INDUCTION POWER SUPPLY DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an induction energy supply device according to the preamble of claim 1, an induction energy transmission system according to claim 10 and a method for operating an induction energy supply device according to the preamble of claim 13.

[0002] Induction energy supply devices for inductively transferring energy from a primary coil of a supply unit to a secondary coil of a mounting unit are already known from the prior art. For example, US Pat. No. 3,761,668 A proposes an induction hob that, in addition to inductively heating cookware, is also intended to supply energy to small household appliances, such as a blender. Energy provided inductively by a primary coil of the induction hob is partially transferred to a secondary coil integrated into the small household appliance.

[0003] It is well known that different installation units, especially different types of small household appliances, can have significant differences in their respective power requirements. Depending on the power required by the installation unit, the switching frequency of the inverters used to operate the supply unit must be varied. The extent of the switching losses occurring during operation of the inverters depends not only on the switching frequency itself but also, in particular, on the configuration of the snubber capacitors connected to the inverters. For example, previously known induction energy supply devices exhibit very high switching losses when operating installation units with a low power requirement of up to 500 watts, resulting in a disadvantageous reduction in energy efficiency.In addition, many known induction power supply devices, such as conventional induction cooktops, only allow operation of the installation units within a very limited power range due to the fixed configuration of the snubber capacitors. This is due to the fact that, due to the configuration of the snubber capacitors, certain switching frequencies cannot be exceeded or undercut, as the snubber capacitors would otherwise not be fully charged or discharged during a switching cycle.

[0004] This disadvantageously severely limits the flexibility with regard to operating different installation units in previously known induction energy supply devices. Documents EP 2 380 394 B1, DE 10 2012 206940 A1, and JP 2006 114320 A disclose further prior art induction energy supply devices with snubber units with snubber capacitors, wherein these capacitors are adjustable.

[0005] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, to provide a generic device with improved properties with regard to efficiency. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1, 10, and 13, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0006] The invention is based on an induction energy supply device, comprising a supply unit which has at least one supply induction element for the inductive provision of energy to a mounting unit, comprising an inverter unit for operating the supply induction element, comprising a snubber unit which is assigned to the inverter unit and has a plurality of snubber capacitors, and comprising a control unit for controlling the inverter unit.

[0007] It is proposed that the control unit has a data receiving element for wirelessly receiving at least one operating parameter from the installation unit and is provided to adapt a setting of the snubber unit based on the operating parameter.

[0008] Such a configuration advantageously makes it possible to provide an induction energy supply device with particularly high efficiency. In particular, energy efficiency can be advantageously increased by reducing, preferably minimizing, switching losses occurring in the inverter unit by adjusting the snubber unit based on the operating parameter. Furthermore, flexibility can advantageously be increased by enabling particularly efficient operation of a wide variety of installation units, each with different power requirements. In particular, installation units with low power requirements in the range of a few hundred watts can be operated particularly efficiently, which was previously not possible with induction energy supply devices known from the prior art.Furthermore, operating convenience for users can be advantageously increased because the operating parameter can be received wirelessly by the data receiving element and an automatic adjustment of the setting of the snubber unit by the control unit based on the operating parameter is possible, so that manual settings by the user are advantageously eliminated.

[0009] The induction energy supply device has at least one main functionality in the form of wireless energy transmission, in particular in a wireless energy supply of installation units. The induction energy supply device can be designed as part of an induction energy supply system. In an advantageous embodiment, the induction energy supply device is designed as an induction cooking device with at least one further main function that differs from a pure cooking function, in particular at least an energy supply and operation of small household appliances. For example, the induction energy supply device could be designed as an induction oven device and / or as an induction grill device. In particular, the supply unit could be designed as part of an induction oven and / or as part of an induction grill.Preferably, the induction energy supply device configured as an induction cooking device is configured as an induction hob. The supply unit is then configured, in particular, as part of an induction hob. In a further advantageous embodiment, the induction energy supply device is configured as a kitchen energy supply device and, in addition to its primary function of supplying energy and operating small household appliances, can also be provided for providing cooking functions.

