Combined oven control interface

Abstract

The combined oven control interface includes a feature for an operator to select a setpoint temperature (T); and automatically selecting a characteristic of at least one piece of humidity information (101) representing the setpoint humidity level (H%) and the cooking mode (M), the automatic selection taking into account the selected setpoint temperature (T).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a control interface for a combination oven that delivers heat to food using multiple cooking techniques (e.g., convection and steam or convection, steam and microwave), and more particularly, a combination oven that does not require a user to set humidity settings and cooking modes. Background Art

[0002] Food is usually cooked by applying heat energy for a given time. In a conventional oven, the food is cooked by heat radiated from the oven cavity walls or from a heat source close to the food surface, or by natural convection. In a convection oven, heat energy is transferred to the food surface by convection of heated air moving through the oven cavity and over the food surface. In a microwave oven, heat is transferred directly to the food by absorption of energy from the microwaves. In a steam oven, heat is transferred by condensation of steam on the food surface.

[0003] In a combination oven, more than one heat transfer process is used to reduce cooking time or improve the taste, texture, moisture content or visual appearance of the cooked food. In a combination steam and convection mode, the oven is given moisture during the cooking process. Typical combination ovens have complex controls that require the user to select between preset "convection," "mixed" and "steam" cooking modes and to manually set the desired humidity level either directly or as part of a cooking program (e.g., a recipe). Users - some of whom have only used domestic ovens or convection ovens where only the temperature needs to be set - tend to avoid using complex controls and do not understand the complexity of natural or forced humidity in such cooking chambers. As a result, many combination ovens are not used optimally and are used manually like basic ovens, without taking advantage of the automation features provided by modern controls and sensors.

[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a control interface that allows the user to conveniently utilize temperature-only settings, thereby making the oven as easy to use as possible. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on the above problems, the present invention relates to a combined oven control interface, comprising:

[0006] * Means for the operator to select a set temperature;

[0007] * Means for automatically selecting at least one humidity information, wherein the humidity information is representative of a set point humidity level and a cooking mode, said automatic selection taking into account a selected set point temperature.

[0008] For the avoidance of doubt, all features described herein are also applicable to any aspect of the present invention.

[0009] Preferably, the means for selecting the set point temperature comprises, for example, a field into which a user may enter a desired set point temperature.

[0010] Preferably, the means for automatically selecting at least one humidity information representative of the set point humidity level and the cooking mode comprises an electronic program, such as a computer program previously stored in a memory of a microprocessor in the combination oven. For example, the electronic program selects or determines the humidity information representative of the set point humidity level and the cooking mode based on the selected set point temperature. For example, the computer program displays the selected or determined humidity information and the selected or determined cooking mode for the operator on a control interface.

[0011] Thus, according to the present invention, when selecting a set point temperature, the operator automatically receives not only humidity information suggestions from the combination oven, but also cooking mode suggestions. Thus, it is easier for the operator to obtain predetermined humidity information (e.g., set point humidity level) for a particular selected set point temperature, for example, a preferred set point humidity level for that set point temperature (e.g., it is known from experience that at temperatures close to 100° C., the operator is very likely to want to start a steam cooking operation. In addition, at very high temperatures, such as 250° C., the operator is very likely to want to start a dry cooking operation). In addition, the combination oven suggests to the operator a cooking mode obtained by the combination oven from the set point temperature selected by the operator. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the combination oven suggests to the operator a cooking mode obtained by the combination oven from the set point temperature selected by the operator and the set humidity level selected by the combination oven. This makes it easier for the operator to control the combination oven, since the operator no longer has to worry about the correspondence between humidity information or set point humidity level (selected by the oven) and the type of cooking (especially cooking mode) that the operator wants to start. Thus, the present invention can reduce the complexity of information that an operator needs to manage or consider, as humidity information (e.g., set point humidity level) and cooking mode are automatically selected through the control interface. Since a given combination oven will typically be operated by many operators with different technical knowledge, the present invention simplifies the information that needs to be managed, which is of great value to the operability of the combination oven.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a combination oven control interface includes means for displaying set point temperature, humidity information, and cooking mode.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the combination oven control interface includes means for displaying a measured value of the temperature within the oven and / or a calculated value of a set point humidity level within the oven.

