INDUCTIVE KITCHEN SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an inductive kitchen system according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and an inductive hob for use in such an inductive kitchen system according to patent claim 13.

[0002] The trend in home cooking is increasingly moving toward making cooking easier, more convenient, and / or safer for the user with regard to the desired cooking results. To this end, it has long been known to use temperature sensors in the hob to detect residual heat at each cooking zone after a cooking process and display this information to the user as a warning.

[0003] A cooking process can also be supported by providing the user with fully automated programs or assistance functions that relieve the user of part or even all of the cooking process. A cooking process can also be supported, for example, by the hob and / or a mobile device, which monitors the cooking process, displays it to the user, and shows the next steps in the recipe sequence or provides the user with appropriate instructions.

[0004] Hobs are also increasingly being designed to blend in with the kitchen. This includes making hob controls increasingly unobtrusive or even disappearing completely. This may lead to the hob controls and indicators being relocated to the cookware. Therefore, it may be necessary, or at least desirable, for information to be exchanged between the cookware and the hob. This may include the transmission of instructions and measurements.

[0005] EP 2 361 538 A1 relates to a thermoelectric energy generating, electronic temperature measuring pan with a semiconductor cooling layer comprising a pan body, a pan handle attached to the pan body, a thermoelectric energy generating system, and a temperature measuring system, wherein the thermoelectric energy generating system is formed by connecting the semiconductor cooling layer, a boost-regulating electronic component, and a power storage device in series, wherein one surface of the semiconductor cooling layer is in contact with the pan body and the other surface is connected to a heat dissipation device. The temperature measuring system is configured to measure the temperature of a bottom of the pan body. The thermoelectric energy generating system is connected to the temperature measuring system to supply electrical energy to the temperature measuring system.

[0006] The disadvantage here is that thermoelectric energy generation, i.e. the conversion of heat into electricity, for example by means of the Seebeck effect, can involve a considerable technical effort, which can lead to corresponding costs in production and / or assembly and can also require additional installation space.

[0007] EP 1 280 443 A1 relates to an electronic frying pan system comprising a pan for preparing meals or foodstuffs, a handle connected to the pan for moving or manipulating the pan, one or more temperature sensors connected to the pan to generate signals indicating one or more pan characteristics, and display electronics connected to the sensors and provided in or with the handle to provide at least one indication or display of the pan characteristics to a user of the pan, wherein the display electronics comprises a user interface for selecting one of several food characteristics. To supply the electronic elements with electrical energy, the electronic frying pan system has a replaceable battery in the handle as an electrical energy store.

[0008] DE 10 2008 051 265 A1 relates to a cooking appliance, in particular a pressure cooker, with a control, regulation and operating device with at least one sensor device for detecting at least one parameter influencing a cooking process, with at least one microcontroller for data processing and control / regulation of cooking processes, with at least one data memory for storing sequence programs, appliance parameters, including surrounding appliances relevant to the cooking process, food types and food type parameters and for documenting cooking processes for later evaluation and optimization thereof, with at least one data interface device, with at least one electrical energy storage device for energy supply, with at least one coupling device for detachably connecting the control, regulation and operating device to the cooking appliance, with at least one output device for informing a user,and with at least one input device for operating the control, regulation and operating device.,

[0009] The power supply for the control, regulation, and operating device can be provided, for example, by a battery, a thermocouple, inductive coupling (e.g., in the case of an induction cooker), or a rechargeable battery. If a rechargeable battery is used, charging can be done via a data interface device of the cooking appliance, such as a live cable of a USB port, or optionally in a separate charging station.

[0010] The disadvantage of using a battery is that the stored electrical energy of the replaceable battery is finite and is consumed during the intended operation of the electronic frying pan system. Once the stored electrical energy reaches a certain low level, or when the replaceable electrical energy storage device is sufficiently used up or depleted, the electronic functions of the electronic frying pan system of EP 1 280 443 A1 or the cooking appliance of DE 10 2008 051 265 A1 can no longer be operated and used by the user. To do so, the user must replace the empty battery with a sufficiently charged one, which can be laborious and cost time and money for the battery purchase.

[0011] The disadvantage of using a rechargeable battery as an electrical energy storage device in the control, regulation, and operating device of DE 10 2008 051 265 A1 is that the battery must also be recharged by the user once the stored electrical energy has been consumed. This can be a tedious task for the user.

[0012] A general disadvantage of using a rechargeable battery or a replaceable battery as an electrical energy storage device is that the electronic functions of the electronic frying pan system of EP 1 280 443 A1 or the cooking appliance of DE 10 2008 051 265 A1 are not available to the user until the battery is replaced or sufficiently charged. This can limit availability.

[0013] Another disadvantage in the case of the control, regulation and operating device of DE 10 2008 051 265 A1 is that thermoelectric energy generation comparable to the pan of EP 2 361 538 A1 can be technically complex and correspondingly expensive.

[0014] A disadvantage of the inductive coupling of an induction cooker according to DE 10 2008 051 265 A1 is that the cooking appliance must be designed to inductively receive electrical energy to operate the electronic elements. The induction cooker must also be designed accordingly. This can involve considerable effort. Furthermore, only suitable induction cookers and cooking utensils can be used together for this purpose. Furthermore, the inductive energy supply can only be used during inductive heating of the cooking utensil for directly operating the electronic elements of the control, regulation, and operating device according to DE 10 2008 051 265 A1. This problem is particularly evident in the documents EP 3 524 889 A1 and US 2012 000 903 A1, in which only a single type of primary coil is provided in the cooktop, which can be operated either in a heating mode or in a charging mode.In particular, simultaneous cooking and charging is not possible with these solutions.

