U.S. patent application number 11/990535 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-02 for cooking appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH. Invention is credited to Ingo Bally, Kerstin Feldmann, Wolfgang Fuchs, Martin Keller, Edmund Kuttalek, Maximilian Neuhauser, Klemens Roch, Wolfgang Schnell, Gunter Zschau.
Application Number | 20090165775 11/990535 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37074603 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090165775 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bally; Ingo ; et
al. |
July 2, 2009 |
Cooking Appliance
Abstract
A cooking appliance, in particular, a cooking appliance which is
mounted at an elevated level, comprising at least one muffle which
defines a cooking area, and the muffle opening thereof is
surrounded by a muffle frame, a door which closes the muffle
opening and a drive device which is used to drive the door and
which is controlled by a control circuit. The drive device can be
controlled by the control circuit in such a manner that a
predetermined driving parameter of the door can be controlled by at
least one defined ramp.
Inventors: |
Bally; Ingo; (Traunstein,
DE) ; Feldmann; Kerstin; (Bretten, DE) ;
Fuchs; Wolfgang; (Altenmarkt a.d. Alz, DE) ; Keller;
Martin; (Traunreut, DE) ; Kuttalek; Edmund;
(Grassau, DE) ; Neuhauser; Maximilian;
(Chieming/Egerer, DE) ; Roch; Klemens; (Trostberg,
DE) ; Schnell; Wolfgang; (Trostberg, DE) ;
Zschau; Gunter; (Traunwalchen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
100 BOSCH BOULEVARD
NEW BERN
NC
28562
US
|
Assignee: |
BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete
GmbH
Muenchen
DE
|
Family ID: |
37074603 |
Appl. No.: |
11/990535 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
July 26, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2006/064692 |
371 Date: |
February 15, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/273R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/027
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/273.R |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/02 20060101
F24C015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 17, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 038 882.5 |
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A cooking appliance comprising: a muffle having a muffle body
defining a cooking compartment with a cooking compartment access
opening formed in the muffle body; a door configured for traveling
movement in and out of a covering relation with the muffle access
opening; a drive device in mechanical communication with the door
for applying motive force thereto; and a control circuit in
operational communication with the drive device for controlling at
least one travel parameter of the door wherein the at least one
travel parameter is changed linearly for a predetermined time
period.
16. The cooking appliance according to claim 15 wherein the control
circuit is configured for controlling at least one travel parameter
including door speed.
17. The cooking appliance according to claim 16 wherein the control
circuit is configured for controlling door movement wherein a first
predetermined linear acceleration can be exceeded as the door
starts to travel to a nominal speed.
18. The cooking appliance according to claim 17 wherein the control
circuit is configured for controlling door movement wherein a
second predetermined linear acceleration can be exceeded as the
door is being slowed to a further nominal speed.
19. The cooking appliance according to claim 15 wherein the control
circuit is configured to control door movement wherein the door can
travel according to a first predetermined linear acceleration to a
nominal speed after actuation of a travel switch panel and can
automatically come to a standstill from the nominal speed according
to a second predetermined linear acceleration.
20. The cooking appliance according to claim 15 wherein the control
circuit is configured to control door movement wherein the door can
travel according to a first predetermined linear acceleration to a
nominal speed while at least one travel switch is actuated and can
come to a standstill after at least one travel switch is
released.
21. The cooking appliance according to claim 15 and further
comprising a speed measuring device for determining door travel
speed including at least one sensor located on a motor shaft of a
drive motor of the drive device.
22. The cooking appliance according to claim 15 and further
comprising a speed measuring device for determining door travel
speed including at least one Hall sensor located on a motor shaft
of a drive motor of the drive device.
23. The cooking appliance according to claim 15 and further
comprising user-operable door speed controls operatively associated
with the control circuit.
24. The cooking appliance according to claim 15 and further
comprising a door speed monitoring device in communication with the
control circuit and means for detecting a trapping event at the
door using the speed monitoring device.
25. The cooking appliance according to claim 21 and further
comprising an anti-trap arrangement in communication with the
control circuit that can be activated only when the nominal speed
of the door has been reached as determined by the speed measuring
device.
26. The cooking appliance according to claim one 15 wherein the
control circuit is operable to control the speed of door movement
in one of a speed-dependent travel mode and a load-dependent travel
mode.
27. The cooking appliance according to claim 15 wherein said
cooking appliance is configured for mounting above countertop level
with a plurality of sides and a downwardly directed muffle opening
and the door is configured for covering the downwardly directed
muffle opening.
