HOB DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hob device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating a hob device according to the preamble of claim 8.

[0002] European patent application EP 3 273 751 A1 already discloses a hob plate with a cooking area, an operating area, and a layer unit designed to prevent a liquid from passing from the cooking area into the operating area. Furthermore, hob devices with at least one cooking area and at least one shut-off area designed to automatically shut off the hob device in the event of contact with a liquid are known from the prior art.

[0003] EP1031793 A2 discloses a cooking hob device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, to provide a generic device with improved properties regarding comfort and / or high safety for a user. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 12, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0005] The invention relates to a hob device with at least one cooking area and at least one switch-off area.

[0006] It is proposed that the hob device has at least one delay unit which is arranged at least partially between the cooking area and the switch-off area and is intended to delay the flow of a liquid from the cooking area into the switch-off area.

[0007] Such a configuration makes it possible, in particular, to provide a hob device with a high degree of comfort and, at the same time, a high level of safety for a user. In particular, a high level of comfort and / or a high level of safety for a user can be improved in situations in which liquid leaks into the cooking area during a cooking process using the hob device, for example due to boiling over or spillage. If, for example, a user is directly present in such a situation, it may be perceived as disadvantageous if the hob device is immediately switched off due to the leaked liquid flowing from the cooking area into the switch-off area.This disadvantage can be advantageously remedied by the hob device according to the invention, since the flow of liquid from the cooking area into the switch-off area and thus the switch-off of the hob device is delayed by the delay unit, giving the user sufficient time to collect the liquid and continue the cooking process without interruption. On the other hand, if a user is not present in a situation where liquid leaks into the cooking area, it may also be perceived as disadvantageous if an automatic switch-off is completely prevented, for example, due to a layer unit that blocks the flow of liquid from the cooking area into an operating area.This disadvantage can be advantageously remedied by the hob device according to the invention, since automatic switching off is delayed but not completely prevented, whereby safety for a user can be advantageously increased.

[0008] A "cooktop device" is understood to mean, in particular, at least one part, in particular a subassembly, of a cooktop. Accessory units for the cooktop may also be included, such as, for example, a sensor unit for externally measuring the temperature of a cooking utensil and / or a food item. The cooktop device may, in particular, be designed as an induction cooktop device. Alternatively, it is particularly conceivable for the cooktop device to be part of a cooktop with radiant heating and / or part of a cooktop with resistance heating. In particular, the cooktop device, in particular the induction cooktop device, may also comprise the entire cooktop, in particular an entire induction cooktop. The cooktop device, in particular, has at least one cooktop plate.In particular, the hob plate, in an assembled state, comprises, on a side facing a user, several sub-areas, in particular the cooking area and the switch-off area.

[0009] A "cooking area" is understood to mean, in particular, a sub-area of ​​the cooktop device, in particular a sub-area of ​​the cooktop plate, which is intended for the placement of at least one cooking utensil and for heating at least one item of food located in the cooking utensil. Below the cooking area, in particular on a side of the cooktop plate facing away from the user in the assembled state, at least one heating element, in particular at least one induction heating element, of the cooktop device is arranged, which, in at least one operating state, provides heating energy for heating the cooking area and / or a cooking utensil placed on the cooking area and / or a food item located within the cooking utensil.

[0010] A "switch-off area" is understood to mean, in particular, a further sub-area of ​​the hob device, in particular the hob plate, arranged spatially spaced from the cooking area, which is intended, in particular, to switch off, in particular automatically, the at least one heating element of the hob device arranged below the cooking area. In particular, at least one sensor unit of the hob device is arranged in the switch-off area. The sensor unit comprises at least one sensor element, which is designed, in particular, as a switch-off sensor. The switch-off sensor can, in particular, be designed as a capacitive sensor.The switch-off sensor is particularly intended to automatically switch off the heating element of the hob device, which is arranged below the cooking area and is in at least one operating state, in particular based on at least one change in a capacitance detected by the switch-off sensor, in the event of contact of a liquid with a partial area of ​​the hob plate located directly above the switch-off sensor, in particular the switch-off area, and / or in the event of direct contact of the liquid with at least one electrode of the switch-off sensor. The switch-off area, in particular the sensor unit of the switch-off area, can in particular be designed as part of a control panel of the hob device for controlling the hob device, which can in particular comprise further sensor elements in addition to the switch-off sensor.