[0010] A "supply unit" is understood to mean a unit that inductively provides energy in at least one operating state and, in particular, has a primary functionality in the form of energy provision. To provide energy, the supply unit has at least one supply induction element, which in particular has at least one coil, in particular at least one primary coil, and / or is designed as a coil, and which, in particular, provides energy inductively in the operating state.The supply unit could have at least two, in particular at least three, advantageously at least four, particularly advantageously at least five, preferably at least eight, and particularly preferably a plurality of supply induction elements, each of which could inductively provide energy in the operating state, in particular to a single receiving induction element or to at least two or more receiving induction elements of at least one installation unit and / or at least one further installation unit. At least some of the supply induction elements could be arranged in close proximity to one another, for example in a row and / or in the form of a matrix.

[0011] A "installation unit" is understood to mean a unit that inductively receives energy in at least one operating state and at least partially converts the inductively received energy into at least one further form of energy to provide at least one main function. For example, the energy inductively received by the installation unit could be converted, in particular directly, into at least one further form of energy, such as heat, in the operating state. Alternatively or additionally, the installation unit could have at least one electrical consumer, for example, an electric motor or the like. The installation unit has at least one receiving induction element for receiving the inductively provided energy.The installation unit could, for example, have at least two, in particular at least three, advantageously at least four, particularly advantageously at least five, preferably at least eight, and particularly preferably a plurality of receiving induction elements, each of which could inductively receive energy, particularly from the supply induction element, particularly in the operating state. The installation unit could, for example, be designed as a cooking utensil. The cooking utensil preferably has at least one food receiving space and, in the operating state, converts the inductively received energy at least partially into heat for heating food arranged in the food receiving space.Preferably, the installation unit designed as a cooking utensil has at least one further unit for providing at least one further function that goes beyond and / or differs from simply heating food. For example, the further unit could be designed as a temperature sensor or as a stirring unit or the like. Alternatively, the installation unit could be designed as a small household appliance. Preferably, the small household appliance is a location-independent household appliance that has at least the receiving induction element and at least one functional unit that provides at least one household appliance function in an operating state.In this context, "location-independent" means that the small household appliance can be freely positioned within a household by a user, and in particular without any tools, particularly in contrast to a large household appliance, which is permanently positioned and / or installed at a specific location within a household, such as an oven or a refrigerator. Preferably, the small household appliance is designed as a small kitchen appliance and, in its operating state, provides at least one main function for processing food.The small household appliance could, for example, be designed as, but not limited to, a food processor and / or as a blender and / or as a stirrer and / or as a grinder and / or as a kitchen scale or as a kettle or as a coffee machine or as a rice cooker or as a milk frother or as a deep fryer or as a toaster or as a juicer or as a cutting machine or the like.

[0012] The receiving induction element of the installation unit comprises at least one secondary coil and / or is designed as a secondary coil. In an operating state of the installation unit, the receiving induction element supplies at least one consumer of the installation unit with electrical energy. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the installation unit to have an energy storage device, in particular an accumulator, which is designed to store electrical energy received via the receiving induction element in a charged state and to make it available to supply the functional unit in a discharged state.

[0013] In the operating state, the inverter unit preferably performs frequency conversion and, in particular, converts a low-frequency AC voltage on the input side into a high-frequency AC voltage on the output side. The low-frequency AC voltage preferably has a frequency of at most 100 Hz. The high-frequency AC voltage preferably has a frequency of at least 1000 Hz. The inverter unit is connected to the control unit and can be controlled by the control unit using control signals. The inverter unit is preferably provided to adjust the energy provided inductively by the at least one supply induction element by adjusting the high-frequency AC voltage. The supply unit preferably comprises at least one rectifier. The inverter unit has at least one inverter switching element.Preferably, the inverter switching element generates an oscillating electrical current for operating the at least one supply induction element, preferably with a frequency of at least 15 kHz, in particular of at least 17 kHz, and advantageously of at least 20 kHz. The inverter unit preferably comprises at least two inverter switching elements, which are preferably designed as bipolar transistors with an insulated gate electrode, and particularly advantageously at least one damping capacitor.

