Patent Application
20230366560
One aspect of the invention relates to a cooking compartment insert for detachable installation in a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance. The cooking compartment insert is in particular formed to be plate-shaped. A further aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance.
DE 10 2010 030 471 A1 discloses an oven. The oven has a separate cooking compartment divider element, which is provided with at least one heating element of large surface area. The cooking compartment divider element forms a mountable unit that can be introduced into the cooking compartment of the oven at a specific slide-in level. As a result, the cooking compartment can be selectively subdivided into individually heatable adjacent cooking compartment regions. However, this mountable unit has only one integrated heating element. Usability is consequently limited. Moreover, EP 2 431 667 A1 discloses a heatable slide-in cooking compartment divider and a cooking appliance. An upper side of the slide-in cooking compartment divider is formed as a food receptacle, and as such takes the form of a tray. Integrated in the plate-shaped slide-in cooking compartment divider is a flat-surface heater. In addition, a temperature sensor may also be provided. As such, this heatable slide-in cooking compartment divider is also of limited usability.
DE 42 17 545 A1 discloses an electric baking and roasting oven. The oven has a plate that may be inserted into the cooking compartment and that has a heating body which emits heat downward. The plate has an insulation with a depression made in the underside, in which the heating body is arranged.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking compartment insert that can be used with more variability. Accordingly, it is also an object of the invention to provide a cooking appliance.
This object is achieved by a cooking compartment insert and a cooking appliance as claimed in the independent claims.
One aspect of the invention relates to a cooking compartment insert for detachable installation in a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance. The cooking compartment insert is formed to be plate-shaped. The cooking compartment insert has a base unit. Moreover, the cooking compartment insert has a heating element. This is in particular separate from the base unit. The heating element is arranged on the base unit. The heating element is arranged on a side that is remote from an underside of the base unit such that, at least in certain regions, it is exposed downward. The base unit is a frame. The frame is thus open both upward and downward. This is to be understood as seen in the vertical direction, or the direction of the height of the cooking compartment insert. The heating element is arranged in the free space surrounded by the frame, and is arranged to be upwardly and downwardly exposed in relation to the frame.
As a result of a cooking compartment insert of this kind, it is made possible also to use it as a cooking compartment divider. It extends in particular intentionally over the entire width of a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance in which the cooking compartment insert is to be used. As a result, a cooking compartment insert of this kind may, in particular with its frame, be arranged directly on the vertical side walls of a muffle of the cooking appliance that delimits the cooking compartment. The fact that the base unit takes the form of a frame makes a formation of lighter weight possible. Furthermore, a free space that only comes into being as a result of this formation can be used for the arrangement of further components, in particular the heating element. Nonetheless, this frame creates a mechanically stable support component for the heating element. The formation of the base unit as a frame is particularly advantageous in that, during operation of the heating element in this basic configuration of the cooking compartment insert, heat can be emitted both upward and downward. Because this heating element is in fact exposed upward and downward in this basic configuration, this heat emission is particularly efficient.
In an exemplary embodiment, it is provided for only one such heating element to be arranged in this free space.
This heating element of the cooking compartment insert, which is arranged in this free space of the frame, has electrical contacts. These allow the heating element and thus also the entire cooking compartment insert to be coupled directly to electrical mating contacts that are formed for example on the muffle of the cooking appliance or outside the muffle of the cooking appliance.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is peripherally closed. As a result, the above-mentioned advantages are in particular achieved. A particularly high level of stability and also of rigidity to resist torsion are achieved in this way. It also enables the heating element to be peripherally surrounded all the way around by the frame. This prevents lateral exposure—that is in the plane in which the frame extends—of the heating element outside the frame. This also makes it possible to prevent the heating element from being undesirably touched at the side. In this context, the frame thus also provides a lateral, peripherally closed protection against touching the heating element.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is made in one piece. This means that there are no individual components that are connected to one another by detachable connections. In particular with the one-piece formation, it may be provided for the frame to be created in its basic form in a single manufacturing method. This means that, with this exemplary embodiment, there is no initial manufacture of separate individual parts that are subsequently connected in a further method, for example being welded or similar. However, in another exemplary embodiment, it is also possible for individual parts of the frame themselves to be manufactured separately first and connected to one another in a non-detachable manner in a subsequent connection step.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is made from metal. This makes it particularly stable. Furthermore, as a result it withstands to a particular extent the high temperatures that may occur in a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame is formed from at least two separate profile parts that are connected to one another. These may be a lower and an upper profile part. However, they may also be a front and a rear profile part. The profile parts may take the same or similar shape and be laid on one another. They are then able to be connected to one another directly or to be connected to one another by additional connecting parts.
