GARDEN APPLIANCE WITH A LIGHTING DEVICE FOR EMISSING LIGHT BEAMS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a housing in which a cooking chamber is formed. The cooking appliance further comprises a door that is movably mounted on the housing and designed to close the cooking chamber. The cooking appliance further comprises a lighting device that has at least one light source. At least some of the lighting device's components are mounted on the housing.

[0002] Cooking appliances such as ovens, steam cookers, or microwave ovens are known to have lighting devices. These can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of the cooking chamber. This is known, for example, from WO 2011 / 117037 A1. There, light sources are arranged externally to the door, and additional optical elements, such as reflectors, can then direct the light into the cooking chamber. Furthermore, it is also possible for a space in front of the cooking chamber to be illuminated by the light sources of the lighting device, for example, to illuminate an extended food carrier from above.

[0003] In addition, it is also possible to direct the light from the external light source into a door that closes the cooking chamber.

[0004] Furthermore, a household appliance for preparing food is known from DE 10 2009 000 655 B3. This document provides for a lighting device having a light source arranged in the front region of a housing and external to a door. A light guide is also arranged external to the door. In one embodiment, a further light guide is arranged on the door, which, when the door is closed, couples with the light guide external to the door, so that the light from the light source can be introduced into the door via the two light guides. The door-side light guide is arranged on the door so that it can move relative to the door.

[0005] In the known designs, a variety of lighting options can be provided in the cooking chamber, in front of the cooking chamber, and in the door, but the functionality regarding individual optical illumination of specific areas is limited. Furthermore, FR 2 936 859 A1 discloses an oven with a lighting device integrated into a control panel.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking appliance in which the illumination of specific partial areas with the lighting device is improved.

[0007] This object is achieved by a cooking appliance having the features of claim 1.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance with a housing in which a cooking chamber is formed. The cooking appliance furthermore has a door which is movably arranged on the housing and is designed to close the cooking chamber. The cooking appliance furthermore has a lighting device which has a light source. The lighting device is arranged at least with partial components on the housing. The lighting device has a first operating mode in which the light rays are emitted with a first luminous flux at a light exit area from the housing into the closed door and has at least a second operating mode in which the light rays are emitted with a second luminous flux, different from the first luminous flux, at the light exit area from the housing into an anteroom formed in front of the cooking chamber when the door is open.

[0009] This allows for comprehensive illumination, particularly of an anteroom in front of a cooking chamber, so that even with a reduced number of light sources, particularly bright and homogeneous illumination of a large surface area and, in particular, a larger volume within this anteroom can be achieved. Even a food support can be sufficiently brightly illuminated from above with a minimized number of light sources when pulled out of the cooking chamber. Highly customized brightness levels, adapted to specific situations, can be created using the defined, varying light fluxes.

[0010] In particular, it is also intended that the light beams can be generated with individual light intensity in the different operating states. The feature of variable light intensity at at least one outlet is advantageous in this regard.

[0011] As already mentioned, in an advantageous embodiment, in a state in which light is coupled into the door, the luminous flux is different from a state in which a pulled-out food carrier in the anteroom of the cooking chamber is to be illuminated from above by at least one light source.

[0012] Especially when, in conjunction with a preferred example of individual design and locally defined generation of a focal point of the light rays outside the housing, a defined widening of the light rays to form a light cone is to follow after the focal point, particularly when the door is open, the luminous intensity can then also be individually adjusted by this design of the individual luminous fluxes, which represents the quotient of the luminous flux divided by the solid angle.

[0013] Preferably, it is provided that the two different luminous fluxes in the at least two different operating states differ by at least the value of 50 lumens.

[0014] The difference in luminous flux in different operating states can also depend on the number of light sources in the lighting device, which are then used to individually illuminate, for example, an anteroom in front of the cooking chamber. The same can also be true for the number of light sources in a lighting device that are used to couple light beams into the door when the door is closed.