[0015] In other words, the operating concepts of such cookware, kitchenware, or cooking utensils with integrated electronic elements require, for example, an ON / OFF sensor to be constantly on standby to detect user input. This, in turn, requires the installation of a permanent or replaceable electrical energy storage device, for example, in the handle of the cookware, which supplies the electronics or electronic elements with electrical energy to keep the touch sensors continuously on standby.

[0016] As such an electrical energy storage device, a short-term energy storage device such as a capacitor, which can be integrated into a cookware handle, for example, is usually not able to provide the electrical energy required to operate the electronic components in sufficient quantities over a long period of time. Therefore, electrical energy storage devices such as batteries or rechargeable batteries as described above are commonly used, which can at least enable operation over several days and possibly several weeks with a typical daily usage period for such a cookware.

[0017] If the electrical energy storage device is empty, the user must replace the battery or charge it as a rechargeable battery before using the cookware again, e.g. in the form of a system cookware. If this cannot be done because, for example, the commercially available battery is not readily available or special batteries have to be ordered from the manufacturer or the battery has to be waited for to charge, the cookware can only be operated manually in the conventional way, as a system cookware, possibly with control via the hob. This means, for example, that assistance functions and the like cannot be selected on the cookware. Any safety functions that the cookware may have, such as a safety function that is always active in the background to limit the maximum temperature of the cookware, cannot be used in this case either.

[0018] If the cookware's electronic components are powered inductively by the induction cooker, this is only possible while the induction cooker is in operation. Powering the cookware's electronic components outside of cooking mode is not possible, which is why the functions of the cookware's electronic components are then unavailable. If this is desired, as described above, an electrical energy storage device must be used, which, however, comes with the disadvantages described above.

[0019] This applies not only to induction hobs with separate cooking zones, but also to so-called surface or full-surface induction hobs, which are increasingly being used today to increase the flexibility of using cooking utensils.

[0020] In surface or full-surface induction cooktops, a large number of comparatively small induction coils are evenly distributed beneath the surface. The induction cooktop or its control system can detect the position of a cooking utensil on the surface, for example, using additional pot detection coils, and assign the induction coils located beneath the position to the cooking utensil. The induction coils can then be operated by the induction cooktop or its control system at the desired power, thus jointly forming the cooking zone for the cooking utensil. The cooking zones of a surface induction cooktop can thus be flexibly configured depending on the number, size, and position of the cooking utensils used.This allows a user to position a cookware anywhere on the surface of the induction hob and operate it as usual, without having to observe and adhere to predetermined cooking zones. The power level of the cooking zone can be determined by the user and displayed by the induction hob. The induction hob can also indicate, at least approximately, where the cookware is located on the hob.

[0021] There are two basic systems on the market for surface and full-surface induction hobs.

[0022] Firstly, a large number of small induction coils are used as heating coils, as inductive heating elements or as induction elements. The size of the induction coils is considerably smaller than the diameter of the base of the kitchenware or cooking utensils to be inductively heated. Each of the individual induction coils is equipped with a temperature sensor and power connections and is connected to a power supply of the inductive hob. Each of these individual induction coils is controlled via a separate oscillating circuit. Alternatively, the individual induction coils are connected together via a relay matrix to form a coil group, and the coil group is controlled by an oscillating circuit. The latter has the advantage that the pot position can be determined with sufficient accuracy via the large number of individual induction coils for representation on a display of a display / control element of the inductive hob.The disadvantage, however, is that this solution can be technically more complex and relatively expensive.

[0023] Secondly, the aforementioned manufacturing costs can be reduced by sensibly reducing the number of induction coils. To ensure that the position of the kitchenware is sufficiently accurate for representation on a display, additional coils are positioned as kitchenware detection sensors above the induction coils of the cooking zones of an induction cooktop. These kitchenware detection sensors do not generate any power input in the kitchenware or cooking utensils or their base to heat the cookware. Instead, to put it simply, the attenuation of the signal in the coil is evaluated as a kitchenware detection sensor, which is caused by the presence of a piece of cookware. This makes it possible to distinguish between the presence or absence of a piece of kitchenware above the kitchenware detection sensor on a cover that serves as the hob's installation surface.

[0024] The installation surface or cover is designed, for example, as a glass plate of a conventional induction hob. A worktop, such as a piece of kitchen furniture or a table with a hob integrated underneath, can also be considered a installation surface or cover. Such a worktop can be made of materials other than glass, such as wood or stone.

[0025] The display / control element of the hob can be located under the installation surface, on the installation surface, or in the installation surface.

[0026] By combining several, and especially all, kitchenware detection sensors, the position of the cooking utensil on the induction cooktop's installation surface can be determined more accurately than previously described, enabling the assignment of a cooking utensil to a control element with comparative precision. The advantage of this is that the manufacturing costs for a surface or full-surface induction cooktop can be reduced. However, the disadvantage is that the additional coils acting as kitchenware detection sensors require additional installation space, which is already very limited, especially beneath the cover or installation surface of an induction cooktop.

[0027] The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing an inductive kitchen system of the type described above, such that the electronic elements of the kitchenware are operational at all times, or the functions of the electronic elements of the kitchenware are available at all times. In particular, the aim is to avoid changing batteries and / or simplify charging them for the user. This should be possible, in particular, for an inductive kitchen system with an inductive cooktop. At the very least, an alternative to known inductive kitchen systems of this type should be created.