28. A method for operating a cooking appliance comprising the steps
of: providing a muffle having a muffle opening, a door configured
for traveling movement toward and away from a covering relation
with the muffle opening and a control circuit for controlling door
movement; and controlling door movement according to one of a first
defined speed ramp when the door begins movement and a second
defined speed ramp when the door is stopped.
29. A method for operating a cooking appliance comprising the steps
of: providing a muffle having a muffle body defining a cooking
compartment with a cooking compartment access opening formed in the
muffle body; a door configured for traveling movement in and out of
a covering relation with the muffle access opening; a drive device
in mechanical communication with the door for applying motive force
thereto; and a control circuit in operational communication with
the drive device; and controlling at least one travel parameter of
the door using the control circuit wherein the at least one travel
parameter is changed linearly for a predetermined time period.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance,
particularly a cooking appliance mounted at an elevated level,
comprising at least one muffle which defines a cooking compartment,
with a muffle opening, a door which closes the muffle opening and a
drive device controlled by a control device for driving the
door.
[0002] A cooking appliance mounted at an elevated level is known
from U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,540, in which a base door is driven by
means of an electric motor.
[0003] A cooking appliance mounted at an elevated level comprising
a base door driven by electric motor, said appliance having an
electric current sensor, is described for example in DE 101 64 235
A1 and DE 101 64 239 A1.
[0004] The travel of the base door is effected in the case of the
known appliances by turning the drive motor on or off, in other
words by applying a particular voltage to, or removing it from, the
motor.
[0005] The disadvantage in this situation is the fact that as a
result of suddenly turning the drive motor on and off the base door
starts and stops moving unevenly, juddering for example. This
juddering appears unpleasant to the operator and can also result in
spillage of food.
[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide
a cooking appliance of the type described above with an improved,
in particular more even, travel behavior.
[0007] The present object is achieved by the cooking appliance
having the features described in claim 1 and also a method as
claimed in claim 13.
[0008] To this end, the cooking appliance, particularly a cooking
appliance mounted at an elevated level, is equipped such that the
drive device can be controlled or regulated by the control circuit
in such a manner that a predefined travel parameter for the door,
for example a nominal motor voltage or nominal speed, can be
controlled by means of at least one defined ramp, for example a
voltage or speed ramp. An undefined, often juddering, travel
behavior caused by simply turning on the drive motor is thereby
avoided. The shape of the ramps is not restricted for example to a
linear shape and can also be multistage.
[0009] In this situation it is advantageous, for improved user
friendliness amongst other things, if the travel parameter is a
travel speed of the door, in other words the door travel is speed
dependent and not load dependent. In order that when the door
starts to travel it moves gently and without juddering, a nominal
speed to be achieved is passed by means of a first defined speed
ramp. The travel movement of the door is then also dependent for
example on a payload or on a change in the mechanical friction
circumstances. It is possible to define for example the
acceleration and/or the time to attain the nominal speed and so
forth. If the travel path is too short to attain a nominal speed,
the ramps can naturally also overlap one another at lower speed
values.
[0010] It can be advantageous if it is also possible to pass a
second defined speed ramp, this time with negative acceleration,
when stopping the door to a further, lower nominal speed, for
example also to a standstill. This is more user friendly than an
abrupt stop, for example by short-circuiting the drive motor.
[0011] If a plurality of nominal speeds are to be passed in
succession, then a corresponding plurality of ramps is to be
passed. The ramps do not basically need to exhibit the same shape
or (for example absolute) gradient.
[0012] In an automatic mode of operation in particular it is
advantageous if after--usually momentarily--actuation of a travel
switch panel the door can travel by means of the first speed ramp
to a nominal speed and automatically come to a standstill from the
nominal speed by means of the second speed ramp.
[0013] In a manual mode of operation in particular it is
advantageous for improved operational safety if the door travels by
means of the first speed ramp to a nominal speed while at least one
travel switch panel is being actuated--advantageously both travel
switch panels at the same time--and abruptly comes to a standstill
after releasing at least one travel switch panel.
[0014] For the purposes of simple implementation and high accuracy
of measurement it is advantageous if the travel speed can be sensed
by means of a speed measuring device which comprises at least one
sensor, particularly a Hall sensor, located on a motor shaft of a
drive motor of the drive device. In this situation, the speed
measuring device can measure the speed of the door either directly,
for example by being located on the door, or through indirect
determination, for example by measuring the rotational speed of a
shaft, for example the motor shaft. The motor shaft can also be
fitted before or after a gearbox.
