Abstract:
A hob comprising a plurality of heating elements further comprises a support for a plurality of illuminating means, said support being of elongate construction and typically arcuate in shape. In one embodiment, two rows of illuminaries in the form of LEDs are provided wherein a cover with light zones is positioned thereover. The cover may indicate various symbols and letters to a user of the hob. Separate light zones may be defined to prevent light from one illuminary zone spilling over to the next illuminary zone. A controller may illuminate one row of illuminaries indicating the heating element is hot, even after power is removed from the heating element, and illuminate another row indicating a level of operation of the heating element. The hob may comprise a plurality of heating elements each having an associated illuminating means located in front of the heating area facing the operator.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to German Patent Application 102008027220.5, filed on Jun. 2, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a display device for a hob, a hob with a plurality of such display devices and a method of operating such a display device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is known from DE 3722632 A1 to provide a hob, next to the rings thereof, with display devices with a plurality of light segments. The light segments are actuated as a function of the rotated position of a mechanical thermostat via an additional switching means in such a way that a given light segment is illuminated as a function of a preselected temperature for a ring. Lettering representing a specific function or temperature is provided over each light segment. Illuminating this lettering displays to an operator what temperature or function is set for the adjacent ring. 
         [0004]    It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,821 to provide an elongate, strip-like display device in the manner of an illuminated display on the front of a cooker with hob and oven. This display device comprises a plurality of light segments arranged next to one another. The temperature of the oven, for example, may be represented by the length or number of the illuminated light segments. 
         [0005]    It is known from EP 1 213 543 A1 to arrange an arc shaped display device with a plurality of LEDs as illuminating means in the form of an arc of a circle in front of a hob ring. The power setting of the relevant ring may for example be indicated by the number of LEDs illuminated. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    One problem address by the present invention is that of providing an above-mentioned display device for a hob, a hob provided therewith and an operating method, with which prior art problems may be solved and in particular an advantageous display device provided with additional functions may be obtained. 
         [0007]    This problem is solved in one embodiment by a display device having the features of claim  1 , a hob having the features of claim  18  and a method having the features of claim  19 . Advantageous and preferred developments of the invention are the subject matter of the further claims and are explained in greater detail below. Some of the features are explained solely with reference to a display device, a hob or an operating method, but they may irrespectively also apply to the others. The wording of the claims is incorporated by express reference into the content of the description. 
         [0008]    Provision is made for the display device to comprise a support for a plurality of illuminating means, said support being of elongate construction. According to on embodiment of the invention, the illuminating means extend next to each other in two rows, the rows in particular being arranged parallel to one another. Over at least a first row of illuminating means there is provided a cover with light-transmitting zones, which take the form of symbols and/or letters, this cover preferably extending over all the illuminating means of this first row. Apart from these light-transmitting zones in the form of symbols, the cover over this first row of illuminating means is opaque. Moreover, separators are provided between the illuminating means of this first row, which separators prevent light from one illuminating means from spilling over to a light-transmitting zone above an adjacent or other illuminating means. This ensures that one illuminating means actually illuminates only the desired light-transmitting zone associated therewith and no other undesired zone. 
         [0009]    It is thus possible with the illuminating means of this first row to light up particular displays or symbols. The illuminating means of the second row may then serve other purposes, as explained below in greater detail in relation to various embodiments. 
         [0010]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the illuminating means in the first row, with the partially light-transmitting and otherwise opaque cover there-over, are spaced from one another by a distance corresponding to for instance two to five times their extent. This makes it possible, in particular in the case of illuminating means in the form of LEDs or particularly advantageously SMD LEDs, to make the distance between the illuminating means so great that the illuminated symbols there above are sufficiently large and easily recognizable for an operator. In a particularly preferred configuration of the invention all the illuminating means in this first row are at an identical distance from one another, this also being possible for the light-transmitting zones in the form of symbols arranged there over. 
         [0011]    In a second row, illuminating means, which are preferably the same as in the first row, may be at the same distance from one another as those of the first row. A cover is likewise advantageously arranged over this second row of illuminating means, which is however substantially light-transmitting or at least translucent. This translucency may, as also with the light-transmitting zones in the form of symbols over the first row of illuminating means, be designed to provide a type of diffuser effect for the light of the LEDs there below. This results in uniform, pleasant light distribution or illumination of the respective zones. The cover may take the form of a type of thick film of plastics, for example with a thickness of less than 1 mm, possibly with a thickness of around 0.3 mm. Furthermore, the cover is advantageously provided as a single component for all the illuminating means. To this end, it may comprise zones which are in each case different. Different light transmittance may be achieved for example by a multi-component production method. Alternatively, opaque zones may be achieved by printing with opaque color or the like. The cover may be fastened, for example adhesively bonded, on the top of the housing during production of the display device. 