As a result, a multiplicity of individual configurations of the frame may be made possible.
In an exemplary embodiment, the heating body is connected to the frame by a detachable connection. This is a further highly advantageous exemplary embodiment, since it allows the individual parts to be reversibly separated and connected to one another again. This has advantages in respect of cleaning, on the one hand, and maintenance or component replacement on the other. In a context of this kind, there is then no need to replace the entire cooking compartment insert, but rather individual parts thereof may be replaced.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame has at least one integrated handle zone. In an exemplary embodiment, this handle zone may take the form of a recessed handle. This makes it possible, in a particularly advantageous and user-friendly way, to take hold of the cooking compartment insert directly and safely, and transport it. It is specifically the frame that offers advantages in this context. On the one hand, in an exemplary embodiment the frame is thicker, in particular in cross section, than the heating element. This also makes it possible for relatively large handle zones to be made in the frame, making it possible to safely take hold of and carry the cooking compartment insert. Moreover, this exemplary embodiment also makes it possible for the cooking compartment insert to be taken hold of without the need to take hold of the heating element, or to position a hand in the immediate vicinity of the heating element, for the purpose of handling the cooking compartment insert.
In this context, a recessed handle provides a particularly advantageous exemplary embodiment of a handle zone. For it makes it possible to take hold particularly extensively and securely. In particular, as seen in the direction of the height of the cooking compartment insert, the recessed handle is open downward and/or, as seen in the horizontal direction of the cooking compartment insert, is open to the side and/or to the front. This makes it possible for taking hold to be particularly ergonomic and user-friendly.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame has a frame bar at the front, as seen in the direction of the depth of the cooking compartment insert. Made on a front side of this frame bar that is remote from the free space of the frame is an upwardly open notch. This enables a user to reach into this notch and to take hold, directly from below, of an additional module of the cooking compartment insert that may be provided arranged on the front frame bar. As a result, it is also possible to make contact with and to actuate this additional module, where present, in the front region of the frame in a simple manner.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame has at least one lateral frame bar. This lateral frame bar extends with its longitudinal axis in the direction of the depth of the cooking compartment insert. In particular, by means of a front end this at least one lateral frame bar adjoins a front frame bar of the frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the frame, in particular the at least one lateral frame bar, has receptacles for an additional part of the cooking compartment insert that is separate from the frame and the heating element. As a result, it is specifically provided for these receptacles to take the form of, and to be provided as, additional part receptacles. This makes it possible for very individual additional parts of the cooking compartment insert to be coupled to the frame both locally and concretely. A very individual modular structure of the cooking compartment insert is made possible. In particular, the frame may then be provided with multifunctional equipment, and it serves as a support not only for the heating element but also for at least one such further additional part. Because of the formation of the base unit as a frame, these additional parts may be arranged individually on specific frame bars of the frame. In that case, the frame bars also serve as advantageous supports for these additional parts. In particular, this makes it possible for the additional parts not to cover, upward or downward, the heating element that is arranged in the free space. Moreover, this exposure and thus the upwardly and downwardly directed emission of the thermal energy of the heating element are not then impaired by these additional parts. Thus, it is advantageously provided, in a projected view of the frame and thus in a view perpendicular to the plane in which the plate-like cooking compartment insert extends, for any additional part that is present not to be arranged to overlap with the heating element.
In particular, at least one receptacle is arranged such that an additional part is arranged on an upper side and/or outer side of the frame bar. In particular, the receptacle is provided such that the additional part projects, at least in certain regions, and as seen in the direction of the height of the cooking compartment insert, upward beyond the frame bar on which it is arranged.
Thus, the structure of the cooking compartment insert may be expanded upward. As a result of the additional parts, an individual configuration of the cooking compartment insert is then made possible. The additional part may itself have its own function, in which case it need not be provided with further equipment. However, it is also possible for an additional part of this kind to form an intermediate support for a further additional module, separate from this, of the cooking compartment insert. This additional module is in particular also separate from the heating element and the frame. In this way, the variable formation and thus the option of an individual configuration for the cooking compartment insert may be further substantially expanded. This provides a comprehensive option, in particular above the frame, for providing the cooking compartment insert with individual equipment and configuring it in that one or different additional modules may be arranged thereon. For this, the additional parts serve as corresponding supports.
