Abstract: An induction hob including at least one switching element and at least one induction coil is provided. The switching element provides an alternating current flow through the induction coil. Cooling means provide airflow through the induction hob for cooling the switching element and the induction coil. The induction coil is arranged at a first side of a first plate-shaped support element and the switching element is arranged at a first side of a second plate-shaped support element. The first support element and the second support element are connected to one another and are arranged at a distance in order to form an air channel therebetween. The cooling means are arranged such that airflow is provided through the air channel.

Abstract: An appliance is provided herein. The appliance may include a power supply configured to receive Alternating Current (AC) power and supply Direct Current (DC) power, a driver circuit configured to receive the DC power and illuminate one or more light emitting diodes (LED), and a fade control circuit configured to direct the driver circuit to fade the one or more LEDs from an on-state to an off-state in a fade-out operation. The appliance may further include a first switching device configured to direct the fade circuit to perform a fade-out operation while the first switching device is in a first state, and a second switching device configured to maintain AC power to the power supply during the fade-out operation, and further configured to sever AC power to the power supply upon completion of the fade-out operation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cooking hob with one or more induction coils covered by a cookware and forming a cooking zone. All induction coils of the cooking zone are alternately activated. The method includes setting an average power to be transferred to the cookware by a user, determining a frequency, estimating a maximum average power if all induction coils of the cooking zone would be activated with said frequency, estimating a percentage power defined as quotient between the set average power and the estimated maximum average power, estimating a calculated number of coils defined as product of the number of coils within the cooking zone and the percentage power, defining a minimum number of simultaneously activated coils within the cooking zone by an integer value of the calculated number, and defining a temporal activation of a further one of the coils by a fractional part of the calculated number.

Abstract: A method for assigning a unique identifier to a hob induction coil of an induction hob including a plurality of hob induction coils, the method including the steps of: placing one or more device induction coils of a device above one or more hob induction coils such that at least one device induction coil and at least one hob induction coil are facing each other; establishing a communication link between the device induction coil and the hob induction coil, wherein information regarding a unique identifier is transmitted to the hob induction coil by the device induction coil; and receiving information regarding the unique identifier by the hob induction coil and storing the identifier associated with the hob induction coil within a memory of the induction hob.

Abstract: A method of detecting cookware (3) on an induction hob (1) including a plurality of induction heating coils (2) each being adapted for heating, in the activated state, cookware (3) placed on the induction hob (1). With the method, detecting cookware (3) is based on signals generated by at least one active induction heating coil (4) through the action of parasitic electromagnetic coupling effects in at least one inactive induction heating coil (6).

Abstract: A modular electronic and/or electric apparatus including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus. The circuit unit includes at least two serial resistor elements forming a voltage divider. The resistor elements of the circuit units are serially connected and form an ID wire. The ID wire is interconnected between a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The circuit unit comprises at least one analog-digital converter. A connection point between two resistor elements of one circuit unit is connected to an analog input terminal of the analog-digital converter. A digital output terminal of the analog-digital converter is connected to the internal communication bus. The modular electronic and/or electric apparatus includes a master unit connected to the internal communication bus. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular domestic appliance including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob (10) with a plurality of induction coils (16). The induction cooking hob (10) comprises a cooking surface (12) and a control unit. The cooking surface (12) includes a cover plate. The induction coils (16) are arranged side-by-side according to a predetermined scheme and below the cover plate. At least one induction coil (16) is marked by an identification symbol (18). The identification symbol (18) includes a first element (20) and a second element (22), wherein the first element (20) extends beyond the diameter of the corresponding induction coil (16) and the second element (22) marks the diameter of said induction coil (16).

Abstract: An induction heating generator includes a rectifier circuit (10). Four capacitors (C1, C2, C3, C4) form a bridge circuit between two output terminals of the rectifier circuit (10). The bridge circuit includes a first capacitor series (C1, C2) and a second capacitor series (C3, C4). An induction coil (L) is interconnected in the center of the bridge circuit. At least two semiconductor switches (S1, S2) are connected in each case parallel to one of the capacitors (C1, C2) of the first capacitor series (C1, C2). The induction heating generator includes a control circuit block (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) for controlling the control electrodes of the semiconductor switches (S1, S2). A shunt element (SE) is connected in series with the first capacitor series (C1, C2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a half bridge induction heating generator, comprising at least one power terminal (10) provided for a direct current voltage, at least one ground terminal (12), and four capacitors (C2, C3, C4, C5) forming a bridge circuit between the power terminal (10) and the ground terminal (12). The induction heating generator comprises further an induction coil (L) interconnected in the center of said bridge circuit, two semiconductor switches (Q1, Q2) connected in each case parallel to one of the both capacitors (C4, C5) on one side of the bridge circuit, and a further capacitor (CI) interconnected between the power terminal (10) and the ground terminal (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to an induction hob comprising at least one switching element and at least one induction coil (3), the switching element providing an alternating current flow through said induction coil (3) and cooling means (4) providing an airflow through the induction hob for cooling said switching element and said induction coil (3). The induction coil (3) is arranged at a first side (5.1) of a first plate-shaped support element (5) and the switching element is arranged at a first side (6.1) of a second plate-shaped support element (6), wherein the first support element (5) and the second support element (6) are connected to one another and arranged at a distance (d) in order to form an air channel (7) between the first and second support element (5, 6) and wherein the cooling means (4) are arranged such that an airflow is provided through said air channel (7).

