Cooking system, cooking hob device, cooking utensil and method for operating a cooking system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooking system (10a; 10b), in particular an induction cooking system, comprising an insulation unit (12a; 12b) for thermally insulating a cooking plate (14a; 14b) from a food receiving element (16a; 16b) and a sensor unit (18a; 18b) for detecting the presence of the insulation unit (12a; 12b) between the cooking plate (14a; 14b) and the food receiving element (16a; 16b). To increase operational reliability and efficiency of the cooking system, it is proposed that the sensor unit (18a; 18b) be designed to optically detect the presence of the insulation unit (12a; 12b).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooking system according to the preamble of claim 1, a cooking hob device according to claim 12, a cooking vessel according to claim 13 and a method for operating the cooking system according to claim 14.

[0002] An induction cooking system with an insulating base for thermal insulation of a cooking plate from the cookware and a sensor unit for detecting the presence of the insulating base, for example by means of an RFID transponder embedded in the insulating base, is already known in the prior art. The electronic components required for such an RFID system exhibit poor heat resistance with regard to the temperatures of 250°C to 300°C achievable on the surface of the cooking plate during certain cooking processes. In particular, such heat resistance cannot be provided for the desired, and especially the required, small dimensions of such an RFID transponder. Furthermore, the positioning of the base can only be detected imprecisely by the cooking system using the RFID system, resulting in low operational reliability.

[0003] US 2018 / 352613 A1 discloses a cooking system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, providing a generic device with improved characteristics regarding operational reliability and efficiency of the cooking system. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 14, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0005] The invention relates to a cooking system, in particular an induction cooking system, with an insulation unit for thermal insulation of a mounting plate from a food receiving element and with a sensor unit for determining the presence of the insulation unit between the mounting plate and the food receiving element.

[0006] It is proposed that the sensor unit be designed for optical detection of the presence of the insulation unit.

[0007] This design allows for particularly reliable detection of the presence of the insulation unit between the base plate and the food receiving element, thus effectively preventing thermal damage to the base plate and increasing operational reliability. Furthermore, the efficiency of the cooking system, especially its heating efficiency, can be improved by reliably reducing or preventing thermal losses due to heat transfer from the food receiving element to the base plate. Cost-effectiveness can also be increased, particularly through the high availability of suitable components. Finally, a particularly flexible and / or simple design of the cooking system can be achieved, thereby increasing the efficiency of the detection process.Furthermore, the complexity of the insulation unit can be advantageously reduced and, in particular, the heat resistance of the insulation unit can be advantageously increased.

[0008] A "cooking system" is understood to be a system that comprises at least the insulation unit and the sensor unit, and which may additionally comprise at least one cooktop device, preferably an induction cooktop device, and / or the mounting plate and / or the food receiving element and / or a cooking vessel, in particular comprising the food receiving element, and which is intended in particular for carrying out at least one cooking process. The cooktop device may be designed at least as a part, in particular at least as a subassembly, of a cooktop, in particular an induction cooktop, wherein in particular accessory units for the cooktop may also be included by the cooktop device.The cooktop device has, in particular, at least one heating unit, which preferably has at least one heating coil, especially an induction heating coil, and which is designed to heat the food receiving element. Preferably, the cooktop device has several heating units, which may, for example, also be arranged in the form of a matrix, particularly to define a free cooking area with a freely selectable position for cookware. The cooktop device may, in particular, have a control unit for controlling and / or regulating the at least one heating unit. The cooktop device includes, in particular, the sensor unit.

[0009] In a built-in position, the cooktop assembly is arranged, in particular, below the mounting surface. The mounting surface is preferably designed as a kitchen worktop. Alternatively, the mounting surface can also be designed as a cooktop surface, in which case the cooktop assembly and the cooktop surface can be part of a cooktop or form the cooktop itself. In both cases, the mounting surface can comprise or consist of any material or material combination that would be considered appropriate by a person skilled in the art.The mounting plate could be made at least partially or at least to a large extent, in particular at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at least 95% of a volume and / or mass fraction of the mounting plate, of 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 artificial stone, and / or laminate and / or metal and / or plastic and / or ceramic and / or a composite material. Preferably, the mounting plate is made of a non-metallic material. It would be conceivable for the mounting plate to have engravings and / or imprints, in particular to mark at least one heating zone for heating the food receiving element. Preferably, however, the mounting plate is free of engravings and / or imprints.The mounting plate is plate-like and has a material thickness that preferably corresponds to a maximum of 50%, more preferably a maximum of 20%, particularly preferably a maximum of 10%, and most advantageously a maximum of 5% of the length and / or width of the element. The mounting plate has, in particular, opposing sides with a flat, especially smooth, surface. The mounting plate has a fixed thickness. The mounting plate is intended, in particular, for mounting the food receiving element and the insulation unit, especially at least one cooking vessel, particularly a pot, pan, and / or similar item, preferably for heating.Preferably, the kitchen worktop, in contrast to the cooktop, is additionally designed to provide a food preparation area, particularly for tasks such as cutting, mixing, pounding, and / or peeling food. Specifically, the kitchen worktop is a piece of furniture, preferably a piece of kitchen furniture. Advantageously, the kitchen worktop is part of the kitchen and, in particular, defines and / or encloses a portion of an assembly of kitchen cabinets and / or kitchen furniture and / or other household appliances, such as a dishwasher and / or a washing machine and / or an oven. It is also conceivable that the kitchen worktop could be, for example, a worktop in a commercial kitchen and / or an outdoor cooking area.This allows for a high level of user comfort, for example, through the advantageous use of the kitchen worktop when the heating unit is not in operation, and in particular, a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the cooking system. For instance, a particularly attractive appearance can be achieved by using similar materials for the base plate, especially the kitchen worktop or cooktop, as well as for the kitchen floor and walls. The temperatures reached on the surface of the base plate during certain cooking processes can be high, and in particular exceed 250°C.The material of the support plate may have inferior thermal and mechanical properties compared to a conventional cooktop, particularly one made of glass-ceramic. However, the insulation unit advantageously prevents thermal damage, especially from uneven thermal expansion caused by heat concentrated on the heating zone of the support plate originating from the food contact element. In particular, mechanical stresses exceeding the breaking strength of the support plate are advantageously avoided.