[0014] In fact, according to one embodiment of the present invention, based on the operator's selection of the set point temperature, the control interface can calculate or determine the calculated value of the set point humidity level in the oven, for example through linear (such as three arithmetic operations) or nonlinear approximate calculations.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display means comprises a display screen, preferably a touch screen.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display means may display the following information on the display screen in a representative arrangement in the following order: set point temperature, then humidity information and / or cooking mode.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display means may display the following information from top to bottom on the display screen: set point temperature, then humidity information and / or cooking mode.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display means may display the following information from top to bottom on the display screen: set point temperature, then humidity information, then cooking mode.

[0019] Thus, due to this arrangement of the display from top to bottom, a display screen with a height greater than its width can be used. Furthermore, this arrangement of the display from top to bottom also complies with the best use of the space of the interface display screen. Finally, this arrangement of the display from top to bottom on the display screen complies with the natural tendency of the user or operator of the oven or interface to read from top to bottom. Thus, the interface display is arranged according to the user's preference: the user first considers the set point temperature to be entered, the humidity information and the cooking mode whose value is selected by the interface are displayed below and are therefore in a subsequent order in the user's reading direction.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display means may display information that the automatic selection means is activated, hereinafter referred to as "automatic selection information". Thus, for example, the display means may display an indicator, such as the letter A (for automatic), on the display screen, so that the user can clearly see that the oven is in an operating mode corresponding to the activation of the automatic selection means (an operating mode that may be referred to as an automatic or normal operating mode).

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking mode is at least one of the following cooking modes:

[0022] * a first convection cooking mode (CONVECTION), corresponding to a set point humidity level (H%) defined by a first value range definition: 0%<=H%<=A%;

[0023] * Second cooking mode (COMBI), corresponding to a set point humidity level (H%) defined by a second value range: A% <H%<=B%;

[0024] * A third steam cooking mode (STEAM), corresponding to a set point humidity level (H%) defined by a third value range: H%>B%, and A <B。

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, A is between 30% and 60%, and B is between 80% and 99%.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the automatic selection means takes into account a pre-established correspondence between set point temperature values ​​and set point humidity level values ​​and one or more cooking modes.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pre-established correspondence is stored in an electronic memory. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electronic memory is included in the combination oven. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic memory is included in the control interface.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control interface comprises means for switching the interface to a first forced operating mode, in which the user can select a forced humidity level value.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, if the forced humidity level corresponds to the third cooking mode (STEAM), the set point temperature is forced by the control interface to reach the saturated steam temperature.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control interface includes means for switching the interface to a second forced operating mode, in which the user can select the forced cooking mode.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, if the value of the forced cooking mode corresponds to the third cooking mode (STEAM), the set point temperature is forced by the control interface to reach the saturated steam temperature.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control interface comprises resetting means for switching from one of said forced operating modes to a normal operating mode in which the automatic selection means is activated.

[0033] The present invention also relates to a combined oven comprising the above control interface.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a combined oven, comprising the following steps:

[0035] * Operator selects set temperature;

[0036] * Automatically selecting at least one humidity information representative of a set point humidity level and a cooking mode, the automatic selection taking into account the selected set temperature.

[0037] As part of this application, it is expressly provided that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives disclosed in the preceding paragraphs, the claims and / or the following description and drawings, in particular their individual features, can be used alone or in any combination. In other words, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way, unless these features are incompatible.

[0038] For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "may", "and / or", "for example" and any other similar terms used herein must be interpreted as non-limiting, and any feature described herein need not necessarily be present. In fact, any combination of optional features is expressly foreseen without departing from the scope of the present invention, whether or not they are explicitly recited in the claims. Applicants reserve the right to amend any claim initially filed accordingly or to file any new claims, including the right to amend any claim initially filed to be subordinate to and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim, even though not initially recited in the claims in this manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which can be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates a combination oven that can use a control interface according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a control interface of a combination oven according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0042] Figure 3 A typical bar graph showing temperature-humidity-cooking method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Different aspects of different embodiments according to the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] In the text and claims of this specification, "include" and "comprises" and their variations mean "including but not limited to", and are not used for (nor exclude) other parts, additives, components, integers or steps. In the text and claims of this specification, the singular includes the plural unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, when the indefinite article is used, this specification should be understood as including the plural as well as the singular unless the context requires otherwise.

[0045] connect Figures 1 to 3 , we will now describe one embodiment of a combination oven control interface according to the present invention.

