Cooking device

Abstract

A cooking device according to the invention comprises: - a potting set, - a lid device for closing the pot device, - a hinge device that pivotably connects the lid device to the pot device, and - a detection device for detecting an open state of the lid device, wherein the detection device is arranged in the area of ​​the hinge device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooking device for preparing food.

[0002] In commercial kitchens, food is primarily prepared in large-capacity containers. These containers are called pots or pans.

[0003] Depending on the cooking method, a different type of cooking container is preferred.

[0004] When frying, a cooking container with a relatively shallow shape is used to create a relatively large opening in relation to the volume of the container. This larger opening allows liquid to evaporate more quickly than in a cooking container of the same volume. Cooking containers of this shape are defined as frying pans. The rapid reduction of liquid is particularly advantageous when frying, as this process is characterized by cooking with relatively high, dry heat.

[0005] Unlike a frying pan, a saucepan has a smaller opening relative to its volume. This allows liquid to remain in the saucepan for longer. Therefore, a saucepan is used when cooking in hot water at approximately 100°C.

[0006] In other cooking methods, such as braising, steaming, or a hybrid technique, a lid is placed on the pot or pan to reduce the reduction of liquid despite heating. This allows more liquid to remain in the food.

[0007] Steam cooking involves filling a cooking chamber with steam and placing the food inside. To create this cooking chamber, water is brought to a boil so that steam spreads across the surface of the boiling water. A lid is used to keep the steam inside the cooking chamber.

[0008] Braising is a combined cooking method in which the food is first seared and then cooked further in simmering liquid. For this, the food is seared over dry heat without a lid and then covered with liquid, which is kept in the pot.

[0009] Different cooking methods are used depending on the type of food. The position or degree to which the lid is open plays a role in this.

[0010] Due to their size and weight, lids for containers in commercial kitchens are often difficult to place on pots or pans by hand. Therefore, the lids are usually hinged at the edge of the container opening.

[0011] To enable different opening states of the lid and / or to assist an operator in changing the opening state of the lid, special lid swivel joints have been developed.

[0012] Document DE 10 2017 210 842 B3 describes a lid pivot joint for a kitchen utensil for changing the lid's opening position. A central piece, connected to the lid, is mounted between two bearing blocks. A stationary cam element is connected to one of the bearing blocks. A second cam element is fixedly connected to the central piece. The two cam elements interlock in such a way that their tracks are in sliding engagement, and the maximum adjustment angle of the lid is defined by the stop of the cam elements.

[0013] Swivel joints for holding or adjusting the lid opening of cooking containers in commercial kitchens are therefore known.

[0014] Depending on the recipe, it's necessary to maintain or adjust a specific lid opening on the cooking container. Since several of these cooking containers are often used simultaneously in commercial kitchens, it's essential to keep track of the lid opening positions. For example, some dishes require the lid to be open for 2-3 minutes for searing and then closed for 1-2 hours for braising or thorough cooking.

[0015] The object of the invention is to provide a device by which, on the one hand, the lid of a large kitchen cooking container can be placed in different states and, on the other hand, the lid opening above the cooking device can be determined.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention aims to determine the lid opening reliably and with minimal maintenance.

[0017] A cooking device according to the invention comprises: - a potting set, - a lid device for closing the pot device, - a hinge device that pivotably connects the lid device to the pot device, and - a detection device for detecting an open state of the lid device, wherein the detection device is arranged in the area of ​​the hinge device.

[0018] The potting unit can be designed either as a pot or cooking pot, or as a pan.

[0019] The lid device for closing the pot device is designed in such a way that the opening of the pot device can be completely or partially closed.

[0020] The hinge mechanism allows the lid to pivot and be connected to the pot. This eliminates the need to manually place the lid onto the pot, which, due to its size and weight, would require considerable effort from the operator. This also means that no separate storage space is required for the lid when it is open.

[0021] Furthermore, the pivoting connection between the lid and the pot allows for quick changes in the opening position. The lid only needs to be moved around a pivot axis. Therefore, the hinge mechanism makes opening and closing the lid simple.

[0022] Furthermore, the hinge mechanism ensures that the lid is correctly positioned on the pot when closed. This guarantees a properly sealed position of the lid on the pot when closed.

[0023] The detection device for monitoring the open / closed status of the lid mechanism is particularly advantageous when several cooking appliances are located in a commercial kitchen. This allows monitoring of which appliances have which lid open / closed status.

[0024] The arrangement of the detection device in the area of ​​the hinge device offers the advantage that the movements in the hinge device can be read out.