[0010] The food receiving element can, for example, be designed as at least one component of a pot and / or pan and / or roasting pan. In particular, the food receiving element can be arranged in a cooking surface area on the base plate. The food receiving element is specifically designed for inductive heating, particularly by means of the heating unit. It would be conceivable for the insulation unit to be part of a cooking vessel that also includes the food receiving element, with the insulation unit being arranged, in particular, below and connected to the food receiving element. This allows for particularly simple alignment of the food receiving element and the insulation unit in a setup configuration in which, in particular, the insulation unit is positioned between the base plate and the food receiving element placed on the base plate.Furthermore, operational reliability can be advantageously increased, particularly by ensuring that the insulation unit can be omitted simply by selecting unsuitable cooking utensils. It would be conceivable for the food receiving element to be integrally formed with the insulation unit. "Integrated" here refers specifically to a material-bonded connection, such as through welding and / or bonding, and is particularly advantageous when molded, such as by single-piece casting and / or single- or multi-component injection molding. Preferably, the material of the food receiving element differs at least partially from the material of the insulation unit, which can advantageously increase the heating efficiency of the food receiving element and the thermal insulation of the insulation unit.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the food intake element is connected to the insulation unit by force and / or form locking, such as by plug connections and / or rotary connections and / or screw connections.

[0011] Alternatively, in a further embodiment, the insulation unit is conceivable as being separate from the cooking vessel containing the food receiving element. In this case, the insulation unit is designed to be separable from, and in particular movable relative to, the food receiving element, especially the cooking vessel. The insulation unit is preferably designed as a base unit, specifically for placement beneath the food receiving element when the food receiving element, especially the cooking vessel, is placed on the base plate. This advantageously increases the flexibility of the cooking system, as it allows, in particular, conventional cooking vessels, especially induction cookware, to be heated safely without an integrated insulation unit, and / or enables faster and / or more cost-effective replacement of defective cooking vessels and / or insulation units.In this case, a connection between the food receiving element and the insulation unit is preferably provided simply by placing the food receiving element on the insulation unit, in particular by gravity and / or a supporting force of the mounting plate below the insulation unit.

[0012] The insulation unit is preferably designed to provide a gap, which in particular corresponds to the thickness of the insulation unit, between the base plate and the food receiving element. The insulation unit preferably has a thickness of at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 2 mm, and particularly preferably at least 3 mm and / or a maximum of 10 mm, more preferably a maximum of 8 mm, and more preferably a maximum of 6 mm. It is conceivable that the insulation unit, as part of the cooking vessel, is designed as a plug and / or knob and / or ring-shaped or the like, particularly on the food receiving element, wherein a volume between the base plate and the food receiving element is preferably at least partially and more preferably at least largely filled with air, thereby providing effective thermal insulation.Alternatively or additionally, the insulation unit is preferably at least partially, and in particular at least to a large extent, especially at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at least 95% of a volume and / or mass fraction of the insulation unit, made of a thermally insulating material, for example, glass fiber and / or silicone and / or aerogel and / or the like. It is conceivable that a volume between the mounting plate and the food receiving element is filled at least to a large extent with the thermally insulating material of the insulation unit. This can provide particularly effective thermal insulation. The insulation unit can be plate-like. Preferably, the insulation unit is homogeneous, in particular made of a homogeneous material.In particular, the insulation unit can consist of only a single, continuous insulation element made of a homogeneous material.

[0013] Preferably, in the installed state, only one insulation unit is assigned to each food receiving element. In particular, in the installed state, only one food receiving element is arranged on the insulation unit, and only one insulation unit is arranged between the mounting plate and the single food receiving element. The cooking system can comprise at least one further insulation unit, which in the installed state is preferably assigned to at least one further food receiving element, and is particularly arranged between the mounting plate and the further food receiving element of the cooking system. The insulation unit preferably has a top surface with a size that correlates with the size of a surface on the underside of the food receiving element.The additional insulation unit preferably has a further top surface with a size that correlates with the size of an area of ​​a further bottom surface of the additional food receiving element. Alternatively, it is conceivable that in the installation state more than one food receiving element is arranged on a single insulation unit or that more than one insulation unit is arranged between the installation plate and the single food receiving element.

[0014] The sensor unit is designed to record at least one parameter and / or physical property. Preferably, the sensor unit comprises at least one processing unit, in particular at least one microprocessor, and / or a storage unit, by which measured signals can be at least partially processed. Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the control unit performs partial processing of the measured signals. In particular, it would also be conceivable that the control unit includes the processing unit and / or the storage unit.

[0015] Preferably, the cooking system, in particular the cooktop device, has at least one additional sensor unit, especially for determining the temperature of the food receiving element. The additional sensor unit can detect the temperature in a known manner, for example, by means of an IR temperature measurement. Preferably, the additional sensor unit has at least one IR radiation source and at least one IR radiation detector for detecting IR radiation emitted by the IR radiation source and reflected from the food receiving element. Preferably, the mounting plate and / or the insulation unit has a window.The window of the mounting plate and / or the window of the insulation unit is / are, in particular, at least largely transparent to the IR radiation and the reflected IR radiation of the additional sensor unit, wherein the window of the mounting plate and / or the insulation unit is / are provided for a transmission of at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at least 95% of the IR radiation. In particular, the window of the mounting plate and / or the window of the insulation unit is designed for low-loss transmission of the IR radiation. This allows the temperature and / or temperature profile of the food receiving element to be measured particularly efficiently by the additional sensor unit.The window of the mounting plate preferably extends at least partially along the normal direction of the mounting plate from a top to a bottom surface and can be incorporated into the mounting plate, in particular by a suitable forming process, either directly during the manufacturing of the mounting plate, for example by a suitable mold, or subsequently, for example by a drilling or milling process or the like. A "normal direction" of an object is understood to be a direction that runs perpendicular to a principal extension plane of the object. A "principal extension plane" of a component is understood to be a plane that is parallel to a largest side face of the smallest imaginary cuboid that just completely encloses the component and, in particular, passes through the center of the cuboid.

