Cookware and installation procedures

Abstract

Cookware (1) comprising a cookware base (2), an attachment (3), and an electronic device (4) with a sensor device (5), wherein the cookware base (2) comprises a base (6) and a wall (7), and wherein a receiving volume (8) is defined by the base (6) and the wall (7). The attachment (3) is arranged on the outside (9) of the wall (7), and the electronic device (4) is arranged between a front face (10) of the attachment (3) and the wall (7). Furthermore, the sensor device is resiliently held between a rear face (11) of the attachment (3) and the outside (9) of the wall (7) by a preload element (12). In the method for installing such cookware (1), the attachment (3) is attached to the outside (9) of the wall (7), whereby the sensor device (5) is pressed against the outside (9) of the wall (7) by means of the pretensioning element (12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cookware unit comprising at least one cookware base, at least one attachment, and at least one electronic device with at least one sensor device. The cookware base comprises at least one bottom and at least one wall, wherein the bottom and the wall define at least one receiving volume. The attachment is arranged on the outside of the wall, with the electronic device being arranged at least partially between a front face of the attachment and the wall. The present invention also relates to a method for installing such a cookware unit.

[0002] Depending on its features, modern cookware can greatly assist a user in preparing food or even independently carry out cooking processes and / or at least control them temporarily.

[0003] For example, temperature sensors can be placed on the wall of a cookware unit; depending on the equipment, there may also be several sensors at different heights to measure the temperature or the temperature profile within the cookware unit.

[0004] With most cookware, the sensors are typically permanently attached to the cookware wall, often even welded in place. This ensures reliable and lasting contact.

[0005] A disadvantage of this design, however, is that maintenance and / or repair, for example in the event of a sensor defect, is very complex and sometimes even impossible. Furthermore, installation is complicated.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a so-called smart cookware which has no or fewer of the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0007] This problem is solved by a cookware unit having the features of claim 1 and by a method for installing a cookware unit having the features of claim 15. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments.

[0008] The cookware according to the invention comprises at least one cookware base, at least one attachment, and at least one electronic device with at least one sensor device, wherein the cookware base comprises at least one bottom and at least one wall, the bottom and the wall defining at least one receiving volume. The attachment is arranged on the outside of the wall, and the electronic device is arranged at least sectionally between a front face of the attachment and the wall of the cookware base. Furthermore, the sensor device is resiliently held between at least one rear face of the attachment and the outside of the wall by at least one preload element.

[0009] Preferably, the sensor device is pressed springily against the outside of the wall or preloaded.

[0010] A sensor device is specifically designed as a temperature sensor and / or includes at least one temperature sensor. The sensor device is specifically connected to the electronic device or is designed as part of it.

[0011] The fact that the sensor device is held resiliently between at least one rear side of the attachment and the outside of the wall means in particular that the sensor device is spatially arranged between the attachment and the wall.

[0012] The electronic device is in particular operative connection with the operating device, which may in particular be designed as a so-called control panel, which is preferably part of the attachment.

[0013] Preferably, the outside of the attachment is the front of the attachment, which faces a user. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the inside of the attachment is then the back.

[0014] The cookware according to the invention offers many advantages. A significant advantage is that the sensor devices, which are provided in so-called smart cookware, do not need to be welded to the outside of the wall or otherwise permanently attached to it, or even integrated into the wall, since the sensor devices can be easily and reliably pressed against the outside of the wall with sufficient force via the pre-tensioning element, thus ensuring adequate contact.

[0015] By using a pre-tensioning element for attachment to the outside of the wall or for contact with the wall, tolerances can be compensated for particularly well. The surface of the wall typically has a rounded shape, and the pre-tensioning element ensures reliable contact even on curved surfaces.

[0016] Since the sensor device is not permanently attached to the wall, maintenance and / or repair is also much easier.