[0015] The lighting device has an optical device designed to specifically influence the light rays from the light source such that the light rays are focused at a focal point outside the housing. Such a design then makes it possible to focus the light rays emerging from the housing in such a way that they are prepared for further use, for example, for coupling into a coupling area outside the housing. This then makes it possible, for example, to design this coupling area relatively small and compact while still coupling a high proportion of the defined, guided light rays emerging from the housing into the coupling area.On the other hand, this design also makes it possible to further distribute the light beams in the event of an unintended coupling into a coupling area outside the housing, so that they can also better illuminate an area outside the housing. Since, according to the laws of optics, light beams expand after the focal point and form a specific light cone, this defined selection of the external focal point allows the light beams to fan out again after the focal point into a widened light cone in a defined manner, thus enabling large-area illumination at the desired distance.

[0016] The optical device has at least one optically active focusing element, such as a converging lens or a parabolic mirror or the like, which is arranged in the housing. The effect of this housing-side optical focusing element is such that light rays emitted by the light source are bundled by this focusing element in such a way that a defined focal point is created outside the housing and thus when the light rays exit the housing.

[0017] Advantageously, this at least one focus or focal point is formed or created at a defined distance from an outer wall of the housing. The above-mentioned advantages with regard to the functional, individual further use of the light beams emerging from the housing are thus made possible in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0018] The distance is preferably between 0 cm and 5 cm, in particular between 0 cm and 4 cm, in particular between 0 cm and 3 cm, in particular between 0 cm and 2 cm, for example between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm. The focal point is therefore placed relatively close to the housing, so that the fanning out of the light rays to form a widened light cone, which occurs after the focal point, is advantageously achieved in that, for example, in the case of an extended food carrier, which thus forms in an anteroom to the cooking appliance (viewed in the depth direction of the cooking appliance), the largest possible area can be illuminated. This configuration then enables such a fanning out that at least 50 percent of the surface of the food carrier is illuminated from above with this one light source, preferably at least 70 percent of its surface.On the other hand, this defined distance also makes it particularly advantageous to enable the most comprehensive and compact coupling of these light rays emerging from the housing into a door of the cooking appliance when the door is closed. Since the door is then usually adjacent to the housing, or the coupling area of ​​the door-side optical element is arranged particularly close to an outer wall of the housing from which the light rays of the light source emerge, such a close relocation of the focal point to the outer wall of the housing is advantageous in order to then enable the best possible and comprehensive coupling of the light rays into the door.

[0019] It is provided that the door has at least one optical element of the lighting device, into which light rays from the light source can preferably be coupled when the door is closed. When the door is closed, the focal point is located at a coupling end of the optical element or within a distance interval of preferably + / - 3 cm, in particular + / - 2 cm, in particular + / - 1 cm, viewed in the direction of light propagation. The above-mentioned advantages are thereby achieved to a particularly high degree, and the coupling of the light rays emerging from the housing into the door is made possible with particular precision and comprehensiveness. Furthermore, a particularly compact design is enabled. This door-side optical element is thus a subcomponent of the lighting device, which is arranged outside the housing and inside the door. In this embodiment, the lighting device is therefore also arranged inside the door in subcomponents.

[0020] Preferably, this coupling end has a surface area that is larger than the surface area of ​​the focal point. This is another very advantageous embodiment, as it allows the light, or rather these light rays, bundled at the focal point to be coupled into the door with a particularly large area.

[0021] The lighting device preferably has a light-guiding device arranged in the door. With the light-guiding device, light rays emitted by the light source can be emitted forwards out of the door and / or backwards out of the door when the door is closed, viewed in the depth direction of the cooking appliance. With such a configuration, specific areas in front of the door and thus outside the cooking appliance can be individually illuminated when the door is closed. Furthermore, it is then also possible to illuminate components located in the door, which in turn can then be seen when viewed from the outside, as can elements illuminated on the outside. Furthermore, it is also possible for light to be emitted from the door in a defined manner into the cooking chamber when the door is closed, so that even when the door is closed, partial areas of the cooking chamber can be illuminated with light emitted by the door.This improves the viewing of parts of the cooking chamber even when the door is closed. Preferably, the lighting device is designed to illuminate an anteroom located in the depth direction of the cooking appliance in front of a loading opening of the cooking chamber when the door is open. The anteroom is arranged at a distance from the focal point such that the anteroom is illuminated with a light cone that widens again after the focal point in the direction of propagation of the light rays. This enables the anteroom to be illuminated as extensively and evenly or homogeneously as possible. Especially when, for example, a food carrier has been at least partially pulled out of the cooking chamber and is located in this anteroom when the door is open, this food carrier can be illuminated from above over a large area by this widened light cone and, in particular, can be illuminated very homogeneously.

