Abstract: A heating device for heating fluids has a flat support with a surface on which heating elements are arranged distributed over the surface area and are divided into one or more heating circuits which can be operated separately from one another. A temperature sensor device is provided with a sensor layer which covers the surface area of the heating elements. At least two sensor electrodes in an electrode layer are fitted onto the sensor layer, the at least two sensor electrodes being electrically disconnected from one another and having finger-like or turn-like sensor electrode sections which run at a distance of less than 2 cm in relation to one another. The width of in each case two sensor electrode sections which are arranged next to one another is less than 2 cm in each case. A control apparatus for evaluating the temperature sensor device is provided.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device for an electric appliance such as a fryer includes at least one temperature sensor in the form of an electric resistor, to which at least two different measuring voltages can be applied with cyclic switching between the measuring voltages. The temperature sensor is connected to a control, which includes a microcontroller and which is configured for applying at least two different measuring voltages to the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An operator control device for an electrical appliance, such as an extractor hood, has an operator control panel, an illuminated display and a contact switch together with a planar, pressure-sensitive piezo sensor element. The operator control panel has at least one opening covered by a transparent window. A flat component support is arranged on the rear face of the operator control panel, the component support having LEDs on a front face, which faces the operator control panel. The component support is fitted with the sensor element together with the sensor support on the other rear face in the region of the opening.

Abstract: In the case of a method for operating a piezoceramic sensor with an evaluation electrode, an electrical signal generated by the piezoceramic sensor at the evaluation electrode is evaluated to determine an actuating state of the piezoceramic sensor. The evaluation electrode is subjected to a predetermined reference potential during recurring time intervals, in order to reference the evaluation electrode with the reference potential during these time intervals.

Abstract: A control mechanism for an electrical appliance comprises a deformable or elastic control panel, for example, embodied as a frame of an electric cooking hob. Several piezo sensor elements are arranged under the control panel. The piezo sensor elements are arranged on the rear side of a printed circuit board, the opposite front side of said printed circuit board being arranged or fastened to the underside of the control panel in a planar manner. By determining the difference of the signals of the sensor elements arranged next to each other, it is possible to accomplish an extremely good and safe evaluation of a location where a finger is placed with light pressure on the control panel.

Abstract: A signal transmitter device comprises an electrical acoustic signal transmitter signal, which has a piezoceramic disk on a metal membrane, on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has an opening in the region of the piezoceramic disk or the metal membrane, wherein the metal membrane extends over the opening for the purpose of bearing on the printed circuit board in an edge region of the opening. The piezoceramic disk arranged on the metal membrane is arranged towards the opening and substantially in the region of the opening, wherein a contact projection as part of the printed circuit board for electrical contact-connection to the signal transmitter is provided at the edge region of the opening. Separate parts can thus be obviated.

Abstract: A temperature measuring device for an electric appliance such as a fryer includes at least one temperature sensor in the form of an electric resistor, to which at least two different measuring voltages can be applied with cyclic switching between the measuring voltages. The temperature sensor is connected to a control, which includes a microcontroller and which is configured for applying at least two different measuring voltages to the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A display device comprises a support, on which there are arranged LED and a light distributing body above the luminous means with a direction of light emission away from the support and the LED. The light distributing body is a three-dimensional body with a light entrance side facing towards the LED and a light exiting side facing away from the LED. The light distributing body consists of transparent material and the light entrance side is shaped to optimise uniform light distribution from the LED to the light exit side, which may take the form of a diffuser.

Abstract: In the case of a method for operating a piezoceramic sensor with an evaluation electrode, an electrical signal generated by the piezoceramic sensor at the evaluation electrode is evaluated to determine an actuating state of the piezoceramic sensor. The evaluation electrode is subjected to a predetermined reference potential during recurring time intervals, in order to reference the evaluation electrode with the reference potential during these time intervals.

Abstract: An operator control device for an electrical appliance, such as an extractor hood, has an operator control panel, an illuminated display and a contact switch together with a planar, pressure-sensitive piezo sensor element. The operator control panel has at least one opening covered by a transparent window. A flat component support is arranged on the rear face of the operator control panel, the component support having LEDs on a front face, which faces the operator control panel. The component support is fitted with the sensor element together with the sensor support on the other rear face in the region of the opening.

Abstract: A signal transmitter device comprises an electrical acoustic signal transmitter signal, which has a piezoceramic disk on a metal membrane, on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has an opening in the region of the piezoceramic disk or the metal membrane, wherein the metal membrane extends over the opening for the purpose of bearing on the printed circuit board in an edge region of the opening. The piezoceramic disk arranged on the metal membrane is arranged towards the opening and substantially in the region of the opening, wherein a contact projection as part of the printed circuit board for electrical contact-connection to the signal transmitter is provided at the edge region of the opening. Separate parts can thus be obviated.

