Abstract: The invention may enable provision of a method for facilitating operation of an induction heating device, and a pot detection method for an induction heating device and to an induction heating device. The induction heating device is characterized by determining a low point of a resonant cycle on a linking node of a parallel resonant circuit and a switching element, determining a low point voltage at the low point of the resonant cycle and switching on the switching element at the low point of the resonant cycle for a cycle duration that is determined depending on the low point voltage in such a manner that a low point voltage does not exceed a predetermined maximum value in the following resonant cycles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an induction heating device. The induction heating device comprises an induction coil and a frequency converter for producing a control voltage for the induction coil. The frequency converter comprises a rectifier rectifying an alternating supply voltage (UN), an intermediate circuit capacitor, looped in between output terminals of the rectifier and equalizing the rectified voltage (UG), and at least one controllable switching element, looped in between the output terminals of the rectifier. According to the invention, in a predetermined discharge interval (INT) before a zero crossing (ND) of the alternating supply voltage (UN), the intermediate circuit capacitor is discharged to a threshold value by controlling the at least one switching element before the induction coil is controlled in order to produce an adjustable heating capacity.

Abstract: A gas burner module for a gas cooktop has a gas burner with an ignition and monitoring electrode, and also ignition and control electronics, a flame monitoring device and a gas valve. A burner foot in the form of a base is provided as a supporting element of the gas burner module. These parts of the gas burner module are combined to form a unit and are mechanically connected to one another in such a way that they form a constructional unit which can be handled independently.

Abstract: A gas burner module for a gas cooktop has a gas burner with an ignition and monitoring electrode, and also ignition and control electronics, a flame monitoring device and a gas valve. A burner foot in the form of a base is provided as a supporting element of the gas burner module. These parts of the gas burner module are combined to form a unit and are mechanically connected to one another in such a way that they form a constructional unit which can be handled independently.

Abstract: A control device for converting a control movement along a control path into a control signal has the control path corresponding to different control stages or control types. The control device has two measuring tracks with a linearly changing resistance associated with each track. In one embodiment, these measuring tracks are positioned concentric to each other in a semicircle. A voltage U, which is tapped via two opposite interconnected sliders, is applied to both measuring tracks at a junction point while the other junction point is connected to ground. If the detected values of the tapped voltages deviate from a corresponding stored value or pairs of values, there must be a fault, due to, for example a broken slider. This makes it possible to perform a test for determining the fault or a malfunctioning control device.

Abstract: An induction heating device for a glass ceramic hob or cooktop is embodied as an autonomous component. Said induction heating device comprises a bearing device which, in addition to the induction coil, supports a component support comprising power electronics and control electronics. Only the control connections for the control signals in relation to the power of a line and a direct connection to the household power are provided on said induction heating device. The control electronics ensure the power of a line to the power electronics. Advantageously, said induction heating devices have external dimensions which are the same as traditional radiant heating bodies and thus can easily be used in lieu of said traditional radiant heating bodies when constructing said hob.

Abstract: A sensor device for insertion into a water channel in a washing machine is provided with two electrodes as sensors on a sensor carrier. These electrodes are in direct contact with the water through apertures. The electrodes are connected to a transformer on the sensor carrier directly and without any further components or couplings being required. The other side of the transformer is connected to an activating and evaluating means, in particular to a microprocessor positioned on the same carrier.

Abstract: An operating control device, such as for an appliance, is disclosed comprising sensor elements with a capacitive sensing function, the elements being located underneath a metallic surface that is used as the operating field. An insulating layer is situated between the elements and the metallic surface. When pressure is applied to the metallic surface the capacitance of the sensor element is altered by capacitive coupling. This alteration of capacitance can be determined by a corresponding evaluation circuit or the like for detecting activation of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an induction heating device, to a pot detection method for an induction heating device and to an induction heating device. The method for operating the induction heating device is characterized by determining a low point of a resonant cycle on a linking node (N1) of a parallel resonant circuit and a switching element (24), determining a low point voltage at the low point of the resonant cycle and switching on the switching element (24) at the low point of the resonant cycle for a cycle duration that is determined depending on the low point voltage in such a manner that a low point voltage does not exceed a predetermined maximum value in the following resonant cycles.

Abstract: An elongate contact switch is disclosed having several partial contact areas and associated illumination means for indicating the actuation mode and also the actuation point to an operator, in order to increase operational effectiveness. The illumination means can be directly associated with individual partial contact areas or can indicate the progress of movements for operating the contact switch by applying a finger and pulling the same along a contact area. Moreover, malfunctions can be indicated to the operator.

