Cooking area with built-in exhaust device and lighting, use of the cooking area for lighting

Abstract

Optimize the lighting of the cooking area with an integrated blower both energetically and aesthetically. 【Solution】A cooking area with integrated lighting. The cooking area (10) includes an upper surface (2) on which a cooking container can be placed and a lower surface (3) located on the opposite side of the upper surface (2), a cooking area plate having at least one cooking part (14), at least one heating device disposed below the cooking area plate (1) for heating the cooking container, at least one suction opening (30) of a suction duct (31) provided substantially on the surface of the cooking area plate (1) for sucking and further guiding cooking fumes or cooking steam downward below the cooking area plate (1), and at least one light source (40) for emitting light from the cooking area (10) to the outside for integrated lighting. The at least one light source (40) is substantially disposed inside the at least one suction duct (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking area (Kochfeld) having an integrated exhaust device (Abzug) and lighting according to the superordinate concept part (preamble) of claim 1. The present invention further relates to the use of a cooking area for lighting according to claim 13.

Background Art

[0002] This type of cooking area has a generally rectangular cooking area plate (top plate) with an outer edge extending all around. Below the cooking area plate, there is one or more heating devices, for example, a radiant heating device or an induction heating coil can be provided in the vicinity of the lower surface (lower side) of the cooking area. Further, a cooking area housing in which a cooking area control device and a power supply device for the cooking area control device and the heating device are arranged is located below the cooking area plate or at the edge of its lower surface. It is advantageous if the cooking area housing can also include the heating device(s) or cover them in a downward direction in a manner known per se. A frame can be provided at the outer edge of the cooking area plate, advantageously so as to surround the entire circumference, in which case the frame is configured to be coupled to the work plate when the cooking area is in contact with or arranged within the work plate.

[0003] This type of cooking area is known in a number of specific embodiments from the prior art.

[0004] For example, from DE 10 2019 123 703 A1, a cooking area with at least one temperature sensor is known.

[0005] DE 10 2020 212 171 A1 relates to a cooking area with mass sensor(s).

[0006] From DE 20 2005 015 553 U1, a sensor-controlled cooking area with a (single) vibration sensor is known.

[0007] DE 10 2019 107 558 A1 relates to a method for driving a cooking part of a cooking area, preferably an induction (heating) type cooking area, provided with a cooking container.

[0008] From DE 10 2010 064 294 A1, a method for controlling a cooking area and the energy supply to the heating elements of the cooking area is known.

[0009] According to DE 10 2004 011 749 A1, a cooking area provided with a plurality of cooking parts and assigned heating devices is configured such that the assigned cooking container detection sensor(s), for example an induction type or capacitive type, detects contact by a finger or the like of the installed cooking container by itself. This is regarded (evaluated) by the control device of the cooking area as the selection of the corresponding cooking part.

[0010] From DE 20 2019 106 084 U1, a cooking surface provided with a downdraft ventilation hood is known. This has an upper surface (upper side) and a lower surface (lower side) and includes: a plurality of cooking zones located near the surface, an intake pipe extending in a predetermined extension direction between the upper surface and the lower surface, provided that the intake pipe has an intake port near the upper surface and is in fluid connection (communication) with the external area. Similarly, the cooking surface has a device that forms an assembly unit for the cooking surface together with the surface in order to operate the cooking surface and exhaust (suction) cooking fumes downward.

[0011] From DE 1 579 679 A1, a device for sucking smoke and steam generated during cooking from a range (stove) using a suction fan is known.

[0012] From EP 3 869 107 A1, an assembly unit provided with a cooking area and a device for driving the cooking area and sucking cooking fumes downward is known.

[0013] From DE 10 2020 208 221 A1, a cooking area plate and a cooking area with (a plurality of) light sources that can be controlled differently and are located below it are known. Furthermore, in order to emit light from the cooking area to the outside, (a plurality of) light sources are provided that pass through the cooking area plate or pass along the side of the cooking area plate to emit light or glow or emit light to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0014]

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0015] The disadvantage in this case is that the light output of the (plurality of) light sources for emitting light from the cooking area to the outside is relatively high. Furthermore, there is an output loss of the (plurality of) light sources due to the glass-ceramic plate. Also, the desired color of the light is undesirably changed by the glass-ceramic plate through which the cooking area is to be made translucent, which results in an aesthetic disadvantage.

