COOKING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking system comprising at least one cooking surface and at least one cookware unit, wherein the cooking surface has at least one support surface for the cookware, at least one heating element for heating the cookware, and at least one control element. The cooking surface includes at least one operating element, and the cookware includes at least one control unit.

[0002] In modern cooking, the user should be able to control the cooking process as comfortably as possible and preferably also be supported by assistance functions or automatic programs.

[0003] Depending on its design, modern cookware can communicate with a cooktop, for example. This allows cookware to have a display showing the set parameters or other information. Such a cooking system, consisting of cookware and a cooktop, is disclosed, for instance, in EP 3 096 586 A1. The information display functions reliably. However, the displayed parameters can only be viewed and not changed.

[0004] Furthermore, cooking process parameters can also be adjusted via an external control unit, which can be attached to or integrated into the cookware. Such a control unit with an optional display for controlling a cooktop is shown, for example, in DE 10 2012 216 719 A1. The control unit is attached, for instance, to the handle of a pan. However, a disadvantage is that, depending on the position and / or load of the cooktop, the control unit is not always easily accessible and / or usable. For example, if another pot is in front of the control unit and steam is rising from it, operating the control unit can be awkward or even dangerous.

[0005] WO 2015 / 092230 A1 discloses a cooktop device and cookware, the cookware comprising a bidirectional communication device. Therefore, there is a need for further developments that would allow a user to easily, preferably intuitively and conveniently or safely, control and monitor a cooking process.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to enable a user to operate a cooktop in a more flexible and particularly convenient way.

[0007] This problem is solved by a cooking system having the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating a cooking system having the features of claim 6.

[0008] 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.

[0009] The cooking system according to the invention comprises at least one cooking surface and at least one cooking vessel, wherein the cooking surface has at least one support surface for the cooking vessel and at least one heating element for heating the cooking vessel, as well as at least one control element. The cooking surface further comprises at least one operating element, and the cooking vessel comprises at least one control unit. The operating element and the control unit are operatively connected to the control unit, such that at least one parameter for at least one cooking process of the cooking vessel can be set via the operating element and the control unit.

[0010] According to the invention, a parameter is understood to be, for example, a power level, an operating mode, time, an assistance function, and / or an automatic program. At least one such parameter can be set for at least one cooking process of the cookware via the control unit and / or the operating device. According to the invention, a selection can be displayed on the operating device that complements the selection on the control unit, or a selection can be displayed on the operating device that complements the selection on the operating device. A selection is understood to be a range of possible operations or the selected operating input. These can be, for example, a power level, an operating mode, time, an assistance function, and / or an automatic program.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the invention provides that at least one adjustable or set parameter can be displayed on the display of the control device and / or the operating unit. In particular, the adjustable or set parameters can be displayed redundantly or simultaneously on the control device and the operating unit. Depending on the embodiment, different setting options can also be displayed on the display of the control device and / or operating unit. In particular, one display can show the selection of an assistance function, while the other display can show settings for manual operation. It is also particularly preferred that one display shows the last selected function or indicates standby or ready mode.

[0012] The cooking system according to the invention offers many advantages. A significant advantage is that the cooking system according to the invention provides redundant or alternative operating options or control areas for the cooktop. In particular, it is possible to set a cooking process, or at least one parameter of a cooking process, directly on the cookware and / or on the cooktop. Thus, the cooking process can be controlled or adjusted via the cookware and / or directly via the cooktop, as needed.

[0013] The decision whether the displays of the hob and cookware show the same thing or complement each other, in particular unilaterally or reciprocally, can be determined by a user selection or by an operating state of the hob and / or cookware.

[0014] The availability of the setting option or the display of parameters on the operating device and / or the control unit can be advantageously adapted depending on the design and / or situation.

[0015] Preferably, the operating device and / or the operating unit comprises at least one display device. Such a display device can, in particular, be provided by at least one display. Such a display can, in particular, be equipped with a touch function, so that the display device provides operability or at least one control element for the operating unit. In particular, such a display device is designed as a UI / UX input area.

[0016] In suitable designs, the activity of the control device and / or the control unit is adaptable. Depending on the situation, the cooktop can preferably be controlled either with one or the other, or with both control areas, or with the control unit and the control device.