[0025] The pot assembly can have a housing. The detection device is located in the hinge assembly and / or in the housing.

[0026] Unlike a detection device mounted on the edge of the pot or lid as a pin element or optoelectronic sensor, this arrangement protects the detection device from external influences. During cooking or cleaning, the detection device does not come into contact with food residue or cleaning agents. This increases the lifespan and reliability of the detection device.

[0027] For example, it is possible that a rotary potentiometer is arranged in the hinge device and records the rotary movement of the hinge device, or that the movement of the hinge device is transmitted to a sensor inside the housing.

[0028] The detection device can include a encoder element for translating a swivel movement into a linear movement and a sensor for recording the linear movement.

[0029] In this context, the translation of a pivoting movement into a linear movement proves to be particularly advantageous, since no angular quantity needs to be determined, but rather a linear change in path represents the position of the cover device.

[0030] The encoder element can be arranged in the hinge assembly and project into the housing. The encoder element can be designed to interact with the sensor, and the sensor can be sealed within the housing.

[0031] This offers the advantage that the sensor is protected from external influences by the housing. This increases the sensor's longevity and reliability.

[0032] With this arrangement, the transmitter element and the sensor are connected only by a physical, mechanical contact. There is therefore no electrical contact between the hinge mechanism and the sensor. This allows the hinge mechanism and sensor to be replaced independently, which increases the ease of maintenance of the cooking appliance.

[0033] This design also makes it possible to seal the sensor to protect it from heat. Furthermore, the seal prevents moisture from reaching the sensor's electronics.

[0034] The hinge assembly can include a preload element comprising a preloaded spring assembly, a stationary part, and a movable part. The circular surfaces of the movable and stationary parts can be engaged or disengaged by a rotational movement of the hinge assembly. This allows the spring assembly to be preloaded and / or released accordingly.

[0035] In this way, the hinge mechanism is able to hold the lid mechanism in a desired open position by spring force alone.

[0036] The design, with its movable and stationary parts forming circular surfaces, allows for various opening angles. Depending on the required lid opening, the lid mechanism can be adjusted to the desired angle.

[0037] Furthermore, a spring force adjustment device may be provided. This comprises a plate-shaped element that can be arranged on the side of the spring assembly opposite the preload element, between the spring assembly and the hinge housing, and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the spring assembly by means of an adjusting screw.

[0038] In this way, the lid weight (torque) of the pivot joint can be precisely adjusted by axially displacing the plate-shaped element using the adjusting screw. This allows for stepless adjustment of the spring force and, consequently, the torque of the pivoting mechanism. This is advantageous because lids of varying sizes and weights can be used. The adjustment range of the hinge mechanism can thus be set over a wide torque range by varying the number of springs (e.g., a maximum of three) and the adjusting screw.

[0039] The encoder element can be rigidly connected to the moving part of the spring device in order to convert the torque into a displacement of the moving part and thus into a displacement of the encoder element in the axial direction when the cover device pivots.

[0040] By converting the pivoting movement into a displacement of the moving part, a linear movement of the sensor element can be detected.

[0041] Detecting the path offers the advantage over detecting a pivoting or rotary movement with a rotary potentiometer that the abrasion caused by the service life in a rotary potentiometer has no influence on the measured quantity.

[0042] The encoder element can deflect a measuring sensor through axial displacements, so that the deflection of the measurement error can be detected by a linear sensor.

[0043] In this way, there is only mechanical contact between the encoder element, which is permanently attached to the hinge assembly, and the sensor. This increases the ease of maintenance of the arrangement, as the hinge assembly and sensor can be replaced independently of each other. Furthermore, no electrical interference can be transmitted from the hinge element to the sensor, which could impair the detection.

[0044] The linear sensor may include a potentiometer, an ammeter and / or an electrical switch to detect a change in voltage and / or current at an evaluation unit.

[0045] In this particular arrangement, an electrical switch proves especially advantageous, as the sensor can simultaneously serve as the switching lever. In one embodiment, the switching lever can be designed as a roller lever. This results in a more even force distribution and increases the service life of both the switching lever and the entire electrical switch.

[0046] However, it is also possible that a potentiometer and / or an ammeter is connected to the measuring sensor and that the voltage or current at the sensor can be changed by appropriate deflection of the measuring sensor.

[0047] The opening state can be a closed or an open state of the lid device and / or the opening state can be determined by the detection device as any opening range or opening angle of the lid device.

[0048] With this cooking device, it is therefore possible to determine whether the lid assembly is open or closed when seated on the pot assembly. Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether the open state can be detected as the opening range or opening angle of the lid assembly relative to the pot assembly.