[0016] Light sources (plurality) known from the prior art arranged on the side of the glass-ceramic plate are not suitable for uniformly illuminating the area above the cooking area plate. This is because such light sources emit light to the outside along the side of the cooking area plate, especially horizontally or at a shallow angle (a small angle with respect to the horizontal plane).

[0017] Starting from the above-mentioned disadvantages, the object of the present invention is to provide a cooking area plate with an integrated (type) ventilation mechanism having an energy-appropriate and aesthetically excellent lighting (device).

Means for Solving the Problems

[0018] This problem is solved by a cooking area having an integrated (type) exhaust device (or blower: Abzug) and lighting (device) as claimed in claim 1. This problem is further solved by the use of the cooking area as claimed in claim 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019]

[0020] The present invention relates to a cooking area having an integrated lighting (device), including a cooking area plate on which a cooking container can be placed, having an upper surface (upper side) and a lower surface (lower side) located on the opposite side of the upper surface, and having at least one cooking part, especially a glass ceramic plate.

[0021] Furthermore, the cooking area has at least one heating device, especially an induction coil, arranged below the cooking area plate for heating the cooking container.

[0022] Furthermore, at least one suction opening of a suction duct for sucking and further guiding cooking fumes or cooking steam downward is provided substantially on the surface (inside) of the cooking area plate, below the cooking area plate.

[0023] At least one light source serves to emit light from the cooking area to the outside for integrated lighting.

[0024] According to the present invention, at least one light source is substantially arranged inside at least one suction duct or suction opening.

[0025] The lighting can illuminate the space as ambient lighting. The brightness and / or color can be changed according to the blower (ventilation) level (stage).

[0026] The lighting can also have a plurality of functions, for example, a function of indicating residual heat. In this case, the brightness or the color of the light can be changed according to the temperature.

[0027] In addition, a notification function, for example, a blinking light after the expiration of a cooking zone (stove) timer or a hard-boiled egg timer as a complement or alternative to an acoustic signal, is also possible.

[0028] In addition, an alarm signal can be realized by illumination after a predetermined period of time during which at least one cooking zone is switched on but no further operation is performed. This can, for example, remind an elderly person or a person prone to forgetfulness of the cooking process started as a kind of "dead man's switch" before the cooking area is possibly switched off completely.

[0029] Preferably, the cooking area can be configured as an induction (heating) cooking area because it is extremely precise and directly adjustable. However, changes to other heating technologies are also included in the present invention.

[0030] According to a first advantageous embodiment of the present invention, at least one light source emits light to the outside from the suction duct of the cooking area by means of a light guide, and in particular, at least one light source is arranged on the side or at the bottom inside the suction duct or the suction opening for indirect illumination.

[0031] The light source(s) can be arranged on the inner side or at the bottom inside the [air supply duct] of the air supply (suction) duct for oblique or indirect illumination.

[0032] According to a further advantageous variant of the present invention, the light source has LEDs or is composed of LEDs or LED arrays.

[0033] In an advantageous development of the present invention, at least one light source is controllable by a light controller, and preferably, a communication device can be connected to the light controller, and the communication device is configured to communicate wirelessly with an external controller / receiver, preferably via WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.

[0034] After receiving a control signal via a communication device, the light controller is configured to control the light source(s) such that the light source(s) emit light from the inside of the cooking space to the space around the cooking space for spatial or background illumination.

[0035] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light controller is connected to a control and / or regulation device for controlling and / or regulating the energy of the heating device in the cooking area for bidirectional data transmission.

[0036] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one light source is operable by an operating element, in particular an operating sensor, which is arranged below the cooking area plate for operation on the surface of the cooking area plate and is preferably configured as a capacitance sensor.

[0037] It is also possible that the brightness and / or the color of the light of at least one light source is adjustable, in particular the color of the light can be automatically adjusted, for example depending on the ambient noise.

[0038] From the point of view of the mounting or arrangement of the light source in the cooking area according to the invention, the essential and preferred aspects of the invention can be summarized as follows:

[0039] The lighting device (light source) is integrated into the air duct and emits light directly into the space through the air outlet, and does not emit light through the glass-ceramic surface. This has the advantage that the color of the light cannot be deteriorated by the filtering action of the glass-ceramic surface or that it is not necessary to use a special glass-ceramic without such a filtering action. Furthermore, the light intensity is not affected by the glass-ceramic surface.

[0040] The lighting device can be composed of one or more light sources.