         [0012]    In a further embodiment of the invention it is possible to configure the separators between the illuminating means of the second row in such a way that slight spill-over from one illuminating means to a light-transmitting zone over an adjacent illuminating means is possible. In this way, more uniform, better distributed illumination of the second row is possible. This is particularly advantageous if this second row is constructed and used as a continuous light strip or as a strip illuminated over one piece thereof. 
         [0013]    The support is advantageously a flat component support, in particular a printed circuit board. A housing with the above-stated separators is positioned thereon, the housing forming with the separators in each case a type of light duct. The above-stated cover is positioned on the top of this housing. The housing with the light ducts and the separators there between may thus take the form of a type of grid. Advantageously, to make the housing more stable, an externally surrounding housing wall is made thicker, while the separators may be made even relatively thin if an appropriate choice of a suitable plastics is made, in order to achieve the desired opacity between adjacent light ducts. 
         [0014]    In a further embodiment, the housing may be constructed such that it substantially covers or surrounds the illuminating means on the support. This provides screening against undesired lateral escape of the light. The structural unit comprising support, illuminating means and housing and optionally cover is thus constructed to be light-proof other than in the desired illumination direction upwards along the light ducts. It is then possible for the housing to grip over the support at least at the longitudinal sides of the device so as reliably to prevent undesired lateral escape of light. 
         [0015]    The housing is advantageously of one-piece construction and joined to the cover, for example, undetachably to form a structural unit. It may be attached to, or on, the support in various ways, for example, by clipping on using mechanical retention devices, which may under certain circumstances, be of detachable construction. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, support and also housing and thus the entire display device are of curved or arc shaped (“arcuate”) construction. This curvature may in particular be uniform. This allows a degree of adaptation from the point of view of shape to conventionally round hob rings. If, in the case of a hob according to the invention, a plurality of rings are each provided with such a display device according to the invention, it is regarded as sufficient for all the display devices to be of identical construction. Then, although the curvature or degree of rounding of the display devices cannot be conformed precisely to the external shape of the rings, which are conventionally of different sizes, this is not regarded as particularly problematic, in particular because the display devices may be at a distance of at least a few millimeters from a ring. 
         [0017]    In a further embodiment of the invention, a display device may comprise a control unit, in particular a microcontroller. This control unit may serve to connect the display device to a central control unit of a hob for communication purposes, in particular to a control bus provided therein. For instance, an above-mentioned central control unit of a hob may thus change the display status on the display device as a function of control commands, which may in turn depend on the operating states of the respective ring or indeed on different operator inputs or operations. Such a bus connection of the display device to a control bus of the hob is particularly advantageously of bidirectional construction, such that it is possible for the hob control unit both to change the display status on the display device and in each case to be informed as to what is actually displayed. 
         [0018]    In a still further embodiment of the invention, provision may be made for the device also to comprise a seven segment display. In this way, additional information may be displayed, for example, as is generally known with display devices on hobs or the like. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment of the invention, an overlap sensor may be provided on the display device, for example in the manner of a reflection light barrier, which is directed or acts in an upward direction. Alternatively, such a sensor may also operate capacitively or inductively, for example as a per se known pan detection sensor. In this way it is possible to detect whether a pan or other object has been placed thereon which limits or prevents the display device from being perceived or seen. Then a corresponding warning signal may be output, for example after feedback from the display device to a central control unit of the hob via the above-stated control bus, so that the operator&#39;s attention is drawn to this incorrect state. 
         [0020]    As an alternative or in addition to an above-stated overlap sensor, a temperature sensor may be provided on the display device, which is also oriented in particular upwards. This is intended to make it possible to detect whether a possibly very hot pan has been placed over the display device or displaced thereover, the inherent heat of which acts or radiates downwards through the hob plate onto the display device in such a way that the latter could be damaged. Such a temperature sensor may either be a simple resistance sensor element or indeed detect the temperature prevailing over the display device by way of thermal radiation. Under certain circumstances it is even possible to provide both the above-stated function of an overlap sensor and that of a temperature sensor or possibly combine them in one sensor unit. 
