U.S. patent application number 16/762161 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-19 for cooking appliance and method for operating same.
The applicant listed for this patent is BSH Hausgerate GmbH. Invention is credited to Gunter Gerold, Ralf Grobleben, Tobias Schmidt.
Application Number | 20200363071 16/762161 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005005663 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200363071 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gerold; Gunter ; et
al. |
November 19, 2020 |
COOKING APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME
Abstract
A cooking appliance includes a door for closing a cooking
chamber, a door-opening device configured to automatically move the
door between a closed position and an open position of the door,
and a sensing device operatively connected to the door-opening
device. The sensing device is configured to sense a triggering
element separate from the cooking appliance for controlling the
door-opening device.
Inventors: |
Gerold; Gunter; (Ellwangen,
DE) ; Grobleben; Ralf; (Bretten, DE) ;
Schmidt; Tobias; (Munchen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BSH Hausgerate GmbH |
Munich |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005005663 |
Appl. No.: |
16/762161 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
November 23, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2018/082339 |
371 Date: |
May 7, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/028 20130101;
F24C 7/081 20130101; F24C 15/022 20130101; F24C 15/162
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/02 20060101
F24C015/02; F24C 15/16 20060101 F24C015/16; F24C 7/08 20060101
F24C007/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2017 |
DE |
10 2017 223 674.4 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A cooking appliance, comprising: a door for closing a cooking
chamber; a door-opening device configured to automatically move the
door between a closed position and an open position of the door;
and a sensing device operatively connected to the door-opening
device, said sensing device configured to sense a triggering
element separate from the cooking appliance for controlling the
door-opening device.
14. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the door is
configured as a retractable door which in the open position is
arranged so as to be retracted in a receiver space which is
separated from the cooking chamber.
15. The cooking appliance of claim 14, wherein the receiver space
is arranged below the cooking chamber.
16. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the sensing device
includes at least two sensors.
17. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two
sensors are infrared sensors.
18. The cooking appliance of claim 16, further comprising a front
carrier connected to the door; and a panel configured to cover the
front carrier, said at least two sensors being arranged on the
front carrier.
19. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two
sensors are arranged at a distance of 300 to 420 mm.
20. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two
sensors are arranged at a distance of 330 to 390 mm.
21. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two
sensors are arranged at a distance of 360 mm.
22. The cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the at least two
sensors are symmetrically aligned relative to a vertically running
central line.
23. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the panel has a
positioning line which is located substantially in a plane running
horizontally through the at least two sensors.
24. The cooking appliance of claim 23, wherein the panel is printed
with the positioning line.
25. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the door-opening
device moves the door from the closed position into the open
position after the triggering element is sensed for a predetermined
time by the sensing device.
26. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the separate
triggering element is a carrier for food to be cooked, in
particular a baking sheet, rack or the like.
27. A method for automatically moving a door of a cooking
appliance, said method comprising: arranging a triggering element
at a location separate from the cooking appliance; sensing the
triggering element by a sensing device; and controlling operation
of a door-opening device for moving a door of the cooking appliance
from a closed position, in which the door closes a cooking chamber,
into an open position after the triggering element has been sensed
for a predetermined time.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the door-opening device is
controlled, when at least two sensors of the sensing device are
simultaneously triggered by the triggering element.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising arranging the at
least two sensors at a distance of 300 to 420 mm.
30. The method of claim 28, further comprising arranging the at
least two sensors at a distance of 330 to 390 mm.
31. The method of claim 28, further comprising arranging the at
least two sensors at a distance of 360 mm.
32. The method of claim 28, further comprising symmetrically
aligning the at least two sensors relative to a vertically running
central line.
Description
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a
door for closing a cooking chamber, a door-opening device for
automatically moving the door between a closed position and an open
position of the door and a sensing device operatively connected to
the door-opening device and a method for automatically moving a
door of a cooking appliance.