[0049] Any desired opening range can be defined, for example, by the lid being a quarter, half, three-quarters, or fully open relative to the pot, with the differences between a quarter, half, three-quarters, and fully being set as increments. It is also possible, for instance, to define one opening range for braising and another for boiling. A display can indicate when this opening range has been reached.

[0050] The opening angle of the lid relative to the pot is determined in degrees. For example, an opening angle of 10° to 110° is possible. Depending on the hinge design, however, it is also possible to set opening angles of 5°–90° or 10°–95°. The opening angle can be adjusted either in increments of 5°, 10°, or 20°, or continuously. It is conceivable that the opening angle could be displayed as a degree value by a display device located near the cooking appliance.

[0051] The opening state of the lid device can be adjusted by an actuator device.

[0052] The actuator can be located either in the area of ​​the hinge mechanism or the lid mechanism. This allows the actuator to act on the hinge and / or lid mechanism.

[0053] The evaluation unit can be connected to a control unit to control the opening state via a feedback loop using the actuator unit, water supply and / or heating temperature in such a way that the preparation process within the cooking device can be controlled.

[0054] In this way, recipes that require different cooking methods in a specific order can be implemented in an automated program. Food preparation can thus be automated, which makes the work easier for staff in a commercial kitchen.

[0055] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the figures. These show in Fig. 1 a perspective view of a cooking device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a hinge device and detection device according to the invention, Fig. 3 a cross-section along a longitudinal side of a hinge device and detection device according to the invention, and Fig. 4 A perspective view of a hinge assembly with preload element and spring assembly.

[0056] According to the invention, a cooking device 1 is provided for the preparation of food in commercial kitchens.

[0057] According to the present embodiment, the cooking device 1 comprises a pot device 2, a lid device 3, a hinge device 4 and a detection device 5.

[0058] The pot assembly 2 is a frying pan or a saucepan. Compared to the saucepan, the frying pan has a larger opening relative to its volume. The pot assembly 2 can have either an approximately round or an approximately rectangular cross-section. A volume is extended from a bottom 7 to a top 8 in the axial direction 6 by the pot assembly 2. A pot opening 9 is arranged on the top 8 of the pot assembly 2. The pot assembly 2 is enclosed in a housing 10, which exceeds the volume of the pot assembly 2. The housing 10 and the pot assembly 2 are made of an easily cleanable material, for example, stainless steel, brass, or ceramic. Fig. 1).

[0059] According to the present embodiment, a fixed water connection 11 and a display device 12 are attached to the housing 10. Inside the housing 10 are heating elements which serve to heat the pot device 2 ( Fig. 1).

[0060] The hinge device 4 is also located in the area of ​​the top 8 of the housing 10.

[0061] The hinge assembly 4 is designed to connect the housing 10 and the lid assembly 3. The lid assembly 3 is moved on the hinge assembly 4 on the housing 10. This opens or closes the pot assembly 2 with the lid assembly 3. The hinge assembly 4 thus performs a rotary movement, which results in an opening and closing movement or a pivoting movement of the lid assembly 3.

[0062] The housing 10 and the hinge assembly 4 are screwed together by means of a screw connection at screw points 13 in the area of ​​the hinge assembly 4, which points towards the housing 10.

[0063] The lid assembly 3 is attached along a longitudinal axis 14 at two opposite ends of the hinge assembly 4. The longitudinal axis 14 runs parallel to the top of the pot assembly 2.

[0064] Fig. Figure 2 shows that the hinge assembly 4 is surrounded by a hinge cover 15. In this way, a preload element 16 and a spring assembly 17, as well as the detection device 5, are protected from external influences by the hinge cover 15.

[0065] The cover assembly 3 and the hinge assembly 4 are connected to each other by a screw connection at the mounting points 18. Furthermore, the cover assembly 3 and the hinge assembly 4 are connected to the housing 10 at the mounting points.

[0066] In order for the lid assembly 3 to be held in an open position by the hinge assembly 4, the preload element 16 must exert a holding force. This holding force is generated by the spring assembly 17 in conjunction with the preload element 16. For this purpose, the hinge assembly 4 comprises a movable part 19 and a stationary part 20. The mechanism described below is already known from document DE 10 2017 210 842 B3.