[0022] Preferably, the lighting device has a first operating mode in which the light rays are emitted from the housing at a light exit area with a first luminous flux. The lighting device has at least one second operating mode in which the light rays are emitted from the housing at the light exit area with a second luminous flux that is different from the first luminous flux. This is a further very advantageous embodiment because it allows a different luminous flux to be generated under different conditions. Depending on the location of the area to be illuminated and / or an object to be illuminated in the cooking appliance and / or outside the cooking appliance, more needs-based lighting can thus be provided, so that an observer is always offered lighting that is adapted to the situation.Perception in the various areas and / or elements is then individually improved. As needed, even areas that are partially concealed, located in niches, or at the rear of the cooking chamber can be improved and thus illuminated with individual brightness. Other effects, such as unwanted glare or over-illumination of elements and / or areas, can also be avoided. This not only always achieves improved optical lighting with regard to the desired and adjusted brightness, but also enables a user-friendly perception of this lighting.

[0023] It is preferably provided that the implementation of the first operating mode is coupled to a first position of the door and / or the implementation of the second operating mode is coupled to a second position of the door. Thus, it can be provided, for example, that the individual luminous flux of the lighting device is automatically adjusted depending on the respective position of the door. This can be done, for example, via a control unit. It can be provided that the first position of the door is a completely closed position and / or the second position of the door is a position in which an anteroom is formed in front of a loading opening of the cooking chamber, which anteroom is delimited at the bottom by the door.

[0024] For example, it can be provided that the luminous flux is higher in the first operating mode than in the second operating mode. Especially when the door is completely closed in the first operating mode, a higher luminous flux can then be generated in order to create sufficient lighting inside the cooking chamber, so that the cooking chamber can be better observed by a user even through the closed door. In addition to or instead of this, the radiation from the door can then also occur externally of the device and thus, in particular, for example, towards the front with a higher luminous flux, so that here too, individual lighting of areas in front is improved, even when the door is closed.In this context, components in the door that are to be individually illuminated can also be illuminated with a higher luminous flux, so that the frontal visibility of an observer looking at the door from the front is improved.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one housing-side light source of the lighting device can be arranged, viewed in the depth direction, in the region of a control panel or a switch front or a flange, for example a flange of a muffle which delimits the cooking chamber with the walls, or else on a vertical front-side strip which is designed as a pilaster strip.

[0026] It is preferably provided in the cooking appliance that at least one light opening serves as a planar light source for illuminating the anteroom when the door is open and is designed accordingly so that a correspondingly widened light cone is effective here. When the door is closed, the light rays from the light source are guided via this light opening via a further transition to the door. In this case, it can then be provided that the housing-side optical element of the lighting device is advantageously designed such that it has a focusing effect and in this regard forms the external focal point on the housing side. The door-side optical element of the lighting device can be a light guide or a light guide connection. One or more optical fibers can be provided. In addition to or instead of this, at least one lens or a reflector or a mirror can also be used.The optical elements mentioned can be made of different materials, for example glass or silicone or PMMA or PC or PS or the like.

[0027] It can be provided that the lighting device has an optical element inside the door, the coupling region of which, into which the light rays emitted by the housing are coupled, is designed as an optically effective collection region. Depending on how the light rays impinge on this coupling region of the door-side optical element, this collection region can be designed as a lens that is at least convex on one side or concave on one side.

[0028] Preferably, the lighting device thus has at least two separate optical elements, of which one optical element is arranged outside the door and inside the housing, and the second optical element is arranged outside the housing and inside the door.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, these at least two optical elements are each designed as optical focusing elements.