[0016] It is conceivable that the window of the mounting plate and / or the insulation unit incorporates a radiation transmission element. A radiation transmission element is defined as an element that is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation and transmits electromagnetic radiation at least in the longitudinal direction of the radiation transmission element. It is conceivable that the radiation transmission element at least partially prevents the entry and / or exit of electromagnetic radiation in directions oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the radiation transmission element. Preferably, the radiation transmission element has a temperature resistance of at least 250°C. The radiation transmission element could be made at least largely, and in particular entirely, of quartz.The radiation transmission element could alternatively or additionally comprise at least one thermoplastic material and, in particular, be formed predominantly from such a material. In a further embodiment, the radiation transmission element could have at least one outer wall, in particular a tubular one, within which the electromagnetic radiation can travel. It is conceivable that the wall is designed to reflect electromagnetic radiation and, for example, comprises polished aluminum or a polished polymer coated with a PVD layer of aluminum. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the window of the mounting plate and / or the insulation unit is / are designed as an opening, which is in particular free of elements and / or units, especially the radiation transmission element.

[0017] It is conceivable that the window of the mounting plate is designed, at least in part, to enable the transmission of visible light, particularly with minimal loss, from a lighting unit of the cooking system, especially the cooktop, from an area below the mounting plate to an area above it. The lighting unit could then illuminate the heating zone for the food receiving element for the operator. Preferably, the window of the mounting plate forms a portion of the mounting plate, and the window of the mounting plate can have a diameter of at most 10 cm, preferably at most 8 cm, more preferably at most 5 cm, and most preferably at most 2 cm, and / or a minimum of 1 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, and more preferably at least 1 cm.Preferably, the mounting plate has additional windows, which are designed in a manner analogous to the window of the mounting plate and are each assigned to a further heating zone and / or the further heating unit.

[0018] The window of the insulation unit preferably extends at least partially along a normal direction of the insulation unit and from a top to a bottom of the insulation unit. In the installed state, the normal direction of the insulation unit preferably runs parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate.

[0019] The term "intended" is understood to mean specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function is understood to mean, in particular, that the object fulfills and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0020] The cooking system preferably includes further sensor units, which are designed in a manner analogous to the sensor unit, and which are each assigned to a further heating zone and / or to at least one further heating unit. The cooking system may also include further additional sensor units, which are designed in a manner analogous to the additional sensor unit and which are each assignable to a further heating zone and / or to the further heating unit.

[0021] The sensor unit is designed for optical determination, in particular for detection, depending on and / or using optical radiation.

[0022] Furthermore, it is proposed that the cooking system comprises a heating unit, in particular the heating unit mentioned above, and a control unit, in particular the control unit mentioned above, which disables or enables the operation of the heating unit based on a signal from the sensor unit. In particular, the control unit is designed to disable the operation, in particular heating operation, of the heating unit in the event of a detected absence, in particular a lack of presence, of the insulation unit between the base plate and the food receiving element, in particular an absence of the food receiving element and / or the insulation unit on the base plate.It is conceivable that the control unit is designed to transmit a notification signal, in particular an error signal and / or a warning signal, to the user, at least when the insulation unit between the base plate and the food receiving element is detected as absent. The notification signal could, for example, be displayed visually, particularly on a user interface. The control unit is specifically designed to enable the operation of the heating unit when the insulation unit between the base plate and the food receiving element is detected. This ensures thermal insulation of the food receiving element from the base plate for the operation of the heating unit, thereby reliably providing increased heating efficiency and operational reliability.

[0023] Furthermore, the control unit is preferably designed to control and / or regulate the heating unit based on a signal from the additional sensor unit, which in particular can further increase operational reliability and / or ease of use, especially by at least partially automatic control of an advantageous temperature of the food receiving element and / or by blocking operation of the heating unit if the temperature of the food receiving element is deemed to be too high.

[0024] The sensor unit is designed, in particular, for the optical measurement of at least one sensor signal. Preferably, the sensor unit is designed to compare a sensor parameter derived from the measured sensor signal, in particular calculated by the processing unit, with at least one corresponding reference parameter, in particular a stored one. The control unit is preferably designed to control the heating unit depending on the result of a comparison between the sensor parameter and the reference parameter. The sensor parameter and the sensor signal depend, in particular, on the distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element, and thus, in particular, on the presence of the insulation unit between the mounting plate and the food receiving element.

[0025] Preferably, the reference value is stored in the storage unit. It would be conceivable for the reference value to be stored in the storage unit before the cooking system is installed. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the reference value to be set and / or calculated and stored by an operator and / or installer. Preferably, however, the sensor unit is provided for determining the reference value during a calibration operation, in particular one carried out by an installer and / or operator, whereby the cooking system is already installed for the calibration operation. This allows the reference value to be advantageously adapted to boundary conditions of the cooking system, in particular, for example, to the thickness of the mounting plate and / or the distance of the sensor unit from the mounting plate and / or the thickness of the insulation unit.Preferably, the sensor unit is designed to determine the reference quantity in the installed state.

[0026] Furthermore, it is proposed that the sensor unit be designed to optically determine a distance, in particular the aforementioned distance, between the mounting plate, especially its upper surface, and the food receiving element, especially its lower surface. This allows the presence of the insulation unit between the mounting plate and the food receiving element to be determined advantageously in a particularly simple manner. Preferably, the distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element in the installed state corresponds to the thickness of the insulation unit. The distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element is preferably determinable as a function of the measured sensor signal and, in particular, can be calculated by the processing unit.The sensor unit preferably has an uncertainty of at most 1 mm, preferably at most 0.7 mm, preferably at most 0.5 mm, and particularly preferably at most 0.3 mm, and particularly advantageously at most 0.1 mm, when determining a distance.

