Hob device

Abstract

The invention relates to a hob device (10), (20), in particular an induction hob device, comprising at least one hob plate (12) having at least one cooking region (14), comprising at least one light source unit (16) having at least one light source (18) for providing light (20), and comprising at least one light wave guide unit (22) having at least one light wave guide (24) for transmitting the light (20), in particular into at least one area (26) surrounding the cooking region (14). According to the invention, in order to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of efficiency, an end region (38) of the light wave guide (24) contacts the hob plate (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooktop device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for assembling a cooktop device according to the preamble of claim 13.

[0002] From WO 2019 / 011586 A1, a cooktop device is already known with at least one cooktop plate, with at least one heating element, with at least one light supply unit which is arranged on a side of the heating element facing away from the cooktop plate and which provides light in at least one operating state, and with a waveguide unit which transports light from the light supply unit to a side of the heating element facing the cooktop plate in the operating state.

[0003] DE4405610 A1 discloses a lighting device with at least one device-integrated light source for illuminating a transparent glass-ceramic plate, which has at least one cooking zone, and with a luminous boundary surrounding the cooking zone.

[0004] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, providing a generic device with improved efficiency characteristics. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 13, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention relates to a cooktop device, in particular an induction cooktop device, with at least one cooktop plate which has at least one cooking area, with at least one light source unit comprising at least one light source for providing light, and with at least one optical waveguide unit comprising at least one optical waveguide for transmitting the light, in particular to at least one surrounding area of ​​the cooking area.

[0006] It is proposed that one end of the optical fiber contact the cooktop plate.

[0007] This design can advantageously increase the efficiency of lighting the cooking area and / or the surrounding area. In particular, it can minimize light loss, which in conventional cooktops can be caused by a gap between the optical fiber and the cooktop surface. Furthermore, symbols on the cooktop surface can be illuminated with pinpoint accuracy, and unwanted light scattering can be prevented. This also eliminates the need for opaque coatings on the cooktop surface, thus reducing production costs and / or improving the cooktop's aesthetics. Additionally, a light diffusion layer within the cooktop surface can be omitted, as light diffusion is achieved directly at the contact surface between the optical fiber and the cooktop surface, further reducing costs.Furthermore, manufacturing tolerances of components can be advantageously compensated for, thereby reducing material waste and thus production costs. These advantages allow users to be provided with a particularly energy-efficient, cost-effective, and / or aesthetically pleasing cooktop appliance with exceptionally high functionality.

[0008] In a further aspect of the invention, which can in particular be considered both independently of the first aspect and in combination with the first aspect of the invention, it is proposed that the light source unit is arranged below an area of ​​the hob plate located outside the surrounding area and the cooking area.

[0009] This further aspect of the invention advantageously enables particularly efficient and / or cost-effective lighting of the cooking area and / or the surrounding area. In particular, by arranging the light source unit outside the surrounding area and the cooking area, it is possible to use light sources, especially LEDs, with lower temperature resistance requirements compared to the prior art. This allows for the particularly advantageous use of light sources with very high luminous efficacy. Furthermore, this allows for the advantageous use of a switched-mode power supply designed for a lower rated power than would be the case with conventional LEDs or other light sources. Thus, manufacturing costs can be advantageously reduced, and a particularly cost-effective cooktop appliance can be provided.Furthermore, the lower temperature stress on the light source also allows the use of RGB LEDs, which can advantageously enhance the functionality of the cooktop, for example, by providing different colored illumination of the surrounding area in different operating situations. This can significantly improve user comfort and / or the user experience. Users also benefit from the cooktop's energy-saving and / or resource-conserving properties. The arrangement of the light source units according to the invention also advantageously results in a greater variety of options for a particularly aesthetic design of the cooktop.

[0010] The term "cooktop device," and in particular "induction cooktop device," shall be understood to mean at least a part, in particular a subassembly, of a cooktop, especially an induction cooktop, and may also include accessory units for the cooktop, such as a sensor unit for externally measuring the temperature of cookware and / or food being cooked. In particular, the cooktop device, especially the induction cooktop device, may also comprise the entire cooktop, in particular the entire induction cooktop. Alternatively to an induction cooktop device, the cooktop device may be at least a part, in particular a subassembly, of a glass-ceramic electric cooktop, a solid cooktop, or a gas cooktop, and may also comprise the entire glass-ceramic electric cooktop, the entire solid cooktop, or the entire gas cooktop.

