Toaster with electronic bread carriage position detection system.

Abstract

This toaster (1) comprises: a bread-carrying carriage (6) movable between an ejection position and a toasting position, and adapted, during its movement between the ejection and toasting positions, to drive a ferromagnetic part (26) between a position far from and a position close to an electromagnet (28), and a power switch for the electromagnet adapted to be controlled by a control unit (42) between an open and a closed state of power supply to the electromagnet (28). According to the invention, the toaster (1) includes a measuring device for data relating to the current intensity flowing through a winding (30) of the electromagnet (28), and the control unit (42) is adapted to determine the position of the bread-carrying carriage (6) as a function of the measured current intensity. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Toaster with electronic detection system for the position of the bread carriage. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of toasters comprising heating means and a bread-carrying carriage that moves between an ejection position, to which it is returned by an elastic means, and a toasting position, to which it is held by an electromagnetic device. Such a toaster is adapted to detect the position of the bread-carrying carriage and to control the operation of the various components of the toaster according to the detected position. State of the art

[0002] EPI328181 B1 is known in particular to include a toaster comprising a limit switch designed to interact with the bread carrier carriage when it is in the toasting position and thus to achieve mechanical detection of the position of the bread carrier carriage.

[0003] Such a configuration makes it possible, in particular, to detect the position of the bread-carrying trolley in the toasting position. This allows, in particular, when the bread-carrying trolley is detected in the toasting position, the activation of the electrical power supply to the electromagnetic device to maintain the trolley in this position for a predetermined heating period during which the heating elements are powered.

[0004] However, the toaster proposed in EP1328181 B1 has a complex and costly structure because detecting the position of the bread carriage requires additional components, including a contactor and a moving element designed to interact with the contactor, as well as free space to accommodate these elements and allow their interaction. Furthermore, such an arrangement presents a risk in the event of contactor failure. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention consists of proposing a toaster with a simplified structure and offering improved operational safety.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a toaster comprising: heating means, a bread carriage movable between an ejection position and a toasting position, a mechanism for returning the bread carriage to the ejection position, an electromagnetic device for holding the bread carriage in the toasting position, the electromagnetic device comprising a ferromagnetic part and an electromagnet, the bread carriage being designed, during its movement between the ejection position and the toasting position, to drive the ferromagnetic part. Between a distant position and a position close to the electromagnet, a power switch for the electromagnet, controlled by a control unit, operates between an open state (cutting off the electromagnet's power supply) and a closed state (enabling the electromagnet's power supply). In the latter state, the electromagnetic device maintains the toasting carriage in the toasting position. According to the invention, the toaster includes a measuring device for the current intensity flowing through a coil of the electromagnet, and the control unit determines the position of the toasting carriage based on the current intensity measured by the measuring device.

[0008] Thanks to the invention, the position of the toaster carriage is detected in a simplified manner by simply measuring the current flowing through the coil, without requiring a physical mechanism to detect the position of the toaster carriage. Thus, the toaster's structure is simplified and the volume occupied by the components necessary for the detection function is limited. Furthermore, the fact that the toaster's position is detected electronically (via current measurement) rather than physically, allows the function to be performed safely, without any mechanical failure leading to incorrect detection and a malfunction that could be dangerous for the user.

[0009] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a toaster incorporates one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the measuring element is a current sensor and the control unit is configured to detect that the bread trolley is in the toasting position when the value of the current intensity measured by the measuring element is less than a first predetermined threshold while the switch is in the closed state.

[0011] Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure the detection of the bread carrier trolley in the toasting position in a reliable and robust manner with a simple current measurement.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to detect that the bread trolley is in the ejection position when the value of the current intensity measured by the measuring element is greater than a second predetermined threshold, greater than or equal to the first predetermined threshold, while the switch is in the closed state.

[0013] Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure the detection of the bread carrier trolley in the ejection position in a reliable and robust manner with a simple current measurement.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to, at regular intervals, control the switch successively in the open state for a first predetermined duration and then in the closed state for a second predetermined duration, and the control unit is configured to detect that the bread trolley is in the toasting position if the intensity measured by the measuring element during the second predetermined duration is less than the first predetermined threshold.

