Hob device

Abstract

A hob device, in particular an induction hob device, includes a variable cooking surface, a user interface and a control unit which in the presence of a heating type divides the cooking surface into a plurality of heating zones in at least one dividing direction, associates heating parameter to each of the heating zones, in a manner dependent on location, for heating at least one cooking pot placed on the heating zone, and forms a cooking zone that is associated with the cooking pot and is heated using the heating parameter. In the event of a request of the heating type for the cooking pot, the control unit is provided to wait for at least one operating action by a user by way of the user interface.

Claims

1. A hob device, comprising: a variable cooking surface; a user interface; and a control unit configured to: determine, in response to sensing a user operation, a first heating mode type of the variable cooking surface, the first heating mode type corresponding to a first spatial division of the variable cooking surface into two or more first heating zones, each of the first heating zones having a respective first heating parameter; in response to sensing a cooking pot on the variable cooking surface, identify a cooking zone comprising a plurality of heating elements disposed underneath the cooking pot; and in response to receiving a user confirmation via the user interface, control the plurality of heating elements of the cooking zone based on the first heating parameter associated with the first heating zone corresponding to a location of the cooking zone on the variable cooking surface; wherein the control unit is configured to refrain from activating the plurality of heating elements until the user operation is sensed and the user confirmation is received.

2. The hob device of claim 1, wherein the hob device comprises an induction hob device.

3. The hob device of claim 1, wherein receiving the user confirmation includes receiving a confirmation input via a confirmation switch of the user interface.

4. The hob device of claim 1, wherein sensing the user operation comprises sensing the cooking pot on the variable cooking surface.

5. The hob device of claim 1, wherein sensing the user operation comprises sensing the cooking pot on the variable cooking surface and receiving an operating input via the user interface.

6. The hob device of claim 1, wherein sensing the user operation comprises receiving a selection of the first heating mode type from a plurality of available heating mode types via the user interface.

7. The hob device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to, in response to receiving a user input requesting to change from the first heating mode type to a second heating mode type corresponding to a second spatial division of the variable cooking surface into two or more second heating zones, each of the second heating zones having a respective second heating parameter: control heating elements of each of one or more active cooking zones based on the respective second heating parameters associated with the second heating zones corresponding to respective locations of the active cooking zones on the variable cooking surface.

8. The hob device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to, in response to receiving a user input requesting to change from the first heating mode type to a second heating mode type corresponding to a second spatial division of the variable cooking surface into two or more second heating zones, prompt a user via the user interface to select either: a first option, in response to which the control unit is configured to deactivate all active cooking zones, or a second option, in response to which the control unit is configured to control heating elements of each of one or more active cooking zones based on a second heating parameter associated with the second heating zone corresponding to a respective location of the active cooking zone on the variable cooking surface.

9. The hob device of claim 1, wherein a memory of the control unit is configured to store a default heating mode type, and wherein determining the first heating mode type in response to sensing the user operation comprises identifying the stored default heating mode type in response to a user switching on the hob device.

10. The hob device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to deactivate the cooking zone in response to sensing an absence of the cooking pot lasting at least 10 seconds.

11. The hob device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first heating zone corresponding to the location of the cooking zone is not included in the cooking zone.

12. The hob device of claim 1, wherein the cooking pot is a first cooking pot and the cooking zone is a first cooking zone, and wherein the control unit is further configured to: in response to sensing a second cooking pot on the variable cooking surface, identify a second cooking zone comprising a plurality of heating elements disposed underneath the second cooking pot; receive, via the user interface, a user instruction to activate the second cooking zone; and in response to receiving a second user confirmation, control the plurality of heating elements of the second cooking zone based on the first heating parameter associated with the first heating zone corresponding to a location of the second cooking zone on the variable cooking surface.

13. The hob device of claim 1, wherein each of the two or more first heating zones extend parallel to each other in a depth direction of the variable cooking surface.

14. A hob comprising a hob device, the hob device comprising: a variable cooking surface, a user interface, and a control unit configured to: determine, in response to sensing a user operation, a first heating mode type of the variable cooking surface, the first heating mode type corresponding to a first spatial division of the variable cooking surface into two or more first heating zones, each of the first heating zones having a respective first heating parameter; in response to sensing a cooking pot on the variable cooking surface, identify a cooking zone comprising a plurality of heating elements disposed underneath the cooking pot; and in response to receiving a user confirmation via the user interface, control the plurality of heating elements of the cooking zone based on the first heating parameter associated with the first heating zone corresponding to a location of the cooking zone on the variable cooking surface; wherein the control unit is configured to refrain from activating the plurality of heating elements until the user operation is sensed and the user confirmation is received.