[0011] The term "cooktop plate" is understood to mean, in particular, a unit designed for placing cooking utensils in at least one operating state and intended, in particular, to form part of a cooktop housing, especially the cooktop device and / or a cooktop comprising the cooktop device. In particular, in one installation position, the cooktop plate forms a part of the cooktop housing facing the user. The cooktop plate consists, in particular, at least predominantly of glass and / or glass-ceramic. Alternatively, the cooktop plate could consist of other suitable materials known to a person skilled in the art. It is particularly conceivable that the cooktop plate consists of a material that is at least partially coated.The term "at least to a large extent" shall be understood to mean in particular a proportion, especially a mass and / or volume proportion, of at least 70%, in particular of at least 80%, advantageously of at least 90% and preferably of at least 95%.

[0012] A "light source unit" is understood to mean, in particular, a unit comprising at least one light source and providing light, especially visible light, in at least one operating state, particularly by means of the light source. In particular, the light source unit comprises at least two, in particular at least four, advantageously at least eight, particularly advantageously at least twelve, and preferably a plurality of light sources. At least one light source of the light source unit could, for example, be configured as a display unit, preferably a backlit one, in particular as a matrix display unit, preferably as an LCD display, or as an OLED display. In particular, at least one light source of the light-providing unit, advantageously at least a majority of the light sources, and preferably all light sources of the light source unit, is configured as an LED."Visible light" is understood to refer in particular to electromagnetic radiation from a wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm.

[0013] The term "optical waveguide unit" shall be understood to mean, in particular, a unit comprising at least one optical waveguide and designed, in at least one operating state, to transport light, in particular visible light, in a targeted and / or directed manner, from a first region to at least one second region different from and / or spaced apart from the first, in particular from a region of the light source unit to at least one surrounding region of the cooking area. The term "optical waveguide" shall be understood to mean, in particular, an element which, in at least one operating state, transmits, in particular transports, electromagnetic radiation, in particular visible light and / or infrared radiation, advantageously both visible light and infrared radiation, in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide, preferably via total internal reflection within the optical waveguide.The optical waveguide, in at least one operating state, prevents the entry and / or exit of at least electromagnetic radiation in directions oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide. In particular, the optical waveguide unit comprises at least two, more particularly at least four, advantageously at least eight, particularly advantageously at least twelve, and preferably a plurality of optical waveguides. Preferably, a number of optical waveguides correspond to a number of light sources, and in particular, exactly one optical waveguide is assigned to each light source of the light source unit. The term "longitudinal direction" of an object is understood to mean, in particular, a direction that is aligned parallel to the longest side of the smallest imaginary geometric cuboid that just completely encloses the object.The term "essentially perpendicular" is intended here to define in particular an orientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, wherein the direction and the reference direction, in particular considered in a plane, enclose an angle of 90° and the angle has a maximum deviation of in particular less than 8°, advantageously less than 5° and particularly advantageously less than 2°.

[0014] A "cooking area" is understood to mean, in particular, a section of the cooktop, specifically a section of the cooktop surface, designed for placing at least one cooking vessel and heating at least one item contained within that vessel. Below the cooking area, particularly on the side of the cooktop surface facing away from the user when the cooktop is installed, at least one heating element, in particular at least one induction heating element, is arranged. This heating element provides energy in at least one operating state to heat the cooking area and / or a cooking vessel placed on the cooking area and / or an item contained within the cooking vessel. The heating element can, in particular, be part of the cooktop. Alternatively, the heating element can be part of a cooktop that incorporates the cooktop.

[0015] The term "surrounding area of ​​the cooking area" shall in particular be understood to mean an area of ​​the hob which includes at least the entire cooking area and which may additionally include a surface surrounding the cooking area, the outer boundary of which has a shortest distance to an outer boundary of the cooking area of ​​at least 1 cm, in particular at least 2 cm, advantageously at least 2.5 cm, and of at most 7 cm, in particular at most 5 cm, advantageously at most 4 cm.

[0016] The term "below" in relation to the cooktop refers specifically to the installation position of the cooktop. In this installation position, the area above the cooktop faces the user perpendicular to a main plane of the cooktop, while the area below the cooktop is located on the opposite side from the area above and faces away from the user.