[0017] In advantageous further developments, the cooktop device includes at least one pot detection device. This device detects the position of the pot or other cookware and preferably activates a corresponding control area. The activation can then vary depending on the detected position and / or number of cookware items on the cooking surface.

[0018] Preferably, at least one assistance function is stored in the control unit, which can be accessed via the operating device and / or the control unit. Depending on the configuration, a user can thus access an assistance function or an automatic program via the operating device and / or the control unit.

[0019] Preferably, the operating device and / or control unit provides setting areas for the assistance function and / or manual operation. These setting areas can be offered to the user, in particular, on the display device.

[0020] The method according to the invention is suitable for operating a cooking system as previously described. In this system, at least one parameter for at least one cooking process of a cookware is set via the control device and / or the control unit. A parameter to be set and / or set on the control device and / or the control unit is displayed by both the control device and the control unit. Preferably, this display occurs simultaneously on both the control device and the control unit, at least with a delay of less than 1.5 seconds. Alternatively, particularly depending on the operating state of the cooktop and / or the cookware, a selection is offered on the control device that complements the selection on the control unit, or a selection is offered on the control unit that complements the selection on the control device.This allows the user to be provided with additional selection options while maintaining a high level of user-friendliness, particularly those that relate specifically to the cookware or the cooktop. The redundant or, depending on the design and situation, alternative operating options for the cooktop via the control panel and / or the control unit ensure optimal and intuitive usability for the user at all times.

[0021] Preferably, at least one adjustable parameter is displayed on the display device. This allows a user to conveniently set a parameter for a cooking process.

[0022] It is particularly advantageous for both the control panel and the operating unit to be active during the cooking process. This allows the settings and / or options for the cooking process to be displayed and / or changed on both control surfaces.

[0023] Depending on the configuration, either the operating device or the control unit is preferably active. For example, depending on the situation, a user may only be given access to one of the two operating areas.

[0024] In appropriate training programs, the operating device and / or control unit is active depending on the last input. This allows, in particular, for a user to be offered only the last used operating area and / or setting area. Switching to or enabling a different operating area or setting area can occur automatically depending on the design, either through a specific situation or manually via a setting on the cookware and / or the cooktop.

[0025] Preferably, the control panel and / or operating unit allows switching between manual operation and an assisted function. This makes it possible, in particular, for a user to quickly and easily switch from an automatic cooking process or a cooking process with an assisted function to manual operation via the control panel and / or operating unit if certain set parameters of the assisted function do not match the desired cooking process.

[0026] The cooktop's built-in cookware system is particularly well-suited to detect when cookware is placed on it and activate the display and / or a standby mode for the control panel and / or the control unit. This effective communication between the cooktop and the cookware ensures a particularly convenient user experience.

[0027] In appropriate training courses, a standby mode for the control panel and / or control unit is activated before the start of a cooking process. It is possible for different settings to be predefined on the two control areas. For example, it is possible for the control panel and the control unit to offer settings for an assistance function and manual operation. Alternatively, different settings may be predefined on the control panel and the control unit, such that in standby mode only an assistance function can be activated on the cookware, while manual cooking or both modes can be selected via the cooktop's control panel.

[0028] Preferably, the activity of the control device and / or control unit depends on the position of the cookware on the cooking surface. In particular, it can be provided that the setting for a cooking process for a cookware item transfers from the cookware's control unit to the cooktop's control unit, or is displayed only on the cooktop's control unit from the outset, if the cookware is positioned far back on the cooktop, i.e., away from the user. Depending on the design, controlling the cooking process via the cookware or its control unit could be less convenient than using the cooktop's control unit if the cookware is positioned further back on the cooktop.

[0029] Preferably, the operation of the control device and / or control unit depends on at least one other piece of cookware on the cooking surface. The user's ability to operate the device depends, in particular, on the condition and / or position of this other piece of cookware. For example, if a user would have to reach over another pot to access the control unit of that cookware, the control function can be transferred from the cookware's control unit to the cooktop's control device, depending on the position and condition of the other cookware. This prevents, in particular, a user from being injured by steam escaping from another piece of cookware when reaching over it. Specifically, it allows the system to take into account whether the other piece of cookware is simply resting on the cooktop, or whether it is hot, or whether steam is escaping. Additional sensors can be provided for this purpose.

[0030] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiment, which is explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0031] The figures show: Figure 1 is a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a purely schematic representation of a further embodiment of a cooking system according to the invention; Figure 3 is a purely schematic representation of another embodiment of a cooking system according to the invention; and Figure 4 is a purely schematic representation of another embodiment of a cooking system according to the invention.