[0028] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an inductive kitchen system having the features of patent claim 1, by an inductive hob having the features of patent claim 13, and by a kitchenware having the features of patent claim 14. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following subclaims.

[0029] The invention thus relates to an inductive kitchen system with an inductive hob having a support surface which is designed to receive at least one piece of kitchenware on it in a freely positionable manner from above, with a plurality of first induction elements which are arranged below the support surface and are each designed to heat a piece of kitchenware located on the support surface in a freely positionable manner, and with a plurality of second induction elements which are arranged in a predetermined manner below the support surface and are each designed to detect the presence of a piece of kitchenware on the support surface at least substantially directly above them, and with at least the kitchenware having at least one electrical energy store which is designed to supply electrical power to at least one electronic element of the kitchenware.

[0030] The first induction elements are configured and provided for inductively heating a piece of kitchenware, in particular a ferromagnetic base of a piece of kitchenware. The second induction elements are configured and provided as sensors for detecting the presence of a piece of kitchenware. According to the invention, the second induction elements are also configured and provided for inductively transmitting electrical energy to the kitchenware, in particular to an induction element of the kitchenware.

[0031] One aspect is that inductive heating of the kitchenware using the second induction elements is not possible. The second induction elements are neither intended nor configured nor designed to inductively heat a ferromagnetic base of the kitchenware. This is expressly demonstrated by the fact that the first induction elements have an average diameter of at least 8 centimeters and / or an area of ​​at least 50 square centimeters parallel to the hob's installation surface, and are thus significantly larger than the second induction elements, which have an average diameter of at most 5 centimeters and / or an area of ​​at most 20 square centimeters parallel to the hob's installation surface.

[0032] The number of second induction elements can be identical to or less than the number of first induction elements. Preferably, the number of second induction elements is greater than the number of first induction elements. This can improve the response and / or effect of the second induction elements on the cookware. Particularly preferably, the number of second induction elements is significantly higher than the number of first induction elements. This means that the number of second induction elements is in a ratio of 3 / 2 or greater to the number of first induction elements.

[0033] The second induction elements are significantly smaller in their spatial extent, particularly in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y, than the first induction elements. This facilitates their arrangement in and / or between the first induction elements.

[0034] The kitchenware can be any type of kitchenware that can be used in a kitchen for preparing, cooking, and / or storing food, as well as for serving prepared food. These can include, in particular, cooking pots, casseroles, frying pans, and the like. The electrical energy storage device is a chargeable or rechargeable electrical energy storage device, such as a capacitor or a battery, as will be described in more detail below. The electronic elements of the kitchenware can be, for example, sensors, display and / or operating elements, control elements, and the like.

[0035] The inductive kitchen system according to the invention is characterized in that the cookware has at least one induction element, and the inductive cooktop is configured to operate at least one of its second induction elements in such a way that the electrical energy storage device of the cookware located on the support surface can be inductively charged by means of its induction element. The induction elements can, in particular, be induction coils. The induction coils of the inductive cooktop can be used and referred to as power coils and as sensor or charging coils.

[0036] In other words, according to the invention, the electrical energy storage device of the kitchenware can be charged or recharged using the induction hob. This is advantageous because additional charging devices are not required. It is also possible to dispense with the need to replace a used electrical energy storage device, such as a battery. This can increase user convenience. It can also increase the availability of the kitchenware and its electronic functions.

[0037] The invention is based on the finding that, to date, the electronic elements of a piece of kitchenware have either been operated with electrical energy stored in an electrical energy storage device or, at that moment, inductively coupled from the inductive hob with specific cooking zones into the kitchenware and used directly. This limits this possibility, as electrical energy cannot be made available inductively in every operating state of the induction hob. Thus, a cooking zone of an induction hob can, to date, either inductively provide electrical energy to operate functions of the kitchenware, or the kitchenware can be inductively heated by the induction hob; however, at that moment or in that operating state, the functions of the electronic elements of the kitchenware are not available.

[0038] In the case of inductive hobs, the inductive coupling of electrical energy into the kitchenware is not yet known.

[0039] According to the invention, the second induction elements of an inductive hob, which previously only served to detect the position of the kitchenware on the installation surface, are therefore used to additionally carry out an inductive coupling with at least one induction element of the kitchenware and thus to charge its electrical energy storage device.

[0040] The heating of the kitchenware by means of the first induction elements, which can also be referred to as power coils, and the charging by means of at least one of the second induction elements, which can also be referred to as sensor / charging coils, can take place in parallel, ie simultaneously, or alternatively, ie staggered in time, wherein the inductive hob can be designed to provide both possibilities.

[0041] One aspect is that the inductive coupling for transmitting electrical energy from the hob to the kitchenware is carried out only by means of the second induction elements and the induction element of the kitchenware.

[0042] One aspect is that the cookware has a filter between the induction element of the cookware and the cookware's electronics, which only allows the frequencies of the second induction element to pass through. This ensures that the energy is transferred to the cookware through inductive coupling only via the second induction elements. This prevents overloading of the cookware's electronics without significantly shortening the time required for inductive energy transfer.

[0043] Additionally, the electronic elements of the cookware can be directly powered by at least one of the second induction elements of the induction hob. This means that, in addition to charging, the electronic elements of the cookware can also be directly operated to avoid consuming the stored electrical energy. Excess electrical energy not required for directly operating the electronic elements of the cookware can be stored in the electrical energy storage device.

