COOKTOP DEVICE

Abstract

A cooktop apparatus includes a first heating frequency unit, a second heating frequency unit, a set of first heating units, a set of second heating units, a set of third heating units, and a switching arrangement configured to electrically allocate the set of first heating units to the first heating frequency unit, to electrically allocate the set of second heating units to the second heating frequency unit, and to electrically allocate the set of third heating units to at least one of the first and second heating frequency units.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A cooktop apparatus, comprising: a first heating frequency unit; a second heating frequency unit; a set of first heating units; a set of second heating units; a set of third heating units; and a switching arrangement configured to electrically allocate the set of first heating units to the first heating frequency unit, to electrically allocate the set of second heating units to the second heating frequency unit, and to electrically allocate the set of third heating units to at least one of the first and second heating frequency units.

17. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, constructed in a form of an induction cooktop apparatus.

18. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switching arrangement is configured to electrically allocate the set of third heating units to the first heating frequency unit and to the second heating frequency unit.

19. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switching arrangement is configured to electrically allocate the set of third heating units to at least two inverters of one of the first and second heating frequency units.

20. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switching arrangement is configured to electrically allocate the set of third heating units to the first and second heating frequency units.

21. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the set of third heating units comprises at least two third heating units, said switching arrangement configured to electrically allocate the at least two third heating units simultaneously to different ones of the first and second heating frequency units.

22. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switching arrangement is configured to electrically allocate the set of third heating units with at least one of the set of first heating units and the set of second heating units to a common inverter of one of the first and second heating frequency units.

23. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switching arrangement is configured to electrically allocate the set of third heating units with the set of first heating units to a common inverter of one of the first and second heating frequency units and simultaneously to electrically allocate the set of second heating units to a common inverter of one of the first and second heating frequency units.

24. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switching arrangement includes a parallel switching unit configured to connect at least two inverters of one of the first and second heating frequency units in parallel, at least one of the set of first heating units and the set of second heating units including a plurality of heating units, said switching arrangement configured to electrically allocate the plurality of heating units simultaneously to multiple inverters of one of the first and second heating frequency units

25. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the switching arrangement is configured to electrically allocate the sets of first, second and third heating units to different inverters of the first and second heating frequency units.

26. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the sets of first, second and third heating units comprise at least two heating units, said switching arrangement configured to allocate the at least two heating units to different inverters of one of the first and second heating frequency units.

27. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein at least one of the set of first heating units and the set of second heating units includes at least two outer heating units and at least two inner heating units that are arranged within the outer heating units, said switching arrangement configured to allocate the at least two inner heating units and the at least two outer heating units simultaneously to different inverters of one of the first and second heating frequency units.

28. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a third heating frequency unit, a set of fourth heating units, and a set of fifth heating units, said switching arrangement configured to electrically allocate the set of fourth heating units to the third heating frequency unit and to electrically allocate the set of fifth heating units to at least one of the second heating frequency unit and the third heating frequency unit.

29. The cooktop apparatus of claim 16, wherein the set of third heating units is arranged spatially between the set of first heating units and the set of second heating units.

30. A cooktop, comprising a cooktop apparatus, said cooktop apparatus comprising a first heating frequency unit, a second heating frequency unit, a set of first heating units, a set of second heating units, a set of third heating units, and a switching arrangement configured to electrically allocate the set of first heating units to the first heating frequency unit, to electrically allocate the set of second heating units to the second heating frequency unit, and to electrically allocate the set of third heating units to at least one of the first and second heating frequency units.

31. The cooktop of claim 30, constructed in a form of an induction cooktop.

32. A method for operating a cooktop apparatus comprising a first heating frequency unit and a second heating frequency unit, the method comprising: electrically allocating a set of first heating units of the cooktop apparatus to the first heating frequency unit; electrically allocating a set of second heating units of the cooktop apparatus to the second heating frequency unit; and electrically allocating a set of third heating units to one of the first and second heating frequency units.

