COOKTOP DEVICE

Abstract

A hob device includes a plate unit including a plate main body, which has a plate side with an at least substantially smooth surface in a surface portion, a first layer unit arranged in a first sub-region of the surface portion and being at least substantially non-transparent, and a second layer unit arranged in a second sub-region of the surface portion and designed to scatter light.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A hob device, comprising: a plate unit including a plate main body, which has a plate side with an at least substantially smooth surface in a surface portion; a first layer unit arranged in a first sub-region of the surface portion and being at least substantially non-transparent; and a second layer unit arranged in a second sub-region of the surface portion and designed to scatter light.

17. The hob device of claim 16, constructed in the form of an induction hob device.

18. The hob device of claim 16, wherein the first sub-region, when viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit, extends over at least a large part of the plate main body.

19. The hob device of claim 16, wherein the first layer unit has a thickness which is larger than a thickness of the second layer unit.

20. The hob device of claim 16, wherein the first sub-region and the second sub-region adjoin one another at least in one portion.

21. The hob device of claim 16, wherein the plate unit includes a third layer unit which is provided to filter at least partially light.

22. The hob device of claim 21, wherein the third layer unit is arranged in a third sub-region of the surface portion.

23. The hob device of claim 21, wherein the first sub-region and the third sub-region adjoin one another at least in one portion.

24. The hob device of claim 21, wherein the third layer unit is provided to prevent at least partially an escape of light from a hob interior.

25. The hob device of claim 21, wherein the third layer unit is provided to permit at least partially an escape of light from a hob interior.

26. The hob device of claim 21, wherein the third layer unit has a thickness which at least substantially corresponds to a thickness of the first layer unit.

27. The hob device of claim 21, wherein the third layer unit participates in an identification of an operating region.

28. The hob device of claim 16, wherein the second layer unit participates in an identification of a heating region.

29. The hob device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first layer unit and the second layer unit includes a coating.

30. The hob device of claim 21, wherein the third layer unit includes a self-adhesive film.

31. A hob, comprising a hob device which comprises a plate unit including a plate main body, which has a plate side with an at least substantially smooth surface in a surface portion, a first layer unit arranged in a first sub-region of the surface portion and being at least substantially non-transparent, and a second layer unit arranged in a second sub-region of the surface portion and designed to scatter light.

32. The hob of claim 31, constructed in the form of an induction hob.

Description

[0040] Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. 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.

[0041] In the drawing:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a hob with a hob device in a schematic plan view,

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a section along the line II-II of FIG. 1 in a schematic view and

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a section along the line of FIG. 1 in a schematic view.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows by way of example a hob 48a which is configured, in particular, at least partially and advantageously entirely as an induction hob. For example, alternatively or additionally, the hob 48a could be configured, for example, at least partially as a resistance hob and/or as a gas hob.

[0046] The hob 48a has, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one hob device 10a. The hob device 10a could be configured, for example, as a resistance hob device and/or as a gas hob device. In particular, the hob device 10a is configured as an induction hob device.

[0047] The hob device 10a has, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one plate unit 12a. In the present exemplary embodiment, the plate unit 12a is configured, in particular, as a hob plate. In at least one mounted state the plate unit 12a forms, in particular, a visible surface which in the mounted state, in particular, is arranged facing a user.

[0048] The plate unit 12a is provided, in particular, for placing an item of cookware (not shown), in particular, for the purpose of heating the item of cookware. In particular, in a mounted state the plate unit 12a forms at least one part of a hob external housing.

[0049] The hob device 10a has, in particular, at least one heating unit 56a. Of the objects which are repeatedly present in the figures, in each case only one is provided with a reference numeral. For example, the hob device 10a could have at least two, advantageously at least four, particularly advantageously at least eight, preferably at least twelve and particularly preferably a plurality of heating units 56a. The heating units 56a could be arranged, for example, in the form of a matrix.

[0050] The heating units 56a define, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one heating region 46a. When viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit 12a, the heating units 56a span, in particular, at least one surface and advantageously the heating region 46a which, in particular, corresponds to the surface spanned by the heating units 56a. In particular, only one of the heating units 56a is described hereinafter.

[0051] In an installed position, the heating unit 56a is arranged, in particular, below the plate unit 12a. The heating unit 56a is provided, in particular, to heat at least one item of cookware placed on the plate unit 12a above the heating unit 56a. The heating unit 56a is configured, in particular, as an induction heating unit.

[0052] The hob device 10a has, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one user interface 50a. The user interface 50a is provided, in particular, for an input and/or selection of operating parameters, such as for example a heating power and/or a heating power density and/or a heating zone. The user interface 50a is provided, in particular, for outputting a value of an operating parameter to a user.