In an exemplary embodiment, the additional part is arranged in a detachable manner on the receptacle. A detachable connection of this kind may thus be reversibly coupled and uncoupled. Hence, the additional part may be mounted and removed again easily. Depending on the equipment needed, and thus depending on the configuration variant of the cooking compartment insert, in a minimal configuration only the frame and the heating element may be provided. In a further configuration, at least one such additional part may then be provided in addition. In yet a further configuration option, the cooking compartment insert may, in addition to the frame and the heating element and the additional part, be equipped with an additional module separate from these. A detachable connection for the additional part on the receptacle may for example be a snap-fit connection or a push-fit connection. It is also possible for a screw connection or a snap-fit connection to be provided.
In an exemplary embodiment, the additional part takes the form of an elongate rail. As seen in the arranged state, this extends with its longitudinal axis against a frame bar, in particular in the direction of the depth of the cooking compartment insert. It may then be provided for the longitudinal axis of the additional part, and the longitudinal axis of the frame bar on which the additional part is arranged, to be parallel. In an exemplary embodiment, it may be provided for the additional part to be a guide rail that is U-shaped in cross section. The guide rail may be specifically provided for receiving an additional module, separate therefrom, of the cooking compartment insert. Thus, on the one hand the additional module may be mounted on the frame easily, in particular simply being slid in. On the other, in the mounted end position of the additional module, this additional part is then also utilized as a holding element. In this context, the additional part may have an end abutment part. In this way, the end position of the slid-in additional module may be predetermined in a defined manner. In particular in the direction of the depth of the cooking compartment insert, the end position of the additional module relative to the frame can then be reached and adjusted very precisely.
As a result of the U shape of the guide rail, it then also becomes possible to take hold of the additional module around the edge. On the one hand, this improves guidance, and on the other holding in the end position is also improved. In particular, in this context the additional part then also serves as an edge-side protector for the additional module.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cooking compartment insert has an additional module. This additional module is in particular plate-shaped. The additional module is a separate component of the cooking compartment insert from the frame and the heating element. It is provided such that in the mounted end state it covers, from above and in particular entirely, the free space surrounded by the frame. This also makes it possible to prevent reaching into the free space from above. On the one hand, depending on the functionality of the additional module, the cooking compartment insert can then be utilized as a plate-like cooking compartment divider on which objects can be placed, on the upper side of the additional module. For example, in this context a food container such as such as a grill shelf or a baking sheet or a pan or similar may be positioned thereon. In this context, the additional module may be utilized as an upper cover, as it were, of the free space. It may be formed such that it has a thermally insulating effect, with the result that thermal energy from the heating element cannot be emitted upward, or only to a small extent. The additional module may be an insulation plate. However, it is also possible for the additional module to be formed as an energy-emitting unit. In that case, it may be deliberately configured such that the heat from the heating element is transmitted to the energy-emitting unit, and this thermal energy is then radiated upward by the energy-emitting unit. In this way, the energy-emitting unit may for example also be made from ceramic. It is possible, and not only in this context, for this additional module, in its function as an energy-emitting unit, to be a pizza stone or similar.
In an exemplary embodiment, the additional module is arranged on the receptacle by a detachable connection. In this way too it may easily be reversibly removed and mounted again. In particular as a result of simple, in particular linear, pushing against the frame, in particular guided by the additional parts, simple assembly and disassembly are made possible.
In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom plate and/or a top plate of the additional module has/have stamped elements. In addition or instead of this, this bottom plate and/or top plate may have medium drainage and/or collection channels. In particular if the additional module is provided such that stored material, including for example food, can be or is to be placed on the upper side. For in that case for example liquid media may come out of this stored material and be collected in these channels. This makes it possible to prevent these media from running off the upper side of the additional module in an undesirable manner.
As a result of the frame taking the form of a base unit of the cooking compartment insert, an open overall shape is provided, with the result that, as seen in the direction of height, the heating element can be active and can emit thermal energy in both directions at the same time. It is thus possible for thermal energy to be emitted from above and downward out of the cooking compartment insert at the same time, without turning the cooking compartment insert.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame may be made from metal. For example, it may be made from an enameled sheet metal and/or aluminum and/or stainless steel. In an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the direction of height, the frame has a greater height than the heating element. This means that, in an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the direction of height the heating element is arranged in particular entirely within the height of the frame. As a result the heating element does not project upward and/or downward beyond the frame. Also as a result, a certain additional protection is achieved. In particular, this also makes it possible for the cooking compartment insert to be set down for example on a worktop. For in that case, the possibility that the heating element is placed directly on the worktop is avoided. Rather, the frame then also serves as a direct contact surface. It may be provided for standing surfaces to be formed on the underside of the frame. For example, stamped elements may also be formed here, as feet. Furthermore, it is thus also possible for the cooking compartment insert also to be set down, with the frame, stably and unaffected by tilting.