33. The method of claim 32 for operating an induction cooktop apparatus.

Description

[0040] In the drawings:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a cooktop, which is designed as an induction cooktop, having a cooktop apparatus in a plan view,

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the cooktop apparatus having a set of first heating units, having a set of second heating units, having a set of third heating units and having a switching arrangement,

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a selection of allocations of heating units, which can be performed by means of the switching arrangement, to inverters of a first heating frequency unit and inverters of a second heating frequency unit of the cooktop apparatus,

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating the cooktop apparatus,

[0045] FIG. 5 shows a further cooktop apparatus of a further exemplary embodiment having a switching arrangement in a circuit diagram,

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a further selection of allocations that can be performed by means of the switching arrangement,

[0047] FIG. 7 shows a selection of possible operating states of the cooktop apparatus,

[0048] FIG. 8 shows a further cooktop apparatus of a further exemplary embodiment having a switching arrangement in a circuit diagram,

[0049] FIG. 9 shows a further selection of allocations that can be performed by means of the switching arrangement,

[0050] FIG. 10 shows a further cooktop apparatus of a further exemplary embodiment having a switching arrangement in a circuit diagram,

[0051] FIG. 11 shows a further selection of possible operating states of the cooktop apparatus in a simplified illustration,

[0052] FIG. 12 shows a further cooktop apparatus of a further exemplary embodiment having a switching arrangement in a circuit diagram,

[0053] FIG. 13 shows a further selection of allocations that can be performed by means of the switching arrangement,

[0054] FIG. 14 shows a further cooktop apparatus of a further exemplary embodiment having a switching arrangement in a circuit diagram,

[0055] FIG. 15 shows a further cooktop apparatus of a further exemplary embodiment having a switching arrangement in a circuit diagram,

[0056] FIG. 16 shows a further cooktop apparatus of a further exemplary embodiment having a switching arrangement in a circuit diagram,

[0057] FIG. 17 shows a further cooktop apparatus of a further exemplary embodiment having a switching arrangement in a circuit diagram and

[0058] FIG. 18 shows a further selection of allocations that can be performed by means of the switching arrangement.

[0059] Only one of the objects present multiple times in the figures is provided with a reference character in each case.

[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates a cooktop 10a that is designed in the illustrated example as an induction cooktop. The cooktop 10a has a cooktop apparatus 12a. The cooktop apparatus 12a is embodied by way of example as an induction cooktop apparatus. The cooktop apparatus 12a that is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is in an exemplary operating state.

[0061] The cooktop apparatus 12a has a set of first heating units 22a. The set of first heating units 22a in the illustrated example has a number of four first heating units 30a (cf. also FIG. 2).

[0062] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12a has a set of second heating units 24a. The set of second heating units 24a in the illustrated example has a number of four second heating units 30a.

[0063] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12a has a set of third heating units 26a. The set of third heating units 26a in the illustrated example has a number of two third heating units 32a.

[0064] The third heating units 32a of the set of third heating units 26a are arranged spatially between the first heating units 30a of the set of first heating units 22a and the second heating units 30a of the set of second heating units 24a.

[0065] The third heating units 32a of the set of third heating units 26a have an at least essentially elongated geometry.

[0066] The third heating units 32a of the set of third heating units 26a are arranged in respect of their main extent 44a parallel to a depth direction 46a of the cooktop 10a.

[0067] And namely the third heating units 32a of the set of third heating units 26a are arranged in respect of their main extent 44a at least essentially at a right angle with respect to the first heating units 30a of the set of first heating units 22a.

[0068] The third heating units 32a of the set of third heating units 26a are arranged adjoining a plurality of first heating units 30a of the set of first heating units 22a and adjoining a plurality of second heating units 30a of the set of second heating units 24a.

