Household stove

Abstract

A household stove (1), comprising a cooking area (2 – 6) and a wireless knob (8 – 12) for remote controlling the cooking area (2 – 6), wherein the wireless knob (8 – 12) is removable from the household stove (1), wherein the wireless knob (8 – 12) and the household stove (1) are configured to communicate with each other so that the wireless knob (8 – 12) is switched from a safe mode (M1) into a work mode (M2) when the wireless knob (8 – 12) approaches the household stove (1) closer than a predetermined range (r), and so that the wireless knob (8 – 12) is switched from the work mode (M2) into the safe mode (M1) when the wireless knob (8 – 12) moves farther away from the household stove (1) than the predetermined range (r).

Description

[0001] Household stove

[0002] The present invention relates to a household stove.

[0003] Household stoves can comprise a plurality of cooking areas and wireless knobs for remote controlling the cooking areas. If one or more than one of the wireless knobs are removed from the stove farther away than a predetermined range, it is desirable, that the wireless knobs are switched off to prevent an unwanted turn on of the cooking areas.

[0004] It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved household stove.

[0005] Accordingly, a household stove is provided. The household stove comprises a cooking area and a wireless knob for remote controlling the cooking area, wherein the wireless knob is removable from the household stove, wherein the wireless knob and the household stove are configured to communicate with each other so that the wireless knob is switched from a safe mode into a work mode when the wireless knob approaches the household stove closer than a predetermined range, and so that the wireless knob is switched from the work mode into the safe mode when the wireless knob moves farther away from the household stove than the predetermined range.

[0006] By switching the wireless knob from the work mode into the safe mode when it is removed from the household stove farther away than the predetermined distance, it is possible to prevent unwanted turn on of the household stove when the wireless knob is out of the predetermined range.

[0007] The household stove can be a gas household stove. However, the household stove can also be an electric household stove, in particular an induction household stove. The household stove can be a household appliance or part of a household appliance. The household stove preferably comprises a plurality of cooking areas. The number of cooking areas is arbitrary. The cooking areas can be provided at a top sheet of the household stove. The cooking areas can be part of the top sheet. The wireless knob can be placed on the top sheet. "Removable" in context with the wireless knob means that the wireless knob can be lifted from the top sheet. In particular, the wireless knob is not fixedly attached to the household stove. The household stove can comprise a plurality of wireless knobs. Each cooking area can have its own wireless knob. Preferably, the number of wireless knobs is the same as the number of cooking areas. In the following, only one wireless knob will be referred to. "Wireless" in this context means that there is provided no cable or wire between the household stove and the wireless knob. The communication between the wireless knob and the household stove can be done by means of electromagnetic radiation, for example by means of radio waves, infra-red light, Bluetooth, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or the like. The wireless knob is designed for a remote control of preferably one cooking area.

[0008] In the safe mode, the wireless knob cannot remote control the household stove. Thus, a remote control of the wireless knob is switched off in the safe mode. The wireless knob can only remote control the household stove in the work mode. Hence, in the work mode, the remote control of the wireless knob is switched on. The predetermined range can be a distance between a front face of the wireless knob and a front side of the top sheet. For example, the predetermined range can be set to 50 mm. In this case, when the wireless knob is closer to the top sheet than 50 mm, the wireless knob is switched from the safe mode into the work mode.

[0009] If the wireless knob is moved away from the top sheet more than 50 mm, the wireless knob is switched from the work mode into the safe mode. The predetermined range can be set arbitrary. For example, the predetermined range can be set to 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, or even more than 50 mm. However, the predetermined range can also be set to 0 mm. This means that the wireless knob is not switched from the safe mode into the work mode until it lies against the top sheet. In this case, the wireless knob is switched from the work mode into the safe mode as soon as the wireless knob loses contact with the top sheet. This means that the wireless knob is switched from the work mode into the safe mode as soon as the wireless knob is lifted from the top sheet.

[0010] "Predetermined" in this context means that the predetermined range can be set to any arbitrary value. The predetermined range can have a globular or spherical geometry. When the wireless knob is arranged within this spherical geometry, the wireless knob is in the work mode. When the wireless knob is arranged outside this spherical geometry or the wireless knob is moved outside this spherical geometry, the wireless knob is in the safe mode or is switched into the safe mode. According to an embodiment, the household stove emits a magnetic field, wherein the wireless knob comprises a sensor for detecting the magnetic field, and wherein the sensor switches the wireless knob from the safe mode into the work mode when the sensor detects the magnetic field.