[0041] The light source can preferably also be composed of isolated LEDs or LED arrays.

[0042] The light source emits light directly into the air duct, and the light does not need to be guided through a light guide.

[0043] The light source can be protected by a transparent cover (e.g., glass or plastic) for protection against contact and for easy cleaning.

[0044] The light source can also be arranged directly below the surface of the cooking area or even below one or more walls of the air duct or at the bottom (of the air duct).

[0045] An embodiment of the invention in which at least one suction opening is located in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the cooking area plate is equally advantageous.

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one suction opening is formed in a slit shape, in particular in the form of a joint or an outflow joint, and preferably adjacent slit-shaped suction openings are arranged at approximately right angles to each other.

[0047] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one suction opening is arranged approximately in the center of the cooking area.

[0048] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one suction opening is in fluid connection (communication) with a suction space equipped with a rotating blower propeller (blade) of a blower motor for sucking cooking fumes or cooking steam.

[0049] An embodiment according to the invention is provided with a sensor system having at least one sensor for temperature measurement and / or for movement / vibration measurement and / or for mass (weight) measurement, and in particular the sensor system is connected to a control and / or regulating device in a signal-transmittable manner.

[0050] The sensor system can be arranged below the cooking area plate, preferably between the lower surface (underside) of the cooking area plate and the heating device and / or laterally with respect to the heating device. In this way, the structural space is used appropriately (optimally). The lateral arrangement reduces the possible influence of the alternating magnetic field on the sensor system in the case of an induction (heating type) cooking area.

[0051] The sensor system can have at least one temperature sensor for directly detecting the temperature below the cooking area plate, especially at the lower surface of the cooking area plate, and / or at least one infrared sensor for detecting the temperature of the bottom of the pot (bottom of the cooking container) via the cooking area plate, especially a glass ceramic plate.

[0052] In the control and / or regulation device, depending on the measured cooking area plate temperature and / or the measured temperature of the cooking utensil, the energy required for the desired cooking process of the heating device for heating the cooking container can be detected.

[0053] This energy required for the desired cooking process can be automatically supplied to the cooking area plate by at least one heating device controlled by the control and / or regulation device.

[0054] In a particularly advantageous form, the processing and evaluation of the signal(s) of the sensor(s) of the sensor system is / are carried out in an electronic device in the cooking area or in the control and / or regulation device, and the electronic device etc. controls (regulates) the cooking site accordingly. In the case of an induction (heating type) cooking area, it is also possible to include the detection of the pot (cooking container) without switching to no output and without performing calculations.

[0055] For improving the accuracy, each sensor can be provided multiply.

[0056] One independent concept of the present invention relates to the use of a cooking area already described for illuminating the space in which the cooking area is arranged by means of at least one light source arranged in the cooking area.

[0057] Further objects, advantages, features and applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. In this case, all features described and / or shown in the figures, either alone or in any significant combination, also independently of their relationship in the claims or their reference citations, constitute the subject matter of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0058]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiment

[0059] Components of the same or the same function are given (identical) drawing reference numerals in each of the figures described below using one embodiment in order to improve readability.

[0060] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from obliquely above of an example of a cooking area 10 comprising a cooking area plate 1 configured as a glass ceramic plate 1 in this example and having four cooking sites 14 in the selected embodiment.

[0061] On the upper surface (upper side) 2 of the cooking area plate 1, a cooking container (not shown) can be placed. In this example, the cooking part(s) 14 are provided with markings 7 (one each) on the upper surface 2 of the glass ceramic plate 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). The cooking area plate 1 has a lower surface (lower side) 3 on the opposite side of the upper surface 2.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the cooking area 10 as seen from (diagonally) above.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows the cooking area 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 as seen from above. In this case, the cover grid (grid-type cover) 32 of the suction opening 30 for the suction duct 31 is omitted from the description for better visibility.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cooking area 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 as seen from above.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows the cooking area 10 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4. For better understanding, the description of the cooking area plate 1 is omitted to enable better recognition of the members arranged below the cooking area plate 1.

[0066] As can be seen from FIG. 5, at least one heating device for heating the cooking container is arranged below the cooking area plate 1. In this example, the heating device is configured as an induction coil 4. The control and / or regulation device 6 is provided for controlling and / or regulating the energy of the heating device 4. FIG. 5 further shows a cooking area 10 having four cooking parts 14. An operation unit 8 for the control and regulation device 6 can also be found.