[0030] For example, two lenses can be provided here, or a lens and a light guide embodied as a fiber optic or light guide rod, or a lens and a mirror, or a lens and a reflector. Preferably, the housing-side design of the optical element is such that this optical element has a focal point at a distance between 0.5 cm and 2 cm, in particular between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm, in particular 1 cm.

[0031] It can be provided that the optical element, which is arranged on the housing side, is set back inward relative to the outer wall from which the light exits the housing. This protects this optical element accordingly. This also provides a certain degree of protection against unwanted light scattering within the device. For example, a tube section can be arranged between the lens and the outer wall, or a side panel can be formed. This configuration with a tube section or panel can also be such that the tube section or panel is formed on the inside with, for example, a matte, dark surface.

[0032] The additional optical element, which is arranged on the door side, can be designed with a concave surface or flat at the coupling area. It can be provided that this light-collecting area of ​​the optical element, which is arranged on the door side, is integrated and thus formed integrally with this optical element. This prevents further media transfer of the light beams in the door between separate optical elements.

[0033] It can also be provided here that this optical element, in particular the coupling region, which is preferably designed as a light-collecting region, is arranged inwardly relative to an outer side of the door. Here, too, the advantages already mentioned above, as achieved with a recessed or recessed arrangement of the optical element in the housing, can be achieved. It can be provided that this optical element is arranged in an upper region of the door, for example, in an upper cover, also referred to as the top panel.

[0034] In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the lighting device is designed to generate light rays in a first light color and is designed at least to generate light rays in a second light color that is different from the first. In addition to or instead of this, it can be provided that the lighting device is designed to generate a continuous light of the light rays and / or a pulsed light of the light rays. In particular, it is provided that different operating functions of the cooking appliance are visually displayed by the different light colors and / or different values ​​of operating parameters of at least one operating function of the cooking appliance are visually displayed.In addition or instead of this, it can be provided that, depending on a pulse frequency of the light beams, different operating functions and / or different values ​​of operating parameters of at least one operating function of the cooking appliance are visually displayed.

[0035] Preferably, the light source is a light-emitting diode. It can also be a multicolor light-emitting diode. Preferably, the lighting device has a light source that generates light beams that can be used to illuminate a vestibule in the depth direction in front of the cooking chamber when the door is open, and that also generates light beams that are radiated from the housing into the door when the door is closed. Light beams for various uses or different specific lighting scenarios are then generated with a single light source.

[0036] The lighting device preferably has at least two light sources, each designed for the aforementioned functionality. These light sources are preferably arranged above the loading opening of the cooking chamber, viewed in the vertical direction of the cooking appliance, and, in particular, are arranged on opposite sides, viewed in the width direction.

[0037] A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance with a housing in which a cooking chamber is formed. The cooking appliance furthermore has a door. The door is movably arranged on the housing. It is furthermore designed to close the cooking chamber. The cooking appliance furthermore has a lighting device which has at least one light source. The lighting device is arranged at least with partial components on the housing and at least with partial components external to the door. The lighting device has an optical device which is designed to influence the light rays of the light source in a defined manner such that the light rays are bundled into a focal point outside the housing.Such a design then makes it possible to bundle the light beams emerging from the housing in such a way that they are prepared for further use, for example, for coupling into a coupling area outside the housing. This then makes it possible, for example, to design this coupling area relatively small and compact while still coupling a high proportion of the light beams emerging from the housing and guided in a defined manner into the coupling area. On the other hand, this design also makes it possible to further distribute the light beams in the event of an unintended coupling into a coupling area outside the housing, so that they can also better illuminate an area outside the housing.Since, according to the laws of optics, the light rays expand after the focal point and form a specific light cone, this defined choice of the external focal point allows the light rays to fan out again after the focal point to form an expanded light cone, thus enabling large-area illumination at the desired distance.

[0038] A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance having a housing in which a cooking chamber is formed. The cooking appliance further comprises a door which is movably arranged on the housing and which is designed to close the cooking chamber. The cooking appliance further comprises an illumination device having at least one light source. The illumination device is arranged at least with subcomponents on the housing. The illumination device has an optical device which has a first optical focusing element in the housing and which has a separate second optical focusing element which is arranged in the door.

[0039] Embodiments of the above-mentioned first independent aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the further independent aspects.