[0069] In the illustrated example, a third heating unit 32a of the set of third heating units 26a is arranged adjoining three first heating units 30a of the set of first heating units 22a. Moreover, a third heating unit 32a of the set of third heating units 26a is arranged adjoining three second heating units 30a of the set of second heating units 24a.

[0070] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12a has a first heating frequency unit 14a (cf. in particular FIG. 2). The first heating frequency unit 14a in the illustrated example has two inverters 28a. Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12a has a second heating frequency unit 16a. The second heating frequency unit 16a in the illustrated example likewise has two inverters 28a.

[0071] The cooktop apparatus 12a has a plurality of resonance units 52a, wherein in the illustrated example a number of four resonance units 52a is illustrated. The resonance units 52a are electrically connected to all the heating units of the sets of heating units 22a, 24a, 26a. The electrical connections between the heating units of the set of third heating units 26a and the respective resonance units 52a are illustrated in a simplified manner for the sake of clarity. In particular, all the electrical connections between the heating units of the set of third heating units 26a and the respective resonance units 52a are indicated in each case by identical symbols.

[0072] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12a has a switching arrangement 20a. It is possible by means of the switching arrangement 20a to electrically allocate the set of first heating units 22a to the first heating frequency unit 14a. The electrical allocation is performed in each case by means of switch positions of the switching arrangement 20a. For example, it would moreover be conceivable that the allocation is performed intermittently, in particular in a multiplexing operation.

[0073] Moreover, by means of the switching arrangement 20a it is possible to electrically allocate the set of second heating units 24a to the second heating frequency unit 16a.

[0074] Furthermore, by means of the switching arrangement 20a it is possible to electrically allocate the set of third heating units 26a to the first heating frequency unit 14a. Moreover, it is possible by means of the switching arrangement 20a to electrically allocate the set of third heating units 26a to the second heating frequency unit 16a.

[0075] The set of third heating units 26a can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20a to at least two of the heating frequency units 14a, 16a. The set of third heating units 26a can be electrically allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20a to the first heating frequency unit 14a and simultaneously to the second heating frequency unit 16a.

[0076] Moreover, the set of third heating units 26a can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20a to at least two inverters 28a of one of the heating frequency units 14a, 16a.

[0077] The two third heating units 32a of the set of third heating units 26a can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20a simultaneously to different heating frequency units 14a, 16a.

[0078] Moreover, all the sets of heating units 22a, 24a, 26a can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20a to different inverters 28a of the heating frequency units 14a, 16a.

[0079] In the illustrated operating state, the set of third heating units 26a and namely the two third heating units 32a of the set of third heating units 26a is allocated by means of the switching arrangement to the first heating frequency unit 14a.

[0080] The cooktop apparatus 12a moreover has a control unit 48a that is illustrated schematically in FIG. 2. The control unit 48a is provided so as to control the switching arrangement 20a as a function of a cookware configuration. And namely the control unit 48a controls the switching arrangement 20a as a function of the cookware configuration in respect of an allocation of sets of heating units 22a, 24a, 26a to heating frequency units 14a, 16a. In particular, the control unit 48a controls the switching arrangement 20a as a function of the cookware configuration in respect of an allocation of heating units 30a to inverters 28a.

[0081] FIG. 3 illustrates with the aid of different shadings a selection of allocations, which can be performed by means of the switching arrangement 20a, in particular as a function of the cookware configuration, of the heating units 30a, 32a of the sets of heating units 22a, 24a, 26a to the inverters 28a of the heating frequency units 14a, 16a.

[0082] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 100a for operating the cooktop apparatus 12a. The method 100a has in particular a method step 102a and a further method step 104a.

[0083] In the method step 102a, the cooktop apparatus 12a is provided with the first heating frequency unit 14a, with the second heating frequency unit 16a, with the set of first heating units 22a, with the set of second heating units 24a and with the third heating units 26a.