[0014] The snubber unit is assigned to the inverter unit and is intended to limit the voltage rise rate when switching the inverter switching elements of the inverter unit and thus to reduce, preferably minimize, the switching losses occurring when switching the inverter switching elements. Furthermore, the snubber unit is intended, in particular, to protect the inverter switching elements from overvoltages. Furthermore, the snubber unit is intended, in particular, to neutralize interfering high-frequency signals and to contribute to achieving improved electromagnetic compatibility of the induction energy supply device. The snubber unit has a plurality of snubber capacitors and can also have further elements, for example, electrical resistors and / or switches.The snubber unit has, in particular, a plurality of at least two, preferably at least three, and particularly preferably at least four snubber capacitors. Each of the snubber capacitors of the snubber unit is preferably directly electrically connected to at least one terminal of one of the inverter switching elements of the inverter unit. It would be conceivable for all snubber capacitors of the snubber unit to be substantially identical to one another and, in particular, each to have the same electrical capacitance. Preferably, at least two of the snubber capacitors of the snubber unit are differently designed from one another and differ, in particular, with regard to their respective electrical capacitance and / or design.A snubber capacitor differs from other capacitors of the induction energy supply device, in particular from a BUS capacitor and / or from a resonance capacitor, which forms an electromagnetic resonant circuit with at least one of the supply induction elements, and / or from other possibly present capacitors of the induction energy supply device, at least with regard to its arrangement and function with respect to at least one of the inverter switching elements of the inverter unit.

[0015] A "control unit" is understood to mean an electronic unit designed to control and / or regulate at least the inverter unit. Preferably, the control unit comprises a computing unit and, in particular, in addition to the computing unit, a memory unit with a control and / or regulation program stored therein, which is designed to be executed by the computing unit.

[0016] The data receiving element is preferably provided for bidirectional wireless data transmission, i.e., for both wireless reception and wireless transmission of data. The data receiving element could be provided for wireless data transmission between the installation unit and the control unit via RFID, or via WIFI, or via Bluetooth, or via ZigBee, or for wireless data transmission according to another suitable standard. Preferably, the data receiving element is provided for wireless reception of data, which at least includes the operating parameter but need not be limited to the operating parameter, via NFC. Particularly preferably, the data receiving element is provided for both wireless reception and wireless transmission of data via NFC.

[0017] The operating parameter of the installation unit could, for example, be a target power, in particular a currently set one, and / or a minimum power and / or a maximum power of the installation unit. It would also be conceivable for the operating parameter to be a parameter which further characterizes the receiving induction element of the installation unit and which, for example, includes a shape and / or size, in particular a radius and / or diameter, and / or a cross-sectional area and / or a number of windings and / or a material and / or a spatial position of the receiving induction element within the installation unit and / or an amount of electrical resistance and / or an impedance and / or an inductance and / or a magnetic flux density and / or a resonance frequency and / or the like.

[0018] Preferably, an induction energy transmission system comprising the induction energy supply device has at least one support plate for supporting the support unit. It would also be conceivable for the support plate to be part of the induction energy supply device. A "support plate" is understood to mean at least one, in particular plate-like, unit that is intended for supporting at least one support unit and / or for supporting at least one item of food. The support plate could, for example, be designed as a worktop, in particular as a kitchen worktop, or as a partial area of ​​at least one worktop, in particular at least one kitchen worktop, in particular of the induction energy supply device. Alternatively or additionally, the support plate could be designed as a hob plate.The installation plate designed as a hob plate could, in particular, form at least part of a hob outer housing and, in particular, together with at least one outer housing unit, to which the installation plate designed as a hob plate could, in particular, be connected in at least one assembled state, form at least a large part of the hob outer housing. The installation plate is preferably made of a non-metallic material. The installation plate could, for example, be formed at least largely from glass and / or glass ceramic and / or Neolith and / or Dekton and / or wood and / or marble and / or stone, in particular natural stone, and / or laminate and / or plastic and / or ceramic.In this application, positional designations such as "below" or "above" refer to the mounted state of the mounting plate, unless explicitly stated otherwise. In the mounted state, the mounting plate is preferably arranged above the supply unit.

[0019] In the present application, numerals such as "first" and "second," which precede certain terms, serve only to distinguish between objects and / or to associate objects with each other and do not imply a total number and / or ranking of the objects. In particular, a "second object" does not necessarily imply the presence of a "first object."

[0020] "Intended" means specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. An object being intended for a specific function means that the object fulfills and / or performs that specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0021] It is further proposed that the operating parameter be a target power of the installation unit. This can advantageously further increase efficiency. Preferably, the target power is a power which is set in the installation unit at a current point in time, in particular at a time of data reception by the control unit, and which is required to cover a current energy requirement of the installation unit at that time. It would also be conceivable for the operating parameter to define several target powers, for example a first target power which defines the power required at the current point in time, and a second target power which defines a power required at a future point in time, for example after a change in a power level of the installation unit.

