EP2166290B1 - Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Kochherds - 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.

We know the document FR 2 863 039 A1 which describes a cooking hob with cooking zones without a predefined cooking space and is considered to be the closest state of the art. The hob consists of identical heating cells arranged in a matrix and adjacent to each other. Cooking zones are defined on a case-by-case basis by detecting a container on the hob depending on the position and size of the container.

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

The present invention generally relates to hobs, and more particularly to domestic hobs with different hobs can be controlled in operation by control means available to a user.

The setting and operation of each cooking zone requires the identification of the cooking zone and the selection of the control associated with the cooking zone.

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

After placing a container, it is necessary to identify the control means associated with the cooking chamber to control the operation and regulate the power dedicated to the cooking chamber.

There are also cooktops that have control means common to all the cooking stoves, means for selecting the cooking zone to be used previously.

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

These control means are conventionally constituted control keys arranged at a control panel associated with the hob.

More and more frequently, these keys are sensitive keys arranged under an electrically insulating plate of the cooking appliance and adapted to detect the presence of a finger of the user opposite this key to control the operation of the appliance. one or more cooking stoves.

It is known to associate these operating control means with a table cooking, adjustment keys of one or more timers adapted to control the clock of the timer or timers, so that their actuation by the user can adjust the operating time of one or more foci of cooking.

In particular, these adjustment keys of one or more timers make it possible to lengthen or shorten the operating time of one or more foci of cooking at any time when at least one of these timers is activated.

According to the various hobs, the hob includes a timer associated with all hobs to determine the operating time of all common cooking stoves, or the hob includes a timer associated with all the cooking stoves to determine the operating time of each of the cooking stoves by a selection of the cooking zone, or the cooking appliance includes a timer associated with each of the cooking stoves.

The user can thus set one or more timers by adding or subtracting an operating time from at least one cooking zone.

However, these hobs have the disadvantage that the identification of the cooking chamber and the control means associated with the cooking chamber which must be put into operation, be subject to a power adjustment and possibly a timer is not necessarily intuitive and easy when the user wants to move a cooking vessel from a first cooking stove to a second cooking chamber while maintaining the same cooking conditions of the contents introduced into the cooking vessel.

Often, such handling of a cooking vessel from a first cooking stove to a second cooking stove while attempting to adjust the cooking conditions of the second cooking stove in a manner similar to those of the first cooking oven leads to frequently the user to command errors.

The user must therefore re-adjust the second cooking zone after moving the cooking vessel from the first cooking zone to the second cooking zone and then switching off the first cooking zone.

This type of manipulation can lead to the burning of certain foods sensitive to cooking and / or to degrade the taste qualities.

In addition, this type of manipulation is not ergonomic, does not simplify the use of a cooktop for the user may cause some weariness of the latter.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a control method of a hob facilitating the movement of a cooking vessel of a cooking stove initially covered by said cooking vessel to a home of cooking the recipient while maintaining the cooking of the contents of said cooking vessel in similar conditions without having to re-adjust the recipient hearth and extinguish the initially covered cooking hearth.

For this purpose, the present invention aims, in a first aspect, a control method of a hob comprising at least two cooking hobs independent associated with control means, at least two cooking stoves being of different size.

• acquisition par au moins une touche d'acquisition d'un signal d'entrée adapté à commander des paramètres de fonctionnement d'au moins un desdits foyers de cuisson de ladite table de cuisson initialement recouvert par un récipient de cuisson vers un foyer de cuisson destinataire ;
• détection d'au moins un foyer de cuisson recouvert par un récipient de cuisson en réponse à l'émission dudit signal d'entrée ou acquisition d'une commande de sélection d'un foyer de cuisson recouvert par un récipient de cuisson ;
• déplacement d'un récipient de cuisson d'un foyer de cuisson initialement recouvert vers un foyer de cuisson destinataire ;
• détection dudit foyer de cuisson destinataire recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson ou acquisition d'une commande de sélection du foyer de cuisson destinataire recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson ; et
• commande dudit foyer de cuisson destinataire recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson à partir des paramètres de fonctionnement dudit foyer de cuisson initialement recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson de sorte à maintenir la cuisson du contenu dudit récipient de cuisson dans des conditions similaires, les paramètres de réglage initiaux concernant le niveau de puissance dudit foyer de cuisson initialement recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson étant transposés audit foyer de cuisson destinataire, et ladite puissance pouvant être corrigée lors de la transposition audit foyer de cuisson destinataire en fonction des caractéristiques dudit foyer de cuisson destinataire.