[0084] In the method step 104a, the set of first heating units 22a is electrically allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20a to the first heating frequency unit 14a. Moreover, in the method step 104a the set of second heating units 24a is electrically allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20a to the second heating frequency unit 16a. Moreover, in the method step 104a the set of third heating units 26a is electrically allocated to any one heating frequency unit of the heating frequency units 14a, 16a.

[0085] In FIGS. 5 to 18, eight further exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The following descriptions are essentially restricted to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein with regard to structural parts, features and functions which remain the same, reference can be made to the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular FIGS. 1 to 5. In order to differentiate the exemplary embodiments, the letter a is replaced in the reference characters of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 by the letters b to i in the reference characters of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 18. In relation to components that are referred to identically, in particular in reference to components having identical reference characters, it is possible in principle to refer to the drawings and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular of FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0086] FIG. 5 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12b in a circuit diagram.

[0087] The cooktop apparatus 12b has a set of first heating units 22b. The set of first heating units 22b in the illustrated example has a number of four first heating units 30b.

[0088] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12b has a set of second heating units 24b. The set of second heating units 24b in the illustrated example has a number of four second heating units 30b.

[0089] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12b has a set of third heating units 26b. The set of third heating units 26b in the illustrated example has a number of two third heating units 32b.

[0090] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12b has a first heating frequency unit 14b. The first heating frequency unit 14b in the illustrated example has two inverters 28b. Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12b has a second heating frequency unit 16b. The second heating frequency unit 16b in the illustrated example likewise has two inverters 28b.

[0091] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12b has a switching arrangement 20b. In comparison with the previous exemplary embodiment, the switching arrangement 20b of the present exemplary embodiment moreover has a parallel switching unit 34b. The parallel switching unit 34b has a plurality of parallel switching elements 50b.

[0092] It is possible by means of the switching arrangement 20b, and namely using the parallel switching unit 34b of the switching arrangement 20b, to connect at least two inverters 28b of one of the heating frequency units 14b in parallel.

[0093] The heating units 30b of the set of first heating units 22b can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20b simultaneously to multiple inverters 28b of one of the heating frequency units 14b, 16b.

[0094] And namely the heating units 30b of the set of first heating units 22b can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20b simultaneously to the inverters 28b that are connected in parallel by means of the switching arrangement 20b.

[0095] The heating units 30b of the set of second heating units 24b can likewise be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20b simultaneously to multiple inverters 28b of one of the heating frequency units 14b, 16b.

[0096] And namely the heating units 30b of the set of second heating units 24b can likewise be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20b simultaneously to the inverters 28b that are connected in parallel by means of the switching arrangement 20b.

[0097] FIG. 6 illustrates with the aid of different shadings a selection of allocations, which can be performed by means of the switching arrangement 20b, in particular as a function of a cookware configuration, of the heating units 30b, 32b of the sets of heating units 22b, 24b, 26b to the inverters 28b of the heating frequency units 14b, 16b.

[0098] FIGS. 7a to 7d illustrate a selection of possible operating states, and namely in particular based on different cookware configurations. The allocations, which are illustrated by different shadings, of the heating units 30b, 32b of the sets of heating units 22b, 24b, 26b to the inverters 28b of the heating frequency units 14b, 16b are performed by means of respective switch positions of the switching arrangement 20b, and in particular based on an actuation by the control unit 48b. It is known to the person skilled in the art that in addition to the illustrated selection of cookware configurations, further cookware configurations are possible by means of the switching arrangement 20b.

[0099] FIG. 8 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12c in a circuit diagram.

[0100] The cooktop apparatus 12c has a set of first heating units 22c. The set of first heating units 22c in the illustrated example has two outer heating units 36c. Moreover, the set of first heating units 22c has two inner heating units 38c that are arranged within the outer heating units 36c.

[0101] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12c has a set of second heating units 24c. The set of second heating units 24c in the illustrated example likewise has two outer heating units 36c. Moreover, the set of second heating units 24c likewise has two inner heating units 38c that are arranged within the outer heating units 36c.

