Cooking system, cooking hob device, cookware and method of operating a cooking system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooking system (10a), in particular an induction cooking system, having an insulation unit (12a) for thermal insulation of a set-down plate (14a) relative to a food receiving element (16a) and having a sensor unit (18a) for ascertaining the presence of the insulation unit (12a) on the set-down plate (14a) and in particular between the set-down plate (14a) and the food receiving element (16a). To increase the operational reliability and efficiency of the cooking system (10a), it is proposed that the sensor unit (18a) have at least one permanent magnet (28a) and be provided for ascertaining the presence of the insulation unit (12a) as a function of a magnetic field of the permanent magnet (28a).

Description

[0001] Cooking system, cooking hob device, cooking utensil and method for operating a cooking system

[0002] The invention relates to a cooking system according to the preamble of claim 1, a cooking hob device according to claim 11, a cooking utensil according to claim 12 and a method for operating the cooking system according to claim 13.

[0003] An induction cooking system with an insulating base for thermally insulating a cooking plate from a cooking utensil and with a sensor unit for detecting the presence of the insulating base, for example, using an RFID transponder in the insulating base, is already known from the prior art. The electronic components required for such an RFID system exhibit, in particular, poor heat resistance with respect to temperatures of 250°C to 300°C that can be reached on a surface of the cooking plate during certain cooking processes. In particular, such heat resistance cannot be provided for the desired, particularly required, small dimensions of such an RFID transponder. Furthermore, the positioning of the base can only be detected inaccurately by the cooking system using the RFID system, which leads to low operational reliability.

[0004] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, to provide a generic device with improved properties regarding operational reliability and efficiency of the cooking system. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 13, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0005] The invention relates to a cooking system, in particular an induction cooking system, comprising an insulation unit for thermally insulating a support plate from a food receiving element and a sensor unit for detecting the presence of the insulation unit on the support plate, and in particular between the support plate and the food receiving element. It is proposed that the sensor unit comprise at least one permanent magnet and be provided for detecting the presence of the insulation unit as a function of a magnetic field of the permanent magnet.

[0006] Such a configuration allows the presence of the insulation unit to be detected particularly reliably, whereby in particular thermal damage to the installation plate can be advantageously avoided and operational reliability can be increased. Furthermore, the efficiency of the cooking system, in particular heating efficiency, can be increased by particularly reliably reducing or avoiding thermal losses due to heat transfer from the food receiving element to the installation plate. In addition, cost efficiency can be increased, in particular through high availability of corresponding components. In particular, a particularly flexible and / or simple configuration of the cooking system can be achieved, whereby in particular detection efficiency can be increased. Furthermore, the complexity of the insulation unit can be advantageously reduced and / or the heat resistance of the insulation unit can be advantageously increased.

[0007] A "cooking system" is to be understood as a system which has at least the insulation unit and the sensor unit, and which can additionally have at least one cooking surface device, preferably an induction cooking surface device, and / or the support plate and / or the food-receiving element and / or a cooking utensil, in particular comprising the food-receiving element, and which is intended in particular for carrying out at least one cooking process. The cooking surface device can be designed at least as a part, in particular at least as a subassembly, of a cooking surface, in particular an induction cooking surface, wherein, in particular, accessory units for the cooking surface can also be additionally included in the cooking surface device.The hob device has, in particular, at least one heating unit, which preferably has at least one heating coil, in particular an induction heating coil, and which is provided for heating the food receiving element. The heating coil preferably comprises copper and / or aluminum. The heating unit preferably has at least one ferrite element and in particular a plurality of ferrite elements. Furthermore, the heating unit can have an electrically insulating plate and / or a housing, preferably made of aluminum, on an upper side. The hob device preferably has a plurality of heating units, which can, for example, also be arranged in the form of a matrix, in particular in order to define a free cooking surface with a freely selectable installation position for cooking utensils. The hob device can, in particular, have a control unit at least for controlling and / or regulating the at least one heating unit.The hob device comprises, in particular, at least one part, preferably only one part, of the sensor unit. In particular, the hob device has at least one magnetic field sensor.

[0008] In an installed position, the hob device is arranged, in particular, beneath the installation plate. The installation plate is preferably designed as a kitchen worktop. Alternatively, the installation plate can also be designed as a hob plate, in which case the hob device and the hob plate can be part of a hob or can form it. In both cases, the installation plate can comprise any material or any combination of materials that a person skilled in the art would consider appropriate, or can consist of this material or this combination of materials.The support plate could be made at least partially or at least to a large extent, in particular to 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 support plate, from glass and / or glass ceramic and / or from Neolith and / or from Dekton and / or from wood and / or from marble and / or from stone, in particular from natural stone and / or artificial stone, and / or from laminated material and / or from metal and / or from plastic and / or from ceramic and / or from a composite material. The support plate is preferably made from a non-metallic material. It would be conceivable for the support plate to have engravings and / or prints, in particular for marking at least one heating zone for heating the food receiving element. However, the support plate is preferably free of engravings and / or prints.The support plate is plate-like and in particular has a material thickness that corresponds to a length and / or a width of the element, preferably a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 20%, particularly preferably a maximum of 10%, and particularly advantageously a maximum of 5%. The support plate in particular has opposite sides that have a flat, particularly smooth, surface. The support plate is intended in particular for supporting the food-receiving element and the insulation unit, in particular at least one cooking utensil, in particular a pot, a pan, and / or the like, preferably for heating.Preferably, the kitchen worktop, particularly in contrast to the hob, is additionally intended to provide a food preparation area, in particular in that, for example, food could be cut and / or mixed and / or pounded and / or peeled. In particular, the kitchen worktop is a piece of furniture, preferably a piece of kitchen furniture. The kitchen worktop is advantageously part of the kitchen and, in particular, delimits and / or closes off part of an assembly of kitchen cabinets and / or kitchen furniture and / or other household appliances, such as, for example, a dishwasher and / or a washing machine and / or an oven, at the top. It would also be conceivable for the kitchen worktop to be, for example, a kitchen worktop in a commercial kitchen and / or an outdoor cooking area.This allows for a high level of ease of use, for example, through advantageous use of the kitchen worktop when the heating unit is not in operation, and, in particular, an attractive appearance of the cooking system. For example, a particularly attractive appearance can be achieved by making the worktop, in particular the kitchen worktop or hob, a kitchen floor, and kitchen walls from similar materials. The temperatures reached on the surface of the worktop during certain cooking processes can be high, in particular exceeding 250°C.The material of the base plate may have poorer thermal and mechanical properties than a conventional cooktop plate, particularly one made of glass ceramic. The insulation unit advantageously prevents thermal damage, particularly due to uneven thermal expansion from heat emanating from the food-receiving element and concentrated on the heating zone of the base plate. In particular, mechanical stresses greater than the fracture strength of the base plate can be advantageously avoided.

