) is structured and adapted to take account of a temperature of a magne¬ tron for determining said microwave power and/or for cal¬ culating said cooking duration .
12. The cooking device of any of the preced¬ ing claims, wherein said control unit is structured and adapted to activate, in said cooking process , said micro¬ wave generator (5) i addition to said hot-air generator (7) and/or said heating device (6) and/or said steam generator ( 8 ) .
13. The cooking device of claim 2 wherein said further heat source (6, 7, 8) comprises at least one of a hot-air generator (7), a resistive heating device (6) , and a steam generator (8) .
14. The cooking device of any of the claims 2 or 13, wherein said control unit is structured and adapted to activate, in said cooking process, said microwave generator (5) in addition to said other heat source.
15. A method for cooking goods in a cooking device, wherein said cooking device comprises
- a cooking chamber (2),
- a microwave generator (5) associated with the cooking chamber (2),
- a further heat source (6, 7, 8) associated with the cooking chamber (2),
- a control unit (1),
- a storage device (2) storing at least one cooking program,
- an input/output-device (3),
said method comprising the steps of a) receiving, through said input/output-de¬ vice (3), at least a desired cooking duration and a selection of at least one cooking program,
b) selecting, by means of said control unit (1), an amount of microwave power fed during a cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that said cooking of the goods is completed in the desired cooking duration,
c) activating said further heat source (6, 7 , 8) and, in accordance with said selected microwave power, said microwave generator (5) for cooking said goods.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of receiving, through said input/output-device (3), a parameter indicative of a quantity and/or type of the goods,
wherein, in said step b) , said amount of mi¬ crowave power is determined as a function of the entered quantity and/or type of the goods.
17. The method of any of the claims 15 or 16 wherein, in said step a) a user is offered, on said input/output-device (3), a choice of at least three different desired cooking durations.
18. The method of any of the claims 15 to 17 wherein, in said step b) , the microwave power selected such that a cooking result equal to a cooking process without operating the microwave generator is achieved.
19. The method of any of the claims 15 to 18 further comprising the step of measuring a temperature of a magnetron of said microwave generator (5),
wherein, in said step b) , said the amount of microwave power is determined as a function of said tem¬ perature .
20. A method for cooking goods in a cooking device, wherein said cooking device comprises
- a cooking chamber (2),
- a microwave generator (5) associated with the cooking chamber (2),
- a further heat source (6, 7, 8) associated with the cooking chamber (2),
- a control unit (1),
- a storage device (2 ) storing at least one cooking program,
- an input/output-device (3),
said method comprising the steps of a) receiving, through said input/output-device (3), at least a desired microwave power and a selec¬ tion of at least one cooking program,
b) calculating, by means of said control unit (1), an expected cooking duration as a function of the desired microwave power and displaying said cooking duration on said input/output-device,
c) activating said further heat source (6, 7, 8) and, in accordance with said desired microwave power, said microwave generator (5) for cooking said goods.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of receiving, through said input/output-device (3), a parameter indicative of a quantity and/or type of the goods,
wherein, in said step b) , said expected cook¬ ing duration is determined as a function of the entered quantity and/or type of the goods.
22. The method of any of the claims 20 or 21 wherein, in said step a) a user is offered, on said in¬ put/output-device (3) a choice of at least three different desired microwave powers.
23. The method of any of the claims 20 to 22 wherein, in said step b) , a reduction of the cooking duration for the cooking process with the desired microwave power as compared to the cooking duration of the cooking process without microwave power is calculated and dis¬ played on said input/output-device .
24. The method of any of the claims 20 to 23 further comprising the step of measuring a temperature of a magnetron of said microwave generator (5),
wherein, in said step b) , said the expected cooking duration is determined as a function of said tem¬ perature .
25. The method of any of the claims 20 to 24 further comprising the step of receiving, through said input /output-device, instructions if said device is to be operated in a time mode or in a power mode,
wherein,
if the device is to be operated in said power mode, said steps a) to c) are carried out, and
if the device is to be operated in said time mode, the following steps a' ) to c' ) are carried out:
a' ) receiving, through said input /output-de¬ vice (3) , at least a desired cooking duration and a selection of at least one cooking program,
b' ) selecting an amount of microwave power fed during a cooking process as a function of the desired cooking duration such that said cooking of the goods is completed in the desired cooking duration,
c' ) activating said further heat source (6, 7, 8) and, according to said selected microwave power, said microwave generator (5) for cooking said goods.
PCT/CH2017/000034 2016-04-25 2017-04-07 Cooking device and method for cooking goods in such a device WO2017185191A1 (en)

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CH00549/16A CH712395B1 (en) 2016-04-25 2016-04-25 Combi device with a control for controlling a cooking process.
CH549/16 2016-04-25

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EP4374660A1 (en) * 2021-07-20 2024-05-29 Chase, Arnold Intelligent microwave cooking system
DE102022114160A1 (en) * 2022-06-03 2023-12-14 Topinox Sarl Method for cooking a food in a specific cooking time
DE102022128665A1 (en) 2022-10-28 2024-05-08 Topinox Sarl Procedure for adjusting cooking paths

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CH712395B1 (en) 2019-12-13

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