[0102] The cooktop apparatus 12c moreover has a first heating frequency unit 14c. The first heating frequency unit 14c in the illustrated example has two inverters 28c. Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12c has a second heating frequency unit 16c. The second heating frequency unit 16c in the illustrated example likewise has two inverters 28c.

[0103] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12c has a switching arrangement 20c. In comparison with the previous exemplary embodiment, by means of the switching arrangement 20c of the present exemplary embodiment moreover the inner heating units 38c and the outer heating units 36c can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20c simultaneously to different inverters 28c of one of the heating frequency units 14c, 16c (cf. in addition FIG. 9).

[0104] FIG. 9 illustrates with the aid of different shadings a further selection of allocations, which can be performed by means of the switching arrangement 20c, in particular as a function of a cookware configuration, of the heating units 30c, 32c of the sets of heating units 22c, 24c, 26c to the inverters 28c of the heating frequency units 14c, 16c.

[0105] FIG. 10 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12d in a circuit diagram.

[0106] The cooktop apparatus 12d has a set of first heating units 22d. The set of first heating units 22d in the illustrated example has a number of four first heating units 30d.

[0107] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12d has a set of second heating units 24d. The set of second heating units 24d in the illustrated example has a number of four second heating units 30d.

[0108] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12d has a set of third heating units 26d. The set of third heating units 26d in the illustrated example has a number of two third heating units 32d.

[0109] The cooktop apparatus 12d moreover has a first heating frequency unit 14d. The first heating frequency unit 14d in the illustrated example has two inverters 28d. Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12d has a second heating frequency unit 16d. The second heating frequency unit 16d in the illustrated example likewise has two inverters 28d.

[0110] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12d has a switching arrangement 20d. In comparison with the previous exemplary embodiments, by means of the switching arrangement 20d of the present exemplary embodiment moreover the set of third heating units 26d can be allocated with the set of first heating units 22d and/or with the set of second heating units 24d to a common inverter 28d of one of the heating frequency units 14d.

[0111] Moreover, by means of the switching arrangement 20d the set of third heating units 26d can be allocated with the set of first heating units 22d to a common inverter 28d of one of the heating frequency units 14d, 16d and can be allocated simultaneously by means of the switching arrangement 20d with the set of second heating units 24d to a common inverter 28d of one of the heating frequency units 14d, 16d.

[0112] FIGS. 11a to 11j illustrate a selection of possible operating states and namely in particular based on different cookware configurations. For the sake of clarity, the illustrations are cut off centrally so that the illustration is provided by way of example in each case with reference to half of a cooktop 10d.

[0113] The allocations, which are illustrated by different shadings, of the heating units 30d, 32d of the sets of heating units 22d, 24d, 26d to the inverters 28d of the heating frequency units 14d, 16d are provided by respective switch positions of the switching arrangement 20d, and in particular based on an actuation by the control unit 48d. It is known to the person skilled in the art that in addition to the illustrated selection of cookware configurations, further cookware configurations are possible by means of the switching arrangement 20d.

[0114] FIG. 12 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12e in a circuit diagram.

[0115] The cooktop apparatus 12e has a set of first heating units 22e. The set of first heating units 22e in the illustrated example has a number of four first heating units 30e.

[0116] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12e has a set of second heating units 24e. The set of second heating units 24e in the illustrated example has a number of four second heating units 30e.

[0117] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12e has a set of third heating units 26e. The set of third heating units 26e in the illustrated example has a number of two third heating units 32e.

[0118] The cooktop apparatus 12e moreover has a first heating frequency unit 14e. The first heating frequency unit 14e in the illustrated example has two inverters 28e. Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12e has a second heating frequency unit 16e. The second heating frequency unit 16e in the illustrated example likewise has two inverters 28e.

