COOKING APPLIANCE HAVING SENSOR UNITS ARRANGED OUTSIDE THE COOKING CHAMBER

Abstract

A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber wall delimiting a cooking chamber and including an opening, and a motor-movable changing device arranged outside the cooking chamber and including at least two sensor units for detecting a property of the cooking chamber. The changing device can be set in such a way by motorized movement that one of the at least two sensor units can be positioned in front of the opening at a time for detecting the property of the cooking chamber through the opening.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A cooking appliance, comprising: a cooking chamber wall delimiting a cooking chamber and including an opening; and a motor-movable changing device arranged outside the cooking chamber and including at least two sensor units for detecting a property of the cooking chamber, said changing device capable of being set in such a way by motorized movement that one of the at least two sensor units is positionable in front of the opening at a time for detecting the property of the cooking chamber through the opening.

19. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein at least one of the sensor units is a member selected from the group consisting of an optical camera, a temperature sensor, a substance sensor, and a humidity sensor.

20. The cooking appliance of claim 19, wherein the temperature sensor is an IR camera.

21. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the changing device includes a number of motor-movable supports, one of the at least two sensor units being arranged in on one of the motor-movable supports and the other one of the at least two sensor units being arranged in on the other one of the motor-movable supports.

22. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the changing device includes a motor-movable support, on which the at least two sensor units are arranged.

23. The cooking appliance of claim 22, wherein the support is motor-rotatable for adjustment into angular positions such that one of the at least two sensor units is positionable in front of the opening by rotating the support.

24. The cooking appliance of claim 22, wherein the at least two sensor units are arranged in an arch-shape about an axis of rotation of the support.

25. The cooking appliance of claim 22, wherein the at least two sensor units are aligned radially outward in respect of an axis of rotation of the support.

26. The cooking appliance of claim 22, wherein the at least two sensor units are aligned parallel to an axis of rotation of the support.

27. The cooking appliance of claim 22, wherein the support has a linear support wall arranged in a manner of an arch sector about its axis of rotation, said support wall having an exterior being movable in front of the opening in the cooking chamber wall, said support wall having an interior with at least two insertion locations provided in offset relation to one another for the at least two sensor units, respectively, each of the at least two insertion locations having a fastening structure for an associated one of the at least two sensor units and a window which can be congruent with the opening in the cooking chamber wall.

28. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the changing device includes a cover and is adjustable such that the cover is positionable in front of the opening, instead of the at least two sensor units.

29. The cooking appliance of claim 27, wherein the changing device includes a cover and is adjustable such that the cover is positionable in front of the opening, said cover being configured to separate the at least two insertion locations from one another.

30. The cooking appliance of claim 27, wherein the changing device includes a cover and is adjustable such that the cover is positionable in front of the opening, wherein the at least two insertion locations are arranged adjacent to one another on one end section of the support wall and the cover is arranged on another end section of the support wall.

31. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the at least two sensor units are arranged to be aeratable.

32. The cooking appliance of claim 22, wherein a gap which is aeratable by force is provided in a region of the opening between the support and the cooking chamber wall.

33. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the cooking chamber wall is molded as a protuberance in a region of the opening.

34. The cooking appliance of claim 18, further comprising a protective panel movable by motor in front of the opening, said protective panel being permeable for at least one of the at least two sensor units by measurement technology and impermeable for another one of the at least two sensor units by measurement technology.

35. A method for operating a cooking appliance having a motor-movable changing device arranged outside a cooking chamber and including at least two sensor units, said method comprising: moving during cooking operation at least one of the at least two sensor units by the changing device from a standby position into an active position such that the one of the at least two sensor units is positioned in front of an opening of a cooking chamber wall; carrying out in the active position a measurement by the at least one of the at least two sensor units for detecting a property of the cooking chamber through the opening; and immediately returning by the changing device the at least one of the at least two sensor units back into the standby position after the measurement.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising aerating the at least two sensor units.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising molding the cooking chamber wall as a protuberance in a region of the opening.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising moving a protective panel in front of the opening to provide protection against heat and contamination from the cooking chamber.