PRIOR ART
[0002] In particular in the household appliance sector, devices
which are intended to enhance user convenience during the operation
and/or actuation of a household appliance have been increasingly
developed in recent times. One of these devices is, for example, a
door-opening device for automatically moving the door of a
household appliance, in particular a cooking appliance, from a
closed position into an open position and vice-versa.
[0003] DE 10 2009 026 670 A1 discloses, for example, a household
appliance, in particular a built-in household appliance, comprising
a useable space which is able to be closed by an appliance door
which is arranged on the front face of the appliance, and
comprising a door-opening apparatus by means of which the appliance
door may be actuated, wherein the door-opening apparatus is
connected to a signal generating apparatus for generating an
opening signal and wherein the door-opening apparatus automatically
opens the appliance door when the opening signal is present.
[0004] The known household appliances and, in particular, cooking
appliances have a drawback, for example, that an opening of a door
of the appliance is not convenient and potentially also not
sufficiently safe.
[0005] The description of the prior art is provided in order to
provide understanding of the background to the present invention
and may encompass subjects outside the prior art which is known to
the person skilled in the art.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to remedy at least
partially the drawbacks of the prior art whilst the advantages
obtained from the prior art are maintained and, in particular, to
provide a cooking appliance which is improved relative to the prior
art and in which a safe opening of the door may be automatically
ensured.
SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION
[0007] This object is achieved according to the features of the
independent claims. Preferred embodiments may be derived, in
particular, from the dependent claims.
[0008] According to the present invention, this may be achieved in
a cooking appliance as claimed in the preamble of claim 1, by the
sensing device being designed to sense a triggering element
separate from the cooking appliance for controlling the
door-opening device. As a result, for example, the door can be
moved from the closed position into the open position.
[0009] The cooking appliance may refer in a non-limiting manner to
conventional cooking appliances with top-heat heating units and
bottom-heat heating units and/or hot air systems, or to cooking
appliances with a steam function and/or added steam, in which
further heating devices may be provided in addition to a steam
generator, such as for example bottom-heat heating units and
top-heat heating units as well as a hot air system. Moreover, the
cooking appliance may also be a steamer and/or steam cooking
appliance which is able to heat the food to be cooked exclusively
by the use of steam which is provided by an internal or external
steam generator in a cooking chamber. Moreover, the cooking
appliance may also be designed as a cooker in which an oven is
combined with a hob. It goes without saying that the aforementioned
appliances may be provided as built-in, built-under or freestanding
appliances.
[0010] The door-opening device for automatically moving the door
may have an electric drive, for example, in the form of a motor.
However, it is also conceivable that the door-opening device has a
mechanical drive which moves the door from a closed position into
an open position. Thus it is clear that any device which is able to
move and/or to displace the door at least partially between a
closed position and an open position may be provided as the
door-opening device. In this context, for example, it may also be
provided that the door-opening device operates hydraulically.
[0011] The sensing device constitutes a device which is designed to
detect an element located in the vicinity of the sensing device.
Thus it goes without saying that any device which is able to detect
an element and/or an object/body may be provided as the sensing
device. In this case, the sensing device has a predetermined range
within which an element to be detected has to be present so that it
is sensed in order to trigger further subsequent processes and
functions.
[0012] The sensing device is operatively connected to the
door-opening device. It is to be understood thereby that the
sensing device is connected in a wireless and/or wired manner to
the door-opening device. Thus it is clear, for example, due to this
operative connection between the sensing device and the
door-opening device that after an object has been sensed/detected
by the sensing device a signal, in particular an electric signal,
may be generated, said signal being transmitted to the door-opening
device following the sensing process in order to trigger further
processes and functions. In other words, the signal generated by
means of the sensing device is used in order to control the
door-opening device such that the door is moved from the closed
position into the open position.
[0013] In this context it may be provided that the door is
transferred, for example, manually and/or automatically from the
open position back into the closed position.