Abstract: A potentiometer (PT1, PT2) has a first terminal (A1), a second terminal (A2) and an intermediate tap (ZA), a resistor being between the first terminal (A1) and the second terminal (A2) irrespective of the position of the potentiometer (PT1, PT2). In an evaluation method, a first drive voltage (GND) and at least one second drive voltage (VS), which is different than the first drive voltage, are applied to the first terminal (A1) and/or the second terminal (A2) and/or a third drive voltage (VS) is applied to the intermediate tap (ZA). The evaluation can be made from the different measurement voltages measured at the terminals.

Abstract: A sensor device for insertion into a water channel in a washing machine is provided with two electrodes as sensors on a sensor carrier. These electrodes are in direct contact with the water through apertures. The electrodes are connected to a transformer on the sensor carrier directly and without any further components or couplings being required. The other side of the transformer is connected to an activating and evaluating means, in particular to a microprocessor positioned on the same carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an induction heating device. The induction heating device comprises an induction coil and a frequency converter for producing a control voltage for the induction coil. The frequency converter comprises a rectifier rectifying an alternating supply voltage (UN), an intermediate circuit capacitor, looped in between output terminals of the rectifier and equalizing the rectified voltage (UG), and at least one controllable switching element, looped in between the output terminals of the rectifier. According to the invention, in a predetermined discharge interval (INT) before a zero crossing (ND) of the alternating supply voltage (UN), the intermediate circuit capacitor is discharged to a threshold value by controlling the at least one switching element before the induction coil is controlled in order to produce an adjustable heating capacity.

Abstract: A sensor element for a capacitive touch switch has a sensor element body, which at its first end has a first front face and at a second, other end a second front face and is made from a homogenous elastic material. The shape of the sensor element body diverges from a purely cylindrical shape through recesses and bulges present on its outer contour, the recesses and bulges extending over the length of sensor element body from the first to the second front face. The recesses and bulges are inclined with respect to the median longitudinal axis of the sensor element body so as to form a spiral shape along the outer contour.

Abstract: A potentiometer (PT1, PT2) has a first terminal (A1), a second terminal (A2) and an intermediate tap (ZA), a resistor being between the first terminal (A1) and the second terminal (A2) irrespective of the position of the potentiometer (PT1, PT2). In an evaluation method, a first drive voltage (GND) and at least one second drive voltage (VS), which is different than the first drive voltage, are applied to the first terminal (A1) and/or the second terminal (A2) and/or a third drive voltage (VS) is applied to the intermediate tap (ZA). The evaluation can be made from the different measurement voltages measured at the terminals.

Abstract: A control device for converting a control movement along a control path into a control signal has the control path corresponding to different control stages or control types. The control device has two measuring tracks with a linearly changing resistance associated with each track. In one embodiment, these measuring tracks are positioned concentric to each other in a semicircle. A voltage U, which is tapped via two opposite interconnected sliders, is applied to both measuring tracks at a junction point while the other junction point is connected to ground. If the detected values of the tapped voltages deviate from a corresponding stored value or pairs of values, there must be a fault, due to, for example a broken slider. This makes it possible to perform a test for determining the fault or a malfunctioning control device.

Abstract: An induction heating device for a glass ceramic hob or cooktop is embodied as an autonomous component. Said induction heating device comprises a bearing device which, in addition to the induction coil, supports a component support comprising power electronics and control electronics. Only the control connections for the control signals in relation to the power of a line and a direct connection to the household power are provided on said induction heating device. The control electronics ensure the power of a line to the power electronics. Advantageously, said induction heating devices have external dimensions which are the same as traditional radiant heating bodies and thus can easily be used in lieu of said traditional radiant heating bodies when constructing said hob.

Abstract: A sensor element arrangement beneath a control surface is provided with an electroluminescent foil with a lower electrode and an upper electrode for activating the electroluminescent foil. The upper electrode also serves as a capacitive sensor element in order to detect as a control or operation when a finger is applied to the control surface above the electroluminescent foil or the capacitive sensor element, respectively. For this purpose, a suitable control and evaluating circuit is provided with a control in a full bridge circuit for detecting a sensor current flowing out across the upper electrode and the finger.

Abstract: An elongate contact switch with several partial contact areas has associated illumination means for indicating the actuation mode and also the actuation point to an operator in order to increase operational safety. The illumination means are directly associated with individual partial contact areas or can indicate the progress of movements for operating the contact switch by applying a finger and pulling the same along a contact area. Moreover, malfunctions can be indicated.

Abstract: An operating control device, such as for an appliance, is disclosed comprising sensor elements with a capacitive sensing function, the elements being located underneath a metallic surface that is used as the operating field. An insulating layer is situated between the elements and the metallic surface. When pressure is applied to the metallic surface the capacitance of the sensor element is altered by capacitive coupling. This alteration of capacitance can be determined by a corresponding evaluation circuit or the like for detecting activation of the device.