According to the invention, said method comprises at least the following steps:

• acquisition by at least one acquisition key of an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of at least one of said cooking hobs of said hob initially covered by a cooking vessel to a recipient cooking stove ;
• detecting at least one cooking zone covered by a cooking vessel in response to the emission of said input signal or acquiring a selection control of a cooking zone covered by a cooking vessel;
• moving a cooking vessel from an initially covered cooking hearth to a destination cooking stove;
• detecting said recipient hearth covered by said cooking vessel or acquiring a selection control of the recipient cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel; and
• controlling said recipient cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel from the operating parameters of said cooking hearth initially covered by said cooking vessel so as to maintain the cooking of the contents of said cooking vessel under similar conditions, the setting parameters initial steps regarding the power level of said cooking hearth initially covered by said cooking vessel being transposed to said recipient hearth, and said power can be corrected upon transposition to said recipient hearth according to the characteristics of said recipient hearth.

Thus, as soon as the hob has received an order to order a recipient hearth from the operating parameters of a cooking stove initially covered by a cooking vessel, information indicating the presence of a cooking vessel on a cooking stove, the user only has to move said cooking vessel from the initially covered cooking hearth to the recipient hearth and the cooking conditions of the contents introduced into said cooking vessel are maintained by the recipient cooking stove being operated by the control means of the hob.

In this way, the user no longer has to adjust the cooking parameters of a recipient cooking stove to find cooking conditions of the contents introduced into said cooking vessel similar to those of the cooking stove initially covered.

Upon positioning a cooking vessel on a recipient cooking stove, the control means of the hob can heat the cooking vessel under cooking conditions similar to those of the initially covered cooking stove.

Thus, the user can move a cooking vessel from a cooking stove to a another cooking chamber while maintaining similar cooking conditions from operating parameters of the initially covered cooking chamber.

It is thus possible to position a cooking vessel on any cooktop of the hob to allow its heating while maintaining similar cooking conditions from operating parameters of the initially covered cooking hob.

The user can thus move a cooking vessel from a cooking stove to another cooking stove to release one of the hobs of the hob without worrying about setting each time the operating parameters of the cooking stove. recipient since the cooking conditions are maintained from operating parameters of the initially covered cooking chamber.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the step of detecting at least one cooking zone covered by a cooking vessel is implemented on the active cooking hobs.

Thus, this control method allows the detection of a cooking vessel placed on an active cooking stove of the hob already put into operation to move said cooking vessel to a recipient cooking.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the step of detecting said recipient cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel is implemented on the inactive cooking hobs.

Thus, this control method allows the detection of a cooking vessel moved from a cooking hearth initially covered by said cooking vessel to a recipient cooking stove. The cooking vessel is placed on a cooking stove for which the cooktop is already active for at least one cooking hearth initially covered by a cooking vessel.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the method further comprises a step of operating the control means associated with said detected or selected target cooking focus.

Thus, the automatic detection or the selection of the recipient cooking stove covered by the cooking vessel results in the activation of the control means associated with this cooking stove.

The user can thus modify the operating parameters of the recipient cooking stove directly at the level of the control means from operating parameters of the initially covered cooking stove, if he wishes, following the displacement of the cooking vessel of the cooking stove. baking initially covered to the recipient hearth.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of storing the operating parameters of said at least one cooking hearth covered by a cooking vessel.

Thus, the operating parameters of the recipient hearth are set by the cooktop control means from the stored operating parameters of the cooking compartment initially covered by a cooking vessel.

According to a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a hob comprising at least two cooking hobs associated with control means and a microprocessor.

This hob includes a processing algorithm adapted to implement the control method according to the invention.

This hob has similar features and advantages to those described above in connection with the control method.

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

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de dessus illustrant une table de cuisson conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention.

In the only appended drawing, given by way of non-limiting example:

• the figure 1 is a schematic top view illustrating a hob according to an embodiment of the invention.

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

1. 1. Des cercles schématisent l'existence de foyers de cuisson 2 indépendants sur lesquels un récipient de cuisson 3 peut être posé.

We illustrated on the figure 1 a schematic top view of a hob

1. 1. Circles schematize the existence of independent cooking stoves 2 on which a cooking vessel 3 can be placed.

Such a hob can be embedded or be an integral part of a work plan. It can also be associated with other cooking appliances, such as a cooking oven arranged underneath.

The hob 1 may include one or more heating means supplied with electricity and / or gas. These heating means may be induction type, radiant or halogen, or gas.

Here, and by way of non-limiting examples, each cooking zone 2 consists of one or more inductors.

Thus, a single inductor can materialize each cooking stove.

Alternatively, each cooking chamber may comprise several inductors that can be especially concentric and, for example, two or three inductors to adapt the size of the cooking chamber to the size of the container to be heated.

In this example of embodiment illustrated in figure 1 , the hob 1 comprises a hob 6, in particular glass-ceramic. This hob 1 comprises in a cooking plane 6 several cooking stoves 2.

In this embodiment of the invention, the hob 1 comprises four hobs 2.

Of course, the number of cooking stoves 2 is not limiting and the arrangement of these may be different.

The number of cooking zones 2 of the hob 1 is at least two.