[0027] Preferably, the sensor unit, in particular the processing unit, is designed to compare the measured distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element with a reference distance. Specifically, the sensor parameter corresponds to the measured distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element, and the reference parameter corresponds to the reference distance. The reference distance preferably corresponds at least substantially to the thickness of the insulation unit, wherein the reference distance deviates from the thickness of the insulation unit by less than 25%, preferably less than 10%, and most preferably less than 5%. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the reference distance corresponds to the smallest possible thickness of the insulation unit.

[0028] The control unit is preferably configured to disable the operation of the heating unit for a measured distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element that is less than the reference distance. Preferably, the control unit is also configured to enable the operation of the heating unit for a measured distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element that is greater than or equal to the reference distance.

[0029] The calibration unit can be designed, particularly in the absence of an insulating unit between the mounting plate and the food receiving element, to determine and, in particular, to store at least one calculated parameter. The calculating unit is preferably designed to calculate the distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element as a function of this at least one calculated parameter.

[0030] Alternatively, the sensor parameter could differ from the distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element. Alternatively, the sensor unit could be designed for a direct comparison of the measured sensor signal with a corresponding reference value, and in particular, the control unit could be designed to control the heating unit based on the result of this comparison.

[0031] Furthermore, it is proposed that the sensor unit comprises at least one radiation source for emitting radiation and at least one radiation detector for detecting reflected radiation, wherein the reflected radiation is provided by reflection of the radiation, in particular emitted by the radiation source, at the food receiving element, especially at an underside of the food receiving element. This allows for a particularly efficient and / or straightforward optical detection of the sensor unit, particularly by advantageously using the food receiving element as an optical component at which the reflection takes place. The underside of the food receiving element is preferably flat, which allows for a particularly advantageous and especially controllable reflection.

[0032] The radiation source is designed to emit radiation, particularly in the form of optical radiation. Optical radiation is understood to mean radiation from a sub-range of the electromagnetic spectrum, specifically ultraviolet radiation, particularly in a spectral range between 100 nm and 400 nm; visible radiation, particularly in a spectral range between 380 nm and 780 nm; and infrared radiation, particularly in a spectral range between 780 nm and 1 mm. Preferably, the radiation emitted from the radiation source and / or the reflected radiation is visible radiation. For example, the radiation source can comprise a red laser diode, particularly with a wavelength in the range of 635 nm to 750 nm, which can advantageously increase the cost-efficiency of the sensor unit.

[0033] The radiation detector is preferably an optoelectronic component designed to convert incident electromagnetic radiation, particularly reflected optical radiation, into an electrical detection signal, preferably by utilizing the photoelectric effect. For detecting the reflected radiation, the radiation detector may include at least one photodiode, which may be configured as a pin photodiode, an avalanche photodiode, or an MSM photodiode. Alternatively or additionally to a photodiode, the radiation detector may also include, for example, a photocell, a photomultiplier, an active pixel sensor, a CCD sensor, a phototransistor, or a photoresistor for detecting optical radiation.

[0034] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the sensor parameter mentioned above can, for example, correspond to a distance, in particular an optical path length, between the radiation source and the food receiving element and / or the food receiving element and the radiation detector. The calculated parameter mentioned above can, for example, correspond to a distance, in particular an optical path length, between the radiation source and the top of the mounting plate and / or the top of the mounting plate and the radiation detector.

[0035] Furthermore, it is proposed that the insulation unit has a window, in particular the aforementioned window of the insulation unit, which is at least largely transparent to the radiation from the radiation source and / or to the radiation reflected by the food receiving element. This allows the radiation and the reflected radiation to be transported between the sensor unit and the food receiving element with particularly low loss, and especially via a direct path. In particular, the window can be advantageously used for measurements using the sensor unit and, in particular, additionally for measurements using the additional sensor unit.The window of the insulation unit, in its installed state, is preferably designed to transmit at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and most advantageously at least 95% of the radiation emitted by the radiation source and the reflected radiation, particularly in a direction parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate. Preferably, the window of the insulation unit is designed as an opening, which allows for particularly efficient thermal insulation and / or a particularly light weight and / or advantageous cost-effectiveness of the insulation unit and / or a particularly effective transmission of the radiation emitted by the radiation source and the reflected radiation.

[0036] The sensor unit is preferably arranged at least partially below the mounting plate. In particular, at least the radiation source and / or the radiation detector are arranged below the mounting plate. Furthermore, it is proposed that the cooking system includes the mounting plate and that the sensor unit, in particular the entire sensor unit, is arranged below the mounting plate, thereby achieving a particularly advantageous appearance and / or a particularly compact design of the cooking system. In particular, the sensor unit can be advantageously protected, for example, from food and / or liquids and / or other external influences. Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the sensor unit, for example, at least the processing unit and / or the storage unit and / or the like, is arranged at least partially above the mounting plate and / or at least partially in a recess of the mounting plate.

[0037] At least the radiation source and / or the radiation detector of the sensor unit are preferably arranged on an electronic circuit board of the cooking system below the base plate. Preferably, the IR radiation detector and / or the IR radiation source of the additional sensor unit are also arranged on the electronic circuit board below the base plate.

[0038] Furthermore, it is proposed that the mounting plate have a window, in particular the aforementioned window of the mounting plate, which is at least largely transparent to the radiation from the radiation source and / or to the radiation reflected by the food receiving element. This allows the radiation and the reflected radiation to be transported between the sensor unit and the food receiving element with minimal loss, and especially via a direct path. In particular, the window of the mounting plate can be advantageously used for detection by means of the sensor unit and by means of the additional sensor unit.The window of the mounting plate is provided, particularly at least parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate, preferably for a transmission of at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at least 95% of the radiation emitted by the radiation source and the reflected radiation. Preferably, the window of the mounting plate is formed from the radiation transmission element, whereby the mounting plate can advantageously form a closed surface through which, in particular, no foodstuffs and / or liquids and / or the like can pass.

