Cooking hob device and method for operating same

Abstract

A cooktop device (1) comprising a control device (2), a mounting device (3) for mounting cookware, and a heating device (4), wherein the heating device (4) provides power for heating mounted cookware in a section of the mounting device (3) designed as a cooking zone (5), and wherein the cooktop device (1) comprises a signaling device (6). The signaling device (6) includes an ultrasonic output device (7) for outputting an ultrasonic signal perceptible to a user at a distance by means of the sense of touch. At least one property of the cooktop device (1) can be signaled to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal. In the method for operating such a cooktop device (1), the signaling device (6) signals a property of the cooktop device (1) to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking hob device comprising at least one control device, at least one positioning device for placing cookware, and at least one heating device. The heating device can provide at least one power for heating at least the positioned cookware in at least one section of the positioning device designed as a cooking zone, and at least one signaling device is assigned to the cooking hob device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a cooking hob device.

[0002] A variety of hobs for heating cookware are known, which comprise at least one stand for setting up cookware and at least one heating device for heating set-up cookware, e.g. in a cooking zone. Such known hobs often have at least one signaling unit, which generally emits optical and / or acoustic signals to signal to a user at least one property of the hob. In particular, known hobs typically comprise an optical signaling unit or display unit, which is usually designed as a warning unit, to alert a user to a heated and / or hot section of the stand orto point out heat and / or residual heat in at least one section of the installation device, particularly heat introduced into the installation device by a cooking process, and thus to warn a user of such a heated and / or hot section of the installation device, which regularly represents a source of danger.

[0003] A disadvantage of such visual warning and / or signaling units on conventional cooktops is that they are often overlooked by the user and / or are located on the cooktop in a location that is not visible to children, for example. Furthermore, such visual warning and / or signaling units generally do not allow for intuitive and / or precise assignment of the display to a specific feature of the cooktop, such as a specific warm and / or hot section of the installation, which often represents a source of danger.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a hob device which signals at least one property of the hob device to a user in a particularly intuitive and / or user-friendly manner.

[0005] This object is achieved by a cooktop device having the features of claim 1 and the method having the features of claim 10. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments.

[0006] The hob device according to the invention comprises at least one control device, at least one setting device for setting up cookware, and at least one heating device, wherein at least one power for heating at least set-up cookware can be provided by means of the heating device in at least one section of the setting device designed as a cooking zone, and wherein the hob device comprises at least one signaling device. The signaling device comprises at least one ultrasonic output device for outputting at least one ultrasonic signal that can be perceived by a user at a distance using the sense of touch. At least one property of the hob device can be signaled to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal.

[0007] In advantageous further developments, the signaling device provides at least one warning device for warning at least one user of a danger.

[0008] Preferably, the ultrasonic output device is suitable and designed to output at least one ultrasonic signal that can be perceived and / or experienced by a user at a distance by means of the human sense of touch in order to signal at least one property of the hob device to a user.

[0009] The ultrasound signal is in particular a tactile and / or haptic signal, preferably for stimulating human sensory cells, in particular the sense of touch, which is preferably perceptible and / or experienceable by a user at a distance (without contact) and / or which preferably provides a user with tactile and / or haptic feedback.

[0010] In expedient developments, the ultrasonic signal comprises at least one ultrasonic pulse, in particular with a frequency of at least 15 kHz, preferably 20 kHz. The ultrasonic signal preferably comprises a plurality of ultrasonic pulses. In advantageous developments, the ultrasonic signal provides at least one (ultrasonic) signal field.

[0011] Preferably, at least one amplitude of the ultrasonic signal is modulated at least with one frequency, in particular in the range of 200 Hz to 300 Hz, in particular to generate tactile and / or haptic feedback for a user.

[0012] In advantageous developments, the ultrasonic output device comprises at least one loudspeaker and / or at least one ultrasonic transducer. Modulated individual signals from at least two loudspeakers and / or at least two ultrasonic transducers are preferably superimposed constructively in the region of a body surface of the user, in particular to form the ultrasonic signal, such that at least one tactile and / or haptic feedback is perceptible to a user. Preferably, a tactile and / or haptic feedback is perceptible to a user at least when a body part of the user is in the vicinity of the hob device, in particular the cooking zone, and / or approaches the vicinity of the hob device, in particular the cooking zone.

