Cooking appliance apparatus, and method for operating a cooking appliance apparatus

Abstract

A cooking appliance apparatus, in particular an oven apparatus, includes a first heating element, a second heating element, a control unit configured to jointly operate the first and second heating elements to heat a cooking chamber in an operating state, and a power distributor unit which is configured to divide a total power into a first output power and a second output power in the operating state and to supply the first output power to the first heating element and the second output power to the second heating element.

Claims

1. A cooking appliance apparatus, in particular an oven apparatus, comprising: a first heating element; a second heating element; a control unit configured to jointly operate the first and second heating elements to heat a cooking chamber in an operating state; and a power distributor unit configured to divide a total power into a first output power and a second output power in the operating state and to supply the first output power to the first heating element and the second output power to the second heating element, wherein the power distributor unit has an operational connection to an energy source configured to supply the total power to the cooking appliance apparatus, and wherein the control unit is configured to control operation of the power distributor unit such that a total output power of the power distributor unit is at least essentially equal to the total power in every operating state.

2. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first output power is lower than a maximum rated power of the first heating element.

3. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the total power is at least 3600 W.

4. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second output power is lower than a maximum rated power of the second heating element.

5. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power distributor unit is configured to set a value of at least one of the first and second output powers in a variable manner.

6. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power distributor unit is configured as a structural unit.

7. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second heating elements are of a different heating element type.

8. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second heating elements is configured as an induction heating element.

9. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second heating elements is configured as a resistance heating element.

10. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein in a further operating state the power distributor unit is configured to convert the total power to an output power and to supply the output power to one of the first and second heating elements.

11. A cooking appliance, comprising a cooking appliance apparatus, said cooking apparatus comprising a first heating element, a second heating element, a control unit configured to jointly operate the first and second heating elements to heat a cooking chamber in an operating state, and a power distributor unit configured to divide a total power into a first output power and a second output power in the operating state and to supply the first output power to the first heating element and the second output power to the second heating element, wherein the power distributor unit has an operational connection to an energy source configured to supply the total power to the cooking appliance apparatus, and wherein the control unit is configured to control operation of the power distributor unit such that a total output power of the power distributor unit is at least essentially equal to the total power in every operating state.

12. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the total power is at least 3600 W.

13. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the first output power is lower than a maximum rated power of the first heating element.

14. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the second output power is lower than a maximum rated power of the second heating element.

15. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the power distributor unit is configured to set a value of at least one of the first and second output powers in a variable manner.

16. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the power distributor unit is configured as a structural unit.

17. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the first and second heating elements are of a different heating element type.

18. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second heating elements is configured as an induction heating element.

19. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second heating elements is configured as a resistance heating element.

20. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein in a further operating state the power distributor unit is configured to convert the total power to an output power and to supply the output power to one of the first and second heating elements.

21. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first converter unit between the power distributor unit and the first heating element; and a second converter unit between the power distributor unit and the second heating element, wherein the control unit is configured to control the first converter unit and the second converter unit to adjust at least one of the first output power and the second output power based on a type of heating element of at least one of the first and second heating elements and to supply an adjusted output power to the at least one of the first and second heating elements, and wherein the first heating element is a different heating element type from the second heating element.

22. The cooking appliance apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a third heating element; a first converter unit between the power distributor unit and the first heating element; a second converter unit between the power distributor unit and the second heating element; and a third converter unit between the power distributor unit and the third heating element; wherein the control unit is configured to jointly operate the first heating element, the second heating element, and the third heating element to heat the cooking chamber in the operating state, wherein the power distributor unit is configured to divide the total power into the first output power, the second output power, and a third power output, and to supply the first output power to the first heating element, the second output power to the second heating element, and the third output power to the third heating element, wherein the control unit is configured to control the first converter unit, the second converter unit, and the third converter unit to adjust at least one of the first output power, the second output power, and the third output power based on a type of heating element of at least one of the first, second, and third heating elements and to supply an adjusted output power to the at least one of the first, second, and third heating elements, and wherein one of the first, second, and third heating elements is a different heating element type from another of the first, second, and third heating elements.