[0039] It is further proposed that the sensor unit be arranged to overlap the window of the mounting plate at least partially. In particular, the sensor unit is arranged to overlap the window of the mounting plate at least partially with respect to the normal direction of the mounting plate. Preferably, the radiation source and / or the radiation detector is arranged to overlap the window of the mounting plate. This advantageously allows for a simple design of the cooking system, as the radiation and / or the reflected radiation are transported along a straight path between the sensor unit and the food receiving element. This path, apart from the reflection of the radiation at the food receiving element, is in particular free from any change in direction and / or runs at least substantially parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate.Preferably, the window of the mounting plate and / or the window of the insulation unit and / or a recess in the center of the heating unit and / or the radiation source and / or the radiation detector overlap, particularly with respect to the normal direction of the mounting plate, and / or the underside of the food receiving element, at least partially, at least in the installed state. This allows the radiation from the radiation source and the reflected radiation to be transported with particularly low loss and, in particular, along a particularly short and / or straight optical path between the sensor unit and the food receiving element, thereby advantageously reducing or preventing blockage and / or intensity reduction of the radiation and the reflected radiation in the optical path between the sensor unit and the food receiving element.Preferably, the sensor unit, at least partially, and in particular at least the radiation source and / or the radiation detector, is arranged below and / or within the recess in the center of the heating unit. The recess of the heating unit preferably extends along the normal direction of the mounting plate from a top to a bottom of the heating unit. It would be conceivable for the cooking system to include a cooling unit, at least for the sensor unit.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the cooking system comprises at least one radiation guide element for directing the radiation from the radiation source and / or the reflected radiation from the window of the mounting plate to the sensor unit. This allows the sensor unit to be advantageously arranged within the cooking system and, in particular, in an advantageous position below the mounting plate. Preferably, the sensor unit, at least partially, and in particular at least the radiation source and the radiation detector, is arranged at least in one viewing direction parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate relative to the window of the mounting plate, wherein at least the radiation source and the radiation detector are arranged along the viewing direction, in particular without overlap with respect to the window of the mounting plate.Preferably, the sensor unit, at least partially, and in particular at least the radiation source and the radiation detector, is arranged at a distance from the heating unit in a direction parallel to the main plane of extension of the mounting plate. Advantageously, the sensor unit can be arranged in an area below the mounting plate where a lower temperature prevails compared to the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the heating unit, particularly in the center of the heating unit, and / or in the immediate vicinity of the heating zone. In particular, the sensor unit can be advantageously protected and / or the complexity of the cooking system reduced by, for example, designing the sensor unit without a cooling unit.

[0041] The radiation guiding element is preferably an optical component, which is designed, in particular, for at least one radiation guidance, specifically for influencing the direction of propagation of the radiation from the radiation source and / or the reflected radiation. Preferably, the radiation guiding element is designed to change the direction of propagation of the radiation and / or the reflected radiation. Preferably, the change in direction has an angle of 90° and is provided, in particular, between a first direction parallel to the surface extension direction of the mounting plate and a second direction parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate. Preferably, the radiation guiding element is designed as a mirror and / or as a prism and / or as a radiation transmission element.In particular, a radiation guidance element designed as a mirror can have a flat mirrored surface at an angle of 45° to the first and second directions. The radiation transmission element can be designed to change the direction of the radiation, for example by means of mirrored side surfaces or the like, and / or to maintain the direction of propagation of the radiation from the radiation source and / or the reflected radiation. It is conceivable that the Koch system has more than one radiation guidance element for guiding the radiation and / or the reflected radiation, wherein, for example, at least one radiation guidance element could be designed to change the direction and another radiation guidance element could be designed to maintain the direction of propagation and, in particular, to provide shielding.At least through the additional radiation guidance element, the influence of ambient radiation and / or the escape of radiation from the radiation source and / or the reflected radiation at an unwanted position can be advantageously reduced or avoided.

[0042] In at least one embodiment, it would be conceivable that the cooking system for the transmission of radiation and / or reflected radiation comprises only the radiation element designed as a radiation transmission element, which is intended in particular only to maintain the direction of propagation of the radiation and / or reflected radiation, whereby in this embodiment it is further conceivable that the radiation source and / or the radiation detector is arranged overlapping with the window of the mounting plate, in particular at least with respect to the normal direction of the mounting plate.

[0043] Preferably, the additional sensor unit in the cooking system is arranged in a position analogous to the position of the sensor unit.

[0044] Furthermore, it is proposed that the sensor unit include a laser meter, enabling particularly reliable and precise distance measurement. Specifically, the laser meter can achieve a distance measurement accuracy of 0.1 mm. The laser meter is preferably used to determine the presence of the insulating unit between the mounting plate and the food receiving element by measuring the time of flight of light, particularly the radiation emanating from the radiation source and the reflected radiation, and / or a measured phase shift, particularly between the radiation emanating from the sensor unit and the reflected radiation. Alternatively or additionally, the laser meter can be used in conjunction with another laser meter measurement method that appears useful to those skilled in the art and is particularly well-known.The laser meter is intended, at least, for determining the optical path length between the laser meter and the food intake element.

[0045] The sensor signal and / or sensor parameter mentioned above could, for example, correspond to the light travel time and / or phase shift for such a design of the sensor unit.

[0046] For an embodiment of the invention in which the sensor unit is arranged at least partially directly below and / or within the recess of the heating unit, determining the presence of the insulation unit as a function of the measured phase shift is particularly advantageous, since this measurement method can exhibit advantageous precision even for very short optical paths. The laser meter preferably comprises at least the radiation source, in particular a laser, and / or the radiation detector and / or the processing unit, at least partially. The sensor unit can be configured as the laser meter itself.

[0047] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the sensor unit comprises an optical position sensor, in particular a position-sensitive detector. This can advantageously increase cost efficiency. In particular, a requirement, at least for the radiation source, can be advantageously reduced, especially with regard to the configuration of the sensor unit as a laser meter. Preferably, the radiation detector is configured as the optical position sensor. The optical position sensor is particularly intended for determining a one- or two-dimensional position, especially on the position sensor, of the incident reflected radiation. Preferably, an angle and / or a propagation direction of the emission of the radiation by the radiation source is stored and / or adjustable, and / or detectable by the sensor unit, particularly in the storage unit.The sensor unit with the optical position sensor is preferably designed to determine the presence of the insulation unit between the mounting plate and the food receiving element as a function of triangulation, in particular by determining the angle between the radiation from the radiation source and the reflected radiation. It is conceivable that the radiation source comprises a laser. Preferably, however, the radiation source comprises a light-emitting diode, in particular with at least one integrated optical lens, for the emission of the optical radiation, which allows for a particularly advantageous cost-efficiency of the radiation source.