[0044] It is therefore advantageous that the function of charging the electrical energy storage device of the kitchenware can be implemented by means of at least one of the second induction elements of the inductive hob, independently of the technology of the first induction elements. In other words, the charging function of the kitchenware can be implemented independently of the induction technology of the inductive hob. In particular, the two functions of inductive heating and inductive charging can be implemented technically independently of one another, which can reduce costs. In particular, such a separation of functions can make it possible to specifically design or optimize both types of induction elements of the inductive hob for the respective purpose, whereby the second induction elements of the inductive hob must also retain their previous sensor function.

[0045] Another advantage is that the use of the second induction elements of the induction hob, which have previously only been used as sensors for detecting the presence of kitchenware, reliably prevents unwanted excessive power output from the second induction elements of the induction hob, since the second induction elements of the induction hob are technically incapable of doing so. This can increase the safety of using the inductive kitchen system according to the invention for the user.

[0046] The induction elements have a planar extent that is oriented parallel to the surface on which the cookware rests on the hob. The first induction elements intended for inductive heating of the cookware have a significantly larger planar extent than the second induction elements intended as sensors and / or as energy transmitters via inductive coupling. This has the advantage that, on the one hand, the largest possible first induction elements enable good surface coverage with the first induction elements and thus effective heating of the cookware. On the other hand, the smallest possible second induction elements can be easily arranged in the spaces between adjacent first induction elements or around the first induction elements without significantly impairing the surface effectiveness of the first induction elements.

[0047] According to the invention, the first induction elements have an average diameter of at least 8 centimeters and / or an area of ​​at least 50 square centimeters parallel to the installation surface of the hob. Furthermore, it has proven advantageous for the second induction elements to have an average diameter of at most 5 centimeters and / or an area of ​​at most 20 square centimeters parallel to the installation surface of the hob.

[0048] One embodiment of a hob provides that the average coverage area of ​​all first induction elements is at least twice, preferably at least three times, the coverage area of ​​the largest second induction element. The term coverage area is a synonym for the planar extension parallel to the installation surface of the hob.

[0049] According to one aspect of the invention, the first induction elements of a hob can have different sizes. The second induction elements are preferably identical in terms of their size, in particular in terms of their planar extension parallel to the installation surface of the hob.

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the inductive hob is designed to operate a plurality of its second induction elements in such a way that the electrical energy storage device of the kitchenware located on the installation surface can be inductively charged by means of its induction element. This aspect of the invention is based on the finding that the second induction elements of the inductive hob are significantly smaller than the kitchenware and are arranged much more densely than the first induction elements. Thus, a kitchenware can usually be arranged above at least two second induction elements, so that all second induction elements of the inductive hob covered by the kitchenware can also be used to participate in the inductive charging process. This can increase and / or accelerate the inductive charging and / or reduce the load per second induction element.

[0051] According to a further aspect of the invention, the cookware comprises a plurality of induction elements. These induction elements of the cookware can be designed to be correspondingly smaller than the base of the cookware and can be distributed over a large area.

[0052] This aspect of the invention is based on the finding that the second induction elements of the induction hob are significantly smaller than the cookware and are arranged much more densely than the first induction elements. Thus, a cookware item can typically be arranged above at least two second induction elements. If the induction element of the cookware is then designed to be as large as possible and to cover the entire surface of the base of the cookware, as has previously been the case with cookware for induction hobs with specific cooking zones, the induction element of the cookware can be significantly larger than the second induction elements of the induction hob, which can have an adverse effect on the inductive coupling.

[0053] Therefore, according to this aspect of the invention, several smaller induction elements are provided on the part of the kitchenware, which correspond more to the size of the second induction elements of the inductive hob and thus, with sufficient overlap, can lead to better inductive coupling, which can benefit the inductive electrical energy transmission.

[0054] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive hob is designed to operate its second induction elements in a standby mode such that the electrical energy storage device of the kitchenware located on the installation surface can be inductively charged by means of its induction element, and to operate its second induction elements in an operating mode such that the presence of the kitchenware on the installation surface can be detected at least substantially directly via the second induction elements.

[0055] In standby mode, various functions of the induction hob can be used without the first induction elements of the induction hob transferring power to the cookware, which could lead to the intended induction heating of the cookware. This is only possible in operating mode. This makes it possible to use both functions of the induction cooking system separately with an induction hob.

[0056] In other words, in standby mode, when the position of a piece of kitchenware does not need to be detected by the sensor-operated second induction elements of the induction hob, the second induction elements of the induction hob can be operated exclusively for the electrical inductive charging of the electrical energy storage device and / or for the direct electrical inductive supply of the electronic elements of the kitchenware. However, if the induction hob is used in operating mode to heat a piece of kitchenware, the position of the kitchenware on the installation surface must be detected and continuously monitored with an induction hob, so that the second induction elements of the induction hob can then be used for this purpose.

[0057] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive hob is designed to operate its second induction elements in one operating mode such that the presence of the kitchenware on the support surface can be detected at least substantially directly via the second induction elements, or such that the electrical energy storage device of the kitchenware located on the support surface can be inductively charged by means of its induction element. In other words, the second induction elements of the inductive hob can alternatively perform both functions in the operating mode, i.e., the sensory detection of kitchenware and the inductive charging or operation of the kitchenware, as described above.