[0067] Similarly, as can be seen from FIG. 5, the sensor system 5 has at least one sensor for temperature measurement and / or for movement / vibration measurement and / or for mass measurement. The sensor system 5 is connected to the control and / or regulation device 6 for signal transmission.

[0068] The cooking area 10, in particular the cooking area plate 1, can have function keys as described in position 9 for activating (switching on), changing, and switching off the light function(s) in order to switch between the light function(s) and the conventional (previous) operation with the light function(s) deactivated during operation.

[0069] Figs. 1 to 5 further show an example of a suction opening 30 substantially provided in the plane of the surface of the cooking area plate 1 for sucking cooking fumes or cooking steam (Gardaempfen) downward and further guiding it downward. In this example, the suction opening 30 is located in a plane parallel to the surface of the upper surface 2 of the cooking area plate 1. The suction opening 30 is part of a suction duct 31 that can be closed by a cover grid 32 (see Figs. 1 and 2).

[0070] The suction opening 30 shown in this embodiment is formed in a slit shape, in particular in the form of a joint (Fuge) or an outflow slit (Ausstroemfuge) for air. It is also possible to provide a plurality of suction openings, and in this case, the adjacent slit-shaped suction openings 30 can be arranged at approximately right angles to each other.

[0071] In this example, the suction opening 30 is arranged approximately in the center of the cooking area 10 and extends along the width of the cooking area plate 1.

[0072] The suction opening 30 is in fluid connection (communication) with a suction space equipped with a rotating blower propeller (blower motor) for sucking cooking fumes or cooking steam downward. In the embodiment (variant) according to Figs. 1 to 5, a blower housing 13 that houses the blower motor can be found. This housing 13 is arranged on the lower structure (base) frame 15 of the cooking area 10 below the cooking area plate 1.

[0073] Furthermore, FIGS. 1 to 5 show a plurality of light sources 40 for emitting light from the cooking area 10 to the outside for built-in (type) lighting. These light sources 40 are substantially arranged inside the suction duct 31 or the suction opening 30.

[0074] This lighting can illuminate the space as ambient lighting. The brightness and / or color can be changed according to the blower (airflow) level. The lighting can also have a plurality of functions, for example, the function of a residual heat indicator, and in this case, the brightness or the color of the light can be changed according to the temperature.

[0075] In addition, the lighting can serve as a notification function, for example, as a blinking light after the expiration of a cooking zone (stove) timer or a soft-boiled egg timer as a complement or alternative to an acoustic signal.

[0076] Furthermore, the lighting can be configured as an alarm function, for example, after a predetermined period of time when at least one cooking site is switched on but no further operation is performed. This can remind the initiated cooking process, for example, to the elderly or forgetful people, as a kind of "dead man's switch" before the cooking area is possibly completely switched off.

[0077] In this embodiment, the light source(s) 40 configured as an LED is controlled by a light controller 41 to emit light from the cooking area 10 to the outside using the light guide(s). As is more apparent especially from FIGS. 1 to 4, the light source(s) 40 is arranged on the side of the suction duct 31 inside the suction opening 30 for indirect lighting. Therefore, the light source(s) 40 can be arranged laterally to illuminate obliquely or indirectly, or can be arranged downward to illuminate directly to the outside from the suction duct 31.

[0078] The light source(s) 40 can be controlled in this example by a light controller 41 found in FIG. 5. A communication device is connected to the light controller 41, which is configured to communicate wirelessly with an external controller / receiver, preferably via WLAN, Bluetooth, etc.

[0079] After receiving a control signal via the communication device, the light controller 41 is configured to control the light source(s) 40 such that the light source(s) 40 emits light from the cooking area 10 to the surrounding space of the cooking area 10 for the formation of spatial or background illumination.

[0080] In this example, the light controller 41 is connected to a control and / or regulating device 6 for controlling and / or regulating the energy of the heating device 4 in the cooking area 10 for bidirectional data transmission.

[0081] It is also found from FIG. 5 that at least one light source 40 can be operated by an operating sensor 9.

[0082] The brightness and / or color of at least one light source 40 is adjustable. In particular, the color of the light can be automatically adjusted, for example, depending on the ambient (surrounding) noise.

[0083] FIG. 5 also shows that a sensor system 5 having a plurality of sensors for temperature measurement and / or for movement / vibration measurement and / or for mass measurement is provided, and in particular that the sensor system 5 is connected to the control and / or regulating device 6 in a signal-transmittable manner.