[0013] The signaling device is preferably integrated at least partially into the hob device. The signaling device is preferably accommodated by the hob device and / or arranged at least partially on / in the hob device. Depending on the task and design, the signaling device can also be arranged as a separate assembly in the vicinity of the hob device and / or provided at least partially by a device arranged in the vicinity of the hob device. The signaling device is preferably in communication with the hob device, in particular the control device.

[0014] In expedient further developments, the heating device is provided by at least one induction coil.

[0015] The present invention has many advantages. A significant advantage is that the signaling device comprises at least one ultrasonic output device for outputting at least one ultrasonic signal perceptible to a user at a distance by means of the sense of touch, and that at least one property of the hob device can be signaled to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal.

[0016] As a result, the hob device according to the invention is particularly user-friendly, because by means of the ultrasonic signal provided by the ultrasonic output device, a property of the hob device, e.g. a heating of at least one section of a cooking zone, can be signaled to a user at a distance and / or without coming into direct contact with the hob device.

[0017] Furthermore, particularly in contrast to optical and / or acoustic signals from warning and / or signaling units of conventional cooktops, an intuitive and / or positionally precise assignment of the ultrasonic signal to specific sections and / or areas of the cooktop device or even to specific sections and / or areas in the vicinity of the cooktop device is possible. Thus, unlike optical signals, for example, the ultrasonic signal, which can be perceived at a distance by means of the sense of touch, cannot be overlooked and / or can preferably convey a tactile and / or haptic signal and / or feedback to a user precisely where this property is of importance and / or interest.

[0018] Preferably, at least one sensor device is included, by means of which at least one object and / or at least one body part can be detected in the vicinity of the hob device, in particular in the vicinity of the cooking zone. This makes the hob device even more user-friendly.

[0019] Preferably, the sensor device is suitable and configured to detect at least one presence, at least one position, and / or at least one movement of at least one object and / or at least one body part, preferably in the vicinity of the hob device, in particular in the vicinity of the cooking zone. Preferably, the sensor device is suitable and configured to detect at least one gesture of a user, preferably in the vicinity of the hob device, in particular in the vicinity of the cooking zone. Preferably, the sensor device comprises at least one capacitive sensor element.

[0020] The environment is to be understood in particular as being within a predefined distance of less than 2 m or less than 1 m, preferably less than 0.5 m or less than 0.3 m, particularly preferably less than 0.1 m or even less.

[0021] In expedient developments, the sensor device is suitable and designed to determine at least one position of at least one object and / or at least one body part in the surroundings of the hob device, in particular in the surroundings of the cooking zone. Preferably, the sensor device is suitable and designed to determine the presence and / or position of an object and / or a body part relative to at least one section of the cooking zone. In particular, the sensor device is suitable and designed to detect and / or determine the presence and / or position of an object and / or a body part relative to at least one section of the cooking zone and / or a section of the hob device with a temperature of at least 25°C or at least 30°C, preferably at least 40°C or at least 50°C, particularly preferably at least 60°C or even more.

[0022] In particular, a so-called residual heat indicator can be provided by means of the ultrasonic device, wherein a cooking zone with residual heat or generally a hot and / or warm cooking zone and / or a hot and / or warm section of the cooking surface device is then signaled to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal.

[0023] According to the invention, the control device is suitable and designed to draw at least conclusions about at least one heating, in particular a temperature, of at least one section of the cooking zone and / or a section of the hob device. This allows a property to be determined and / or inferred in a particularly user-friendly and reliable manner.

[0024] In this case, heating is particularly a heated section of the cooking zone and / or a heated section of the hob device. Preferably, heating or a heated section of the cooking zone has a temperature of at least 25°C or at least 30°C, preferably at least 40°C or at least 50°C, particularly preferably at least 60°C or even higher. In particular, touching and / or contact of an object and / or a body part with a heated section of the cooking zone can represent a source of danger and / or injury.