[0053] The user interface 50a defines, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one operating region 44a. When viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit 12a, the user interface 50a spans, in particular, at least one surface and advantageously the operating region 44a which, in particular, corresponds to the surface spanned by the user interface 50a.

[0054] The hob device 10a has, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one control unit 52a. In at least one operating state the control unit 52a controls and/or regulates, in particular, an appliance main function and/or the heating unit 56a. The control unit 52a is provided, in particular, to perform actions and/or to change settings as a function of operating parameters input by means of the user interface 50a. In the operating state, the control unit 52a regulates, in particular, an energy supply to the heating unit 56a and namely, in particular, for heating the item of cookware.

[0055] The hob device 10a has, in particular, at least one light source 54a (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In the present exemplary embodiment, the hob device 10a has, in particular, at least two, advantageously at least four, particularly advantageously at least eight, preferably at least twelve and particularly preferably a plurality of light sources 54a.

[0056] At least one portion of the light sources 54a, in particular, is integrated in the user interface 50a and/or is part of the user interface 50a. The user interface 50a has, in particular, at least one portion of the light sources 54a. The portion of the light sources 54a which is part of the user interface 50a is advantageously provided for lighting the operating region 44a and/or for participating in an identification of the operating region 44a.

[0057] In particular, at least one portion of the light sources 54a, which advantageously differs from the light sources 54a integrated in the user interface 50a, is provided for participating in an identification of the heating region 46a. Advantageously, the portion of the light sources 54a, which advantageously differs from the light sources 54a integrated in the user interface 50a, is provided for lighting the heating unit 56a. In particular, only one of the light sources 54a is described hereinafter.

[0058] The light source 54a is provided, in particular, for providing light, in particular at least visible light. In an operating state, the light source 54a provides, in particular, light and advantageously at least visible light. In an installed position, the light source 54a is arranged, in particular, below the plate unit 12a. Advantageously, in an installed position the light source 54a is arranged on a side of the plate unit 12a facing away from a user.

[0059] The plate unit 12a has, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one plate main body 14a. The plate main body 14a has, in particular, an at least substantially smooth surface in at least one surface portion 18a on at least one plate side 16a. The surface portion 18a extends, in particular, over at least a large part of the plate side 16a. In an installed position, the plate side 16a is configured, in particular, as a lower side of the plate main body 14a. In an installed position, the plate side 16a is configured, in particular, as a side of the plate main body 14a facing away from a user.

[0060] The plate main body 14a has, in particular, an at least substantially smooth surface in at least one further surface portion 34a on at least one further plate side 32a. The further surface portion 34a extends, in particular, over at least a large part of the further plate side 32a. Advantageously, the further plate side 32a is arranged opposing the plate side 16a. The plate side 16a and the further plate side 32a are oriented, in particular, at least substantially parallel to a main extension plane of the plate main body 14a. In an installed position, the further plate side 32a is configured, in particular, as a visible side of the plate main body 14a. In an installed position, the further plate side 32a is configured, in particular, as a side of the plate main body 14a facing a user.

[0061] The plate unit 12a has, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one first layer unit 20a. The first layer unit 20a is arranged, in particular, in at least one first sub-region 22a of the surface portion 18a. The first layer unit 20a extends, in particular, over at least a large part of the first sub-region 22a. The first sub-region 22a extends, in particular, over at least a large part of the surface portion 18a. Particularly advantageously, the first layer unit 20a is at least substantially non-transparent and advantageously non-transparent, in particular, at least relative to visible light.

[0062] The plate unit 12a has, in particular, for each light source 54a assigned to the heating region 46a, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one second layer unit 24a. Only one of the second layer units 24a is described hereinafter.

[0063] The second layer unit 24a is arranged, in particular, in at least one second sub-region 26a of the surface portion 18a. The second layer unit 24a extends, in particular, over at least a large part of the second sub-region 26a. The second sub-region 26a extends, in particular, over a maximum of 20%, advantageously over a maximum of 15%, particularly advantageously over a maximum of 10%, preferably over a maximum of 5% and particularly preferably over a maximum of 2% of the surface portion 18a. Particularly advantageously, the second layer unit 20a is provided for scattering light, in particular, at least visible light. In particular, in an operating state, the second layer unit 24a scatters light, in particular provided by the light source 54a.

[0064] The first sub-region 22a, when viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit 12a, advantageously extends over at least a large part of the plate main body 14a. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first sub-region 22a, when viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit 12a, for example, extends over at least substantially 95% of a surface extension spanned by the plate main body 14a.

[0065] Advantageously, the first sub-region 22a and the second sub-region 26a adjoin one another at least in some portions, and namely, in particular when viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit 12a. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first sub-region 22a, in particular when viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit 12a, surrounds and/or delimits and/or defines, in particular, the second sub-region 26a.