[0032] In Figure 1 A purely schematic top view of a cooking system 100 according to the invention is shown. The cooking system 100 according to the invention comprises a cooking hob 1 and a cooking vessel 50.

[0033] The cooktop unit 1 is designed as an induction cooktop 400 in the embodiment shown here, wherein the cooktop unit 1 has a support surface for cookware 50, 60. Below the support surface 2, several heating elements 3 are provided in the embodiment shown here, which in the induction cooktop 400 shown here are designed as induction coils 401.

[0034] The cooktop unit 1 further comprises a control unit 4, which in the embodiment shown here is operatively connected to an operating unit 5. The operating unit 5 comprises a display unit 6, so that various information and setting elements can be provided on the display unit.

[0035] In the embodiment shown here, the cooking vessel 50 comprises a control unit 51 for controlling a cooking process of the cooking vessel 50, for which purpose the control unit 51 is also in operative connection to the control device 4 in the embodiment shown.

[0036] The control unit 51 of the cookware 50 also includes a display unit 52, on which various information and setting options can be displayed.

[0037] In the embodiment shown here, the control unit 5 has two setting areas 8 and 9, in which assistance functions 200 can be set or selected. In setting area 9, located to the right of setting area 8 for assistance function 200, parameters 150 for manual operation 300 can be set.

[0038] The same design is also provided for the control unit 51 of the cookware 50. Here, too, there are two setting areas: setting area 53 is intended for setting or selecting assistance function 200, and setting area 54 is intended for setting parameters 150 for manual operation 300.

[0039] In the Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the control device 5 and the control unit 51 are in a standby mode in which both control areas are active for controlling or operating a cooking process of the cookware 50. Both the control device 5 on the cooktop device 1 and the control unit 51 of the cookware 50 are active.

[0040] In the embodiment shown here, all setting options are offered in parallel or redundantly in standby mode. A user can then select either the assistance function or manual operation on the cookware 50 or on the cooktop unit 1 to start or set a cooking process.

[0041] Depending on the configuration, different settings can be offered. For example, the cookware 50 or the control unit 51 may only offer the option to set the assistance function or to switch to manual operation 300, while the control unit 5 or the cooktop unit 1 may offer both manual operation 300 and the assistance function 200. Any other way of displaying individual options is also possible, depending on the situation and configuration.

[0042] In Figure 2The diagram schematically illustrates that a user is only offered the selection or parameter 150 for manual operation 300 on the control unit 5 of the cooking appliance 1. Furthermore, the user is only offered setting range 53 on the display unit 52 of the control unit 51 of the cookware 51, which includes the assistance function 200. The user also has the option of using a corresponding "on / off" button to deactivate the assistance function 200 or to activate setting range 54 for manual operation 300.

[0043] In Figure 3 The diagram is purely schematic and shows that a conflict may occur when operating the cookware 50 or when setting a parameter 150 on the control unit 51 of the cookware 50, or that operation via the cookware 50 may be inconvenient.

[0044] As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown, the cookware 50 may be positioned relatively far back on the support surface 2. This can make it difficult or uncomfortable for a user to reach the control unit 51.

[0045] Furthermore, it is shown that another cooking vessel 60 can be placed on the support surface 2, in front of the cooking vessel 50, on which a parameter 150 is to be set via the control unit 51. Particularly if the other cooking vessel 60 is also being heated and steam is possibly rising from it, setting parameter 150 via the control unit 51 of the rear cooking vessel 50 can be problematic.

[0046] To detect the position of the cooking vessel 50 or also to detect other cooking vessels 60, a pot detection device 7 is provided in the illustrated embodiment, which is located below the support surface 2. This pot detection device 7 can be provided in any known configuration.

[0047] In Figure 4 The diagram is purely schematic and shows how the problem of additional cookware 60 being placed on the hob and / or of cookware 50 being placed far back on the hob unit 1 can be avoided.

[0048] Thus, when an unfavorable pot position and / or an unfavorable additional piece of cookware 60 is detected, the display on the control unit 5 and the control panel 51 is synchronized or redundantly executed, so that a user can automatically use both control areas regardless of whether the control panel 51 or the control unit 5 was previously active. Depending on the design and situation, the control panel 51 on the cookware 50 can also be deactivated so that a user is not tempted to use it anyway.

