Abstract: There is described an induction cooking hob (1, 1?, 1?) comprising at least one cooking zone (2) for heating a cooking vessel. The cooking zone (2) comprises at least a first induction coil (3) and a second induction coil (4), the first induction coil (3) and the second induction coil (4) being configured to heat the cooking vessel alone or in collaboration with one another. The induction cooking hob (1, 1?, 1?) further comprises a power unit (6) operatively connected to and configured to power the first induction coil (3) and the second induction coil (4) and a control interface (5) configured to receive a requested power from a user, the requested power defining and/or being indicative about the power to be delivered to the cooking vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit device (1) for a cooking device, in particular cooking hob, more in particular induction cooking hob, comprising —at least two power units (P1, P2, . . . PN), each power unit supplied with electrical power by a different mains current phase (L1, L2, . . . LN) —wherein each power unit comprises frequency converting means (G11 . . . GNM), each for supplying at least one induction element with electrical power to generate heating power, •wherein each power unit comprises at least one current pot conversion unit (C1 . . .

Abstract: The invention relates to an oscillation unit, in particular oscillation circuit (2), more in particular quasi-resonant oscillation circuit, for generating heating power for an induction cooking appliance (1), in particular for a domestic induction cooking appliance and/or an induction hob, the oscillation unit comprising a resonant tank (30), in particular a resonant circuit, for generating an electrical and/or magnetic field and/or heating power, the resonant tank (30) in particular connected to a first node (21), an, in particular single, switching element (35) connected to the resonant tank (30), in particular by the first node (21), and driven with switching signals for oscillating the resonant tank (30), a measuring unit (40) for measuring a first electrical parameter of the resonant tank (30), in particular for measuring a voltage (VCE)t more in particular for measuring a node voltage (VCE) of the first node (21), and an estimating unit (45) for estimating a second electrical parameter, in particular an

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a cooking zone (16) of an induction cooking hob, wherein said cooking zone (16) comprises at least one induction coil (16) and is supplied by a generator (14) including a power switch. The method is performed by controlling the power switch by a gate driving signal (18) including a deactivation pulse length (Toff) and an activation pulse length (Ton). A switching period (T) of the gate driving signal (18) is given by the sum of the activation pulse length (Ton) and deactivation pulse length (Toff). A driving frequency (f) of the power switch is the reciprocal value of said switching period (T). The deactivation pulse length (Toff) depends on the resistance (28) and the inductance (30) of the induction coil (16). The activation pulse length (Ton) is varied according to a requested power for the cooking zone (16). A series of constant activation pulse length (Ton) is activated in order to determine the optimal deactivation pulse length (Toff).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a cooking process by using a liquid in a cooking vessel, for example a cooking pot, upon a cooking hob (20). The method comprises a step of determining a cooking parameter of the liquid in the cooking vessel at a predetermined time (tB, tBP), a step of adjusting a heating power density (P) of a cooking zone of the cooking hob (20) for transferring a heating power (P) to the cooking vessel placed on the cooking zone; and a step of reducing the heating power density (P) transferred to the cooking vessel from an initial power (iP) to a simmering power (PS). Further, the present invention relates to a cooking vessel for the cooking hob (20). Moreover, the present invention relates to a cooking appliance for performing the cooking process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an induction cooking hob (10) including at least one cooking area (12), wherein the cooking area (12) comprises at least three induction coils (14). The induction coils (14) of at least one cooking area (12) are arranged side-by-side and in series. Each induction coil (14) of at least one cooking area (12) has an elongated shape. The longitudinal axes of the induction coils (14) within one cooking area (12) are arranged in parallel. Each induction coil (14) of the cooking area (12) is associated with a dedicated induction generator (16). The induction generators (16) are connected or connectable to at least one current line (18). The induction generators (16) are connected to and controlled or controllable by at least one control unit (20). Requested powers (rP) for each used induction generator (16) are adjusted or adjustable independent from each other by a user interface (22). Instant powers (iP) of the induction generators (16) within a cycle pattern (T1, T2, . . .