23. A method for operating a cooking appliance apparatus, comprising: dividing in an operating state, by a power distributor unit, a total power of an energy source into a first output power and a second output power; controlling an operation of the power distributor unit such that a total output power of the power distributor unit is at least essentially equal to the total power in every operating state; and supplying the first output power to a first heating element of the cooking appliance apparatus and the second output power to a second heating element of the cooking appliance apparatus for heating a cooking chamber in the operating state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages will emerge from the description of the drawing which follows. The drawing shows exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawing, description and claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them in further useful combinations.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cooking appliance configured by way of example as an oven, with a cooking appliance apparatus,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a cooking appliance with a cooking appliance apparatus, and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of part of the cooking appliance apparatus from FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cooking appliance 30a configured by way of example as an oven. The cooking appliance 30a is configured as an induction cooking appliance, in the present instance in particular as an induction oven. However a cooking appliance could alternatively also be configured as a conventional cooking appliance. A cooking appliance could also be configured as a microwave for example.

(6) The cooking appliance 30a comprises a cooking appliance apparatus. The cooking appliance apparatus comprises an appliance housing 32a. The appliance housing 32a defines an, in particular continuous, cooking chamber 18a. To this end the appliance housing 32a comprises an outer housing and a muffle 34a, which is arranged within the outer housing and delimits the cooking chamber 18a. The cooking appliance apparatus also comprises an appliance closing element (not shown). In the present instance the appliance closing element is configured as an appliance flap. The appliance closing element is provided to close off the cooking chamber 18a. However an appliance closing element could alternatively also be configured as appliance doors.

(7) The cooking appliance apparatus further comprises a number of heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a. In the present instance the cooking appliance apparatus comprises three heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a by way of example. The heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a are integrated in the appliance housing 32a. The heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a are configured separately from one another. The heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a are arranged at a distance from one another. The heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a are provided to heat the cooking chamber 18a, in particular individually and/or jointly.

(8) A first heating element 10a of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a is configured as an induction heating element. The first heating element 10a is configured as a heating coil. The first heating element 10a is arranged outside the cooking chamber 18a. The first heating element 10a is arranged flat against a muffle wall of the appliance housing 32a. The first heating element 10a has a first maximum rated power.

(9) A second heating element 12a of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a is configured as a resistance heating element. The first heating element 10a and the second heating element 12a are therefore of different types. The second heating element 12a is configured as a ring heating element. The second heating element 12a is arranged in a region of a fan unit 36a of the cooking appliance apparatus. The second heating element 12a has a second maximum rated power.

(10) A third heating element 14a of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a is configured as an induction heating element. The third heating element 14a is configured as a heating coil. The third heating element 14a is at least essentially similar in structure to the first heating element 10a. The third heating element 14a is arranged outside the cooking chamber 18a. The third heating element 14a is arranged flat against a further muffle wall of the appliance housing 32a, which is arranged in particular opposite the muffle wall. The third heating element 14a has third maximum rated power. Alternatively a cooking appliance apparatus could also have a number of heating elements other than three, for example just two and/or at least four and/or at least five heating elements. A cooking appliance apparatus could also have heating elements of the same type, for example solely induction heating elements or resistance heating elements. At least one heating element could also be configured as a microwave element.

(11) The cooking appliance apparatus also comprises a control unit 16a. The control unit 16a is integrated in the appliance housing 32a. The control unit 16a is provided to control and/or regulate operation of the cooking appliance 30a and/or the cooking appliance apparatus. In the present instance the control unit 16a is provided at least to activate the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a. To this end the control unit 16a comprises a storage unit with an operating program stored therein and a computation unit, which is provided to execute the operating program.

