CONTROL DEVICE FOR A MODULAR HOB SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular hob system includes a control device for controlling all components of the hob system.

Claims

1. A modular hob system, comprising: at least one hob; at least one control device, with at least one interface for connecting the at least one hob; and at least one user interface having a removable operating knob for operating the at least one control device, the removable operating knob having different functionalities depending on its relative position with respect to the at least one control device, wherein the operating knob comprises display elements, which appear different depending on the relative position of the operating knob with respect to the at least one control device.

2. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating knob is configured to automatically identify which component of the hob system can be controlled in the respective position.

3. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the operating knob is configured to display different items of information about the operating state of the components that can be controlled in the respective position.

4. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a touch-sensitive screen.

5. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one user interface is connected to the at least one control device via a wireless interface.

6. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one control device comprises at least one receiver module for controlling the functions of the at least one control device by means of a wireless remote control.

7. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 5, wherein components linked to the at least one control device wirelessly are automatically identified by means of a software coding.

8. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 6, wherein components linked to the at least one control device wirelessly are automatically identified by means of a software coding.

9. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one fume extractor apparatus.

10. The modular hob system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one control device is configured for controlling all components of the hob system.

11. A control device for a hob system, the control device comprising: at least one interface for connecting at least one hob; and at least one user interface having a removable operating knob for operating the control device, the removable operating knob having different functionalities depending on its relative position with respect to the control device, wherein the operating knob comprises display elements, which appear different depending on the relative position of the operating knob with respect to the control device.

12. The control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one user interface is connected to the control device via a wireless interface.

13. The control device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising at least one receiver module for controlling the functions of the control device by means of a wireless remote control.

14. The control device as claimed in claim 12, wherein components linked to the control device wirelessly are automatically identified by means of a software coding.

15. The control device as claimed in claim 13, wherein components linked to the control device wirelessly are automatically identified by means of a software coding.

16. An operating knob for operating a control device for a hob system, the operating knob comprising an operating knob structure, wherein the operating knob structure is configured to be removable from the control device, the operating knob structure having different functionalities depending on its relative position with respect to the control device, wherein the operating knob structure comprises display elements, which appear different depending on the relative position of the operating knob structure with respect to the control device.

17. The operating knob as claimed in claim 16, wherein the operating knob structure is configured to automatically identify which component of the hob system can be controlled in the respective position.

18. The operating knob as claimed in claim 17, wherein the operating knob structure is configured to display different items of information about the operating state of the components that can be controlled in the respective position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0113] In the drawings:

[0114] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the constituents of a modular hob system with a central control device;

[0115] FIG. 2 is a schematic view from above of a modular hob system with two hob units, a fume extractor apparatus and a control device;

[0116] FIG. 3 is a view in accordance with FIG. 2 with three hob units, two fume extractor apparatuses and a control device;

[0117] FIG. 4 is a perspective view that schematically shows a hob system integrated into an item of furniture with two hob units, a fume extractor apparatus and a separate control device; and

[0118] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the constituents of a modular hob system with a central control device in accordance with one alternative.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0119] Various details of a hob system 1 are described below with reference to the figures

[0120] FIG. 1 shows very schematically the basic construction of the hob system 1. The hob system 1 comprises a central control device 2. The control device 2 has a multiplicity of interfaces 3. It is connected to further components, in particular hobs 5, in a signal-transmitting manner by means of control lines 4.

[0121] The hob system 1 comprises in particular a plurality of hobs 5. The hobs 5 can be glass ceramic hobs, radiant element hobs, induction hobs, teppan hobs, gas hobs, in particular E-gas hobs, grill hobs, griddles or other hobs. A deep fat fryer or a sous vide unit can also be involved. The hobs 5 are preferably electric hobs, i.e. hobs which convert electrical energy directly or indirectly into heat.

[0122] Moreover, the hob system 1 comprises a fume extractor apparatus 6. The fume extractor apparatus 6 is a downdraft extractor fan, in particular.

[0123] In principle, the hob system 1 can also comprise further elements or units. It is possible in principle, for example, to connect an oven and/or a steamer and/or a microwave appliance and/or an automatic coffee machine and/or further electrical appliances, for example a refrigerator, a freezer, a kettle or lighting, to the control device 2.

[0124] The control device 2 comprises in particular sensors that can be used to detect whether and respectively to which interfaces 3 hobs 5 or fume extractor apparatuses 6 or other appliances are connected. The sensors can be used in particular to detect what kind of hobs 5 is involved here.

[0125] For operating the control device 2 an operating unit 7 is provided. The operating unit 7 is connected to the control device 2 in a data-transmitting manner.

[0126] The operating unit 7 can comprise one or more touch-sensitive sensors, in particular one or more touch-sensitive screens 9, in particular thin film transistor displays (TFT displays).

[0127] The display of the touch-sensitive screen 9 can be designed depending on the hobs 5 and/or fume extractor apparatuses 6 connected to the control device 2. Preferably, the control device 2 is configured in such a way that the touch-sensitive screen 9, that is to say the display thereof, adapts automatically to the appliances that are in each case actually connected to the control device 2.

[0128] The touch-sensitive screen 9 can also be used for displaying further information and/or signals. It is possible, for example, to use the touch-sensitive screen 9 as a display for consumer electronics appliances, for example for displaying films, in particular as a TV screen. The appliances provided for this purpose can also be connected to the control device 2. As an alternative thereto, they can be connected directly to the touch-sensitive screen 9.