[0014] According to the invention, it is provided that the sensing
device is designed to sense a triggering element separate from the
cooking appliance for controlling the door-opening device. Thus it
is clear that the triggering element is an element which is present
separately from the cooking appliance and which is detected by the
sensing device. The triggering element may be an element and/or
object which is held in the hands of a user of the appliance
according to the invention. For this reason, the sensing device may
be designed, in particular, in order to sense a triggering element
located in front of the cooking appliance. In other words, the
triggering element is located between the appliance and the user
during a sensing process by the sensing device.
[0015] By means of the cooking appliance according to the
invention, it may be achieved in a particularly reliable and safe
manner that the door is automatically opened and at the same time
the risk of an operating error is minimized.
[0016] Advantageous embodiments and developments which may be used
individually or in combination with one another form the subject
matter of the dependent claims.
[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
door may be configured as a retractable door which in the open
position may be arranged so as to be retracted in a receiver space
which is separated from the cooking chamber, in particular
configured below the cooking chamber. In other words, during an
opening process from the closed position into the open position the
retractable door may be moved and/or retracted into a receiver
space. In this context, for example, it may be provided that during
the opening process a handle which is arranged on the front face of
the door is moved from a closed position into an open position. In
other words, the handle may be designed to rotate during the
opening process by ca. 90.degree. in the direction of a user
standing in front of the cooking appliance, so that the user is
able to grip the handle more easily when the door is open. By means
of the retractable door, in particular, the user convenience may be
enhanced since no components which could hinder an operating
process are located between the user and the cooking appliance.
[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it may be provided that the sensing device has at least
two sensors, in particular infrared sensors. As a result, in
particular, the safety of the sensing process may be improved. It
goes without saying that for the person skilled in the art any
devices/sensors may be provided as a sensing device and/or sensors
by which an object in front of the cooking appliance may be sensed
in a safe manner. It is conceivable that further sensors may be
provided in order to enhance the safety.
[0019] Preferably, the at least two sensors may be arranged on a
front carrier covered by a panel. The arrangement on the front
carrier permits, for example, easy accessibility for a user.
Moreover, the sensors arranged on and/or in the front carrier may
be effectively covered by the panel so that the design of the
cooking appliance may be improved. The panel thus constitutes a
part of the front face and/or the appliance front of the cooking
appliance. It may also be provided that the panel and the front
carrier are designed integrally, whereby, for example, the number
of components may be reduced.
[0020] According to another further preferred embodiment of the
present invention, it may be provided that the at least two sensors
are arranged at a distance of 300 to 420 mm, preferably 330 to 390
mm, particularly preferably 360 mm. In particular, the distance may
correspond to a maximum width of the triggering element to be
sensed and/or a maximum distance which may be sensed. In other
words, the at least two sensors may be arranged at such a distance
that a signal is generated simultaneously by both sensors only when
a triggering element with a sufficient width is sensed. As a
result, it may be ensured in an intelligent manner that a
triggering process of the sensors only results when a suitable
triggering element is located in front of the cooking appliance
and/or the sensors.
[0021] In this context, it also goes without saying that in the
case of a common sensing device, without the use of a plurality of
individual sensors, the sensing device may be configured such that
it has to detect a triggering element to be sensed over its entire
width in order to transmit a corresponding signal to the
door-opening device. In other words, the sensing device may be
designed, for example, as an integral sensor strip which in the
cited case produces an electric signal only when the triggering
element is located in front of a predetermined region. As a result,
an operating error may be further minimized. It goes without saying
that in the case of a plurality of sensors, for example three or
more, the above refers to the two outer sensors.
[0022] Preferably, the at least two sensors may be symmetrically
aligned relative to a vertically running central line of the
cooking appliance and/or the panel. As a result, for example, on
the one hand, the operation for a user may be simplified and, on
the other hand, the visual appearance may be improved.
[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present
invention, it may be provided that the panel has a positioning line
which is located substantially in a plane running through the at
least two sensors and horizontally. The positioning line thus
constitutes an aid and/or marking for a user, which assists the
user when the triggering element is aligned with the sensing device
and/or the sensors. The positioning line may correspond to the
width of the predetermined triggering element and/or the distance
between the at least two sensors. By means of the positioning line
a secure alignment of the triggering element may be improved and
thus a reliable operation ensured.