[0025] Preferably, the control device draws conclusions about heating, in particular a temperature, of at least one section of a cooking zone and / or a section of the hob device by means of at least one sensor unit, in particular by means of at least one temperature sensor.

[0026] In expedient further developments, the control device draws conclusions about a heating, in particular a temperature, of at least one section of a cooking zone and / or a section of the cooking surface device at least by means of at least one at least temporarily set power level of the heating device.

[0027] In advantageous developments, the ultrasonic signal is suitable and configured to signal to a user at least a heating, in particular temperature, of the cooking zone and / or section of the cooktop device as a property of the cooktop device. This makes it particularly user-friendly and intuitive to signal and / or indicate a source of danger, for example.

[0028] Preferably, at least one amplitude, one frequency, one orientation and / or one signal field of the ultrasonic signal is adjustable and / or variable, in particular depending on the size of the property of the cooking surface device, preferably the heating and / or the temperature of the cooking zone and / or the section of the cooking surface device.

[0029] Particularly preferably, the signaling device and the sensor device are at least partially / partially comprised by a common assembly.

[0030] Preferably, the signaling device and the sensor device, in particular the ultrasound output device and the sensor device, are provided at least in sections / partially by a common assembly.

[0031] Depending on the application and design, the signaling device and the sensor device can also be arranged spatially separated from one another and / or spaced apart from one another and / or each provided by at least one separate assembly.

[0032] In expedient further developments, at least one opening and / or one recess is included, wherein the signaling device and / or the sensor device is assigned at least in sections to the opening and / or the recess.

[0033] Preferably, the ultrasonic output device is assigned at least in sections to the opening and / or the trough.

[0034] In particular, the signaling device, the ultrasonic output device and / or the sensor device is arranged / received at least partially and / or at least temporarily in and / or on the opening and / or the trough.

[0035] In advantageous further developments, the opening and / or the trough is at least partially integrated into the installation device and / or is provided by the installation device.

[0036] Preferably, the signaling device and / or the sensor device can be displaced at least between one operating position and at least one rest position.

[0037] Preferably, the ultrasonic output device is displaceable at least between one operating position and at least one rest position.

[0038] The operating position is, in particular, a position in which at least the signaling device, the ultrasonic output device, and / or the sensor device are arranged at least partially above the installation device. The operating position is preferably a position in which the signaling device can emit the ultrasonic signal into the surroundings of the hob device, in particular into the surroundings of the cooking zone. The operating position is preferably a position in which the sensor device can detect at least the presence, position, and / or movement of at least one object and / or body part, in particular a gesture, in the surroundings of the hob device, in particular in the surroundings of the cooking zone.

[0039] In this case, the rest position is in particular a position in which at least the signaling device, the ultrasound output device and / or the sensor device is little or even substantially not visible and / or visually conspicuous to a user.

[0040] In expedient further developments, at least one, in particular displaceable, covering device is included, which is suitable and designed to cover the signaling device and / or the sensor device at least temporarily, in particular in the rest position.

[0041] Preferably, the covering device is suitable and configured to cover the ultrasound output device at least temporarily, particularly in the rest position. In particular, the covering device is suitable and / or configured to cover and / or conceal the opening and / or the recess at least partially and / or at least temporarily. The covering device is preferably manually and / or motor-driven movable.

[0042] Particularly preferably, at least one extractor device is assigned to the hob device, wherein the signaling device and / or the sensor device are arranged at least in sections in and / or on the extractor device.

[0043] In advantageous further developments, the extractor device comprises at least one intake section with an intake opening, which is operatively connected to at least one fan device. Preferably, an extractor device designed as a downdraft fan, in particular, comprises at least one vapor shield device, which is in particular movable.

[0044] In expedient further developments, an extractor device is provided at least in sections by a downdraft fan, by means of which air and / or vapors can be discharged downwards through the intake opening, preferably under the installation device.