[0015] For the purpose of increased user friendliness it is
advantageous if the travel speed can be set by the user. The travel
speed can thus be set by selecting from at least two speed levels,
whereby the speed levels can also be predefined ex-works. For older
users in particular it is advantageous if the travel speed can be
switched over at least between a first, lower speed level in the
range of 40 mm/s to 55 mm/s, 50 mm/s in particular, and a second
speed level in the range of 60 mm/s to 80 mm/s, particularly in the
range of 65 mm/s to 75 mm/s, 65 mm/s in particular. In order to
increase the operational safety and customer satisfaction it is
then advantageous if a preset travel speed corresponds to the
lowest speed level. In order that a user should not then need to
set the travel speed(s) anew each time the appliance is turned on,
the user setting for the travel speed can be stored in a
nonvolatile memory, an EEPROM for example.
[0016] In the case of speed dependent control it is additionally
advantageous if any trapping at the door can be detected by
monitoring the travel speed, whereby the anti-trap facility is
advantageously activated only when the nominal speed of the door
has been attained.
[0017] Particularly with regard to the closure of the cooking
compartment by the base door it can be advantageous if the travel
movement of the door can be switched between a speed dependent
travel movement and a load or force dependent travel movement.
[0018] The invention is particularly suited for cooking appliances
mounted at an elevated level in which the muffle opening is a
base-side muffle opening and the door is a base door which
preferably moves in a linear fashion.
[0019] The invention will be described in detail in the following
with reference to the attached schematic figures. In the
figures:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cooking appliance
wall-mounted at an elevated level with the base door lowered;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the cooking appliance
mounted at an elevated level with the base door closed;
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a housing of the cooking
appliance for mounting at an elevated level without the base
door;
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side sectional view along the line
I-I from FIG. 1 of the cooking appliance wall-mounted at an
elevated level with the base door lowered;
[0024] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a further embodiment of a
cooking appliance mounted at an elevated level;
[0025] FIGS. 6 to 11 show diagrams of travel movements of a base
door under different basic conditions;
[0026] FIGS. 12 and 13 show force-time profile curves for a base
door.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a cooking appliance mounted at an elevated
level with a housing 1. The rear panel of the housing 1 is mounted
on a wall 2 in the manner of a wall cabinet. Defined in the housing
1 is a cooking compartment 3 which can be monitored by way of a
viewing window 4 incorporated in the housing 1. It can be seen from
FIG. 4 that the cooking compartment 3 is delimited by a muffle 5
which is provided with a heat insulating casing which is not shown,
and that the muffle 5 has a muffle opening 6 in its base. The
muffle opening 6 can be closed with a base door 7. FIG. 1 shows the
base door 7 in its lowered position, whereby its underside is in
contact with a worktop 8 of a kitchen unit. In order to close the
cooking compartment 3, the base door 7 must be moved to the
position shown in FIG. 2, the so-called "null position". In order
to move the base door 7, the cooking appliance mounted at an
elevated level has a drive device 9, 10. The drive device 9, 10 has
a drive motor 9 represented in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 by dashed lines,
which is located between the muffle 5 and an exterior wall of the
housing 1. The drive motor 9 is located in the area of the rear
panel of the housing 1 and, as shown in FIG. 1 or 4, is in active
engagement with a pair of lifting elements 10 which are connected
to the base door 7. In this situation, according to the schematic
side view shown in FIG. 4, each lifting element 10 is formed as an
L-shaped carrier whose vertical component extends out of the drive
motor 9 at the side of the appliance. In order to move the base
door 7, the drive motor 9 can be actuated with the aid of a control
panel 12 and a control circuit 13, which according to FIGS. 1 and 2
is located on the front of the base door 7. As shown in FIG. 4, the
control circuit 13 is situated behind the control panel 12 inside
the base door 7. The control circuit 13, which here is made up of a
plurality of spatially and functionally separate printed circuit
boards communicating by way of a communication bus, constitutes a
central control unit for operation of the appliance and controls
and/or regulates for example the heating, the travel of the base
door 3, the implementation of user inputs, the illumination, the
anti-trap facility, the pulsing of the heating elements 16, 17, 18,
22 and much more.