         [0021]    In a still further embodiment of the invention, one or more spacers may be provided on the top of the display device. These may ensure that the display device is arranged at a given, precisely defined distance below a hob plate. This is advantageous particularly in the case of conventionally bumpy undersides to these hob plates, since in this case a certain distance is regarded as advantageous in order to make the illuminated image uniform and visually attractive. These spacers may advantageously project above the above-stated cover with diffuser effect. They may for example be formed as protruding noses on the above-stated housing. As an extra function, they may also ensure precise fixing of the position of the stated cover relative to the housing. The spacers should ensure a distance of 0.1 to 1 mm, in particular for instance 0.5 mm, from the underside of the hob plate and thus protrude by this amount above the top of the cover. 
         [0022]    These and further features follow not only from the claims but also from the description and the drawings, the individual features being realized in each case alone or several together in the form of sub-combinations in an embodiment of the invention and in other fields and may constitute advantageous, per se protectable embodiments, for which protection is here claimed. Subdivision of the application into individual sections and intermediate headings does not limit the general applicability of the statements made thereunder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically in the drawings and explained in greater detail below. In the drawings: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates is an oblique view of a display device according to one embodiment of the invention, viewed obliquely from above, 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded representation of the display device of  FIG. 1 , 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the display device of  FIG. 1  in a partially activated state, and 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates a hob according to the invention with four rings and in each case one display device corresponding to  FIG. 1  per ring. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a display device  11  according to the invention in the assembled state as a finished structural unit, while the exploded view of  FIG. 2  shows it dismantled into its individual parts. As is clear from the plan view of  FIG. 3 , the display device  11  is elongate and curved slightly, while exhibiting a roughly constant width. The display device  11  comprises a support  12  of this basic shape, which may in particular be a printed circuit board. On the right-hand side on the support  12  lines show by way of example how electrical connections  13  may be configured, namely as it were as fields for multiconnectors for plugging a corresponding mating connector thereon according to  FIG. 1  at the rightwardly protruding end of the support  12 . 
         [0029]    A correspondingly constructed housing  14  of plastics is placed on the support  12 , the construction of which is more clearly visible from  FIG. 2  and is described below in greater detail. This housing  14  bears at the top a cover  15 , which is likewise apparent from  FIG. 2 . The cover  15  takes the form of a basically light-transmitting but translucent thick film or thin plastics layer. It comprises a symbol zone  16  in its front region, which is in turn opaque apart from light-transmitting symbols  17 . This opacity may be brought about by coating the symbol zone  16  while omitting the symbols  17 . Thus, light may be radiated from below through both the symbols  17  and the rest of the surface area of the cover  15  and this illumination may be perceived from above. In these light-transmitting or translucent zones  17 , the cover  15  may act to a degree as a diffuser, which gives the light a more uniform, more visually attractive appearance. This is known in principle, however. 
         [0030]    The housing  14  comprises fastening eyelets  19  constructed integrally therewith and rubber feet  20  attachable close thereto. Thus, a possible way of fastening the display device  11  may involve fixing thereof by pins engaging in the eyelets with simultaneous pressure or resilient mounting as a result of the rubber feet  20  upwards against a hob plate corresponding to  FIG. 4  extending thereover. 
         [0031]    A plurality of LEDs are arranged on the support  12 , specifically in one case twelve LEDs  22   a , which form a first row  23  matching the curvature of the support  12 . In addition, eighteen LEDs  22   b  are arranged parallel thereto and form the parallel second row  24  of LEDs, which extend somewhat beyond the first row  23  on both the left and right. The number of LEDs  22   a  or  22   b  may vary. In addition it is also possible for an extra third row of LEDs to be provided. 
         [0032]    It is clear from  FIG. 2  that the spacing both of the LEDs  22   a  and of the LEDs  22   b  relative to one another is the same in each case within the rows  23  and  24 . Furthermore, the distances between the LEDs of each row are the same in the two rows. These distances amount for instance to five times the length of the LEDs  22 , but this may also vary. Furthermore, it is also clear from  FIG. 2  that the distances between the LEDs  22   a  of the first row  23  correspond approximately to the distance between the midpoints of the symbols  17  in the cover  15 . Thus in each case, one of the LEDs  22   a  lies exactly below a symbol  17 . 