[0022] It is also proposed that the induction energy supply device have a measuring unit which is provided for measuring at least one further operating parameter of the installation unit. This can advantageously further improve efficiency. The measuring unit could have at least one optical element, for example a camera and / or a light barrier or the like, which is provided for determining the further operating parameter of the installation unit in order to detect a shape and / or size of the installation unit and / or a current degree of coverage of the supply induction element by the receiving induction element. Preferably, the measuring unit is part of the control unit and is electrically connected to the supply unit. Preferably, the measuring unit comprises a microprocessor.To determine the further operating parameter, the measuring unit preferably measures at least one measurement signal from the supply unit in an operating state, in particular a signal of an alternating current from a resonant circuit formed by the supply induction element and at least one inverter switching element of the inverter unit. The measuring unit compares the measurement signal, in particular by means of the microprocessor, with a stored reference signal, which is preferably measured in a reference state in which the supply unit was operated without a load, i.e., in particular, without a receiving induction element located above the supply induction element, and determines the further operating parameter therefrom.The further operating parameter could be a parameter which characterizes the receiving induction element of the installation unit in more detail and which in particular comprises at least one electrical and / or electromagnetic characteristic of the receiving induction element, for example an amount of electrical resistance and / or an impedance and / or an inductance and / or a magnetic flux density and / or a resonant frequency and / or the like. The further operating parameter is preferably a current power loss occurring during operation of the supply unit for the inductive provision of energy to the installation unit. It would also be conceivable for the further operating parameter to comprise the same characteristic as the operating parameter. For example, the operating parameter and the further operating parameter could each comprise a target power of the installation unit.This advantageously enables the control unit to check the operating parameters received from the installation unit via the data receiving element, thus reducing the susceptibility of the induction energy supply device to errors. Furthermore, it is proposed that the control unit be configured to take the additional operating parameters into account when adjusting the snubber unit. This advantageously allows the control unit to achieve particularly precise adjustment of the snubber unit settings, thus further improving efficiency.

[0023] Furthermore, it is proposed that at least one of the snubber capacitors of the snubber unit be designed as a variable capacitor. Such a configuration can advantageously further increase efficiency, in particular by enabling particularly precise and continuous adjustment of the setting of the snubber unit. The variable capacitor could be a mechanically variable capacitor, for example a variable capacitor or a trimming capacitor, in particular an SMD trimmer or a tube trimmer or a variable vacuum capacitor or the like. It would also be conceivable for the variable capacitor to be designed as an electrically variable capacitor, for example as a capacitance diode or as a dielectrically variable capacitor or as a digitally variable capacitor or the like.

[0024] It is further proposed that the snubber unit have at least one switching element, by means of which at least one of the snubber capacitors can be switched on or off by the control unit. This can advantageously further increase efficiency. In particular, cost efficiency can be improved since an adjustment option for the snubber unit by switching individual snubber capacitors on or off using the switching element can be implemented particularly easily and inexpensively. The switching element has at least one control contact, via which it can be controlled by the control unit. The switching element could be designed as a mechanical and / or electromechanical switching element, for example as a relay. Preferably, the switching element is designed as a semiconductor switching element, in particular as a transistor. For example, the switching element could be designed as an FET, in particular as a MOSFET, or as an RC-IGBT.Particularly preferably, the switching element is designed as a HEMT transistor.

[0025] It is also proposed that a total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit can be set by the control unit to at least two different levels within a value range of at least 0 nF and at most 40 nF. Such a configuration can advantageously improve flexibility. In particular, the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit can be set by the control unit to at least two different levels within a value range of at least 1 nF, advantageously at least 2 nF, particularly advantageously at least 3 nF, preferably at least 4 nF, particularly preferably at least 5 nF, and at most 39 nF, advantageously at most 37 nF, particularly advantageously at most 35 nF, preferably at most 34 nF, particularly preferably at most 33 nF.

[0026] Furthermore, it is proposed that the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit in a first of the two stages has a value of at least 0 nF and at most 20 nF. Such a configuration can advantageously further improve efficiency. In particular, very efficient operation of the inverter unit for the inductive provision of energy by the supply induction element to installation units with low power requirements, in particular a power requirement of up to 500 watts, can be achieved. In particular, the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit in the first stage has a value of at least 1 nF, advantageously at least 2 nF, particularly advantageously at least 3 nF, preferably at least 4 nF, particularly preferably at least 5 nF, and at most 19 nF, advantageously at most 18 nF, particularly advantageously at most 17 nF, preferably at most 16 nF and particularly preferably at most 15 nF.