Abstract: Induction hob with boiling detection and induction energy control, method for heating food with an induction hob and computer program product An induction cooking hob and a method for heating food as well as a computer program product are disclosed. Based on information of a micro-electromechanical system (1500) in combination with a temperature sensor associated to a heating zone, vibrations can be detected and a heating zone associated with the boiling substance can be properly discriminated from one supporting a pot having a non-boiling substance in it. Subsequent simmering of the substance can be automatically effected. An indication will be provided to a user (1680), and an automated function can be started (1610) including boiling and subsequent simmering, respectively indication of a boiling substance on any of the heating zones on an induction hob (1000).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining properties of the electrical current provided to an induction heating element (2) of an induction cooking appliance (1). The induction cooking appliance (1) has a heating power energy unit (3) including a heating power generator (4) with at least one switching element (5) adapted to provide pulsed electric power to said induction heating element (2). The induction cooking appliance (1) also has an oscillating circuit (6) with at least one resonance capacitor (6.1, 6.2). The induction heating element (2) is electrically coupled with the heating power generator (4) and the oscillating circuit (6). The induction cooking appliance (1) also has a control entity (8), wherein an input of a measurement circuit (9) is coupled with a node of the heating power energy unit (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor means (11, 35, 49, 71) or module for determining a particularly elastic displacement or deflection or bending of a panel (3), in particular a glass panel, or of a section of a panel or of an insert in relation to the panel (3). The sensor means (11, 35, 49, 71) or module and the panel (3) or said section thereof forming a weighing means, in particular a scale. The sensor means (11, 35, 49, 71) or module is adapted to be integrated in or allocated to a household appliance (1), in particular a cooking hob, more in particular an induction cooking hob, and comprises or is connected to at least one processing and/or interpretation and/or compilation means, preferably for providing a particular high sensor sensitivity and/or evaluation unit accuracy. Further, a household appliance (1) is disclosed which comprises an at least approximately horizontal panel (3), in particular a glass panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance (1), in particular to a cooking hob, which comprises or is connected to an acceleration detection and/or measuring means (11) and a control unit (23) for controlling operating processes. The acceleration detection and/or measuring means (11), which may be an acceleration sensor and particularly a gravity sensor, is adapted for a detection of an acceleration of a section or a reference point of a wall or a panel (3) of the household appliance (1). The household appliance (1) may comprise a user interface (9) for providing information to a user, particularly status information, and/or for receiving input, particularly of control commands or data input, from the user. The acceleration detection and/or measuring means (11) is connected to the control unit (23) and/or, if applicable, to the user interface (9) for an exchange of data, and forms a trigger element for the control unit (23) and/or, if applicable, for the user interface (9).

Abstract: An induction cooking hob and a method for heating food as well as a computer program product are disclosed. Based on information of a micro-electromechanical system (1500) in combination with a temperature sensor associated to a heating zone, vibrations can be detected and a heating zone associated with the boiling substance can be properly discriminated from one supporting a pot having a non-boiling substance in it. Subsequent simmering of the substance can be automatically effected. An indication will be provided to a user (1680), and an automated function can be started (1610) including boiling and subsequent simmering, respectively indication of a boiling substance on any of the heating zones on an induction hob (1000).

Abstract: Method to control a quasi-resonant inverter (13) in an induction cooking appliance (1) provided with induction heating coil (4). The quasi-resonant inverter (13) comprises a switching device (21) electrically connected to the induction heating coil (4) by a node (20) having a first voltage (VC(t)) which is indicative of the voltage across the power switching device (21). The method comprising the steps of: providing to the switching device (21) an enabling signal (K1) comprising a plurality of pulses, in order to switch-on and switch-off said switching device (21) for a switch-on period (tON) and a switch-off period (tOFF), determining a second voltage (VCmin) indicative of the minimum value of the first voltage (VC(t)) during the switch- off period (tOFF), regulating the switch-off period (tOFF) based on the second voltage (VCmin), and regulating the enabling signal (K1) based on the regulated switch-off period (tOFF).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling an induction cooking hob, wherein said method comprises an operation mode for estimating the energy efficiency (EE), and wherein said operation mode includes the steps of: a) estimating (12) the dissipated electric energy (ED) of the induction cooking hob, b) comparing (14) the dissipated electric energy (ED) with a threshold value (EDthr) for said dissipated electric energy (ED), c) maintaining (16) the current working parameters of the induction cooking hob, if the dissipated electric energy (ED) is not bigger than the threshold value (EDthr), d) changing (18) the current working parameters, if the dissipated electric energy (ED) is bigger than the threshold value (EDthr), and e) repeating the steps a) and b) and then c) or d), respectively, after a predetermined time period.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining properties of the electrical current provided to an induction heating element (2) of an induction cooking appliance (1), the induction cooking appliance (1) comprising a heating power energy unit (3) including a heating power generator (4) with at least one switching element (5) adapted to provide pulsed electric power to said induction heating element (2), the induction cooking appliance (1) further comprising an oscillating circuit (6) comprising at least one resonance capacitor (6.1, 6.2), said induction heating element (2) being electrically coupled with said heating power generator (4) and said oscillating circuit (6), the induction cooking appliance (1) further comprising a control entity (8), wherein an input of a measurement circuit (9) is coupled with a node of the heating power energy unit (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a cooking appliance (1) with a temperature sensor (5), the cooking appliance (1) comprising at least one heating power transferring element (2) for heating a cookware item (3) placed on a cooking support (4), the method comprising the steps of: —Gathering temperature information related to the cookware item (3) or its content with the temperature sensor (5) at or in the cookware item (3), —after a heat-up process, gathering information regarding a power reduction action initiated by a user input; —evaluating temperature information provided by the temperature sensor (5), said temperature information being correlated with the temperature of the cookware item (3) or the cookware content; —providing temperature lock information to the user if the variation of the temperature of the cookware item (3) or the cookware content is within a certain temperature variation range; —after providing temperature lock information, receiving temperature lock confirmation from t