[0015] Such an arrangement makes it possible to regularly check the position of the bread carriage and thus control the operation of the toaster according to the position of the bread carriage at any given time. In addition, it makes it possible to limit the toaster's energy consumption while ensuring an electronic detection function for the position of the bread carriage.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to keep the switch in the closed state during a heating period following the detection of the passage of the bread carrier carriage into the toasting position.

[0017] Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure that the bread carrier trolley remains in the toasting position during the heating period.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to control the electrical power supply to the heating means during the heating period and to cut off the electrical power supply to the heating means at the end of the heating period.

[0019] Such an arrangement makes it possible to control the toasting of the bread positioned in the bread carrier as soon as the bread carrier is in the toasting position and to ensure that the toasting stops at the end of the heating period.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to control the switch in the open state at the end of the heating period.

[0021] Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure that the bread carrier trolley moves into the ejection position at the end of the heating period.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the control unit is configured to, following the command of the switch in the open state at the end of the heating period, verify, based on the measurement of the current intensity by the measuring element, that the bread carrier trolley is in the ejection position for a third predetermined duration before allowing a new supply of electrical energy to the heating means.

[0023] Such an arrangement makes it possible to avoid continuous operation of the heating means and therefore a risk of fire starting when the bread trolley is blocked in the toasting position due to a malfunction.

[0024] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the ferromagnetic part is integral with the bread carrier trolley.

[0025] Such an arrangement makes it possible to implement the electromagnetic device simply in the toaster and to ensure a simple and compact design.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method for controlling a toaster as defined above, the method comprising the following steps: - b) control by the control unit of the switch in the closed state, - c) measurement of a data point relating to the intensity of the current flowing through the coil of the electromagnet by the measuring device, and - d) the detection of the position of the bread trolley by the control unit as a function of the data relating to the measured current intensity.

[0027] Such a method allows for the simplified detection of the toaster's position by simply measuring the current flowing through the coil, without requiring a physical mechanism to detect the toaster's position. This simplifies the toaster's structure and operation, and reduces the space occupied by the components necessary for the detection function.

[0028] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a process incorporates one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination.

[0029] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the method includes prior to the control step b), the following step: a) the control unit controls the switch in the open state for a first predetermined duration, and during the control step b) the control unit controls the switch in the closed state for a second predetermined duration.

[0030] Such an operation makes it possible to limit the consumption of the toaster while ensuring an electronic detection function of the position of the bread carriage.

[0031] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, if during detection step d) the bread carrier trolley is detected in the toasting position, the method comprises the following steps: - e) the control unit maintaining the switch in the closed state during a heating period, and - f) the control by the control unit of the electrical power supply to the heating means during the heating period.

[0032] Such an operation makes it possible to control the toasting of the bread positioned in the bread carrier as soon as the bread carrier is in the toasting position and to ensure that the toasting stops at the end of the heating period.

[0033] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, at the end of the heating period the process comprises the following steps: - g) the control by the control unit of the switch in the open state, and - h) the verification that the bread trolley is in the ejection position for a third predetermined duration following step g) of the control of the switch in the open state.

[0034] Such an operation makes it possible to ensure that the bread carrier carriage moves into the ejection position at the end of the heating period and to verify that the bread carrier carriage is not blocked in the toasting position due to a malfunction.

[0035] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, during the verification step h), the control unit controls the switch in the closed state for the third predetermined duration, the measuring element measures the data relating to the current intensity during the third predetermined duration, and the control unit detects the position of the bread trolley as a function of the measured current intensity data.

[0036] Such an operation makes it possible to ensure in a reliable and simple way that the bread carrier carriage is not blocked in the toasting position due to a malfunction.

[0037] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, as long as the bread trolley is detected in the toasting position during the verification step h), the control unit prevents a new supply of electrical energy to the heating means.

[0038] Such operation makes it possible to avoid continuous operation of the heating means and therefore a risk of fire starting when the bread trolley is blocked in the toasting position due to a malfunction. Brief description of the figures

[0039] The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0040] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a toaster according to the invention comprising a bread-carrying carriage movable between an ejection position and a toasting position;

[0041] The [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view along the vertical cutting plane along line II-II of the toaster of the [Fig.1] comprising an electromagnetic device for holding the bread carrier carriage in the toasting position;

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the electromagnetic device in Figure 2, comprising a ferromagnetic part and a electromagnet, the ferromagnetic part being in a position far from the electromagnet;

[0043] [Fig.4] is a representation analogous to [Fig.3], the ferromagnetic part being in a position close to the electromagnet;

[0044] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a control unit of the toaster of Figures 1 and 2 and of a power supply circuit of a winding of the electromagnet of Figures 3 and 4;

[0045] Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a toaster according to the invention.

