COOKTOP DEVICE

Abstract

A cooktop device, in particular an induction cooktop device, includes a base component and an articulated arm having a first arm part and a second arm part, with the articulated arm bearing exactly one heating element. A joint supports the second arm part for movement relative to the first arm part, and a suspension connects the first arm part to the base component.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A cooktop device, comprising: a base component, an articulated arm having a first arm part and a second arm part, said articulated arm being configured to bear exactly one heating element, a joint configured to support the second arm part for movement relative to the first arm part, and a suspension configured to connect the first arm part to the base component.

15. The cooktop device of claim 14, constructed in the form of an induction cooktop device.

16. The cooktop device of claim 14, wherein the first arm part is supported on the base component for rotation about an angular range of at least 90°.

17. The cooktop device of claim 16, further comprising a first motor configured to move the first arm part relative to the base component.

18. The cooktop device of claim 14, wherein the second arm part is supported on the first arm part for rotatable about an angular range of at least 270°.

19. The cooktop device of claim 18, further comprising a second motor configured to move the second arm part relative to the first arm part.

20. The cooktop device of claim 17, wherein the first motor is configured to act directly on the first arm part.

21. The cooktop device of claim 17, wherein the first motor is configured to act indirectly on the first arm part.

22. The cooktop device of claim 21, further comprising a transmission configured to enable the first motor to act on the first arm part.

23. The cooktop device of claim 19, wherein the second motor is configured to act directly on the second arm part.

24. The cooktop device of claim 19, wherein the second motor is configured to act indirectly on the second arm part.

25. The cooktop device of claim 24, further comprising a transmission configured to enable the second motor to act on the second arm part.

26. The cooktop device of claim 14, wherein the first arm part has a locating region for supporting the second arm part.

27. A cooktop, comprising a cooktop device which includes a base component, an articulated arm having a first arm part and a second arm part, said articulated arm being configured to bear exactly one heating element, a joint configured to support the second arm part for movement relative to the first arm part, and a suspension configured to connect the first arm part to the base component.

28. The cooktop of claim 27, constructed in the form of an induction cooktop.

29. The cooktop of claim 27, wherein the first arm part is supported on the base component for rotation about an angular range of at least 90°.

30. The cooktop of claim 29, wherein the cooktop device includes a first motor configured to move the first arm part relative to the base component.

31. The cooktop of claim 27, wherein the second arm part is supported on the first arm part for rotatable about an angular range of at least 270°.

32. The cooktop of claim 31, wherein the cooktop device includes a second motor configured to move the second arm part relative to the first arm part.

33. The cooktop of claim 30, wherein the first motor is configured to act directly on the first arm part.

34. The cooktop of claim 30, wherein the first motor is configured to act indirectly on the first arm part.

35. The cooktop of claim 34, wherein the cooktop device includes a transmission configured to enable the first motor to act on the first arm part.

36. The cooktop of claim 32, wherein the second motor is configured to act directly on the second arm part.

37. The cooktop of claim 32, wherein the second motor is configured to act indirectly on the second arm part.

38. The cooktop of claim 37, wherein the cooktop device includes a transmission configured to enable the second motor to act on the second arm part.

39. The cooktop of claim 27, wherein the first arm part has a locating region for supporting the second arm part

Description

[0019] Further advantages are derived from the following description of the drawing. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will also consider the features individually as appropriate, and combine them in further suitable combinations.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a cooktop with a cooktop device in a schematic plan view,

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a section of the cooktop with the cooktop device in a schematic plan view, wherein a cooktop plate is not illustrated,

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a section of the cooktop device in a schematic side view, and

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a section of an alternative cooktop device of an alternative cooktop in a schematic side view.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a cooktop 36 which is embodied as an induction cooktop, having a cooktop device 10 that is embodied as an induction cooktop device. The cooktop device 10 comprises a cooktop plate 38. The cooktop plate 38 is designed for the placement of cooking utensils. In an assembled state, the cooktop plate 38 forms part of an outer housing, and in particular an outer housing of the cooktop 36.

[0025] The cooktop device 10 comprises a plurality of heating elements 24 (cf. FIG. 2). In the present exemplary embodiment, the cooktop device 10 comprises three heating elements 24. Alternatively, the cooktop device could have fewer heating elements, e.g. exactly one heating element or two heating elements. In an alternative embodiment, the cooktop device could comprise at least four and in particular at least five heating elements. The heating elements 24 are so arranged as to be mobile. The heating elements 24 define a variable cooking surface area 44. The variable cooking surface area 44 extends over a large part of a surface extent of the cooktop plate 38. According to the invention, the variable cooking surface area 44 extends over at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, advantageously at least 75% and preferentially at least 80% of a surface extent of the cooktop plate 38. In the following, only one of the heating elements 24 is described. The heating element 24 is designed to heat a cooking utensil which has been placed on the cooktop plate 38.