These cooking hobs 2 are in this embodiment consist of one or more inductors for heating a cooking vessel 3 by the principle of induction heating.

In this embodiment of the invention, the hob 1 comprises a control keyboard 8 generally disposed on one side of the hob 1, for example along a front edge of the hob 6.

This control keyboard 8 comprises control means 4, 5, 7 in operation of the cooking hobs 2.

In this embodiment of the invention and in no way limiting, the control keyboard 8 comprises different sensitive keys 4, 5, 7 allowing the user, by simply pressing at a key materialized by a marking area on the cooking surface 6, to control and / or modify the operation of one or more cooking hobs 2.

These sensitive keys 4, 5, 7 can operate by means of capacitive sensors arranged under an electrically insulating plate, in particular glass-ceramic, constituting the hob 6.

In this embodiment of the invention, each cooking zone 2 is associated with a control means 4 for adjusting the power level, the setting of which is accessible to the user by means of control keys associated with each cooking zone 2 .

The hob 1 may include two power adjustment keys 4 per cooking zone 2 respectively for increasing or decreasing the power delivered by a cooking zone 2.

In this embodiment of the invention, each cooking zone 2 is also associated with a control means 5 for setting a timer whose setting is accessible to the user by means of control keys associated with each cooking zone. 2.

The control means 5 for setting a timer may also comprise in practice two adjustment keys respectively making it possible to increase or decrease the duration associated with a timer of a cooking zone 2.

In this embodiment of the invention, the following figure 1 sensory control means accessible directly at the hob 6 of the hob 1.

The control means 4 allow in particular the switching on or off of each cooking zone 2 and the adjustment of the power level of each cooking zone 2, for example according to a number of positions between 0 and 9.

Preferably, the control means 5 for setting a timer make it possible to set the duration of a timer from which counting means can automatically switch off the power supply of one or more cooking hobs. after the set time has elapsed.

The control means 5 allow the setting of a timer for each cooking zone 2, for example with a duration of between 0 and 99 minutes.

In addition, one or more display screens 9 can display different parameters being adjusted, such as a power index of a cooking zone 2 or a duration associated with a timer.

It should be noted that in this exemplary embodiment of the invention, the control means 4, 5 for adjusting the power level and setting a timer are multiplied at the control panel 8 by the number of cooking zones 2 to supply energy.

The control keyboard 8 may also include one or more keys for selecting a cooking zone 2.

Furthermore, the control means 4, 5 of the power level adjustment and timer setting may be common to all cooking stoves 2.

In another embodiment of the invention, the control pad 8 of the hob 1 may be a "rotating keyboard". This type of control keyboard is well known to those skilled in the art.

The control keyboard 8 called "rotating keyboard" generally comprises a representation of the cooking hobs 2 of the hob 1 by pictograms in screen printing on the hob 6.

Each pictogram is associated with a cooking zone 2 and a selection key of said cooking zone 2 can be provided on the control keyboard 8.

Following the selection of a cooking zone 2 on the control keyboard 8 or the detection of a cooking vessel 3 on a cooking zone 2, a luminous display, such as for example a diode, can be turned on to identify said selected or detected cooking zone 2.

The control means 4, 5 for adjusting the power level and setting a timer can be common to all cookstoves 2.

The control means 4, 5 for adjusting the power level and setting a timer for a cooking zone 2 can be accessible only following the selection of said cooking zone 2 on the control keypad 8 or at the same time. detecting a cooking vessel 3 on said cooking zone 2.

To control and / or modify the operating parameters of another cooking hearth 2, the selection of another cooking hearth 2 on the control keypad 8 or the detection of a cooking receptacle 3 on another hearth cooking 2 must be performed before.

The display of the setting of the power level and the setting of a timer on display means of the control keyboard 8 is only that of the cooking zone 2 selected or on which a cooking vessel 3 has been detected.

The selection of the cooking chamber 2 can be performed automatically when detecting a cooking vessel 3 on a cooking zone 2, especially when induction heating elements are used.

In this case, the induction heating elements can serve as detection means for a cooking vessel 3 placed on a cooking zone 2.

The control means 4, 5 for adjusting the power level and setting a timer cooperate with a global control device, such as for example a control card equipped with a microcontroller. The overall control device of the hob 1 makes it possible to adjust the power supply of each cooking zone 2 and / or to set the timer associated with each cooking zone 2 as a function of the power control and / or timer requested by the user.

The hob 1 further comprises input means of a signal in the global control device for controlling operating parameters of at least one of said hobs 2 of the hob 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a recipient cooking zone 2.

In this embodiment of the invention, the hob 1 comprises at least one key 7 for acquiring an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of at least one of said cooking hobs 2 of said cooktop 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a recipient cooking 2 recipient.

Said at least one key 7 for acquiring an input signal may be a touch sensitive key, provided at the hob 6 of the hob 1. This key 7 allows the user to control operating parameters of at least one of said cooking hobs 2 of the hob 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a recipient cooking 2.

