Cooktop device

Abstract

A cooktop device includes at least one heater arrangement, and at least one control unit configured to define in at least one operating mode a number of virtual heating zones with different heat output densities depending on a size of the cookware. The virtual heating zones are formed by adjacently arranged heating elements of the heater arrangement of a number or size sufficient to heat the cookware.

Claims

1. A cooktop device, comprising: at least one heater arrangement; and at least one control unit configured to define in at least one operating mode a number of virtual heating zones, each of the number of virtual heating zones having substantially the same size which depends on a size of the cookware, the virtual heating zones being formed by adjacently arranged heating elements of the heater arrangement of a number or size sufficient to heat the cookware, wherein the control unit is configured to assign in at least one operating mode different heat output densities to the virtual heating zones, the control unit assigning a higher heat output density to one of the virtual heating zones which is arranged in a region facing an operator, than to another one of the virtual heating zones which is arranged in a region facing away from an operator.

2. The cooktop device of claim 1, constructed in the form of an induction cooktop device.

3. The cooktop device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to assign in the at least one operating mode a first heat output density to a first one of the virtual heating zones, and to define as a function of the first heat output density a heat output density of a further one of the virtual heating zones, which density heat output density of the further one of the virtual heating zones differs from the first heat output density of the first one of the virtual heating zones.

4. The cooktop device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to operate in at least one operating mode the virtual heating zones in a position-dependent manner with predefined heat output densities which differ from one another.

5. The cooktop device of claim 1, further comprising an operating unit operably connected to the control unit, said control unit being configured to change between the at least one operating mode and at least one further operating mode as a function of a control input by the operating unit.

6. The cooktop device of claim 1, wherein the heater arrangement has at least three heating elements.

7. The cooktop device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the heating elements form a variable cooktop area.

8. The cooktop device of claim 7, wherein the heating elements that form the variable cooktop area are arranged in a single row.

9. A cooktop, comprising: a cooktop device which includes at least one heater arrangement, and at least one control unit configured to define in at least one operating mode a number of virtual heating zones, each of the number of virtual heating zones having substantially the same size which depends on a size of the cookware, the virtual heating zones being formed by adjacently arranged heating elements of the heater arrangement of a number or size sufficient to heat the cookware, wherein the control unit is configured to assign in at least one operating mode different heat output densities to the virtual heating zones, the control unit assigning a higher heat output density to one of the virtual heating zones which is arranged in a region facing an operator, than to another one of the virtual heating zones which is arranged in a region facing away from an operator.

10. The cooktop of claim 9, wherein the cooktop device is constructed in the form of an induction cooktop device.

11. The cooktop of claim 9, wherein the control unit is configured to assign in the at least one operating mode a first heat output density to a first one of the virtual heating zones, and to define as a function of the first heat output density a heat output density of a further one of the virtual heating zones, which density heat output density of the further one of the virtual heating zones differs from the first heat output density of the first one of the virtual heating zones.

12. The cooktop of claim 9, wherein the control unit is configured to operate in at least one operating mode the virtual heating zones in a position-dependent manner with predefined heat output densities which differ from one another.

13. The cooktop of claim 9, wherein the cooktop device includes an operating unit operably connected to the control unit, said control unit being configured to change between the at least one operating mode and at least one further operating mode as a function of a control input by the operating unit.

14. The cooktop of claim 9, wherein the heater arrangement has at least three heating elements.

15. The cooktop of claim 9, wherein at least some of the heating elements form a variable cooktop area.

16. The cooktop of claim 15, wherein the heating elements that form the variable cooktop area are arranged in a single row.