15. A method for operating a hob device, comprising: determining, in response to sensing a user operation, a first heating mode type of a variable cooking surface of the hob device, the first heating mode type corresponding to a first spatial division of the variable cooking surface into two or more first heating zones, each of the first heating zones having a respective first heating parameter; in response to sensing a cooking pot on the variable cooking surface, identifying a cooking zone comprising a plurality of heating elements disposed underneath the cooking pot; and in response to receiving a user confirmation via a user interface after sensing the user operation, controlling the plurality of heating elements of the cooking zone based on the first heating parameter associated with the first heating zone corresponding to a location of the cooking zone on the variable cooking surface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the heating elements comprise induction heating elements.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving the user confirmation includes receiving a confirmation input via a confirmation switch of the user interface.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein sensing the user operation comprises sensing the cooking pot on the variable cooking surface.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein sensing the user operation comprises sensing the cooking pot on the variable cooking surface and receiving an operating input via the user interface.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein sensing the user operation comprises receiving a selection of the first heating mode type from a plurality of available heating mode types via the user interface.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising, in response to receiving a user input requesting to change from the first heating mode type to a second heating mode type corresponding to a second spatial division of the variable cooking surface into two or more second heating zones, each of the second heating zones having a respective second heating parameter: controlling heating elements of each of one or more active cooking zones based on the respective second heating parameters associated with the second heating zones corresponding to respective locations of the active cooking zones on the variable cooking surface.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising, in response to receiving a user input requesting to change from the first heating mode type to a second heating mode type corresponding to a second spatial division of the variable cooking surface into two or more second heating zones: receiving a user selection via the user interface; and based on the user selection, either: deactivating all active cooking zones, or controlling heating elements of each of one or more active cooking zones based on a second heating parameter associated with the second heating zone corresponding to a respective location of the active cooking zone on the variable cooking surface.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the first heating mode type in response to sensing the user operation comprises identifying a default heating mode type stored in a memory of the hob device in response to a user switching on the hob device.

24. The method of claim 15, further comprising deactivating the cooking zone in response to sensing an absence of the cooking pot lasting at least 10 seconds.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the first heating zone corresponding to the location of the cooking zone is not included in the cooking zone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages will be apparent from the description of the drawing below. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, descriptions and claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will favorably also consider the features individually and combine them to give useful further combinations.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a hob having a hob device that has a user interface,

(4) FIG. 2 shows the user interface in a first condition,

(5) FIG. 3 shows the user interface in a second condition,

(6) FIG. 4 shows the user interface in a third condition,

(7) FIG. 5 shows the user interface in a fourth condition,

(8) FIG. 6 shows the user interface in a fifth condition, and

(9) FIG. 7 shows a schematic method chart for operation of the hob device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(10) FIG. 1 shows a hob 10. The hob 10 may in particular take the form of an induction hob. The hob 10 has a hob device. The hob device may in particular take the form of an induction hob device.

(11) The hob device has a variable cooking surface 12. Placed on the cooking surface 12 is a cooking pot 24. The hob device has heating elements 14. The heating elements 14 are provided for heating the cooking pot 24 placed on the cooking surface 12. The heating elements 14 are identical to one another in form. The heating elements 14 are arranged in a matrix shape.

(12) The hob device has a sensor unit (not illustrated). The sensor unit extends over the entire cooking surface 12. The sensor unit is provided to detect a contact surface and a position of the placed-on cooking pot 24. The sensor unit has the heating elements 14, which are used in known manner as inductive sensors to detect the cooking pot 24. As an alternative, the sensor unit could also have capacitive sensors.

(13) The hob device has a user interface 26 for communication with a user. The user interface 26 has a touch display. As an alternative, the user interface 26 could have press buttons and/or arrangements for gesture recognition. The user interface 26 is provided for the input and output of heating parameters.

(14) The hob device has a control unit 28. The control unit 28 is operatively connected to the user interface 26. The control unit 28 is operatively connected to the sensor unit. Depending on the contact surface of the cooking pot 24 that is detected by the sensor unit, in at least one operating mode the control unit 28 forms a cooking zone 16 that is associated with the cooking pot 24. For this purpose, the control unit 28 groups together all the heating elements 14 that are located below the contact surface to form the cooking zone 16. The control unit 28 is provided, in the event of an absence of the cooking pot 24 lasting at least 10 seconds, to deactivate the cooking zone 16 associated with the cooking pot 24.

(15) The hob 10 can be operated in at least one heating type, for example in a heating type designated “power move”. In the heating type, the control unit 28 is provided to divide the cooking surface 12 into a plurality of heating zones (not illustrated) in a dividing direction parallel to a depth direction of the cooking surface 12 and to associate with these heating zones, in a manner dependent on location, in each case at least one heating parameter for heating the cooking pot 24 by the cooking zone 16.