[0049] In the version shown, the setting options for assistance functions 200 and manual operation 300 are enabled on both the operating device 5 and the control unit 51, and the current setting of the power level 7 is marked by the highlighting on both operating elements. Reference symbol list

[0050] 1. Cooktop device 2. Installation area 3. Heating device 4. Control device 5. Operating device 6. Display device 7. Pot detection device 8. Setting range 9. Setting range 50. Cookware 51. Control unit 52. Display device 53. Setting range 54. Setting range 60. Cookware 100. Cooking system 150. Parameters 200. Assistance function 300. Manual operation 400. Induction cooktop 401. Induction coil

Claims

1. Cooking system (100) comprising at least one hob device (1) and at least one cookware item (50), wherein the hob device (1) has at least one placement surface (2) for the cookware item (50) and at least one heating device (3) for heating the cookware item (50), and at least one control device (4), wherein the hob device (1) comprises at least one operating device (5) and wherein the cookware item (50) comprises at least one operating unit (51), wherein the operating device (5) and the operating unit (51) are operatively connected to the control device (4) and in that at least one parameter (150) for at least one cooking process of the cookware item (50) can be adjusted via the operating device (5) and the operating unit (51), the operating device (5) comprises at least one display device (6) and the operating unit (51) comprises at least one display device (52), characterised in that at least one parameter (150) that is to be adjusted and / or has been adjusted can be displayed on the display device (6) of the operating device (5) and the same parameter (150) can be displayed simultaneously on the display device (52) of the operating unit (51) and / or a selection is displayed on the operating device which supplements the selection on the operating unit or a selection is displayed on the operating unit which supplements the selection on the operating device.

2. Cooking system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the activity of the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51) is variable.

3. Cooking system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hob device (1) has at least one pot detection device (7).

4. Cooking system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one assistance function (200) is stored in the control device (4) which can be called up via the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51).

5. Cooking system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that adjustment regions (8, 9, 53, 54) for the assistance function (200) and / or a manual operation (300) are provided on the operating device (5) and the operating unit (51).

6. Method for operating a cooking system (100) with a cooking system (500) comprising at least one hob device (1) and at least one cookware item (50), wherein the hob device (1) has at least one placement surface (2) for the cookware item (50) and at least one heating device (3) for heating the cookware item (50), and at least one control device (4), wherein the hob device (1) comprises at least one operating device (5) and wherein the cookware item (50) comprises at least one operating unit (51), wherein the operating unit (51) comprises at least one display device (52), wherein the operating device (5) and the operating unit (51) are operatively connected to the control device (4) and in that at least one parameter (150) for at least one cooking process of the cookware item (50) can be adjusted via the operating device (5) and the operating unit (51), wherein the operating device (5) comprises at least one display device (6), wherein at least one parameter (150) for at least one cooking process of a cookware item (50) is adjusted via the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51), characterised in that the parameter which is adjustable and / or has been adjusted on the operating device (5) is displayed by the operating device (5) and the operating unit (51) and / or the parameter which is adjustable and / or has been adjusted on the operating unit (51) is displayed by the operating device (5) and the operating unit (51) and / or a selection is offered on the operating device (5) which supplements the selection on the operating unit (51) or a selection is offered on the operating unit (51) which supplements the selection on the operating device (5).

7. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that at least one adjustable and / or adjusted parameter (150) is displayed on the display device (6, 52).

8. Method according to any of the two preceding claims, characterised in that the operating device (5) and the operating unit (51) are both active during the cooking process.

9. Method according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the operating device (51) or the operating unit (51) are active.

10. Method according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51) are active depending on the last input.

11. Method according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that a change between manual operation (300) and assistance function (200) is possible via the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51).

12. Method according to any of claims 6 to 11, characterised in that the hob device (1) detects the placement of a cookware item (50) and activates a ready mode for the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51).

13. Method according to any of claims 6 to 12, characterised in that, before the start of a cooking process, a ready mode for the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51) is activated.

14. Method according to any of claims 6 to 13, characterised in that the activity of the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51) depends on the position of the cookware item (50) on the placement surface (2).

15. Method according to any of claims 6 to 14, characterised in that the activity of the operating device (5) and / or the operating unit (51) depends on at least one further cookware item (60) on the placement surface (2).