[0046] Figure 1 Schematically shows the same as patent document WO2012162072 Figure 1 Related combination ovens. Figure 1 , a schematic diagram of a basic combination oven structure 10 is shown, which includes a housing 12 that defines a cooking cavity 14 that is accessible through an oven door 16 that is movable between open and closed positions. A convection cooking system 18 may be comprised of one or more heating elements 20 that are arranged around or along a circulating fan 22. For example, the heating elements 20 may be resistive heating elements or heat exchange tubes through which hot combustion gases flow. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the heating elements and fan are arranged along the rear wall of the oven cavity, different arrangements are possible. For example, the heating elements and fan may be arranged along the top wall, bottom wall, or side wall, one or both of the heating elements and / or fans may be arranged outside the cooking cavity (with airflow channels to deliver air into and out of the cooking cavity from the location of the fan and / or heating elements), or the heating elements may be arranged in front of or behind the fan. U.S. Patent No. 7,875,834 also discloses various other potential embodiments of a convection cooking system in an oven.

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a control interface 100 of a combination oven according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The control interface 100 may be integrated into the combination oven 10.

[0048] Figure 3 A temperature-humidity-cooking mode type bar graph is displayed, allowing automatic selection of humidity level (H%) and cooking mode (M).

[0049] Humidity (H%) is a complex concept for users, as humidity changes with temperature. Humidity levels can be artificially imposed by adding steam to the oven (such as in "Combi" mode and in "Steam" mode described below). In addition, setting a humidity set point causes the device to perform a humidifying or dehumidifying function.

[0050] According to the present invention and as further described below, it is suggested that the user can better grasp the concept of humidity, for example, through the display screen on the control interface 100. Therefore, the display screen can include user understanding areas, such as dry areas and wet areas. It is also possible to allow the user to better associate the set point humidity level value with the cooking mode (described below) by making simple settings on the scale (101), such as including positions ranging from -5 to +5. For example, these positions correspond to the set point humidity level and suggest that the user increase or decrease the humidity.

[0051] Of course, for an experienced expert or user, it is recommended that the setting can be made in % of the set point humidity between the minimum achievable humidity and the maximum achievable humidity (eg 5% to 100%).

[0052] The scale (101) is divided into a so-called dry zone, corresponding to 0% to an approximately middle value of the set point humidity level (H%), e.g. 45%, and a wet zone, corresponding to an middle value of 45% to a maximum value of the set point humidity level (H%), e.g. 100% of the set point humidity (H%).

[0053] It should be noted that the scale is supplemented with the "Dry" position before the dry zone. This manually accessible dry zone - in which the setpoint humidity level H% is no longer taken into account - activates continuous dehumidification in order to dry the air and the product.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the present invention relates to a control interface 100 for a combination oven 10, comprising:

[0055] * means for an operator to select a set point temperature (T) (e.g., manual means);

[0056] * Automatic means for selecting at least one humidity information 101 representing a set point humidity level H% and a cooking mode M. For example, the automatic selection takes into account the selected set point temperature T. For another example, the automatic selection depends only on the set temperature T selected by the user.

[0057] For example, the humidity information 101 representing the set point humidity level H% is a set of values ​​(each value corresponds to a humidity level H%) arranged on a scale, such as ranging from -5 to 5.

[0058] The selection means will be described in detail below.

[0059] The control interface 100 may also include means 100 for displaying the set point temperature T, humidity information 101 (eg, the scale described above), and the cooking mode M, such as a graphical user interface including a touch screen.

[0060] Additionally, the control interface 100 may further include means for displaying the measured temperature within the oven and / or the calculated set-point humidity level within the oven (eg, on a touch screen).

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, based on the operator's selection of the set point temperature, the control interface can calculate or determine, for example, by linear (e.g., arithmetic operations) or nonlinear approximation, a calculated value for the set point humidity level in the oven. Figure 3In a histogram, a given particular set point temperature value may not have an exact corresponding set point humidity level in the histogram, but only two set point humidity level values ​​that are closest to the corresponding relationship. In this case, the control interface can make a linear approximation (between the two closest set point humidity values) to calculate the set point humidity level value that corresponds to the set point temperature.

[0062] For example, the heating mode M is at least one of the following heating functions:

[0063] * a first convection cooking mode CONVECTION corresponding to a set point humidity level H% defined by a first value range: 0%<=H%<=A%;

[0064] * Second cooking mode COMBI, corresponding to a set point humidity level H%:A% defined by a second value range <H%<=B%;

[0065] * A third steam cooking mode STEAM corresponds to a set point humidity level H% defined by a third value range: H%>B%, and A <B。

[0066] For example, the ratio of A is between 30% and 60%, and the ratio of B is between 80% and 99%.