[0028] It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the upper side of the base
door 7 has a cook zone 15. Almost the entire surface of the cook
zone 15 is taken up by heating elements 16, 17, 18 which are
indicated in FIG. 1 by dot and dash lines. In FIG. 1, the heating
elements 16, 17 are two hotplate heating elements of different
sizes which are spaced apart from one another, while the heating
element 18 is a surface heating element provided between the two
hotplate heating elements 16, 17, which almost surrounds the
hotplate heating elements 16, 17. The hotplate heating elements 16,
17 define associated cooking zones or cook tops for the user; the
hotplate heating elements 16, 17 together with the surface heating
element 18 define a bottom heating zone. The zones can be indicated
by means of a suitable decor on the surface. The heating elements
16, 17, 18 can be controlled by way of the control circuit 13 in
each case.
[0029] In the embodiment illustrated the heating elements 16, 17,
18 are configured as radiant heating elements which are covered by
a glass ceramic plate 19. The glass ceramic plate 19 has
approximately the dimensions of the upper side of the base door 7.
The glass ceramic plate 19 is moreover equipped with assembly
openings (not shown) through which project pedestals for mounting
holders 20 for food shelves 21, as also shown in FIG. 4. Instead of
a glass ceramic plate 19, it is also possible to use other
covers--preferably having a fast response--a thin plate for
example.
[0030] With the aid of a control toggle provided on the control
panel 12 the cooking appliance mounted at an elevated level can be
switched to a hotplate or a bottom heat operating mode, which are
described in the following.
[0031] In the hotplate operating mode, the hotplate heating
elements 16, 17 can be individually controlled by way of the
control circuit 13 by means of control elements 11 which are
provided on the control panel 12, while the surface heating element
18 remains out of operation. The hotplate operating mode can be
used when the base door 7 is lowered, as is shown in FIG. 1. It can
however also be used with the cooking compartment 3 closed by the
raised base door 7 in an energy saving function.
[0032] In the bottom heat operating mode, not only the hotplate
heating elements 16, 17 but also the surface heating element 18 are
controlled by the control device 13.
[0033] In order to achieve the most even possible browning of the
food during cooking with bottom heat operation, it is crucial that
the cook zone 15 providing the bottom heat exhibits an even
distribution of the heating power output over the area of the cook
zone 15 even though the heating elements 16, 17, 18 have different
rated power outputs. By preference, the heating elements 16, 17, 18
are therefore not switched to continuous operation by the control
circuit 13 but the power supply to the heating elements 16, 17, 18
is pulsed. In this situation, the differently rated heating power
outputs of the heating elements 16, 17, 18 are reduced individually
in such a manner that the heating elements 16, 17, 18 provide an
even distribution of the heating power output over the area of the
cook zone 15.
[0034] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the location of a fan 23,
used for example to generate an air circulation in the case of hot
air operation or to provide a fresh air feed. Furthermore, a
top-heating heating element 22 is provided mounted on an upper side
of the muffle 5, which can be implemented in a single-circuit or
multi-circuit form, for example with an inner and an outer circuit.
Further heating elements--not shown here so as improve
clarity--such as a ring heating element can also be present between
the rear wall of the housing 1 and the muffle. Through the control
circuit 13, the different modes of operation including also top
heat, hot air or rapid heating for example can be selected by
appropriately turning on and setting the heating power of the
heating elements 16, 17, 18, 22, and if necessary activating the
fan 23. The setting of the heating power can take place by means of
suitable pulsing. In addition, the cook zone 15 can also be
implemented differently, for example with or without an extended
cooking zone, as a pure--single- or multi-circuit--warming zone
without cook tops and so forth. The housing 1 has a seal 24 with
the base door 7.
[0035] The control panel 12 is principally located on the front
side of the base door 7. Alternatively, other arrangements are also
conceivable, for example on the front side of the housing 1,
divided up over different subfields and/or partially on side
surfaces of the cooking appliance. Further configurations are
possible. The control elements 11 are not restricted in respect of
their type of construction and can for example include control
toggles, toggle switches, pushbuttons and membrane keys, the
display elements 14 include for example LED, LCD and/or touchscreen
displays.
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a schematic front view, not to scale, of a
cooking appliance mounted at an elevated level in which the base
door 7 is open in contact with the worktop 8. The closed state is
drawn in dashed lines.