         [0033]    The particular construction of the housing  14  ensures that light ducts  27   a  formed by separators  26   a  are associated with each LED  22   a  of the first row  23 . This therefore means that, when the housing  14  has been positioned on the support  12 , one LED  22   a  is situated approximately in the middle of the rectangular light duct  27   a  and may thus radiate light freely upwards onto the underside of the cover  15  or onto the respective symbols  17 . The separators  26   a  prevent light from spilling over into a light duct  27   a  of an adjacent LED  22   a . Thus each LED  22   a  has its own light duct, wherein, in a modification of the invention, provision may under certain circumstances also be made for a plurality of LEDs to be provided for each light duct. 
         [0034]    Light ducts  27   b  are provided in corresponding fashion for the LEDs  22   b  of the second row  24 , which light ducts are in each case separated from one another or screened relative to one another by separators  26   b . It is best to this end for the separators  26  to extend at the underside of the housing  14  as far as the support  12  or at least very nearly that far. To prevent light from escaping undesirably out of the display device  11  at the longitudinal sides, the housing  14  clearly grips over the support  12 , as is visible in  FIG. 1 . If it is not intended to provide any electrical connections  13  or the like at the ends of the support  12 , since electrical connection takes place for example in some other way, the housing may here too extend beyond the support and grip over it. 
         [0035]    Unlike over the first row  23  of LEDs  22   a  with the opaque symbol zone  16  and the light-transmitting symbols  17  thereabove, the cover  15  is uniformly light-transmitting in the strip over the second row  24  of LEDs  22   b , but is advantageously again translucent to achieve the above-stated diffuser effect. It is precisely here, since the LEDs  22   b  shine over an area corresponding to the cross-section of the light duct  27   b  onto the underside of the cover  15 , that the diffuser effect is regarded as advantageous, because then in principle this entire area is seen as shining approximately uniformly upwards. In a further development of the invention it is possible to make the separators  26   a  and  26   b  and the other walls of the light ducts  27   a  and  27   b  as smooth or reflective as possible, optionally also inclined or in the manner of a parabolic reflector, such that as much as light as possible is radiated upwards from the LEDs  22 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  does not show theoretically possible further electrical or electronic components, arranged for example on the underside of the support  12  opposite the LEDs  22 , in particular for actuation of the display device  11 . These may comprise for example microcontrollers for actuating the display device  11 , for example for an above-stated bus connection to a control bus of an electrical appliance or hob. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a plan view of how for example all the LEDs  22   b  of the second row  24  are actuated or illuminated, which is intended to be illustrated by the gray shading. The result is an elongate light strip consisting of three light bars  29   a ,  29   b  and  29   c . The different gray shading is intended to make clear that for example the light bars  29   a  and  29   c  shine green or in general in a lighter shade and the middle light bar  29   b  shines red or in a stronger shade. However, since this entire light bar does not always have to be illuminated over its entire length made up of all the LEDs  22   b , but rather is subdivided by the light ducts  27   b  into eighteen individual light segments, the length of the light strip may vary. Furthermore, any desired light segments may be activated, such that the entire light strip may be lit up for example only in the form of the light bars  29   a  and  29   c  or indeed in even smaller subdivisions. Further lighting effects may for example involve periodic variation of the luminance or flashing with a uniform or varying flashing frequency. This may in each case readily be achieved by a person skilled in the art, if it appears appropriate in the circumstances. Likewise, color variations may also be provided, in particular by selecting different colors for the individual LEDs  22   b , this also applying to the LEDs  22   a  of the first row  23 . Some illuminating means of one row, in particular the first row, may for example be in permanent operation, preferably in a constant number or with constant operation. Illuminating means of the other row may then for example be operated variably, with different illuminating means being switched on and off, preferably in light strips with a moving light pattern, in the manner of a “running light”. This light strip may travel to and fro, for example, wherein in particular the in each case front region of the light strip with a width of two or three LEDs may shine more brightly than the rear one with more LEDs. Thus, a ring operation display may be provided with which the brightness, rate of motion or length of the light strip advantageously depend on the heat setting. 