[0058] This aspect of the invention is based on the finding that a sensory check for the (continued) presence of a piece of kitchenware above the second induction elements of the induction hob must be carried out continuously during the operating mode of the induction hob, but not continuously. In other words, such a sensory check for the presence of a piece of kitchenware at a rate of, for example, 0.1 seconds may be sufficient to detect a change in the presence or absence of the piece of kitchenware per second induction element sufficiently quickly and to be able to react to this. In the meantime, the second induction elements of the induction hob can therefore be used for inductive charging or inductive operation of the piece of kitchenware without limiting the sensory function of the second induction elements of the induction hob.

[0059] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive hob is designed to detect an overlap of at least one of its second induction elements with the induction element, preferably with at least one of the induction elements, of the kitchenware that is sufficient for inductive coupling and, in response thereto, to start a charging process and / or to inform a user of the overlap. This can occur through the interaction of the induction elements with one another. In response thereto, the charging process and / or a direct electrical supply to the kitchenware can thus be automatically started by the inductive hob, which can relieve the user of this burden. Additionally or alternatively, this can be communicated to the user in order to inform the user about this process. This can occur by optical, acoustic and / or haptic means. Such information can also be provided by the inductive hob and / oror transmitted from the cookware to a user's mobile device, such as a smartphone, where it is communicated to the user visually, acoustically, and / or haptically. In any case, this can inform or remind the user that a charging process is taking place between the induction hob and the cookware, so that the user does not accidentally remove the cookware from the induction hob or change the position of the cookware on the induction hob's surface, thereby interrupting or ending the charging process.

[0060] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive hob is designed to detect a change in the degree of overlap between at least one of its second induction elements and the induction element, preferably with at least one of the induction elements, of the kitchenware, which is sufficient for inductive coupling, and in response thereto to communicate the degree of overlap to a user. This can be achieved by a change in the interaction between the induction elements, which can be detected by the inductive hob. In other words, the inductive hob can detect whether the degree of overlap between at least one of the second induction elements of the inductive hob and the induction element or with several induction elements of the kitchenware increases or decreases when the user changes the positioning of the kitchenware on the installation surface of the inductive hob.This can be communicated to the user, providing support in adjusting the positioning of the cookware on the induction hob's surface to achieve sufficient coverage or inductive coupling to enable inductive charging of the cookware's electrical energy storage device. The user can also be notified that such positioning has been achieved.

[0061] This can be done through optical, acoustic, and / or haptic means. Such information can also be transmitted from the induction hob and / or the cookware to a user's mobile device, such as a smartphone, where it can be communicated to the user visually, acoustically, and / or haptically.

[0062] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive cooktop is further configured to operate its first induction elements for heating the cookware located on the support surface in parallel with the inductive charging of the electrical energy storage device of the cookware by means of its induction elements by the second induction element of the inductive cooktop. This can enable inductive charging of the electrical energy storage device of the cookware while the cookware is heating. This can save time that would otherwise have to be used to carry out the charging process alone.

[0063] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive hob is further configured to operate its first induction elements for heating the cookware located on the support surface, alternatively to inductively charging the electrical energy storage device of the cookware by means of its induction elements by the second induction element of the inductive hob. This can separate the two functions from each other. In particular, the heating of the cooking area can be reduced.

[0064] In particular, the second induction elements are not intended, configured, and / or suitable for inductively heating the cookware. This is due to the size of the second induction elements and / or the frequency at which the second induction elements operate and / or the power output of the second induction elements.

[0065] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive hob further comprises a first generator configured to operate the first induction element at a low frequency, in particular below 500 kHz, for example, between approximately 15 kHz and approximately 100 kHz. Effective inductive heating can occur particularly in this frequency range.

[0066] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive hob further comprises a second generator configured to operate the second induction element at a high frequency, in particular above 50 kHz, preferably at a frequency between approximately 50 kHz and approximately 10 MHz. It has been found that a charging coil in a piece of kitchenware can be addressed particularly well in this frequency band. Particularly preferred is the frequency between 80 kHz and 240 kHz, or between 480 kHz and 1 MHz, or between 3 MHz and 6 MHz. Effective inductive charging can occur particularly in these frequency ranges.

[0067] One aspect is that the first induction element is operated at a low frequency that is lower than a high frequency at which the second induction element is operated. One possible embodiment provides that the value of the high frequency is at least twice as high as the value of the low frequency.

[0068] According to a further aspect of the invention, the kitchenware is further configured to directly supply electrical power to at least one electronic element via its induction element. This allows charging to occur in addition to directly operating the electronic elements of the kitchenware. The electronic elements of the kitchenware can also be operated directly on their own, e.g., if the electrical energy storage device of the kitchenware is fully charged.

[0069] According to a further aspect of the invention, the electrical energy storage device of the cookware is a short-term energy storage device, preferably a capacitor, and the inductive hob is configured to briefly operate its second induction element, preferably repeatedly, with a sufficiently high electrical power so that the electrical energy storage device of the cookware located on the support surface can be inductively charged by means of its induction element. This can simplify the implementation of the invention and / or minimize the effort, costs, and / or installation space required for the electrical energy storage device.

[0070] According to a further aspect of the invention, the electrical energy storage device of the cookware is a long-term energy storage device, preferably a rechargeable battery, and the inductive hob is configured to operate its second induction element with a sufficiently high electrical power for a sufficiently long time so that the electrical energy storage device of the cookware located on the support surface can be inductively charged by means of its induction element. This can minimize the number and / or duration of charging processes and / or increase the availability of the functions of the electronic elements of the cookware.