[0040] The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction", etc., indicate the positions and orientations given when the device is used and arranged as intended.

[0041] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic front view of an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the cooking appliance according to Fig. 1 with the door open; Fig. 3 a side view of the cooking appliance according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 shows a representation of subcomponents of a lighting device of the cooking appliance; Fig. 5 shows a further schematic representation of subcomponents of the lighting device; Fig. 6 shows an enlarged representation of the cooking appliance according to Fig. 1 bis Fig. 3 in a partial section with the door closed; Fig. 7 shows an exemplary representation of a partial region of an optical element of the lighting device, which is arranged on the door side.

[0042] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0043] In Fig. 1 A front view of a cooking appliance 1 is shown, which may be, for example, an oven, a steam cooker, or a microwave cooker. The cooking appliance 1 has a housing 2 in which a cooking chamber 3 for preparing food is formed. The cooking chamber 3 is delimited by the walls of a muffle arranged in the housing 2. On the front side, the muffle, and thus also the cooking chamber 3, has a loading opening 4 ( Fig. 2 ) which can be closed by a door 5. The door 5 is pivotally mounted on the housing 2. The door 5 has, for example, a handle 6 and is formed at least in part with a transparent area 7 through which, when the door 5 is closed, one can look through and thus into the cooking chamber 3. The cooking appliance 1 also has, viewed in the vertical direction (y-direction), above the door 5, a control panel 8 on which an operating device 9 is arranged.

[0044] In Fig. 2 The cooking appliance 1 is shown in a perspective view and with the door 5 open. Furthermore, Fig. 2 a separate food carrier 10 is shown, which can be, for example, a baking tray or a wire rack or the like. By way of example, a food item 11 is placed on the food carrier 10. The food carrier 10 is pulled out of the cooking chamber 3 in the depth direction (z-direction) and is thus located in an anteroom 12 in front of the cooking chamber 3, viewed in the depth direction. The cooking appliance 1 furthermore has a lighting device 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the lighting device 13 has a first light source 14, which can be, for example, a light diode, in particular a multi-color light-emitting diode. By way of example, it is provided here that the first light source 14 is arranged above the cooking chamber 3, viewed in the height direction (y-direction), and adjacent to the loading opening 4. In particular, it is provided that a second light source 15 of the lighting device 13 is provided here.The two light sources 14 and 15 are arranged in the width direction (x-direction) on opposite sides of the housing 2 or are arranged within the housing 2. They can be arranged, for example, in the area of ​​the control panel 8 or on a respective vertical pilaster strip, which represents a visible front component. They can also be arranged, for example, on a front flange, in particular the muffle.

[0045] These light sources 14 and 15 are thus arranged outside the door and represent subcomponents of the lighting device 13, which are arranged in the housing 2.

[0046] In Fig. 3 the cooking appliance 1 is in accordance with Fig. 2 shown in a side view. The anteroom 12 can be seen here. It is illuminated by the lighting device 13, in particular the light beams 16 and 17 of the light sources 14 and 15. The light beams 16, 17 each form an expanded light cone 22, which is directed obliquely forward and downward and illuminates the food support 10 from above.

[0047] The lighting device 13 has an optical device 18, as shown in the exemplary illustration in Fig. 4 is shown. The optical device 18 is designed to influence the light beams of the light sources 14, 15 in a defined manner such that these light beams are bundled at a focal point 19 outside the housing 2. The focal point 19 is formed at a defined distance from an optical element 20 of the optical device 18 and thus, in particular, also at a defined distance from an outer wall 21 of the housing 2. Preferably, a distance A is between 0 cm and 2 cm.

[0048] As already mentioned in Fig. 4 As can be seen, the light rays 16, which are shown here as an example, are bundled in the focal point 19 and then widen out again after the focal point 19, viewed in the direction of light propagation, and form the light cone 22 already mentioned in this regard, as it is also shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can only be seen when door 5 is open.

[0049] In Fig. 5 An enlarged view of this light cone 22 can be seen in a schematic representation.

[0050] It is thus advantageously provided that the optical device 18 has an optical element 20 which is external to the door and internal to the housing and which is a first focusing element.