[0084] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of the cooking area 10. FIG. 6 shows this embodiment in a) a plan view, b) a first side view, and c) a further side view.

[0085] Unlike the variations of FIGS. 1 to 5, the cooking area 10 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 does not include a blower motor incorporated in the cooking area 10. In this case, the blower motor is not disposed in the frame 15 of the cooking area 10 below the cooking area plate 1, and can be disposed externally, for example, in a separate housing along the wall or in the base of the cabinet.

[0086] The cooking area 10 of this example can be used for illuminating the space in which the cooking area 10 is arranged, based on the light source(s) 40 arranged in the cooking area 10.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0087] 1 Cooking area plate 2 Upper surface 3 Lower surface 4 Heating device / Induction coil 5 Sensor system 6 Control and / or adjustment device 7 Cooking zone marking 8 Operating unit 9 Operating sensor 10 Cooking area 12 Generator 13 Blower housing 14 Cooking part 15 Frame 30 Suction opening 31 Suction duct 32 Cover grid (lattice-type cover) 40 Light source 41 Light controller

Claims

1. A cooking area having built-in lighting, wherein the cooking area (10) comprises · a cooking area plate (1), in particular a glass-ceramic plate (1), having an upper surface (2) on which a cooking container can be placed and a lower surface (3) located on the opposite side of the upper surface (2), and having at least one cooking site (14), · at least one heating device, in particular an induction coil (4), arranged below the cooking area plate (1) for heating the cooking container, · at least one suction opening (30) of a suction duct (31) provided substantially on the surface of the cooking area plate (1) for sucking in and further guiding cooking fumes or cooking vapors downward below the cooking area plate (1), · at least one light source (40) for emitting light from the cooking area (10) to the outside for the built-in lighting and · the at least one light source (40) is substantially arranged inside at least one suction duct (31). A cooking area, characterized in that.

2. In the cooking area according to claim 1, the at least one light source (40) emits light from the suction duct (31) of the cooking area (10) to the outside by means of a light guide, in particular the at least one light source (40) is arranged on the inner side part of the suction duct (31) for indirect lighting. A cooking area, characterized in that.

3. In the cooking area according to claim 1 or 2, the light source (40) has LEDs or is composed of LEDs or LED arrays. A cooking area, characterized in that.

4. In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the at least one light source (40) is controllable by a light controller (41), preferably the light controller (41) is connected to a communication device, and the communication device is configured to communicate wirelessly with an external controller / receiver, preferably via WLAN, Bluetooth, etc. A cooking area, characterized in that.

5. In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the light controller (41) is connected to a control and / or regulation device (6) for controlling and / or regulating the energy of the heating device (4) of the cooking area (10) for two-way transmission of data. A cooking area, characterized in that.

6. In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The at least one light source (40) is operable by an operating element, in particular an operating sensor (9), wherein the operating element (9) is arranged below the cooking area plate (1) for operation on the surface of the cooking area plate (1) and is preferably configured as a capacitance sensor. A cooking area, characterized thereby. **Claim 7** In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the brightness and / or the color of the light of the at least one light source (40) is adjustable, in particular the color of the light is automatically adjustable, for example depending on ambient noise. A cooking area, characterized thereby. **Claim 8** In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the at least one suction opening (30) is located in a plane parallel to the surface of the upper surface (2) of the cooking area plate (1). A cooking area, characterized thereby. **Claim 9** In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the at least one suction opening (30) is formed in a slit shape, in particular in the form of a joint or an outflow joint, and preferably the adjacent slit-shaped suction openings (30) are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other. A cooking area, characterized thereby. **Claim 10** In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the at least one suction opening (30) is arranged substantially in the center of the cooking area (10). A cooking area, characterized thereby. **Claim 11** In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the at least one suction opening (30) is in fluid connection with a suction space provided with a rotating blower propeller of a blower motor for sucking cooking fumes or cooking vapors. A cooking area, characterized thereby. **Claim 12** In the cooking area according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a sensor system (5) having at least one sensor for temperature measurement and / or for movement / vibration measurement and / or for mass measurement is provided, in particular the sensor system (5) is connected to a control and / or regulating device (6) for signal transmission. A cooking area, characterized thereby. **Claim 13** Use of the cooking area (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for illuminating the space in which the cooking area (10) is arranged by means of at least one light source (40) arranged in the cooking area (10).

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