[0017] A "principal extension plane" of a building unit is understood to be, in particular, a plane which is parallel to a largest side face of a smallest imaginary cuboid which just completely encloses the building unit, and in particular passes through the center of the cuboid.

[0018] The term "end region" of an optical waveguide shall be understood to mean, in particular, a region of the optical waveguide which comprises at least one point and / or surface of the optical waveguide through which the light transmitted and / or transported by the optical waveguide exits the optical waveguide, and which extends from this point and / or surface in the radial direction of the optical waveguide to an outer surface of the optical waveguide. The end region extends from the point and / or surface of the optical waveguide through which the light transmitted and / or transported by the optical waveguide exits the optical waveguide in the direction of a longitudinal extent of the optical waveguide, in particular by a length between 0.1% and 5% of the total longitudinal extent of the optical waveguide.The end region extends from the point and / or area of ​​the optical waveguide through which the light transmitted and / or transported through the optical waveguide exits the optical waveguide in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the optical waveguide, in particular by a length of at least 1 mm.

[0019] The phrase "contacting" a first object means, in particular, that the distance between the first and second object in the area of ​​contact is vanishingly small and, in particular, zero.

[0020] The term "intended" should be understood to mean, in particular, specially designed and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood to mean, in particular, that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0021] Furthermore, it is proposed that the area in question be an edge region of the cooktop. This advantageously allows for a further reduction, and in particular a minimization, of the requirements for the light source with regard to temperature resistance, thus enabling the use of particularly energy-efficient LEDs. An "edge region" is understood to be, in particular, an area below the cooktop that extends in a direction parallel to the main plane of extension of the cooktop, starting from at least one outer edge of the cooktop, by a maximum of 10 cm, particularly by a maximum of 8 cm, advantageously by a maximum of 7 cm, preferably by a maximum of 6 cm, and most preferably by a maximum of 5 cm in the direction of a center line of the cooktop passing through a center point of the cooktop. Preferably, the edge region is arranged at a maximum distance from the surrounding area.

[0022] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cooktop assembly include a mounting unit for attaching the optical fiber unit beneath the cooktop surface. This advantageously enables the optical fiber unit to be attached beneath the cooktop surface using simple technical means. The mounting unit, in particular, forms a mounting area in which the optical fiber unit, especially its optical fiber, is secured. The optical fiber unit can be secured within this mounting area by means of a form-fit, force-fit, or material-fit connection. For example, it is conceivable that the optical fiber unit is bonded or welded to the mounting unit within this area.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the fastening unit has at least one fastening element by means of which the optical fiber unit is attached to the fastening unit in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner, for example via a snap-fit ​​and / or plug connection and / or by means of a screw connection.

[0023] Furthermore, it is proposed that the mounting unit be part of a shielding unit designed to shield an electromagnetic field. This advantageously reduces the number of components. Additionally, a space-saving arrangement of the mounting unit and thus a particularly compact design of the cooktop assembly can be achieved.A "shielding unit" shall be understood to mean, in particular, a unit which is provided for shielding components of the cooktop device and / or the cooktop comprising the cooktop device, in particular electrical and / or electronic components arranged outside the shielding unit, in particular below a heating unit of the cooktop device and / or the cooktop comprising the cooktop device, for example a control unit, from an electromagnetic field which is generated by at least the heating unit, in particular by at least one induction heating element of the heating unit, the cooktop device and / or the cooktop comprising the cooktop device.

[0024] Furthermore, it is proposed that the optical fiber be self-supporting, extending from a mounting area on the mounting unit. This advantageously improves the mounting of the optical fiber. In particular, the number of mounting elements on the mounting unit can be advantageously reduced, or even minimized, thereby reducing material and / or assembly costs.A section of the optical waveguide encompassing the end region of the optical waveguide is arranged in a self-supporting manner. In this context, the phrase "arranged in a self-supporting manner" means, in particular, that the optical waveguide extends from the mounting area, in which the optical waveguide is fastened by means of at least one fastening element of the mounting unit, into a further area outside the mounting area, in particular in the direction of the cooktop, and / or projects and / or cantilevers, and is arranged in this further area without additional fastening elements, wherein the optical waveguide has sufficient stability to maintain the arrangement in the further area at least substantially permanently.The end of the optical fiber is in contact with the cooktop plate, particularly without additional fastening, especially permanently.