[0046] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0047] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the toaster refer to this device in a situation of use, in particular when it is installed on a work surface.

[0048] Furthermore, the terms "internal" and "external" or "inside" and "outside" are defined with respect to an internal volume of the toaster intended to hold slices of bread to be toasted. An internal or interior element or face is positioned opposite the internal volume, while an external or exterior element or face is located opposite the outside of the internal volume.

[0049] Figures 1 and 2 represent a toaster 1 which includes a housing 2 with a toasting chamber 4 open at its top to allow the introduction of food such as a slice of bread 5. This toasting chamber 4 is delimited at its bottom by a bread carrier 6 and laterally by two vertical grids 8 arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical median plane of the housing 2.

[0050] The housing 2 includes heating means 10 located near the grill enclosure 4. These heating means 10 can be made by two quartz heating tubes arranged horizontally along the vertical grids 8 or by resistive wires.

[0051] The bread carrier 6 comprises a horizontal crossbar 12, extended by a driver 14 and a handle 16 exiting the housing 2 through a vertical opening 18. The bread carrier 6 is mounted movably, preferably vertically, between a high position called ejection and a low position called toasting, corresponding to the situation of [Fig.2].

[0052] The vertical movement of the bread carrier 6 is, for example, guided by a slide 20.

[0053] A return member 22, also called an elastic return means 22, such as a spring, holds the bread carrier 6 in the ejection position and allows a user to lower the carrier into the toasting position by applying pressure to the handle 16.

[0054] In the toasting position, the bread carrier 6 is held by an electromagnetic device 24 which includes, on the one hand, a ferromagnetic part 26 fixed to the bread carrier 6, and on the other hand, an electromagnet 28 fixed to the housing 2 of the toaster 1.

[0055] Advantageously, the ferromagnetic part 26 is integral with the bread-carrying carriage 6.

[0056] The bread-carrying carriage 6 is designed, during its movement between the ejection position and the toasting position, to drive the ferromagnetic part 26 between a distant position and a position close to the electromagnet 28.

[0057] The electromagnet 28 includes, in a well-known manner, a winding 30, also called an electric coil 30, connected to a power supply circuit 31, visible in [Fig.5].

[0058] The electromagnet 28 also includes a ferromagnetic core 32 which makes it possible to intensify the magnetic field created by the winding 30.

[0059] Advantageously, the ferromagnetic core 32 comprises, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a base 34, a central bar 36 and two lateral bars 38, 40 located on either side of the central bar 36.

[0060] The central bars 36 and lateral bars 38, 40 are fixed to the base 34 at the level of a lower end of said bars 36, 38, 40.

[0061] The winding 30 is advantageously positioned around the central bar 36 in a housing delimited by the side bars 38, 40, the base 34 and the central bar 36.

[0062] Advantageously, in a close position, the ferromagnetic part 26 comes into contact with an upper end of the central bars 36 and lateral bars 38, 40.

[0063] More generally, when the ferromagnetic part 26 is in a close position relative to the electromagnet 28, a magnetic field generated by the passage of a current in the electrical coil 30 is able to circulate through the ferromagnetic core 32 via the ferromagnetic part 26, as shown by the arrows in [Fig. 4]. When the ferromagnetic part 26 is in a distant position relative to the electromagnet 28, a magnetic field generated by the passage of a current in the electrical coil 30 is able to circulate through the ferromagnetic core 32 via the air space between the central bar 36 and the lateral bars 38, 40, as shown by the arrows in [Fig. 3].In other words, when the ferromagnetic part 26 is in a close position, the current in the electric coil 30 decreases (compared to when the ferromagnetic part 26 is in a far position) because the impedance of the magnetic circuit formed by the ferromagnetic part 26 and the electromagnet 28 increases due to the closer proximity of the ferromagnetic part 26 to the ferromagnetic core 32. When the part . ferromagnetic 26 is in a distant position, the current in the electric coil 30 increases (compared to when the ferromagnetic part 26 is in a close position) because the impedance of the magnetic circuit decreases due to the distance of the ferromagnetic part 26 from the ferromagnetic core 32.