[0067] The two parts 19, 20 each have mutually directed curved elements 21, 22, which are shaped to correspond with each other so that they can interlock or be moved apart. The first curved element 21 on the movable part 19 has a circular surface 23. Correspondingly, a second curved element 22 on the stationary part 20 has a second circular surface 24. The circular surfaces 23 and 24 engage in a sliding manner. Furthermore, a stop is formed on the curved elements 21 and 22, which limits the rotational movement of the curved elements 21 and 22 relative to each other.

[0068] In the following, an opening-closing movement corresponds to the pivoting movement of the lid mechanism. The linear opening-closing movement of the lid mechanism 3 is converted into a rotary movement of the stationary part 20 at the attachment point 18a. The movement of the stationary part 20 can be transmitted from the first cam element 21 to the second cam element 22. In an opening movement of the lid mechanism 3, the first cam element 21 pushes the second cam element 22 away from itself in the area of ​​the circular surfaces 23 and 24, so that the force of the rotary movement compresses a coil spring 25 against the spring force.

[0069] The coil spring 25 comprises at least one or more springs or coil springs that interlock or are arranged one inside the other. The coil spring 25 is arranged between the second attachment point 18b and the second curved element 22 along the longitudinal axis 14.

[0070] The upward movement generates the force required for this action via the cam elements 21 and 22, so that this force can be stored in the compressed coil spring 25. The coil spring 25 is held in the compressed position because the circular surfaces 23 and 24 have sufficient frictional contact with each other.

[0071] During a closing movement, the curve elements 21 and 22 interlock in such a way that the spiral spring 25 can relax.

[0072] An adjustment device can be arranged in the hinge housing 15 to determine the angle of rotation between the cover device and the housing.

[0073] Furthermore, a spring force adjustment device (not shown) may be provided. This comprises a plate-shaped element that is arranged on the side of the spring assembly 17 opposite the preload element 16, between the spring assembly and the hinge housing 15, and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the spring assembly by means of an adjusting screw (not shown).

[0074] The spring force adjustment device allows the preload of the spring assembly to be continuously adjusted in order to adapt it to different lids.

[0075] A sensor element 26 of the detection device 5 has the function of converting the resulting torque into a displacement of the movable part 19 when the cover device 3 pivots. Parallel to the displacement of the movable part 19, the sensor element 26 moves within a linear measuring range 27 that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 14. For this purpose, the sensor element 26 is rigidly connected to the first cam element 21. The sensor element 26 is arranged parallel to the axial direction 6 in the direction of the underside 7 of the housing 10.

[0076] For a fixed connection to the curve element 21, the encoder element 26 has a screw connection 28. The encoder element 26 comprises a first spacer element 29 and a second spacer element 30, between which a separating element 31 is arranged. The separating element 31 extends radially in an approximately circular shape to the screw connection 28, parallel to the longitudinal axis 14, and forms a barrier between the hinge assembly 4 and the housing 10, so that no food residues, cleaning agents, liquids, etc., can penetrate into the housing 10.

[0077] The encoder element 26 deflects a measuring probe 32 by displacing the movable part 19, so that the deflection of the measuring probe 32 can be detected by a linear sensor 33 in the measuring range 27. The measuring probe 32 is made of a flexible material, such as a thin metal plate, to follow the movement of the encoder element 26. The measuring probe 32 extends along the longitudinal axis 14 along the path of movement of the encoder element 26. The encoder element 26 slides along the measuring probe. To ensure that the measuring probe 32 is always in contact with the encoder element 26, a reinforcement in the form of an approximately cylindrical body is attached to one end of the measuring probe 32 in the case of maximum deflection, i.e., when the spring mechanism 17 is relaxed and the encoder element 26 assumes the position closest to the stationary part 20.

[0078] The other end of the measuring probe 32 is inserted into the housing 34 of the linear sensor 33.

[0079] The linear sensor 33 can detect a change in voltage and / or current at an evaluation unit. For this purpose, the linear sensor 33 is designed as a potentiometer, ammeter and / or electrical switch.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the linear sensor 33 is designed as an electrical switch, specifically as a microswitch. A roller lever 32 is integrated into the microswitch as a measuring sensor. The microswitch has two electrical contacts 35, via which the switching state can be read.

[0081] The roller lever 32 can be deflected by even a slight change in the position of the encoder element 26. From a certain position of the encoder element 26 during the pivoting movement, an activation point is reached, which either interrupts or enables the flow of current. In the reverse case of the pivoting movement, an deactivation point is present at a different position of the encoder element 26 to prevent the switch from chattering.

[0082] With a simple microswitch 33, an opening state can be either closed or open of the cover device 3. For example, a deflection above the switch-on point is interpreted as a closed state of the cover device 3, and a deflection above the switch-off point as an open state. In the intermediate range, no opening state can be determined.

