Abstract: The invention provides according to one example a display device for a domestic electric heating appliance, such as for example a glass ceramic hob, the electric heating appliance having at least one heating device. The latter is subdivided into several flat heating areas, which can be activated at least partly independently of one another and/or singly for heating operation. The display device optically displays the heating operation or the activation of individual heating areas. For this purpose it has individually activatable illuminating devices. The illuminating devices are constructed as separate segments of a geometrical basic shape, such as a rectangle or preferably a circle. For each display device there are two basic shapes of the same nature, but different size and having a concentric arrangement.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a sensor element device for a capacitive contact switch can be formed from a foam body with several portions. There are electrically conductive areas with a sensor element surface and an electrical contact face, as well as insulating areas. The sensor element surfaces engage from below on a glass ceramic plate. The areas can be interconnected in cylindrically elongated and juxtaposed manner. This leads to a type of strand material from which with the predetermined spacing it is possible to produce juxtaposed, capacitive sensor elements as parts of contact switches.

Abstract: A method for measuring the temperature of a cooking vessel or saucepan by means of a radiant heater is described. The radiant heater has a heating coil with a corresponding control and an induction coil as an inductive sensor and which is located in a metal tray. With the inductive sensor, measurement takes place of the frequency of the inductive resonant circuit comprising saucepan, heating coil, induction coil and metal tray, which is dependent on the temperature of the components. In the control is stored known slopes or paths of the temperature and therefore the frequency of the metal tray over the time. From this the control means gathers correction values in order to produce from the measured curve a compensated curve. At characteristic points, such as the start of a cooking or boiling process or an empty cooking or boiling of the saucepan, it is possible to detect said temperatures.

Abstract: A sensor element and a touch switch arrangement have a sensor surface, which engages on the underside of a control surface. The sensor surface is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a LED as the light source. A Funnel-shaped, closed light guide structure is provided, which guides or conducts the light from the LED to the sensor surface or shield against the environment. The light guide structure can additionally have further function(s) such as securing in position or electrical contacting of the sensor surface.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention it is possible to create an operating unit (11) with a rotary toggle (14), which has an integrated bearing device (15) with which the operating unit (11) can be magnetically fixed to a cover (12). The operating unit (11) has a control means (23) with a microprocessor for evaluating magnetic signalling means (19), which detect a rotation of the rotary toggle (14) relative to the bearing device (15). Through a first transformer (26) in the operating unit (11) and a second transformer (29) on the underside of the cover (12), it is possible to have both a signal transmission and a power transmission between the operating unit (11) and the electrical appliance.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention an operating device for a glass ceramic hob (25) can be provided and has an operating unit (11). The operating unit (11) has a rotary toggle (12), which is magnetically mounted on a glass ceramic hob (25). A bearing device (13) below the glass ceramic hob has guide magnets (15), which form a magnetically acting guide link, which permits both a rotary movement (R) and a linear movement (L) of the rotary toggle (12). The rotary toggle (12) has signalling magnets (19) along its outer circumference and with them are associated beneath the hob (25) Hall sensors (21). Further Hall sensors (22) are positioned between the guide magnets (15). A random movement (R, L) of the rotary toggle (12) can be detected with the Hall sensors (21, 22). The operating unit (11) can be removed. The glass ceramic hob (25) requires no openings or the like.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for an induction coil of an induction cooking field is in the form of a ⅓ circular ring segment and carries conducting tracks, which form turns of a coil, which is connected to several LEDs. During induction coil operation an alternating voltage is induced in the coil and consequently the LEDs are supplied. With such an illuminating apparatus it is possible without additional wiring expenditure to illuminate an induction coil under a glass ceramic cooking field.

Abstract: A description is given of a temperature detection device for an electric radiant heater, with which is associated an active sensor for detecting the positioning of a cooking vessel on a hotplate, particularly a glass ceramic plate, covering the radiant heater. This sensor is part of an inductive resonant circuit of a control means and preferably has a single sensor loop of electrically conductive material located in the vicinity of at least one heating zone heatable by electric radiant elements and preferably partly overlapping the same. According to the invention, with at least one portion the sensor loop forms a functional element of a temperature sensor of the temperature detection device. For example, a tubular sensor loop portion can serve as a supporting or protective jacket of a jacket thermocouple.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an electric radiant heater (11, 111) is provided having an active sensor (21, 121) for detecting the position of a cooking vessel on a glass ceramic plate over the radiant heater (11, 111). The sensor (21, 121) is made from electrically conductive material and is part of an inductive resonant circuit of a control operating by resonant circuit detuning. It also covers a heating zone (17, 117) of the radiant heater (11, 111). According to the invention, the sensor (21, 121) runs substantially linearly and, unlike conventional sensor coils, has a loopless construction. It is e.g. possible to stretch a wire (121) or also to use the tube (21) of a rod regulator.

Abstract: A sensor element and a touch switch arrangement (11, 111) have a sensor surface (12, 112), which engages on the underside (13) of a control surface (114). It is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a LED (17, 117) as the light source. Funnel-shaped, closed light guide means (20) are provided, which guide or conduct the light from the LED (17) to the sensor surface (12) or shield against the environment. The light guide means can additionally have further function such as securing in position or electrical contacting of the sensor surface (12, 112).