[0037] In this embodiment, two travel switch panels 25 are situated
on the front side of the permanently mounted housing 1. Each travel
switch panel 25 comprises two pushbuttons, namely an upper CLOSE
pushbutton 25a for a base door 7 traveling upward in the closing
direction and a lower OPEN pushbutton 25b for a base door 7
traveling downward in the opening direction. In the absence of
automatic operation (see below), the base door 7 travels upward
only as a result of continuous depression of the CLOSE pushbuttons
25a on both travel switch panels 25, if possible; the base door 7
also travels downward only as a result of continuous depression of
the OPEN pushbuttons 25b on both travel switch panels 25, if
possible (manual operation). Since increased attentiveness on the
part of the user is implicit in manual operation and, in addition,
both hands are used here, an anti-trap facility is then only
optional. With regard to an alternative embodiment, travel switch
panels 26 are placed at opposite outer sides of the housing 1 with
corresponding CLOSE pushbuttons 26a and OPEN pushbuttons 26b, as
drawn in dashed lines.
[0038] The control circuit 13 drawn in dot and dash lines, which is
situated in the interior of the base door 7 behind the control
panel 12, switches the drive motor 9 in such a manner that the base
door 7 travels gently, in other words not abruptly by simply
turning on the drive motor 9 but by means of a defined ramp.
[0039] In this embodiment the control circuit 13 includes a memory
unit 27 for storing at least one destination or travel position P0,
P1, P2, PZ of the base door 7, preferably using volatile memory
modules, for example DRAMs. If a destination position P0, P1, P2,
PZ has been stored, after actuation of one of the pushbuttons 25a,
25b or 26a, 26b on the travel switch panels 25 or 26 respectively
the base door can travel independently in the selected direction
until the next destination position has been reached or one of the
pushbuttons 25a, 25b or 26a, 26b is actuated again (automatic
operation). In this embodiment the lowest destination position PZ
corresponds to the maximum opening, the (null) position P0
corresponds to the closed state, and P1 and P2 are freely
selectable intermediate positions. If the last destination position
for a direction has been reached, it is moreover necessary to
continue the travel in manual mode, if this is possible (in other
words the most last end positions do not correspond to a maximum
open state or to the closed end state). Similarly, if no
destination position has been stored for one direction--which for
example would be the case for an upward movement into the closed
situation if only PZ is stored and not P0, P1, P2--it is then
necessary for the travel in this direction to take place in manual
mode. If no destination position is stored, for example in the case
of a new installation or after a power disconnection, no automatic
operation is possible. If the base door 7 travel takes place in
automatic mode, then an anti-trap facility is preferably
activated.
[0040] Automatic mode and manual mode are not mutually exclusive:
as a result of continuous actuation of the travel switch panel(s)
25, 26 the base door 7 then also travels in manual mode if it were
possible to travel in this direction to a destination position. In
this situation, it is possible for example to define a maximum
actuation time for the travel switch panels 25 and 26, or the
associated pushbuttons 25a, 25b and 26a, 26b respectively, relating
to activation of automatic mode, 0.4 seconds for example.
[0041] A destination position P0, P1, P2, PZ can be any position of
the base door 7 between and including the null position P0 and the
maximum opening position PZ. The maximum stored opening position PZ
need not however be the position in contact with the worktop 8.
Storing of the destination position P0, P1, P2, PZ can be performed
with the base door 7 in the desired destination position P0, P1,
P2, PZ, by means of, for example, actuating a confirmation
pushbutton 28 on the control panel 12 for several seconds (duration
two seconds for example). Existing optical and/or acoustic signal
generators which output corresponding signals after storage of a
destination position are not included in the drawing in order to
improve clarity. Travel to the desired destination position P0, P1,
P2, PZ to be selected occurs for example as a result--in this
embodiment--of two-handed operation of the travel switch panels 25
and 26 and manual travel to this position.
[0042] The memory unit 27 can store only one or, as illustrated in
this embodiment, also a plurality of destination positions P0, P1,
P2, PZ. In the case of a plurality of destination positions P0, P1,
P2, PZ, these can be reached in sequence by actuating the
corresponding travel pushbuttons 25a, 25b and 26a, 26b. By having a
plurality of destination positions P0, P1, P2, PZ, the cooking
appliance mounted at an elevated level can be conveniently adapted
to the desired operating height for a plurality of users. The
destination position(s) can advantageously be deleted and/or
overwritten. In one embodiment, for example, only one destination
position can be stored in the open state, while the null position
P0 is detected automatically and can be reached automatically.
Alternatively, the null position P0 must also be stored in order
for it to be automatically reachable.