[0045] Preferably, the extractor device provides the opening at least in sections.

[0046] Preferably, the signaling device, the ultrasonic output device and / or the sensor device are arranged and / or accommodated at least in sections in and / or on the extractor device.

[0047] Preferably, the downdraft fan is integrated at least in sections into the hob device, in particular the installation device, and / or a worktop.

[0048] In advantageous further developments, the control device controls the extractor device at least temporarily.

[0049] Particularly preferably, the signaling device comprises at least one output device for outputting at least one optical and / or acoustic signal.

[0050] An acoustic signal is in particular a signal that can be perceived and / or heard by the human ear.

[0051] Preferably, the output device signals to a user by means of the optical and / or acoustic signal, in particular in addition to the ultrasonic signal, at least one heating, in particular a temperature, of at least one section of the cooking zone.

[0052] In the method according to the invention for operating a hob device as described above, the signaling device signals at least one property of the hob device to at least one user by means of the ultrasonic signal.

[0053] Preferably, the ultrasonic signal is used to signal to a user at least one, in particular thermal, hazard such as a risk of injury, fire and / or burns for the user and / or for an object.

[0054] The method according to the invention also has the advantages of a hob device according to the invention as described above.

[0055] Preferably, the signaling device signals at least one property of the hob device to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal at least when the sensor device detects an object and / or a body part in the surroundings of the hob device, in particular the cooking zone.

[0056] The environment is to be understood in particular as being within a predefined distance of less than 2 m or less than 1 m, preferably less than 0.5 m or less than 0.3 m, particularly preferably less than 0.1 m or even less.

[0057] In particular, a presence, position, movement and / or gesture is detected within the predefined distance of less than 2 m or less than 1 m, preferably less than 0.5 m or less than 0.3 m, particularly preferably less than 0.1 m or even less.

[0058] Preferably, the output device outputs an optical and / or acoustic signal at least when the sensor device detects an object and / or a body part in the surroundings of the cooking surface device, in particular the cooking zone.

[0059] Particularly preferably, the control device draws conclusions about at least one heating, in particular a temperature, of at least one section of the cooking zone and the signaling device signals to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal that at least one section of the cooking zone and / or at least one section of the cooking surface device is heated.

[0060] Preferably, the control device draws conclusions about at least one heating, in particular a temperature, of at least one section of the cooking zone and the signaling device signals to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal at least the heating, in particular the temperature, of the section of the cooking zone and / or the section of the hob device as a property of the hob device.

[0061] In this case, heating is, in particular, a heated section of the cooking zone and / or a heated section of the hob device. Preferably, a heated section of the cooking zone and / or a heated section of the hob device has a temperature of at least 25°C or at least 30°C, preferably at least 40°C or at least 50°C, particularly preferably at least 60°C or even higher. In particular, touching and / or contact of an object and / or a body part with a heated section of the cooking zone and / or a heated section of the hob device can represent a hazard and / or source of injury.

[0062] Preferably, heating represents at least one property of the hob device.

[0063] In expedient further developments, the intensity of the ultrasonic signal depends on the property of the cooking surface device, in particular on a heating and / or a temperature of the cooking zone and / or the heated section of the cooking surface device.

[0064] In advantageous further developments, the intensity, amplitude, phase and / or frequency of the ultrasonic signal and / or the intensity of the ultrasonic signal depends on the property of the cooking surface device and / or a position of an object and / or a position of a body part in the environment of the cooking surface device, in particular a position relative to the cooking zone.

[0065] Preferably, the intensity of the ultrasonic signal increases with increasing temperature of the cooking zone and / or with decreasing distance of an object and / or a body part relative to the cooking zone and / or the heated portion of the cooking surface device.

[0066] Preferably, the signaling device is transferred into at least one idle state when the heating device does not provide any heating power and / or the cooking zone is at least partially covered by cooking utensils and / or the temperature of the installation device falls below a threshold value.

[0067] In this case, a rest state is to be understood in particular as an energy-saving state, preferably in which the ultrasound output device does not emit an ultrasound signal.