[0011] A "liquid" is understood to mean, in particular, a water-based fluid in a liquid state. A "water-based fluid" is understood to mean, in particular, pure water and / or a solution with water as a solvent and / or a suspension in water and / or an oil-in-water emulsion with a molar fraction of water of at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at least 95%. "Intended" is understood to mean, in particular, specially designed and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function is understood to mean, in particular, that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0012] The fact that the delay unit is intended to "delay a flow of a liquid from the cooking area into the switch-off area" is to be understood in particular to mean that a first time period within which the liquid flows from the cooking area into the switch-off area of ​​the hob device according to the invention lasts longer than a second time period within which the same liquid would flow from a cooking area into a switch-off area of ​​a hob device which is at least substantially identical in construction to the hob device of the present invention, but which is designed without a delay unit.In this context, a "cooktop device that is at least substantially identical in construction" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a cooktop device with a cooking area and a switch-off area, with identical geometric dimensions, distances, and material and surface properties to the present cooktop device.

[0013] It is also proposed that the delay unit comprise at least one liquid channel, in particular a liquid labyrinth. This advantageously allows a targeted control of the delay in the flow of a liquid from the cooking area to the switch-off area. A "liquid channel" is understood, in particular, to be a subregion of the delay unit that defines a main flow direction of a liquid flowing within the liquid channel by at least one boundary, in particular one extending perpendicular to the main flow direction. A "liquid labyrinth" is understood, in particular, to be a liquid channel that, due to its geometric shape, causes a change in the main flow direction of a liquid flowing from an inlet point to an outlet point of the liquid channel at at least two points.

[0014] It is further proposed that the delay unit comprise at least one hydrophobic delay element. This advantageously provides a particularly reliable delay unit with a particularly precise delay.

[0015] A "hydrophobic" object is understood, in particular, to be an object that has at least one surface designed to repel water applied to this surface. In particular, a hydrophobic object can be designed to prevent bonding with water. In particular, the at least one surface of the hydrophobic object forms a contact angle of more than 90° with a water droplet, advantageously more than 100°, preferably more than 120°, and particularly preferably more than 150°.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that the hydrophobic delay element forms at least one boundary of the fluid channel, in particular of the fluid labyrinth. This advantageously allows the fluid channel of the delay unit to be realized using particularly simple technical means. Furthermore, a flat design is possible, since bulky walls of the fluid channel can be dispensed with.

[0017] It is also proposed that the delay unit comprise at least one further hydrophobic delay element spaced apart from the hydrophobic delay element. Preferably, the further hydrophobic delay element forms a further boundary of the liquid channel. This advantageously allows for a particularly precise control of the delay in the flow of a liquid from the cooking area to the switch-off area.

[0018] It is also proposed that the hydrophobic delay element and / or the further hydrophobic delay element consist at least largely of a chemical compound from the group of organohalosilanes. Preferably, the hydrophobic delay element and / or the further hydrophobic delay element consists at least largely of octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS). This can advantageously improve a manufacturing process. In particular, the use of environmentally harmful fluorinated chemical compounds and the use of toxic solvents can advantageously be avoided. Alternatively, the hydrophobic delay element and / or the further hydrophobic delay element could consist at least largely of methyltrichloromethylsilane, hexamethyldisilazane, hexamethyldisiloxane, titanium dioxide and / or another chemical compound with hydrophobic properties that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art.The expression "at least to a large extent" is to be understood in particular as meaning a mass and / or volume fraction of at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85% and particularly advantageously at least 95%.