[0009] The food receiving element can, for example, be designed as at least one component of a pot and / or a pan and / or a roasting pan. In particular, the food receiving element can be arranged in a cooking surface area on the support plate. The food receiving element is intended, in particular, for inductive heating, in particular by means of the heating unit. It is conceivable for the insulation unit to be part of a cooking utensil which also comprises the food receiving element, wherein the insulation unit is arranged, in particular, beneath the food receiving element and connected to it. This enables particularly simple alignment of the food receiving element and the insulation unit in a set-up state, in which, in particular, the insulation unit is arranged between the support plate and the food receiving element set up on the support plate.Furthermore, operational reliability can be advantageously increased, in particular by allowing the insulation unit to be forgotten simply by selecting unsuitable cooking utensils. It is conceivable for the food receiving element to be formed integrally with the insulation unit. “Integral” should be understood to mean, in particular, materially connected, for example by a welding process and / or gluing process, etc., and particularly advantageously molded, such as by production from a single cast and / or by production using a single-component or multi-component injection molding process. Preferably, a material of the food receiving element differs at least partially from a material of the insulation unit, whereby, in particular, a heating efficiency of the food receiving element and a thermal insulation of the insulation unit can be advantageously increased.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the food receiving element is connected to the insulation unit in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, for example by means of plug connections and / or rotary connections and / or screw connections.

[0010] Alternatively, in a further embodiment, it would be conceivable for the insulation unit to be designed separately from a cooking utensil comprising 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, in particular the cooking utensil. The insulation unit can be designed as a base unit, in particular for being placed beneath the food-receiving element when the food-receiving element, in particular the cooking utensil, is placed on the support plate. This can advantageously increase the flexibility of the cooking system, in particular by allowing conventional cooking utensils, in particular induction cooking utensils, to be safely heated without an integrated insulation unit, and / or by allowing a defective cooking utensil and / or a defective insulation unit to be replaced more quickly and / or cost-effectively.In this case, a connection of the food receiving element and the insulation unit is preferably provided merely 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.

[0011] The insulation unit is preferably provided to provide a distance, which in particular corresponds to a thickness of the insulation unit, between the support plate and the food receiving element. The insulation unit preferably has a thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 2 mm, and particularly preferably at least 3 mm and / or a maximum of 10 mm, preferably at most 8 mm and particularly preferably at most 6 mm. The insulation unit, at least in the installed state, provides in particular a volume between the support plate and the food receiving element which is preferably at least partially filled with air, in particular to at least 30%, advantageously at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, particularly preferably at least 60% and particularly advantageously at least 70% of the volume, whereby in particular thermal insulation can be effectively provided.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the volume between the support plate and the food receiving element is filled at least to a large extent, in particular to at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85% and particularly advantageously at least 95% of the volume by the insulation unit, in particular by at least one material and / or element of the insulation unit. The insulation unit can in particular comprise a thermally insulating material, for example glass fiber and / or silicone and / or aerogel and / or the like. This can provide particularly effective thermal insulation. The insulation unit can be plate-shaped.

[0012] Preferably, in the set-up state, only one insulation unit is assigned to only one food receiving element. In particular, in the set-up state, only one food receiving element is arranged on the insulation unit, and only one insulation unit is arranged between the set-up plate and the one food receiving element. The cooking system can comprise at least one further insulation unit, which in the set-up state is preferably assigned to at least one further food receiving element, and in particular is provided for arrangement between the set-up plate and the further food receiving element of the cooking system. The insulation unit preferably has an upper side with a size that correlates with a size of an area of ​​a lower side of the food receiving element.The further insulation unit preferably has a further upper side with a size that correlates with the size of a surface of a further lower side of the further food receiving element. Alternatively, it is conceivable that, in the erected state, more than one food receiving element is arranged on a single insulation unit or more than one insulation unit is arranged between the installation plate and the one food receiving element.

[0013] The sensor unit is designed to record at least one characteristic and / or one physical property. The sensor unit preferably comprises at least one computing unit, in particular at least one microprocessor, and / or a memory unit, by which measured signals can be at least partially processed. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the measured signals to be partially processed by the control unit. In particular, it would be conceivable for the control unit to comprise the computing unit and / or the memory unit.

[0014] The cooking system, in particular the hob device, preferably has at least one additional sensor unit, in particular for determining a 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. The additional sensor unit preferably has at least one IR radiation source and at least one IR radiation detector for detecting IR radiation emanating from the IR radiation source and reflected by the food receiving element. The IR radiation detector and / or the IR radiation source of the additional sensor unit is / are preferably arranged, in particular on an electronic circuit board, below and / or in a recess in a center of the heating unit below the support plate.The recess of the heating unit preferably extends along the normal direction of the mounting plate from a top side to a bottom side of the heating unit. Preferably, the mounting plate has a window 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 permeable at least to the IR radiation of the additional sensor unit and the reflected IR radiation, at least to a large extent, wherein the window of the mounting plate and / or the insulation unit is / are in particular 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 / are provided for low-loss transmission of the IR radiation.As a result, a temperature and / or a temperature profile of the food receiving element can be measured particularly efficiently by the additional sensor unit. The window of the support plate preferably extends at least partially along the normal direction of the support plate from a top side to a bottom side of the support plate and can be incorporated into the support plate in particular by a suitable shaping process, either directly during production of the support plate, for example using a suitable casting mold, or subsequently, for example by a drilling process or a milling process or the like. A "normal direction" of an object is to be understood as a direction that runs perpendicular to a main extension plane of the object.A “main extension plane” of a structural unit is to be understood as a plane which is parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid which just completely encloses the structural unit and in particular runs through the center of the cuboid.