17. A method for operating a cooktop device, the method comprising: defining in at least one operating mode of the cooktop device a number of virtual heating zones, each of the number of virtual heating zones having substantially the same size which depends on a size of a cookware, with the virtual heating zones being formed by adjacently arranged heating elements of a heater arrangement of a number or size sufficient to heat the cookware, assigning different heat output densities to the virtual heating zones, a higher heat output density being assigned to one of the virtual heating zones which is arranged in a region facing an operator, than to another one of the virtual heating zones which is arranged in a region facing away from an operator.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising assigning in the at least one operating mode a first heat output density to a first one of the virtual heating zones, and defining as a function of the first heat output density a heat output density of a further one of the virtual heating zones, which density heat output density of the further one of the virtual heating zones differs from the first heat output density of the first one of the virtual heating zones.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising operating in at least one operating mode the virtual heating zones in a position-dependent manner with predefined heat output densities which differ from one another.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising changing between the at least one operating mode and at least one further operating mode as a function of a control input by an operating unit.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the heater arrangement has at least three heating elements.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein at least some of the heating elements form a variable cooktop area.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the heating elements that form the variable cooktop area are arranged in a single row.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages result from the description of the drawings below. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them to form further meaningful combinations,

(2) in which:

(3) FIG. 1 shows an inventive cooktop with an inventive cooktop device in a schematic top view, wherein a first piece of cookware is shown in a first position,

(4) FIG. 2 shows an inventive cooktop with the inventive cooktop device from FIG. 1 in a schematic top view, wherein a second piece of cookware is shown in a first position,

(5) FIG. 3 shows the inventive cooktop with the inventive cooktop device from FIG. 2 in a schematic top view, wherein the second piece of cookware is shown in a second position,

(6) FIG. 4 shows the inventive cooktop with the inventive cooktop device from FIG. 1 in a schematic top view, wherein a third piece of cookware is shown in a first position and

(7) FIG. 5 shows the inventive cooktop with the inventive cooktop device from FIG. 5 in a schematic top view, wherein the third piece of cookware is shown in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(8) FIGS. 1 to 5 show in each case an inventive cooktop 24, which is embodied as an induction cooktop, having an inventive cooktop device 10, which is embodied as an induction cooktop device. The cooktop device 10 has a base body 28 for positioning pieces of cookware 14. The base body 28 forms a cooktop. The cooktop device 10 comprises two heater arrangements 26. Each of the heater arrangements 26 comprises four heating elements 12 to heat positioned cookware 14, which are arranged adjacent to one another. For the sake of clarity, FIGS. 1 to 5 show in each case only one of the heating elements 12 with a reference character. The heating elements 12, which are embodied as induction heating elements, are arranged below the base body 28. The heating elements 12 are provided in each case to heat a piece of cookware 14 positioned on the base body 28 above the heating elements 12. The heating elements 12 are embodied as elongated heating elements 12. Each heating element 12 has a longitudinal extension 30, which is larger than a transverse extension 32 of the heating element 12.

(9) Four of the heating elements 12 form a variable cooktop area 22 in each case. The four heating elements 12 of one of the heater arrangements 26 form a variable cooktop area 22 here. Each heater arrangement 26 forms one of the variable cooktop areas 22. The two variable cooktop areas 22 are arranged adjacent to one another. A first of the variable cooktop areas 22 is arranged on a first side of the base body 28. A second of the variable cooktop areas 22 is arranged on a second side of the base body 28, which faces the first side. The heating elements 12 forming the variable cooktop areas 22 are arranged in each case in an individual row. The heating elements 12 forming the individual row are arranged one behind the other in respect of a row longitudinal direction 34. The row longitudinal direction 34 is aligned substantially at right angles to the longitudinal extension 30 of the heating elements 12. The row longitudinal direction 34 extends starting from an area of the base body 28 facing an operator in the integrated state in the direction of an area of the base body 28 facing away from an operator in the integrated state. The heating elements 12 forming the individual rows have a distance in respect of the row longitudinal direction 34, which is substantially smaller than the transverse extension 32 of the heating elements 12 aligned substantially in parallel with the row longitudinal direction 34.

(10) In the area facing an operator in the integrated state, the cooktop device 10 has a control unit 20 for inputting operating parameters. For instance, the control unit is provided to select and/or change a heating zone. Moreover, the control unit could be provided to set a heating output and/or heat output density of a heating zone. It is likewise conceivable for the control unit to be embodied to select and/or change a cooking time and/or a cooking program. It is further conceivable for the control unit to be provided to change an operating mode and/or operating state. Alternatively, further embodiments of the control unit and/or operating parameter which appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art are conceivable. The cooktop device 10 comprises a control unit 16 for controlling and regulating the heating elements 12. The control unit 16 is provided to perform actions and/or to change settings as a function of the operating parameters entered by means of the control unit 20.