Of course, the control means 4, 5 for adjusting the power level and setting a timer and said at least one key 7 for acquiring a sensitively controlled input signal could be replaced by any type of control. push-button or rotary knob control elements.

Advantageously, the hob 1 comprises at least one means for detecting at least one cooking zone 2 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 and at least one means for detecting said receiving cooking zone 2 covered by said cooking vessel. 3.

For this, each cooking chamber 2 may comprise at least one means for detecting a cooking vessel 3 already known to those skilled in the art, for example inductive loops.

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

Preferably, the detection means may be of the inductive type for detecting the presence of a cooking vessel 3 above a cooking zone 2 when the average current measured across said detection means varies.

In this embodiment of the invention, where the cooking hobs 2 are themselves constituted by inductors, it is particularly advantageous to provide that these inductors also constitute means for detecting the presence of a cooking vessel 3 on a cooking stove 2.

In another embodiment of the invention, the means for detecting a cooking vessel can be replaced by one or more acquisition keys of a selection control of a cooking zone 2 that can be arranged at of the control keyboard 8.

In particular, the hob 1 may comprise at least one acquisition key of a selection control of a cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 and at least one acquisition key of a control of selecting the recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3.

Furthermore, the hob 1 may comprise means for identification by a visual signal of a cooking zone 2 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 and / or the recipient cooking zone 2.

In one embodiment of the invention, the identification means may consist of one or more electroluminescent diodes arranged near the control means 4, 5 of a cooking zone 2.

The illumination of this or these light-emitting diodes makes it possible to signal visually to the user the control means 4, 5 associated with the cooking chamber 2 on which a cooking vessel 3 has been placed and / or removed following the acquisition of an input signal adapted to control parameters of operation of at least one of said cooking hobs 2 of the hob 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a recipient 2 cooking hearth.

Of course, other viewing means could be used, such as for example a display.

In particular, the control means 4, 5 associated with each cooking zone 2 can integrate a display screen 9 in particular to indicate the active or inactive state of a cooking zone 2, and / or to indicate a power level of a cooking zone 2 programmed by the user, and / or to indicate a duration of a timer programmed by the user.

In such a case, the identification by a visual signal of a cooking zone 2 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 and / or the recipient cooking zone 2 can be implemented by the illumination of this display screen 9 integrated in the control means 4, 5.

Moreover, although, with reference to the figure 1 said at least one key 7 for acquiring an input signal is a single input key allowing the user to control operating parameters of at least one of said cooking hobs 2 of the hob 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a recipient cooking 2 recipient, the hob 1 could include several keys 7 acquisition of an input signal.

In response to this signal, the overall control device of the hob 1 implements the detection of at least one cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 or allows the user to select a cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3, for example by pressing a selection button of a cooking zone 2.

The user can then move a cooking vessel 3, of his choice, a cooking hearth 2 initially covered to a recipient cooking 2 recipient.

Then, the global control device of the hob 1 implements the detection of said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 or allows the user to select said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said container of cooking cooking 3.

And, the overall control device of the hob 1 controls said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 from the operating parameters of said cooking zone 2 initially covered by said cooking vessel 3 so as to maintain cooking the contents of said cooking vessel 3 in similar conditions.

The hob 1 comprises a control keyboard 8 communicating with at least one microcontroller. Said at least one microcontroller is itself connected to the heating means of the hob 1 and to the detection means of a cooking vessel 3.

Said at least one microcontroller thus makes it possible to control in operation the heating means or means of each cooking zone 2 and to control in operation the detection means of a cooking vessel 3.

The means for detecting a cooking vessel 3 on a cooking zone 2 are used successively or simultaneously so as to control the introduction, the maintenance or the withdrawal of a cooking vessel 3 on each of the fireboxes. cooking 2 of the hob 1.

The detection means of a cooking vessel 3 operated by said at least one microcontroller can be implemented as soon as the cooktop 1 is turned on or when an input signal adapted to control parameters operation of at least one of said cooking hobs 2 of said hob 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a recipient 2 cooking hearth is acquired.

Said at least one microcontroller communicates with the control keyboard 8 to receive from said control keyboard 8 the operating parameters of one or more cooking stoves 2 controlled by the user and to send information to said control pad 8 concerning the state of the cooking zones as well as the adjustment of the operating parameters, such as, for example, the power level and the duration of a timer, and / or to display data on display means of the control keyboard 8.

Said at least one microcontroller is also adapted to receive the acquisition of an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of at least one of said cooking hobs 2 of said hob 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a cooking zone 2 recipient after pressing on said at least one key 7 of the control panel 8.

We will now describe a control method of a hob according to the invention.