[0051] In particular, it is provided that the lighting device 13 has a further optical element 23 external to the housing and internal to the door, as shown by way of example in Fig. 7 is shown. This further optical element 23 can, in an advantageous embodiment, also be designed as an at least regionally focusing element. In the embodiment shown, this is achieved in that a coupling region 24 of this optical element 23 has a concave surface 25. Due to the orientation of the light rays 16 or 17 incident on the coupling region 24, this concave surface 25 has a collecting or bundling effect. With a different configuration and orientation of the light rays 16, 17 as they strike the light coupling region 24, this surface can also be designed differently, for example, be flat. In particular, this optical element 23, which is arranged in the door 5, thus has in particular a focusing region or light collecting region, which can also be integrated and thus formed in one piece with the optical element 23.

[0052] This light coupling area 24, which represents a coupling end of the optical element 23, can couple in the light emitted from the housing 2 by the light sources 14 and 15 when the door 5 is closed.

[0053] Preferably, this optical element 23 is arranged in the door 5 in such a way that the coupling region 24 is arranged at the focal point 19 or within a distance interval of + / - 1.0 cm from this focal point 19 when the door 5 is closed.

[0054] In this regard, Fig. 6 , in which a partial area of ​​a vertical sectional view through the cooking appliance 1 with the door 5 closed is shown. As can be seen here, the optical element 20 of the optical device 18, shown only symbolically here, faces directly adjacent to the coupling area 24. This optical element 20 can, as shown in Fig. 4 shown, be arranged set back inwards relative to the outer wall 21. In this regard, according to the illustration in Fig. 4 Then, a diaphragm area or a tube section 26 may be provided. In an advantageous embodiment, this can be matt on the inside. In another embodiment, it may be provided that this optical element 20, as shown in Fig. 6 is symbolically represented, extends up to the outer wall 21 or is even arranged standing beyond it.

[0055] In all embodiments, it is advantageously provided that this coupling area 24 is opposite an outer side 27, as shown in Fig. 6 shown, the door 5 is set back inwards, at the focal point 19 or within the already mentioned distance interval of + / - 1.0 cm.

[0056] It is preferably provided that the lighting device 13, when the door 5 is closed, radiates the light or light beams 16, 17 coupled into the optical element 23 via the optical device 18 out of the door 5 into the cooking chamber 3, as shown in Fig. 6 is indicated, and / or viewed in the depth direction, radiates away from the cooking chamber 3 to the front out of the door 5, as is also shown in Fig. 6 is indicated.

[0057] For this purpose, the lighting device 13 has a light-guiding device 29 in the door 5, which offers these radiation possibilities when the door 5 is closed.

[0058] According to the invention, the lighting device 13 has a first operating mode in which the light beams 16, 17, as emitted by the light sources 14, 15, are emitted from the housing 2 with a first luminous flux at a first light exit region, and the lighting device 13 has at least a second operating mode in which these light beams 16, 17 are emitted from the housing 2 with a second luminous flux that is different from the first luminous flux at the light exit region. This light exit region can, for example, be the exit opening on the outer wall 21 or the light output region 29 ( Fig. 4 ) of the optical element 20, which is the last optical element in front of the outer wall 21 in the direction of light propagation if there are several optical elements in the housing 2.

[0059] Preferably, the execution of the first operating mode is coupled to a first position of the door 5 and / or the execution of the second operating mode is coupled to a second position of the door. The first position of the door 5 can preferably be the fully closed position, as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 1 is shown. The second position of the door 5 is one in which an anteroom 12 is formed in front of the loading opening 4 of the cooking chamber 3, this anteroom 12 being delimited at the bottom by the at least partially open door 3. It can also be provided that the lighting device 13 is designed to generate light beams 16, 17 in a first light color and at least to generate light beams 16, 17 in a second light color different from the first. In addition to or instead of this, it can also be provided that the lighting device 13 is designed to generate a continuous light of the light beams 16, 17 and / or a pulsed light of the light beams 16, 17.Here, too, individual assignment to different operating states can be made, so that, for example, in one operating state, the light beams 16, 17 are generated as a continuous light, and in a second operating state, a pulsed light beam is generated. In this context, it can be provided that, depending on the pulse frequency and / or the light color, a specific operating function of the cooking appliance 1 is visually displayed and / or a specific value of an operating parameter of at least one operating function is visually displayed. Bezugszeichenliste