[0025] Furthermore, it is proposed that the optical fiber be designed to be at least substantially dimensionally stable and elastic. This can advantageously improve the installation of the optical fiber. In particular, the installation of the optical fiber can be improved by, on the one hand, allowing for flexibility of the optical fiber, especially due to its elastic properties, and reducing the risk of damage to the optical fiber. At the same time, particularly efficient installation, especially with a very small number of fasteners, can be achieved, also due to the dimensionally stable properties of the optical fiber. In addition, a particularly durable optical fiber can be advantageously provided.In particular, the optical waveguide has a bending stiffness selected such that the optical waveguide is sufficiently elastically deformable, especially for assembly, and is simultaneously sufficiently dimensionally stable in an assembled state to maintain its intended arrangement. Specifically, the optical waveguide comprises a material and / or consists at least substantially of a material whose modulus of elasticity, particularly depending on the diameter of the optical waveguide, is selected such that the optical waveguide is sufficiently elastically deformable and simultaneously dimensionally stable. In particular, the optical waveguide comprises a material with a modulus of elasticity between 2,500 MPa and 4,500 MPa. Preferably, the optical waveguide consists at least substantially of a material with a modulus of elasticity between 2,500 MPa and 4,500 MPa.

[0026] Furthermore, it is proposed that the optical fiber has a temperature resistance of at least 230°C. Preferably, the optical fiber has a temperature resistance of at least 250°C. This advantageously provides a particularly reliable and / or durable cooktop device.The term "temperature resistance" of an object and / or material refers in particular to an object-specific and / or material-specific temperature and / or temperature range to which the object and / or material can be exposed, especially permanently and directly, without this altering the relevant object and / or material properties beyond a tolerable level for the intended application and / or function of the object and / or material. Specifically, the object and / or material must remain functional, unaffected, and / or undamaged at the temperature and / or within the temperature range that defines its temperature resistance.Due to its temperature resistance, the optical waveguide can be permanently and directly exposed to temperatures of at least 230°C without any change to the properties of the optical waveguide, in particular its light transmission and / or elasticity and / or shape stability, beyond a level tolerable for the function of the optical waveguide within the hob device.

[0027] Furthermore, it is proposed that the optical waveguide comprises, and in particular consists of, at least one transparent thermoplastic polymer, in particular a polymer from the group of methacrylates, preferably polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and especially polymethacrylic methylimide (PMMI). This advantageously improves the optical waveguide production process. Moreover, it allows for the provision of an optical waveguide with particularly advantageous material properties. In particular, it allows for the provision of an optical waveguide with high light transmittance, which also exhibits high dimensional stability combined with sufficient elasticity and temperature resistance.Alternatively or additionally, the optical waveguide could be made of, and in particular consist of, another transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene ether (PPO), and / or polyethylene (PE). The optical waveguide could be manufactured using a forming process suitable for the transparent thermoplastic, particularly a single- or multi-component injection molding process or an extrusion process. Alternatively or additionally, the optical waveguide could be made of, and in particular consist of, a transparent inorganic material, such as glass.

[0028] Furthermore, it is proposed that the optical waveguide has an outer layer with a lower refractive index than the core of the optical waveguide. This advantageously reduces, and in particular minimizes, light losses. An outer layer is understood to be, in particular, a layer that completely surrounds the core of the optical waveguide. The outer layer can, in particular, be formed integrally with the core of the optical waveguide. Alternatively, the outer layer can, in particular, be a coating, for example, a silicon germanium coating.The outer layer could be applied to the core of the optical fiber as a coating by a coating process, in particular by screen printing, spin coating, dip coating, sol-gel coating, spraying, inkjet printing, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and / or physical vapor deposition (PVD). The outer layer could, for example, comprise and / or consist of inorganic materials, in particular glass. Preferably, the outer layer is made of a plastic. Particularly preferably, the core and the outer layer are made of substantially the same material, in particular in a two-component injection molding process.In this context, "essentially the same material" means, in particular, that the composition of a first material, based on mole fractions, differs from the composition of a second material, based on mole fractions, by less than 25%, preferably by less than 10%, and most preferably by less than 5%. For example, it would be conceivable that the core of the optical waveguide is made of a first polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and the outer layer is made of fluorinated PMMA with a lower refractive index than the first PMMA. In particular, it would be conceivable that the core of the optical waveguide is made of a first polymethacrylic methylimide (PMMI) and the outer layer is made of a second PMMI with a lower mole fraction of imide compared to the first PMMI, and thus a lower refractive index.

