EP1675435B1 - Control proceedings for cooking plate and its cooking plate - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a hob comprising at least two cooking hobs.

It also relates to a hob adapted to implement the control method according to the invention.

In general, the present invention relates to hobs having at least two cooking hobs associated with power control means.

Turning on and adjusting each fireplace requires the fireplace to be identified and the control associated with the fireplace selected.

Thus, hobs are known which comprise separate and independent control means, dedicated to each cooking zone.

After the installation of a container, it is necessary to identify the control means associated with the chosen fireplace to control the operation and regulate the power dedicated to this fireplace.

There are also cooktops that include control means common to all cooking stoves, firebox selection means to be used beforehand.

The user must then locate on the control part of the hob the key or keys that correspond to the fireplace he wants to use.

The location of the cooking chamber and the control means associated with this fireplace that must be turned on and adjusted in power is not necessarily intuitive and frequently leads the user to control errors, which may lead to believe that a bad operation of the device. In addition, the ignition of a fireplace by mistake can present risks, especially if an object is placed on it.

The document EP 0 429 120 describes a hob comprising cooking hobs and means for detecting a fireplace covered by a container. A visual signal is used to identify the control means associated with the detected cooking zone.

The presence of a new container placed on the hob is permanently detected.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a control method of a hob facilitating the identification of the chosen fireplace associated with its control area.

For this purpose, the present invention aims according to a first aspect a control method of a hob comprising at least two cooking hobs associated with control means.

• acquisition via une touche d'acquisition d'un signal d'entrée adapté à indiquer la présence d'un récipient sur la table de cuisson ;
• détection du foyer recouvert par ledit récipient en réponse à l'émission dudit signal d'entrée ; et
• identification par un signal visuel des moyens de commande associés audit foyer détecté.

This control method comprises the following steps:

• acquisition via an acquisition key of an input signal adapted to indicate the presence of a container on the hob;
• detecting the focus covered by said container in response to transmitting said input signal; and
• identification by a visual signal of the control means associated with said detected focus.

Thus, as soon as the hob has received information indicating the presence of a container on a cooking stove, the automatic detection of the fireplace and the highlighting of its control means allow the user to easily control the fireplace in power.

In one embodiment, the detection step is carried out on the inactive hobs of the hob, thus allowing the detection of a newly installed container on the hob already active for other homes.

Advantageously, the control method further comprises a step of starting the control means associated with the detected focus.

Thus, the automatic detection of the hearth covered by a container is also translated by the activation of the control means associated with this focus, allowing the user to adjust the power directly at the control means.

In practice, when the cooking hobs are associated respectively with at least two control means, the identification step can be implemented by lighting a diode disposed near the control means associated with the detected focus or by the illumination of display means integrated with the control means associated with the detected focus.

According to a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a hob comprising at least two cooking hobs associated with control means, means for detecting a hearth covered by a receptacle, and means for identification by a signal visual control means associated with the detected focus.

• au moins une touche d'acquisition d'un signal d'entrée adapté à indiquer la présence d'un récipient sur la table de cuisson.

This hob includes:

• at least one acquisition key of an input signal adapted to indicate the presence of a container on the hob.

This hob has characteristics and advantages similar to those described above with reference to the control method according to the invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique illustrant une table de cuisson conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention ; et
• la figure 2 est un schéma bloc illustrant les moyens mis en oeuvre par le procédé de commande conforme à l'invention.

In the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples:

• the figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a hob according to an embodiment of the invention; and
• the figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the means implemented by the control method according to the invention.

We will first describe with reference to the figure 1 a hob according to an embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment, the hob includes four firing hobs F.

These cooking hobs are in this embodiment consist of one or more inductors for heating a container by the principle of induction.

In this embodiment, each focus F is associated with a power control means 11 whose setting is accessible to the user by means of control keys associated with each focus F.

In this embodiment, there is illustrated tactile control means accessible directly at the level of the plane of the hob 10.

These control means 11 allow the ignition or extinction of each home and the power control, for example by an index between 1 and 12.

These control means 11 cooperate with a global control system 20 as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 which adjusts the power supply of each household according to the power demand demanded by the user.

The hob 10 further comprises means for inputting a signal into the overall control system 20 to indicate the presence of a container on one of the hobs of the hob. This input means consists of an acquisition key 12 disposed on the cooking plane 10.

In this embodiment, there is illustrated a touch control input key 12, also provided at the hob 10 of the table, allowing the user to indicate by touching this input key 12 the presence of a container R on one of the hobs of the table.

Of course, these power controls 11 and touch key 12 input could be replaced by any type of push button control or rotary knob.

The hob further includes means for detecting a focus F covered by the container R.

For this, each cooking chamber F is associated with detection means for detecting the presence of a container above the fireplace.

Preferably, these detection means may be inductive type means for detecting the presence of a container when the average current measured at the terminals of these inductors varies.

In this embodiment where the cooking hobs are themselves constituted by inductors, it is particularly advantageous to provide that these inductors are also means for detecting the presence of a container R on a focus F.