[0064] The toaster 1 includes a control unit 42 for controlling the operation of the heating means 10 and the electromagnet 28.

[0065] The control unit 42 is shown in [Fig.5] and is designed to act on the power supply circuit 31 to control the operation of the electromagnet 28 and in particular whether or not the ferromagnetic part 26 is kept in the close position and therefore the bread carrier 6 is in the toasting position.

[0066] The control unit 42 and the power supply circuit 31 of the winding 30 are made on a printed circuit board 44 mounted on a support 46 near the electromagnet 28, visible in [Fig.2].

[0067] The control unit 42 is configured to control a power switch 50 of the electromagnet 28 and in particular of the winding 30 between an open state of cutting off the power supply of the electromagnet 28, i.e. of the winding 30, in which the electromagnet is unable to hold the ferromagnetic part 26 in a close position and a closed state of power supply of the electromagnet 28, i.e. of the winding 30, in which the electromagnet 28 is able to hold the ferromagnetic part 26 in a close position and therefore to hold the bread carrier 6 in the toasting position.

[0068] As shown in [Fig.5], the switch 50 includes for example a bipolar transistor 52 and control electronics 54 connected to a base of the bipolar transistor 52.

[0069] The control electronics 54 include, for example, three electrical resistors RI, R2, R3 and an additional bipolar transistor 56 whose base is connected to the control unit 42.

[0070] The toaster 1, and in particular the power supply circuit 31, includes a measuring element 58 for data relating to the intensity of the current flowing through the electric coil 30. The measuring element 58 is, for example, a current sensor suitable for measuring the current flowing through the winding 30. The measuring element 58 includes, for example, a shunt resistor electrically connected to the control unit 42 and to the winding 30. The shunt resistor has, for example, a value of 10 ohms.

[0071] Advantageously the power supply circuit 31 includes a diode DI in parallel with the winding 30.

[0072] The toaster 1 also advantageously includes an electrical socket, not shown, through which the control unit 42, the power supply circuit 31 and the heating means 10 are suitable for being supplied with electrical energy.

[0073] Advantageously, the control unit 42 is configured to be continuously supplied with electrical power via the electrical outlet.

[0074] The control unit 42 is suitable for determining the position of the ferromagnetic part 26 and therefore of the bread carrier 6 as a function of the data relating to the intensity of the current measured by the measuring element 58.

[0075] The control unit 42 is configured to detect that the bread trolley 6 is in the toasting position when the value of the current intensity measured by the measuring element 58 is less than a first predetermined threshold while the switch 50 is in the closed state, i.e. the electric coil 30 is supplied with current.

[0076] The first predetermined threshold is for example of the order of 40mA, preferably between 25mA and 35mA, the internal resistance of the coil being of the order of 200 Ohms and the supply voltage of the supply circuit 31 being of the order of 12 volts.

[0077] When the switch 50 is in the closed state, the voltage applied across the terminals of the winding 30 is, for example, substantially equal to the supply voltage of the power supply circuit 31 and the winding is connected, via the switch 50, to a terminal whose potential is substantially equal to the supply voltage of the power supply circuit 31. When the switch 50 is in the open state, the voltage applied across the terminals of the winding 30 tends, for example, towards 0 volts.

[0078] The control unit 42 is also configured to detect that the bread trolley 6 is in the ejection position when the value of the current intensity measured by the measuring element 58 is greater than a second predetermined threshold, greater than or equal to the first predetermined threshold, while the switch is in the closed state.

[0079] The second predetermined threshold is for example greater than 35 mA, preferably between 40 mA and 50 mA.

[0080] The control unit 42 is configured to, at regular intervals, control the switch 50 successively in the open state for a first predetermined duration and then in the closed state for a second predetermined duration.

[0081] A regular interval is understood to mean, for example, every 0.1 seconds, and the first predetermined duration is, for example, on the order of 95 ms and the second predetermined duration is, for example, on the order of 5 ms.

[0082] During each second predetermined period and preferably at the end of each second predetermined period, the control unit 42 is configured to measure the intensity of the current passing through the electric coil 30 and detect the position of the bread carrier 6 according to said measurement.

[0083] During each second predetermined period and preferably at the end of each second predetermined period, the control unit 42 is configured in particular to detect that the bread carrier 6 has moved into the toasting position if the intensity measured by the measuring device 58 is less than the first predetermined threshold.

