WO2015096868A1

WO2015096868A1 - Capacitive sensing device for use in an induction cooker and induction cooker having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2015096868A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/078008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Selcuk SOYYIGIT; Serdar Gokhan DOGANAY; Ugur Camli
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2013-12-26
Filing date: 2013-12-26
Publication date: 2015-07-02

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capacitive sensing device (1) for use in an induction cooker (2), comprising primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) each for selecting a corresponding induction coil (4), wherein each primary capacitive sensing button (3) has a sensing area (5) with a width of an average adult user's finger, secondary capacitive sensing buttons (6) for adjusting a power level of heating for an induction coil (4) being selected and a capacitive sensing controller configured to monitor the primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) and the secondary capacitive sensing buttons (6).

Description

CAPACITIVE SENSING DEVICE FOR USE IN AN INDUCTION COOKER AND INDUCTION COOKER HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a capacitive sensing device for use in an induction cooker. The present invention more particularly relates to a capacitive sensing device which allows combined operation of induction coils.

A conventional induction cooker has typically three or four induction coils each configuring a separate cooking zone. The induction coils of a conventional induction cooker usually have circular shapes which match the widespreadly used cylindrical-shaped conventional cooking receptacles. In the conventional induction cooker one of the induction coils typically has a relatively larger diameter to heat correspondingly large size cooking receptacles. When operating the induction cooker, the user puts the receptacle on the cooking zone which best matches the size of the receptacle and subsequently selects the respective induction coil and adjusts the power level of heating. To enable selection of the cooking zone and an adjustment of the power level of heating, the conventional induction cooker usually includes capacitive sensing buttons. Capacitive sensing buttons are carefree in comparison to mechanical buttons. In the conventional induction cooker the capacitive sensing buttons are monitored by a capacitive sensing device which has a user interface. The user interface includes a display and different groups of capacitive sensing buttons which are respectively for selecting an induction coil, and adjusting the power level of heating of an induction coil.

A problem with the above-mentioned conventional induction cooker is that it cannot uniformly heat a receptacle which has an extraordinary size and shape, such as a rectangular shape or an oblong shape. Several techniques have been developed to inductively heat receptacles with extraordinary sizes and shapes.

A commonly known technique is to operate two of the indication coils in combination to attain an enlarged cooking zone which uniformly heats the large size receptacle.

JP 2009-218040 (A) discloses a conventional induction cooking device. This induction cooking device comprises a plurality of induction coils with circular shapes and an operation portion which has a plurality of buttons for selecting an induction coil either separately or in combination with another induction coil. The operation portion also includes buttons for adjusting a power level of heating for the induction coils selected.

A drawback of the aforementioned induction cooking device is that for each combination of induction coils, a different capacitive sensing button is required. Consequently, the number of capacitive sensing buttons eventually increases. Hence, the control portion becomes sophisticated and less user-friendly.

To facilitate operability of an induction cooker, TFT LCD touchscreen monitors can be used. However, this incurs additional costs.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a capacitive sensing device for use in an induction cooker which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art and which has an improved usability.

This objective has been achieved by the capacitive sensing device according to the present invention as defined in claim 1, and the induction cooker according to the present invention as defined in claim 7. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the capacitive sensing device of the present invention, primary capacitive sensing buttons each for selecting an indication coil are arranged such that a width of an area between sensing areas of two immediately neighboring primary capacitive sensing buttons is less than a width of an average adult’s finger. In the capacitive sensing device of the present invention, a capacitive sensing controller for monitoring the primary capacitive sensing buttons is configured to enable if a user’s finger simultaneously touches the sensing areas of two immediately neighboring primary capacitive sensing buttons adjusting through secondary capacitive sensing buttons a common power level of heating for the corresponding two neighboring induction coils being simultaneously selected by the user, and to output to the induction cooker a signal indicative of the induction coils simultaneously selected by the user and the common power level of heating adjusted by the user.

Thereby, the user can combine e.g. two neighboring induction coils by touching an area between the corresponding primary capacitive sensing buttons. After the induction coils are selected, a common power level of heating is adjusted. Hence, the need for additional primary capacitive sensing buttons for selecting specific coil combinations is obviated.