[0027] Furthermore, it is proposed that the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit in a second of the two stages has a value of at least 15 nF and at most 40 nF. This can advantageously further improve efficiency. In particular, very efficient operation of the inverter unit for the inductive provision of energy by the supply induction element to installation units with medium to high power requirements, in particular a power requirement of 500 watts and more, can be achieved. In particular, the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit in the second stage has a value of at least 16 nF, advantageously at least 17 nF, particularly advantageously at least 18 nF, preferably at least 19 nF, particularly preferably at least 20 nF, and at most 39 nF, advantageously at most 37 nF, particularly advantageously at most 35 nF, preferably at most 34 nF and particularly preferably at most 33 nF.

[0028] The invention further relates to an induction energy transmission system comprising an induction energy supply device according to one of the previously described embodiments, comprising at least one mounting unit and, in particular, comprising a mounting plate arranged above the supply unit for mounting the mounting unit. Such an induction energy transmission system is characterized, among other things, by a particularly high degree of efficiency, which can be achieved in particular by the previously described embodiments of the induction energy supply device.In addition, such an induction energy transmission system can also advantageously achieve a particularly high level of flexibility and ease of use for users by enabling particularly efficient and, at the same time, simple and intuitive operation of different types of installation units of the induction energy transmission system, each with different performance requirements.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment of the induction energy transmission system, it is proposed that the installation unit be designed as a small household appliance. This advantageously further improves flexibility.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the induction energy transmission system comprise at least one additional mounting unit configured as a cooking utensil. This advantageously further improves ease of use. In particular, precise control of the energy provided inductively by the supply unit for heating foodstuffs arranged in the cooking utensil can be provided.

[0031] The invention further relates to a method for operating an induction energy supply device, in particular according to one of the previously described embodiments, with a supply unit which has at least one supply induction element for the inductive provision of energy to a mounting unit, with an inverter unit for operating the supply induction element and with a snubber unit assigned to the inverter unit, which has a plurality of snubber capacitors.

[0032] It is proposed that, in an operating state, at least one operating parameter of the installation unit is wirelessly received by a data receiving element, and a setting of the snubber unit is adjusted based on the operating parameter. Such a method can advantageously enable particularly efficient operation of the induction energy supply device.

[0033] The induction energy supply device and the induction energy transmission system are not intended to be limited to the applications and embodiments described above. In particular, the induction energy supply device and / or the induction energy transmission system may have a number of individual elements, components, and units that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a functionality described herein.

[0034] They show: Fig. 1An induction energy transmission system with an induction energy supply device, which comprises a supply unit and a control unit, and with two installation units in a schematic representation, Fig. 2a schematic electrical circuit diagram of the supply unit with an inverter unit and a snubber unit assigned to the inverter unit, Fig. 3a schematic diagram showing two power curves of a power that can be provided inductively by the supply unit as a function of a setting of the snubber unit by the control unit, Fig. 4a schematic diagram showing a method for operating the induction energy supply device and Fig.5 shows a further embodiment of an induction energy transmission system with an induction energy supply device, which comprises a supply unit and a control unit, and with two installation units in a schematic representation. .

[0035] Figure 1 shows an induction energy transmission system 50a in a schematic representation. The induction energy transmission system 50a has an induction energy supply device 10a.

[0036] The induction energy transmission system 50a has at least one installation unit 16a. In this case, the induction energy transmission system 50a has the installation unit 16a and a further installation unit 18a. The installation unit 16a is embodied as a small household appliance 52a, specifically a food processor. The further installation unit 18a is embodied as another small household appliance 54a, specifically a kettle.

[0037] The induction energy transmission system 50a has a support plate 48a. In the present embodiment, the support plate 48a is designed as a cooktop plate 58a.

[0038] The induction energy supply device 10a comprises a supply unit 12a. The supply unit 12a comprises at least one supply induction element 14a for inductively supplying energy to the mounting unit 16a and / or the further mounting unit 18a. In the present case, the supply unit 12a comprises a total of four supply induction elements 14a, although any other number would be conceivable.

[0039] The installation unit 16a and the further installation unit 18a each have a receiving induction element 80a, which is provided for receiving at least part of the energy inductively provided by the supply induction element 14a.

[0040] The induction energy supply device 10a has an inverter unit 20a (cf. Figure 2 ). The induction energy supply device 10a has a control unit 32a for controlling the inverter unit 20a.