• acquisition par au moins une touche d'acquisition d'un signal d'entrée adapté à commander des paramètres de fonctionnement d'au moins un desdits foyers de cuisson 2 de la table de cuisson 1 initialement recouvert par un récipient de cuisson 3 vers un foyer de cuisson 2 destinataire ;
• détection d'au moins un foyer de cuisson 2 recouvert par un récipient de cuisson 3 en réponse à l'émission dudit signal d'entrée ou acquisition d'une commande de sélection d'un foyer de cuisson 2 recouvert par un récipient de cuisson 3 ;
• déplacement d'un récipient de cuisson 3 d'un foyer de cuisson 2 initialement recouvert vers un foyer de cuisson 2 destinataire ;
• détection dudit foyer de cuisson 2 destinataire recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson 3 ou acquisition d'une commande de sélection du foyer de cuisson 2 destinataire recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson 3 ; et
• commande dudit foyer de cuisson 2 destinataire recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson 3 à partir des paramètres de fonctionnement dudit foyer de cuisson 2 initialement recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson 3 de sorte à maintenir la cuisson du contenu dudit récipient de cuisson 3 dans des conditions similaires.

The method comprises at least the following steps:

• acquisition by at least one acquisition key of an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of at least one of said cooking hobs 2 of the hob 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 towards a hearth cooking 2 recipient;
• detecting at least one cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 in response to the emission of said input signal or acquisition of a selection control of a cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 ;
• moving a cooking vessel 3 from a cooking hearth 2 initially covered to a recipient cooking zone 2;
• detecting said recipient cooking zone 2 recipient covered by said cooking vessel 3 or acquisition of a selection control of the recipient cooking zone 2 recipient covered by said cooking vessel 3; and
• controlling said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 from the operating parameters of said cooking hearth 2 initially covered by said cooking vessel 3 so as to maintain the cooking of the contents of said cooking vessel 3 under similar conditions .

Thus, as soon as the hob has received an order to order a recipient 2 cooking hearth from the operating parameters of a cooking chamber 2 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3, information indicating the presence of a cooking vessel 3 on a cooking chamber 2, the user only has to move said cooking vessel 3 of the cooking hearth 2 initially covered to the recipient cooking 2 and the cooking conditions of the content introduced into said cooking vessel 3 are held by the recipient cooking zone 2 being operated by the control means of the hob 1.

In this way, the user no longer has to adjust the cooking parameters of a recipient cooking zone 2 to find cooking conditions of the contents introduced into said cooking vessel 3 similar to those of the cooking chamber 2 initially covered .

As soon as a cooking vessel 3 is placed on a recipient cooking stove 2, the control means of the cooking hob 1 make it possible to heat this cooking vessel 3 under cooking conditions similar to those of the cooking zone 2 initially. covered.

Thus, the user can move a cooking vessel 3 from a cooking zone 2 to another cooking zone 2 while maintaining similar cooking conditions from operating parameters of the initially covered cooking zone 2.

It is thus possible to position a cooking vessel 3 on any cooking zone 2 of the hob 1 to allow its heating while maintaining similar cooking conditions from operating parameters of the initially covered cooking chamber 2.

The user can thus move a cooking vessel 3 from a cooking zone 2 to another cooking zone 2 to release one of the cooking zones 2 of the hob 1 without worrying about setting each time the parameters of the cooking zone 2. operation of the recipient 2 cooking hearth since the cooking conditions are maintained from operating parameters of the cooking hearth 2 initially covered.

An input signal acquired by the acquisition key 7 is transmitted to the global control device which, in response, controls the implementation of a step of detecting at least one cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking container. cooking 3 or allows the user to select a cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3, for example by pressing a selection button of a cooking zone 2.

At each cooking zone 2 of the hob 1 may be associated a detection means of a cooking vessel 3.

As a function of the signal measured by the detection means of a cooking vessel 3, for example the value of a current at the terminals of an inductor, which is modified as a function of the load, represented by the cooking vessel 3, placed opposite this detection means, a cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 is detected.

This control method also makes it possible to release a cooking zone 2 initially covered by a first cooking vessel 3 whose size of said initially covered cooking hearth 2 is more adapted to a second cooking vessel 3 to be placed on the cooking surface. 6 of the hob 1 for heating a new food in said second cooking vessel 3.

In such a case of use of the hob 1, if the only cooking stove 2 free of the hob 1 is a small cooking stove, for example with a diameter of 160mm, a small cooking vessel 3 covers a large cooking chamber 2, for example with a diameter of 210 mm, and that the user wishes to add on the hob 6 of the hob 1 a large cooking vessel 3, a input signal adapted to control operating parameters of the large cooking stove 2 initially covered by the small cooking vessel 3 to the recipient small cooking stove 2 can be acquired.

Thus, the small cooking vessel 3 can be moved from the cooking hearth 2 of large size to the cooking stove 2 of small size recipient being free.

Then, the user can add the large cooking vessel 3 to the large cooking chamber 2 initially covered by the small cooking vessel 3 since said large cooking hearth 2 is released.