Description

[0066] The afore-described properties, features and advantages of this invention and the manner in which these are achieved will become clearer and more intelligible in conjunction with the following schematic description of an exemplary embodiment which is explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings.

[0067] FIG. 1 shows as a sectional representation in a side view a schematic of a cutout from a cooking appliance according to a first exemplary embodiment in the region of a changing device, which is in a rest position,

[0068] FIG. 2 shows, in a representation similar to FIG. 1, a variant of a cooking appliance according to the first exemplary embodiment with a differently shaped cooking chamber wall;

[0069] FIG. 3 shows, in a representation similar to FIG. 1, another variant of the cooking appliance according to the first exemplary embodiment with an additional protective panel;

[0070] FIG. 4 shows, in a representation similar to FIG. 1, the cooking appliance according to a second exemplary embodiment with a further changing device in the rest position;

[0071] FIG. 5 shows, in an oblique view, a construction example of a support of the changing device of the cooking appliance according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0072] FIG. 6 shows, as a sectional representation in the side view, a schematic of a cutout from a variant of the cooking appliance according to the first exemplary embodiment in the region of the changing device;

[0073] FIG. 7 shows, as a sectional representation in a side view, a schematic of a cutout from a cooking appliance according to a third exemplary embodiment in the region of a changing device; and

[0074] FIG. 8 shows in a view obliquely from above a changing device of a cooking appliance according to a fourth exemplary embodiment.

[0075] FIG. 1 shows, as a sectional representation in the side view, a schematic of a cutout from a cooking appliance 1, which has a cooking chamber 3 delimited by means of a cooking chamber wall 2. A motor-movable changing device 4, which is shown in its rest position, is provided outside the cooking chamber 3. The changing device 4 here has a support 5 which can be rotated by motor about an axis of rotation D, on which support two sensor units are arranged, namely an optical camera 6 and an IR camera 7. The motor for rotating the support 5 is not shown, but can be a stepped motor, for instance.

[0076] The support 5 here has an arch sector-shaped, in particular ring sector-shaped linear support wall 8 arranged about its axis of rotation D. An exterior 9 of the support wall 8 can be moved in front of a wall opening 10 in the cooking chamber wall 2, in particular can be moved therebeyond. The subregion of the cooking chamber wall 2 having the wall opening 10 is here a ceiling of the cooking chamber 2. The optical camera 6 and the IR camera 7 are fastened to the interior 11 of the support wall 8 at corresponding insertion locations 12. They are directed through a respective window 13 in the support wall 8 and therefore have a field of view which can be seen through the respective window 13. The cameras 6 and 7 are therefore likewise arranged in an arch shape about the axis of rotation D of the support, and moreover aligned radially outward in respect of the axis of rotation D.

[0077] Also provided on the support wall 8 is a cover 14, which is arranged here along the support wall 8 or in the peripheral direction of the axis of rotation D between the optical camera 6 and the IR camera 7 or its insertion locations 12. The optical camera 6 and the IR camera 7 or its insertion locations 12 are therefore separated from one another in the rotational direction by the cover 14. The optical camera 6, the IR camera 7 and the cover 14 are arranged offset in relation to one another in the peripheral or rotational direction, in particular equidistantly.

[0078] By rotating the support 5 about the axis of rotation, e.g. by means of a control device (not shown), the optical camera 6, the IR camera 7 and the cover 14 can be positioned alternately in front of the wall opening 10. In this exemplary embodiment, the axis of rotation D is parallel to the cooking chamber wall 2. If an optical image or an IR image is to be recorded from the cooking chamber 3, for instance, the support 5 is rotated into an angular position, in which the window 13 associated with the insertion location 12 of the optical camera 6 or the IR camera 7 is congruent with the wall opening 10. The cooking chamber 3 is therefore visible for the optical camera 6 or the IR camera 7 through the respective window 13 and the wall opening 10. In this “active position” of the optical camera 6 or the IR camera 7, this can record at least one image from the cooking chamber 3.