[0060] 1 Cooking appliance 2 Housing 3 Cooking chamber 4 Loading opening 5 Door 6 Handle 7 Transparent area 8 Control panel 9 Control device 10 Food carrier 11 Food 12 Antechamber 13 Lighting device 14 Light source 15 Light source 16 Light rays 17 Light rays 18 Optical device 19 Focal point 20 Optical element 21 Outer wall 22 Light cone 23 Optical element 24 Coupling end 25 Surface 26 Pipe section 27 Outside 28 Light guide device 29 Light coupling area

Claims

1. Cooking appliance (1), with a housing (2), in which a cooking compartment (3) is embodied, and with a door (5), which is movably arranged on the housing (2) and is embodied to close off the cooking compartment (3), and with a lighting apparatus (13), which has a light source (14, 15), wherein the lighting apparatus (13) is arranged on the housing (2), wherein the lighting apparatus (13) has a first operating mode, in which, with a first lighting current, the rays of light (16, 17) are emitted out of the housing (2) at a light outlet region (21, 29) into the closed door (5), and has an at least second operating mode, in which, with a second lighting current which is different from the first lighting current, the rays of light (16, 17) are emitted out of the housing (2) at the light outlet region (21, 29) into a front space (12) formed at the front of the cooking compartment (3) when the door (5) is opened, wherein the door (5) has at least one optical element (23) of the lighting apparatus (13), in which rays of light (16, 17) of the light source (14, 15) can be coupled when the door (5) is in the closed state, wherein the lighting apparatus (13) has an optical facility (18), which is embodied to influence the rays of light (16, 17) of the light source (14, 15) in a defined manner, such that the rays of light (16, 17) are directed outside the housing (2) into a focal point (19), wherein the focal point (19) lies at a coupling end (24) of the optical element (23) or lies inside a distance interval of + / - 3.0 cm thereto when the door (5) is in the closed state.

2. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first setting of the door (5) is a completely closed setting and / or is the second setting of the door (5), in which a front space (12) is formed in front of a loading opening (4) of the cooking compartment (3) which is delimited downwardly by way of the door (5).

3. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the focal point (19) is embodied at a defined distance (a) from an outer wall (21) of the housing (2).

4. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the distance (a) is between 0 cm and 5 cm.

5. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling end (24) has an area (25) which is larger than the area of the focal point (19).

6. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lighting apparatus (13) is embodied to illuminate, when the door (5) is opened, a front space (12) situated in front of a loading opening (4) of the cooking compartment (3) in the depth direction (z) of the cooking appliance (1), wherein the front space (12) is arranged at a distance from the focal point (19) such that the illumination of the front space (12) takes place with a light cone (22) which enlarges again after the focal point (19) in the direction of the dispersal of the rays of light (16, 17).

7. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the door (5) has a has a light-guiding apparatus (28) of the lighting apparatus (22), with which rays of light (16, 17) emitted from the light source (14, 15) when the door (5) is in the closed state can be emitted in the depth direction (z) of the cooking appliance (1) to the front out of the door (5) and / or to the rear out of the door (5).

8. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lighting apparatus (13) is embodied to generate rays of light (16, 17) in a first colour of light and at least to generate rays of light (16, 17) in a second colour of light which is different from the first colour of light and / or is embodied to generate a constant light of the rays of light (16, 17) and / or a pulsed light of the rays of light (16, 17).

9. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that different operating functions of the cooking appliance (1) are optically displayed by way of the different colours of light and / or different values of operating parameters of at least one operating function of the cooking appliance (1) are optically displayed and / or different operating functions and / or different values of operating parameters of at least one operating function of the cooking appliance (1) are optically displayed depending on a pulse frequency of the rays of light (16, 17).

10. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (14, 15) is a light-emitting diode, in particular a multicolour light-emitting diode.