An induction HOB and a standby mode for an induction hob

Abstract

The invention relates to an induction hob comprising a top plate (1), a first induction coil (2) and at least one second induction coil (3) provided on the top plate (1), a main circuit board (10) connected to the first and the at least one second induction coil (2, 3), and a user interface (4) connected to the main circuit board (10) in a manner allowing signal transmission. The induction hob comprises a standby circuit (20) connected to the main circuit board (10) and managing the supply voltages of the main circuit board (10); a relay circuit (30) connected to the main circuit board (10) and controlling the main input voltage; and a controller (40) configured to activate the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30) upon receiving a transition signal from the user interface (4) to enter a standby mode, and to deactivate the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30) upon receiving a transition signal from the user interface (4) to enter a cooking mode.

Description

[0001] AN INDUCTION HOB AND A STANDBY MODE FOR AN INDUCTION HOB

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to cooktops, in particular induction hobs, having multiple heaters whose power consumption is regulated by an electronic control unit.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0005] A household appliance suitable for a standby mode allows the appliance to be easily enabled and disabled. In particular, such a household appliance can be enabled and disabled by a remote control. However, the household appliance consumes energy while in standby mode. This unnecessary energy consumption creates a cost disadvantage. While ovens and similar electrical products that actively present the user with a clock, a visual image, or similar presentations when not actively in use are subject to standby loss limits, products such as cooktops, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., which provide no information, have to comply with the off-mode loss limits as defined.

[0006] EP3562265B1 relates to a domestic appliance adapted for stand-by mode. The domestic appliance comprises at least one main switch being switchable between an open state and a closed state. The main switch includes at least one high-voltage input and at least one high- voltage output. The high-voltage input and the high-voltage output are galvanically disconnected from each other in the open state of the main switch. The high-voltage input and the high-voltage output are galvanically connected to each other in the closed state of the main switch. The main switch is controllable by at least one control device electrically isolated from the domestic appliance.

[0007] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide for reduced energy consumption in the standby mode of an induction hob.

[0009] In order to achieve the above objective, the invention relates to an induction hob comprising: a top plate, a first induction coil provided on the top plate, at least one second induction coil on the top plate, a main circuit board connected to the first and the at least one second induction coil, and a user interface connected to the main circuit board in a manner allowing signal transmission. The induction hob includes a standby circuit, which is connected to the main circuit board and manages the supply voltages of the main circuit board; a relay circuit, which is connected to the main circuit board and controls the main input voltage; and a controller configured to activate the standby circuit and relay circuit upon receiving a transition signal from the user interface to enter standby mode, and to deactivate the standby circuit and relay circuit upon receiving a transition signal from the user interface to enter cooking mode. In this way, energy efficiency is increased by optimizing power control in standby mode within the induction hob. By means of the signals coming from the user interface and the use of the standby and relay circuits, low power consumption is achieved in standby mode.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured to activate and deactivate the standby circuit and the relay circuit simultaneously. This ensures that, during the transition to standby mode in particular, reducing energy consumption in standby mode lowers the total energy cost of the device.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the induction hob includes a low-power supply to which the standby circuit is connected. This provides the energy required for engaging and disengaging the standby circuit.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a first switch that manages the low- power supply and can be opened and closed by the controller. In this way, during a transition to the standby mode, the switch is opened, cutting off the energy flow to the standby circuit and thereby reducing the power consumption in standby mode.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a high-power supply connected to the relay circuit. Thus, the energy needed to engage and disengage the relay circuit is provided.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a second switch that opens and closes the high-power supply and can be opened and closed by the controller. In this way, during a transition to standby mode, the switch is opened, cutting off the energy flow to the relay circuit, thereby reducing power consumption in standby mode.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second switch is a relay. Thus, the relay provides electrical isolation between the circuit controlling the switch and the circuit being switched. This prevents any potential issues in the control circuit from spreading to the switched circuit.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the induction hob comprises a memory unit in which the controller records its operating mode information and which is connected so as to provide signal transmission. Thus, the power values consumed in standby mode can be recorded.

[0017] In a preferred application of the invention, the method includes the following steps: receiving mode information from the user interface by the controller; based on the mode information received by the controller, activating the standby circuit and the relay circuit for a cooking mode; and after the cooking mode, deactivating the standby circuit and the relay circuit for a standby mode. This achieves high energy efficiency and allows the power consumption in the standby mode to be kept under control.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a top view of the induction hob structure according to the invention.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the circuit structures within an induction hob according to the invention.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In this detailed description, the inventive development is described by referring to examples solely for a better explanation of the subject matter and without implying any limitation.