In an embodiment, the capacitive sensing device has eight primary capacitive sensing buttons which are arranged along two straight arrays. In this embodiment, each array has four primary capacitive sensing buttons.

In another embodiment, the induction cooker comprises eight induction coils which are arranged in two straight arrays each including four induction coils. The two arrays respectively configure a left side and right side of a cooking zone of the induction cooker.

By the present invention, a capacitive sensing device has been provided which enables combined operation of induction coils of an induction cooker without increasing the number of primary capacitive sensing buttons. Thereby, a user-friendly user interface has been attained. Also the usability of the capacitive sensing device and the induction cooker has been both increased. In addition, a reduction in overall costs has been achieved.

Additional advantages of the capacitive sensing device and the induction cooker according to the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective partial view of a capacitive sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a schematic perspective partial view of an induction cooker which has a capacitive sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 – is a schematic enlarged partial top view of the induction cooker shown in Fig. 2.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Capacitive sensing device
Induction cooker
Primary capacitive sensing button
Induction coil
Sensing area
Secondary capacitive sensing button
Display unit
Display
Cooking zone
Control unit
Front side

The capacitive sensing device (1) is suitable for use in an induction cooker (2) (Figs. 1 to 3). The capacitive sensing device (1) comprises primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) each for selecting a corresponding induction coil (4), wherein each primary capacitive sensing button (3) has a sensing area (5) with a predetermined width which is equal to a width of an average adult user’s finger, secondary capacitive sensing buttons (6) for adjusting a power level of heating for an induction coil (4) being selected and

a capacitive sensing controller (not shown) configured to monitor the primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) and secondary capacitive sensing buttons (6), and to output a signal to the induction cooker (2) indicative of the induction coils (4) selected by the user and the power level of heating adjusted by the user (Figs. 1 to 3).

In the capacitive sensing device (1) according to the present invention, the primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) are arranged such that a width of an area between the sensing areas (5) of two immediately neighboring primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) is less than said predetermined width i.e., less than a width of an average adult user’s finger (Figs. 1 to3). The capacitive sensing controller of the present invention is further configured to enable if a user’s finger simultaneously touches the sensing areas (5) of two immediately neighboring primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) adjusting a common power level of heating for the corresponding two neighboring induction coils (4) being simultaneously selected by the user, and to output to the induction cooker (2) a signal indicative of the induction coils (4) simultaneously selected by the user and the common power level of heating adjusted by the user (Figs. 1 to 3).

Each of the primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) is configured by a capacitor (not shown). The capacitive sensing controller is configured to monitor the changes in the capacitance of the capacitors. When the user touches the sensing area (5) of a primary capacitive sensing button (3), the capacitive sensing controller detects a change in the capacitance, and judges that the user has selected the corresponding induction coil (4) to be activated for inductive cooking. Subsequently, the user is allowed to adjust through the secondary capacitive sensing buttons (6) a power level of heating for the selected induction coil (4). After the power level of heating has been adjusted, the capacitive sensing controller outputs to the induction cooker (2) a signal indicative of the selected induction coil (4) and the adjusted power level of heating. A control unit (10) of the induction cooker (2) drives the induction coil (4) in accordance with the output settings i.e., the induction coils (4) being selected and the power level of heating. The same procedure applies to any of the induction coils (4). However, in the present invention, when the user touches with his or her finger an area between two neighboring primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) due to the specific arrangement, the user’s finger partially covers both of the two neighboring sensing areas (5) and, in turn, the capacitive sensing controller detects a change in the capacitance of both capacitors of these two neighboring primary capacitive sensing buttons (3). Thus, the capacitive sensing controller judges that the user has selected these two neighboring inductions coils (4) for combined operation. Subsequently, the user is allowed to adjust through the secondary capacitive sensing buttons (6) a common power level of heating for the simultaneously selected induction coils (4). After the common power level of heating has been adjusted, the capacitive sensing controller outputs to the induction cooker (2) a signal indicative of the selected induction coils (4) and the adjusted common power level of heating. The control unit (10) of the induction cooker (2) drives the combined induction coils (4) in accordance with the output settings. The same procedure applies to any of the simultaneously selected immediately neighboring induction coils (4) (Figs. 1 to 3).