[0067] For another example, A = 45%, B = 95%. In this case:

[0068] The first convection cooking mode CONVECTION corresponds to the dry zone, for example, which corresponds to the -5 to -1 position on the scale (which corresponds to a set point humidity level value (H%) ranging from 0% to 45%. This mode accepts the humidity naturally generated by the product and can also regulate the humidity by occasional dehumidification, for example.

[0069] The second cooking mode COMBI corresponds to the wet zone, for example, this corresponds to the positions +1 to +4 on the scale (this corresponds to a range of H% setpoint humidity values ​​from 45% to 95%). In addition, this mode also allows humidification of the chamber.

[0070] The third STEAM mode corresponds to the extreme wet zone, for example, to the +5 position on the scale (corresponding to a set humidity H% value range of 95% to 100%). This mode ensures steam saturation at around 100°C.

[0071] For example, the second cooking mode COMBI can differ from the first cooking mode CONVECTION by forcing a humidity increase.

[0072] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the display means is adapted to display on a display screen (e.g. a touch screen), for example but not limited to, in the following order from the top of the screen to the bottom of the screen: the set point temperature (the primary criterion for input), the position on the scale corresponding to the set point humidity level (automatically recommended based on the temperature), and the cooking mode (corresponding to the position on the humidity scale).

[0073] Thus, thanks to the invention, the operator has access to all the necessary information to carry out a certain cooking according to a single temperature information. This allows this type of oven, better known as a combi oven, to be used by users who have never used this type of oven or have no experience in selecting a heating method, let alone a humidity level. The invention also makes it possible to limit cooking errors by the operator, for example by indicating when the humidity is too low and the temperature is too high.

[0074] For example, the automatic selection means of the control interface takes into account a pre-established correspondence between set point temperature values ​​and set point humidity level values ​​and one or more cooking modes.

[0075] For example, the pre-established correspondence is stored in an electronic memory which is preferably comprised in the combination oven.

[0076] For example, the automatic selection means considers or uses the following Table 1 to achieve this correspondence.

[0077] Thus, the automatic selection means may use a set point temperature correspondence curve based on the set point humidity level and the cooking mode, which curve may be predetermined empirically, such as Figure 3 shown.

[0078] In this Figure 3 In the , there are multiple zones, each corresponding to a mode and multiple possible temperature and humidity levels.

[0079] As a non-limiting example, based solely on the set point temperature information T (here in degrees Celsius) input by the operator, automatic selection of the set point humidity level and cooking mode is a function of the following zones.

[0080] Table 1 below shows the correspondence used by the automatic selection means of the control interface between the set point temperature T, the set point humidity level H%, and the cooking mode.

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the oven control interface may further include means for switching the interface to a first forced operating mode, in which the user may select a forced humidity level value (H%C). For example, if the forced humidity value corresponds to the third cooking mode (STEAM), the control interface will force the set point temperature (T) to be set to the saturated steam temperature.

[0084] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the oven control interface may further include means for switching the interface to a first forced operating mode, in which the user may select a forced humidity level value (H%C). For example, if the forced cooking mode corresponds to the third cooking mode (STEAM), the control interface will force the set point temperature (T) to be the saturated steam temperature.

[0085] According to the invention, the combination oven control interface may comprise resetting means for switching from one of said forced operating modes to a normal operating mode in which the automatic selection means are activated.

[0086] The combination oven control interface may further comprise means for forcibly applying a set point humidity (H%) defined by the set point temperature (T) to allow the operator to forcibly apply a forced humidity value (H%C) through the humidity scale (101) while maintaining the set point temperature (T) if the forced humidity value (H%C) corresponds to one of the first cooking mode and the second cooking mode (convection; mixed).

[0087] According to a variant of the invention, if the position of the scale and the set point humidity (H%) corresponds to the third steam cooking mode (STEAM), the set point temperature (T) initially set by the operator can be forced to a cooking temperature value corresponding to a saturated steam value.

[0088] Additionally, if the forced mode is one of the first cooking mode and the second cooking mode (CONVECTION; COMBI), the combination oven may include means for forcing the mode (M) defined by the set point temperature (T) so as to allow the operator to force application of the forced mode (M) while maintaining the set point temperature (T) and to change the position on the humidity scale according to the selected mode and the set point humidity level (H%).