[0015] It is conceivable that the window of the mounting plate and / or the insulation unit comprises a radiation transmission element. A radiation transmission element is to be understood as an element which is at least partially permeable to electromagnetic radiation and which 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-guiding element. Preferably, the radiation transmission element has a temperature resistance of at least 250°C. The radiation transmission element could be formed at least largely, in particular entirely, from quartz.The radiation-guiding element could alternatively or additionally comprise at least one thermoplastic material and, in particular, be formed at least largely from such a material. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the window of the support plate and / or the insulation unit is / are formed as an opening which is, in particular, free of elements and / or units, in particular the radiation transmission element. It is conceivable that the window of the support plate is at least provided to enable, in particular, low-loss transmission of visible light from a lighting unit of the cooking system, in particular the hob device, from an area below the support plate to an area above the support plate. The heating zone for heating the food-receiving element could be made visible to an operator by means of the lighting unit.Preferably, the window of the support plate forms a partial region of the support plate, wherein the window of the support plate can in particular have a diameter of a maximum of 10 cm, preferably a maximum of 8 cm, preferably a maximum of 5 cm, and particularly preferably a maximum of 2 cm and / or a minimum of 1 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, and preferably at least 1 cm. It is conceivable for the support plate to have further windows, which are designed in particular analogously to the window of the support plate and are each assigned to a further heating zone and / or the further heating unit.

[0016] The window of the insulation unit preferably extends at least partially along a normal direction of the insulation unit and from a top side to a bottom side of the insulation unit. In the erected state, the normal direction of the insulation unit preferably runs parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate.

[0017] "Intended" should be understood as specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood in particular as meaning that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0018] The cooking system preferably has additional sensor units, which are designed in particular analogously to the sensor unit, each of which is assigned in particular to a further heating zone and / or to the at least one further heating unit. The cooking system can also have further additional sensor units, which are designed in particular analogously to the additional sensor unit and which can each be assigned in particular to a further heating zone and / or to the further heating unit.

[0019] Determining the presence of the insulation unit as a function of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet involves, in particular, determining the presence of the insulation unit as a function of a determined magnetic field strength, in particular a magnetic flux density, of the permanent magnet. The magnetic field of the permanent magnet is, in particular, a constant field.

[0020] It is further proposed that the cooking system comprise a heating unit, in particular the above-mentioned heating unit, and a control unit, in particular the above-mentioned control unit, which blocks or enables operation of the heating unit based on a signal from the sensor unit. In particular, the control unit is provided to block operation, in particular heating operation, of the heating unit for a detected absence, in particular a lack of presence, of the isolation unit. It is conceivable that the control unit is provided to transmit a notification signal, in particular an error signal and / or a warning signal, to the user at least for the detected absence of the isolation unit. The notification signal could, for example, be displayed visually, in particular on a user interface.The control unit is specifically designed to enable operation of the heating unit upon the detected presence of the insulation unit. This ensures thermal insulation of the food receiving element with respect to the support plate for the operation of the heating unit, which in particular reliably provides increased heating efficiency and increased operational reliability.

[0021] Furthermore, the control unit is preferably provided for controlling and / or regulating the heating unit based on a signal from the additional sensor unit, whereby in particular operational reliability and / or ease of use can be further increased, in particular by at least partially automatic regulation 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 estimated to be too high.

[0022] It is further proposed that the permanent magnet be integrated into the insulation unit. In particular, the permanent magnet is fixed in the insulation unit. As a result, the presence of the insulation unit can be determined particularly advantageously based on the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. In particular, a distance of the insulation unit from the installation plate correlates with a magnetic field strength at a fixed position in the cooking system. Advantageously, a particularly compact insulation unit can be provided. In particular, the insulation unit has the permanent magnet and a holding unit for holding the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is preferably integrated in the holding unit and in particular fixed in and / or on the holding unit. The permanent magnet is preferably at least partially received in the holding unit. The holding unit can have a thermally insulating material.It is conceivable that the permanent magnet is completely accommodated in the mounting unit. This advantageously thermally insulates the permanent magnet, particularly by the mounting unit, which allows a particularly advantageous reduction in the temperature of the permanent magnet during heating operation. It is conceivable that the mounting unit comprises a plastic material and / or is formed from a plastic material.

[0023] It is also proposed that a north-south direction of the permanent magnet be at least substantially perpendicular to a top and / or bottom of the insulation unit, wherein the north-south direction deviates from a direction perpendicular to the top and / or bottom by, in particular, less than 20°, preferably less than 10°, particularly preferably less than 5°, and particularly advantageously less than 3°. As a result, the magnetic field strength present at the sensor unit, in particular the magnetic flux density, can be advantageously increased, whereby, in particular, a signal strength and / or a reliability of determining the presence of the insulation unit can be advantageously increased.

[0024] The top side of the insulation unit is in particular intended for contact with the food receiving element. The underside of the insulation unit is in particular intended for contact with the installation plate. In the installed state, the top side and / or the underside of the insulation unit preferably each have a surface, in particular a surface averaged over each point on the top side and / or underside of the insulation unit, parallel to the main direction of extent of the installation plate. The north-south direction preferably runs at least substantially perpendicular to the normal direction of the insulation unit. The north-south direction preferably runs at least substantially perpendicular to the normal direction of the installation plate, at least in the installed state.

[0025] The north-south direction is, in particular, a direction, in particular along a shortest straight line, from a north pole of the permanent magnet to a south pole of the permanent magnet. In particular, the permanent magnet has a uniform north-south direction, wherein, in particular, an orientation of the north-south direction is identical at every point on the permanent magnet. Preferably, a north pole of the permanent magnet is arranged above the south pole of the permanent magnet, in particular at least with respect to the top side and / or the bottom side of the insulation unit. The north-south direction preferably runs at least substantially perpendicular to a largest side surface of the permanent magnet.