[0068] In expedient further developments, the signaling device provides at least one ultrasonic signal which supports a user in at least one, in particular virtual, operation of an operating device of the hob device and / or at least one gesture control of the hob device.

[0069] In this context, supported feedback is understood to mean, in particular, tactile and / or haptic feedback.

[0070] Gesture control is, in particular, the control and / or operation of the cooktop device through a user's gestures. The ultrasonic signal preferably supports a user in gesture control, for example, by suggesting a "slider" with several virtual stop positions for power levels and / or temperature steps when swiping.

[0071] Preferably, for example, the ultrasonic signal can support a user in operating a display, in particular a virtual display, preferably for displaying images, texts and / or videos for step-by-step instructions as part of a guided cooking recipe feature, by using the ultrasonic signal to specify, for example, an area and / or a frame in which a user should preferably perform a gesture, such as a swiping motion.

[0072] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0073] In the figure shows: Figure 1 is a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob device according to the invention in a sectional view from the side.

[0074] In Figure 1 An embodiment of a hob device 1 according to the invention is shown purely schematically in a sectional view from the side.

[0075] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the cooking surface device 1 comprises a control device 2, two heating devices 4 and a setting device 3 for setting up cookware not shown in detail here.

[0076] The two heating devices 4 are each arranged below a section of the installation device 3, so that the heating devices 4 can each provide power for heating the cookware placed therein in a section of the installation device 3, which is designed here as a cooking zone 5. Depending on the application and design, two or more heating devices 4 can also be assigned to a contiguous section of the installation device 3, so that the heating devices 4 can jointly and / or separately provide power for heating the cookware in such a section of the installation device 3, in order to thus provide a cooking zone 5 whose dimensions can be flexibly adapted, in particular to different sized cookware.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the control device 2 can draw conclusions about the heating of the cooking zones 5 in sections caused by the heating devices 4. For example, the control device 2 can estimate whether a section of the cooking zones 5 is heated and / or heated to such an extent that such a section represents a source of danger and / or injury.

[0078] In the vicinity of each of the heating devices 4, two sensor devices 8 are arranged, each comprising a capacitive sensor element. Each of the sensor devices 8 is suitable and designed to detect the presence of at least one object and / or at least one body part in the vicinity of the heating devices 4 and / or the cooking zones 5. For example, the sensor devices 6 can detect the approach of a hand and / or another body part of a user to the heating devices 4 in the vicinity of the cooking zones 6.

[0079] An opening 9, which is provided here by an intake section 14 of a fume extraction device 11, is integrated essentially centrally into the installation device 3. Depending on the application and design, the opening 9 can also be provided by a trough or the like.

[0080] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, a signaling device 6 is arranged in sections in the opening 9 provided by the extractor device 11. Thus, the signaling device 6 is arranged in sections in and / or on the extractor device 11. The signaling device 6, which is designed to be movable here, is arranged in an operating position 10, in which the signaling device 6 is arranged in sections above the support device 3.

[0081] Depending on the application and design, the opening can also be assigned, in particular additionally, an optional sensor device 8. In such a purely optional design, the sensor device 8 and the signaling device 6 are preferably provided by a common assembly. Such a purely optional sensor device 8 can, for example, be suitable and configured to detect a user's gesture in the vicinity of the cooktop device 1. Such an optional design can, for example, provide an operating device 13.

[0082] The signaling device 6 here comprises an ultrasonic output device 7, which is suitable and designed to output an ultrasonic signal that can be perceived and / or experienced by a user at a distance by means of the human sense of touch, in order to signal a property of the hob device 1 to a user according to the method according to the invention.

[0083] For example, the ultrasonic signal can be used to signal to a user that a cooking zone 5 is partially heated as a property of the hob device 1. For this purpose, the ultrasonic output device 7 outputs an ultrasonic signal when the control device 2 detects and / or has detected that a cooking zone 5 is partially heated or even hot, and when one of the sensor devices 8 detects an object and / or a body part of a user in the vicinity of the heating devices 4 and / or the cooking zones 5.

