COOKING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A COOKING DEVICE

Abstract

A cooking device includes a light unit and an insulation unit configured to electrically insulate the light unit. The insulation unit includes a first insulation element and a second insulation element, with the light unit being at least partially arranged between the first insulation element and the second insulation element.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A cooking device, comprising: a light unit; and an insulation unit configured to electrically insulate the light unit and including a first insulation element a second insulation element, said light unit being at least partially arranged between the first and second insulation elements.

14. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second insulation elements is embodied in flat form with a maximum material thickness of at most 2 mm.

15. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein the light unit is configured to include a light element, at least one of the first and second insulation elements, and a light recess assigned to the light element.

16. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second insulation elements is in contact with the light unit.

17. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein the first and second insulation elements are arranged at least essentially parallel to each other.

18. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second insulation elements is embodied in one piece.

19. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein the first and second insulation elements are embodied at least essentially in a structurally identical manner to each other.

20. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second insulation elements is embodied at least partially from mica.

21. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein the light unit comprises a support element, which is embodied in at least partially strip-like form, and a multiplicity of light elements, which are arranged on the support element.

22. The cooking device of claim 13, further comprising a further light unit, which is embodied at least essentially in a structurally identical manner to the light unit.

23. A cooking appliance, comprising a cooking device, said cooking device comprising a light unit, and an insulation unit configured to electrically insulate the light unit and including a first insulation element a second insulation element, said light unit being at least partially arranged between the first and second insulation elements.

24. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second insulation elements is embodied in flat form with a maximum material thickness of at most 2 mm.

25. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein the light unit is configured to include a light element, at least one of the first and second insulation elements, and a light recess assigned to the light element.

26. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second insulation elements is in contact with the light unit.

27. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein the first and second insulation elements are arranged at least essentially parallel to each other.

28. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second insulation elements is embodied in one piece.

29. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein the first and second insulation elements are embodied at least essentially in a structurally identical manner to each other.

30. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second insulation elements is embodied at least partially from mica.

31. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein the light unit comprises a support element, which is embodied in at least partially strip-like form, and a multiplicity of light elements, which are arranged on the support element.

32. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein the cooking device includes a further light unit, which is embodied at least essentially in a structurally identical manner to the light unit.

33. A method for production of a cooking device, said method comprising arranging a light unit at least partially between at least two insulation elements of an insulation unit.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising configuring at least one of the two insulation elements in flat form with a maximum material thickness of at most 2 mm.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising configuring the light unit to include a light element, at least one of the two insulation elements, and a light recess assigned to the light element.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising establishing a contact of at least one of the two insulation elements with the light unit.

37. The method of claim 33, further comprising arranging the two insulation elements at least essentially parallel to each other.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising forming at least one of the two insulation elements in one piece.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the two insulation elements are embodied at least essentially in a structurally identical manner to each other.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of the two insulation elements is embodied at least partially from mica.

41. The method of claim 33, further comprising arranging a multiplicity of light elements on an at least partially strip-like support element of the light unit.

Description

[0019] Wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a cooking appliance embodied as a cooktop with a cooking device viewed from above,

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a part of the cooking device viewed from above,

[0022] FIG. 3 shows an insulation unit and a light unit of the cooking device in a perspective view and

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of a light recess of the insulation unit, which surrounds a light element of the light unit.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a cooking appliance 30 viewed from above. The cooking appliance 30 is embodied as a cooktop. The cooking appliance 30 is by way of example embodied as an induction cooktop. The cooking appliance 30 is provided for heating cookware by means of induction. A cooking appliance can alternatively be embodied as a resistance cooktop, a radiation cooktop and/or gas cooktop. The cooking appliance 30 comprises a cooktop hotplate 34, upon which the cookware to be heated can be arranged.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the cooking appliance 30 with cooktop hotplate 34 removed, viewed from above. The cooking appliance 30 comprises a cooking device. The cooking device comprises a housing unit 40. The housing unit 40 is embodied as an accommodation housing. The housing unit 40 is provided to accommodate at least a majority of the components required for operation of the cooking device.

[0026] The cooking device comprises at least one heating unit 36 (cf. also FIG. 1). The heating unit 36 is arranged in the housing unit 40. The heating unit 36 is arranged underneath the cooktop hotplate 34. The heating unit 36 is arranged above a mounting and/or shield plate 50. The heating unit 36 is connected to the mounting and/or shield plate 50 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner. In the present case the mounting and/or shield plate 50 is manufactured from aluminum. The heating unit 36 is provided to heat cookware, which is arranged on the cooktop hotplate 34, by means of heat energy. In the present case the heating unit 36 has a multiplicity of induction heating elements, which are not shown here. These are arranged above the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The induction heating elements are connected to the mounting and/or shield plate 50 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner.