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an induction cooking hob. The induction cooking hob includes at least three induction coils each comprising a first shape. The induction cooking hob includes a fourth induction coil arranged lateral to the three induction coils. The fourth induction coil includes a second shape. The induction cooking hob includes one or more generators. The induction cooking hob includes a control unit that is configured to control the one or more generators to supply power to the at least three induction coils and the fourth induction coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the provision of electric power to an inductive element, in particular an induction coil (L), of an induction cooking appliance (1), the induction cooking appliance (1) comprising a circuitry (10) with an input (11), at least one switching element (S) for providing pulsed electric power to the inductive element, in particular the induction coil (L) and a capacitive element, in particular a capacitor (C) being connected in parallel, in particular in series, to the switching element (S), the method comprising the steps of: —receiving rectified AC-voltage (Vin) at the input (11) of the circuitry (10); —discharging, in particular during a first section/phase (P1), the capacitive element, in particular the capacitor (C) in order to reduce the voltage provided to the switching element (S), in particular during a first period of rectified AC-voltage (Vin); —after at least partially discharging the capacitive element, in particular the capacitor (C), starting, in part

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply circuit (1, 2) for a cooking device, in particular for an induction cooking device, more particularly for an induction hob (80), wherein the power supply circuit is comprising—a, in particular a single, frequency adapting unit (20), in particular filtering unit, for adapting at least one external supply signal (11, 12) into a single or at least one internal AC supply signal (15, 16; 17, 18),—and at least one, at least two, two, at least three or three DC signal generating units (25, 30, 35), each for converting the one or at least one internal AC supply signal (15, 16; 17, 18) into at least one signal component, in particular one or two signal components, of an internal DC supply signal (40, 41, 42, 43, 44; 45, 46) and —at least one, at least two, in particular two, least three, three, at least four or four, heating frequency generating units (50, 55), each for converting one or at least one DC supply signal (40, 41; 42, 43; 44, 46; 45, 46) supplied by at least one DC s

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for boil detection at a heating zone of an induction hob (1), the method comprising the steps of: —disabling (S110) a power control mechanism of the induction hob by setting the frequency of the AC-current provided to an induction coil of the induction hob to a fixed value; —measuring (S120) values of an electrical parameter provided within the induction hob (1); —interpolating (S130) the measured electrical parameter values by gathering a plurality of values of the electrical parameter within a time window and calculating the average value of said gathered plurality of values thereby obtaining interpolated electrical parameter values. —calculating (S140) a gradient measure indicative for the differential change of the interpolated electrical parameter values over time; —determining (S150) the boil point based on the calculated gradient measure.

Abstract: A cooking hob includes at least one heating power transferring element with multiple concentrically arranged windings, one or more heating power energy units for powering the windings, a control unit that controls the heating power energy units, and detection means that determines the coverage of the windings by a cookware item. The control unit balances the heat provided to the cookware item by determining a rescaled electric power for the windings based on power requests and information regarding the coverage of the windings and establishes an operating cycle by determining a duty cycle for one or more windings. The duty cycle defines the activation time of the respective winding and is chosen such that the mean electric power provided to the respective winding within the operating cycle is equal or essentially equal to the rescaled electric power associated with the winding.