EP2025841A2 - Arrangement for securing electrically operated heaters - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has detectors for detecting current intensity of a power supply of a heating device and for detecting parameters correlated with the current intensity, respectively. A controller is connected with the detectors and a locking mechanism. The controller is implemented such that it activates the locking mechanism if the current intensity exceeds a threshold or lies outside a specific range of values or if the parameter exceeds or falls below the threshold and lies outside the specific range of values.

Description

The present invention relates to an arrangement for avoiding the overheating of an electrically operated heating device and / or of the surrounding area.

When installing ovens or other heat-generating electrically operated appliances, such as steamer, grills, microwaves, etc., hereinafter referred to as heaters, in closable by closures lockers must be noted that the heaters with closed front element, such as a closed Door or flap must not be in heating mode. The closure element must therefore not be closed when these devices are in heating mode.

Most heaters have a timer or other electrically operated elements, such as displays, programming means and the like, which are fed via the mains voltage via the same supply line as the actual heating elements. Disconnecting the heater completely de-energized when the shutter is closed, this would be inevitable also lead to the timer or the other elements mentioned and thus also any programming of the heating device is deleted. The possibility of a general power cut of the device with closed closure element is thus unsatisfactory. At the same time, however, there is a need that you can install any heat device in a cabinet or in a furniture element.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to further develop an arrangement for avoiding the overheating of an electrically operated heating device and / or of the surrounding area in such a way that the heating devices can be safely and reliably operated in furniture elements.

This object is achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1. Thereafter, it is envisaged that the arrangement comprises a control device, means for detecting the current strength of the power supply of the heating device or for detecting a correlated with the current parameter and a locking mechanism, by means of which the range of movement of a closure element, in particular a door or flap limited or the closure element blockable is, wherein the controller is in communication with the means for detecting the current or the parameter as well as with the locking mechanism and is designed such that it activates the locking mechanism, when the measured current exceeds a threshold value or in or outside of a certain range of values or the parameter value correlated with the current value exceeds or falls below a limit value or lies within or outside a certain value range.

In this way, it is conceivable, for example, to allow closing of the closure element when only comparatively low current is measured, which is needed, for example, to operate a timer or a display or programming means. However, if a comparatively high current value is detected, which is required for the heating or the actual operation of the device, it is possible to ensure by means of the locking mechanism that the door can not be completely closed. It is preferably provided that a minimum opening angle is maintained, which can not be undershot in the event that a comparatively high current is measured.

Preferably, it is provided that the means for detecting the current strength comprise a coil, by means of which an inductive current measurement takes place. It is thus possible to measure the current inductively by a coil applied externally to the connecting lead of the heating device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the control unit is designed such that it activates the locking mechanism in a first switching state and deactivates the locking mechanism in a second switching state, wherein the choice of switching states depends on the measured current or on the correlated with this parameter and wherein the current intensity or the parameter value correlated therewith, at which the / is switched from the first to the second switching state or vice versa, is fixed or adjustable. For example, it can thus be provided that the current intensity for the change between the two switching states is predetermined or is also individually adaptable. This is particularly advantageous because not all heaters have the same power consumption. This depends, for example, on which or how many displays, programming means, timers, etc. are provided. Preferably, it is thus provided that the control unit is adaptable insofar as that the conditions for the switching between the two switching states are variably adjustable.

The locking mechanism may comprise a magnet which is designed and arranged such that it blocks the closure element in the energized state or limits its range of motion. It is conceivable that, for example, in the state in which a comparatively high current is measured, a magnetic mechanism is energized, wherein the action carried out by the energization, for example, a pivot fitting in the closing movement the blocking element blocked or blocked from a minimum opening angle, which is not unterschreitbar.

According to the invention it can be provided that the movement of the closure element is completely blocked or that the movement of the closure element is blocked above a certain opening angle of the closure element such that smaller angles than the specific opening angle can not be realized.

The present invention further relates to a furniture element, in particular a kitchen furniture element, wherein the furniture element has an area which serves to accommodate a heating device or in which a heating device is received, and wherein the furniture element has a closure element, in particular a door or flap, means whose area is closable. According to the invention it is provided that the furniture element is designed with an arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5. Accordingly, the closure element can be blocked or restricted to its range of motion if it is determined that the measured current strength exceeds a limit value or lies within or outside a certain value range or if the parameter correlated with the current value exceeds or falls below a limit value or in or outside a certain value range lies.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the heating device is a steamer, a grill, a microwave oven, an oven, a stove or a coffee machine. The invention is not limited to the devices mentioned here, but includes all heat-generating devices.

Furthermore, it can be provided that a temperature sensor is provided, which is arranged such that it measures the temperature preferably in said area of the furniture element or, for example, directly on the heating device or in another suitable place and that with the locking mechanism communicates directly or indirectly in such a way that the locking mechanism remains activated as long as the sensor detects a temperature value which exceeds a certain limit value or lies within a certain range. The temperature sensor may be part of the arrangement according to the invention or the furniture element according to the invention or be in communication with them. It is preferably in communication with the control unit of the arrangement according to the invention.

In this way it can be ensured that the closure element can not be closed as long as there is too high a temperature. The closure element can then not be closed when the heating operation is completed, but only when the temperature is below a limit.

Furthermore, provision may be made for means to be provided which only then deactivate the locking mechanism and thus allow closure of the closure element when a certain period of time has elapsed after the measured current value or the parameter correlated therewith lies within a range which is inherent Close the closure element would allow. In this way, thus a certain follow-up time can be maintained, which preferably runs from the termination of the heating operation of the heating device. Also in this way it is prevented that the closure element is closed too early. Said means may be part of the arrangement according to the invention or of the furniture element according to the invention or be in connection therewith. They are preferably connected to the control unit of the arrangement according to the invention or form part of it.