[0027] The cooking device comprises an electronics unit 38. The electronics unit 38 is arranged in the housing unit 40. The electronics unit 38 is arranged partially underneath the heating unit 36. The electronics unit 38 is arranged underneath the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The electronics unit 38 is at least partially electrically connected to the heating unit 36 at least by means of electrical cables. The electronics unit 38 is provided for a control and/or regulation function, for an operating function performed by a user and/or for a sensor function. The electronics unit 38 is embodied as a control- and/or regulation unit, as an operating unit and/or as a sensor unit.

[0028] The cooking device comprises at least one light unit 10 (cf. FIG. 2). The light unit 10 is arranged in the housing unit 40. The light unit 10 is partially arranged between the electronics unit 38 and the heating unit 36. The light unit 10 is arranged underneath the heating unit 36. The light unit 10 is arranged underneath the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The light unit 10 is provided for an illumination function. The light unit 10 is provided for a display function. The light unit 10 is provided to display cooking parameters of the cooktop.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally a light unit can be provided for indication of an activity of a cooking device, in particular of a cooktop and/or of induction heating elements, for the indication of cooking parameters and/or for illumination for the purposes of the design appeal of a cooking device, in particular of a cooktop for example in a standby mode and/or in a heating operational status.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a part of the cooking device. For an illumination function the light unit 10 has at least one light element 18. The light element 18 is provided for illumination of the cooktop. The light element 18 is embodied as a Light-Emitting Diode (LED). The light element 18 emits light in an optically visible wavelength range, for example in the red wavelength range between 630 nm and 650 nm and/or a blue wavelength range between 450 nm and 470 nm. The light element 18 shines through the cooktop hotplate 34. Alternatively a light element could also be embodied as a halogen lamp, gas discharge lamp and/or incandescent lamp.

[0031] The light unit 10 comprises additional light elements. The additional light elements are embodied in a structurally identical manner to the light element 18. The description of the light element 18 can thus be transferred to the additional light elements, for which reason a further description of the additional light elements can be dispensed with.

[0032] The light unit 10 comprises at least one support element 22. The support element 22 is provided to support the light element 18 and the additional light elements. The support element 22 is provided to arrange the light element 18 and the additional light elements at a uniform distance. The support element 22 is connected to the light element 18 and a multiplicity of the additional light elements in a bonded manner. In the present case the support element 22 is connected to the light element 18 and to at least four additional light elements. In the present case the support element 22 is connected to five light elements. In the present case, five light elements are arranged on the support element 22. The support element 22 is embodied in longitudinal form and has a longitudinal extension. The support element 22 is embodied in a strip-like form. The support element 22 is partially embodied from a flexible and partially from a rigid material. The support element 22 is partially embodied from an insulating material. The support element 22 is embodied from an epoxy resin. In addition, the support element 22 is partially embodied from a conductive material. The support element 22 is partially embodied from copper. The support element 22 is embodied as a printed circuit board (PCB). Alternatively, the support element can be connected to more than five light elements or fewer than five light elements, wherein the light elements could be arranged with an irregular spacing and embodied from a different conductive material, such as for example iron or aluminum, and from another insulating material, such as for example mica. It is further conceivable to manufacture a support element completely from an elastic or inelastic material. It is also conceivable to embody a support element in a flat form.

[0033] The cooking device has at least one further light unit 24. The further light unit 24 comprises at least one further light element 20 and additional further light elements embodied in a structurally identical manner to the further light element 20, and a further support element 32. The further light unit 24 is embodied in a structurally identical manner to the light unit 10. The description of the light unit 10 can thus be transferred to the further light unit 24, for which reason a further description of the further light unit 24 can be dispensed with.

[0034] The light unit 10 and the further light unit 24 are arranged mirror-symmetrically relative to each other. The light unit 10 and the further light unit 24 are arranged parallel to each other. Alternatively, the light units could be embodied in flat form and arranged perpendicularly to each other and/or enclose an angle diverging from a perpendicular arrangement to each other. It is also conceivable to arrange light units at least partially one above the other and/or embody light units differing from each other.

[0035] In addition a cooking device can have at least two additional or a multiplicity of light units, in particular embodied in a structurally identical manner to the light unit 10, wherein additional light units in particular can be embodied parallel to the light unit 10 and viewed in an installation position arranged vertically and preferably horizontally offset relative to this. In addition, additional light units can be arranged parallel to and/or perpendicular to and at an angle diverging from a right angle relative to each other and in particular embodied in a structurally non-identical manner to each other.