Preferably, the step of detecting at least one cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 is implemented on the active cooking hobs 2.

Thus, this control method allows the detection of a cooking vessel 3 placed on an active cooking hearth 2 of the hob 1 already in operation to move said cooking vessel 3 to a recipient cooking 2.

The user can then move a cooking vessel 3, of his choice, a cooking hearth 2 initially covered to a recipient cooking 2 recipient.

Then, the global control device of the hob 1 implements the detection of said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 or allows the user to select said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said container of cooking cooking 3.

The step of detecting said recipient cooking zone 2 covered by said cooking vessel 3 is implemented on the inactive cooking hobs 2.

Thus, this control method allows the detection of a cooking vessel 3 moved from a cooking zone 2 initially covered by said cooking vessel 3 to a recipient cooking zone 2. The cooking vessel 3 is placed on a cooking zone 2 to which the cooking plate 1 is already active for at least one cooking zone 2 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3.

And, the overall control device of the hob 1 controls said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 from the operating parameters of said cooking zone 2 initially covered by said cooking vessel 3 so as to maintain cooking the contents of said cooking vessel 3 under similar conditions.

In practice, the method further comprises a step of operating the control means 4, 5 associated with said detected or selected recipient cooking zone 2.

Thus, the automatic detection or the selection of the recipient cooking zone 2 recipient covered by the cooking vessel 3 results in the activation of the control means 4, 5 associated with the cooking zone 2.

Following the activation of the control means 4, 5 associated with the recipient 2 cooking hearth, the user has the possibility to maintain the operating parameters of the cooking chamber 2 initially covered by the cooking vessel 3 or to modify these last.

The control means 4, 5 associated with the recipient 2 cooking hearth may include one or more light elements, they can be set in flashing mode for a predetermined time following the automatic detection or selection of the recipient 2 cooking recipient covered by the cooking vessel 3.

The possibility of modifying the operating parameters of the recipient 2 hearth may be allowed for a few seconds following the detection automatic or the selection of the recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by the cooking vessel 3 and the control means 4, 5 associated with the recipient cooking zone 2 can activate the heating means following the flow of a time controlled by a control microcontroller of the hob 1.

The user can thus modify the operating parameters of the recipient hearth 2 directly at the level of the control means 4, 5 from the operating parameters of the cooking chamber 2 initially covered, if desired, following the movement of the cooking vessel 3 of the cooking hearth 2 initially covered towards the recipient cooking zone 2.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of memorizing the operating parameters of said at least one cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3.

Thus, the operating parameters of the recipient cooking zone 2 are set by the control means of the hob 1 from the memorized operating parameters of the cooking zone 2 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3.

The operating parameters of said at least one cooking zone 2 initially covered by said cooking vessel 3 are a power level of said at least one cooking zone 2 and / or a duration of a timer associated with said at least one cooking zone. 2.

In the case where several cooking vessels 3 are present on active cooking hobs 2 of the hob 6 of the hob 1, the control method according to the invention will realize the detection of all hobs 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3.

In a first embodiment of the invention, this control method can allow the displacement of a single cooking vessel 3 of a cooking hearth 2 initially covered to a recipient cooking stove 2, then the detection of said cooking hearth baking recipient 2 covered by said cooking vessel 3, and finally the control of said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 from the operating parameters of said cooking chamber 2 initially covered by said cooking vessel 3 so as to maintaining the cooking of the contents of said cooking vessel 3 under similar conditions.

In a second embodiment of the invention, this control method can successively allow for each of said cooking containers 3 the displacement of a cooking vessel 3 of a cooking hearth 2 initially covered to a cooking zone 2 recipient , then the detection of said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3, and finally the order of said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 from operating parameters of said cooking chamber 2 initially covered by said cooking vessel 3 so as to maintain the cooking of the contents of said cooking vessel 3 under similar conditions.

• aucune détection d'au moins un foyer de cuisson 2 recouvert par un récipient de cuisson 3 en réponse à l'émission dudit signal d'entrée n'a été détectée ou aucune acquisition d'une commande de sélection d'un foyer de cuisson 2 recouvert par un récipient de cuisson 3 n'a été saisie par l'utilisateur au niveau des moyens de commande ;
• aucune détection dudit foyer de cuisson 2 destinataire recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson 3 n'a été détectée ou aucune acquisition d'une commande de sélection du foyer de cuisson 2 destinataire recouvert par ledit récipient de cuisson 3 n'a été saisie par l'utilisateur.

Delaying means may also be integrated in the hob 1 so as to control the cancellation of the acquisition of an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of at least one of said cooking hobs 2 of the hob 1 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a recipient cooking 2 when:

• no detection of at least one cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 in response to the emission of said input signal has been detected or no acquisition of a selection control of a cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 has been entered by the user at the control means;
• no detection of said recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 has been detected or no acquisition of a selection command of the recipient 2 cooking hearth covered by said cooking vessel 3 was seized by the user.