The values of the temperature sensor, from which closing of the closure element is possible, or the length of said follow-up time can be fixed or adjustable.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement for preventing the overheating of an electrically operated heating device and / or the surrounding area, wherein means are provided for monitoring. The means for monitoring detect via status queries both the position of a closure element and the power supply and / or current. In a first state in which the closure element, in particular a door or flap, is in the closed position, the means allow no or only a limited flow of current. In such an embodiment, for example, there is the advantage that in principle switching on a heating device, e.g. an oven, behind closed front, e.g. short circuit in the oven, prevents and thus the error redundancy is increased. A monitoring of the current can be achieved for example with very simple design, but little error-prone circuits or sensors.

It is conceivable that the current in the first state is passed through a unit limiting the energy supply and / or current which triggers when the heating device is switched on. Such a power supply and / or current limiting unit may for example be a fuse.

In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the energy supply and / or current limiting unit is a fuse that burns when you turn on the heater.

In addition, the invention relates to an arrangement for preventing the overheating of an electrically operated heating device and / or the surrounding area according to any one of claims 8 to 11, which is carried out according to one of the characterizing parts of one of claims 1 to 7. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous because overall increases the error redundancy and the reliability is improved.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment described below.

The present embodiment relates to a furniture element, namely a cabinet which can be closed by a door element designed as a front element. In the cabinet there is a heating device in the form of a baking oven, which is to be ensured by means of the inventive arrangement that the oven is not in heating mode when the front element is closed or falls below a minimum opening angle. The oven has a timer that is to be powered regardless of whether the front panel is closed or not.

The arrangement according to the invention has an outside of the connecting line of the oven applied coil, by means of which the current is measured, which flows to or from the oven. The coil is connected to a control unit to which the current current value is made available. The control unit has two switching states, wherein state 1 is set when measuring a small current value and state 2 when measuring a comparatively high current value.

With the front element is a locking mechanism in connection, which is designed such that the front element can not be pivoted at an active locking mechanism below a certain minimum opening angle. This means that the locking mechanism ensures that the front element is open at least in the minimum opening angle.

The locking mechanism comprises a magnetic mechanism, which ensures in the energized state that the pivot fitting of the front element is blocked in the closing movement of the front element from a minimum opening angle.

To turn on the heater, the front element is forcibly opened so far that the operation of the heater is reached. It is to be assumed that this minimum opening angle, which is at least necessary when operating the device, is sufficient to avoid the heat build-up behind the front element. Thus, it is sufficient that the locking of the Closing movement takes place from this minimum opening angle, which means that smaller angles than the minimum opening angle are prevented by the locking mechanism.

If it is now established that a comparatively small current flows, which is required, for example, for the aforementioned timer or for other displays, etc., the control unit (state 1) does not activate the locking mechanism, that is to say the front element can be opened and closed as desired. However, if it is determined that a comparatively high current flows, as required for the heating of the oven, the locking mechanism is activated by means of the control unit (state 2), with the result that the front element is not movable to an opening angle which is smaller is considered the minimum opening angle.

It is advantageous if the current to the change between the two switching states to the device or its power consumption is adaptable.

Claims (12)

Arrangement for preventing the overheating of an electrically operated heating device and / or the surrounding area, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a control device, means for detecting the current strength of the power supply of the heating device or for detecting a correlated with the current parameter and a locking mechanism by means of of which the range of movement of a closure element, in particular a door or flap, can be restricted or the closure element can be blocked, wherein the control device is in communication with the means for detecting the current or the parameter and with the locking mechanism and is designed such that it activates the locking mechanism, if the measured current exceeds or falls within a certain range of values or when the parameter value correlated with the current exceeds or falls below a limit, or in or outside a certain range of values. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for detecting the current strength comprise a coil, by means of which an inductive current measurement takes place. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device is designed such that it activates the locking mechanism in a first switching state and deactivated in a second switching state, the locking mechanism, wherein the choice of the switching states of the measured current or of the correlated with this Parameter dependent and wherein the current or the correlated with this parameter value, in which / between the two switching states is switched, fixed or adjustable. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises a magnet which is designed and arranged such that it blocks the closure element in the energized state or limits its range of motion. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking mechanism is designed such that it blocks the movement of the closure element for opening angle below a certain opening angle of the closure element. Furniture element, in particular kitchen furniture element, wherein the furniture element has an area which serves to receive a heating appliance or in which a heating device is accommodated, wherein the furniture element has a closure element, in particular a door or flap, by means of which the area is closable, characterized that the furniture element is designed with an arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5. Furniture element according to claim 6, characterized in that it is the heater to a steamer, a grill, a microwave oven, a stove, a stove or a coffee machine. Arrangement for preventing the overheating of an electrically operated heating device and / or the surrounding area, characterized in that means are provided for monitoring, wherein the means for monitoring via status queries both detect the position of a closure element and the power supply and / or current, and that in a first state in which the closure element, in particular a door or flap, is in the closed position, it permits no or only a limited flow of current. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the current in the first state is passed through a power supply and / or current limiting unit that triggers when switching the heater. Arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the current in a second state, in which the closure element is in a sufficiently open position, is not passed over the energy supply and / or current limiting unit. Arrangement according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the energy supply and / or current limiting unit is a fuse that burns when switching on the heater. Arrangement for preventing the overheating of an electrically operated heating device and / or the surrounding area according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that it is designed according to one of the characterizing parts of one of claims 1 to 7.