[0036] The cooking device has an insulation unit 12. The insulation unit 12 is arranged in the housing unit 40. The insulation unit 12 is arranged between the electronics unit 38 and the heating unit 36 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2). The insulation unit 12 is arranged underneath the heating unit 36. The insulation unit 12 is arranged underneath the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The insulation unit 12 is arranged around the light unit 10. The insulation unit 12 is in contact with the light unit 10 from two oppositely facing sides. The insulation unit 12 is provided to electrically insulate the light unit 10. The insulation unit 12 is provided to insulate the light unit 10 electrically from the electronics unit 38. The insulation unit 12 is provided to insulate the light unit 10 electrically from the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The insulation unit 12 is provided for thermal insulation of the light unit 10. For electrical insulation of the light unit 10 the insulation unit 12 comprises two insulation elements 14, 16, in particular a first insulation element 14 and a second insulation element 16.

[0037] In addition a cooking device can have additional insulation units embodied in a structurally identical manner to the insulation unit 12, wherein additional insulation units in particular are embodied parallel to the insulation unit 12 and viewed in an installation position can be arranged vertically and/or preferably horizontally offset relative to this. In addition, additional insulation units can in particular be embodied in a structurally non-identical manner to each other and/or to the insulation unit 12 and differ, for example in the number and/or form of structural recesses and/or of light recesses, in their material and/or a dimension.

[0038] The first insulation element 14 has an at least essentially rectangular profile. The first insulation element 14 is embodied in flat form. The first insulation element 14 is embodied in pancake design. The first insulation element 14 is embodied as a disk. The first insulation element 14 is manufactured from an electrically insulating material. The first insulation element 14 is manufactured from a sheet silicate. The first insulation element 14 is manufactured from mica. The first insulation element 14 is embodied in one piece and in each case produced from a single piece of material. The first insulation element 14 has a material thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. The first insulation element 14 has a structural recess 44. In the present case the structural recess 44 is embodied as a circular structural recess 44. The structural recess 44 is embodied as an opening. The structural recess 44 is provided at least to surround mechanical components of the cooking device, which are not shown here, for easier assembly when assembling the first insulation element 14. The first insulation element 14 has further structural recesses, which are embodied in a structurally identical manner to the structural recess 44 and are arranged along a main extension direction 48 of the first insulation elements 14.

[0039] The first insulation element 14 is arranged in the housing unit 40 (cf. FIG. 2). The first insulation element 14 is arranged between the heating unit 36 and the electronics unit 38. The first insulation element 14 is arranged underneath the heating unit 36. The first insulation element 14 is arranged underneath the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The first insulation element 14 is arranged above the electronics unit 38. The first insulation element 14 is arranged underneath the light unit 10. The first insulation element 14 is provided to electrically insulate the light unit 10 from a lower area of the cooking device. The first insulation element 14 is provided to electrically insulate the light unit 10 from the electronics unit 38. The first insulation element 14 is in contact with the light unit 10 in a peripheral area of the first insulation element 14. The first insulation element 14 is connected to the light unit 10 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner. The first insulation element 14 is arranged underneath the support element 22. The first insulation element 14 is in contact with the support element 22. The first insulation element 14 is in contact with the support element 22 in a peripheral area of the first insulation element 14. The first insulation element 14 is connected to the support element 22 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner. The first insulation element 14 is provided to electrically insulate the support element 22 from a lower area of the cooking device.

[0040] The first insulation element 14 is arranged underneath the further light unit 24. The first insulation element 14 is provided to electrically insulate the further light unit 24 from the lower area of the cooking device. The first insulation element 14 is provided to electrically insulate the further light unit 24 from the electronics unit 38. The first insulation element 14 is in contact with the further light unit 24 in a further peripheral area of the first insulation element 14 lying opposite to the peripheral area. The first insulation element 14 is connected to the further light unit 24 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner. The first insulation element 14 is arranged underneath the further support element 32 of the further light unit 24. The first insulation element 14 is in contact with the further support element 32. The first insulation element 14 is in contact with the further support element 32 in a further peripheral area of the first insulation element 14 lying opposite to the peripheral area. The first insulation element 14 is connected to the further support element 32 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner.