[0029] Furthermore, it is proposed that at least one light source be an RGB LED. This would advantageously enhance the functionality of the cooktop. In particular, it would be conceivable that the RGB LED could illuminate the surrounding area in different colors for different operating situations of the cooktop. Furthermore, users could be individually adjusted to their favorite color, for example, thereby improving the user experience and / or increasing user satisfaction. Alternatively, it would be conceivable that at least one light source could be a single-color LED.

[0030] Furthermore, it is proposed that the end region of the optical waveguide have a purely convex shape. This advantageously allows for targeted illumination of a specific area, particularly at least a portion of the surrounding area of ​​the cooktop. Moreover, it enables more uniform illumination of the area, thus advantageously eliminating the need for a light diffusion layer in the cooktop. Additionally, it allows for a reduction in light loss and, in particular, energy-efficient illumination of the area. Alternatively, the end region could be designed without curvature as a flat surface in contact with the cooking area.

[0031] Furthermore, it is proposed that the optical fiber assembly include at least one collimator for collimating the light provided by the light source. This advantageously enables particularly targeted and efficient illumination of the area to be lit. In particular, light losses, which can occur especially at the interface between the light source and the optical fiber, can be further reduced. The collimator can be designed as a converging lens and arranged directly in front of the optical fiber. By means of the collimator, the beam path of light emitted divergently from the light source can be parallelized and transmitted to the optical fiber in a particularly targeted manner.

[0032] Furthermore, it is proposed that the surface of the optical waveguide be opaque outside the end region. This can advantageously further reduce light losses. In particular, light scattering can be advantageously reduced. Specifically, it is conceivable that the optical waveguide has an opaque coating outside the end region. The opaque coating can be applied to the surface of the optical waveguide by a coating process, in particular by screen printing, spin coating, dip coating, sol-gel coating, spraying, inkjet printing, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and / or physical vapor deposition (PVD).

[0033] Furthermore, a method is proposed for assembling a cooktop device comprising at least one cooktop surface, which has at least one cooking area, at least one light source unit comprising at least one light source for providing light, and at least one optical fiber unit comprising at least one optical fiber for transmitting the light. In this method, a self-supporting end region of the optical fiber is contacted by an underside of the cooktop surface during installation, and the optical fiber is elastically deformed by subsequently lowering the cooktop surface. This advantageously provides a particularly efficient method for assembling the cooktop device.

[0034] The cooktop device is not to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the cooktop device may, to fulfill a function described herein, have a different number of individual elements, components, and units than specified herein.

[0035] Further advantages become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0036] They show: Fig. 1 a cooktop with a cooktop device in a schematic top view, Fig. 2 the cooktop device with a cooktop plate, a light source unit and an optical fiber unit in a schematic side sectional view, Fig. 3 an optical fiber of the optical fiber unit in a schematic side view, Fig. 4 the optical fiber in a schematic perspective view, and Fig. 5 a schematic diagram illustrating a method for assembling the cooktop device.

[0037] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a cooktop 50 with a cooktop device 10 in a schematic top view. The cooktop device 10 comprises a cooktop plate 12. The cooktop plate 12 is made of glass-ceramic. The cooktop plate 12 has a cooking area 14. The cooking area 14 is arranged above a heating unit 54 of the cooktop 50, which is designed as an inductor (see Figure 1). Figure 2Cooking area 14 is designed for placing and heating cooking equipment (not shown). A surrounding area 26 of cooking area 14 is located around cooking area 14.

[0038] The cooktop device 10 comprises a light source unit 16 with a light source 18 for providing light 20. The light source unit 16 is arranged below an area 28 of the cooktop plate 12 located outside the surrounding area 26. The area 28 is an edge area 30 of the cooktop plate 12.

[0039] The cooktop device 10 comprises a fiber optic unit 22 with a fiber optic cable 24. In an operating state of the cooktop device 10, the fiber optic cable 24 transmits the light 20 provided by the light source 18 to the ambient area 26 of the cooking area 14.