[0043] It is particularly advantageous for ergonomic use if the or
a destination position P1, P2, PZ opens the base door 7 at least
approx. 400 mm to approx. 540 mm (in other words P1-P0, P2-P0,
PZ-P0>40 cm to 54 cm). Given this dimension of opening, the food
shelves 21 can be simply inserted into the holders 20. In this
situation, it is advantageous if the viewing window 4 is mounted
approximately at or slightly below the eye level of the user, for
example by using a template which indicates the dimensions of the
cooking appliance.
[0044] Not included in the drawing is a power outage bridging
facility provided for bridging a power outage of approx. 1 to 3 s,
preferably up to 1.5 s.
[0045] The drive motor 9 from FIG. 1 has at least one sensor unit
31, 32 located on a motor shaft 30, before or after a gearbox where
applicable, in order to measure a travel path or a position and/or
a speed of the base door 7. The sensor unit can for example
comprise one or more induction sensors, Hall sensors, opto-sensors,
SAW sensors and so forth. In this situation, in order to perform
simple distance and speed measurement two Hall (part) elements 31
are fitted here displaced by 180.degree. --opposite one another in
other words--on the motor shaft 30, and a Hall measuring sensor 32
is fitted at a fixed distance in this area of the motor shaft. If a
Hall element 31 then travels past the measuring sensor 32 when the
motor shaft 30 is rotating, a measurement or sensor signal is
produced which is digital to a good approximation. With (not
necessarily) two Hall elements 31, two signals are thus output
during a rotation of the motor shaft 30. By carrying out a timing
assessment of these signals, their time difference for example, the
speed vL of the base door 7 can be determined, for example by using
comparison tables or a conversion into real time in the control
circuit 13. By means of addition or subtraction of the measurement
signals it is possible to determine a travel path or a position of
the base door 7.
[0046] A speed regulation facility can implement the speed for
example by way of a PWM-controlled power semiconductor.
[0047] For the purpose of null point determination, the travel path
measurement is automatically newly adjusted through initialization
in the null position P0 of the base door 7 each time it starts to
travel, in order for example to prevent an incorrect sensor signal
output or recording from being passed on.
[0048] The drive motor 9 can be operated by actuating both travel
switch panels 25 and 26 even if the main switch 29 is turned
off.
[0049] Instead of two separate switches per travel switch panel 25,
26, one individual switch per travel switch panel is also possible,
for example a toggle switch with a neutral position which switches
only under pressure. Other forms are also possible. There is also
no restriction on the type and arrangement of the control elements
28, 29 on the control panel 12.
[0050] In this situation the arrangement and distribution of the
control circuit 13 is flexible and not restricted, in other words
it can also comprise a plurality of boards, for example a display
board, a control board and a lift board which are spatially
separated.
[0051] A 4 mm opening dimension can be detected by limit switches
33 which deactivate an anti-trap facility when actuated.
[0052] The cooking appliance mounted at an elevated level can also
be implemented without a memory unit 27, whereby no automatic
operation is then possible. This can be useful for increased
operational safety, for example to protect against trapping.
[0053] FIG. 6 shows a diagram, not to scale, of the travel speed vL
of the base door 7 in mm/s plotted against the position of the base
door in mm from the null position P0 for the base door 7 traveling
from the closed state at P0=0 mm to PZ=maximum opening here of 530
mm in manual travel mode (in other words without automatic travel
mode), and also, indicated by the dotted arrow, a stop in the
travel movement between P0 and PZ. The curve progresses in the
direction of the arrow, in other words from right to left. The
downward pointing arrows present above the curve indicate
actuations of the control panel 12.
[0054] The downward travel movement of the base door 7 begins with
two-handed actuation of the travel switch panels 25, 26 or of the
OPEN switches 25b or 26b, as indicated by the upper lefthand
vertical arrow. The control circuit 13 regulates the drive motor 9
such that the base door 7 travels gently, in other words with a
defined ramp R1, to its nominal speed here of vL=50 mm/s. The ramp
R1 is linear here. The drive motor 9 is thus not simply turned
on.
[0055] The travel movement is also load independent as a result, in
particular it is independent of the payload of the base door 7 or
changed mechanical friction circumstances. One input variable for
this can be the rotational speed of the drive motor 9, which can be
measured for example by means of Hall sensors.