[0084] Thus, by means of the method according to the invention, the hob device 1, which is shown here purely schematically, can warn a user in a particularly intuitive and / or user-friendly manner about a cooking zone 5 which is heated in sections and thus regularly represents a danger and / or source of injury.

[0085] Depending on the task and design, the signaling device 6 can optionally also signal a property of the cooking surface device 1, such as a partial heating of the cooking zone 5, to a user by means of an optical and / or acoustic signal emitted by an output device 12, in addition to the ultrasonic signal that can be perceived and / or experienced at a distance using the human sense of touch. List of reference symbols

[0086] 1Cooking surface device 2Control device 3Installation device 4Heating device 5Cooking zone 6Signaling device 7Ultrasonic output device 8Sensor device 9Opening 10Operating position 11Extractor device 12Output device 13Operating device 14Suction section

Claims

1. Hob device (1) comprising at least one control device (2), at least one setting device (3) for setting up cooking utensils and at least one heating device (4), wherein by means of the heating device (4) at least one power for heating at least set up cooking utensils can be provided in at least one section of the setting device (3) designed as a cooking zone (5), and wherein the hob device (1) comprises at least one signaling device (6), characterized by thatthe signaling device (6) comprises at least one ultrasonic output device (7) for outputting at least one ultrasonic signal perceivable by a user at a distance by means of the sense of touch, and that at least one property of the cooking field device (1) can be signaled to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal, wherein the ultrasonic signal is suitable and designed to signal to a user at least one heating, in particular temperature, of the cooking zone (5) as a property of the cooking field device (1).

2. Hob device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one sensor device (8) is included, by means of which at least one object and / or at least one body part can be detected in the surroundings of the cooking field device (1), in particular in the surroundings of the cooking zone (5).

3. Hob device (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in thatthe control device (2) is suitable and designed to draw at least conclusions about at least one heating, in particular a temperature, of at least one section of the cooking zone (5).

4. Hob device (1) according to one of claims 2-3, characterized in that the signaling device (6) and the sensor device (8) are at least partially / partially comprised by a common assembly.

5. Hob device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one opening (9) and / or a trough is included, wherein the signaling device and / or the sensor device is assigned at least in sections to the opening and / or the trough.

6. Hob device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe signaling device (6) and / or the sensor device (8) is displaceable at least between one operating position (10) and at least one rest position and / or that at least one, in particular displaceable, covering device is included, which is suitable and designed to cover the signaling device (6) and / or the sensor device (8) at least temporarily, in particular in the rest position.

7. Hob device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one extractor device (11) is assigned to the hob device (1), wherein the signaling device (6) and / or the sensor device (8) are arranged at least in sections in and / or on the extractor device (11).

8. Hob device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signaling device (6) comprises at least one output device (12) for outputting at least one optical and / or acoustic signal.

9. Method for operating a cooking hob device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the signaling device (6) signals at least one property of the hob device (1) to at least one user by means of the ultrasonic signal.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the signaling device (6) signals at least one property of the hob device (1) to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal at least when the sensor device (8) detects an object and / or a body part in the surroundings of the hob device (1), in particular the cooking zone (5).

11. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in thatthe control device (2) draws conclusions about at least one heating, in particular a temperature, of at least one section of the cooking zone (5) and that the signaling device (6) signals to a user by means of the ultrasonic signal that at least one section of the cooking zone (5) is heated.

12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the intensity of the ultrasonic signal depends on the property of the cooking device (1), in particular on heating and / or a temperature of the cooking zone (5).

13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the signaling device (6) is transferred into at least one idle state when the heating device (4) does not provide any heating power and / or the cooking zone (5) is at least partially covered by cooking utensils and / or the temperature of the installation device falls below a threshold value.

14. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the signaling device (6) provides at least one ultrasonic signal which assists a user in at least one, in particular virtual, operation of an operating device (13) of the hob device (1) and / or at least one gesture control of the hob device (1).

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