[0040] The cooktop device 10 has a mounting unit 32. The mounting unit 32 is designed for mounting the optical fiber unit 22. The mounting unit 32 has a mounting area 36. The mounting unit 32 has a mounting element 72 and a further mounting element 74. The mounting element 72 and the further mounting element 74 are arranged in the mounting area 36. The mounting element 72 and the further mounting element 74 are each designed as clamps. The mounting element 72 and the further mounting element 74 positively engage the optical fiber 24 in a circumferential direction.

[0041] The mounting unit 32 is part of a shielding unit 34. The shielding unit 32 is designed to shield electrical and / or electronic components (not shown) of the cooktop device 10 and / or the cooktop 50 from an electromagnetic field generated by the heating unit 54.

[0042] The optical fiber 24 is attached to the mounting unit 32 in the mounting area 36. Extending from the edge region 28 across the mounting area 36, ​​the optical fiber 24 runs essentially parallel to a main extension plane 66 of the cooktop. The optical fiber 24 of the optical fiber unit 22 is self-supporting from the mounting area 36. The optical fiber 24 extends from the further mounting element 74 in the mounting area 36 in a self-supporting manner to a bending area 64. The optical fiber 24 is designed to be at least essentially dimensionally stable and elastic. In the bending area 64, the optical fiber 24 is elastically bent towards the cooktop 12 and runs from the bending area 64 onwards in a dimensionally stable manner and essentially perpendicular to a main extension plane 66 of the cooktop.Due to the elastic bending of the optical waveguide 24 in the bending area 64, the optical waveguide exerts a pressure force in the direction of the hob plate 12.

[0043] The optical fiber 24 is made of a transparent thermoplastic material, specifically polymethacrylmethylimide (PMMI). The optical fiber has a temperature resistance of at least 230°C.

[0044] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the light source unit 16, the optical fiber unit 22, and the cooktop 12. The light source 18 of the light source unit 16 is configured as an RGB LED 44. The optical fiber unit 22 has a collimator 46. The collimator 46 is designed to collimate the light 20 provided by the light source 18 of the light source unit 16. The collimator 46 is configured as a converging lens. As the light 20 passes through the collimator 46, the diverging light emitted by the light source is collimated.

[0045] The optical waveguide 24 has an end region 38. The end region 38 contacts the cooktop plate 12 on an underside 48 of the cooktop plate 12. The contact between the end region 38 and the cooktop plate 12 is made possible in particular by the elastic bending of the optical waveguide 24 in the bending region 64 (see figure). Figure 2 ).

[0046] The end region 38 of the optical waveguide 24 has a purely convex shape. Due to the purely convex shape of the end region 38, the light 20 is collected and focused. This allows for uniform illumination of a symbol 68 to be illuminated (cf. Fig. 1 ) in the surrounding area 26 on a top surface 70 of the cooktop plate 12.

[0047] A surface 52 of the optical waveguide 24 is opaque outside the end region 38. In particular, the surface 52 of the optical waveguide 24 is coated with a varnish outside the end region 38 and is therefore opaque.

[0048] Fig. 4Figure 24 shows the optical waveguide 24 of the optical waveguide unit 22 in a perspective schematic view. The optical waveguide 24 has a core 42 and an outer layer 40. The core 42 transmits the light 20 provided by the light source 18 of the light source unit 16. The core 42 is surrounded by the outer layer 40. The outer layer 40 has a lower refractive index than the core 42. At an interface 56 between the core 40 and the outer layer 40, the light 20 is reflected by total internal reflection.