[0056] After attaining the nominal speed of vL=50 mm/s, the base
door 7 travels downward at a constant speed until it approaches the
maximum opening PZ which results from the designed predefined
maximum travel of the base door 7 or from reaching the worktop 8.
In this figure it is assumed that the designed maximum opening PZ
is reached. In this case, the control circuit 13 detects this
approach and gently brakes the base door 7 automatically, in other
words with a defined ramp R2, to PZ. Both ramps R1 and R2 can
exhibit other gradients or shapes. The approach to the worktop can
be detected by means of limit switches 33 and/or by monitoring the
travel path.
[0057] If one or both of the travel switches 25b, 26b is/are
released, as indicated by the upper lefthand vertical arrow, the
base door 7 stops abruptly without a ramp, as indicated by the
dotted arrow. In this mode, although the approach travel is thus
gentle, this comes to an abrupt halt however--except on reaching
the end position.
[0058] The cooking compartment 3 is not opened, in other words the
base door 7 does not travel out of the null position P0 if an
opening safety device is active, if therefore for example a
particular temperature in the cooking compartment, 425.degree. C.
or 600.degree. F. for example, is exceeded or if a child safety
device is activated.
[0059] FIG. 7 shows a diagram similar to FIG. 6, not to scale, for
the travel of the base door 7 from the closed state to a stored
position P1=476 mm in automatic travel mode.
[0060] In this case, as a result of briefly actuating one of the
OPEN switches 25b or 26b, as indicated by the upper righthand
vertical arrow, the base door 7 begins automatically to travel to
the position P1. In this situation also the base door 7 travels
gently (righthand ramp) and is braked automatically (lefthand
ramp). In this embodiment, in automatic mode it is possible to
choose between two fixed nominal speeds, namely 75 mm/s (dashed
line) and 50 mm/s (solid line), whereby the slower speed is
advantageous particularly for older users. The ex-works default,
for example, is the slower speed level. It is also possible to
provide more than two speed levels, or nominal speeds; a free
choice of setting for the nominal speed(s) by the user is also
conceivable. Advantageously, it is also possible to switch at least
between two speed levels of 50 mm/s and 65 mm/s, for example during
initialization of an appliance.
[0061] FIG. 8 shows a diagram, not to scale, of the travel of the
base door 7 from the maximum opening position PZ to the null
position P0, in other words into the closed state, in manual
mode.
[0062] The upward travel movement of the base door 7 begins with
two-handed actuation of the CLOSE switches 25a and 26a, as
indicated by the upper lefthand vertical arrow. The control circuit
13 regulates the drive motor 9 such that the base door 7 travels
gently from PZ to its nominal speed of vL=50 mm/s, and then travels
constantly at this nominal speed (to the right).
[0063] The control circuit 13 detects an approach to the null
position P0 and gently brakes the base door 7 in good time
beforehand. However, instead of now decelerating directly to the
null position P0 by means of the linear ramp, 4 mm before the null
position P0, speed dependent control is switched over to control
using a defined voltage, in other words by supplying the motor 9
with an appropriate voltage. As a result, a maximum force
development can be set with regard to blocking the drive motor 9.
This voltage differs according to the previous history of the
travel (payload, friction circumstances etc.). The detection of the
4 mm opening dimension is carried out by means of path measurement
or additionally or alternatively by way of the limit switches 33.
In the area from P0 to P0+4 mm it is also possible to dispense with
an anti-trap facility.
[0064] If, as in FIG. 6, one or both of the travel switches 25b,
26b is/are released, as indicated by the upper righthand vertical
arrow, the base door 7 stops abruptly with a ramp, as indicated by
the dotted arrow.
[0065] FIG. 9 shows a diagram, not to scale, of the travel of the
base door 7 from a stored position P1=476 mm to the closed state P0
in automatic travel mode. In contrast to the manual travel mode
shown in FIG. 8, only one of the CLOSE switches 25a, 26a now needs
to be actuated briefly, as indicated by the upper vertical arrow.
The travel of the base door 7 is then analogous to that of FIG. 7,
but in the other direction. On approaching the null position P0, by
analogy with the situation from FIG. 8 the braking ramp for the
last 4 mm of opening changes over from a speed controlled state to
a load or closing force controlled state.