[0017] Preferably, the attachment comprises at least one support element. One support element is specifically provided to secure the attachment to the wall. In particular, at least two support elements are provided to ensure secure and reliable attachment of the attachment to the cookware base. Preferably, the support element(s) are provided as separate parts that are not integrally connected to the attachment but are, or can be, encompassed by it.

[0018] It is particularly preferred that the attachment is screwed to the support element. This makes it especially possible to connect the support element to the wall of the cookware base and then screw the rest of the attachment to the support element.

[0019] In advantageous further developments, at least one fastening element for the support element is arranged on the outside of the wall. In particular, at least two fastening elements per support element are provided, which may be designed in a bolt-like manner. A fastening element is, in particular, glued, riveted, welded, clamped to, or screwed to the outside of the wall.

[0020] Preferably, the support element is suspended in the fastening element. It is particularly preferred that a preliminary fixing can be achieved by suspending the support element, which is then finalized, for example, by attaching the component to the support element.

[0021] The support element is preferably braced by screwing the attachment against the outside of the wall. This makes it possible, for example, for a screw used to attach the attachment to the support element to pass through the support element, thus pressing the support element against the fastening element and thereby bracing it.

[0022] In advantageous embodiments, the preloading element comprises at least one spring plate. The use of spring plates enables a simple and cost-effective preloaded attachment of sensor devices to the outer wall of the cookware body.

[0023] Preferably, the sensor device is pre-mounted on at least one pre-tensioning element. This prevents the sensor device from falling off during installation and eliminates the need to move or hold it in a predetermined position. The sensor device can be attached to the pre-tensioning element, in particular by gluing, welding, and / or other means.

[0024] Preferably, the preload element is mounted on the support element and / or on the attachment. This allows for a particularly strong connection between the preload element and the support element. Specifically, it can be welded, bonded, riveted, clamped, and / or screwed to the support element. Connecting the preload element to another part of the attachment, for example, to a base body or another housing part of the attachment, is also possible and preferred.

[0025] Preferably, the prestressing element is arranged between two support elements. It is particularly preferred that two support elements are connected to two prestressing elements in a frame-like manner, so that a relatively stable, pre-fixed support frame is provided for the attachment.

[0026] Preferably, several sensor devices are provided, which are held at different heights on the outside of the wall by at least one pretensioning element. This allows the smart cookware to offer a particularly wide range of functions, as temperature measurements, for example, can be taken at different heights or fill levels.

[0027] Preferably, the attachment is mounted on the outside of the wall, whereby the sensor device is pressed against the outside of the wall by means of the preloading element. This is particularly the case when the preloading element with the sensor device is attached to the attachment itself and only comes into contact with the outside of the cookware body wall when the attachment is mounted to the support element.

[0028] The method according to the invention serves to install a cookware as previously described. The attachment is mounted on an outer surface of the wall, whereby the sensor device is pressed against the outer surface of the wall by means of the preloading element.

[0029] The method according to the invention offers the same advantages as those previously described for the cookware according to the invention.

[0030] Preferably, the attachment is fastened to at least one support element, and in particular screwed to it, which is attached or will be attached to the outside of the wall. With such a design, the sensor device, for example, can then be pre-fixed or attached to the support element and thus brought into contact with the wall. Subsequently, the rest of the attachment can be installed.

[0031] Particularly preferably, the supporting element is received in or on at least one fastening element which is connected to the outside of the wall. Such a fastening element is in particular screwed, glued, clamped, clipped and / or otherwise connected to the wall and / or manufactured as a single piece with it.

[0032] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0033] The figures show: Fig. 1 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cookware according to the invention in a side view; Fig. 2 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cookware according to the invention in an exploded view; Fig. 3 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cookware according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 4 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cookware according to the invention in a perspective view; Fig. 5 a purely schematic representation of a further embodiment of a cookware according to the invention in two perspective views; Fig. 6 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cookware according to the invention in two perspective views; Fig. 7 a purely schematic representation of another embodiment of a cookware according to the invention in two perspective views; and Fig. 8 a purely schematic representation of another embodiment of a cookware according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 1 is a purely schematic side view of a cookware 1 according to the invention. The cookware 1 according to the invention comprises a cookware base 2, which includes a wall 7 and a base 6, which together define a receiving volume 8. Food can be prepared in this receiving volume 8.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, handles 18 are arranged on the outside 8 of the wall 7 to allow the cookware 1 to be gripped and moved securely.