[0019] It is further proposed that the delay unit, the hydrophobic delay element, and / or the further hydrophobic delay element, have a coating and be designed as such. This advantageously makes it possible to provide a cooktop device with a high degree of comfort. In particular, a cooktop device that is easy to clean can be provided. Furthermore, a particularly durable cooktop device with particularly high mechanical stability can be provided.For example, the delay unit, in particular the hydrophobic delay element and / or the further hydrophobic delay element, could be applied to the hob plate by a coating process, in particular by a screen printing process, by spin coating, by dip coating, by a sol-gel process, by spraying, by an inkjet printing process, by a chemical vapor deposition process (CVD) and / or by a physical vapor deposition process (PVD: Physical Vapor Deposition).Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for the delay unit, in particular the hydrophobic delay element and / or the further hydrophobic delay element, to be formed as a material depression and / or as a material accumulation and / or as a material deformation of the hob plate and to be applied to the hob plate by a mechanical shaping process, for example by milling and / or drilling. For example, it is conceivable for the delay unit to be formed from small holes and / or small grooves and / or ridges and / or channels on / and / or in the hob plate.

[0020] It is also proposed that the delay unit, in particular the hydrophobic delay element and / or the further hydrophobic delay element, be invisible to the naked eye. This advantageously makes it possible to provide a particularly simple and / or inconspicuous delay unit. In particular, the delay unit can advantageously be integrated particularly well into a desired external appearance of the hob device. In particular, external appearances of hob devices already established on the market that are already familiar to users and particularly valued can be at least substantially retained, while at the same time, the delay unit can improve properties with regard to comfort and / or safety for the user. In particular, a hob device with a high degree of aesthetics can be provided."Invisible to the naked eye" should be understood as imperceptible to the average, healthy human eye. For example, it would be conceivable for the delay unit, in particular the hydrophobic delay element and / or the additional hydrophobic delay element, to be at least substantially transparent and thus barely perceptible to the human eye, i.e., invisible to the naked eye.The fact that the delay unit is designed to be "at least substantially transparent" should be understood in particular to mean that the delay unit is capable of transmitting a proportion of at least 60%, in particular of at least 70%, advantageously of at least 80%, particularly advantageously of at least 90% and preferably of at least 95% of the visible light incident on at least one first surface of the delay unit and in particular of transporting it to at least one second surface of the delay unit, which is in particular opposite the first surface of the delay unit.Alternatively, it is particularly conceivable that the delay unit, in particular the hydrophobic delay element and / or the further hydrophobic delay element, is designed in a color that is the same or similar to the hob plate of the hob device, so that the delay unit is hardly perceptible to the human eye, i.e. invisible to the naked eye, in particular due to a very low or lacking contrast to the hob plate.

[0021] It is further proposed that the delay unit be provided to delay the flow of liquid from the cooking area into the switch-off area by a duration of at least 1 second. Preferably, the delay unit is provided to delay the flow of liquid from the cooking area into the switch-off area by a duration of at least 3 seconds, particularly preferably by a duration of at least 5 seconds. This can advantageously increase comfort for a user. In particular, in the event of liquid leaking into the cooking area, a user can be provided with sufficient time to remove the liquid and avoid automatic switch-off of the hob device.

[0022] It is further proposed that the delay unit be provided to delay the flow of liquid from the cooking area into the switch-off area by a maximum of 30 seconds. Preferably, the delay unit is provided to delay the flow of liquid from the cooking area into the switch-off area by a maximum of 20 seconds and particularly preferably by a maximum of 15 seconds. This advantageously provides a high degree of safety for a user. In particular, in the event of liquid escaping into the cooking area, for example caused by boiling over, particularly in the absence of the user, prompt switch-off of the hob device can be ensured in order to advantageously minimize the risk of escaping liquid burning and the resulting hazards and / or excessive soiling of the hob device.

[0023] The invention further relates to a method for operating a hob device with at least one cooking area and at least one switch-off area. It is proposed that the flow of a liquid from the cooking area into the switch-off area is delayed by at least one delay unit arranged at least partially between the cooking area and the switch-off area. This can advantageously increase comfort and / or safety for a user. The hob device is not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, in order to fulfill a function described herein, the hob device can have a number of individual elements, components and units that differs from the number stated herein. Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings show three exemplary embodiments of the invention.The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination.