[0026] It is further proposed that the sensor unit comprise at least one further permanent magnet which is integrated into the insulation unit, wherein the further permanent magnet has a north-south direction parallel to the north-south direction of the permanent magnet. In particular, an orientation of the north-south direction of the further permanent magnet corresponds to the orientation of the north-south direction of the permanent magnet. As a result, the magnetic field strength present at the sensor unit, and thus in particular the reliability of determining the presence of the insulation unit, can be particularly advantageously increased. Preferably, the further permanent magnet is designed to correspond to the permanent magnet. Preferably, the further permanent magnet is arranged offset from the permanent magnet, in particular with respect to a viewing direction perpendicular to the top and / or bottom of the insulation unit, and is in particular integrated in the holding unit.Preferably, the permanent magnet and the further permanent magnet are arranged in a common plane, in particular the main extension plane of the insulation unit.

[0027] It is further proposed that the sensor unit comprise a plurality of permanent magnets, which are integrated into the insulation unit and which are arranged uniformly along a circumference of the insulation unit. This makes it possible to provide a particularly advantageous magnetic field strength and, in particular, a particularly uniform magnetic field, which in particular makes it possible to achieve a particularly precise and / or reliable determination of the positioning of the insulation unit on the mounting plate. In particular, the plurality of permanent magnets comprises the permanent magnet and the additional permanent magnet. The permanent magnets are preferably of identical design. The permanent magnets are preferably each designed to correspond to the permanent magnet.Preferably, the permanent magnets are arranged uniformly offset from one another, particularly with respect to a viewing direction perpendicular to the top and / or bottom of the insulation unit, and are particularly integrated into the mounting unit. Preferably, the permanent magnet and the additional permanent magnet are arranged in a common plane, particularly the main extension plane of the insulation unit.

[0028] It is conceivable for the insulation unit, in particular at least with respect to the viewing direction perpendicular to the top and / or bottom of the insulation unit, to have a rectangular or elliptical periphery or a periphery shaped according to another shape that appears reasonable to a person skilled in the art. Preferably, the insulation unit, in particular at least with respect to the viewing direction perpendicular to the top and / or bottom of the insulation unit, is circular in shape, whereby a particularly advantageous and, in particular, particularly uniform, magnetic field can be provided. Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for the permanent magnets to have a different arrangement, for example, along a center of the insulation unit.

[0029] The shape of the permanent magnet, in particular the permanent magnets, is preferably adapted at least to the shape of the insulation unit. For a circular ring-shaped insulation unit, the permanent magnet preferably has the shape of a circular ring cutout. This allows the permanent magnets to be arranged advantageously and, in particular, compactly in the insulation unit.

[0030] The insulation unit preferably has an arrangement radius of the permanent magnets of at least 10 mm, preferably at least 20 mm and particularly preferably at least 30 mm and / or a maximum of 90 mm, preferably a maximum of 80 mm and particularly preferably a maximum of 70 mm. The arrangement radius runs in particular from a center point of the insulation unit to a side surface of the permanent magnet facing the center point of the insulation unit. The number of permanent magnets in the insulation unit is in particular at least 1, preferably at least 2, preferably at least 5 and particularly preferably at least 7 and / or preferably a maximum of 30, preferably a maximum of 25 and particularly preferably a maximum of 20. In particular, the number of permanent magnets in the insulation unit can be adapted to the shape, in particular to the arrangement radius, of the insulation unit.In particular, a magnetic field strength can be advantageously increased for a particularly small arrangement radius and a particularly high number of permanent magnets. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the arrangement radius can be exactly 65 mm, which allows a magnetic field strength to be optimized for compact dimensions of the insulation unit. The arrangement radius can, for example, be exactly 60 mm for at least a first embodiment, in particular for at least a first size, of the food receiving element, wherein the insulation unit has, in particular, a maximum of 19, advantageously exactly 13, permanent magnets.The arrangement radius can, for example, be exactly 35 mm for at least one further embodiment of the food receiving element, in particular for at least one embodiment that is smaller than the first embodiment, wherein the insulation unit in particular has a maximum number of 12, advantageously exactly 8, permanent magnets.

[0031] It is also proposed that the sensor unit comprise at least one magnetic field sensor, in particular the aforementioned magnetic field sensor. The magnetic field sensor is provided, in particular, for determining the magnetic field strength, in particular a magnetic flux density, of the permanent magnet and / or the permanent magnets, in particular at the position of the magnetic field sensor. It would be conceivable for the magnetic field sensor to be designed as an electronic compass (eCompass). Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the magnetic field sensor to be designed as a magnetic switch or the like.

[0032] The magnetic field sensor is particularly designed for measuring a constant magnetic field. The magnetic field sensor is preferably designed for determining a magnetic flux density, particularly in a range of microteslas to milliteslas. The magnetic field sensor preferably has high temperature resistance, particularly even at temperatures of 105°C.

[0033] The magnetic field sensor is preferably designed as a Hall sensor, which allows for particularly precise determination of the magnetic field strength and / or an advantageously compact design of the magnetic field sensor and / or advantageous heat resistance. Alternatively, another design of the magnetic field sensor, particularly known to those skilled in the art, would be conceivable, which in particular has at least the properties mentioned above.

[0034] The magnetic field sensor is preferably designed for at least a single measurement of the magnetic field, which is arranged in particular between an operator input for triggering the heating operation of the heating unit and the start of the heating operation or is carried out during a heating operation of the heating coil. The magnetic field sensor can be designed for continuous detection of the magnetic field, in particular at least during the heating operation. The temporal periodicity of the continuous detection can be, for example, one millisecond, whereby magnetic fields with a frequency above 1 kHz, in particular emanating from the heating coil, can be advantageously filtered out.

[0035] It is conceivable that the magnetic field sensor is provided to determine only a one-dimensional vector component of the magnetic field. Preferably, the magnetic field sensor is provided to determine more than one vector component of the magnetic field. Preferably, the magnetic field sensor is designed as a 3D magnetic field sensor, which in particular determines a three-dimensional magnetic field strength of the magnetic field. This can advantageously increase the precision of determining the magnetic field strength. Preferably, the magnetic field sensor is a 3D Hall sensor. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the sensor unit has at least one further magnetic field sensor, which is arranged in particular at a distance from the magnetic field sensor. Preferably, the further magnetic field sensor is a 3D magnetic field sensor, in particular a 3D Hall sensor.

[0036] The number of permanent magnets in the insulation unit, and thus in particular a magnetic field strength provided by the insulation unit at the position of the magnetic field sensor in the installed state, can in particular be adapted to a minimum magnetic field strength that can be determined by the magnetic field sensor.