In an embodiment, the capacitive sensing device (1) further comprises a display unit (7) which includes one or more than one display (8) for visually informing the user about the induction coils (4) as singly and/or simultaneously being selected by the user and the power level of heating adjusted by the user (Figs. 1 to 3). Thereby, the user is informed on the operational state of each induction coil (4).

In another embodiment, the primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) are arranged along one or more than one straight array (R1). In this embodiment, each straight array (R1) has a plurality of primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) (Figs. 1 to 3).

In another embodiment, the capacitive sensing device (1) has eight primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) which are arranged along two straight arrays (R1). In this embodiment, each array (R1) has a four primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) (Figs. 1 to 3).

In another embodiment, the secondary capacitive sensing buttons (5) are arranged along a curved array (R2) (Figs. 1 and 2).

In another embodiment, the primary capacitive sensing button (3) has a rectangular-shaped capacitor (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the primary capacitive sensing button (3) has a circular-shaped capacitor. In a version of this embodiment a user interface of the capacitive sensing device (1) is configured by a printed circuit board (PCB) which has a plurality of said capacitors and a non-conductive overlay which covers the capacitors. The width of the capacitor pads are designed in accordance with the desired sensing area (5). The capacitor pads are separated by a distance in accordance the specific arrangement.

The induction cooker (2) comprises induction coils (4) each for inductively heating a cooking receptacle, wherein the induction coils (4) are arranged in a cooking zone (9) and along one or more than one straight array (R3). Each straight array (R3) has a plurality of induction coils (4) (Fig. 2).

The induction cooker (2) according to the present invention comprises a capacitive sensing device (1) and a control unit (10) for operating one or more than one induction coil (4) based on the signal being output by the capacitive sensing device (1) (Figs. 2 and 3). The primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) and the corresponding induction coils (4) are arranged in a same sequence. Thereby, for example the third and fourth primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) can be simultaneously touched by placing the finger between these two in order to select the third and fourth induction coils (4) for combined operation. This also applies to the other consecutively arranged primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) of an array (R1).

In an embodiment, the control unit (10) is further configured to operate the selected induction coils (4) singly and/or in combination in accordance with the power level of heating adjusted by the user (Figs. 2 and 3).

In another embodiment, the straight arrays (R3) of induction coils (4) are parallel (Fig. 2).

In another embodiment, the induction cooker (2) comprises two straight arrays (R3) of induction coils (4) (Fig. 2). In this embodiment, each straight array (R3) includes four induction coils (4). In addition, the induction cooker (2) comprises two straight arrays (R1) of primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) (Figs. 1 and 2). In this embodiment, each straight array (R1) includes four primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) (Fig. 2).

In another embodiment, one of the straight arrays (R3) of inductions coils (4) configures a left half of the cooking zone (9), and the other straight array (R3) of induction coils (4) configures a right half of the cooking zone (9) (Fig. 2). In this embodiment, one of the straight arrays (R1) of primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) is arranged in a vicinity of a left hand side of the cooking zone (9), and the other straight array (R1) of primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) is arranged in a vicinity of a right hand side of the cooking zone (9) (Figs. 2 and 3).

In another embodiment, both of the straight arrays (R3) of inductions coils (4) are vertically aligned with respect to a front side (11) of the cooking zone (9) (Fig. 2). In this embodiment, both straight arrays (R1) of primary capacitive sensing buttons are aligned parallel with respect to the front side (11) of the cooking zone (9) (Figs. 1 to 3).

In another embodiment, the secondary capacitive sensing buttons (5) are arranged along a curved array (R2) which is centered to a front side (11) of the cooking zone (9) (Fig. 2).

In another embodiment each induction coil (4) has an oblong shape (Fig. 2). The present invention is not limited to a specific shape of an induction coil (4). Alternatively, circular shaped, rectangular shaped, or specifically square shaped induction coils (4) can be utilized.