(12) The control unit 16a is provided to operate just one of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a to heat the cooking chamber 18a in at least one first operating state. The control unit 16a is provided to operate the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a individually in the first operating state. The control unit 16a is provided to operate the first heating element 10a, the second heating element 12a or the third heating element 14a in the first operating state.

(13) The control unit 16a is provided to operate at least two of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a jointly and in particular simultaneously to heat the cooking chamber 18a in at least one second operating state. In the present instance the control unit 16a is provided for example to operate the first heating element 10a and the second heating element 12a jointly and in particular at the same time in the second operating state. Alternatively or additionally the control unit 16a can however also be provided to operate the first heating element 10a and the third heating element 14a and/or the second heating element 12a and the third heating element 14a jointly and in particular simultaneously.

(14) The control unit 16a is provided to operate all the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a jointly and in particular simultaneously to heat the cooking chamber 18a in at least one third operating state. Alternatively a first operating state and/or a third operating could also be omitted.

(15) The cooking appliance apparatus also comprises a power distributor unit 20a. The power distributor unit 20a is configured as a structural unit. The power distributor unit 20a has an operational connection to an energy source 38a. In the present instance the power distributor unit 20a is connected in particular directly to the energy source 38a, in the present instance in particular a power network and/or a household network. The energy source 38a is provided to supply a total power 22a with at least 3600 W.

(16) The power distributor unit 20a also has an operational connection to each of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a. In the present instance the power distributor unit 20a is connected electrically to each of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a. The power distributor unit 20a is therefore arranged between the energy source 38a and the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a.

(17) The power distributor unit 20a also has an operational connection to the control unit 16a. The control unit 16a here is provided to activate the power distributor unit 20a.

(18) The power distributor unit 20a is provided to distribute the total power 22a to the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a and in the process to feed an output power 24a, 26a, 28a to at least one of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a. A total output power, in particular a sum of all the output powers 24a, 26a, 28a, of the power distributor unit 20a here is equal to the total power 22a in every operating state, thereby ensuring a high level of efficiency. The following applies:
P.sub.T=Σ.sub.iP.sub.i

(19) P.sub.T here corresponds to the total power 22a, while P.sub.i describes one of the output powers 24a, 26a, 28a.

(20) In the present instance the power distributor unit 20a is provided to distribute the total power 22a in a variable manner to the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a. The power distributor unit 20a is provided to set a value of at least one of the output powers 24a, 26a, 28a in a variable manner, in particular in a power interval between 0% of the total power 22a and 100% of the total power 22a.

(21) In the first operating state the power distributor unit 20a is provided to convert the total power 22a to just one output power 24a, 26a, 28a and supply it to one heating element 10a, 12a, 14a of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a operated in the first operating state. The just one output power 24a, 26a, 28a here is equal to the total power 22a. The just one output power 24a, 26a, 28a advantageously also corresponds in this instance to a maximum rated power of the heating element 10a, 12a, 14a operated in the first operating state. The following applies:
P.sub.T=P.sub.i  b.

(22) In the second operating state the power distributor unit 20a is provided to divide the total power 22a into two output powers 24a, 26a, 28a and supply them to two heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a operated in the second operating state. A sum of the output powers 24a, 26a, 28a here is equal to the total power 22a. The output powers 24a, 26a, 28a in this instance are also lower than a maximum rated power of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a operated in the second operating state. In this instance the power distributor unit 20a is also provided to set a value of one of the output powers 24a, 26a, 28a in a variable manner, in particular in a power interval between 0% of the total power 22a and 100% of the total power 22a, while the other value results automatically from the total power 22a. In the present instance the power distributor unit 20a is provided by way of example to divide the total power 22a into a first output power 24a and a second output power 26a in the second operating state and to supply the first output power 24a to the first heating element 10a and the second output power 26a to the second heating element 12a. The following applies:
P.sub.T=P.sub.1+P.sub.2  c.