[0037] The sensor unit is preferably partially arranged beneath the support plate. In particular, it is proposed that the cooking system comprise the support plate and that the magnetic field sensor be arranged beneath the support plate, thereby achieving a particularly advantageous appearance and / or a particularly compact design of the cooking system. In particular, the magnetic field sensor can be advantageously protected, for example, from foodstuffs and / or liquids and / or other external influences. Furthermore, the magnetic field sensor can be arranged at a position of advantageous magnetic field strength in the installed state. It is conceivable that the sensor unit, apart from the permanent magnet only, in particular at least the computing unit and / or the memory unit and / or the like, is arranged beneath the support plate.It is conceivable that the magnetic field sensor is arranged below and / or in the recess in the center of the heating unit, in particular on the electronics plate, whereby, in particular, shielding of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet between the permanent magnet and the magnetic field sensor can be reduced and / or avoided. In particular, the magnetic field sensor can be arranged centered within the insulation unit, at least with respect to a viewing direction parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the magnetic field sensor and / or a plurality of magnetic field sensors are arranged outside the recess in the center of the heating unit.In such an embodiment, the magnetic field sensor and / or the plurality of magnetic field sensors is / are arranged between the ferrite elements of the heating unit, in particular distributed over a surface of the heating unit, at least with respect to a viewing direction parallel to the normal direction of the mounting plate. This advantageously reduces and / or prevents shielding of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, in particular by the ferrite elements, between the permanent magnet and the magnetic field sensor, whereby, in particular, an advantageous distribution of the magnetic field sensors below the permanent magnet can be achieved.It is conceivable that the three magnetic field sensors are each arranged at a corner of a triangle, in particular an equilateral triangle, wherein the magnetic field sensors in particular have an at least substantially equal distance from the center of the heating unit, wherein the distances of the individual magnetic field sensors from the center deviate from one another by in particular less than 25%, preferably less than 10%, and particularly preferably less than 5% from an average distance between the magnetic field sensors and the center. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the sensor unit has three magnetic field sensors arranged linearly relative to one another and in particular relative to a center of the heating unit, whereby in particular an advantageous magnetic field strength and / or a more compact arrangement of the magnetic field sensors, in particular on the electronic circuit board, can be provided, in particular compared to the arrangement of the magnetic field sensors at the corners of the triangle.

[0038] The sensor unit is preferably designed to detect the presence of the insulation unit based on the magnetic field strength detected by the at least one magnetic field sensor. It is further proposed that the sensor unit be designed to compare a magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field sensor with a reference magnetic field strength. This allows the presence of the insulation unit to be detected in a particularly simple and efficient manner.

[0039] It is conceivable that the sensor unit is provided for a vectorial comparison, in particular for a single comparison of several vectorial components of a vector of the magnetic field strength with corresponding vectorial components of the reference magnetic field strength. Alternatively, it is conceivable that only a scalar component, in particular a one-dimensional magnetic field strength, of the magnetic field is compared with a corresponding reference magnetic field strength. Preferably, the sensor unit is provided for a comparison of a, in particular scalar, vector magnitude of the magnetic field strength with a corresponding reference variable. The vector of the magnetic field strength is preferably determined by the 3D magnetic field sensor.It is conceivable that the sensor unit has more than one magnetic field sensor, in particular more than one 3D magnetic field sensor, and is provided for comparing the magnetic field strength determined by each magnetic field sensor with a respective reference magnetic field strength. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the sensor unit has more than one magnetic field sensor, in particular more than one 3D magnetic field sensor, and is provided for comparing a calculated magnetic field strength calculated from the multiple magnetic field strengths of the multiple magnetic field sensors with a corresponding reference magnetic field strength.

[0040] Preferably, the reference magnetic field strength is stored in the sensor unit, in particular in the storage unit. It would be conceivable for the reference variable to be stored in the sensor unit prior to assembly of the cooking system. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the reference variable to be defined and / or calculated and stored by means of an input from an operator and / or an installer. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the sensor unit to be provided for determining the reference variable for a calibration operation, in particular carried out by an installer and / or an operator, wherein the cooking system is in particular already assembled for the calibration operation.This allows the reference magnetic field strength to be advantageously adapted to the boundary conditions of the cooking system, in particular, for example, to the thickness of the support plate and / or the distance of the detection coil from the support plate and / or to the properties of the insulation unit or the like. The sensor unit is preferably provided for determining the reference magnetic field strength in the installed state.

[0041] The control unit is preferably designed to block the operation of the heating unit for a magnetic field strength less than the reference magnetic field strength. The control unit is preferably designed to enable the operation of the heating unit for a magnetic field strength greater than or equal to the reference magnetic field strength.

[0042] In calibration mode, the sensor unit can be provided to calibrate the magnetic field sensor, in particular to determine the magnetic field strength. In calibration mode, the sensor unit can be provided to determine an offset, in particular due to thermal drift and / or lifetime drift and / or an inherent offset drift of the component and / or due to the earth's magnetic field and / or the like, and in particular to offset the offset, in particular by means of the computing unit, against a determined sensor signal and / or a determined magnetic field strength. This can advantageously prevent a false-positive detection result of the insulation unit and, in particular, increase operational reliability.

[0043] Alternatively, it would be conceivable that the sensor unit is provided for determining the presence of the insulation unit by comparing a parameter that differs from the magnetic field strength, for example a Hall voltage or a distance calculated from the magnetic field strength between the magnetic field sensor and the insulation unit or the like, and a corresponding reference value.

[0044] The permanent magnet preferably comprises a material that exhibits temperature resistance, in particular stable magnetization, at temperatures of 250°C and in particular 300°C, at least briefly. It is proposed that the permanent magnet comprise samarium cobalt and / or neodymium. This can advantageously increase the temperature resistance and / or magnetic field strength of the permanent magnet.