[0041] The control unit 32a has a data receiving element 34a. The data receiving element 34a is configured to wirelessly receive at least one operating parameter 36a (cf. Figure 3) from the installation unit 16a. In the present case, the data receiving element 34a is designed as an NFC element and is intended for both wireless reception of data and wireless transmission of data. The installation unit 16a has a data transmission element 76a for wireless transmission and reception of data. Likewise, the further installation unit 18a has a further data transmission element 78a for wireless transmission and reception of data. The data transmission element 76a and the further data transmission element 78a are each designed as NFC elements in the present case. In at least one operating state of the induction energy transmission system 50a, the installation unit 16a sends the operating parameter 36a to the data receiving element 34a of the control unit 32a.

[0042] Figure 2shows a schematic electrical circuit diagram with the supply unit 12a. The inverter unit 20a has at least two inverter switching elements 60a, 62a for operating the supply induction element 14a. The inverter switching elements 60a, 62a are designed as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and arranged in a half-bridge circuit. In an operating state, the inverter switching elements 60a, 62a provide a high-frequency alternating current to the supply induction element 14a for the inductive provision of energy.

[0043] The induction energy supply device 10a has a snubber unit 22a. The snubber unit 22a is assigned to the inverter unit 20a. The snubber unit 22a has a plurality of snubber capacitors 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a. In the present case, the snubber unit 22a has a total of four snubber capacitors 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a, wherein any number greater than one is conceivable.

[0044] The control unit 32a is provided to adjust a setting of the snubber unit 22a based on the operating parameter 36a.

[0045] The induction energy supply device 10a has a measuring unit 38a (cf. Figure 1). The measuring unit 38a is provided for determining at least one further operating parameter 40a of the installation unit 16a. In the present case, the measuring unit 38a is part of the control unit 32a and is electrically connected to the supply unit 12a. The measuring unit 38a comprises a microprocessor (not shown). In an operating state, the measuring unit 38a measures at least one measurement signal of an alternating current in an oscillating circuit formed by the supply induction element 14a and the inverter switching elements 60a, 62a. The measuring unit 38a compares the measurement signal with a stored reference signal and determines the further operating parameter 40a therefrom. The reference signal is measured in a reference state in which the supply unit 12a is operated without a load, i.e., without a receiving induction element 80a located above the supply induction element 14a.As soon as the receiving induction element 80a is arranged above the supply induction element 14a, the measurement signal deviates from the reference signal. The further operating parameter 40a in this case is a power loss of the supply unit 20a (see . Figure 3 ).

[0046] The control unit 32a is intended to take the further operating parameter 40a into account when setting the snubber unit 22a.

[0047] At least one of the snubber capacitors 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a is configured as a variable capacitor. In the present case, the snubber capacitor 24a and the snubber capacitor 26a are each configured as variable capacitors, specifically as rotary capacitors, although other types of variable capacitors could alternatively be used.

[0048] The snubber unit 22a has at least one switching element 42a. By means of the switching element 42a, at least one of the snubber capacitors 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a can be switched on or off by the control unit 32a. In the present case, the snubber unit 22a has exactly one switching element 42a, although any other number would be conceivable. In the present case, two of the snubber capacitors 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a, namely the snubber capacitor 28a and the snubber capacitor 30a, can be switched on or off by the control unit 32a.

[0049] A total electrical capacity of the snubber unit 22a is divided by the control unit 32a into at least two different stages 44a, 46a (cf. Figure 3) can be set within a value range of at least 0 nF and at most 40 nF. A first stage 44a of the at least two different stages 44a, 46a corresponds to an open state of the switching element 42a. In the open state, the snubber capacitor 24a and the snubber capacitor 26a are electrically conductively connected to the inverter switching elements 60a, 62a, while the snubber capacitor 28a and the snubber capacitor 30a are not electrically conductively connected to the inverter switching elements 60a, 62a. In the first stage 44a of the two stages 44a, 46a, the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit 22a has a value of at least 0 nF and at most 20 nF. A second stage 46a of the at least two different stages 44a, 46a corresponds to a closed state of the switching element 42a.In the closed state, all snubber capacitors 24a, 26a, 28a, 30a of the snubber unit 22a are electrically connected to the inverter switching elements 60a, 62a. In the second stage 44a of the two stages 44a, 46a, the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit 22a has a value of at least 15 nF and at most 40 nF.