[0048] The aforementioned sensor signal and / or sensor parameter could, for example, correspond to an angle of incidence of the reflected radiation and / or an angle between the radiation of the radiation source and the reflected radiation and / or a position of the reflected radiation on the position sensor and / or a distance of the reflected radiation on the position sensor to a reference point and / or the like for such a design of the sensor unit.

[0049] Furthermore, a method for operating a cooking system with an insulation unit, particularly one mentioned above, is proposed for the thermal insulation of a mounting plate, particularly one mentioned above, from a food receiving element, particularly one mentioned above. The presence of the insulation unit between the mounting plate and the food receiving element is detected at least semi-automatically, and its presence is also determined optically. This allows for particularly reliable detection of the presence of the insulation unit, thereby advantageously preventing thermal damage to the mounting plate and increasing operational reliability.Furthermore, the efficiency of the cooking system, particularly its heating efficiency, can be increased by reliably reducing or preventing thermal losses through heat transfer from the food receiving element to the base plate. Cost efficiency can also be improved, especially through the high availability of suitable components. In particular, a highly flexible and / or simple design of the cooking system can be achieved, which can significantly enhance detection efficiency. Finally, the complexity of the insulation unit can be advantageously reduced, and its heat resistance can be significantly improved.The semi-automatic detection process includes, in particular, at least one manual step, for example, an operator input to start a heating operation of a heating unit, and at least one automatic step, for example, an automatic detection of the presence of the insulation unit between the food receiving element and the mounting plate following the operator input. It is conceivable that the presence of the insulation unit could be detected fully automatically.

[0050] The method preferably comprises a process step, in particular a detection step, in which a radiation source of a sensor unit, particularly one mentioned above, emits radiation and, in particular, at least in a setup state or in a state in which the food receiving element is placed directly on the mounting plate, is reflected from an underside of the food receiving element. The reflected radiation is preferably detected in the detection step by a radiation detector of the sensor unit. Preferably, the method comprises a further process step, in particular an evaluation step, which is arranged, in particular, after the detection step.In the evaluation step, a sensor parameter, in particular a distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element, is preferably calculated in the detection step, particularly by means of a processing unit of the sensor unit, depending on a sensor signal generated by the radiation detector and / or the radiation source. Preferably, the sensor parameter, in particular the distance between the mounting plate and the food receiving element, is compared in a further process step, in particular a calibration step, with a reference parameter, in particular a stored reference distance. The calibration step is preferably arranged chronologically after the evaluation step. The method preferably includes a further process step, in particular a control step, which is arranged chronologically after the calibration step.In the control step, a heating unit of the cooking system is preferably controlled depending on the result of the comparison in the adjustment step.

[0051] Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the calibration step is arranged immediately after the acquisition step and that in the calibration step the sensor signal is compared with the corresponding reference quantity.

[0052] The cooking system, the cooktop device, the cooking vessel, and the method for operating the cooking system are not limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the cooking system, the cooktop device, the cooking vessel, and the method for operating the cooking system may, to achieve a functionality described herein, comprise a different number of individual elements, components, units, and process steps than specified herein.

[0053] Further advantages become apparent from the following drawing description. The drawing illustrates exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination.

[0054] They show: Fig. 1 a cooking system in a schematic top view, Fig. 2 a section of the cooking system with an insulation unit and with a sensor unit, in a schematic side view, Fig. 3 a flowchart for the operation of the cooking system and Fig. 4 a section of an alternative embodiment of a cooking system with an insulation unit and with a sensor unit, in a schematic side view.

[0055] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a cooking system 10a in a schematic top view. The cooking system 10a is designed as an induction cooking system. The cooking system 10a includes a support plate 14a. The support plate 14a is intended for placing at least one cooking vessel 46a of the cooking system 10a. In this case, the support plate 14a is designed as a kitchen worktop 92a. Alternatively, the support plate 14a could also be designed as a cooktop (not shown).

[0056] The base plate 14a has at least one heating zone 64a in which the cooking vessel 46a can be arranged in a standing position for heating. The cooking vessel 46a is shown here as an example being designed as a pot.

[0057] The cooking system 10a has a user interface 68a, which is integrated into the base plate 14a. The user interface 68a allows at least one operator to control and / or regulate the heating of the cooking vessel 46a.

[0058] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the cooking system 10a in its installed state in a schematic side view. The cooking system 10a has an insulation unit 12a for thermal insulation of the mounting plate 14a from a food receiving element 16a.

[0059] In its installed state, the insulation unit 12a is designed to provide a gap 24a, corresponding to a thickness 54a of the insulation unit 12a, between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a. The insulation unit 12a has a window 34a. The window 34a of the insulation unit 12a is centered within the insulation unit 12a. In this case, the window 34a of the insulation unit 12a is designed as an opening 90a. The insulation unit 12a is made of a thermally insulating material. The insulation unit 12a is homogeneous. Alternatively, the window 34a of the insulation unit 12a could be designed as a radiation transmission element (not shown). In this case, the insulation unit 12a is annular.

[0060] The food receiving element 16a is designed for inductive heating by a heating unit 20a. The food receiving element 16a is designed to hold a food item (not shown) for at least one cooking process. The food receiving element 16a is part of the cooking vessel 46a. The cooking vessel 46a comprises the food receiving element 16a and the insulation unit 12a, the insulation unit 12a being arranged below and connected to the food receiving element 16a. Alternatively, the insulation unit 12a could be designed as a separate base unit for the cooking vessel 46a.

[0061] The cooking system 10a includes the heating unit 20a. The heating unit 20a has a heating coil 66a for inductive heating of the food receiving element 16a. The heating unit 20a is arranged below the heating zone 64a (see figure). Figure 1 ).

