Method for carrying out a cooking process with a steam cooking appliance

Abstract

Method for carrying out a cooking process with a cooking appliance, in particular a steam cooking appliance, in which the following steps are carried out after the introduction of a foodstuff to be prepared: a) Selecting a cooking program on the cooking appliance; b) Before starting the cooking program, automatically check whether there is a sufficient amount of water in a water container (6) of the cooking appliance to generate steam for carrying out the selected cooking program; c) Generating a signal characterizing the refilling of the water container (6) if an insufficient amount of water is detected, characterized in that the required refilling of water is visually indicated on a display by at least one indicator word, wherein, before starting the selected cooking program, it is checked whether the water container (6) is properly inserted, and wherein, if the water container (6) has been removed, the at least one indicator word on the display indicates that the water container (6) should be inserted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for carrying out a cooking process with a cooking appliance, in particular a steam cooking appliance, in which a cooking program is selected on the cooking appliance, an automatic check is carried out before the cooking program is started to determine whether there is a sufficient quantity of water in a water container of the cooking appliance to generate steam for carrying out the selected cooking program, and if there is an insufficient quantity of water, a signal is generated indicating the need for refilling.

[0002] From WO 03 / 105536 A1, a microwave oven is known in which food can be prepared by means of a cooking process using steam generation. When a cooking process is started, the oven checks whether there is a sufficient amount of water in its water reservoir for steam generation. If not, the cooking process is aborted. This is indicated by a warning light and on a display. Furthermore, the oven can also determine whether the amount of water in the reservoir needs to be replaced, for example, for hygienic reasons. The display of simple signals could lead to misinterpretations of the situation by a user.

[0003] DE 199 60 743 A1 describes a household appliance for pressureless steam cooking with a water reservoir located to the side of the cooking chamber, which contains a steam generator. The reservoir has a fill level indicator positioned so that it is visible on the front of the appliance even when the reservoir is inserted.

[0004] DE 103 57 779 A1 describes a cooking appliance with a cleaning system which includes a first liquid tank for cleaning liquid and a second liquid tank for rinsing liquid.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a method by which a missing amount of water for carrying out a cooking process can be reliably detected and misjudgment by a user in this regard can be prevented.

[0006] This problem is solved by a method which has the features according to claim 1.

[0007] In a method according to the invention for carrying out a cooking process with a cooking appliance, in particular a steam cooker, a suitable cooking program is selected after the food to be prepared has been placed in the appliance. Preferably, this selection can be made via one or more control elements of the cooking appliance. Before the cooking program is started, an automatic check of the amount of water present in a water container is carried out. This check determines whether the amount of water present in the water container is sufficient for the selected cooking program and thus enables sufficient steam generation. If this check reveals that there is an insufficient amount of water in the water container, a message is displayed on the cooking appliance indicating that water needs to be added to the water container.This is achieved by displaying at least one warning word on the cooking appliance's screen. This prevents misinterpretations of warnings and cooking processes with insufficient water, resulting in poor cooking outcomes. In particular, the immediate display of words clearly, quickly, and unmistakably informs the user that the cooking process should not start and that more water needs to be added.

[0008] In addition to checking whether the amount of water in the water container is sufficient to run the selected cooking program, the system also verifies whether the water container is inserted at all and, if so, correctly. This can be done automatically, particularly through electronic or optical monitoring.

[0009] When the water tank is removed, at least one message will appear on the display indicating that the water tank should be inserted.

[0010] The selected cooking program is preferably only started once the missing amount of water has been added. The cooking program can then start automatically once this amount of water has been added.

[0011] A need to refill the water is preferably indicated by an additional acoustic signal. This further improves the warning function.

[0012] At least one indicator word can be displayed statically, at least temporarily. It can also be configured that at least one indicator word is displayed dynamically, at least temporarily. For example, a flashing display or a scrolling text can be used. This can increase the signaling effect. Single words such as "water replenishment" or "refill" can be displayed. Likewise, multiple words, such as "refill water" or "fill water container," can be displayed. This can improve clarity and unambiguity.

[0013] Preferably, the water level in the water tank is checked during the cooking program, and the cooking process is interrupted if an insufficient amount of water is detected. Even after the initial confirmation that a sufficient amount of water is present or has been added, and the cooking process has been started, and even if an unexpectedly large amount of water is consumed during steam generation, reliable monitoring can still be ensured during the cooking process to guarantee that a sufficient amount of water is always available for steam generation. Here, too, appropriate warning messages can be displayed, and preferably an audible signal can also be generated.

[0014] Preferably, the amount of water is determined via the water level in the water container. This is achieved by using fixed switches, particularly reed switches, to indicate the respective water levels. Metallic and / or magnetic floats in the water trigger the switches when the water level drops to the level of the switches. This design provides a relatively simple, low-maintenance, yet highly reliable way to monitor the water levels and thus the respective amounts of water. Furthermore, this design ensures a relatively low-wear and low-error-prone operation. The reliable determination of the water quantities required for the individual cooking programs can therefore be carried out very quickly and accurately.

[0015] Preferably, the system can be configured to indicate, after a predefined period of time, that the water in the water tank needs to be changed. This prevents water that has been in the tank for a long time, has not evaporated, and may already be contaminated, from being replaced, thus preventing it from negatively impacting a subsequent cooking process.

[0016] Preferably, this time period comprises at least the duration of a complete cooking process, and in particular, approximately one day. It may also be provided that, after this time period has elapsed, a clear indication is given, in particular by visual signals, especially by indicator words such as "Empty water container" or "Clean water container".