[0050] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram illustrating a power that can be provided inductively by the supply unit 12a as a function of a setting of the snubber unit 22a by the control unit 32a based on the operating parameter 36a of the installation unit 16a. A target power of the installation unit 16a in watts is plotted on an abscissa 64a of the diagram.

[0051] The control unit 32a is provided to adjust a setting of the snubber unit 22a based on the operating parameter 36a. In this case, the operating parameter 36a is the target power of the installation unit 16a. The power loss of the inverter unit 20a is plotted in watts on an ordinate 66a. A first power curve 68a shows a curve of the power loss as a function of the target power with a setting of the snubber unit 22a in the first stage 44a. A second power curve 70a shows a curve of the power loss as a function of the target power with a setting of the snubber unit 22a in the second stage 46a. The curves of the power curves 68a, 70a are curves that were measured under ideal conditions.If the power loss measured by the measuring unit 38a in the operating state as a further operating parameter 40a deviates from the theoretical power loss according to the power curves 68a, 70a, the control unit 32a further adjusts the setting of the snubber unit 22a, in particular by changing the capacitance of the snubber capacitors 24a, 26a designed as variable capacitors.

[0052] In the diagram of the Figure 3several straight lines 82a, 84a, 86a, 88a, 90a, 92a are shown, each of which indicates an electrical efficiency of the supply unit. The straight line 82a corresponds to an efficiency of 50%, which means that in the area above the straight line 82a, at least half of the electrical power used to operate the inverter unit 20a is lost as power loss. The straight line 84a corresponds to an efficiency of 80%, which means that in an area below the straight line 84a, at least 80% of the power used to operate the inverter unit 20a can be used. The straight line 86a corresponds to an efficiency of 90%, the straight line 88a corresponds to an efficiency of 92.5%, the straight line 90a corresponds to an efficiency of 95%, and the straight line 92a corresponds to an efficiency of 97.5%. As can be seen from the diagram of the Figure 3As can be seen, the induction energy supply device 10a can be operated very efficiently for high target powers of the installation unit 16a when the snubber unit 22a is set to the second stage 46a. For target powers from approximately 2,000 watts, efficiencies of 95% and more can be achieved. For low target powers of the installation unit 16a up to 500 watts, however, a relatively low efficiency is shown when the snubber unit 22a is set to the second stage 46a, whereas the efficiency is significantly higher for low target powers when the snubber unit 22a is set to the first stage 44a. In this operating state, the control unit 32a therefore preferably sets the snubber unit 22a to the first stage 44a for low target powers up to approximately 500 watts and preferably to the second stage 46a for medium to high powers from approximately 500 watts.

[0053] Figure 4shows a schematic diagram illustrating a method for operating the induction energy supply device 10a. In the method, in an operating state of the induction energy supply device 10a, at least the operating parameter 36a of the installation unit 16a is received wirelessly by the data receiving element 34a, and a setting of the snubber unit 22a is adjusted based on the operating parameter 36a. The method comprises at least two method steps 72a, 74a. In a method step 72a, in the operating state, the operating parameter 36a of the installation unit 16a is received wirelessly by the data receiving element 34a. In a further method step 74a, the operating parameter 36a is processed by the control unit 32a, and a setting of the snubber unit 22a is subsequently adjusted based on the operating parameter 36a.

[0054] In Figure 5A further embodiment of the invention is shown. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, with reference to the description of the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 4 To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in the Figures 1 to 4 by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment of the Figure 5 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 4 be referred to.

[0055] Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of an induction energy transmission system 50b in a schematic representation.

[0056] The induction energy transmission system 50b has a mounting unit 16b. The mounting unit 16b is designed as a small household appliance 52b, specifically as a food processor. The induction energy transmission system 50b has at least one further mounting unit 18b. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiment, the mounting unit 18b is designed as a cooking utensil 56b.

[0057] The induction energy transmission system 50b has a mounting plate 48b for mounting the mounting unit 16b and the additional mounting unit 18b. Unlike the previous embodiment, the mounting plate 48b is designed as a kitchen worktop 94b.

[0058] The induction energy transmission system 50b comprises an induction energy supply device 10b with a supply unit 12b. The supply unit 12b has at least one supply induction element 14b for inductively supplying energy to the mounting unit 16b and / or the further mounting unit 18b. In the present case, the supply unit 12b has exactly two supply induction elements 14b, although any other number would be conceivable.