(11) The cooktop device 10 comprises a sensor unit for detecting a positioned piece of cookware 14. The sensor unit is embodied substantially in one piece with the heating elements 12, and is provided to detect positioned cookware 14 by measuring at least one inductance. The control unit 16 and the sensor unit are connected electrically. The control unit 16 and the sensor unit are connected electrically. In a method for operating the cooktop device 10, the control unit 16 defines a number of virtual heating zones 18 with different heat output densities in an operating mode as a function of a size of a positioned piece of cookware 14. Here the control unit 16 combines adjacently arranged heating elements 12 of one of the heater arrangements 26 to form virtual heating zones 18. The control unit 16 adjusts a size of the virtual heating zones 18 to a size of the positioned cookware 14. For instance, a first cookware 14 is positioned on precisely one heating element 12. In the operating mode, the control unit 16 defines four virtual heating zones 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d with different heat output densities, which are formed in each case of precisely one heating element 12 (cf. FIG. 1). The virtual heating zones 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d are formed of adjacently arranged heating elements 12, which are suitable by the number and/or size thereof for using the cookware 14.

(12) Each of the virtual heating zones 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d has a different heat output density. The control unit 16 assigns a first heat output density in the operating mode to a first virtual heating zone 18a. To this end, the control unit 16 selects a virtual heating zone 18 facing an operator. Alternatively it is conceivable for the control unit to select a virtual heating zone facing away from an operator. It is likewise conceivable for the control unit to select a virtual heating zone, which is covered by the positioned cookware. The control unit 16 defines, as a function of the first heat output density, heat output densities of further virtual heating zones 18b, 18c, 18d, which differ from the first virtual heating zone 18a. The first heat output density of the first virtual heating zone 18a, which is arranged in the area facing an operator in the integrated state, is larger than the heat output densities of the further virtual heating zones 18b, 18c, 18d, which are formed of heating elements 12 of the same heater arrangement 26 as the first virtual heating zone 18a. The first heat output density of the first virtual heating zone 18a is greater than a second heat output density of a second virtual heating zone 18b, which is arranged adjacent to the first virtual heating zone 18a in the row longitudinal direction 34. The second heat output density of the second virtual heating zone 18b is greater than a third heat output density of a third virtual heating zone 18c, which is arranged adjacent to the second virtual heating zone 18b in the row longitudinal direction 34. The third heat output density of the third virtual heating zone 18c is greater than a fourth heat output density of a fourth virtual heating zone 18d, which is arranged adjacent to the third virtual heating zone 18d in the row longitudinal direction 34. The fourth heat output density of the fourth virtual heating zone 18d, which is arranged in an area facing away from an operator in the integrated state, is less than the heat output densities of the further virtual heating zones 18a, 18b, 18c, which are formed of heating elements 12 of the same heater arrangement 26 as the fourth virtual heating zone 18a.

(13) The control unit 16 operates a virtual heating zone 18 assigned to a positioned cookware 14 as a function of a position of the cookware 14 with different heat output densities. The control unit 16 operates the virtual heating zones 18 in row longitudinal direction 34 with different heat output densities. Here the control unit 16 operates a virtual heating zone 18a, 18e, 18h arranged in an area facing an operator with different heat output densities than a virtual heating zone 18d, 18g, 18i arranged in an area facing away from an operator in the integrated state. The control unit 16 comprises a storage unit, in which a heat output density is stored relative to each virtual heating zone 18 as a function of a position of the virtual heating zone 18. The heat output densities of a large part of the virtual heating zones 18, namely one of each of the virtual heating zones 18 differ from one another. In the operating mode, the control unit 16 operates the virtual heating zones 18 in a position-dependent manner with predefined heat output densities which differ from one another. A predefined heat output density of a virtual heating zone 18a, 18e, 18h arranged in the integrated state in the region facing an operator is greater than a predefined heat output density of a virtual heating zone 18d, 18g, 18i arranged in the integrated state in the region facing away from an operator. In the operating mode, the control unit 16 assigns a higher heat output density to a virtual heating zone 18a, 18e, 18h, which is arranged in the region facing an operator, than to a virtual heating zone 18d, 18b, 18i, which is arranged in the region facing away from an operator.