[0084] In addition, the control unit 42 is configured to keep the switch 50 in the closed state during a heating period following the detection of the passage of the bread carrier 6 into the toasting position.

[0085] The control unit 42 is also configured to control the electrical power supply to the heating means 10 during the heating period and to cut off the electrical power supply to the heating means at the end of the heating period.

[0086] The heating period is for example a function of the positioning of a heating time adjustment button, not shown, positioned on the outside of the housing 2.

[0087] The control unit 42 is configured to control the switch 50 in the open state at the end of the heating period.

[0088] Advantageously, the control unit 42 is configured to, following the command of the switch in the open state at the end of the heating period, verify, according to the measurement of the current intensity by the measuring element 58, that the bread carrier 6 is in the ejection position for a third predetermined duration before allowing a new supply of electrical energy to the heating means 10.

[0089] The third predetermined duration is, for example, on the order of 1 second.

[0090] The control unit 42 includes, for example, a processor and a memory comprising software programming instructions suitable for execution by the processor and for implementing the various operating stages of the toaster 1 according to the invention presented below.

[0091] An example of the operation of the toaster 1 according to the invention will be explained in more detail below in support of the flowchart of [Fig.6].

[0092] During a first step 100, the control unit 42 commands the switch 50 to the open state for the first predetermined duration.

[0093] During a subsequent step 102, the control unit 42 commands the switch 50 to the closed state for the second predetermined duration.

[0094] At the end or during the second predetermined duration, the method includes a measurement step 104, by the control unit 42, using the measuring member 58, of the data relating to the intensity of the current passing through the winding 30 of the electromagnet 28. The measuring member 58 measures for example the intensity of the current passing through the winding 30.

[0095] During a subsequent detection step 106, the control unit 42 detects the position of the bread carrier 6 according to the data relating to the current intensity measured in the measurement step 104.

[0096] During detection step 106, if the current intensity value measured by the measuring element 58 in measurement step 104 is greater than the second predetermined threshold, then the bread-carrying trolley 6 is detected in the ejection position. Steps 100, 102, 104, and 106 are then repeated as shown in [Fig. 6].

[0097] During the detection step 106, if the current intensity value measured by the measuring element 58 in the measurement step 104 is lower than the first predetermined threshold, then the bread-carrying trolley 6 is detected in the toasting position. The method then includes a step 108 of maintaining the switch 50 in the closed state by the control unit 42 during the heating period and a step 110 of controlling the electrical power supply to the heating means 10 by the control unit 42 during the heating period.

[0098] At the end of the heating period, the process includes a step 112 of control by the control unit 42 of the switch 50 in the open state. The bread-carrying carriage 6 is then no longer held in the toasting position by the electromagnet 28 and is moved to the ejection position by the elastic return means 22.

[0099] Following step 112, the process includes a step 114 of verification by the control unit 42 that the bread carrier 6 is in the ejection position for the third predetermined duration following step 112.

[0100] During the verification step 114, the control unit 42 controls the switch 50 in the closed state for the third predetermined duration, while the measuring element 58 measures a data point relating to the current intensity during the third predetermined duration. The control unit 42 then detects the position of the bread-carrying trolley 6 as a function of the measured current intensity.

[0101] Advantageously, during verification step 114, the measuring element 58 measures the current intensity at regular intervals, and the control unit calculates the average of the measured current intensity over the third predetermined period. If the calculated average is lower than the first predetermined threshold, then the bread-carrying carriage is detected as being blocked in the toasting position, and the control unit 42 prevents further electrical power from being supplied to the heating means. Verification step 114 is then repeated.

[0102] In other words, as long as the bread trolley is detected in the toasting position during the verification step 114, the control unit 42 prevents a new supply of electrical energy to the heating means 10.

[0103] If, during verification step 114, the calculated average is greater than the second predetermined threshold, the bread carrier 6 is detected in the ejection position. Steps 100, 102, 104 and 106 are then repeated as shown in [Fig. 6].

[0104] The method according to the invention makes it possible to obtain optimized operation of the toaster with reduced cost and improved safety. In addition, it offers simple detection of the position of the bread carriage 6 implemented essentially by software.