By way of non-limiting example, this delay period may be of the order of 10 seconds.

The cancellation of this command for transposing the initial adjustment parameters of a cooking zone 2 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 to a recipient cooking zone 2 may be indicated by a visual indication on display means, such as for example, viewing screens 9.

The control method of a hob according to the invention allows to move a cooking vessel 3 of a first cooking zone 2, initially covered by said cooking vessel 3, to a second cooking zone 2, recipient while retaining the initial settings of the first cooking zone 2. The initial settings of the first cooking zone 2 may in particular be a power level and a duration of a timer.

The control method comprises pressing a key 7 for acquiring an input signal. Pressing button 7 can be signaled by an audible signal. The duration of the sound signal can be short and for example of the order of 1 second.

The control device of the hob 1 detects at least one cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 in response to the emission of the input signal or a selection control of a cooking zone 2 covered by a cooking vessel 3 is acquired by pressing a key, such as for example a selection key associated with a cooking zone 2.

Then, the user moves the cooking vessel 3 of the first cooking chamber 2, initially covered by said cooking vessel 3, to the second cooking center 2, recipient.

The control method may also include acquisition of a signal adapted to validate the displacement of the cooking vessel 3 of the first cooking zone 2, initially covered by said cooking vessel 3, towards the second cooking zone 2, addressed by pressing a key that can be said key 7 for acquiring an input signal.

The initial setting parameters of the first cooking zone 2, initially covered by the cooking vessel 3, are transposed to the second cooking zone 2, recipient.

These initial adjustment parameters transposed to the second cooking zone 2 may be displayed by display means associated with said second cooking zone 2, such as for example by display screens 9.

The first cooking zone 2, initially covered by the cooking vessel 3, is rendered inactive as soon as the initial adjustment parameters are transposed to the second cooking zone 2, destination, or as soon as the initial adjustment parameters are displayed on display means associated with said second cooking zone 2.

When the first cooking zone 2, initially covered by the cooking vessel 3, is rendered inactive, the initial adjustment parameters displayed by display means associated with said first cooking zone 2 are extinguished.

The initial adjustment parameters transposed to the second cooking zone 2 may be, in particular, the setting of the power level and the duration of the timer.

The initial adjustment parameters transposed to the second cooking focus 2 concerning the power level may be an index displayed on display means, such as for example display screens 9, or operating data characteristic of the first focus of the display. cooking 2, initially covered by the cooking vessel 3, and can be corrected to be transposed to the second cooking stove 2 recipient, depending on the characteristics of the latter.

The initial setting parameters transposed to the second cooking focus 2 concerning the duration of a timer may be a duration displayed on display means, such as, for example, display screens 9.

The flow of this duration displayed on a timer of a first cooking zone 2, initially covered by a cooking vessel 3, can be interrupted at least as soon as an input signal is acquired, for example by a support on key 7, until at least the acquisition of a suitable signal to validate the displacement of the cooking vessel 3 of the first cooking zone 2 to the second cooking zone 2, for example by pressing a key that can be said key 7d acquisition of an input signal. Then, the flow of the duration of a timer can resume and be displayed on display means, such as display screens 9, associated with the second cooking stove 2 recipient.

In one embodiment of the invention, if none of the hobs 2 of the hob 1 is covered by a cooking vessel 3 before the acquisition of an input signal adapted to control parameters of operating a first cooking zone 2 of said hob 1, initially covered by a cooking vessel 3, to a second cooking zone 2, recipient, for example by pressing the key 7 to acquire a input signal, then the control of transposition of the initial setting parameters of said first cooking zone 2 to a second cooking zone 2 can be canceled.

The cancellation of this command for transposing the initial adjustment parameters can be signaled by a sound signal. The duration of the sound signal can be long and for example of the order of 3 seconds.

In one embodiment of the invention, if an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of a first cooking zone 2 of the hob 1, initially covered by a cooking vessel 3, to a second cooking stove 2, recipient, is acquired, for example by pressing the key 7 for acquiring an input signal, and at least one cooking zone 2 is active without being covered by a cooking vessel 3, then the control of transposition of the initial setting parameters of said first cooking zone 2 to a second cooking zone 2 can be canceled.

The cancellation of this command for transposing the initial adjustment parameters can be signaled by a sound signal. The duration of the sound signal can be long and for example of the order of 3 seconds.

In one embodiment of the invention, if an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of a first cooking zone 2 of the hob 1, initially covered by a cooking vessel 3, to a second cooking hearth 2 recipient is acquired, for example by pressing the key 7 for acquiring an input signal, and several cooking vessels 3 are moved on the hob 6 of the hob 1 , then the control of transposition of the initial setting parameters of said first cooking zone 2 to a second cooking zone 2 can be canceled.

Canceling this command to transpose the adjustment parameters initials can be indicated by a visual indication on display means, such as for example viewing screens 9.