[0026] The cooktop device 10 comprises an operating unit 40 for entering and/or selecting operating parameters (cf. FIG. 1), e.g. a heat output and/or a heat output density and/or a heating zone. The operating unit 40 is designed to output a value of an operating parameter to a user.

[0027] The cooktop device 10 comprises a control unit 42. The control unit 42 is designed to execute actions and/or change settings as a function of operating parameters that have been entered by means of the operating unit 40. In a heating mode, the control unit 42 controls an energy supply to the heating element 24. The cooktop device 10 has a supply unit (not shown) for the purpose of supplying electrical components such as the heating element 24 and/or the control unit 42, for example. The control unit 42 controls the power supply in the heating mode, in order to supply the activated heating element 24 with electrical current.

[0028] The heating element 24 is so arranged as to be mobile. In an operating state, as a function of a position of a cooking utensil that has been placed, the control unit 42 moves the heating element 24 to the position of the cooking utensil. In the operating state, the control unit 42a moves the heating element 24a in a plane which is aligned largely parallel to a main plane of extension of the cooktop plate 38a. In the operating state, the heating element 24a can be moved in two degrees of freedom by the control unit 42.

[0029] The heating element 24 is designed to heat a plurality of cooking utensils simultaneously. For example, it is assumed that two cooking utensils are placed. In the event that two cooking utensils have been placed, the control unit 42 determines a frequency of movement of the heating element 24 between a position of a first cooking utensil and a position of a second cooking utensil. Heating two or more cooking utensils using one heating element 24 is known from the prior art and is not a fundamental aspect of this invention. It is therefore not described in further detail in the following.

[0030] The cooktop device 10 comprises a base component 22 (cf. FIG. 2). The base component 22 is embodied as a housing component. The base component 22 and the cooktop plate 38 together form the outer housing. The base component can comprise a plurality of elements, for example, which can be in particular interconnected and advantageously together embody the housing component. The base component 22 is a unitary part in the present exemplary embodiment. The base component 22 has a floor. The base component 22a has side walls. In the assembled state, the base component 22 forms a part of the outer housing, said part facing away from the user. The base component 22 is designed for the purpose of supporting components, in particular components of the cooktop 36 and/or cooktop device 10. In combination with the cooktop plate 38, the base component 22 in the assembled state defines an internal space 46 for supporting the components. In the assembled state, the control unit 42, the operating unit 40 and the heating element 24 are arranged in the internal space 46.

[0031] In the assembled state, the heating element 24 is connected to the base component 22. The cooktop device 10 comprises an articulated arm 12. In the assembled state, the articulated arm 12 connects the base component 22 and the heating element 24 to each other. In the assembled state, the articulated arm 12 bears the heating element 24. In the assembled state, the articulated arm 12a here bears exactly one single heating element 24a. In the operating state, the articulated arm 12 supports the heating element 24 in such a way that said heating element 24 can be moved relative to the base component 22. The articulated arm 12 has a first arm part 14 and a second arm part 16. The first arm part 14 and the second arm part 16 are so arranged as to be mobile relative to each other. The cooktop device 10 comprises a joint 18. The joint 18 supports the second arm part 16 in such a way that said second arm part 16 can be moved relative to the first arm part 14. The joint 18a couples the first arm part 14a to the second arm part 16a.

[0032] For the purpose of connecting the first arm part 14 to the base component 22, the cooktop device 10 comprises a suspension 20. In the assembled state, the suspension 20 fastens the articulated arm 12 to the base component 22. In the assembled state, the suspension 20 fastens the first arm part 14 to the base component 22. The articulated arm 12 and the suspension 20 are embodied as discrete units. In the assembled state, the suspension 20 connects the articulated arm 12 to the floor of the base component 22. In the assembled state, the suspension 20 supports a large part of the articulated arm 12 at a distance from the base component 22.

[0033] The first arm part 14 is arranged in such a way that it can be moved relative to the base component 22. According to the invention, the first arm part 14 is so supported on the base component 22 as to be rotatable through an angular range of approximately 180°. The cooktop device 10 comprises a first motor 26, which supports the first arm part 14 in such a way that said first arm 14 can be moved relative to the base component 22 (cf. FIG. 3). The first motor 26 is embodied as an electric motor. In the assembled state, the first motor 26 supports the first arm part 14 in such a way that said first arm part 14 can be rotated relative to the base component 22 about a rotational axis 48.