[0023] In Figure 1 , the induction hob structure according to the invention is shown in a top view. The induction hob has a top plate (1 ) on which a first induction coil (2) is provided. A second induction coil (3) is provided at a distance from the first induction coil (2). A third induction coil (5) is provided at a distance from the second induction coil (3), and a fourth induction coil (6) is provided at a distance from the third induction coil (5). There is a main circuit board (10) that activates and deactivates the first induction coil (2) and the second induction coil (3). On the main circuit board (10), there is a standby circuit (20) that manages the supply voltages. The supply voltages are controlled as 8 V and 18 V. After a signal is received from a user interface (4) to transition to the standby mode, the standby circuit (10) is deactivated to prevent power consumption. On the main circuit board (10), there is a relay circuit (20) that controls the main input voltage. Unless a signal is applied to the relay circuit (20) in standby mode, the main input voltage (230 VAC) cannot meet the circuit. Thus, power loss of all components in the circuit is prevented. During the transition from standby mode to a cooking mode, the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30) are controlled by a controller (40) connected to the user interface (4). Based on the signal from the user interface (4) to enter standby mode, the controller (40) deactivates the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30). When a signal to switch to cooking mode is received, it activates the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30). Using software, the controller (40) detects the transition to standby mode and ensures that the energy consumption limit of the standby and relay circuits (20, 30) is reduced to a predetermined low-power consumption value. In an example cooktop, this can be chosen as 0.5 watts.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the circuit structures within An induction hob according to the invention. In the case of transition to standby mode, two main circuit groups that cause unnecessary power consumption on the main circuit board (10) have been identified. The first is the low-voltage part of the main circuit board (10) (Main Board - MB) operating at 8 V and 18 V, and the second is the high-power part operating at 230 VAC mains voltage. On the main circuit board (10), for instance, if the user presses the off button for the induction hob, the signal from the user interface (4) to transition to standby mode is converted by the controller (40). The standby circuit (20), which controls the low-voltage section of the main circuit board (10), includes a low-power supply (22). The low-power supply (22) is activated when the induction hob is taken out of standby mode. The energy supplied by the low-power supply (22) is controlled via a first switch (24). The first switch (24) is opened and closed by the controller (40). The relay circuit (30), which controls the section of the main circuit board (10) operating at mains voltage, includes a high-power supply (32). The high-power supply (32) is activated when the induction hob is taken out of standby mode. The energy provided by the high-power supply (32) is controlled via a second switch (34). The second switch (34) is opened and closed by the controller (40).

[0025] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0026] 1 Top Plate

[0027] 2 First Induction Coil

[0028] 3 Second Induction Coil

[0029] 4 User Interface

[0030] 5 Third Induction Coil

[0031] 6 Fourth Induction Coil 10 Main Circuit Board

[0032] 20 Standby Circuit

[0033] 30 Relay Circuit

[0034] 40 Controller 50 Memory Unit

Claims

CLAIMS1. An induction hob comprising a top plate (1 ); a first induction coil (2) provided on the top plate (1) and at least one second induction coil (3) provided on the top plate (1); a main circuit board (10) connected to the first and the at least one second induction coil (2, 3); and a user interface (4) connected in a manner allowing signal transmission with the main circuit board (10), characterized in that a standby circuit (20) is connected to the main circuit board (10) and managing the supply voltages of the main circuit board (10); a relay circuit (30) connected to the main circuit board (10) and controlling the main input voltage; and a controller (40) configured to activate the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30) upon receiving a transition signal from the user interface (4) to enter standby mode, and to deactivate the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30) upon receiving a transition signal from the user interface (4) to enter cooking mode.

2. An induction hob according to claim 1 , wherein the controller (40) is configured to activate and deactivate the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30) at the same time.

3. An induction hob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a low-power supply (22) is connected to the standby circuit (20).

4. An induction hob according to claim 3, wherein a first switch (24) manages the low-power supply (22) and can be opened and closed by the controller (40).

5. An induction hob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a high-power supply (32) is connected to the relay circuit (30).

6. An induction hob according to claim 5, wherein a second switch (34) that opens and closes the high-power supply (32) and can be opened and closed by the controller (40).

7. An induction hob according to claim 6, wherein the second switch (34) is a relay.

8. An induction hob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (40) has a memory unit (50) that records its operating mode information and is connected in a manner allowing signal transmission.

9. A control method for an induction hob according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of receiving mode information from the user interface (4) by the controller (40), based on the mode information received by the controller (40), activating the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30) for a cooking mode, deactivating the standby circuit (20) and the relay circuit (30) for a standby mode after the cooking mode.

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