[0071] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inductive hob and / or the kitchenware is / are designed to notify a user that the electrical energy storage device of the kitchenware is being charged. This can be done by optical, acoustic and / or haptic means. Such information can also be transmitted by the inductive hob and / or the kitchenware to a user's mobile device, such as a smartphone, and communicated to the user there optically, acoustically and / or haptically. In any case, this can inform or remind the user that a charging process is taking place between the inductive hob and the kitchenware, so that the user does not inadvertently remove the kitchenware from the installation surface of the inductive hob or move it there, thereby interrupting or ending the charging.

[0072] According to a further aspect of the invention, the kitchenware is designed to determine the charge level of the electrical energy storage device and to communicate this to a user. This can be done by optical, acoustic, and / or haptic means. Such information can also be transmitted from the kitchenware to the inductive hob and / or to a mobile device of the user, such as a smartphone, and communicated to the user there optically, acoustically, and / or haptically. In any case, the user can be kept up to date on the current charge level of the kitchenware in this way.

[0073] The invention also relates to an induction hob for use in an induction cooking system as described above. Thus, an induction hob can be provided to implement the induction cooking system according to the invention described above.

[0074] The invention also relates to a kitchen utensil, preferably a cooking utensil, for use in an inductive cooking system as described above. Thus, a kitchen utensil such as a cooking pot, a casserole dish, a frying pan, and the like can be provided to implement the inductive cooking system according to the invention described above.

[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, the kitchenware is configured to detect a predetermined low charge level of the electrical energy storage device and, in response, to output at least one corresponding notification to a user. This can be done by optical, acoustic, and / or haptic means. Such information can also be transmitted from the kitchenware to the inductive hob and / or to a user's mobile device, such as a smartphone, where it can be communicated to the user optically, acoustically, and / or haptically.In any case, this can ensure that the user charges the kitchenware in good time, before the electrical energy storage of the kitchenware is so depleted that the electronic elements of the kitchenware can no longer be operated and therefore charging must be carried out before the next use of the functions of the electronic elements of the kitchenware, which can delay and / or limit use.

[0076] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an inductive cooking system according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic top view of the inductive cooking system according to the invention.

[0077] The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. There is a longitudinal direction X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X extends a transverse direction Y, which can also be referred to as width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y extends a vertical direction Z, which can also be referred to as height Z.

[0078] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an inductive kitchen system 1, 2 according to the invention from the side. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the inductive kitchen system 1, 2 according to the invention from above.

[0079] The inductive kitchen system 1, 2 consists of an inductive hob 1 and a kitchen utensil 2 in the form of a cooking utensil 2, which is implemented as a pan 2, for example.

[0080] The induction hob 1 has a base 10 or a cover 10 in the form of a glass plate or a worktop, which forms the surface of the induction hob 1, on which kitchen or cooking utensils 2, such as the pan 2, can be placed. The induction hob 1 has a display / control element 11 so that information can be displayed to a user and inputs can be made by the user.

[0081] Below the installation surface 10 of the inductive cooktop 1, a plurality of first induction elements 12 are provided, which are designed as first induction coils 12 and represent inductive heating elements 12. The first induction elements 12 can be operated by a first generator (not shown) in a frequency range between approximately 15 kHz and approximately 100 kHz. The first induction coils 12 can also be referred to as power coils 12, and the first generator can also be referred to as a heating generator.

[0082] Furthermore, the inductive hob 1 additionally has, at a height Z below the installation surface 10, a plurality of second induction elements 13, each of which is designed to detect the presence of a piece of kitchenware 2, such as the pan 2, at a height Z directly above it on the installation surface 10. In other words, each second induction element 13 can distinguish whether or not a piece of kitchenware 2 is present on the installation surface 10 at a height Z above. This can be done by changing the oscillating circuit of the respective second induction element 13 depending on the presence or absence of a piece of kitchenware 2 above. The second induction elements 13 are designed as second induction coils 13 and can also be referred to as kitchenware detection sensors 13.

[0083] The number of second induction elements 13 is larger, preferably significantly higher, than the number of first induction elements 12 in the embodiment shown here. The second induction elements 13 are significantly smaller, in particular in the longitudinal direction X and in the transverse direction Y, than the first induction elements 12. The second induction elements 13 are also arranged above the first induction elements 12 and in the longitudinal direction X and in the transverse direction Y between the first induction elements 13, cf. in particular Fig. 2 .

[0084] According to the invention, the second induction elements 13 are further configured to transmit electrical energy to a piece of kitchenware 2, such as the pan 2 here, by means of inductive coupling. The second induction elements 13 can therefore also be referred to as inductive charging elements 13. The second induction coils 13 can be operated by a second generator (not shown) in a frequency range between approximately 50 kHz and approximately 4 MHz. The second induction elements 13 can also be referred to as charging coils 13, and the second generator can also be referred to as a charging generator.

[0085] The inductive hob 1 further comprises a transmitting / receiving unit 14, which is capable of receiving wireless signals, e.g., from the pan 2, and transmitting wireless signals, e.g., to the pan 2. The first induction coils 12, the second induction coils 13, the first generator, the second generator, and the transmitting / receiving unit are connected for signal transmission to a control unit 15 of the inductive hob 1, which can process and generate signals or data, and operate or control the first generator, the second generator, and the transmitting / receiving unit 14. The control unit 15 can also assume the operation and evaluation of the second induction elements 13 as kitchenware detection sensors 13.