[0062] The cooking system 10a includes a sensor unit 18a for detecting the presence of the insulation unit 12a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a. The sensor unit 18a is designed to at least record a physical quantity to determine the presence of the insulation unit 12a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a.

[0063] The mounting plate 14a has a window 36a. The window 36a of the mounting plate 14a is located in the heating zone 64a and can indicate to the operator at least one mounting position for the cooking vessel 46a on the mounting plate 14a for heating (see figure). Figure 1The window 36a of the mounting plate 14a forms the center point of the heating zone 64a. The cooking vessel 46a is positioned on the window 36a of the mounting plate 14a in the mounting state. The window 34a of the mounting plate 14a has a radiation transmission element 94a, in this case made of quartz. A lighting unit (not shown) of the cooking system 10a can be arranged, for example, below the window 36a of the mounting plate 14a. An additional sensor unit 58a of the cooking system 10a is arranged below the window 36a of the mounting plate 14a, which is designed for measuring the temperature of the cooking vessel 46a by means of IR radiation (not shown). The additional sensor unit 58a is designed for emitting IR radiation and for detecting the IR radiation reflected from the food receiving element 16a.Window 36a of the mounting plate 14a and window 34a of the insulation unit 12a are designed for low-loss transmission of at least the IR radiation. The additional sensor unit 58a is arranged on an electronic circuit board 48a. In this case, the additional sensor unit 58a is located under a recess 52a of the heating unit 20a.

[0064] The cooking system 10a includes a cooktop device 50a, which incorporates the sensor unit 18a. The cooktop device 50a is arranged below the base plate 14a. The cooktop device 50a is assigned to the heating zone 64a. The cooktop device 50a is designed as an induction cooktop device. The cooktop device 50a includes the heating unit 20a and, in this case, also at least the additional sensor unit 58a.

[0065] The sensor unit 18a is designed for the optical detection of the presence of the insulation unit 12a. The sensor unit 18a is designed for this optical detection using optical radiation.

[0066] The cooking system 10a has a control unit 22a. The control unit 22a is integrated in the user interface 68a (see figure). Figure 1 The control unit 22a is connected to the sensor unit 18a, at least in terms of data technology (see...). Figure 1The control unit 22a is designed to enable or disable the operation of the heating unit 20a based on a signal from the sensor unit 18a. The control unit 22a is designed to enable the operation of the heating unit 20a when the insulation unit 12a is detected between the food receiving element 16a and the support plate 14a. The control unit 22a is designed to disable the operation of the heating unit 20a when the insulation unit 12a is detected to be absent between the food receiving element 16a and the support plate 14a.

[0067] The sensor unit 18a is arranged below the mounting plate 14a. The sensor unit 18a has a processing unit 60a and a storage unit 62a (see figure). Figure 1 Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the control unit 22a at least partially comprises the computing unit 60a and / or the storage unit 62a.

[0068] The sensor unit 18a is designed to optically determine the distance 24a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a. This distance 24a can be determined based on a sensor signal measured by the sensor unit 18a. The processing unit 60a is designed to calculate this distance 24a. Specifically, the processing unit 60a compares the determined distance 24a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a with a reference distance. The reference distance is stored in the storage unit 62a.

[0069] The control unit 22a is provided here for controlling the heating unit 20a depending on a comparison of the reference distance and the determined distance 24a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a.

[0070] The sensor unit 18a comprises at least one radiation source 26a for emitting radiation 30a and at least one radiation detector 28a for detecting reflected radiation 32a, wherein the reflected radiation 32a is provided by reflection of the radiation 30a emanating from the radiation source 26a at the food intake element 16a. The radiation source 26a is designed to emit optical radiation 30a. The radiation detector 28a is designed to detect optical reflected radiation 32a. The radiation source 26a is designed to emit visible radiation 30a. The radiation detector 28a is designed to detect visible reflected radiation 32a.

[0071] Window 34a of insulation unit 12a is at least largely transparent to the radiation 30a from radiation source 26a and to the radiation 32a reflected from food receiving element 16a. Window 36a of mounting plate 14a is at least largely transparent to the radiation 30a from radiation source 26a and / or to the radiation 32a reflected from food receiving element 16a.

[0072] The sensor unit 18a is arranged below the mounting plate 14a. The radiation source 26a and the radiation detector 28a of the sensor unit 18a are arranged on the electronic circuit board 48a. The radiation source 26a and the radiation detector 28a of the sensor unit 18a are arranged below the recess 52a of the heating unit 20a.

[0073] In the present embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit 18a is arranged to overlap at least partially with the window 36a of the mounting plate 14a. At least the radiation source 26a and the radiation detector 28a are arranged to overlap with the window 36a of the mounting plate 14a. The radiation source 26a and the radiation detector 28a additionally overlap with the window 34a of the insulation unit 12a and the recess 52a in the center of the heating unit 20a. The radiation source 26a and the radiation detector 28a overlap with the food receiving element 16a.

[0074] In the present embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit 18a comprises an optical position sensor 42a. The optical position sensor 42a is designed as a position-sensitive detector 44a. The radiation detector 28a incorporates the optical position sensor 42a for detecting the reflected radiation 32a. The sensor unit 18a with the optical position sensor 42a is designed to determine the distance 24a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a by means of triangulation using the radiation 30a emanating from the radiation source 26a and the reflected radiation 32a. In this embodiment, the radiation source 26a comprises a light-emitting diode with an integrated lens (not shown) for emitting the radiation 30a. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the radiation source 26a comprises a laser for emitting the radiation 30a.

[0075] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the sensor unit 18a has a laser meter (not shown) for determining the presence of the insulation unit 12a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a.

[0076] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a procedure for operating the cooking system 10a, wherein the presence of the insulation unit 12a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a is determined at least semi-automatically and optically.