[0024] Preferably, the panel may be printed with the positioning
line. The panel may consist, for example, of glass or at least
partially comprise glass which is printed with the positioning
line. The printing constitutes a cost-effective and visually
attractive means of implementing the application of the positioning
line.
[0025] According to another further preferred embodiment of the
present invention, it may be provided that the door-opening device
is designed to move the door from the closed position into the open
position after the triggering element is sensed for a predetermined
time by the sensing device. It is intended to be understood thereby
that the triggering element has to be held for a predetermined time
in front of the door-opening device and/or the sensors in order to
permit a control of the door-opening device. In other words, an
electric signal is generated by the sensing device and/or the
sensors only when they detect the triggering element for a
predetermined time without interruption. Thus the risk of an
operating error may be reduced. In other words, a possible
operating error, for example by children running past, which may
last for a shorter time than the predetermined time, may be avoided
thereby. Thus it may be clearly identified that in practice a
controlled handling, which may prevent an inadvertent opening of
the door, is produced thereby. In this context, it may be
particularly preferred that the entire sensing device and/or the at
least two sensors are triggered simultaneously, whereby the safety
may be further enhanced.
[0026] Preferably, the separate triggering element may be a carrier
for food to be cooked, in particular a baking sheet, rack or the
like which may be present as an accessory in the respective cooking
appliance and may be used for baking/cooking food to be cooked. As
a result, it may be ensured in a reliable manner that a
sufficiently large safety distance is present between the cooking
appliance and the user. Thus the user standing in front of the
cooking appliance is protected from passing inadvertently into the
region of an opening door, so that the risk of injury may be
minimized thereby.
[0027] A method according to the invention for automatically moving
a door of a cooking appliance which may be designed as described
above, may have the following steps. In one step, a triggering
element separate from the cooking appliance may be sensed by the
sensing device after a user has positioned said triggering element
in front of the sensing device. Following the sensing process, the
door-opening device may be controlled for moving the door from a
closed position into an open position after the triggering element
has been sensed for a predetermined time. In other words, only
after a predetermined time has passed, within which the triggering
element has to be held without interruption in front of the sensing
device so that the sensing device is triggered, is the door-opening
device controlled by means of an electric signal generated by the
sensing device, so that the door is opened only after this time has
passed. As a result, it may be ensured in a very secure manner that
the door is only opened when this is desired by the user.
[0028] It may preferably be provided that when the sensing device
has at least two sensors, the door-opening device is controlled for
moving the door only when the at least two sensors are
simultaneously triggered by the triggering element and for a
predetermined time. For example, it is possible to ensure thereby
that the triggering element which is, for example, in the form of a
baking sheet and which is provided therefor is used. Moreover, a
child-proof lock may be implemented in a convenient manner since
both sensors have to be triggered simultaneously and for a
predetermined time.
[0029] In other words, therefore, the door-opening device is not
controlled when at least one of the following conditions is
fulfilled:
[0030] dropping below the predetermined time for the triggering
element to be sensed by the sensing device;
[0031] sensing being carried out by only one of the at least two
sensors and/or by only one part of the sensing device which is
smaller than a predetermined portion and/or region thereof;
[0032] Further advantages and features of the invention are
disclosed in the claims, the figures and the description of the
figures. The features and combinations of features cited above in
the description and the features and combinations of features cited
hereinafter in the description of the figures and/or shown solely
in the figures are not only able to be used in the respectively
specified combinations but also in other combinations or
individually without departing from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The features of the present invention cited above and below
are now described in more detail with reference to a specific
exemplary embodiment thereof, these features being shown by the
accompanying drawings and only serving hereinafter for illustration
and thus not being limiting to the present invention. In the
drawings:
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cooking appliance
according to the invention in a perspective view without a
panel;
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a cooking appliance
according to the invention in a perspective view with the mounted
panel;
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the panel of the cooking
appliance according to the invention of FIG. 2.