[0129] The operating unit 7 can also be operable by means of one or more operating knobs 8. The operating knobs 8 can be removable, in particular. The operating knob 8 can have different functionalities in particular depending on its relative position with respect to the control device 2.

[0130] As is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hob system 1 can comprise different hobs 5. The hob system 1 can also comprise a plurality of identical hobs 5.

[0131] The hob system 1 can also comprise a plurality of fume extractor apparatuses 6. The latter, too, can all be controllable by means of the control device 2. As is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 (on the right), the control device 2 can be integrated into one of the fume extractor apparatuses 6. It is also possible for the fume extractor apparatus 6 to be configured as controller-free and to be connected to the control device 2 in a signal-transmitting manner by means of a control line 4 for control purposes (FIG. 3, on the left).

[0132] The joint control of the fume extractor apparatus 6 and of the hobs 5 by means of the control device 2 makes it possible to couple the control of the fume extractor apparatus 6 to that of the hobs 5.

[0133] The hobs 5 can be configured in particular in each case without a dedicated, separate control device, in particular without control electronics. The hobs 5 are configured in particular as controller-free. They can be configured in particular as non-autonomous, non-independent. In this case, they must be connected to the control device 2 for the purpose of operation, i.e. be connected to the control device 2 in a signal-transmitting manner.

[0134] As a result of the controller-free configuration of the hobs 5, a temperature influence on the operational control thereof is avoided. Moreover, adverse effects resulting from moisture and/or electromagnetic interference can be avoided as a result.

[0135] The hobs 5 can be free of operating panels, in particular. The flexibility of the arrangement of cooking zones 10 on the hobs 5 is increased as a result. The cooking zones 10 can be arranged in particular substantially in the entire region of the hobs 5. It is possible, in particular, to configure the hobs 5 with cooking zones 10 substantially over the whole area. The cooking zones 10 can occupy in particular an area of more than 50%, in particular more than 60%, in particular more than 70%, in particular more than 80%, in particular more than 90%, in particular more than 95%, of the total area of one of the hobs 5.

[0136] The hob system 1, in particular the hobs 5, are configured modularly, in particular.

[0137] The hobs 5 are controlled in particular exclusively and/or completely by means of the control device 2. For this purpose, they are connected to the control device 2 in a signal-transmitting manner by means of the control lines 4.

[0138] The control lines 4 can simultaneously also serve for the power supply of the hobs 5. As an alternative thereto, the hobs 5 can have separate power lines, in particular connection plugs.

[0139] As is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3, the control device 2 can be integrated into the module of the fume extractor apparatus 6. The control device 2 and the fume extractor apparatus 6 can be integrated in particular in a common mounting unit. In this case, it is possible to dispense with a separate interface 3, in particular a separate control line 4 between the control device 2 and the fume extractor apparatus 6.

[0140] As an alternative thereto, the control device 2 can be configured as a separate module. This is illustrated schematically and by way of example in FIG. 4.

[0141] A configuration of the control device 2 as a separate module makes it possible to arrange the control device 2, in particular the operating unit 7, at a distance from the hobs 5 and/or the fume extractor apparatus 6.

[0142] As is likewise illustrated in FIG. 4, the operating knob 8 can be removable.

[0143] An arrangement of the hob system 1 in a worktop 11 on a kitchen base cabinet 12 is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 4. Ventilation channels for leading away the cooking fumes are not illustrated in more specific detail in FIG. 4. For corresponding details and further features of the fume extractor apparatus 6, reference should be made in particular to DE 10 2009 025 038 A1 and DE 10 2007 002 241 A1, the entire contents of each of the references are hereby incorporated in the present application by reference.

[0144] The configuration of the hobs 5 without a controller makes it possible in particular to construct said hobs with an extremely small structural height. The structural height or installation depth of the hobs 5 can be in particular less than 10 cm, in particular less than 5 cm, in particular less than 3 cm, in particular less than 2 cm, in particular less than 1 cm.

[0145] FIG. 5 schematically shows the basic construction of the hob system 1 in accordance with one alternative. The control device 2 is connected to a power supply unit 13 via extra-low-voltage lines 14. The power supply unit 13 is connected to the electrical power supply system 16 by a power supply system connection line 15 and supplies the control device 2 with power, in particular in the extra-low-voltage range. The power supply unit 13 thus decouples the power circuit from the control circuit. The control device 2 is connected to external sensors 17 via control lines. External sensors 17 can be used for example for monitoring the temperatures of the hobs 5, for identifying pots or for identifying a window position. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 2 has internal sensors 18. Internal sensors 18 are used, inter alia, for detecting the grease filter position.

[0146] The internal sensors 18 can also be used for temperature monitoring. Overheating of the hob system can be reliably prevented as a result.

[0147] A further consumer 19 is connected to the control device 2 and is connected to the electrical power supply system 16. The consumer 19 can be lighting. The control device 2 furthermore comprises a user interface 20 in the form of a touch-sensitive TFT screen. Consumer 19 and hobs 5 are connected to the control device 2 via a control connection 21 and to the electrical power supply system 16 via a power supply system connection 22. Consumer 19 and hobs 5 can alternatively be connected to further energy sources 23 via energy lines 24 and an energy connection 25. By way of example, the hob 5 is a gas hob and the energy source 23 is a gas connection.

[0148] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.