In an exemplary embodiment, it may be provided for the underside of the frame to have a deep-drawn region. This means that this region is produced by deep drawing. As seen in the direction of height, this region extends downward and as such expands the frame, so that it projects downward relative to the heating element. This deep-drawn region may be formed to run peripherally all the way around. Only if electrical contacts of the heating element which extend outward through a frame bar of the frame from the free space are guided horizontally is there such an interruption in this deep-drawn region, in an exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the additional module may be made in one piece. In this case, it may be made from a single material. It is also possible for the additional module to be constructed in multiple parts. For this purpose, it may have a bottom plate and a top plate. These may be connected to one another directly. In an exemplary embodiment, an intermediate space may be formed between the bottom plate and the top plate. This may be filled with a thermally insulating material. It is also possible for the top plate to have a handle zone, in particular a recessed handle, in a front region of its underside. This allows handling of the additional module to be made easier for a user. For example, when the additional module is in the state mounted on the frame, this handle zone on the underside of the additional module may be arranged flush with the notch on a front side of a front frame bar of the frame. Thus, it is possible to reach into this notch and directly access the handle zone on the underside of the additional module. This also makes it possible to remove the additional module from the frame easily.
It is also possible for an upper side of the additional module to be provided with an individual structure. For example in this case, a surface region of greater roughness may be produced. Thus, it is possible to prevent food and/or a food container that is set directly on this upper side from slipping undesirably.
It is also possible for the top plate and the bottom plate to be connected to one another directly by an adhesive connection. However, a screw connection is also possible. Furthermore, it is also made possible for a further additional part, in particular an edge border that is separate from the top plate and the bottom plate, to form a connection element between the top plate and the bottom plate. This may for example be an edge strip made from stainless steel, or an edge border.
In another exemplary embodiment, the additional module takes the form of a reversible plate. This means that it is specifically provided for use on both sides. Thus, this upper side and/or underside of the additional module may be given different structures and/or be made from different materials. It is also possible for this to enable simple cleaning of the additional module. For in this way, it is then possible for example, by turning the plate around, for residues to be burned off by the activated heating body, which can then act directly on this surface of the additional module.
If the additional module has been specifically formed as an energy-emitting unit, it may for example take the form of a grill warming plate or contact warming plate. In this case, this additional module is made from a material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum. It may then also be formed in particular with a specific usable surface. in an exemplary embodiment, this may be a surface that is easy to clean. However, in an exemplary embodiment of an energy-emitting unit, it may also be provided for a usable surface of this additional module to have ribs, for example. This may be implemented for example in the case of a grill plate. On the other side, this additional module may then be formed to be flat, for example.
It is also possible for a usable surface, which is for example also formed as a grill surface, to have an edge border. This is an upwardly projecting web. It may be formed to be in particular peripherally closed all the way around. This can prevent media from the food that is being prepared on this grill surface from undesirably running off.
The possibility of mounting different energy-emitting units in the receiving region such that they can be detached in a non-destructive manner also makes it possible to handle the cooking compartment insert in a very simple and user-friendly manner. Individually configuring the cooking compartment insert with a specific energy-emitting unit may thus also be carried out quickly and easily. Thus, the cooking compartment insert may be configured quickly and individually, depending on the respective conditions of use.
Thus, the cooking compartment insert also creates, as it were, a multiple-stage or cascaded energy generation and emission system. As a result, there is no longer just generation of energy by a heating element and a corresponding emission of the energy from the heating element by the base plate itself, but rather, as a result of the transmission of energy from the heating element to the energy-emitting unit, it is thus also possible where appropriate to improve this coupling and to make the energy emission from the cooking compartment insert to the outside more specific and individualized as a result of this energy-emitting unit. This also enables an energy emission scenario to be made more flexible and individual. This may have advantages not only in respect of the preparation procedure in the cooking compartment, but also in respect of emission that is better adapted to the situation as regards time and the quantity of energy. The type of energy emission may thus also be individualized.
In particular, the energy emitted by the energy-emitting unit is thermal energy.
An electrical energy source may be a constituent part of the cooking compartment insert. However, this electrical energy source may also be arranged outside of the cooking compartment insert. In particular in that case, the cooking compartment insert has electrical contacts. These may make contact with electrical mating contacts, such that the electrical energy from the electrical energy source is transmitted over this contact interface to the heating element of the cooking compartment insert.
If the cooking compartment insert does not have its own electrical energy source of this kind, it may for example be connected to the power grid.