[0034] In the present exemplary embodiment, in the assembled state, the first motor 26 acts directly on the first arm part 14. In the assembled state, the first motor 26 and the first arm part 14 touch each other at least partly. In the operating state, a transfer of moments, e.g. moments of force and/or moments of motion, takes place directly between the first motor 26 and the first arm part 14. In the assembled state, the first motor 26 is arranged between the first arm part 14 and the base component 22. The first motor 26 is arranged at that end of the first arm part 14 which faces away from the second arm part 16.

[0035] The first arm part 14 has a first section 50 and a second section 52. In the assembled state, the first section 50 forms that part of the first arm part 14 which faces away from the second arm part 16. In the assembled state, the second section 52 forms that part of the first arm part 14 which faces toward the second arm part 16. The first arm part 14 has a third section 54. The third section 54 interconnects the first section 50 and the second section 52. The sections 50, 52, 54 so arranged as to be fixed relative to each other. The sections 50, 52, 54 are rigidly connected together. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sections 50, 52, 54 are embodied as a unitary part. The third section 54 is oriented largely perpendicular relative to the first section 50 and the second section 52. In the assembled state, the first section 50 has a greater distance from the floor of the base component 22 than the second section 52. The distance here is oriented largely parallel to a vertical direction 56. In the assembled state, the vertical direction 56 is oriented largely perpendicular to a main plane of extension of the base component 22. In the assembled state, the vertical direction 56 is oriented largely perpendicular to a main plane of extension of the cooktop plate 38. In an installed position, the vertical direction 56 is oriented largely parallel to a direction of gravitational force. In the assembled state, the vertical direction 56 points from the cooktop plate 38 toward the base component 22. Viewed from the side, the first arm part 14 has a stepped shape.

[0036] In the assembled state, a main direction of extension of the first section 50 and a main direction of extension of the second section 52 are oriented largely parallel to each other. The main direction of extension of the first section 50 and the main direction of extension of the second section 52 define a main direction of extension of the first arm part 14. In the assembled state, the main direction of extension of the first arm part 14 is oriented largely parallel to the main plane of extension of the base component 22. In the assembled state, a main direction of extension of the second arm part 16 and the main plane of extension of the base component 22 are oriented largely parallel to each other. A main plane of extension of a structural unit is in particular a plane which is parallel to a largest lateral surface of the smallest geometric cuboid that just encloses the structural unit fully. In this type of configuration, the main plane of extension passes in particular through the center of the cuboid.

[0037] In the assembled state, the second arm part 16 is arranged on the first arm part 14 in a region of the second section 54 of the first arm part 14. In the assembled state, the second arm part 16 here is supported in such a way that it can be rotated through an angular range of at least 360° on the first arm part 14. In the assembled state, the second arm part 16 is so arranged that it can be rotated any number of times through 360° relative to the first arm part 14. In the assembled state, the second arm part 16 is arranged on that side of the first arm part 14 which faces away from the base component 22, in particular the floor of the base component 22. The first arm part 14 has a locating region 34 for supporting the second arm part 16.

[0038] In the assembled state, the locating region 34 is delimited in the vertical direction 56 by the second section 52 of the first arm part 14. In the assembled state, in a direction pointing from the second arm part 16 toward the first section 50, the locating region 34 is delimited by the first section 50. In the assembled state, in the direction pointing from the second arm part 16 toward the first section 50, the locating region 34 is also delimited by the third section 54. In the assembled state, the locating region 34 allows the second arm part 16 to revolve freely relative to the first arm part 14.

[0039] The cooktop device 10a comprises a second motor 28a. The first motor 26a and the second motor 28a are independent of each other. In the operating state, the second motor 28a moves the second arm part 16a relative to the first arm part 14a. For example, the second motor can be embodied as a linear motor and designed to support the second arm part in particular in a translatory manner relative to the first arm part. In the present exemplary embodiment, the second motor 28a is designed to support the second arm part 16a in such a way that said second arm part 16a can be rotated, in particular swiveled, about a swiveling axis 58a relative to the first arm part 14a. In the operating state, the second motor 28a rotates the second arm part 16a about a swiveling axis 58a.

[0040] In the operating state, the second motor 28a acts indirectly on the second arm part 16a. For example, a coupling element can be arranged between the second motor and the second arm part. According to the invention, the cooktop device can comprise in particular the coupling element. The coupling element can connect in particular the second motor and the second arm part to each other. The second motor can exert in particular a moment of force and/or a moment of motion on the coupling element. The coupling element can advantageously transfer the moment of force and/or the moment of motion to the second arm part. For example, the coupling element can be embodied as a band and/or a chain and/or a strap and/or a belt. In the present exemplary embodiment, the cooktop device 10 comprises a second transmission 32a. In the operating state, the second motor 28 acts on the second arm part 16a by means of the second transmission 32a.