[0083] It is also possible for the opening state, an arbitrary opening range, or an opening angle of the lid mechanism to be determined by the detection device. For this to be possible, the linear sensor 33 must be able to detect multiple stages of current and / or voltage changes, or continuously. For continuous detection, an analog potentiometer would be conceivable, for example. In the case of stage detection, a digital circuit with an analog-to-digital converter could be used.

[0084] The voltage and / or current change can be determined by an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit translates the determined current or voltage value into an opening state. The evaluation unit is connected to a display unit 12, on which the opening state can be shown. Optionally, the evaluation unit or another control unit can also indicate how long the current opening state has lasted or when it needs to be changed. The display unit 12 can also include a signaling device that can generate visual or auditory stimuli. For example, an LED lamp can start flashing or a sound can be emitted through a loudspeaker when the opening state needs to be changed.

[0085] Furthermore, the evaluation unit is connected to an actuator unit. The actuator unit allows the opening state of the cover unit 3 to be changed. The actuator unit can, for example, consist of a rod-shaped element and a motor. One end of the rod-shaped element is fixed to the edge of the cover unit 3. The motor can change the position of the rod-shaped element along its longitudinal axis, so that the cover unit 3 can be opened and closed.

[0086] Optionally, the evaluation unit and actuator unit can also be connected to a control unit that interacts with the evaluation unit, the water supply, the heating elements, and other sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors. This allows for optimal cooking through active control of the heating elements, the lid opening, and the water supply. Reference symbol list 1 cooking device 2 pot setup 3. Lid mechanism 4 hinge mechanism 5 Detection device 6 Axial direction 7 Underside 8 Top 9 pot opening 10 cases 11 Fixed water connection 12 Display device 13 screw points 14 Longitudinal axis 15 hinge cover 16 Preload element 17 Spring assembly 18 attachment points 19 moving part 20 stationary part 21 first curve element 22 second curve element 23 first circular area 24 second circular area 25 spiral springs 26 Sensor element 27 Axial direction / Closing direction 28 screw connection 29 first spacer element 30 second spacer element 31 Separation element 32 sensors 33 Linear sensor 34 Housing (Linear Sensor) 35 electrical contacts QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2017 210 842 B3 [0012, 0066]

Claims

[1] Cooking device (1) comprising -a potting set (2), -a lid device (3) for closing the pot device (2),(3) (3) -a hinge device (4) which pivotably connects the lid device (3) to the pot device (2) and - a detection device (5) for detecting an open state of the lid device, and wherein the (4) detection device (5) (3) is arranged in the area of ​​the hinge device (4). [2] Cooking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the pot assembly (2) has a housing (10) and wherein the detection device (5) is arranged in the hinge assembly (4) and / or in the housing (10). (4) [3] Cooking device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the detection device (5) has a encoder element (26) for translating a pivoting movement into a linear movement and a sensor for recording the linear movement. [4] Cooking device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the encoder element (26) is arranged in the hinge device (4) and projects into the housing (10), wherein the encoder element (26) is designed to interact with the sensor, and wherein the sensor is arranged in a sealed manner in the housing (10). [5] Cooking device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the hinge device (4) has a preloading element (16) comprising a preloaded spring device (17), a stationary and a movable part, wherein circular surfaces of the movable and stationary part interlock or are moved apart by a rotary movement of the hinge device (4), whereby the spring device (17) can be preloaded and / or released accordingly. [6] Cooking device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by, that the encoder element (26) is firmly connected to the movable part of the spring device (17) in order to convert the torque into a displacement of the movable part and thereby the encoder element (26) in the axial direction (6) when the cover device (3) pivots. [7] Cooking device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that the encoder element (26) deflects a measuring sensor (32) by means of the axial displacement (6), so that the deflection of the measuring sensor (32) can be detected by a linear sensor (33). [8] Cooking device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the linear sensor (33) has a potentiometer, an ammeter and / or an electrical switch to detect a change in voltage and / or current at an evaluation unit. [9] Cooking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the opening state is a closed or open state of the lid device (3), and / or that the opening state is any opening range or opening angle of the lid device (3) that can be determined by the detection device (5). [10] Cooking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the opening state of the cover device (3) is adjustable by an actuator device, and / or that a spring force adjusting device is provided which may be a plate-shaped element located on the side of the spring device (17) opposite the preloading element (16) between the spring device and the hinge housing (15) and which may be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the spring device by means of an adjusting screw in order to adjust the preload of the spring device (17).

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