[0066] The second layer unit 24a, in particular in an operating state, at least participates in at least one identification of the heating region 46a. In the operating state, in particular, at least the second layer unit 24a and the light source 54a participate in the identification of the heating region 46a. For example, in addition, in the operating state at least the plate unit 12a could participate in the identification of the heating region 46a, for example.

[0067] The second layer unit 24a has a thickness 30a, for example, which in the present exemplary embodiment could assume a value of at least substantially 11 μm, for example. The first layer unit 20a has a thickness 28a, for example, which in the present exemplary embodiment could assume a value of at least substantially 30 μm, for example. Advantageously, the thickness 28a of the first layer unit 20a is larger than the thickness 30a of the second layer unit 24a.

[0068] The plate unit 12a has, in particular, at least one and, for example, exactly one third layer unit 36a. The third layer unit 36a is arranged, in particular, in at least one third sub-region 38a of the surface portion 18a. In particular, the third layer unit 36a extends over at least a large part of the third sub-region 38a. The third sub-region 38a extends, in particular, over a maximum of 25%, in particular over a maximum of 20%, advantageously over a maximum of 15%, particularly advantageously over a maximum of 10%, preferably over a maximum of 7% and particularly preferably over a maximum of 4% of the surface portion 18a.

[0069] Advantageously, the first sub-region 22a and the third sub-region 38a adjoin one another at least in some portions and namely, in particular, when viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit 12a. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first sub-region 22a, in particular when viewed perpendicular to a main extension plane of the plate unit 12a, surrounds and/or delimits and/or defines, in particular, the third sub-region 38a.

[0070] Particularly advantageously, the third layer unit 36a is provided at least partially to filter light, in particular at least visible light. In particular, in an operating state, the third layer unit 36a filters at least partially light provided, in particular, by the light source 54a.

[0071] In particular, with the at least partial filtering of the light, in an operating state and/or in an inactivity mode, the third layer unit 36a at least partially prevents, in particular, an escape of light from a hob interior 40a. The third layer unit 36a is provided, in particular, to prevent at least partially an escape of light from the hob interior 40a.

[0072] In particular, with the at least partial filtering of the light, in an operating state and/or in an operating mode, the third layer unit 36a at least partially permits, in particular, an escape of light from the hob interior 40a. The third layer unit 36a is provided, in particular, to permit at least partially an escape of light form the hob interior 40a.

[0073] The second layer unit 36a has, for example, a thickness 42a which in the present exemplary embodiment could assume a value of at least substantially 30 μm, for example. Advantageously, the thickness 42a of the third layer unit 36a corresponds at least substantially to the thickness 28a of the first layer unit 20a.

[0074] In an operating state, in particular, the third layer unit 36a at least participates in at least one identification of the operating region 44a. In the operating state, in particular, at least the third layer unit 36a and the light source 54a participate in the identification of the operating region 44a. For example, in addition, in the operating state at least the plate unit 12a and/or the user interface 50a could participate in the identification of the operating region 44a, for example.

[0075] In the present exemplary embodiment, the third layer unit 36a has, in particular, at least one self-adhesive film. The third layer unit 36a is configured, in particular, as a self-adhesive film and advantageously as a self-adhesive sticker.

[0076] In the present exemplary embodiment, the first layer unit 20a has, in particular, at least one coating. Advantageously, the first layer unit 20a could be configured as a multilayered structure and have, in particular, at least two, advantageously at least three, particularly advantageously at least four and preferably a plurality of coatings in order, in particular, to ensure a full non-transparency and/or in order to eliminate defects, such as for example pin holes.

[0077] In the present exemplary embodiment, the second layer unit 24a has, in particular, at least one coating. The second layer unit 24a is configured, in particular, as a coating.

[0078] For example, the first layer unit 20a and/or the second layer unit 24a could be applied by means of at least one screen printing method and/or by means of at least one printing method onto the plate main body 14a.

[0079] By means of the described embodiment, for example, a high degree of freedom of design regarding lighting could be achieved, whereby desired design requirements and/or a functional lighting design could be achieved, for example.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0080] 10 Hob device [0081] 12 Plate unit [0082] 14 Plate main body [0083] 16 Plate side [0084] 18 Surface portion [0085] 20 First layer unit [0086] 22 First sub-region [0087] 24 Second layer unit [0088] 26 Second sub-region [0089] 28 Thickness [0090] 30 Thickness [0091] 32 Further plate side [0092] 34 Further surface portion [0093] 36 Third layer unit [0094] 38 Third sub-region [0095] 40 Hob interior [0096] 42 Thickness [0097] 44 Operating region [0098] 46 Heating region [0099] 48 Hob [0100] 50 User interface [0101] 52 Control unit [0102] 54 Light source [0103] 56 Heating unit