[0079] If the optical camera 6 and the IR camera 7 are not required, the support 5 is rotated into its rest position in which both cameras 6, 7 are in their “standby position”. Now the cover 14 covers the wall opening 10, in particular in a tight manner. The cover 14 instead of the cameras 6 and 7 can therefore be rotated in front of the wall opening 10. The arrangement with the cover 14 between the two cameras 6 and 7 is advantageous in that only a slight rotation is required, in order to bring the cameras 6 and 7 out of their standby position in front of the wall opening 10 into their active position.

[0080] FIG. 2 shows, in a representation similar to FIG. 1, a variant 1a of the cooking appliance 1 with a differently shaped development 2a of the cooking chamber wall 2. Namely in the region of the wall opening 10, the cooking chamber wall 2, 2a has a protuberance 15 or recess directed out from the cooking chamber 3. The protuberance 15 is embodied to be tubular, in particular truncated cone- or funnel-shaped and has the wall opening 10 on its inner front face. This variant has the general advantage that the cameras 6, 7 (and generally the sensor units) are positioned far away from the possibly hot cooking chamber wall 2 and therefore are installed in a cooler environment. Easier cooling is therefore also enabled, since a higher thermal resistivity is produced as a result of the larger distance from the rest of the cooking chamber wall 2 or the cooking chamber 3. The protuberance 15 can be produced by molding (e.g. deep-drawing, embossing etc.) the cooking chamber wall 2. Alternatively, the protuberance 15 can be a separately manufactured component which is then connected to the rest of the cooking chamber wall 2. As a result, the advantage is achieved in that the protuberance 15 can be embodied to reduce the heat conductivity particularly effectively. It can be produced from a poorly heat-conducting ceramic, for instance.

[0081] On account of the optional funnel or truncated cone shape of the protuberance 15, the further advantage is achieved that the field of view of the cameras 6, 7 is not restricted or not noticeably restricted.

[0082] A further advantage which is important to microwave devices (e.g. standalone microwave devices or ovens with additional microwave function) consists in the protuberance 15 being able to be embodied as a microwave barrier, since a passage of microwaves through the wall opening 10 can thus be prevented. To this end, the protuberance 15 is generally a tube which is so narrow that no wave propagation through the tube is possible. The here optional funnel shape of the protuberance 15 intensifies its sealing effect, so that the microwave density is already reached after a brief period.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows, in a representation similar to FIG. 1, another variant 1b of the cooking appliance 1 with a protuberance 15 and additionally a protective panel 16. This cooking appliance 1, 1b is therefore shown as a development of the cooking appliance 1a, but the protective panel 16 can however also be generally used, e.g. with the cooking appliance 1 without a protuberance 15. Basically the protective panel 16 can be provided alternatively or in addition to the cover 14. The protective panel 16 consists here of a cost-effective glass which is transparent for visible light but impermeable for (N) IR radiation. It is motor-movable e.g. as shown on the cooking chamber side parallel to the cooking chamber wall 2a and the wall opening 10. The protective panel 16 can represent a part of the changing device 4 or can be controlled separately thereto.

[0084] The movement of the protective panel 16 can be controlled as follows, for instance: in the rest position of the support 5 the protective panel 16 also covers the protuberance 15, namely its front face 17 on the cooking chamber side. The cover 14 and the protective panel 16 are then arranged at a distance of several millimeters to a few centimeters from one another and in particular aligned parallel to one another. This dual protection against heat and contamination from the cooking chamber 3 is advantageous particularly during a pyrolysis operation.