(23) In the third operating state the power distributor unit 20a is provided to divide the total power 22a into three output powers 24a, 26a, 28a and to supply them to all the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a operated in the third operating state. A sum of the output powers 24a, 26a, 28a here is equal to the total power 22a. Also in this instance the output powers 24a, 26a, 28a are lower than a maximum rated power of the heating elements 10a, 12a, 14a operated in the third operating state. In this instance the power distributor unit 20a is also provided to set a value of two output powers 24a, 26a, 28a in a variable manner, in particular in a power interval between 0% of the total power 22a and 100% of the total power 22a, while the last value results automatically from the total power 22a. In the present instance the power distributor unit 20a is provided to divide the total power 22a into a first output power 24a, a second output power 26a and a third output power 28a in the third operating state and to supply the first output power 24a to the first heating element 10a, the second output power 26a to the second heating element 12a and the third output power 28a to the third heating element 14a. The following applies:
P.sub.T=P.sub.1+P.sub.2+P.sub.3  d.

(24) Purely by way of example it would be possible for P.sub.1=0.2.Math.P.sub.T, P.sub.2=0.1.Math.P.sub.T and P.sub.3=0.7.Math.P.sub.T to apply here. However any other values could also be selected for P.sub.1, P.sub.2 and P.sub.3. This allows an advantageously flexible appliance apparatus to be achieved with a plurality of different operating modes, which allow for example advantageously fast preheating, advantageously fast cooking and/or advantageously fast cleaning.

(25) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The descriptions which follow and the drawings are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, it being possible in principle also to refer to the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiment, in particular in FIG. 1, for components of identical designation, in particular components with identical reference characters. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a follows the reference characters of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 2 and 3 the letter a is replaced by the letter b.

(26) In this instance the cooking appliance apparatus comprises a number of converter units 40b, 42b, 44b. The number of converter units 40b, 42b, 44b here is tailored to a number of different heating elements 10b, 12b, 14b and/or a number of heating elements 10b, 12b, 14b. The converter units 40b, 42b, 44b are connected downstream of a power distributor unit 20b. The converter units 40b, 42b, 44b are configured separately from the power distributor unit 20b. The converter units 40b, 42b, 44b are arranged between the power distributor unit 20b and the heating elements 10b, 12b, 14b. At least two of the converter units 40b, 42b, 44b are configured differently. The converter units 40b, 42b, 44b are each provided to tailor an output power of the power distributor unit 20b to a type of the heating elements 10b, 12b, 14b and supply it to a respective heating elements 10b, 12b, 14b. Alternatively however it is also conceivable for the converter units to be integrated in a power distributor unit. The power distributor unit can in particular comprise the converter units in this instance.

(27) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the power distributor unit 20b and the converter units 40b, 42b, 44b. In the present instance the power distributor unit 20b is provided to convert a total power 22b supplied by an energy source 38b, in particular in the form of an alternating voltage, to a direct current voltage and supply it to the converter units 40b, 42b, 44b.

(28) A first converter unit 40b of the converter units 40b, 42b, 44b is assigned to a first heating element 10b of the heating elements 10b, 12b, 14b. The first converter unit 40b here comprises at least one inverter, so a heating power of the first heating element 10b is in particular a function of a switching frequency of the inverter.

(29) A second converter unit 42b of the converter units 40b, 42b, 44b is assigned to a second heating element 12b of the heating elements 10b, 12b, 14b. The second converter unit 42b here comprises at least one DC/DC converter, advantageously a quasi-resonant voltage converter, so a heating power of the second heating element 12b is in particular a function of an amplitude of an output voltage of the DC/DC converter.

(30) A third converter unit 44b of the converter units 40b, 42b, 44b is assigned to a third heating element 14b of the heating elements 10b, 12b, 14b. The third converter unit 44b here comprises at least one further inverter, so a heating power of the third heating element 14b is in particular a function of a switching frequency of the further inverter. Alternatively however it is also conceivable to omit a third converter unit. It is then conceivable for a first converter unit to be assigned to a first heating element and a third heating element.