[0119] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12e has a switching arrangement 20e. In comparison with the previous exemplary embodiments, by means of the switching arrangement 20e of the present exemplary embodiment moreover in each case at least two heating units 30e, 32e of all the sets of heating units 22e, 24e 26e can be allocated in each case to different inverters 28e of one of the heating frequency units 14e, 16e (cf. also FIG. 13).

[0120] FIG. 14 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12f in a circuit diagram.

[0121] The exemplary embodiment of the cooktop apparatus 12f that is illustrated in FIG. 14 and that comprises a switching arrangement 20f adds the functionality to the cooktop apparatus 12f of the present exemplary embodiment in comparison with the previous exemplary embodiment that by means of the switching arrangement 20f moreover at least two inner heating units 38f of a set of heating units 22f, 24f and at least two outer heating units 36f of a set of heating units 22f, 24f can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20f simultaneously to different inverters 28f of a heating frequency unit 14f, 16f of the cooktop apparatus 12f.

[0122] FIG. 15 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12g in a circuit diagram.

[0123] The cooktop apparatus 12g has a set of first heating units 22g. The set of first heating units 22g in the illustrated example has a number of four first heating units 30g.

[0124] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12g has a set of second heating units 24g. The set of second heating units 24g in the illustrated example has a number of four second heating units 30g.

[0125] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12g has a set of third heating units 26g. The set of third heating units 26g in the illustrated example has a number of two third heating units 32g.

[0126] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12g has a first heating frequency unit 14g. The first heating frequency unit 14g in the illustrated example has two inverters 28g. Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12g has a second heating frequency unit 16g.

[0127] The second heating frequency unit 16g in the illustrated example likewise has two inverters 28g.

[0128] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12g has a switching arrangement 20g.

[0129] The switching arrangement 20g of the present exemplary embodiment in comparison with the previous exemplary embodiments has an additional short-circuit contact that is arranged between one of the inverters 28g of the first heating frequency unit 14g and one of the heating units 30g of the set of first heating units 22g.

[0130] In comparison with the previous exemplary embodiments of the cooktop apparatus 12g, with the switching arrangement 20g of the present exemplary embodiment in each case only three upper heating units 30g of the set of first heating units 22g and/or of the set of second heating units 24g can be allocated together with at least one third heating unit 32g of the set of third heating units 26g to an inverter 28g of one of the heating frequency units 14g, 16g.

[0131] FIG. 16 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12h in a circuit diagram.

[0132] The exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 16, of the cooktop apparatus 12h that has a switching arrangement 20h adds the functionality to the cooktop apparatus 12h of the present exemplary embodiment in comparison with the previous exemplary embodiment that by means of the switching arrangement 20h moreover at least two inner heating units 36h of a set of heating units 22h, 24h and at least two outer heating units 36h of a set of heating units 22h, 24h can be allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20h simultaneously to different inverters 28h of a heating frequency unit 14h, 16h of the cooktop apparatus 12h.

[0133] FIG. 16 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12i in a simplified circuit diagram.

[0134] The exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 16, of the cooktop apparatus 12i that has a switching arrangement 20i provides by means of the switching arrangement 20i in particular a modification of the switching arrangement 20b of the exemplary embodiment of the cooktop apparatus 12b and the switching arrangement 20d of the exemplary embodiment of the cooktop apparatus 12d.

[0135] The cooktop apparatus 12i has a set of first heating units 22i. Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12i has a set of second heating units 24i. Furthermore, the cooktop apparatus 12i has a set of third heating units 26i. The cooktop apparatus 12i moreover has a first heating frequency unit 14i and a second heating frequency unit 16i. The first heating frequency unit 14i and the second heating frequency unit 16i in the illustrated example has in each case two inverters 28i.

[0136] In comparison with the switching arrangement 20b of the exemplary embodiment of the cooktop apparatus 12b, the switching arrangement 20i of the present exemplary embodiment of the cooktop apparatus 12i has two additional switching elements, wherein one of the additional switching elements is arranged electrically between one of the inverters 28i of the first heating frequency unit 14i and the set of third heating units 26i. A further one of the additional switching elements of the switching arrangement 20i is arranged electrically between one of the inverters 28i of the second heating frequency unit 16i and the set of third heating units 26i.