(14) As a function of a control input by means of the control unit 20, the control unit 16 changes an assignment of the predefined heat output densities which differ from one another to the individual virtual heating zones 18. A control input by means of the control unit 20 causes the control unit 16 to change between a first sub-operating mode and a second sub-operating mode during an activated operating mode. In the first sub-operating mode, a virtual heating zone 18a arranged in the area facing an operator in the integrated state has a larger heat output density than a virtual heating zone 18d (cf. FIG. 1) arranged in the area facing away from an operator in the integrated state. In the second sub-operating mode, a virtual heating zone 18a arranged in the area facing an operator in the integrated state has a lower heat output density than a virtual heating zone 18d (not shown) arranged in the area facing away from an operator in the integrated state.

(15) If a second piece of cookware 14 is alternatively positioned, which covers two adjacently arranged heating elements 12, the control unit 16 in the operating mode defines three virtual heating zones 18e, 18f, 18g with different heat output density, which are formed in each case of two adjacently arranged heating elements 12 of one of the heater arrangements 26 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). Each of the virtual heating zones 18e, 18f, 18g has a different heat output density. The control unit 16 assigns a first heat output density in the operating mode to a first virtual heating zone 18e. The first heat output density of the first virtual heating zone 18e, which is arranged in the area facing an operator in the integrated state, is larger than the heat output densities of the further virtual heating zones 18f, 18g, which are formed of heating elements 12 of the same heater arrangement 26 as the first virtual heating zone 18e. A second heat output density of the second virtual heating zone 18f is lower than the first heat output density of the first virtual heating zone 18e and is greater than a third heat output density of the third virtual heating zone 18g. The third heat output density of the third virtual heating zone 18g, which is arranged in an area facing away from an operator in the integrated state, is lower than the heat output densities of the further virtual heating zones 18e, 18f, which are formed of heating elements 12 of the same heater arrangement 26 as the third virtual heating zone 18g.

(16) If as an alternative to the first piece of cookware 14 and the second piece of cookware 14 a third piece of cookware 14 is positioned, which covers three adjacently arranged heating elements 12, the control unit 16 in the operating mode defines two virtual heating zones 18h, 18i with different heat output densities, which are formed in each case of two adjacently arranged heating elements 12 of one of the heater arrangements 26 (cf. FIGS. 4 and 5). The virtual heating zones 18h, 18i have different heat output densities. The control unit 16 assigns a first heat output density in the operating mode to a first virtual heating zone 18h. The first heat output density of the first virtual heating zone 18h, which is arranged in the region facing an operator in the integrated state, is greater than a second heat output density of a second virtual heating zone 18i, which is formed of heating elements 12 of the same heater arrangement 26 as the first virtual heating zone 18h. The second virtual heating zone 18i is arranged in an area facing away from an operator in the integrated state.

(17) The control unit 16 changes a predefined heat output design of one of the virtual heating zones 18 stored in the storage unit as a function of a control input by means of the control unit 20. With a change in a predefined heat output density of a first virtual heating zone 18, the control unit 16 changes heat output densities of the further virtual heating zones 18 as a function of the change in the predefined heat output density of the first virtual heating zone 18, said virtual heating zones 18 being formed of heating elements 12 of the same heater arrangement 26 as the first virtual heating zone 18. Moreover, the control unit 16 changes between the operating mode and two further operating modes as a function of a control input by means of the control unit 20. In a first further operating mode, the control unit 16 operates the heating elements 12 with heat output densities which are independent of one another. In a second further operating mode, the control unit 16 operates the heating elements 12 in a position dependent manner with predefined heat output densities which differ from one another. If a virtual heating zone 18 is formed of precisely one heating element 12, the second further operating mode is substantially the same as the operating mode. If a virtual heating zone 18 is formed of more than one heating element 12, the second further operating mode differs from the operating mode.