[0045] In addition, a method for operating a cooking system with an insulation unit, in particular as mentioned above, for thermally insulating a support plate, in particular as mentioned above, from a food receiving element, in particular as mentioned above, is proposed. The presence of the insulation unit on the support plate and in particular between the support plate and the food receiving element is determined at least partially automatically, and the presence of the insulation unit is determined as a function of a magnetic field of a permanent magnet, in particular as mentioned above, of the sensor unit. As a result, the presence of the insulation unit can be determined particularly reliably, whereby, in particular, thermal damage to the support plate can be advantageously avoided and operational reliability can be increased.Furthermore, the efficiency of the cooking system, in particular the heating efficiency, can be increased by particularly reliably reducing or avoiding thermal losses due to heat transfer from the food receiving element to the support plate. Furthermore, cost efficiency can be increased, in particular through the high availability of corresponding components. In particular, a particularly flexible and / or simple design of the cooking system can be achieved, which in particular can increase detection efficiency. Furthermore, the heat resistance of the insulation unit can be advantageously increased.The semi-automatic determination comprises, in particular, at least one manual step, for example, an operator input at a user interface of the cooking system, at the start of heating operation of a heating unit, and at least one automatic step, for example, an automatic determination of the presence of the insulation unit following the operator input. It is conceivable that the presence of the insulation unit is determined fully automatically.

[0046] The method preferably comprises a method step, in particular a detection step, in which a magnetic field sensor determines a magnetic field, in particular a magnetic field strength. Preferably, in a further method step, in particular in a calibration step, which is arranged in particular after the detection step, the magnetic field strength is compared with a reference magnetic field strength, in particular a stored reference magnetic field strength. The method preferably comprises a further method step, in particular an actuation step, which is arranged in particular after the calibration step. In the actuation step, a heating unit of the cooking system is preferably actuated depending on the result of the comparison in the calibration step.

[0047] The cooking system, the cooktop device, the cooking utensil, and the method for operating the cooking system are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the cooking system, the cooktop device, the cooking utensil, and the method for operating the cooking system may have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a functionality described herein.

[0048] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0049] They show:

[0050] Fig. 1 a cooking system in a schematic plan view,

[0051] Fig. 2 shows a section of the cooking system with a sensor unit and an insulation unit, wherein the sensor unit has a permanent magnet and a magnetic field sensor, in a schematic side view,

[0052] Fig. 3 a part of the insulation unit in a schematic plan view,

[0053] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the permanent magnet,

[0054] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the cooking system,

[0055] Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a spatial arrangement of magnetic field sensors in a cooking system and

[0056] Fig. 7 shows another alternative embodiment of a spatial arrangement of magnetic field sensors in a cooking system.

[0057] Figure 1 shows a cooking system 10a in a schematic plan view. The cooking system 10a is designed as an induction cooking system. The cooking system 10a comprises a support plate 14a. The support plate 14a is intended for supporting at least one cooking utensil 46a of the cooking system 10a. In the present case, the support plate 14a is designed as a kitchen worktop 92a. Alternatively, however, the support plate 14a could also be designed as a cooktop plate (not shown).

[0058] The support plate 14a has at least one heating zone 64a, in which the cooking utensil 46a can be arranged for heating in a support state. The cooking utensil 46a is embodied, for example, as a pot. The cooking system 10a has a user interface 68a integrated into the support plate 14a. At least the heating of the cooking utensil 46a can be controlled and / or regulated by an operator using the user interface 68a.

[0059] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the cooking system 10a in a set-up state. The cooking system 10a has an insulation unit 12a for thermally insulating the set-up plate 14a from a food receiving element 16a.

[0060] In the erected state, the insulation unit 12a is provided to provide a distance 24a, which corresponds to a thickness 54a of the insulation unit 12a, between the mounting plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a.

[0061] In this case, the insulation unit 12a has a window 34a centered within the insulation unit 12a. The window 34a of the insulation unit 12a is formed as an opening 90a. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the window 34a of the insulation unit 12a to be formed as a radiation transmission element (not shown) or for the insulation unit 12a to be formed free of the window 34a of the insulation unit 12a.

[0062] The food receiving element 16a is provided for inductive heating by a heating unit 20a. The food receiving element 16a comprises a magnetizable and / or a magnetic material. The food receiving element 16a is provided for receiving a food item (not shown) at least for carrying out a cooking process. The food receiving element 16a is part of the cooking utensil 46a. The cooking utensil 46a comprises the food receiving element 16a and the insulation unit 12a, wherein the insulation unit 12a is arranged below the food receiving element 16a and is connected to the food receiving element 16a. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the insulation unit 12a to be designed as a base unit for the cooking utensil 46a, which is designed separately from the cooking utensil 46a.

[0063] The cooking system 10a has the heating unit 20a. The heating unit 20a has a heating coil 66a for inductively heating the food receiving element 16a. The heating unit 20a is arranged below the heating zone 64a (see Figure 1). The cooking system 10a has a sensor unit 18a for detecting the presence of the insulation unit 12a between the support plate 14a and the food receiving element 16a. The sensor unit 18a is provided at least for recording a physical variable for detecting the presence of the insulation unit 12a and the food receiving element 16a.

[0064] The support plate 14a has a window 36a. The window 36a of the support plate 14a is arranged in the heating zone 64a and can indicate to an operator at least one installation position for the cooking utensil 46a on the support plate 14a for heating (see Figure 1). The window 36a of the support plate 14a forms a center point of the heating zone 64a in the present case. The cooking utensil 46a is positioned on the window 36a of the support plate 14a in the installed state. The window 34a of the support plate 14a has a radiation transmission element 94a, in this case made of quartz. For example, a lighting unit (not shown) of the cooking system 10a can be arranged below the window 36a of the support plate 14a. In the present case, an additional sensor unit 58a of the cooking system 10a is arranged below the window 36a of the support plate 14a, which is intended to measure the temperature of the cooking utensil 46a by means of IR radiation (not shown).The additional sensor unit 58a is designed to emit IR radiation and detect the IR radiation reflected by the food receiving element 16a. The window 36a of the support plate 14a and the window 34a of the insulation unit 12a are designed to ensure low-loss transmission of at least the IR radiation. The additional sensor unit 58a is arranged below a recess 52a of the heating unit 20a on an electronic circuit board 48a.

[0065] The cooking system 10a has a cooktop device 50a, which partially includes the sensor unit 18a. The cooktop device 50a is arranged below the support 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 has the heating unit 20a and, in this case, also at least the additional sensor unit 58a.

[0066] The sensor unit 18a has at least one permanent magnet 28a and is provided for determining the presence of the insulation unit 12a as a function of a magnetic field of the permanent magnet 28a. The sensor unit 18a is provided for determining the presence of the insulation unit 12a as a function of a magnetic flux density of the permanent magnet 28a.