[0137] FIG. 18 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a cooktop apparatus 12j in a circuit diagram.

[0138] The cooktop apparatus 12j has a set of first heating units 22j. The set of first heating units 22j in the illustrated example has a number of four first heating units 30j.

[0139] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12j has a set of second heating units 24j. The set of second heating units 24j in the illustrated example has a number of three second heating units 30j.

[0140] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12j has a set of third heating units 26j. The set of third heating units 26j in the illustrated example has a third heating unit 32j.

[0141] The third heating unit 32j of the set of third heating units 26j is arranged spatially between the first heating units 30j of the set of first heating units 22j and the second heating units 30j of the set of second heating units 24j.

[0142] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12j has a set of fourth heating units 40j. The set of fourth heating units 40j in the illustrated example has a number of four fourth heating units 30j.

[0143] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12j has a set of fifth heating units 42j. The set of fifth heating units 42j in the illustrated example has a fifth heating unit 30j.

[0144] The fifth heating unit 30j of the set of fifth heating units 42j is arranged spatially between the second heating units 30j of the set of second heating units 24j and the fourth heating units 30j of the set of fourth heating units 40j.

[0145] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12j has a first heating frequency unit 14j. The first heating frequency unit 14j in the illustrated example has two inverters 28j. Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12j has a second heating frequency unit 16j. The second heating frequency unit 16j in the illustrated example likewise has two inverters 28j. The cooktop apparatus 12j moreover has a third heating frequency unit 18j. The third heating frequency unit 18j in the illustrated example has likewise two inverters 28j.

[0146] Moreover, the cooktop apparatus 12j has a switching arrangement 20j.

[0147] It is possible by means of the switching arrangement 20j to electrically allocate the set of fourth heating units 18j to the third heating frequency unit. The set of fifth heating units 42j can be electrically allocated by means of the switching arrangement 20j to the second heating frequency unit 16j and/or to the third heating frequency unit 18j.

[0148] In particular, the features that are described above for the set of first heating units, the set of second heating units and the set of third heating units apply in a similar manner for the set of fourth heating units 40j and the set of fifth heating units 42j. FIG. 18 illustrates with the aid of different shadings a further selection of allocations, which can be performed by means of the switching arrangement 20j, in particular as a function of a cooking configuration, of the heating units 30j, 32j of the sets of heating units 22j, 24j, 26j, 40j, 42j to the inverters 28j of the heating frequency units 14j, 16j, 18j.

[0149] In particular, modifications of all the exemplary embodiments are conceivable, which alternatively or in addition have individual or all functionalities of the in each case other exemplary embodiments, by means of alternative or additional implementations of the respective switching arrangements 20a-j of the in each case other exemplary embodiments. In this regard, it is conceivable that modifications of the exemplary embodiments alternatively or in addition have a selection of, or all, switching elements of the respective switching arrangements 20a-j of the in each case other exemplary embodiments.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0150] 10 Cooktop [0151] 12 Cooktop apparatus [0152] 14 First heating frequency unit [0153] 16 Second heating frequency unit [0154] 18 Third heating frequency unit [0155] 20 Switching arrangement [0156] 22 Set of first heating units [0157] 24 Set of second heating units [0158] 26 Set of third heating units [0159] 28 Inverter [0160] 30 Heating unit [0161] 32 Third heating unit [0162] 34 Parallel switching unit [0163] 36 Outer heating unit [0164] 38 Inner heating unit [0165] 40 Set of fourth heating units [0166] 42 Set of fifth heating units [0167] 44 Main extent [0168] 46 Depth direction [0169] 48 Control unit [0170] 50 Parallel switching element [0171] 52 Resonance unit [0172] 100 Method [0173] 102 Method step [0174] 104 Further method step