[0017] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A cooking appliance in a perspective view; Fig. 2 a perspective view of an initial water level in a water container of the cooking appliance according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a second water level in the water tank; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a third water level in the water tank; and Fig. 5 A schematic representation of a water container of the cooking appliance removed from an installation position, with a water level as shown in Fig. 4.

[0018] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference symbols.

[0019] A cooking chamber 2 is arranged in the housing 1 of a cooking appliance designed for preparing food by generating steam. The cooking chamber 2 is accessible via an opening 3. The opening 3 of the cooking chamber 2 is generally closed by a door, which is located in Fig. 1 is not shown. Next to the opening 3, on the front 4 of the cooking appliance, there is a handle 5 on a water reservoir 6. The water reservoir 6 can be removed from the appliance housing 1 using this handle 5, in particular pulled out, in order to be filled with water after removing a lid 7. When inserted and thus in its installed position in the cooking appliance, water from the water reservoir 6 can flow via a connecting line 8 into an evaporation basin 9, which is freely arranged in the cooking chamber 2. The connecting line 8 can also consist of several sections.

[0020] The evaporation basin 9 is arranged on a floor surface 10 in the cooking chamber 2. A heating element 11 is arranged below the evaporation basin, by means of which the water in the evaporation basin 9 can be heated and evaporated.

[0021] In the exemplary embodiment, a check valve 12 is arranged at the outlet of the water tank 6. Furthermore, a shut-off valve 13 is arranged in the connecting line 8 between the water tank 6 and the evaporation basin 9. The water supply from the water tank 6 to the evaporation basin 9 is in the Fig. The version shown in section 6 is merely an example.

[0022] Using controls not shown, a specific cooking program can be selected after placing food into cooking chamber 2. After selecting this cooking program and before starting it, a corresponding device in the cooking appliance automatically checks whether there is a sufficient amount of water in the water tank 6 to generate the required steam for the selected cooking program.

[0023] According to the presentation in Fig. Figure 2, which shows a schematic sectional view of the water tank 6 in its installed final position in the cooking appliance 2, contains magnetic floats 14 and 15 in the water tank 6. Outside the water tank 6, for example on a wall of the appliance housing 1, reed switches 16 and 17 are mounted at fixed positions. The first reed switch 16 is positioned at a height corresponding to a minimum water level 18. As shown in the illustration in Fig. As can be seen in figure 2, the amount of water in the water container 6 is significantly higher than the minimum water level of 18.

[0024] Starting from the representation in Fig. 2. If, after selecting the cooking program and before starting the cooking process, a displayed amount of water is determined by the correspondingly displayed water level, the cooking program will then be started automatically.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the water level in the water tank 6, which is below the minimum water level 18. It can also be seen that the magnetic float 14 comes to rest at the level of the minimum water level 18 and, in this position, as soon as the water level in the water tank 6 reaches the minimum water level 18, switches the reed switch 16. The signal generated by this is transmitted to a control unit (not shown), which then detects that the minimum water level 18 has been undershot.

[0026] Does the water tank 6 have a fill level as shown in the illustration? Fig. 3. After selecting a cooking program, and if the selected cooking program requires a water level corresponding to the minimum water level 18, a message will appear on the cooking appliance's display (not shown) indicating that the water tank 6 needs to be refilled. This is indicated by the display showing message words such as "Refill water tank". Only when the water tank 6 is sufficiently filled will the cooking program start automatically and the cooking process begin.

[0027] Similarly, this applies to the representation of a water level in water tank 6 according to Fig. 4. In this scenario, the water level has reached a level corresponding to a non-usable residual amount in the water container 6. This is indicated by the magnetic float 15 being at the level of the lower second reed switch 17, which then activates this switch. The resulting signal is evaluated by the control unit to recognize that this level of non-usable residual amount in the water container 6 has been reached. Even at this water level and with the remaining amount of water in the water container 6, the cooking program cannot be started, and a visual message is again displayed on the cooking appliance's screen.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a situation in which the water level corresponds to the representation in Fig.4 is formed and the water container 6 has been removed or taken out of its final insertion position. In this state, proper operation is also not possible and the selected cooking program will not start. Here, too, a visual indication in the form of warning words appears on the display. For example, it may indicate that the water container should be inserted and that a sufficient amount of water must be added.

Claims

[1] Method for carrying out a cooking process with a cooking appliance, in particular a steam cooking appliance, in which the following steps are carried out after the introduction of a food to be prepared: a) Selecting a cooking program on the cooking appliance; b) Before starting the cooking program, automatically check whether there is a sufficient amount of water in a water container (6) of the cooking appliance to generate steam for carrying out the selected cooking program; c) Generating a signal characterizing the refilling of the water tank (6) if an insufficient amount of water is detected, characterized by, that the required refilling of water is visually indicated on a display by at least one indicator word, wherein before starting the selected cooking program it is checked whether the water container (6) is properly inserted, and wherein, if the water container (6) has been removed, at least one indicator word is displayed on the screen indicating that the water container (6) should be inserted. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the selected cooking program will only start, especially automatically, once the missing amount of water has been added. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that a required refill is indicated by an additional acoustic signal. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one clue word is displayed statically. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that at least one indicator word is displayed dynamically, in particular flashing and / or as a scrolling text. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that during the started cooking program the amount of water in the water container (6) is checked and the cooking process is interrupted if an insufficient amount of water is detected. [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the amount of water is determined via water levels by marking the water levels by means of fixedly positioned switches, in particular reed switches (16, 17), and magnetic floats (14, 15) located in the water trigger the switches when the water levels have dropped to the level of the switches (16, 17). [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that after a predefinable period of time, it is indicated that the water in the water tank (6) should be changed. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that the duration includes at least one complete cooking process, in particular one day.

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