Of course, other types of detection means could be used, and for example thermal type detection means.

Finally, the hob includes identification means 13 by a visual signal of the detected focus F.

In this embodiment, the identification means consist of an LED 13 (Electro Luminescent Diode) disposed near the control means 11.

The illumination of this LED 13 makes it possible to visually indicate to the user the control means 11 associated with the hearth on which a container R has been placed.

Of course, other types of visualization means could be used.

In particular, in some hobs, the control means associated with each cooking zone can incorporate display means that make it possible, for example, to indicate the active or inactive state of these control means or to indicate, for example, example by means of a number, the power level programmed by the user. In such a case, the identification step can be implemented by illuminating these display means integrated with the control means.

In the embodiments described above, the identification by a visual signal of the detected focus is performed directly at the control means respectively associated with each focus of the hob.

Furthermore, although there is illustrated here a single input key 12 allowing the user to indicate the installation of a new container on any of the F hearths of the hob, the hob could have several input keys indicating the installation of a container. In particular, any control key 11, since it is in an inactive state, could constitute a key for acquiring an input signal and thus allow the transmission of a signal indicating the presence of a signal. new container and provide a means of input of a signal adapted to indicate the presence of a container for any of the homes.

In response to this signal, the overall control system 20 of the hob implements the detection of a new container and indicates visually the control keys 11 actually associated with the fireplace used.

The control system associated with such a hob is illustrated in FIG. figure 2 and allows the implementation of the following control method.

An input signal acquired by the acquisition key 12 is transmitted to the global control system 20 which, in response, controls the implementation of a step of detecting a focus covered by the container.

A detection system 21 is associated with each focal point F of the table. Depending on the signal measured by this detection system, for example the value of a current at the terminals of an inductor, which is modified as a function of the load ( container) placed opposite this inductor, the hearth F covered with a new container is detected.

Preferably, the detection of a container on a fireplace is implemented only on the detection systems 21 for which the associated home is not already used and power controlled. The detection is thus implemented only on inactive cooking hobs.

In practice, from the signals returned by the detection systems 21, the global control system 20 identifies the focus covered by the container and generates in this embodiment an ignition control of a diode 13 associated with the control means 11 dedicated to this detected focus.

Then, in a conventional manner, the user can control and control the heating power of the hearth thus detected by the control means 11 thus marked on the cooking plane.

Preferably, parallel to the generation of an ignition control of the diode 13, the global control system 20 is adapted to start the control means 11 associated with the detected focus F. Thus, the user can directly locate the control means 11 associated with the chosen hearth and controlling, via these control means, the power allocated to the hearth, without first having to make these control means 11 operational.

Then, the operation of the cooking chamber thus detected is implemented in a conventional manner by means of power delivery means 22, controlled by the global control system 20, at a power level as required at the level of the means. For example, these power delivery means 22 may consist of a power generator when each cooking hearth is of the inductive type.

Of course, other control keys 14 may be associated with the global control system 20, and for example a timer 14 associated with each control means 11 for programming for a given home a running time or a start-up delayed.

The control method of the invention thus makes it possible to control a hob by means of an automatic detection device for a container that intuitively enables the user to control the power associated with the chosen fireplace.

It will be noted in particular that the step of automatic detection of a container being implemented preferably on an inactive focus, it can detect a newly installed container by the user on the hob.

In the particular case where two containers are present on the hob on inactive foci, the control method according to the invention will perform dual detection and visually signal the two foci detected.

Delaying means may also be integrated into the hob so as to automatically control the extinction of the visual signal when no power indication has been entered by the user at the identified control means. By way of example, this delay period may be of the order of 30 seconds.

Similarly, in some special cases of use, a container can remain on a fire that is off after cooking.

Preferably, the container detection means do not take into account such a container.

For this, storage means are integrated in the hob and can store in memory for a given time an active state of a home, even after extinction thereof.

When a new container is placed on the hob and the detection of the focus is carried out following the acquisition of an input signal indicating the presence of a container, the detection means 21 detect at the both the new container and the container used previously. The global control system 20 is then adapted to identify by a visual signal only the focus for which an active state is not stored.

This active state of a focus can be stored in memory for a certain duration, for example equal to one hour.

Various examples of operation implemented by the hob according to the invention will be described by way of nonlimiting examples.

In practice, a memory associated with the global control system 20 is adapted to store different states associated with each focus of the hob.

• foyer vide ;
• foyer actif, c'est-à-dire recouvert par un récipient et en cours de fonctionnement ;
• foyer recouvert par un nouveau récipient et encore inactif ; et
• foyer recouvert par un ancien récipient (cuisson arrêtée ou déjà effectuée) associé éventuellement à un numéro d'ordre.

These states include:

• empty hearth;
• active focus, that is, covered by a container and in operation;
• fireplace covered by a new container and still inactive; and
• fireplace covered by an old container (cooking stopped or already done) possibly associated with a serial number.

Various examples of implementation will be described below.

Example 1: a new container placed on an inactive fireplace, one or more other active homes possibly:

• actuation of the acquisition key;
• research among inactive homes;
• detection of the hearth covered by the new container;
• identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the detected focus; and
• user setting.