[0059] The induction energy supply device 10b comprises an inverter unit (not shown) and a snubber unit (not shown) associated with the inverter unit, which snubber unit has a plurality of snubber capacitors (not shown). The induction energy supply device 10b has a control unit 32b for controlling the inverter unit. The control unit 32b has a data receiving element 34b for wirelessly receiving at least one operating parameter (not shown) of the mounting unit 16b and is provided for adjusting a setting of the snubber unit based on the operating parameter. With regard to a structure of the snubber unit and a functioning of an adjustment of the snubber unit by the control unit 32b, reference can be made to the above description of the exemplary embodiment of the Figures 1 to 4 be referred to. Reference symbol

[0060] 10 Induction energy supply device 12 Supply unit 14 Supply induction element 16 Installation unit 18 Further installation unit 20 Inverter unit 22 Snubber unit 24 Snubber capacitor 26 Snubber capacitor 28 Snubber capacitor 30 Snubber capacitor 32 Control unit 34 Data receiving element 36 Operating parameter 38 Measuring unit 40 Further operating parameter 42 Switching element 44 First stage 46 Second stage 48 Installation plate 50 Induction energy transmission system 52 Small household appliance 54 Further small household appliance 56 Cooking utensil 58 Hob plate 60 Inverter switching element 62 Inverter switching element 64 Abscissa 66 Ordinate 68 Power curve 70 Power curve 72 Process step 74 Further process step 76Data transmission element 78Further data transmission element 80Recording induction element 82Straight 84Straight 86Straight 88Straight 90Straight 92Straight 94Kitchen worktop

Claims

1. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) with a supply unit (12a; 12b) that has at least one supplying induction element (14a; 14b) for inductively providing energy to a positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b), with an inverter unit (20a) for operating the supplying induction element (14a; 14b), with a snubber unit (22a) which is allocated to the inverter unit (20a) and has a plurality of snubber capacitors (24a, 26a, 28a, 30a), and with a control unit (32a; 32b) for controlling the inverter unit (20a), characterised in that the control unit (32a; 32b) has a data reception element (34a; 34b) for wireless reception of at least one operating parameter (36a) from the positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b) and is provided to adjust a setting of the snubber unit (22a) on the basis of the operating parameter (36a).

2. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 1, characterised in that the operating parameter (36a) is a target power of the positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b).

3. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by a measuring unit (38a) which is provided for determining at least one further operating parameter (40a) of the positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b).

4. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 3, characterised in that the control unit (32a; 32b) is provided to consider the further operating parameter (40a) when setting the snubber unit (22a).

5. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the snubber capacitors (24a, 26a, 28a, 30a) of the snubber unit (22a) is configured as a variable capacitor.

6. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the snubber unit (22a) has at least one switching element (42a), by means of the switching element at least one of the snubber capacitors (24a, 26a, 28a, 30a) being able to be switched on or off by the control unit (32a; 32b).

7. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit (22a) can be set by the control unit (32a) to at least two different levels (44a, 46a) within a value range of at least 0 nF and of at most 40 nF.

8. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 7, characterised in that, in a first level (44a) of the two levels (44a, 46a), the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit (22a) has a value of at least 0 nF and of at most 20 nF.

9. Induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that, in a second level (46a) of the two levels (44a, 46a), the total electrical capacitance of the snubber unit (22a) has a value of at least 15 nF and of at most 40 nF.

10. Induction energy transmission system (50a; 50b) with an induction energy supply device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b) and, in particular, with a positioning plate (48a, 48b) arranged above the supply unit (12a; 12b) for positioning the positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b).

11. Induction energy transmission system (50a; 50b) according to claim 10, characterised in that the positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b) is configured as a small household appliance (52a, 54a; 52b).

12. Induction energy transmission system (10b) according to claim 10 or 11, characterised by at least one further positioned unit (18b) which is configured as an item of cookware (56b).

13. Method for operating an induction energy supply device (10a; 10b), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 9, with a supply unit (12a; 12b) that has at least one supplying induction element (14a; 14b) for inductively providing energy to a positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b), with an inverter unit (20a) for operating the supplying induction element (14a; 14b) and with a snubber unit (22a) which is allocated to the inverter unit (20a) and has a plurality of snubber capacitors (24a, 26a, 28a, 30a), characterised in that in an operating state at least one operating parameter (36a) of the positioned unit (16a, 18a; 16b, 18b) is wirelessly received by a data reception element (34a) and a setting of the snubber unit (22a) is adjusted on the basis of the operating parameter (36a).