[0041] The second insulation element 16 is largely embodied in a structurally identical manner to the first insulation element 14. The second insulation element 16 has at least essentially a rectangular profile. The second insulation element 16 is embodied in flat form. The second insulation element 16 is embodied in pancake design. The second insulation element 16 is embodied as a disk. The second insulation element 16 is manufactured from an electrically insulating material. The second insulation element 16 is manufactured from a sheet silicate. The second insulation element 16 is manufactured from mica. The second insulation element 16 is embodied in one piece and in each case produced from a single piece of material. The second insulation element 16 has a material thickness between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm. The second insulation element 16 in each case has a further structural recess 46. In the present case the further structural recess 46 is embodied as a circular structural recess. The structural recess 46 is embodied as an opening. The structural recess 46 is provided at least to surround mechanical components of the cooking device, which are not shown here, for easier assembly when assembling the first insulation element 16. In addition the second insulation element 16 has additional further structural recesses, which are embodied in structurally identical form to the further structural recess 46 and are arranged along the main extension direction 48.

[0042] The second insulation element 16 is arranged in the housing unit 40 (cf. FIG. 2). The second insulation element 16 is arranged between the heating unit 36 and the electronics unit 38. The second insulation element 16 is arranged underneath the heating unit 36. The second insulation element 16 is arranged underneath the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The second insulation element 16 is arranged above the electronics unit 38. The second insulation element 16 is arranged above the light unit 10. The second insulation element 16 is provided to electrically insulate the light unit 10 from an upper area of the cooking device. The second insulation element 16 is provided to electrically insulate the light unit 10 from the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The second insulation element 16 is in contact with the light unit 10 in a peripheral area of the second insulation element 16. The second insulation element 16 is connected to the light unit 10 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner. The second insulation element 16 is arranged above the support element 22. The second insulation element 16 is in contact with the support element 22. The second insulation element 16 is connected to the support element 22 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner. The second insulation element 16 is arranged above the first insulation element 14. The second insulation element 16 is arranged parallel to the first insulation element 14.

[0043] The second insulation element 16 is arranged above the further light unit 24 (cf. FIG. 3). The second insulation element 16 is provided to electrically insulate the further light unit 24 from the upper area of the cooking device. The second insulation element 16 is provided to electrically insulate the further light unit 24 from the mounting and/or shield plate 50. The second insulation element 16 is in contact with the further light unit 24 in a further peripheral area of the second insulation element 16 lying opposite to the peripheral area. The second insulation element 16 is connected to the further light unit 24 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner. The second insulation element 16 is arranged above the further support element 32 of the further light unit 24. The second insulation element 16 is in contact with the further support element 32. The second insulation element 16 is connected to the further support element 32 in a force- and/or form-fitted manner.

[0044] The two insulation elements 14, 16 surround the light unit 10 at least from two oppositely facing sides of the light unit 10. The two insulation elements 14, 16 surround the light unit 10 at least in a peripheral area of the insulation unit 12. The two insulation elements 14, 16 surround the further light unit 24 from at least two oppositely facing sides of the further light unit 24. The two insulation elements 14, 16 surround the further light unit 24 at least in a further peripheral area of the insulation unit 12 lying opposite to the peripheral area.

[0045] The second insulation element 16 has a light recess 26. The light recess 26 is arranged in the peripheral area of the second insulation element 16. As the detail view in FIG. 4 shows, the light recess 26 has a profile which is matched to a profile of the light element 18 of the light unit 10, for example in particular in terms of shape and/or diameter. The light recess 26 is assigned to the light element 18. The light recess 26 surrounds the light element 18. The light recess 26 is provided to allow the passage of light energy from the light element 18 for an illumination function of the cooking device. Alternatively, a light recess can be arranged at a distance from a light element. Additionally, the profile of light recesses may not be matched to a light element. A second insulation element could further be devoid of light recesses and have transparent areas for the light from a light element.

[0046] The second insulation element 16 has a further light recess 28. The further light recess 28 is arranged in the further peripheral area of the second insulation element 16. The further light recess 28 is embodied in structurally identical form to the light recess 26. The further light recess 28 is assigned to the further light element 20 of the further light unit 24. The second insulation element 16 has additional further light recesses, which are in each case assigned to an additional further light element of the further light unit 24. According to FIG. 4 the profiles of the additional further light recesses are matched to profiles of the additional further light elements of the further light unit 24.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0047] 10 Light unit [0048] 12 Insulation unit [0049] 14 First insulation element [0050] 16 Second insulation element [0051] 18 Light element [0052] 20 Light element [0053] 22 Support element [0054] 24 Light unit [0055] 26 Light recess [0056] 28 Light recess [0057] 30 Cooking appliance [0058] 32 Support element [0059] 34 Cooktop hotplate [0060] 36 Heating unit [0061] 38 Electronics unit [0062] 40 Housing unit [0063] 44 Structural recess [0064] 46 Structural recess [0065] 48 Main extension direction [0066] 50 Mounting and/or shield plate