Abstract: A method for assigning a unique identifier to a hob induction coil of an induction hob including a plurality of hob induction coils, the method including the steps of: placing one or more device induction coils of a device above one or more hob induction coils such that at least one device induction coil and at least one hob induction coil are facing each other; establishing a communication link between the device induction coil and the hob induction coil, wherein information regarding a unique identifier is transmitted to the hob induction coil by the device induction coil; and receiving information regarding the unique identifier by the hob induction coil and storing the identifier associated with the hob induction coil within a memory of the induction hob.

Abstract: An induction cooking hob and method for assigning induction coils of the hob, so that each coil corresponds with a unique number or identity. The method includes; setting a load onto the hob, so that the load covers only one of the coils, which is provided for a first unique number or first identity; activating a pot detection device for all coils of hob; identifying the coil covered by the load; assigning the first number or identity to the covered coil; storing the unique number or identity in conjunction with the covered induction coil; setting the load onto a further one of the coils, which is provided for a second unique number or second identity; repeating the steps c) to f) for the further coil and second number or identity; and repeating the steps b) to f) for all other coils and corresponding unique numbers or corresponding identities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric and/or electronic circuit including a printed circuit board (20), at least one separate circuit board (10) and at least one power connector (12) for said printed circuit board (20). The at least one power connector (12) is connected or connectable to a corresponding counterpart. A number of electric and/or electronic components (22) is sold at the separate circuit board (10). The at least one separate circuit board (10) is connected to the printed circuit board (20) by a number of solder joints (16). The solder joints (16) are connected to the separate circuit board (10) by a through-hole-technology. The solder joints (16) are connected to the printed circuit board (20) by SMD (surface mount device) technology. At least one power connector (12) is fastened at the separate circuit board (10) by the through-hole-technology.

Abstract: An induction cooking hob and method for assigning induction coils of the hob, so that each coil corresponds with a unique number or identity. The method includes; setting a load onto the hob, so that the load covers only one of the coils, which is provided for a first unique number or first identity; activating a pot detection device for all coils of hob; identifying the coil covered by the load; assigning the first number or identity to the covered coil; storing the unique number or identity in conjunction with the covered induction coil; setting the load onto a further one of the coils, which is provided for a second unique number or second identity; repeating the steps c) to f) for the further coil and second number or identity; and repeating the steps b) to f) for all other coils and corresponding unique numbers or corresponding identities.

Abstract: A method of detecting cookware (3) on an induction hob (1) including a plurality of induction heating coils (2) each being adapted for heating, in the activated state, cookware (3) placed on the induction hob (1). With the method, detecting cookware (3) is based on signals generated by at least one active induction heating coil (4) through the action of parasitic electromagnetic coupling effects in at least one inactive induction heating coil (6).

Abstract: A modular electronic and/or electric apparatus including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus. The circuit unit includes at least two serial resistor elements forming a voltage divider. The resistor elements of the circuit units are serially connected and form an ID wire. The ID wire is interconnected between a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The circuit unit comprises at least one analogue-digital converter. A connection point between two resistor elements of one circuit unit is connected to an analogue input terminal of the analogue-digital converter. A digital output terminal of the analogue-digital converter is connected to the internal communication bus. The modular electronic and/or electric apparatus includes a master unit connected to the internal communication bus. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular domestic appliance including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cooking hob with one or more induction coils covered by a cookware and forming a cooking zone. All induction coils of the cooking zone are alternately activated. The method includes setting an average power to be transferred to the cookware by a user, determining a frequency, estimating a maximum average power if all induction coils of the cooking zone would be activated with said frequency, estimating a percentage power defined as quotient between the set average power and the estimated maximum average power, estimating a calculated number of coils defined as product of the number of coils within the cooking zone and the percentage power, defining a minimum number of simultaneously activated coils within the cooking zone by an integer value of the calculated number, and defining a temporal activation of a further one of the coils by a fractional part of the calculated number.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction heating generator. The induction heating generator comprises or corresponds with a rectifier circuit (10). An input of the rectifier circuit (10) is connected or connectable to an AC power terminal (12). Four capacitors (C1, C2, C3, C4) form a bridge circuit between two output terminals of the rectifier circuit (10). The bridge circuit includes a first capacitor series (C1, C2) and a second capacitor series (C3, C4). An induction coil (L) is interconnected in the centre of the bridge circuit. At least two semiconductor switches (S1, S2) are connected in each case parallel to one of the capacitors (C1, C2) of at least the first capacitor series (C1, C2). The induction heating generator comprises a control circuit block (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) for controlling the control electrodes of the semiconductor switches (S1, S2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a half bridge induction heating generator, comprising at least one power terminal (10) provided for a direct current voltage, at least one ground terminal (12), and four capacitors (C2, C3, C4, C5) forming a bridge circuit between the power terminal (10) and the ground terminal (12). The induction heating generator comprises further an induction coil (L) interconnected in the centre of said bridge circuit, two semiconductor switches (Q1, Q2) connected in each case parallel to one of the both capacitors (C4, C5) on one side of the bridge circuit, and a further capacitor (CI) interconnected between the power terminal (10) and the ground terminal (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob (10) with a plurality of induction coils (16). The induction cooking hob (10) comprises a cooking surface (12) and a control unit. The cooking surface (12) includes a cover plate. The induction coils (16) are arranged side-by-side according to a predetermined scheme and below the cover plate. At least one induction coil (16) is marked by an identification symbol (18). The identification symbol (18) includes a first element (20) and a second element (22), wherein the first element (20) extends beyond the diameter of the corresponding induction coil (16) and the second element (22) marks the diameter of said induction coil (16).