[0067] The cooking system 10a has a control unit 22a. The control unit 22a is integrated in the user interface 68a (see Figure 1). The control unit 22a is connected, at least for data purposes, to the sensor unit 18a (see Figure 1). The control unit 22a is designed to block or enable operation of the heating unit 20a based on a signal from the sensor unit 18a. The control unit 22a is designed to enable operation of the heating unit 20a for the detected presence of the insulation unit 12a between the food receiving element 16a and the support plate 14a. The control unit 22a is designed to block operation of the heating unit 20a for a detected absence of the insulation unit 12a between the food receiving element 16a and the support plate 14a.

[0068] The permanent magnet 28a is integrated into the insulation unit 12a. The insulation unit 12a comprises the permanent magnet 28a and a support unit 26a. The insulation unit 12a is shown in simplified form in Figure 2 for better clarity. The permanent magnet 28a is at least partially accommodated in the support unit 26a.

[0069] A north-south direction 32a of the permanent magnet 28a is at least substantially perpendicular to a top side 30a and a bottom side 40a of the insulation unit 12a. The north-south direction 32a runs from a north pole (not shown) of the permanent magnet 28a to a south pole (not shown) of the permanent magnet 28a. The north-south direction 32a of the permanent magnet 28a is uniform. Alternatively, a north-south direction 32a is conceivable which runs opposite to the present embodiment.

[0070] The sensor unit 18a has at least one further permanent magnet 38a, which is integrated into the insulation unit 18a, wherein the further permanent magnet 38a has a north-south direction 42a parallel to the north-south direction 32a of the permanent magnet 28a. The further permanent magnet 38a is designed to correspond to the permanent magnet 28a.

[0071] The sensor unit 18a has at least one magnetic field sensor 70a. The magnetic field sensor 70a is a Hall sensor 72a in this case. The magnetic field sensor 70a is provided for determining the magnetic field strength at the position of the magnetic field sensor 70a. The magnetic field sensor 70a is provided for determining the magnetic flux density at the position of the magnetic field sensor 70a. For example, the Hall sensor 72a can determine a magnetic flux density of up to 10 mT with a precision of 0.01 mT. The magnetic field sensor 70a is a 3D Hall sensor in this case, which provides a direction-dependent three-dimensional determination of the magnetic flux density. Alternatively, a purely one-dimensional determination of the magnetic flux density would be conceivable.

[0072] The sensor unit 18a is partially arranged beneath the mounting plate 14a. The magnetic field sensor 70a is arranged beneath the mounting plate 14a. The sensor unit 18a has a computing unit 60a and a memory unit 62a (see Figure 1). Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the control unit 22a to at least partially comprise the computing unit 60a and / or the memory unit 62a. The magnetic field sensor 70a is arranged on the electronic circuit board. In the present case, the magnetic field sensor 70a is arranged in the recess 52a in the center of the heating unit 20a.

[0073] The sensor unit 18a is provided to compare the magnetic field strength determined by the magnetic field sensor 70a with a reference magnetic field strength. The sensor unit 18a is provided to compare the magnetic flux density determined by the magnetic field sensor 70a with a reference magnetic field strength. In the present case, the sensor unit 18a is provided to compare a vector magnitude of the determined three-dimensional magnetic field strength. The reference magnetic field strength can be, for example, 0.5 mT. Alternatively, a larger and / or smaller value would be conceivable. The reference magnetic field strength is stored in the memory unit 62a. The computing unit 60a is provided to compare the magnetic field strength with the reference magnetic field strength. The control unit 22a is provided to block the operation of the heating unit 20a for a magnetic field strength smaller than the reference magnetic field strength.The control unit 22a is provided to enable the operation of the heating unit 20a for the magnetic field strength greater than or equal to the reference magnetic field strength.

[0074] Figure 3 shows the insulation unit 12a, at least partially, in a schematic plan view. The sensor unit 18a has a plurality of permanent magnets 56a, which are integrated into the insulation unit 12a and which are arranged evenly along a circumference 74a of the insulation unit 12a. The insulation unit 12a has the plurality of permanent magnets 56a. The permanent magnets 58a are each configured identically to the permanent magnet 28a. The mounting unit 26a is configured, at least in sections, in a circular ring shape. The permanent magnets 56a are accommodated and fixed in the mounting unit 26a at evenly spaced intervals.

[0075] The insulation unit 12a is circular in shape, at least in sections. The circumference 74a runs at least largely along an outer shape of the insulation unit 12a. The permanent magnets 56a have the same arrangement radius 44a in the insulation unit 12a.

[0076] Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the permanent magnet 28a. Dimensionless dimensions in Figure 4 are given in millimeters. These dimensions have an uncertainty of at least 0.1 mm. The permanent magnet 28a has the shape of a circular ring segment. The permanent magnet 28a can have the present shape and dimensions for various configurations of the insulation unit 12a, for example, even with a changed arrangement radius 44a and / or a changed number of permanent magnets 56a in the insulation unit 12a. Alternatively, other dimensions of the permanent magnet 28a are conceivable.

[0077] The permanent magnet 28a comprises a magnetic material with stable magnetization, which can be attained at least briefly at temperatures of 250°C to 300°C on the insulation unit 12a. The permanent magnet 28a comprises samarium cobalt. Additionally or alternatively, the permanent magnet 28a can comprise neodymium.

[0078] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method for operating the cooking system 10a, wherein the presence of the insulation unit 12a is determined semi-automatically and as a function of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 28a of the sensor unit 18a.

[0079] The method comprises a detection step 100a. In the detection step 100a, a magnetic field is determined at the magnetic field sensor 70a. The magnetic field strength of the magnetic field is compared with a reference magnetic field strength in a calibration step 102a of the method. In a control step 104a of the method, the heating unit 20a is controlled depending on the result of the comparison in the calibration step 102a. Figures 6 and 7 each show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments; with regard to identical components, features, and functions, reference can be made to the description of the exemplary embodiment in Figures 1 to 5.To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 5 is replaced by the letters b and c in the reference numerals of the embodiments in Figure 6 and Figure 7. Regarding identically designated components, in particular regarding components with identical reference numerals, reference can generally also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 5.