Abstract: In a method for setting a two-digit value for a function parameter for a function device at an operating device, the operating device is appropriately designed for operating the function device. It has a sensor operating panel designed to detect and evaluate movements, independently of one another, of a finger in contact in two operating directions perpendicular to one another. Setting of the two-digit value at the operating device is achieved for the units-places by a movement of a finger on the sensor operating panel in a first operating direction. The tens-places are set independently of this by a movement of a finger on the sensor operating panel in a second operating direction.

Abstract: A display device comprises a support, on which there are arranged LED and a light distributing body above the luminous means with a direction of light emission away from the support and the LED. The light distributing body is a three-dimensional body with a light entrance side facing towards the LED and a light exiting side facing away from the LED. The light distributing body consists of transparent material and the light entrance side is shaped to optimise uniform light distribution from the LED to the light exit side, which may take the form of a diffuser.

Abstract: A control mechanism for an electrical appliance comprises a deformable or elastic control panel, for example, embodied as a frame of an electric cooking hob. Several piezo sensor elements are arranged under the control panel. The piezo sensor elements are arranged on the rear side of a printed circuit board, the opposite front side of said printed circuit board being arranged or fastened to the underside of the control panel in a planar manner. By determining the difference of the signals of the sensor elements arranged next to each other, it is possible to accomplish an extremely good and safe evaluation of a location where a finger is placed with light pressure on the control panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust hood (10) comprising a drive unit (20) for generating an air flow, a control device or control circuit for controlling the drive unit (20), and a measurement section comprising a transmitter device (22) and a receiver device (24). The control device or control circuit is configured so as to control the drive unit (20) in accordance with a signal generated by the receiver device (24). The transmitter device (22) is provided with a laser module that is aimed directly at the receiver device (24). Said laser module generates a laser beam (25) which is deflected in accordance with the presence of cooking vapors such as steam. The respective deflection influences the signal generated by the receiver device (24) such that the signal allows the control device or control circuit to draw conclusions about the presence of cooking vapors such as steam or movements of air and thus automatically control the drive unit (20) as needed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust hood (10) comprising a drive unit (20) for generating an air flow, a control device or control circuit for controlling the drive unit (20), and a measurement section comprising a transmitter device (22) and a receiver device (24). The control device or control circuit is configured so as to control the drive unit (20) in accordance with a signal generated by the receiver device (24). The transmitter device (22) is provided with a laser module that is aimed directly at the receiver device (24). Said laser module generates a laser beam (25) which is deflected in accordance with the presence of cooking vapors such as steam. The respective deflection influences the signal generated by the receiver device (24) such that the signal allows the control device or control circuit to draw conclusions about the presence of cooking vapors such as steam or movements of air and thus automatically control the drive unit (20) as needed.

Abstract: There is proposed a circuit arrangement for the actuation of a VFD, LED or LCD display, which has at least two control blocks for producing control signals for the various kinds of display, wherein the control signals of the control blocks are processed by a common driver component and the driver component transmits suitable actuation signals to the terminals of the VFD, LED or LCD display.

Abstract: There is proposed a circuit arrangement for the actuation of a VFD, LED or LCD display, which has at least two control blocks for producing control signals for the various kinds of display, wherein the control signals of the control blocks are processed by a common driver component and the driver component transmits suitable actuation signals to the terminals of the VFD, LED or LCD display.

Abstract: Provided is to an ultrasound sensor for a fumes extractor hood, wherein the sensor monitors the vapor rising from the cooking to the extractor hood. Automatic compensation in respect of temperature and ageing drift of the sensor is effected. For that purpose checking of the resonance frequency is implemented cyclically during on-going operation of the sensor, in which case a shift in the resonance frequency is recognized, and the new resonance frequency is established by a statistical calculation method and used for further operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the control of a ventilator, especially for a stream or vapor vent hood which is located above a cooking range, in dependence upon steam or vapor clouds which are drawn towards the ventilator. An ultrasonic transmission path having an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver is located in front of the ventilator, with a receiving circuit demodulating the signal which appears at the ultrasonic receiver; wherein an evaluating or sample-and-hold circuit evaluates any fluctuations in the input signal encountered over a period of time and which are based on the presence of steam or vapor clouds in the ultrasonic transmitting path, and counts these signals within a time frame, and wherein a comparator circuit compares the result of the count with preset values and, in accordance therewith, activates the ventilator.