[0085] The protective panel 16 itself has a dual effect: on the one hand it creates a partition and as a result prevents hot air from rising up to the sensor surface and also a penetration of splashes of liquid and grease, on the other hand it can be embodied from poorly heat-conducting material (therefore e.g. glass or glass ceramic are poorly heat-conducting compared with steel), as a result of which the heat conduction of the cooking chamber wall 2a likewise increases in the region of the protuberance 15. In one development of the protective panel 16, as indicated with dashes, it is embodied to be significantly larger than the front face of the protuberance on the cooking chamber side, in other words projects laterally noticeably beyond this front face. In this way the heat resistance of the cooking chamber wall 2a covered thereby increases so that less heat flows in the direction of the protuberance 15 and the cameras 6, 7.

[0086] If the optical camera 6 is in its active position, the protective panel 16 which is transparent thereto remains in front of the protuberance 15 and as a result protects the optical camera 6 from heat and contamination from the cooking chamber 3. If the IR camera 7 is in its active position, the protective panel 16 is moved away from the protuberance 15 and therefore releases this.

[0087] The protuberance 15 can be embodied to be air-permeable, e.g. punched or generally perforated, in order as a result to further reduce the heat conduction. This reduction in the heat conduction can be particularly effective when the protuberance 15 is in a region of a cooling air flow of the cooking appliance 1.

[0088] FIG. 4 shows, in a representation similar to FIG. 1, a cooking appliance 21 with a changing device 22 in the rest position. The cooking appliance 21 is designed similarly to the cooking appliance 1, 1a or 1b, but with the changing device 22 the two insertion locations 12 or the two cameras 6, 7 are arranged in the peripheral direction or direction of rotation adjacent to one another on an end section of the support wall 23 and the cover 14 is arranged on the other end section of the support wall 23. As a result, the advantage is achieved in that the cameras 6 and 7 in the rest position of the changing device 22 are positioned comparatively far away from the cooking chamber wall 2 and the wall opening 10 and are then exposed to comparatively low temperatures.

[0089] FIG. 5 shows an oblique view of a more detailed design example of the support 5 of the changing device 4. The support 5 has a central pipe 31 for attaching to a drive shaft of the motor. The arched support wall 8 has two insertion locations 12 with in each case one sleeve 32 aligned radially in relation to the axis of rotation D. An outer open front face of the sleeves 32 corresponds to the respective window 13. Can be attached to the other inner front face in the respective camera 6 or 7, in particular its respective lens. A funnel-shaped air flow collector 33, which is directed into a region of an internal flow of cooling air of the cooking appliance 1, leads laterally into the sleeves 32 in each case. An air exit opening 34 is provided in the sleeve 32 on the opposite side. This arrangement makes it possible for an air flow to traverse the respective sleeve 32 and as a result to deflect splashes of grease and liquid escaping from the cooking chamber 3, and/or to reduce a temperature on the cameras 6, 7, when the camera 6 or 7 is in its active position.

[0090] Here the support 5 has disk-shaped regions 35 laterally in relation to the insertion locations 12, which extend from the pipe 31 to the support wall 8 and serve to mechanically stabilize. In order to be able to cool the cameras 6 and 7 particularly effectively through the internal flow of cooling air, at the height of the cameras 6 and 7 the disk-shaped regions 35 each have ventilation slots 36 for their ventilation.

[0091] FIG. 6 shows, as a sectional representation in the side view, a schematic of a cutout from a variant of the cooking appliance 1 in the region of the support 5. In this, a gap 37 which is aeratable by force is provided in the region of the wall opening 10 between the exterior 9 of the support wall 8 and the cooking chamber wall 2. The fact that the gap 37 is aeratable by force may mean that a bypass air flow N of the internal flow of cooling air K flows through it. To this end the support wall 8 can be embodied and/or arranged so that it effects the branching of the bypass air flow N.

[0092] The cover 38 can, as shown, project slightly beyond the exterior 9, so that when the support 5 is in the rest position and the cover 38 then faces the wall opening 10, the gap 37 is closed.