[0086] The already mentioned pan 2 as kitchenware 2 has a kitchenware body 20 or a cooking utensil body 20 as pan body 20, on which side, in the illustration of the Fig. 1right, a handle element 21 or a handle 21 is arranged; in the Fig. 2 The handle 21 has been omitted to improve the illustration. In this embodiment, the pan body 20 forms a cylindrical and flat base 28, with which the pan 2 can be placed on the support surface 10 of the induction hob 1.

[0087] The handle 21 has a display element 22, for example in the form of a liquid crystal display or at least one LED, which serves to output information to the user. The handle 21 also has an operating element 23 in the form of a button and / or a proximity sensor and / or a touch sensor, which serves at least to establish or initialize a pairing of the pan 2 with the inductive hob 1. The handle 21 further has a transmitting / receiving unit 24. The display element 22, the operating element 23, and the transmitting / receiving unit 24 are each connected in a signal-transmitting manner (not shown) to a control unit 25, which can also be referred to as a signal processing unit 25. The display element 22, the operating element 23, the transmitting / receiving unit 24, and the control unit 25 represent the electronic elements 22-25 of the pan 2.

[0088] A plurality of induction elements 27 in the form of induction coils 27 are evenly distributed in the base 28 of the pan body 20 and, when used as intended, are arranged or printed onto the base 28 facing the installation surface 10 of the induction hob 1. The induction coils 27 are connected in an energy-transmitting manner to an electrical energy storage device 26, which is arranged in the handle 21 and, in turn, is connected in an energy-transmitting manner to the electronic elements 22-25 of the pan 2 and can electrically supply them. The electrical energy storage device 26 can be designed, for example, as a short-term electrical energy storage device 26, for example as a capacitor 26, or as a long-term electrical energy storage device 26, for example as a battery 26.

[0089] If the pan 2 has a battery 26, the functions of the electronic elements 22-25 of the pan 2 can be used by the user as long as sufficient electrical energy is stored in the battery 26. If the stored electrical energy of the battery 26 is running low, this can be detected, for example, by the control unit 25 of the pan 2 and a corresponding message can be output to the user, for example, via the display element 22 of the pan 2.

[0090] The user can then place the pan 2 on the installation surface 10 of the inductive hob 1. An inductive charging process can be initiated either manually by the user or automatically by the pan 2 and / or the inductive hob 1, which can begin with the creation of a sufficient inductive coupling. To do this, the user can move the pan 2 on the installation surface 10 of the inductive hob 1 in the longitudinal direction X and in the transverse direction Y, either independently or upon request from the pan 2 and / or the inductive hob 1, until there is coverage between at least one of the second induction elements 13 of the inductive hob 1 and at least one of the induction elements 27 of the pan 2, which can ensure sufficient inductive coupling for inductive energy transmission.

[0091] This can be continuously checked by the inductive hob 1 using the second induction elements 13. In particular, the degree of the respective overlap or inductive coupling of each of the second induction elements 13 can be continuously determined and, depending on its spatial distribution, the position of the pan 2 relative to the second induction elements 13 can be deduced. Based on this, the inductive hob 1 can provide the user with a visual, acoustic and / or haptic indication via its display / control element 11 and / or the pan 2 via its display element 22 as to the direction in which the user should move the pan 2 on the installation surface 10 of the inductive hob 1 in order to increase the overlap or inductive coupling or to achieve sufficient overlap or inductive coupling.

[0092] Once the required inductive coupling of at least one second induction element 13 of the inductive hob 1 and at least one induction element 27 of the pan 2 has been established, the battery 26 of the pan 2 can be inductively charged. Additionally, the inductively coupled electrical energy can also be used directly to operate the electronic elements 22-25 of the pan 2. For this purpose, the induction elements 27 of the pan 2 can be designed as induction coils 27 and referred to as inductive charging elements 27 or charging coils 27.

[0093] Inductive charging can take place in a standby mode of the inductive hob 1, in which the first induction coils 13 of the inductive hob 1 can remain inactive. Advantageously, in a standby mode, the second induction elements 13 of the inductive hob 1 do not have to be used as kitchenware detection sensors 13 and can thus be continuously available as charging coils 13.

[0094] In a separate operating mode, however, the second induction elements 13 of the inductive hob 1 must act as kitchenware detection sensors 13 at predetermined short time intervals, for example, to detect the pan 2; this is necessary so that the inductive hob 1 can actually control those first induction elements 12 located at a height Z below a piece of kitchenware 2 to heat the kitchenware 2. Between these times, in which the second induction elements 13 of the inductive hob 1 are operated as kitchenware detection sensors 13, the second induction elements 13 of the inductive hob 1 can continue to be used as charging coils 13 to inductively charge the battery 26 of the pan 2.

[0095] In the standby mode, at the same time as the inductive cooking surface 1 is being inductively charged, the inductive cooking surface 1 can provide the user with a visual, acoustic and / or haptic indication via its display / control element 11 and / or via the pan 2 via its display element 22 that the battery 26 of the pan 2 is being inductively charged.