[0036] Furthermore, the cookware according to the invention comprises an electronic device 4 and a sensor device 5, which are covered by or integrated into an attachment 3.

[0037] In Fig. 2 is the embodiment according to Fig. Figure 1 is shown in a purely schematic exploded view. Here, too, it can be seen that the cookware 1 comprises a cookware base 2, which includes a base 6 and a wall 7, which together define a receiving volume 8. Furthermore, it is shown that the attachment 3 comprises several housing parts 19, including, in particular, an external, visually appealing cover 20.

[0038] As detailed in the following figures, several fastening elements 14 are provided on the outer surface 9 of the wall 7, which serve to attach the add-on part 3. These fastening elements 14 are bolt-like and welded to the wall 7, or rather to the outer surface 9 of the wall 7 of the cookware base 2. Depending on the design, these fastening elements 14 can also be shaped differently and / or attached to the wall 7 differently.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a cookware 1 according to the invention in a purely schematic perspective view. Here, too, the fastening elements 14, which are attached to the outer surface 9 of the wall 7 of the cookware base body 2, can be seen.

[0040] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the attachment 3 comprises two support elements 13, which in the illustrated embodiment have openings by means of which the two support elements 13 are hooked into the fastening elements 14. By hooking the support elements 13 into the fastening elements 14, a certain pre-fixation of the support elements 13 of the attachment 3 to the cookware base body 2 is achieved.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 4 is a purely schematic representation showing that another part of the attachment 3 is mounted on the cookware base 2. Here, a housing part 19 is screwed to the fastening element 14 at four points using screws 21.

[0042] The openings in the support elements 13 are designed as through-holes, so that when attaching the housing part 19 of the attachment part 3, the screws 21 are passed through the respective support element 13, thus clamping the support element against the fastening elements 14 when the attachment part 3 is screwed on. This ensures reliable fixation.

[0043] The electronic device 4 here comprises a sensor device 5 which, according to the invention, is resiliently held between the rear side 11 of the attachment 3 and the outer side 9 of the wall 7 by means of at least one preload element 12.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that two prestressing elements 12 designed as spring plates 15 are connected to two support elements 13 in such a way that a frame-like structure 17 is created, which serves to fasten the further components of the attachment part 3 and in particular the housing parts 19.

[0045] This includes in Fig. Figure 5 on the left shows a perspective view of the cookware base 2 with a frame-like structure 17 attached to it. The frame-like structure 17 is shown in the right-hand illustration in a perspective view together with the other housing parts 19.

[0046] In Fig. 6 is the embodiment according to Fig. 5 shown again, showing further components of the electronic device 4 and the sensor device 5.

[0047] The figure shows that the sensor assembly 5, or in this case, temperature sensors 22, are firmly connected to the preload elements 12, or spring plates 15. For this purpose, the sensors 22 are welded to the spring plates 15. Depending on the design, however, they can also be glued, clipped, or otherwise connected.

[0048] By attaching the sensor assembly 5 or sensors 22 together with the support elements 13 or the frame-like structure 17, a reliable connection of the sensor assemblies 5 to the outer surface 9 of the wall 7 can be achieved. Due to the preload or the spring-like pressure of the sensors 22 against the outer surface 9 of the wall 7, reliable contact is possible despite the curved wall 7. Furthermore, in the event of necessary maintenance or a defect, easy replacement is possible because the sensor assembly 5 is not permanently attached or welded to the wall.

[0049] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of a cookware 1 according to the invention in a purely schematic way in two views, the basic structure corresponding to the embodiment shown previously.