[0093] The arrangement according to FIG. 6 can be used alternatively or in addition to the arrangement according to FIG. 5 and fulfils the same purpose.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows, as a sectional representation in a side view, a schematic of a cutout from a cooking appliance 41 in the region of a changing device 42. The cooking appliance 41 can have a similar basic structure to the cooking appliance 1, 1a or 1b, but the changing device 42 now has a number of motor-movable supports 43 and 44, on which a sensor unit, here e.g. the optical camera 6 and the IR camera 7, is arranged in each case. The supports 43 and 44 are arranged individually pivotable in the region of an exterior of the cooking chamber wall 2 and are arranged here in symmetry with the wall opening 10. Alternately the supports 43 and 44 can be rotated or pivoted between their folded-out standby position and their folded-down active position (in which the camera 6 or 7 is arranged on the wall opening 10).

[0095] In one variant, not shown, a further support may be provided, which is embodied as a cover or has a cover 4. If this support is folded down, the cover closes the wall opening 10 and the changing device 42 is in its rest position. The more than two supports are then advantageously arranged in the shape of a ring about the wall opening 10.

[0096] FIG. 8 shows, in a view obliquely from above, a significantly simplified schematic of a changing device 52 of a cooking appliance 51. The changing device 52 now has a here circular disk-shaped base (base disk) 53, which can be rotated by motor about a first, here vertical axis of rotation D1. Three radially aligned pivotable supports (“jibs”) 54 are attached to the base disk 53 angularly offset about the axis of rotation D1. The cameras 6 and 7 and a cover 55 are arranged on the undersides of the free end sections of the jibs 54. The cameras 6 and 7 are therefore aligned substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation D1.

[0097] The base disk 53 positions the jibs 54, which can then be raised and lowered flexibly in accordance with the installation space available in the cooking appliance 51. This movement of the jibs 54 about a respective horizontal second axis of rotation (top Fig) can also be referred to as pitching motion. On account of their in particular individually adjustable pitching motion, the jibs 54 can swerve obstacles during the rotation of the base disk 53, (e.g. by temporarily lowering or raising during the rotation), in their active position can be lowered sufficiently deep in relation to the cooking chamber wall 2 and in their standby position can be raised high for optimal cooling or to minimally influence functional spaces arranged therebelow (e.g. of cooling air guides).

[0098] The present invention is naturally not restricted to the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0099] Embodiments of the above exemplary embodiments can also be implemented in other exemplary embodiments, if possible. For instance, the embodiments according to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, can be applied analogously to the cooking appliance 21.

[0100] Generally “a”, “an”, etc. may be understood to mean a singular or a plural, in particular in the sense of “at least one” or “one or more”, etc. provided this is not explicitly excluded, for example by the expression “exactly one”, etc.

[0101] Numerical data may comprise exactly the specified number and also a usual tolerance range, provided this is not explicitly excluded.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0102] 1 Cooking appliance [0103] 1a Cooking appliance [0104] 1b Cooking appliance [0105] 2 Cooking chamber wall [0106] 2a Cooking chamber wall [0107] 3 Cooking chamber [0108] 4 Changing device [0109] 5 Rotatable support [0110] 6 Optical camera [0111] 7 IR camera [0112] 8 Support wall [0113] 9 Exterior of the support wall [0114] 10 Wall opening [0115] 11 Interior of the support wall [0116] 12 Insertion location [0117] 13 Window [0118] 14 Cover [0119] 15 Protuberance from cooking chamber wall [0120] 16 Protective panel [0121] 17 Front face on the cooking chamber side [0122] 21 Cooking appliance [0123] 22 Changing device [0124] 23 Support wall [0125] 31 Pipe [0126] 32 Sleeve [0127] 33 Air flow collector [0128] 34 Air exit opening [0129] 35 Disk-shaped region [0130] 36 Ventilation slot [0131] 37 Gap [0132] 38 Cover [0133] 41 Cooking appliance [0134] 42 Changing device [0135] 43 Support [0136] 44 Support [0137] 51 Cooking appliance [0138] 52 Changing device [0139] 53 Basic disk [0140] 54 Jib [0141] 55 Cover [0142] D Axis of rotation [0143] D1 First axis of rotation [0144] K Flow of cooling air [0145] N Bypass air flow