[0096] In any case, when the electrical energy storage device 26 of the pan 2 is inductively charged, a portion of the inductively provided electrical energy can also be used to operate the electronic elements 22-25 of the pan 2. Also, only the electronic elements 22-25 of the pan 2 can be inductively powered, without the electrical energy storage device 26 of the pan 2 having to be inductively charged at the same time. List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0097] XLongitudinal direction; depth; length Ytransverse direction; width Zvertical direction; height 1 Induction hob 10 Installation surface; cover; 11 Display / control element 12 First induction elements; first induction coils; inductive heating elements; power coils 13 Second induction element; second induction coil; cookware detection sensors; inductive charging elements; charging coils 14 Transmitting / receiving unit 15 Control unit 2Kitchenware; Cooking utensils; Pan 20Kitchenware body; Cooking utensils body; Pan body 21Handle element; Handle 22Display element; 23Control element; Knob 24Transmitter / receiver unit 25Control unit; Signal processing unit 26Electrical (short-term / long-term) energy storage device; Capacitor; Battery 27Induction elements; Induction coils; Inductive charging elements; Charging coils 28Base

Claims

1. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) comprising an induction hob (1) having a placement surface (10) which is designed to receive at least one kitchen utensil (2) which can be freely positioned on said surface from above, having a plurality of first induction elements (12) which are arranged below the placement surface (10) and are each designed to inductively heat a kitchen utensil (2) located on the placement surface (10), and having a plurality of second induction elements (13) which are arranged in a predetermined manner below the placement surface (10) and are each designed to detect the presence of a kitchen utensil (2) on the placement surface (10) at least substantially directly above them, and the system comprising at least the kitchen utensil (2) having at least one electrical energy store (26) which is designed to electrically supply at least one electronic element (22-25) of the kitchen utensil (2), the kitchen utensil (2) having at least one induction element (27) and at least one electronic element (22-25), the kitchen utensil (2) being designed to electrically supply the at least one electronic element (22-25) by means of the induction element (27) thereof, and the induction hob (1) being designed to operate at least one of the second induction elements (13) thereof such that the electrical energy store (26) of the kitchen utensil (2) located on the placement surface (10) can be inductively charged by means of the induction element (27) thereof, characterised in that the first induction elements (12) have an average diameter of at least 8 centimetres and / or an extent of at least 50 square centimetres parallel to the placement surface (10) of the hob (1) and the second induction elements (13) have an average diameter of at most 5 centimetres and / or an extent of at most 20 square centimetres parallel to the placement surface (10) of the hob (1), the second induction elements (13) being neither intended nor designed to inductively heat a kitchen utensil (2) located on the placement surface (10).

2. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to claim 1, wherein the induction hob (1) is designed to operate a plurality of the second induction elements (13) thereof such that the electrical energy store (26) of the kitchen utensil (2) located on the placement surface (10) can be inductively charged by means of the induction element (27) thereof.

3. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the kitchen utensil (2) has a plurality of induction elements (27).

4. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the average covering region of all first induction elements (12) is at least twice as large, preferably at least three times as large, as the covering region of the largest of the second induction elements (13).

5. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the induction hob (1) is designed to operate the second induction elements (13) thereof in a standby mode such that the electrical energy store (26) of the kitchen utensil (2) located on the placement surface (10) can be inductively charged by means of the induction element (27) thereof, and to operate the second induction elements (13) thereof in an operating mode such that the presence of the kitchen utensil (2) on the placement surface (10) can be detected at least substantially directly above the second induction elements (13).

6. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the induction hob (1) is designed to operate the second induction elements (13) thereof in an operating mode such that the presence of the kitchen utensil (2) on the placement surface (10) can be detected at least substantially directly above the second induction elements (13) the electrical energy store (26) of the kitchen utensil (2) located on the placement surface (10) can be inductively charged by means of the induction element (27) thereof.

7. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the induction hob (1) is designed to detect covering, sufficient for inductive coupling, of at least one of the second induction elements (13) thereof with the induction element (27), preferably with at least one of the induction elements (27), of the kitchen utensil (2) and, in response thereto, to start a charging process and / or to inform a user of the covering.

8. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the induction hob (1) is designed to detect a change in covering, sufficient for inductive coupling, of at least one of the second induction elements (13) thereof with the induction element (27), preferably with at least one of the induction elements (27), of the kitchen utensil (2) and, in response thereto, to inform a user of the amount of covering.

9. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical energy store (26) of the kitchen utensil (2) is a short-term energy store (26), preferably a capacitor (26), and the induction hob (1) is designed to operate the second induction element (13) thereof, preferably repeatedly, briefly with a sufficiently high electrical power so that the electrical energy store (26) of the kitchen utensil (2) located on the placement surface (10) can be inductively charged by means of the induction element (27) thereof.

10. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrical energy store (26) of the kitchen utensil (2) is a long-term energy store (26), preferably a battery (26), and the induction hob (1) is designed to operate the second induction element (13) thereof with a sufficiently high electrical power for a sufficiently long time so that the electrical energy store (26) of the kitchen utensil (2) located on the placement surface (10) can be inductively charged by means of the induction element (27) thereof.

11. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the induction hob (1) comprises a first generator, which is designed to operate the first induction element (12) at a low frequency, in particular less than 200 kHz, preferably at a frequency between approximately 15 kHz and approximately 100 kHz, and a second generator, which is designed to operate the second induction element at a high frequency, in particular greater than 2 MHz, in particular at a frequency between approximately 50 kHz and approximately 5 MHz.

12. Induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the high frequency value of the second induction element is greater than the low frequency value of the first induction element.

13. Induction hob (1) for use in an induction kitchen system (1, 2) according to any of claims 1 to 12.