[0080] Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of ferrite elements 84b, with only one ferrite element 84b being designated, of a heating unit (not shown). In the present embodiment of the invention, a sensor unit (not shown) has three magnetic field sensors 70b, 76b, and 78b. The magnetic field sensor 70b is embodied as a Hall sensor 72b. In this case, all magnetic field sensors 70b, 76b, and 78b are embodied as Hall sensors. The magnetic field sensors 70b, 76b, and 78b are arranged linearly relative to one another. The magnetic field sensors 70b, 76b, and 78b are arranged along a line 98b that intersects the center 96b of the heating unit. An axis 86b and an axis 88b denote a spatial arrangement in millimeters. The magnetic field sensors 70b, 76b and 78b are spaced at a distance of 20 mm, 50 mm and 95 mm from the center 96b of the heating unit, respectively.

[0081] In the present case, the magnetic field strength corresponds to a maximum magnetic field strength determined between the magnetic field sensors 70b, 76b and 78b for comparison with a reference magnetic field strength.

[0082] Figure 7 shows an alternative arrangement of three magnetic field sensors 70c, 76c, and 78c. The magnetic field sensors 70c, 76c, and 78c are arranged along a triangle 80c relative to one another. The magnetic field sensors 70c, 76c, and 78c are spaced at least substantially equal distances from a center 96c of the heating unit (not shown). The magnetic field sensors 70c, 76c, and 78c are spaced at least substantially equal distances of 60 mm from the center 96c. It would be conceivable for the triangle 80c to be equilateral, although an overlap between ferrite elements 84c and the magnetic field sensors 70c, 76c, and 78c should advantageously be avoided. In the present case, the magnetic field sensors 70c, 76c and 78c are arranged offset between the ferrite elements 84c.To avoid overlap between the ferrite elements 84c and the magnetic field sensors 70c, 76c and 78c, the magnetic field sensors 76c and 78c here have an angular arrangement (not shown) of 90° and 235°, respectively, with respect to the magnetic field sensor 76c and the center 96c.

[0083] Of multiple objects, only one is provided with a reference symbol in the figures.

[0084] Reference symbol

[0085] 10 Cooking system

[0086] 12 Isolation unit

[0087] 14 mounting plate

[0088] 16 Food intake element

[0089] 18 Sensor unit

[0090] 20 heating unit

[0091] 22 Control unit

[0092] 24 distance

[0093] 26 Mounting unit

[0094] 28 permanent magnet

[0095] 30 Top

[0096] 32 North-South direction

[0097] 34 windows

[0098] 36 windows

[0099] 38 Additional permanent magnet

[0100] 40 bottom

[0101] 42 North-South direction

[0102] 44 Arrangement radius

[0103] 46 cooking utensils

[0104] 48 Electronic board

[0105] 50 hob device

[0106] 52 recess

[0107] 54 thickness

[0108] 56 permanent magnets

[0109] 58 Additional sensor unit

[0110] 60 computing units

[0111] 62 storage unit

[0112] 64 heating zone heating coil

[0113] User interface

[0114] Magnetic field sensor

[0115] Hall sensor

[0116] Scope

[0117] Magnetic field sensor

[0118] Magnetic field sensor

[0119] triangle

[0120] Ferrite element

[0121] axis

[0122] axis

[0123] opening

[0124] kitchen worktop

[0125] Radiation transmission element

[0126] center

[0127] line

[0128] Recording step

[0129] Adjustment step

[0130] Control step

Claims

Claims 1. Cooking system (10a), in particular an induction cooking system, with an insulation unit (12a) for thermally insulating a support plate (14a) from a food receiving element (16a) and with a sensor unit (18a) for determining a presence of the insulation unit (12a) on the support plate (14a) and in particular between the support plate (14a) and the food receiving element (16a), characterized in that the sensor unit (18a) has at least one permanent magnet (28a) and is provided for determining the presence of the insulation unit (12a) as a function of a magnetic field of the permanent magnet (28a).

2. Cooking system (10a) according to claim 1, characterized by a heating unit (20a) and a control unit (22a) which blocks or enables operation of the heating unit (20a) based on a signal from the sensor unit (18a).

3. Cooking system (10a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permanent magnet (28a) is integrated in the insulation unit (12a).

4. Cooking system (10a) according to claim 3, characterized in that a north-south direction (32a) of the permanent magnet (28a) is at least substantially perpendicular to a top side (30a) and / or bottom side (40a) of the insulation unit (12a).

5. Cooking system (10a) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the sensor unit (18a) has at least one further permanent magnet (38a) which is integrated in the insulation unit (12a), wherein the further permanent magnet (38a) has a north-south direction (42a) parallel to the north-south direction (32a) of the permanent magnet (28a).

6. Cooking system (10a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (18a) has a plurality of permanent magnets (56a) which are integrated in the insulation unit (12a) and which are arranged uniformly along a circumference (74a) of the insulation unit (12a).

7. Cooking system (10a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (18a) has at least one magnetic field sensor (70a; 70b; 70c), in particular a Hall sensor (72a; 72b; 72c).

8. Cooking system (10a) according to claim 7, characterized by the support plate (14a) under which the magnetic field sensor (70a; 70b; 70c) is arranged.

9. Cooking system (10a) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the sensor unit (18a) is provided to compare a magnetic field strength determined by the magnetic field sensor (70a; 70b; 70c) with a reference magnetic field strength.

10. Cooking system (10a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permanent magnet (28a) comprises samarium cobalt and / or neodymium.

11. Hob device (50a) of a cooking system (10a) according to one of the preceding claims, which at least partially comprises the sensor unit (18a).

12. Cooking utensil (46a) of a cooking system (10a) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the food receiving element (16a) and the insulation unit (12a) which is arranged below the food receiving element (16a) and connected thereto.

13. A method for operating a cooking system (10a), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 10, with an insulation unit (12a) for thermally insulating a support plate (14a) from a food receiving element (16a), wherein a presence of the insulation unit (12a) on the support plate (14a) and in particular between the support plate (14a) and the food receiving element (16a) is determined at least partially automatically, characterized in that the presence of the insulation unit (12a) is determined as a function of a magnetic field of a permanent magnet (28a) of the sensor unit (18a).

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