[0011] The sensor detects the magnetic field as soon as the wireless knob is within the predetermined range. The sensor can be a field detection sensor or named field detection sensor. Alternatively, the wireless knob emits a magnetic field, wherein the household stove comprises a sensor for detecting the magnetic field, and wherein the sensor switches the wireless knob from the safe mode into the work mode when the sensor detects the magnetic field.

[0012] According to a further embodiment, the sensor is a reed switch.

[0013] However, the sensor can be any sensor that is designed to detect a magnetic field. The sensor can also be a contact sensor that senses a contact between the wireless knob and the top sheet. In this case, the sensor is not a field detection sensor. The sensor can also be an optical sensor.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, the wireless knob comprises a remote control for remote controlling the cooking area, wherein the sensor switches the remote control off to bring the wireless knob into the safe mode, and wherein the sensor switches the remote control on to bring the wireless knob into the work mode.

[0015] The sensor communicates with the remote control. This can be done wireless or by means of wires. The remote control communicates with the household stove, in particular with a receiver of the household stove. The receiver can be placed below the top sheet.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the wireless knob comprises a housing, wherein the sensor and the remote control are integrated into the housing.

[0017] The housing is cylinder shaped. The housing has a front face that lies against the top sheet in the work mode and a rear face facing away from the front face. A cylindrical outer face of the housing can be gripped by two fingers to actuate the wireless knob. According to a further embodiment, the household stove is an induction household stove, wherein the cooking area itself emits the magnetic field.

[0018] In this case, no additional magnet for emitting the magnetic field is necessary.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the household stove comprises a sensor for emitting the magnetic field.

[0020] Alternatively, the sensor can be designed to detect the magnetic field. In this case, the sensor is a field detection sensor.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the sensor is a permanent magnet or a solenoid.

[0022] There can be provided an array of magnets. Preferably the sensor is attached to a back side of the top sheet.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the household stove further comprises a top sheet that comprises the cooking areas, wherein the wireless knob lies against the top sheet in the work mode.

[0024] The top sheet is plate shaped. The wireless knob lies against the front side of the top sheet in the work mode. The top sheet can be a glass or glass ceramic plate. However, the top sheet can also be a steel sheet.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the wireless knob is switched from the work mode into the safe mode as soon as the wireless knob is lifted from the top sheet.

[0026] In this case, the predetermined range is set to 0 mm.

[0027] Further possible implementations or alternative solutions of the invention also encompass combinations - that are not explicitly mentioned herein - of features described above or below with regard to the embodiments. The person skilled in the art may also add individual or isolated aspects and features to the most basic form of the invention. Further embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and dependent claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a household stove;

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the household stove according to Fig. 1 ; and

[0030] Fig. 3 shows another partial cross-sectional view of the household stove according to Fig. 1.

[0031] In the Figures, like reference numerals designate like or functionally equivalent elements, unless otherwise indicated.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a household stove 1. The household stove 1 can be a gas household stove. However, the household stove 1 can also be an electric household stove, in particular an induction household stove. The household stove 1 can be a household appliance or part of a household appliance. The household stove 1 comprises a plurality of cooking areas 2 to 6. The number of cooking areas 2 to 6 is arbitrary. As Fig. 1 shows, there can be provided five cooking areas 2 to 6. The cooking areas 2 to 6 are provided at a top sheet 7 of the household stove 1. The cooking areas 2 to 6 can be part of the top sheet 7. The top sheet 7 can be a glass or glass ceramic plate. However, the top sheet 7 can also be a steel sheet.

[0033] The household stove 1 comprises a plurality of wireless knobs 8 to 12. Each cooking area 2 to 6 has its own wireless knob 8 to 12. The number of wireless knobs 8 to 12 is the same as the number of cooking areas 2 to 6. "Wireless" in this context means that there is provided no cable or wire between the household stove 1 and the wireless knobs 8 to 12. The communication between the wireless knobs 8 to 12 and the household stove 1 can be done by means of electromagnetic radiation, for example by means of radio waves, infrared light, Bluetooth, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or the like. The wireless knobs 8 to 12 are designed for a remote control of the cooking areas 2 to 6. In the following, only one wireless knob 8 will be referred to. All explanations concerning the wireless knob 8 can be transferred to the wireless knobs 9 to 12 mutatis mutandis. Figs. 2 and 3 both show partial sectional views of the household stove 1. The top sheet 7 has a front side 13 and a back side 14 that faces away from the front side 13. The household stove 1 comprises a sensor 15. The sensor 15 is placed on the back side 14 of the top sheet 7. The sensor 15 can be able to detect the wireless knob 8. The sensor 15 can be a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet or a solenoid. In this case, the sensor 15 can produce a magnetic field 16. However, the sensor 15 can be a magnetic field detection sensor that can detect a magnetic field sent out by the wireless knob 8. For example, the sensor 15 is a reed switch. However, in the following, it will be assumed that the sensor 15 comprises a magnet or a matrix of magnets for producing the magnetic field 16.