[0024] They show: Fig. 1A hob with a hob device which has a cooking area, a switch-off area and a delay unit, Fig. 2a schematic representation of a method for operating the hob device, Fig. 3an alternative embodiment of a hob device and Fig. 4a further alternative embodiment of a hob device.

[0025] Figure 1shows a hob 54a with a hob device 10a, which has a cooking area 12a and a switch-off area 14a. The hob device 10a has a hob plate 30a. The hob device 30a has a circumferential edge area 50a, which laterally delimits the hob plate 30. The cooking area 12a is designed as a partial area of ​​the hob plate 30a. At least one heating element (not shown) is arranged below the cooking area 12a of the hob plate, which heating element is provided for heating the cooking area 12a and / or a cooking utensil (not shown) placed on the cooking area 12a. The switch-off area 14a is designed as a further partial area of ​​the hob plate 30a, arranged at a distance from the cooking area 12a. The switch-off area 14a has a switch-off sensor 46a.The switch-off sensor 46a is provided to deactivate the cooking area 12a, that is to say the at least one heating element associated with the cooking area 12a, upon contact with a liquid 48a.

[0026] The hob device 10a has a delay unit 16a. The delay unit 16a is arranged between the cooking area 12a and the switch-off area 14a. The delay unit 16a is intended to delay the flow of a liquid 48a from the cooking area 12a into the switch-off area 14a. In the present case, the liquid 48a is pure water. Alternatively, however, the liquid 48a could also be a water-based liquid, for example a solution and / or a suspension and / or a water-based emulsion. The delay unit 16a is intended to delay the flow of the liquid 48a from the cooking area 12a into the switch-off area 14a by a duration of at least 1 second. The delay unit 16a is intended to delay the flow of the liquid 48a from the cooking area 12a into the switch-off area 14a by a maximum of 30 seconds.In particular, the delay unit 16a delays the flow of the liquid 48a from the cooking area 12a into the switch-off area 16a by a period of between 5 and 15 seconds.

[0027] The delay unit 16a has a hydrophobic delay element 22a. The hydrophobic delay element 22a consists at least largely of a chemical compound from the group of organohalosilanes, in particular octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS). The delay unit 16a is formed as a coating 38a. The delay unit 16a is transparent and is therefore invisible to the naked eye. For the purpose of better illustrating the arrangement of the delay unit 16a on the cooktop plate 30a, the delay unit is in the Figure 1 , as well as in the following examples of the Figures 3 and 4 , each shown visibly.

[0028] Figure 2shows a schematic representation of a method for operating the hob device 10a. In a first method step 40a, the flow of the liquid 48a from the cooking area 12a towards the switch-off area 14a is triggered, for example by the liquid 48a boiling over from a cooking utensil placed in the heated cooking area 12a or by the liquid 48a being spilled by a user. In a second method step 42a, the flow of the liquid 48a is delayed by the delay unit 16a. In a third method step 44a, the liquid 48a reaches the switch-off sensor 46a in the switch-off area 14a, whereby a switch-off signal 52a is automatically transmitted by the switch-off sensor 46a and the heating of the cooking area 12a is thereby deactivated.

[0029] In Figures 3 and 4Further embodiments of the invention are shown. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, whereby with regard to the same components, features and functions, reference is made to the description of the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 2 To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in the Figures 1 to 2 by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment of the Figure 3 and by the letter c in the reference numerals of the embodiment of the Figure 4 With regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference can generally also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 2 be referred to.

[0030] Figure 3shows a further embodiment of a hob device 10b with a cooking area 12b and a switch-off area 14b. The hob device 10b has a delay unit 16b. The delay unit 16b has a liquid channel 18b. The liquid channel 18b forms a liquid labyrinth 20b. The delay unit 16b has a hydrophobic delay element 22b. The hydrophobic delay element 22b forms a boundary 24b of the liquid channel 18b. The delay unit 16b has a further hydrophobic delay element 26b. The further hydrophobic delay element 26b is arranged at a distance from the hydrophobic delay element 22b. The further hydrophobic delay element 26b forms a further boundary 28b of the liquid channel 18b.The hydrophobic delay element 22b and the further hydrophobic delay element 26b are formed as a coating 38b and consist at least largely of a chemical compound from the group of organohalosilanes, in particular of octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS).