[0049] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows a diagram illustrating a schematic representation of a method for assembling the cooktop device 10. The method comprises a first process step 58, a second process step 60, and a third process step 62. In the first process step 58, the optical fiber unit 22 is attached to the mounting unit 32 in the mounting area 36. In the second process step 60, the optical fiber 24 is bent upwards substantially at a right angle in the bending area 64. By bending the optical fiber 24 in the bending area 64, the optical fiber 24 is elastically deformed in a deflection area 76 between the mounting area 36 and the bending area 64 (see Figure 60). Figure 2Due to elastic deformation in the deflection region 76, the optical fiber 24 is deflected towards the shielding unit 34. In the deflection region 76, the optical fiber 24 is deflected towards the shielding unit 34 at least to such an extent that the longitudinal extent of the optical fiber 24, extending from the further fastening element 74 to the bending region 64, deviates by at least 2° from the main plane of extension 66. Due to the deflection of the optical fiber 24 towards the shielding unit 34, the end region 38 of the optical fiber 24 projects self-supportingly into an area where the cooktop 12 is located. In the third process step 62, the self-supporting end region 38 of the optical fiber 24 is contacted by the underside 48 of the cooktop 12.When the cooktop 12 is lowered, the optical fiber is elastically deformed again, so that the deflection of the optical fiber 24 in the deflection region 76 is largely eliminated, and the longitudinal extent of the optical fiber 24 from the further fastening element 74 to the bending region 64 runs essentially parallel to the main extension plane 66. Due to the elastic deformation in the deflection region 76, the optical fiber exerts a compressive force on the cooktop 12 and presses against the underside 48 of the cooktop 12, so that contact is maintained between the end region 38 and the underside 48 of the cooktop 12 after the cooktop has been completely lowered and lies in the main extension plane 66. Reference sign

[0050] 10 Cooktop device 12 Cooktop plate 14 Cooking area 16 Light source unit 18 Light source 20 Light 22 Optical fiber unit 24 Optical fiber 26 Ambient area 28 Area 30 Edge area 32 Mounting unit 34 Shielding unit 36 ​​Mounting area 38 End area 40 Outer layer 42 Core 44 RGB LED 46 Collimator 48 Underside 50 Cooktop 52 Surface 54 Heating unit 56 Interface 58 First process step 60 Second process step 62 Third process step 64 Bending area 66 Main extension plane 68 Symbol 70 Top side 72 Mounting element 74 Additional mounting element 76 Deflection area

Claims

1. Hob apparatus (10), in particular induction hob apparatus, having at least one hob plate (12) that has at least one cooking region (14), having at least one light source unit (16), comprising at least one light source (18) for providing light (20), and having at least one fibre optic unit (22) that comprises at least one optical fibre (24) for transmitting the light (20) in particular into at least one region (26) that surrounds the cooking region (14), wherein in at least one operating state the optical fibre (24) at least substantially prevents at least electromagnetic radiation from entering and exiting in directions at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent direction of the optical fibre (24), characterised in that an end region (38) of the optical fibre (24) contacts the hob plate (12), wherein a section of the optical fibre (24) encompassing the end region (38) of the optical fibre (24) is arranged in a self-supporting manner.

2. Hob apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the optical fibre (24) is designed as at least essentially dimensionally stable and elastic.

3. Hob apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by a fastening unit (32) for fastening the fibre optic unit (22) below the hob plate (12).

4. Hob apparatus (10) at least according to claim 3, characterised in that the optical fibre (24) is arranged in a self-supporting manner starting from a fastening region (36) on the fastening unit (32).

5. Hob apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end region (38) of the optical fibre (24) has a purely convex shape.

6. Hob apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fibre optic unit (22) has at least one collimator (46) so as to collimate the light (20) that is provided by the light source (18).

7. Hob apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a surface (52) of the optical fibre (24) is opaque outside the end region (38).

8. Hob apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the optical fibre (24) has an outer layer (40) having a lower refractive index with respect to a core (42) of the optical fibre (24).

9. Hob apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the optical fibre (24) has a transparent and flexible thermoplastic material, in particular a plastic from the material group of methyl methacrylate polymers, and in particular is embodied from such a material.

10. Hob apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the optical fibre (24) has a temperature resistance of at least 230°C.

11. Hob apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one light source (18) is designed as an RGB LED (44).

12. Hob (50) having a hob apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Method for assembling a hob apparatus (10), according to one of claims 1 to 11, having at least a hob plate (12) that has at least one cooking region (14), having at least one light source unit (16), comprising at least one light source (18) for providing light (20), and having at least one fibre optic unit (22) that comprises at least one optical fibre (24) for transmitting the light (20), characterised in that a self-supporting end region (38) of the optical fibre (24) is contacted by an underside (48) of the hob plate (12) during an installation of the hob plate (12) and the optical fibre (24) is deformed in an elastic manner by a subsequent lowering of the hob plate.

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