[0034] The wireless knob 8 comprises a housing 17 with a front face 18 facing the front side 13 of the top sheet 7, a back face 19 facing away from the front face 18, and a cylindrical outer surface 20 that is sandwiched between the front face 18 and the back face 19. The wireless knob 8 has a sensor 21 that is integrated into the housing 17. The sensor 21 can be attached to the front face 18 from inside the housing 17. The sensor 21 can be a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet or a solenoid. In this case, the sensor 21 can produce a magnetic field (not shown). However, the sensor 21 can be a magnetic field detection sensor that can detect the magnetic field 16 sent out by the sensor 15. For example, the sensor 21 is a reed switch. In the following, it will be assumed that the sensor 21 is able to detect the magnetic field 16.

[0035] The wireless knob 8 has an unlinked mode or safe mode M1 as shown in Fig. 2 and a linked mode or work mode M2 as shown in Fig. 3. In the safe mode M1 , the wireless knob 8 is arranged spaced apart in a distance or range r from the top sheet 7. In the safe mode M1, the range r is so big that the sensors 15, 21 cannot communicate with each other. However, the wireless knob 8 and the household stove 1 can communicate with each other via ranges that are way bigger than the range r by means of a remote control 22 that is integrated into the wireless knob 8. The remote control 22 communicates with a receiver 23 of the household stove 1.

[0036] Thus, to limit the range of the remote control 22 of the wireless knob 8, the wireless knob 8 is put into the safe mode M1 as long as the wireless knob 8 is placed further away than the range r from the household stove 1. To put the wireless knob 8 into the safe mode M1, the sensor 21 communicates with the remote control 22 and switches the remote control 22 off, as long as the sensors 15, 21 are outside of their range r. The range r can have a globular or spherical geometry. When the wireless knob 8 is arranged within this spherical geometry, the wireless knob 8 is in the work mode M2. When the wireless knob 8 is arranged outside this spherical geometry, the wireless knob 8 is in the safe mode M1. By means of the sensors 15, 21 , a safety system for the wireless knob 8 is created.

[0037] At latest as the wireless knob 8 is placed on the front side 13 of the top sheet 7, i.e., the range r is 0 mm, the sensors 15, 21 communicate with each other and the remote control 22 is switched on to control the assigned cooking area 2 to 6. The wireless knob 8 is then in its work mode M2. However, the wireless knob 8 must not only be switched into the work mode M2 when it contacts the front side 13 of the top sheet 7 but it can be already switched into the work mode M2 when the range r is smaller than 50 mm, for example. The range r to switch into the work mode M2 can be chosen arbitrary as needed.

[0038] Thus, it is possible to allow the detection of the wireless knob 8 and to limit the range of the remote control 22. One option is to equip the wireless knob 8 with the sensor 21 in form of a magnet or in form of a field detection sensor. The household stove 1 has the sensor 15 in form of a magnet or a magnet field detection sensor. Preferably, the sensor 21 is a magnet field detection sensor that can detect the magnetic field 16 and the sensor 15 is a magnet for emitting the magnetic field 16. However, the design of the sensors 15, 21 can be vice versa. This means that the sensor 21 of the wireless knob 8 can be designed to emit a magnetic field and the sensor 15 of the household stove 1 can recognize this magnetic field emitted by the sensor 21.

[0039] The preferred embodiment is that the sensor 15 of the household stove 1 comprises a magnet or a matrix of magnets for emitting the magnetic field 16 and the sensor 21 of the wireless knob 8 is a reed-type sensor integrated into the wireless knob 8 that is activated by the presence of the magnetic field 16.