[0050] In contrast to the previously shown embodiments, here the sensor devices 5 are arranged separately from the support elements 13 on the outside 9 of the wall 7 by means of prestressing elements 12 or spring plates 15.

[0051] Fastening elements 16 are provided for this purpose, by means of which the spring plates 15 with the sensor devices mounted on them are attached to the wall 7. This also allows for reliable fixing of the sensor device 5 or the sensors 22 to the outer surface 9 of the wall 7, which is also reversible for maintenance or repair purposes. The remaining attachment 3 is then connected to the support elements 13 by screws or other means, as in the previously shown embodiment.

[0052] In Fig. Figure 8 shows another embodiment, in which only the attachment part 3 is shown in a perspective view of the rear side 11. It is shown here that the preload elements 13, or, depending on the configuration, spring plates 15, can be attached not only to a support element 13 or directly to the wall 7, but also to other parts of the attachment part 3 and, in particular, to the rear side 11 of a housing part 19.

[0053] The sensor devices 5, or in this case temperature sensors 22, which are pre-assembled in this way, can come into spring-loaded contact with the wall 7 immediately when the attachment part 3 or the housing part 19 is attached to the support elements 13. Reference symbol list 1 cookware 2 Cookware bases 3 Attachment part 4 Electronic equipment 5 Sensor setup 6 Floor 7 wall 8 recording volume 9 Outside 10 Front 11 Back 12 Preload element 13 Supporting element 14 Fastening element 15 spring steel 16 Fastening element 17 frame-like structures 18 handle 19 Housing part 20 aperture 21 screw 22 Temperature sensor

Claims

[1] cookware (1) comprising at least one cookware base body (2), at least one attachment (3) and at least one electronic device (4) with at least one sensor device (5), wherein the cookware body (2) comprises at least a base (6) and at least one wall (7) and wherein at least one receiving volume (8) is defined by the base (6) and the wall (7), wherein the attachment (3) is arranged on the outside (9) of the wall (7) and wherein the electronic device (4) is arranged at least sectionally between a front (10) of the attachment (3) and the wall (7), characterized by , that the sensor device is resiliently held between at least one rear side (11) of the attachment part (3) and the outer side (9) of the wall (7) by at least one preloading element (12). [2] Cookware (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the attachment (3) includes at least one support element (13). [3] Cookware (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the attachment (3) is screwed to the support element (13). [4] Cookware (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one fastening element (14) for the support element (13) is arranged on the outside (9) of the wall (7). [5] Cookware (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the fastening element (14) is welded, glued, manufactured in one piece and / or otherwise connected to the outside (9) of the wall (7). [6] Cookware (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by , that the support element (13) is hooked into the fastening element (14). [7] Cookware (1) according to any one of the three preceding claims, characterized by, that the supporting element (13) is clamped against the outside (9) of the wall (7) by screwing on the attachment part (3). [8] Cookware (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the preload element includes at least one spring plate. [9] Cookware (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor device (5) is pre-assembled on the pre-tensioning element (12). [10] Cookware (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the prestressing element is attached to the support element and / or the attachment. [11] Cookware (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the prestressing element is arranged between two load-bearing elements. [12] Cookware (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that two load-bearing elements (13) with two prestressing elements (12) form a frame-like structure (17). [13] Cookware (1) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the prestressing element is attached to the outside (9) of the wall (7) by means of fastening elements (16). [14] Cookware (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several sensor devices (5) are provided which are held at different heights by at least one prestressing element (12) on the outside (9) of the wall (7). [15] Method for installing a cookware (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the attachment (3) is attached to the outside (9) of the wall (7), whereby the sensor device (5) is pressed against the outside (9) of the wall (7) by means of the pretensioning element (12). [16] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the attachment (3) is screwed to at least one support element (13) which is attached to the outside (9) of the wall (7). [17] Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that the supporting element (13) is received on at least one fastening element (14) which is connected to the outside (9) of the wall (7).

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