[0066] FIG. 10 shows a diagram analogous to FIG. 8, in which
trapping now occurs at a nominal speed of vL=50 mm/s, as indicated
by the upper vertical arrow. If a hand or cooking vessel etc., for
example, becomes trapped between the base door 7 and the housing 1
the speed of the base door 7 drops because the object impedes
further travel. Monitoring of the lift speed takes place here for
example through evaluation of the sensor signals from the motor
shaft, whereby for example the time between the measurement signals
or pulses is evaluated. Only in the second instance is the motor
current monitored, which is a slower method. In particular, the
force which can be generated by the motor 9 for traveling is
limited in order to avoid accidents resulting from excessively
strong trapping (see also FIGS. 12 and 13). The deviation from the
nominal speed is detected by the control circuit 13, for example
through a speed deviation or a temporal change in the speed.
Thereupon the base door reverses in order to allow the object to be
removed; where appropriate a warning signal, for example an audible
warning, is also output. Thereafter the base door 7 starts
traveling only in the event of renewed appropriate actuation of a
travel switch panel 25, 26.
[0067] In order to prevent the trapping situation from being
incorrectly triggered, for example by a changed payload or a change
in the running characteristics of the mechanism, firstly the
anti-trap facility may only be activated if the base door 7 has
attained its nominal speed (if a travel pushbutton 25a, 25b, 26a,
26b is previously released, the base door 7 immediately stops), and
secondly a plurality of sensor signals may be evaluated, averaged
for example.
[0068] FIG. 11 shows the trapping situation (upper vertical arrow)
during the opening travel of the base door 7 in automatic mode to a
destination position P1, in which an object becomes trapped between
the underside of the base door 7 and the worktop 8. In this case,
the trapping detection can take place by way of two redundant limit
switches which detect a--in particular uneven--removal of load from
the base door 7, whereupon the drive motor 9 reverses. The maximum
permitted force-time profile (see FIGS. 12 and 13) is not exceeded
in this situation.
[0069] FIG. 12 shows a maximum force F in N which can be applied to
the base door 7 in a trapping situation occurring during travel in
a closing direction (upwards in other words) plotted against the
elapsed time t in s as a first force-time profile FT1.
[0070] In the trapping situation where t=0 s the possible closing
force is limited to 100 N, corresponding to approx. 10 kg, for 5 s.
This is useful for example if the motor 9 is boosted by the control
device 13 in order to maintain the nominal speed. In particular
this ensures that parts of the body are not injured. If the base
door is operated for 5 s with (a maximum of) 100 N, the maximum
force that can be applied is further reduced to 25 N, for example
for 5 seconds. Thereafter this force level can be maintained or for
example further reduced to 0 N. It should be stressed that this
force-time profile FT1 specifies only the maximum force that can be
applied, and the force actually applied lies beneath this as a
rule, for example if the trapping situation is detected by the
control device 13 and the base door 7 is correspondingly reversed
after t=0.5, whereupon the applied force of 100 N drops to 0 N for
example.
[0071] The maximum force threshold value of 100 N can also apply to
further travel situations.
[0072] FIG. 13 shows a maximum force F in N which can be applied to
the base door 7 in a trapping situation occurring during travel in
an opening direction (downwards in other words) plotted against the
elapsed time t in s as a second force-time profile FT2. Here the
drive motor 9 can apply up to 400 N to the base door 7 in a first
block of t=[0 s; 0.5 s], thereafter at t=[0.5 s; 5 s] 150 N and
thereafter 25 N.
[0073] The time intervals and force threshold values for the
force-time profiles FT1, FT2 can naturally be adapted to the
structure and further basic conditions.
TABLE-US-00001 List of reference characters 1 Housing 2 Wall 3
Cooking compartment 4 Viewing window 5 Muffle 6 Muffle opening 7
Base door 8 Worktop 9 Drive motor 10 Lifting element 11 Control
element 12 Control panel 13 Control circuit 14 Display elements 15
Cook zone 16 Hotplate heating element 17 Hotplate heating element
18 Surface heating element 19 Glass ceramic plate 20 Holder 21 Food
shelf 22 Top-heating heating element 23 Fan 24 Seal 25 Travel
switch panel 25a CLOSE switch 25b OPEN switch 26 Travel switch
panel 26a CLOSE switch 26b OPEN switch 27 Memory unit 28
Confirmation pushbutton 29 Main switch 30 Motor shaft 31 Hall
element 32 Measuring sensor 33 Limit switch FT1 First force-time
profile FT2 Second force-time profile P0 Null position P1
Intermediate position P2 Intermediate position PZ End position R1
Speed ramp R2 Speed ramp vL Travel speed of base door
* * * * *