(16) Further, the hob 10 may be operated in at least one additional heating type, for example an additional heating type designated “professional mode”. The additional heating type differs from the heating type in that the dividing direction runs parallel to a width direction of the cooking surface 12.

(17) Moreover, the hob 10 may be operated in a further heating type, for example a further heating type designated “classic mode”. In the further heating type, the user sets a further heating parameter for the cooking zone 16 by way of the user interface 26. To set the further heating parameter for the cooking zone 16, the user touches an image that corresponds to the cooking zone 16 and is output by the user interface 26. Then, the user interface 26 displays a list of available heating parameters. By touching one of the available heating parameters, the user sets this available heating parameter for the cooking zone 16. The control unit 28 is provided to enable all the heating types to be set as standard and to be used as desired by the user.

(18) FIG. 2 shows the user interface 26 in at least one operating mode. The user interface 26 shows an image of the cooking zone 16. In the present case, the hob 10 is operated in the further heating type. The further heating parameter that is used to heat the cooking zone 16 is represented by a heating stage field 18. The heating stage field 18 is displayed by the user interface 26.

(19) The control unit 28 is provided, in the event of a request of the heating type and/or the additional heating type for the cooking pot 24, to wait for at least one operating action by a user by way of the user interface 26. The request of the heating type and/or the additional heating type includes a further operating action by the user. The control unit 28 is provided, for setting an available heating type, to wait in each case for at least two mutually differing operating actions. The control unit 28 is provided to interpret a change to the heating type and/or the additional heating type as the request of the heating type. For the change to the heating type and/or the additional heating type, in the further operating action the user actuates a switch surface 20 of the user interface 26.

(20) FIG. 3 shows the user interface 26 after the further operating action. The user interface 26 shows a confirmation switch 30 and a cancelation switch 32. As an alternative, the user interface 26 could output additional optical, acoustic or touch-based signals. The control unit 28 is provided, in the event of change to the heating type and/or the additional heating type, to use the user interface to select either to deactivate all the already active cooking zones 16, or to set the heating parameter associated with the heating type and/or the additional heating type, for all the already active cooking zones 16. If the cancelation switch 32 is actuated, the control unit 28 is provided, in the event of change to the heating type and/or the additional heating type, to deactivate all the already active cooking zones 16. If the confirmation switch 30 is actuated, the control unit 28 is provided, in the event of change to the heating type and/or the additional heating type, to set the heating parameter associated with the heating type and/or the additional heating type, for all the already active cooking zones 16. Actuation of the confirmation switch 30 and actuation of the cancelation switch 32 correspond to the operating action. After the operating action, the change to the heating type and/or the additional heating type is performed by the control unit 28.

(21) FIG. 4 shows the user interface 26 after the change to the heating type and/or the additional heating type if the confirmation switch 30 is actuated. The heating parameter that is used to heat the cooking zone 16 is represented by the heating stage field 18.

(22) FIG. 5 shows the user interface 26 after a further cooking pot (not illustrated) has been placed on the cooking surface 12. The user interface 26 shows an image of a further cooking zone 34 that is associated with the further cooking pot. In the present case, the cooking zone 34 is still inactive. The user interface 26 indicates this by a symbol 36. A request to activate the cooking zone 34 takes the form of the further operating action by the user by way of the user interface 26. In the further operating action, the user actuates the image of the cooking zone 34. The control unit 28 is provided to interpret the request to activate the cooking zone 34 as the request of the heating type and/or the additional heating type. In a manner analogous to FIG. 3, after the further operating action the user interface 26 shows the confirmation switch 30 and the cancelation switch 32. Actuation of the confirmation switch 30 and actuation of the cancelation switch 32 each correspond to the operating action. If the confirmation switch 30 is actuated, the control unit 28 is provided to perform activation of the cooking zone 34. The operating action corresponds to a confirmation action to confirm operation of the cooking zone 34 with the heating type and/or the additional heating type. If the cancelation switch 32 is actuated, activation of the cooking zone 34 is canceled. For activation of the cooking zone 34, the further operating action must then be performed again.

(23) FIG. 6 shows the user interface 26 after the confirmation action to confirm operation of the cooking zone 34 with the heating type and/or the additional heating type. The heating parameter associated with the further cooking pot is represented by a further heating stage field 22.

(24) FIG. 7 shows a schematic method chart for operation of the hob device. In a method step 100, the user makes a request of the heating type and/or the additional heating type for the cooking pot 24. The request of the heating type and/or the additional heating type is performed through the further operating action by way of the user interface 26. In a further method step 110, the user performs the operating action by way of the user interface 26. The further method step 110 follows the method step 100. In a further method step 120, the control unit 28 applies a setting that is matched to the further operating action. The further method step 120 follows the further method step 110.