         [0038]    It is additionally clear from  FIG. 3  that some of the LEDs  22   a  of the front row  23  are activated and thus particular symbols  17  are illuminated. In the middle the letters HOT are illuminated, thus showing the word HOT as an indication that the hob is hot. In addition, this is further indicated by the symbols  17  taking the form of flames to the left and right of the word. Since indicating that the hob is hot is thought of as a warning, the color red or a similar signal color is here suitable for example for the illuminated LEDs  22   a  therebelow. Whether, in actual operation, indication that the hob is hot according to  FIG. 3  is simultaneously indicated by illuminated LEDs  22   a  and the light strip located thereabove, which tends more to be used to display heat settings, may be individually decided and is a question of design of the display device or the underlying display method. As an alternative to signal color, indication that the hob is hot may advantageously be effected as an operating method, by flashing, in particular with an elevated or temperature-dependent frequency. As a further alternative, the temperature may be represented by the length of a light strip located thereabove. This is one of the advantages of a two-row display device according to the invention, as has been explained above, namely a larger amount of more detailed information may be provided. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a hob  31  according to the invention. It comprises as is conventional a hob plate  32 , advantageously of glass ceramic, and four rings  33   a  to  d . The rings  33  comprise induction coils as inductive heating means, which are here not shown in any greater detail. In the front middle zone there is located an operating means  35  with touch-sensitive switches, shown by the round symbols, and the seven segment display, as is known however to a person skilled in the art. Associated with the operating means  35  is a central control unit  36  shown by broken lines. This central control unit  36  both controls the hob  31 , such that it receives operating commands, which have been input at the operating means  35 , and, as a function thereof, sets the operating state of the rings  33   a  to  d . A central control unit may also be integrated in the operating unit. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  additionally shows two recesses  25   a  and  25   b  provided on the housing  14  to the left and right of the first row  23 . These, like the light ducts  27 , pass through the housing  14  and serve in the arrangement thereon of the above-stated overlap sensors and/or temperature sensors. These sensors are advantageously likewise mounted on the support  12  and electrically connected. They should be configured such that their functioning is not impaired by the cover  15  above them. Alternatively, the cover  15  should be removed in this region or be made completely light-transmitting, i.e., transparent. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 4 , connecting leads  37   a  to  d  are shown by broken lines, these extending in each case from the central control unit  36  to a display device  11   a  to  d . They may under certain circumstances be combined with connecting cables for the heating means of the rings to form a cable harness. Alternatively, they may be looped onwards from display device to display device, i.e., form a type of loop extending from the central control unit  36  to the display devices  11   b ,  11   a ,  11   d ,  11   c  and then back to the central control unit. The display devices  11   a - 11   d  are each arranged at the same point in front of and at roughly the same distance from the outer edge of the rings  33   a  to  33   d , specifically below the transparent or light-transmitting hob plate  32 . The display devices  11  are shown by broken lines, since they cannot themselves be detected when not illuminated or deactivated. 
         [0042]    In the case of the display device  11   c  at bottom right, the light bars  29   b  and  29   c  according to  FIG. 3  are illuminated, while in the display device  11   d  there-behind it is the light bars  29   a  and  29   b  which are illuminated. For clarity&#39;s sake, the illuminated symbols  17  over the first row  23  of LEDs  22   a  are not shown here in  FIG. 4 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , however, it is easy to conceive how individual ones of these symbols  17  are illuminated and then, like the seven segment display of the operating means  35 , may be detected in the form of light appearing from below the hob plate  32  arranged thereover. Different modes of display or operating methods have also been described above. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 1 and 2  do not show the above-stated spacers. They may however be provided, for example, at the four corners of the top of the housing  14 , possibly also with one or more spacers therebetween over the length of the housing  14 , to prevent flexure in this middle region towards the underside of the hob plate  32  extending thereover. As a result of these spacers, the cover  15  or the top thereof is at a small distance therefrom, for example around 0.5 mm. In this way, in the case of the conventionally bumpy undersides of a hob plate  32  of glass ceramic, the appearance of the illuminated symbols  17  and the light bars  29  therethrough may be optimal. 
         [0044]    Actuation of the display devices  11  by means of the central control unit  36  as a function of inputs at the operating means  35  or as a function of the state of the rings  33   a  to  d  proceeds by way of an above-described bus system. To this end, the central control unit  36  comprises a control bus for bidirectional connection with each display device  11  or indeed for an above-described circuit connection or looping. Moreover, these connecting leads  37  also ensure power supply for operation of the LEDs  22 .