In one embodiment of the invention, if an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of a first cooking zone 2 of the hob 1, initially covered by a cooking vessel 3, to a second cooking zone 2, recipient is acquired, for example by pressing the key 7 for acquiring an input signal, and more than one cooking zone 2 recipient is activated, then the command for transposition of the parameters initial setting of said first cooking zone 2 to a second cooking zone 2 can be canceled.

The cancellation of this command for transposing the initial adjustment parameters can be indicated by a visual indication on display means, such as, for example, display screens 9.

In another embodiment of the invention, the cooking hobs 2 may not consist of inductors but each cooking zone 2 consists of a gas burner, or the hob 1 could comprise at least a cooking zone 2 consisting of one or more inductors and at least one cooking zone 2 consisting of a gas burner.

Detection means of a cooking vessel 3 independent of the heating means of the cooking chamber 2 can then be integrated into each cooking zone 2.

These detection means may in particular be of the inductive, thermal or infrared type.

In one embodiment of the invention where the hobs 2 consist of either gas burners, inductors, or radiant elements is halogen or the cooking hobs 2 consist of a mixture of those here, the operation of the hob 1 is identical to that described above.

Whatever the type of cooking hob 2, the transposition of the operating parameters of a cooking zone 2 initially covered by a cooking vessel 3 can be carried out to a cooking zone 2 recipient of the same type or of another .

Claims (15)

1. A method for controlling a cooking hob (1) comprising at least two independent cooking zones (2) associated with control means, of which at least two cooking zones are of different sizes, said method comprising at least the following steps:

   - acquisition by at least one acquisition key of an input signal adapted to control operating parameters of at least one of said cooking zones (2) of said cooking hob (1) initially covered by a cooking vessel (3) to a receiving cooking zone (2);

   - detection of at least one cooking zone (2) covered by a cooking vessel (3) in response to the sending of said input signal or acquisition of a control to select a cooking zone (2) covered by a cooking vessel (3).

   - moving a cooking vessel (3) from one initially covered cooking zone (2) to a receiving cooking zone (2);

   - detection of said receiving cooking zone (2) covered by said cooking vessel (3) or acquisition of a control to select the receiving cooking zone (2) covered by said cooking vessel (3); and

   - controlling said receiving cooking zone (2) covered by said cooking vessel (3) based on operating parameters of said cooking zone (2) initially covered by said cooking vessel (3) so as to maintain the cooking level of the contents of said cooking vessel (3) under similar conditions, the initially set parameters relating to the power level of said cooking zone (2) initially covered by said cooking vessel (3) being transposed onto said receiving cooking zone (2), and said power being correctable during the transposition onto said receiving cooking zone (2) based on the characteristics of said receiving cooking zone (2).
2. A method for controlling a cooking hob (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of detecting at least one cooking zone (2) covered by a cooking vessel (3) is implemented on active cooking zones (2).
3. A method for controlling a cooking hob (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the step of detecting said receiving cooking zone (2) covered by said cooking vessel (3) is implemented on inactive cooking zones (2).
4. A method for controlling a cooking hob (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said method further comprises a step of turning on the control means (4, 5) associated with said detected or selected receiving cooking zone.
5. A method for controlling a cooking hob (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said method further comprises a step of recording the operating parameters of said at least one cooking zone (2) covered by a cooking vessel (3).
6. A method for controlling a cooking hob (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said operating parameters of said at least one cooking zone (2) initially covered by said cooking vessel (3) are a power level of said at least one cooking zone (2) and/or a duration of a timer associated with at least one cooking zone (2).
7. A cooking hob (1) comprising at least two cooking zones (2) associated with control means and a microprocessor, characterized in that said cooking hob (1) comprises a processing algorithm adapted to implement the method for controlling according to any one of the claims 1 to 6.
8. A cooking hob (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one means for detecting a cooking zone (2) initially covered by a cooking vessel (3) and at least one means for detecting said receiving cooking zone (2) covered by a cooking vessel (3).
9. A cooking hob (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each cooking zone (2) comprises at least one means for detecting a cooking vessel (3).
10. A cooking hob (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said means for detecting are of the inductive type.
11. A cooking hob (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one acquisition key for acquiring a control to select a cooking zone (2) covered by a cooking vessel (3) and at least one acquisition key for acquiring a control to select a receiving cooking zone (2) covered by said cooking vessel (3).
12. A cooking hob (1) according to any one of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that each cooking zone (2) is made up of one or more inductors.
13. A cooking hob (1) according to any one of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that each cooking zone (2) is made up of a gas burner.
14. A cooking hob (1) according to any one of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one cooking zone (2) made up of one or more inductors and at least one cooking zone (2) made up of a gas burner.
15. A cooking hob (1) according to any one of the claims 7 to 14, characterized in that said at least one acquisition key (7) for acquiring an input signal is a single input key.

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