Abstract: An induction cooktop that includes a first main switch and a second main switch configured to be operated by a control unit to selectively connect a first induction heater and a second induction heater, to a switching converter for selectively energizing the first induction heater and/or the second induction heater; wherein the control unit is configured (i) to sense an electric parameter regarding the first induction heater in a first resonant circuit, when the first induction heater is not fed from the switching converter and a first auxiliary switch closes the first resonant circuit in such a way that the at least resonant capacitor assembly is connected to the first induction heater by means of the first auxiliary switch and a damped oscillation occurs between them; (ii) to sense an electric parameter regarding the second induction heater in a second resonant circuit when the second induction heater is not fed from the switching converter and the second auxiliary switch closes the second resonant circuit

Abstract: An induction cooktop includes: a first induction heater and a second induction heater; a control unit; a first switching current generator and a second switching current generator, operable by the control unit in subsequent control periods to energize the first induction heater and the second induction heater, respectively.

Abstract: Induction hob provided with a frequency converter and parallel branches, departing from the output of the converter. Each branch includes a switch and an inductor. The hob also comprises a configurable contact to enable an electrical connection of a first intermediate terminal between the first inductor and the first switch in the first branch (A) and a second intermediate terminal between the second inductor and the second switch in the second branch. The hob, depending on the configuration of the switches, can operate each of the two inductors alone, or in parallel connection, or in series connection.

Abstract: A cooling system for an induction-based cooking hob includes a first heat-generating device having a first heat sink coupled therewith and having a plurality of free ends extending away from the first heat generating device along a plane and a first induction coil positioned adjacent the heat sink. The cooling system further includes a blower module defining a cooling air path extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. The first heat sink and the first induction coil are positioned along respective portions of the cooling air path with the first heat sink closest to the blower module.

Abstract: Induction hob provided with a frequency converter and parallel branches, departing from the output of the converter. Each branch includes a switch and an inductor. The hob also comprises a configurable contact to enable an electrical connection of a first intermediate terminal between the first inductor and the first switch in the first branch (A) and a second intermediate terminal between the second inductor and the second switch in the second branch. The hob, depending on the configuration of the switches, can operate each of the two inductors alone, or in parallel connection, or in series connection.

Abstract: A cooling system for an induction-based cooking hob includes a first heat-generating device having a first heat sink coupled therewith and having a plurality of free ends extending away from the first heat generating device along a plane and a first induction coil positioned adjacent the heat sink. The cooling system further includes a blower module defining a cooling air path extending in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. The first heat sink and the first induction coil are positioned along respective portions of the cooling air path with the first heat sink closest to the blower module.

Abstract: A method for cooling a bottle in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator includes sensing the temperature of a zone of the freezer in which the bottle is placed, estimating the temperature of the bottle on the basis of the compressor status and of the sensed temperature of the zone, and informing the user when the estimated temperature of the bottle has reached a set value. The method can also be used for an automatically adjusted “shock freezing” process for any kind of food.

Abstract: The present invention relates to induction cooking appliances which provide a user with an improved set of information concerning the cooking capabilities of a piece of cookware to be used in conjunction with said appliance. In a further aspect, the present invention concerns an improved method for checking the cooking capabilities of a piece of cookware to be used in conjunction with an induction cooking appliance.

Abstract: A method for cooling a bottle in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator includes sensing the temperature of a zone of the freezer in which the bottle is placed, estimating the temperature of the bottle on the basis of the compressor status and of the sensed temperature of the zone, and informing the user when the estimated temperature of the bottle has reached a set value. The method can also be used for an automatically adjusted “shock freezing” process for any kind of food.

Abstract: A cooking hob with random positioning of pans or the like, comprising a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed within a cooking area and individually powered under the control of a control circuit, the heating elements also being used as position sensors for the pan or pans placed on the cooking area, in which a user interface is present, provided with a touch screen reproducing the cooking area and on which, for each pan placed on the cooking area, there is displayed an activatable region substantially representative of the position of the pan on the cooking area, this position being obtained from data provided by the electrical heating elements in their function as position sensors.

Abstract: An electric cooking hob having a plurality of heating elements distributed in matrix formation below a heat-resistant surface on which one or more cooking utensils can be located in random manner. The cooking hob can determine the location, form and dimensions of one or more cooking utensils positioned on the cooking hob. The cooking hob uses a signal source to determine which heating elements lie under the cooking utensil. The cooking hob can heat the elements lying below the cooking utensil by a power source. Each heating element being able to be energized with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the current used to perform the determination, so that the power source and the signal source can be applied at the same time to different heating elements.

Abstract: A cooking hob with random positioning of pans or the like, comprising a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed within a cooking area and individually powered under the control of a control circuit, the heating elements also being used as position sensors for the pan or pans placed on the cooking area, in which a user interface is present, provided with a touch screen reproducing the cooking area and on which, for each pan placed on the cooking area, there is displayed an activatable region substantially representative of the position of the pan on the cooking area, this position being obtained from data provided by the electrical heating elements in their function as position sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric cooking hob having a plurality of heating elements distributed in matrix formation below a heat-resistant surface on which one or more cooking utensils can be located in random manner. The cooking hob being able to determine the location, form and dimensions of one or more cooking utensils positioned on the cooking hob. The cooking hob using a signal source, and able to process a signal from the signal source individually through the plurality of heating elements to determine which heating elements lie under the cooking utensil. The cooking hob also being able to heat the elements lying below the cooking utensil by a power source. Each heating element being able to be energized with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the current used to perform the determination, so that the power source and the signal source can be applied at the same time to different heating elements.

Abstract: A cooking hob comprising a glass ceramic plate and an underlying plurality of electrical heating elements disposed in matrix configuration and controlled by static switches in order to be able to use at will any region of said hob for heating the contents of one or more cooking utensils, in which a diode is present in series with each electrical heating element.

Abstract: A device for determining the location of cooking utensils on a cooking hob comprising a plurality of thermal cells distributed in matrix formation below a heat-resistant surface on which the cooking utensil can be located in random manner, the determination of its location, form and dimensions enabling those thermal cells lying below the utensil to be energized, the same thermal cells being also individually used for this determination.

Abstract: A cooking hob comprising a glass ceramic plate and an underlying plurality of electrical heating elements disposed in matrix configuration and controlled by static switches in order to be able to use at will any region of said hob for heating the contents of one or more cooking utensils, in which a diode is present in series with each electrical heating element.

Abstract: A device for determining the location of cooking utensils on a cooking hob comprising a plurality of thermal cells distributed in matrix formation below a heat-resistant surface on which the cooking utensil can be located in random manner, the determination of its location, form and dimensions enabling those thermal cells lying below the utensil to be energized, the same thermal cells being also individually used for this determination.