[0105] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A toaster (1) comprising: - heating means (10), - a bread carriage (6) movable between an ejection position and a toasting position, - a return mechanism (22) for the bread carriage (6) in the ejection position, - an electromagnetic device (24) for holding the bread carriage (6) in the toasting position, the electromagnetic device (24) comprising a ferromagnetic part (26) and an electromagnet (28), the bread carriage (6) being adapted, during its movement between the ejection position and the toasting position, to move the ferromagnetic part (26) between a position far from and a position closer to the electromagnet (28), - a switch (50) for powering the electromagnet adapted to be controlled by a control unit (42) between an open state, cutting off the power supply to the electromagnet (28), and a closed state power supply for the electromagnet (28),in which the electromagnetic device (24) is adapted to maintain the bread-carrying carriage (6) in the toasting position, characterized in that the toaster (1) comprises a measuring element (58) for data relating to the intensity of the current passing through a winding (30) of the electromagnet (28) and in that the control unit (42) is adapted to determine the position of the bread-carrying carriage (6) as a function of the data relating to the intensity of the current measured by the measuring element (58).

2. Toaster (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring member (58) is a current sensor and in that the control unit (42) is configured to detect that the bread carrier carriage (6) is in the toasting position when the value of the current intensity measured by the measuring member (58) is less than a first predetermined threshold while the switch (50) is in the closed state.

3. Toaster (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit (42) is configured to detect that the bread carriage (6) is in the ejection position when the value of the current intensity measured by the measuring element (58) is greater than a second predetermined threshold, greater than or equal to the first predetermined threshold, while the switch (50) is in the closed state.

4. Toaster (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control unit (42) is configured to, at regular intervals, control the switch (50) successively in the open state for a first predetermined time and then in the closed state for a second predetermined time, and in that the control unit (42) is configured to detect that the bread carrier carriage (6) is in the toasting position if the intensity measured by the measuring member (58) during the second predetermined time is less than the first predetermined threshold.

5. Toaster (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (42) is configured to maintain the switch (50) in the closed state during a heating period following the detection of the passage of the bread carrier carriage (6) into the toasting position.

6. Toaster (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the control unit (42) is configured to control the electrical power supply to the heating means (10) during the heating period and to cut off the electrical power supply to the heating means (10) at the end of the heating period.

7. Toaster (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the control unit (42) is configured to control the switch (50) in the open state at the end of the heating period.

8. Toaster (1) according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the control unit is configured to, following the command of the switch (50) in the open state at the end of the heating period, verify, according to the measurement of the current intensity by the measuring member (58), that the bread carrier carriage (6) is in the ejection position for a third predetermined duration before allowing a new supply of electrical energy to the heating means (10).

9. Toaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ferromagnetic part (26) is integral with the bread-carrying carriage (6).

10. A method for controlling a toaster (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - b) the control (102) by the control unit (42) of the switch (50) in the closed state, - c) the measurement (104) of a data relating to the intensity of the current passing through the winding (30) of the electromagnet (28) by the measuring element (58), and - d) the detection (106) of the position of the bread carrier carriage (6) by the control unit (42) as a function of the data relating to the measured intensity of the current.

11. A control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the method comprises prior to the control step b) (102), the following step: a) the control (100) by the control unit (42) of the switch (50) in the open state for a first predetermined duration, and in that during the control step b) (102) the control unit (42) controls the switch in the closed state for a second predetermined duration.

12. A control method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that if during the detection step (106) the bread carrier carriage (6) is detected in the toasting position, the method comprises the following steps: - e) the maintenance (108) by the control unit (42) of the switch (50) in the closed state during a heating period, and - f) the control (110) by the control unit (42) of the electrical power supply to the heating means (10) during the heating period.

13. Control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that after the heating period the method comprises the following steps: - g) the control (112) by the control unit (42) of the switch (50) in the open state, and - h) the verification (114) that the bread carrier carriage (6) is in the ejection position for a third predetermined duration following the step g) of the control (112) of the switch in the open state.

14. A control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that during verification step h) (114), the control unit (42) controls the switch (50) in the closed state. during the third predetermined time period, the measuring element (58) measures the data relating to the current intensity during the third predetermined time period and the control unit (42) detects the position of the bread carrier trolley (6) according to the data relating to the measured current intensity.

15. Control method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that as long as the bread carrier trolley (6) is detected in toasting position during the verification step h) (114), the control unit (42) prevents a new supply of electrical energy to the heating means (10).

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