[0031] Figure 4shows a further embodiment of a hob device 10c with a cooking area 12c and a switch-off area 14c. The hob device 10c has a delay unit 16c. The delay unit 16c has a hydrophobic delay element 22c and a plurality of further hydrophobic delay elements 26c. In addition, the hob device 10c has a hydrophobic edge area 50c. The hydrophobic edge area 50c forms two hydrophobic edge delay elements 56c of the delay unit 16c. The hydrophobic edge delay elements 56c are arranged at a distance from the hydrophobic delay element 22c and the further hydrophobic delay elements 26c. The delay unit 16c forms two liquid channels 18c. The hydrophobic delay element 22c forms a boundary 24c of the liquid channels 18c. The edge delay elements 56c each form a further boundary 28c of the liquid channels 18c. Reference symbol

[0032] 10 Hob device 12 Cooking area 14 Switch-off area 16 Delay unit 18 Liquid channel 20 Liquid labyrinth 22 Hydrophobic delay element 24 Boundary 26 Further hydrophobic delay element 28 Further boundary 30 Hob plate 32 Sensor unit 34 Sensor element 36 Switch-off sensor 38 Coating 40 First process step 42 Second process step 44 Third process step 46 Switch-off sensor 48 Liquid 50 Edge area 52 Switch-off signal 54 Hob 56 Edge delay element

Claims

1. Hob apparatus (10a; 10b; 10c) with at least one cooking region (12a; 12b: 12c), with at least one switch-off region (14a; 14b; 14c) and with at least one delay unit (16a; 16b; 16c), which is arranged at least partially between the cooking region (12a; 12b: 12c) and the switch-off region (14a; 14b; 14c) and is provided to delay a flow of a liquid (48a, 48b; 48c) from the cooking region (12a; 12b: 12c) into the switch-off region (14a; 14b; 14c), characterised in that the delay unit (16a; 16b; 16c) has at least one hydrophobic delay element (22a; 22b; 22c), wherein the hydrophobic delay element (22a; 22b; 22c) is embodied as a coating.

2. Hob apparatus (10b; 10c) according to claim 1, characterised in that the delay unit (16b; 16c) has at least one liquid channel (18b; 18c), in particular a liquid labyrinth.

3. Hob apparatus (10b; 10c) according to claim 2, characterised in that the hydrophobic delay element (22b; 22c) embodies at least one boundary (24b; 24c) of the liquid channel (18b; 18c).

4. Hob apparatus (10b; 10c) according to claim 3, characterised in that the delay unit (16b; 16c) has at leas one further hydrophobic delay element (26b; 26c) that is spaced apart from the hydrophobic delay element (22b; 22c).

5. Hob apparatus (10a; 10b; 10c) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the hydrophobic delay element (22a; 22b; 22c) consists, at least for the most part, of a chemical compound consisting of the organohalosilane group of substances.

6. Hob apparatus (10a; 10b; 10c) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the delay unit (16a; 16b; 16c) cannot be seen by the average, healthy, naked human eye.

7. Hob (54a; 54b; 54c) with a hob apparatus (10a; 10b; 10c) according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Method for operating a hob apparatus (10a; 10b; 10c), according to one of claims 1 to 6, with at least one cooking region (12a; 12b; 12c) and with at least one switch-off region (14a; 14b; 14c), characterised in that a flow of a liquid (48a) from the hob region (12a; 12b; 12c) into the switch-off region (14a; 14b; 14c) is delayed by at least one delay unit (16a; 16b; 16c), which is arranged at least partially between the cooking region (12a; 12b; 12c) and the switch-off region (14a; 14b; 14c).