Example 2: two new containers placed on inactive foci, one or more other active foci possibly:

• actuation of the acquisition key;
• research among inactive homes;
• detection of two foci covered respectively by the two containers;
• identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with a first of the two identified foci;
• direct adjustment by the user;
• actuation of the acquisition key;
• research among inactive homes;
• detection of the fireplace covered by the other container;
• identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the detected focus; and
• direct adjustment by the user;

Example 3: a new container placed on an inactive hearth, a second container present on a second fireplace stopped after cooking, one or more other active homes possibly:

• actuation of the acquisition key;
• research on inactive homes;
• detection of two outbreaks, a new outbreak associated with the new vessel and the second outbreak;
• identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the new home;
• direct adjustment by the user;
• actuation of the acquisition key;
• research on inactive homes;
• detection of the second focus;
• identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the second focus; and
• direct adjustment by the user.

In general, the identification of control means associated with the hearths can be carried out first of all for the hearths on which the receptacle has been most recently laid, then on the hearths of the most recently extinguished to the oldest extinguished or reciprocally the older extinct at most recently extinguished.

Example 4: a new container placed on an inactive hearth, a second container and a third container disposed respectively on a second focus and a third focus arrested after cooking, one or more other active homes possibly:

• actuation of the acquisition key;
• research on inactive homes;
• detection of the first, second and third foci, the second and third foci being associated with a serial number according to the time elapsed since the extinction of each home;
• identification by activation or visualization of the control means associated with the first focus;
• direct adjustment by the user;
• actuation of the acquisition key;
• research among inactive homes;
• identification of the second and third homes associated with a serial number;
• identification by activation or display of the control means associated with the second focus and storing of this identification step;
• lack of adjustment by the user if the second focus does not correspond to the user's request;
• actuation of the acquisition key;
• research on inactive homes;
• identification of the second and third homes associated with a serial number;
• identification by activation or display of the control keys associated with the third focus following the memorization of the preceding identification step; and
• direct adjustment by the user.

Thus, by storing the state of the foci performed at each detection and identification step, it is possible for the user to obtain the visualization or the activation of the different foci covered with a container.

Of course, during removal of the container, the state of this focus then becomes inactive, no container being detected by the detection means 21.

Of course, many modifications can be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, the cooking stoves may not be made of inductors but for example radiant or halogen foci.

Detection means of a container, independent of the furnace heating means are then integrated into each home.

These detection means can be as previously means of the inductive or thermal type.

Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the identification by a visual signal of the control means associated with the detected focus is performed near the control means on the hob.

The invention could also be implemented in a hob comprising control means common to all cooking hobs and means for selecting the hearth which must be actuated previously by the user to then power control the selected fireplace .

The identification by a visual signal of the control means could then be implemented at the means of selection of the focus, for example by the illumination of a diode disposed near the various selection keys respectively associated with the cooking stoves , or by the lighting of these selection keys if they include integrated lighting means. The identification by a visual signal of the selection of a focus automatically allows to associate the control means common to the detected focus.

Claims (12)

1. Control method for a cooking plate (10) comprising at least two heating plates (F) linked to control means (11), characterised in that it comprises the following steps:

   - acquiring an input signal via an acquisition key (12), said input signal being configured to indicate the presence of a container (R) on the cooking plate;

   - detecting the plate (F) covered by said container (R) in response to the emission of said input signal; and

   - identifying the control means (11) linked to said detected plate (F) by means of a visual signal.
2. Control method according to claim 1, characterised in that the detection step is implemented on inactive heating plates (F).
3. Control method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that it furthermore comprises a step of switching on the control means (11) linked to said detected plate (F).
4. Control method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the at least two plates are respectively linked to at least two control means, the step of identifying being implemented by illuminating a diode (13) arranged close to the control means (11) linked to said detected plate (F).
5. Control method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the at least two heating plates (F) are respectively linked to at least two control means (11), the step of identifying being implemented by illuminating display means integrated into the control means linked to said detected plate (F).
6. Cooking plate comprising at least two heating plates linked to control means, means for detecting (21) a plate (F) covered by a container (R), and means for identifying (13) the control means (11) linked to said detected heating plate (F) by means of a visual signal, characterised in that it comprises:

   - at least one acquisition key (12) of an input signal configured to indicate the presence of a container (R) on the cooking plate (10).
7. Cooking plate according to claim 6, characterised in that each heating plate (F) comprises means for detecting (21) a container.
8. Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the detection means (21) are of the inductive type.
9. Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that each heating plate (F) is formed of one or more inductors which are furthermore configured to form said means for detecting (21) the presence of a container (R).
10. Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that the identification means comprise light emitting diodes (13) respectively arranged close to control means (11) respectively linked to the heating plates (F) of the cooking table (10).
11. Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that said acquisition key comprises a one-touch entry key (12).
12. Cooking plate according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterised in that all control keys, in an inactive state, are configured to form means for the input of a signal configured to indicate the presence of a container.

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