[0077] The method includes a detection step 100a. In detection step 100a, the radiation source 26a emits radiation 30a, which, in the setup state or in a state where the food receiving element 16a is placed directly on the mounting plate 14a, is reflected from an underside 70a of the food receiving element 16a. The reflected radiation 32a is detected by the radiation detector 28a in detection step 100a. In an evaluation step 102a of the method, a distance 24a between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a is calculated based on a sensor signal generated by the radiation detector 28a and / or the radiation source 26a in detection step 100a. The determined distance 24a is compared with a reference distance in a calibration step 104a of the method.In a control step 106a of the procedure, the heating unit 20a is controlled depending on the result of the comparison in the balancing step 104a.

[0078] In Figure 4 Another embodiment of the invention is shown. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, whereby with regard to components, features and functions that remain the same, reference is made to the description of the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 3 Reference can be made to. To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment is used in the Figures 1 to 3 by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment of the Figure 4 replaced. With regard to identically designated components, especially those 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 3be referred.

[0079] In the present embodiment, a cooking system 10b comprises a radiation guide element 38b for guiding radiation 30b emanating from a radiation source 26b and for guiding reflected radiation 32b between a window 36b of a mounting plate 14b and a sensor unit 18b. The radiation guide element 38b is configured as a mirror. The radiation guide element 38b is designed to change the direction of propagation of the radiation 30b emanating from the radiation source 26b and the reflected radiation 32b. In the present embodiment, the cooking system 10b comprises a further radiation guide element 56b, configured as a radiation transmission element, for guiding the radiation 30b emanating from the radiation source 26b and the reflected radiation 32b.The further radiation guidance element 56b is provided at least in the further radiation guidance element 56b to maintain the direction of propagation of the radiation 30b emanating from the radiation source 26b and the reflected radiation 32b.

[0080] In the present embodiment of the Koch system 10b, the sensor unit 18b includes a laser meter 40b. The laser meter 40b includes the radiation source 26b and a radiation detector 28b. The radiation source 26b is configured as a laser. The laser meter 40b includes at least a portion of a computing unit (not shown). The laser meter 40b is designed for distance measurement according to a known method.

[0081] Of the objects that appear multiple times in the figures, only one is marked with a reference symbol. Reference sign

[0082] 10 Cooking system 12 Insulation unit 14 Mounting plate 16 Food receiving element 18 Sensor unit 20 Heating unit 22 Control unit 24 Distance 26 Radiation source 28 Radiation detector 30 Radiation 32 Reflected radiation 34 Window 36 Window 38 Radiation guide element 40 Laser meter 42 Optical position sensor 44 Position sensitive detector 46 Cookware 48 Electronic board 50 Cooktop device 52 Recess 54 Thickness 56 Additional radiation guide element 58 Additional sensor unit 60 Computing unit 62 Storage unit 64 Heating zone 66 Heating coil 68 Operator interface 70 Underside 90 Opening 92 Kitchen worktop 94 Radiation transmission element 100 Detection step 102 Evaluation step 104 Calibration step 106 Control step

Claims

1. Cooking system (10a; 10b), in particular induction cooking system, having an insulation unit (12a; 12b) for thermally insulating a positioning plate (14a; 14b) with respect to a food receiving element (16a; 16b) and having a sensor unit (18a; 18b) for ascertaining a presence of the insulation unit (12a; 12b) between the positioning plate (14a; 14b) and the food receiving element (16a; 16b), characterised in that the sensor unit (18a; 18b) is provided for visually ascertaining the presence of the insulation unit (12a; 12b).

2. Cooking system (10a; 10b) according to claim 1, characterised by a heating unit (20a; 20b) and a control unit (22a), which blocks or releases an operation of the heating unit (20a; 20b) on the basis of a signal of the sensor unit (18a; 18b).

3. Cooking system (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor unit (18a; 18b) is provided to visually determine a distance (24a; 24b) between the positioning plate (14a; 14b) and the food receiving element (16a; 16b).

4. Cooking system (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor unit (18a; 18b) has at least one radiation source (26a; 26b) for emitting radiation (30a; 30b) and at least one radiation detector (28a; 28b) for detecting reflected radiation (32a; 32b), wherein the reflected radiation (32a; 32b) is provided by way of a reflection of the radiation (30a; 30b) on the food receiving element (16a; 16b).

5. Cooking system (10a; 10b) according to claim 4, characterised in that the insulation unit (12a; 12b) has a window (34a; 34b), which is at least largely permeable at least to the radiation (30a; 30b) of the radiation source (26a; 26b) and / or to the radiation (32a; 32b) reflected on the food receiving element (16a; 16b).

6. Cooking system (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by the positioning plate (14a; 14b) below which the sensor unit (18a; 18b) is arranged.

7. Cooking system (10a; 10b) according to claims 4 and 6, characterised in that the positioning plate (14a; 14b) has a window (36a; 36b), which is at least largely permeable at least to the radiation (30a; 30b) of the radiation source (26a; 26b) and / or to the radiation (32a; 32b) reflected on the food receiving element (16a; 16b).

8. Cooking system (10a) according to claim 7, characterised in that the sensor unit (18a) is arranged so as to overlap at least partially with the window (36a) of the positioning plate (14a).

9. Cooking system (10b) according to claim 7, characterised by at least one radiation guiding element (38b) for guiding the radiation (30b) and / or the reflected radiation (32b) between the window (36b) of the positioning plate (14b) and the sensor unit (18b).

10. Cooking system (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor unit (18a; 18b) has a laser meter (40b).

11. Cooking system (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor unit (18a; 18b) has an optical position sensor (42a), in particular a position sensitive detector (44a).

12. Hob device (50a; 50b) of a cooking system (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, which has the sensor unit (18a; 18b).

13. Item of cookware (46a; 46b) of a cooking system (10a; 10b) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised by the food receiving element (16a; 16b) and the insulation unit (12a; 12b) which is arranged below the food receiving element (16a, 16b) and is connected hereto.

14. Method for operating a cooking system (10a; 10b), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 11, having an insulation unit (12a; 12b) for thermally insulating a positioning plate (14a; 14b) with respect to a food receiving element (16a; 16b), wherein a presence of the insulation unit (12a; 12b) between the positioning plate (14a; 14b) and the food receiving element (16a; 16b) is determined at least semiautomatically, characterised in that the presence of the insulation unit (12a; 12b) is determined visually.

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