[0037] It should be mentioned that the accompanying drawings are
not necessarily to scale and constitute a somewhat simplified view
of various preferred features which serve for illustrating the
principles of the invention. The specific structural features of
the present invention as disclosed herein, including for example
specific dimensions, orientations, installation positions and
shapes, are partially determined by the application provided
specifically therefor and the working environment.
[0038] Elements which are the same or functionally the same are
provided with the same reference characters in the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0039] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cooking appliance 1 in a
perspective view according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention without a panel. The cooking appliance 1 has a
cooking chamber 2 defined by a cooking chamber muffle (not shown)
with a cooking chamber opening (not shown) which is able to be
closed by a door 6. The door 6 has a handle 8 for manual opening
and/or closing. A front carrier 12 on which a panel (not shown) may
be attached is provided above the door 2 in an upper portion. In
the front carrier 12, an infrared sensor 21 is attached in each
case in a left-hand and right-hand portion in order to sense a
triggering element (not shown) which is arranged in front of the
sensors 21 and which is present separately from the cooking
appliance 1. The triggering element may, for example, be a baking
sheet, rack or the like.
[0041] The two sensors 21 which are arranged at a distance of ca.
360 mm are operatively connected to a door-opening device 10. The
door-opening device 10 has in the exemplary embodiment a drive in
the form of an electric motor which is able to move the door 6
automatically from a closed position into an open position. It is
also conceivable that the door 6 may be transferred automatically
from the open position into the closed position by, for example, a
switch (not shown) being pressed to this end.
[0042] The opening process of the door 6 is initiated by the
triggering element in the form of a baking sheet being held for a
predetermined time, for example 3 seconds, simultaneously in front
of both sensors. After the predetermined time has passed, an
electric signal generated by the sensing device 20 and/or the
sensors 21 is transmitted to the door-opening device 10, the door 6
automatically starting to open thereafter. An opening of the door 6
is achieved only by the direct arrangement of the baking sheet in
front of the sensors for a predetermined time and the simultaneous
triggering of the two sensors. In the exemplary embodiment shown,
the door 6 is moved and/or retracted into a receiver space 4
arranged below the cooking chamber 2. After reaching the fully open
position of the door 6, said door is located substantially entirely
inside the receiver space 4 apart from the grippable region of the
handle 8.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the cooking appliance
according to the invention in a perspective view with the mounted
panel 14. The two sensors in the form of infrared sensors (not
shown in FIG. 2) are located behind the panel 14, as shown in FIG.
1. A positioning line 16 which is substantially located in a plane
which runs horizontally through the two sensors is located in a
central region on the front face of the panel 14 facing a user. By
means of the positioning line 16 the user is able to align the
triggering element in the form of the baking sheet exactly in front
of the sensors, so that both sensors are able to be triggered
simultaneously after the baking sheet has been applied for a
predetermined time, in order to initiate the door opening process
by means of the door-opening device. The positioning line 16 has a
width which corresponds to the baking sheet which is able to be
used for the cooking appliance 1.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the panel 14 of the cooking
appliance according to the invention of FIG. 2. The central line M
which subdivides the panel 14 into two regions of equal size is
shown in addition, relative to FIG. 2. In the right-hand region of
the panel 14, a display 18 is provided at the same height as the
positioning line 16, an opening of the door being able to be
displayed thereby. It may also be provided that the display 18 is
configured as a contact sensor, the door being able to be moved
thereby from an open position into the closed position.
LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0045] 1 Cooking appliance [0046] 2 Cooking chamber [0047] 4
Receiver space [0048] 6 Door [0049] 8 Handle [0050] 10 Door-opening
device [0051] 12 Front carrier [0052] 14 Panel [0053] 16
Positioning line [0054] 18 Display [0055] 20 Sensing device [0056]
21 Sensors [0057] M Central line
* * * * *