By the present invention, a capacitive sensing device has been provided which enables combined operation of induction coils (4) of an induction cooker (2) without increasing the number of primary capacitive sensing buttons (3). Thereby, a user-friendly user interface (UI) has been attained. Also the usability of the capacitive sensing device and the induction cooker (2) has been both increased. In addition, a reduction in overall costs has been achieved.

Claims

A capacitive sensing device (1) for use in an induction cooker (2), comprising primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) each for selecting a corresponding induction coil (4), wherein each primary capacitive sensing button (3) has a sensing area (5) with a predetermined width which is equal to a width of an average adult user’s finger, secondary capacitive sensing buttons (6) for adjusting a power level of heating for an induction coil (4) being selected, a capacitive sensing controller configured to monitor the primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) and secondary capacitive sensing buttons (6), and to output a signal to the induction cooker (2) indicative of the induction coils (4) selected by the user and the power level of heating adjusted by the user, characterized in that

- the primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) are arranged such that a width of an area between the sensing areas (5) of two immediately neighboring primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) is less than said predetermined width and

- the capacitive sensing controller is further configured to enable if a user’s finger simultaneously contacts the sensing areas (5) of two immediately neighboring primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) adjusting a common power level of heating for the corresponding two neighboring induction coils (4) being simultaneously selected and to output to the induction cooker (2) a signal indicative of the induction coils (4) simultaneously selected by the user and the common power level of heating adjusted by the user.
The capacitive sensing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a display unit (7) which includes one or more than one display (8) for visually informing the user about the induction coils (4) as singly and/or simultaneously selected by the user and the power level of heating adjusted by the user.
The capacitive sensing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) are arranged along one or more than one straight array (R1), wherein each straight array (R1) has a plurality of primary capacitive sensing buttons (3).
The capacitive sensing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that eight primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) which are arranged along two straight arrays (R1), wherein each array (R1) has a four primary capacitive sensing buttons (3).
The capacitive sensing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the secondary capacitive sensing buttons (5) are arranged along a curved array (R2).
The capacitive sensing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of the primary capacitive sensing button (3) has a rectangular shaped capacitor.
An induction cooker (2) comprising a capacitive sensing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, induction coils (4) each for inductively heating a cooking receptacle, wherein the induction coils (4) are arranged in a cooking zone (9) and along one or more than one straight array (R3), and wherein each straight array (R3) has a plurality of induction coils (4) and a control unit (10) for operating one or more than one induction coil (4) based on the signal being output by the capacitive sensing device (1).
The induction cooker (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit (10) is further configured to operate the selected induction coils (4) singly and/or in combination in accordance with the power level of heating adjusted by the user.
The induction cooker (2) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the straight arrays (R3) of induction coils (4) are parallel.
The induction cooker (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that

- two straight arrays (R3) of induction coils (4), wherein each straight array (R3) includes four induction coils (4) and

- two straight arrays (R1) of primary capacitive sensing buttons (3), wherein each straight array (R1) includes four primary capacitive sensing buttons (3).
The induction cooker according to claim 10, characterized in that

one of the straight arrays (R3) of inductions coils (4) configures a left half of the cooking zone (9), and the other straight array (R3) of induction coils (4) configures a right half of the cooking zone (9) and

one of the straight arrays (R1) of primary capacitive sensing buttons (3) is arranged in a vicinity of a left hand side of the cooking zone (9), and the other straight array (R1) of primary capacitive sensing buttons is arranged in a vicinity of a right hand side of the cooking zone (9).
The induction cooker (2) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that

both of the straight arrays (R3) of inductions coils (4) are aligned vertical to a front side (11) of the cooking zone (9) and

both of the straight arrays (R1) of primary capacitive sensing buttons are aligned parallel to the front side (11) of the cooking zone (9).
The induction cooker (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the secondary capacitive sensing buttons (5) are arranged along a curved array (R2) which is centered to a front side (11) of the cooking zone (9).
The induction cooker (2) according to any one of claim 1 to 13, characterized in that each induction coil (4) has an oblong shape.