[0089] Furthermore, for example, if the forced cooking mode is the third steam cooking mode (STEAM) type, the set point temperature (T) initially set by the operator may be forced to a cooking temperature value corresponding to a saturated steam value.

[0090] According to a variant of the invention, the combination oven of the invention further comprises a reset means for switching from the forced mode to the automatic mode determined by the set point temperature (T) input by the operator, and further comprises means for displaying the current actual value of the measured temperature or humidity level. For example, pressing (e.g., a short press) the humidity icon (H%) allows the user to switch from the forced mode to the automatic mode. Then, long pressing the set point temperature (T) or set point humidity (H%) icon on the display for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds) allows the actual value to be entered.

[0091] For example, the display means may display information that the automatic selection means is activated, hereinafter referred to as "automatic selection information". This corresponds, for example, to a normal or automatic operating mode.

[0092] Reference designator list

[0093] TSet point temperature

[0094] H% Set point humidity

[0095] M Cooking Mode

[0096] DRY Dry ​​position

[0097] CONVECTION First cooking mode

[0098] COMBI Second cooking mode

[0099] STEAM 3rd cooking mode

[0100] 100 Display Means

[0101] 101 Humidity scale

Claims

1. A combined oven control interface, characterized in that: include: means for the operator to select a set point temperature (T); Means for automatically selecting at least one humidity information (101) representing a set point humidity level (H%) and a cooking mode (M), said automatic selection taking into account a selected set point temperature (T).

2. The combined oven control interface according to claim 1, characterized in that Included is a means (100) for displaying a set point temperature (T), humidity information (101) and a cooking mode (M).

3. The combined oven control interface according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that: Includes means for displaying the measured value of the temperature within the oven and / or the calculated value of the set point humidity level within the oven.

4. The combined oven control interface according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that: The display means includes a display screen, preferably a touch screen.

5. The combined oven control interface according to claim 4, characterized in that: The display means may display the following information in a representative arrangement on the display screen in the following order: set point temperature, then humidity information and / or cooking mode, and preferably in the following order: set point temperature, then humidity information, then cooking mode.

6. A combined oven control interface according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that: The display means may display information indicating that the automatic selection means has been activated, hereinafter referred to as "automatic selection information".

7. The combined oven control interface according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The cooking mode (M) is at least one of the following cooking modes: a first convection cooking mode (CONVECTION), corresponding to a set point humidity level (H%) defined by a first range of values: 0%<=H%<=A%; The second cooking mode (COMBI) corresponds to a set point humidity level (H%) defined by a second range of values: A% <H%<=B%; The third steam cooking mode (STEAM) corresponds to a set point humidity level (H%) defined by a third value range: H%>B%, and A <B。 8. The combined oven control interface according to claim 7, characterized in that A accounts for 30% to 60%, and B accounts for 80% to 99%.

9. A combination oven control interface according to any preceding claim, characterised in that: The automatic selection means takes into account a pre-established correspondence between set point temperature values ​​and set point humidity level values ​​and one or more cooking modes.

10. The combined oven control interface according to claim 9, characterized in that: The pre-established correspondence is stored in an electronic memory which is preferably comprised in the combination oven.

11. A combination oven control interface according to any preceding claim, characterised in that: Means are included for switching the interface to a first forced operating mode in which a user can select a forced humidity level value (H%).

12. The combined oven control interface according to any one of claims 7 and 8 and claim 11, characterized in that: If the forced humidity value corresponds to the third cooking mode (STEAM), the control interface forcibly sets the set point temperature (T) to the saturated steam temperature.

13. A combination oven control interface according to any preceding claim, characterised in that: Means are included for switching the interface to a second forced operating mode in which a user can select a forced cooking mode.

14. The combined oven control interface according to any one of claims 7 and 8 and claim 13, characterized in that: If the forced cooking mode corresponds to the third cooking mode (STEAM), the control interface forces the set point temperature (T) to be set at the saturated steam temperature.

15. The combined oven control interface according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that: Reset means are included for switching from one of the forced operating modes to a normal operating mode in which the automatic selection means are activated.

16. A combined oven, characterized in that: Comprising a control interface according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. A method for controlling a combined oven, characterized in that The following steps are involved: The set point temperature (T) is selected by the operator; At least one humidity information (101) is automatically selected, the humidity information representing a set point humidity level (H%) and a cooking mode (M), the automatic selection taking into account the selected set point temperature (T).

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