[0040] In the case that the household stove 1 is an induction household stove, the sensor 21 can be designed such that it can detect a micro-leakage of the inductive field generated by the cooking areas 2 to 6. If the wireless knob 8 does not detect the micro-leakage of the field generated by the household stove 1, it cannot be switched from the safe mode M1 to the work mode M2. In this case, the magnetic field 16 is produced by the household stove 1 or the cooking areas 2 to 6 itself. As soon as the sensor 21 detects the inductive or magnetic field 16 of the household stove 1, the wireless knob 8 is switched from the safe mode M1 into the work mode M2. This would be a twin system for the detection of the inductive or magnetic field 16 generated by the household stove 1. Thus, another option is to activate the sensor 21 is the use of magnetic field leakages in induction household stoves 1.

[0041] To confirm that the wireless knob 8 is close to the household stove 1, the magnetic field detection sensor 21 is installed in the wireless knob 8 or in the household stove 1 and will be activated by a permanent magnet in form of the sensor 15 when the wireless knob 8 should be switched into the work mode M2. As soon as the wireless knob 8 misses an allowed position on the top sheet 7, the sensor 21 will disable communication of commands and the wireless knob 8 will go into safe mode M1.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described in accordance with preferred embodiments, it is obvious for the person skilled in the art that modifications are possible in all embodiments.

[0043] Reference Numerals:

[0044] 1 household stove

[0045] 2 cooking area

[0046] 3 cooking area

[0047] 4 cooking area

[0048] 5 cooking area

[0049] 6 cooking area

[0050] 7 top sheet

[0051] 8 wireless knob

[0052] 9 wireless knob

[0053] 10 wireless knob

[0054] 11 wireless knob

[0055] 12 wireless knob

[0056] 13 front side

[0057] 14 back side

[0058] 15 sensor

[0059] 16 magnetic field

[0060] 17 housing

[0061] 18 front face

[0062] 19 back face

[0063] 20 outer surface

[0064] 21 sensor

[0065] 22 remote control

[0066] 23 receiver r range

[0067] M1 safe mode

[0068] M2 work mode

Claims

CLAIMS1. A household stove (1), comprising a cooking area (2 - 6) and a wireless knob (8 - 12) for remote controlling the cooking area (2 - 6), wherein the wireless knob (8 - 12) is removable from the household stove (1), wherein the wireless knob (8 - 12) and the household stove (1) are configured to communicate with each other so that the wireless knob (8 - 12) is switched from a safe mode (M1) into a work mode (M2) when the wireless knob (8 - 12) approaches the household stove (1) closer than a predetermined range (r), and so that the wireless knob (8 - 12) is switched from the work mode (M2) into the safe mode (M1) when the wireless knob (8 - 12) moves farther away from the household stove (1) than the predetermined range (r).

2. The household stove according to claim 1 , wherein the household stove (1) emits a magnetic field (16), wherein the wireless knob (8 - 12) comprises a sensor (21) for detecting the magnetic field (16), and wherein the sensor (21) switches the wireless knob (8 - 12) from the safe mode (M1) into the work mode (M2) when the sensor (21) detects the magnetic field (16).

3. The household stove according to claim 2, wherein the sensor (21) is a reed switch.

4. The household stove according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the wireless knob (8 - 12) comprises a remote control (22) for remote controlling the cooking area (2 - 6), wherein the sensor (21) switches the remote control (22) off to bring the wireless knob (8 - 12) into the safe mode (M1), and wherein the sensor (21) switches the remote control (22) on to bring the wireless knob (8 - 12) into the work mode.

5. The household stove according to claim 4, wherein the wireless knob (8 - 12) comprises a housing (17), and wherein the sensor (21) and the remote control (22) are integrated into the housing (17).

6. The household stove according to one of claims 2 - 4, wherein the household stove (1) is an induction household stove, and wherein the cooking area (2 - 6) itself emits the magnetic field (16).

7. The household stove according to one of claims 2 - 4, wherein the household stove(1) comprises a sensor (15) for emitting the magnetic field (16).

8. The household stove according to claim 7, wherein the sensor (15) is a permanent magnet or a solenoid.

9. The household stove according to one of claims 1 - 8, further comprising a top sheet (7) that comprises the cooking areas (2 - 6), wherein the wireless knob (8) lies against the top sheet (7) in the work mode (M2).

10. The household stove according to claim 9, wherein the wireless knob (8 - 12) is switched from the work mode (M2) into the safe mode (M1) as soon as the wireless knob (8 - 12) is lifted from the top sheet (7).

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