[0041] The second motor 28a has a second motor element 64a. In the operating state, the second motor element 64a rotates about a further swiveling axis 60a. In the assembled state, the second motor element 64a is coupled to the second transmission 32a. In the operating state, the second motor 28a transfers moments such as in particular a moment of force and/or a moment of motion to the second transmission 32a, in particular by means of the second motor element 64a. In the operating state, the second motor 28a acts directly on the second transmission 32a. In the operating state, the second transmission 32a acts directly on the second arm part 16a.

[0042] In the assembled state, the second motor 28a is arranged on the first arm part 14a. In the assembled state, the second motor 28a is arranged on that side of the first arm part 14a which faces toward the floor of the base component 22a. In the operating state, the second motor 28a acts via the first arm part 14a on the second arm part 16. The second transmission 32a is arranged within the first arm part 14a. The first arm part 14a forms an internal space in which the second transmission 32a is arranged. The second motor 28a engages partly into the internal space of the first arm part 14a, in particular by means of the second motor element 62a.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions are largely restricted to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein reference may be made to the description of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 3 in respect of components, features and functions which remain the same. In order to distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a in the reference numbers of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 3 is replaced by the letter b in the reference numbers of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4. With regard to components having identical designations, in particular components having identical reference numbers, reference may be made in principle to the drawings and/or the description of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a section of a cooktop device 10b of a cooktop 36b. The cooktop device 10b comprises an articulated arm 12b which has a first arm part 14b and a second arm part 16b, and a joint 18b which in an assembled state supports the second arm part 16b in such a way that said second arm part 16b can be moved relative to the first arm part 14b. In the assembled state, the articulated arm 18b bears exactly one heating element 24b. In the assembled state, the first arm part 16b is connected to a base component 22b by a suspension 20b.

[0045] In an operating state, a first motor 26b acts indirectly on the first arm part 14b. In particular, a coupling element can be arranged between the first motor and the first arm part. In this type of configuration, the cooktop device can comprise in particular the coupling element. The coupling element can connect in particular the first motor and the first arm part to each other. The first motor can exert in particular a moment of force and/or a moment of motion on the coupling element. The coupling element can advantageously transfer the moment of force and/or the moment of motion to the first arm part. For example, the coupling element can be embodied as a band and/or a chain and/or a strap and/or a belt.

[0046] In the present exemplary embodiment, the cooktop device 10 comprises a first transmission 32b, by means of which in the operating state the first motor 26b acts on the first arm part 14b. The first motor 26b has a first motor element 62b. In the operating state, the first motor element 62b rotates about a further rotational axis 66b. In the assembled state, the first motor element 62b is coupled to the first transmission 30b. In the operating state, the first motor 28b transfers moments such as e.g. a moment of force and/or a moment of motion to the first transmission 30b, in particular by means of the first motor element 64b. In the operating state, the first motor 26b acts directly on the first transmission 30b. In the operating state, the first transmission 30b acts directly on the first arm part 16b.

[0047] The cooktop device 10b comprises a second motor 28b. In the operating state, the second motor 28b acts directly on the second arm part 16b. In the assembled state, the second motor 28b and the second arm part 16b touch each other partly. In the operating state, a transfer of moments, e.g. moments of force and/or moments of motion, takes place directly between the second motor 28b and the second arm part 16b. In the assembled state, the second motor 28b is arranged in a locating region 34b of the first arm part 14b. In the assembled state, the second motor 28b is arranged on that side of the first arm part 14b which faces away from a floor of the base component 22b. In the assembled state, the first arm part 14b bears the second motor 28b. The second motor 28b is arranged at that end of the first arm part 14b which faces away from the suspension 20b.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0048] 10 Cooktop device [0049] 12 Articulated arm [0050] 14 First arm part [0051] 16 Second arm part [0052] 18 Joint [0053] 20 Suspension [0054] 22 Base component [0055] 24 Heating element [0056] 26 First motor [0057] 28 Second motor [0058] 30 First transmission [0059] 32 Second transmission [0060] 34 Locating region [0061] 36 Cooktop [0062] 38 Cooktop plate [0063] 40 Operating unit [0064] 42 Control unit [0065] 44 Variable cooking surface area [0066] 46 Internal space [0067] 48 Rotational axis [0068] 50 First section [0069] 52 Second section [0070] 54 Third section [0071] 56 Vertical direction [0072] 58 Swiveling axis [0073] 60 Further swiveling axis [0074] 62 First motor element [0075] 64 Second motor element [0076] 66 Further rotational axis