Abstract: A contact switch having a sensor element with a flat sensor surface, with which is associated an illuminated display in a housing. The sensor surface passes over the housing and has a cutout corresponding to the shape of the lighting means. The sensor surface surrounds the lighting means in a substantially non-overlapping manner and in particular additionally rests on the housing. The sensor surface can also be provided with an elastic, electrically conductive plate for improved adaptation to irregular covers.

Abstract: A description is given of a temperature detection device for an electric radiant heater, with which is associated an active sensor for detecting the positioning of a cooking vessel on a hotplate, particularly a glass ceramic plate, covering the radiant heater. This sensor is part of an inductive resonant circuit of a control means and preferably has a single sensor loop of electrically conductive material located in the vicinity of at least one heating zone heatable by electric radiant elements and preferably partly overlapping the same. According to the invention, with at least one portion the sensor loop forms a functional element of a temperature sensor of the temperature detection device. For example, a tubular sensor loop portion can serve as a supporting or protective jacket of a jacket thermocouple.

Abstract: An arrangement for the control of electrically controllable appliances, particularly electric cookers proposes for each cooking point an operating element magnetically held in contactless manner on the top or front of a plate, e.g. a glass ceramic plate. Below or behind the plate is located a magnet, which magnetically secures the operating element, which can in this position be rotated in contactless manner sensors are operated, which are used for changing the control of the cooking point. Both the control and the fixing of the operating element take place in contactless manner. The plate requires no openings, passages, depressions, etc. The operating elements can be removed on overcoming the magnetic holding force. This removal can be utilized for the complete disconnection of the cooker.

Abstract: A touch contact switch has a sensor key or button with a spatially extended, electrically conductive foam or flexible plastic or rubber body. The switch is operated by contact or approach. The sensor button essentially forms one pole of a capacitor and is electrically connected to an evaluating circuit of the touch contact switch, wherein switching is initiated as a result of a capacitance change in consequence of approach or contact. The sensor button can be bonded directly on a mounting plate of the associated electrical evaluating circuit or can be engaged by a pin or the like. The body can be flush to the underside of a cover, which forms or contains the contact surface. The body can include an opening along the longitudinal axis in which is insertable a LED.

Abstract: An electronic control arrangement for an electrical heating appliance with several separately heatable electrical loads, particularly cooking points or hotplates, contains an electronic master switch, which has its own power supply. The master switch is followed by a control unit having for each electrical load in each case one control subunit. For each hotplate the control unit has a temperature sensor, which responds if the control unit becomes too hot at this point.

Abstract: A heating unit (1) for a cooking point has an outer heater (3) and an inner heater (4) located concentrically for separately heating an associated surface area (13, 14) of the overall heating surface (2). The two heaters (3, 4) can be differently regulated such that supplied power is periodically switched over and distributed in very short, but variable time intervals in a continuously alternating manner to the two heaters (3, 4). Switching over takes place in the passage of the alternating current characteristic through the zero line. Thus, without influencing a clicking rate, there can be a random power distribution on at least two surface areas (13, 14) of the same heating surface (2) and a high efficiency with a relatively simple control (10).

Abstract: An electronic regulator (12) for electric heating apparatuses, such as baking ovens (11), is equipped with a microcontroller (20), which contains in fixed programmed form the process data for the individual regulating functions. For adapting the real data of a temperature sensor (19) to the ideal conditions, e.g. in the center of a baking oven muffle (14) is provided a separate, non-volatile, but programmable memory (EEPROM) (26). It can be programmed from a personal computer (34) by means of a read-in connection (32), said computer determining the parameters by comparing the values of the standard temperature sensor (19) and separate temperature sensors (36) located at ideal points. The memory (26) can be differently programmed for individual operating modes.

Abstract: In the manner of a tubular heater, a temperature sensor comprises a metallic tubular jacket with internal resistance wire coil embedded in insulating material and closing pieces having electrical connection members, so that a very simple, robust and high temperature-resistant temperature sensor with a measuring range up to e.g. approximately 750.degree. C. is obtained. The temperature sensor jacket can be earthed or grounded. For operating the temperature sensor there is appropriately a test current in the mA range in the case of a test voltage in the mV range, whose temperature-dependent changes are processed by means of an electronic amplifier.

Abstract: A method for indicating the thermal state of cooking appliances with an optical and/or acoustic signalling device, comprising the steps of: counting forward from a starting number in response to the heating means of the cooking appliance being switched on; and, counting backwards after the heating means of the cooking appliance has been switched off, the signalling device being switched on when the count exceeds a first number and being switched off when the count falls below a second number.

Abstract: A control instrument is used for the manually continuously adjustable supply of electric power to electric hot plates in the form of individual power pulses. The control instrument contains a switch, operated by a bimetallic member, whose heater is controlled by an electronic circuit and supplies current to the heating means in individual half-waves. An automatic initial cooking device with an electronic timing member is provided which, during the initial cooking phase, reduces the power supply to heater in a predetermined ratio and consequently correspondingly increases the power supplied to the electric hot plate. The automatic initial cooking device is automatically switched on by the control instrument knob. By rotating the control knob beyond a median power limit the automatic initial cooking device is switched off.