In an exemplary embodiment, the cooking compartment insert has at least one electrical contact region, by means of which the cooking compartment insert can be coupled to an external energy supply unit. In particular, this electrical contact region is formed with at least one electrical contact. The latter takes a form for making direct contact with an electrical mating contact outside of the cooking compartment insert. The energy supply unit is in particular an electrical energy supply unit.
The heating element may have a tubular heating body and/or a radiant heating body and/or an induction heater. In this way, a vast number of the most diverse energy sources may be provided as heating elements for the cooking compartment insert. In this context, the energy generated by the heating element may thus be thermal energy. However, it may also be electromagnetic energy, as is the case with induction heating. For this energy generation, the heating element may be connected to an electrical energy source, such that generation of the energy of the heating element is initiated by the electrical energy.
In an exemplary embodiment, this thermal insulation region has aerogel as a thermally insulating material. On the one hand this is very light, and on the other it is particularly advantageous in respect of the thermal insulation effect. The thermal insulation region may also have a vacuum unit.
If the heating element is for example a tubular heating body or a radiant heating body, the thermal energy generated thereby is transmitted to the energy-emitting unit. Depending on the type of energy-emitting unit, it is then possible to emit corresponding energy, in particular thermal energy, from the energy-emitting unit into the cooking compartment. In particular in this context, it is thus also possible for food that is to be prepared to be put directly on the energy-emitting unit. For example, this may be the case with food for grilling or a pizza or a cake to be baked or similar. However, this is also possible in the case of a multiplicity of other foods.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance has a housing. A cooking compartment is formed in the housing. Food may be prepared in the cooking compartment. In an exemplary embodiment, the cooking appliance has a cooking compartment insert in accordance with the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous exemplary embodiment.
In addition to the exemplary embodiment already mentioned above in which aerogel is provided as a material region for the thermal insulation region, it is also possible to form a vacuum unit in the base plate as a thermal insulation region. Likewise, however, it is also possible to provide a combination of an aerogel and a negatively pressurized unit. This also produces a lightweight and particularly well-insulating formation. In particular, a generally provided formation of the cooking compartment insert of this kind that is of lighter weight is advantageous if the cooking compartment insert is not arranged at the bottom of a wall delimiting the cooking compartment but is, as it were, suspended in relation thereto.
A cooking compartment insert may also take the form of a cooking compartment divider. As a result, the cooking compartment may be subdivided into at least two different cooking compartment subregions. In particular, as seen in the direction of the width of the cooking appliance the cooking compartment insert substantially has a width corresponding to the clearance between two vertical walls that delimit the cooking compartment. This also enables particularly simple mounting of the cooking compartment insert on these opposing vertical side walls.
In an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the direction of the height of the cooking appliance, the additional module may be positioned in the cooking compartment selectively directly above or directly below the frame. In that case, it may also be arranged in a detachable manner, directly on the frame. For example, if the additional module is an insulation plate, in an exemplary embodiment it is thus possible for thermal insulation to take effect upward and for the heating element to be exposed downward. In another exemplary embodiment, the insulation plate may be arranged below the frame and be thermally insulated downward. In that case the heating element can only emit heat upward.
In particular, not only here but in other exemplary embodiments too, it is possible for there to be a further additional module of the cooking compartment divider. For example, in that case a grill plate may be arranged on the frame directly above the heating element.
In an exemplary embodiment with the energy-emitting unit as a pizza stone, a plate is provided. This may be heated both by a tubular heating body and also by a radiant heating body. However, heating by an induction heater is similarly also possible. In the case of induction heating, the actual heating element is an induction coil. This is arranged in the base plate of the cooking compartment insert. It interacts with the energy-emitting unit electromagnetically.
It is also possible, depending on the position in which the cooking compartment insert is installed in the cooking compartment, for heating from above to be able to be generated and provided by the cooking compartment insert.
In an exemplary embodiment, it is provided for the at least one electrical contact region that is formed on the heating element of the cooking compartment insert to be formed on a lateral edge of the base plate that is narrow in relation thereto. This enables electrical contact with an electrical mating contact, which is arranged for example on a vertical side wall of this kind that delimits a cooking compartment, to be made in a particularly simple manner. In particular, in this arrangement the electrical contact made between the electrical contact region and the mating contact region is automatically enabled if the cooking compartment insert is arranged in the cooking compartment in its end position. The end position is as seen in the direction of the depth of the cooking appliance. As seen in the direction of height, the cooking compartment insert may in particular be positioned in the cooking compartment on at least two different levels.
It is also possible, depending on the position in which the cooking compartment insert is installed in the cooking compartment, for heating from above to be able to be generated and provided by the cooking compartment insert. This may also enable for example gratinating or grilling to be performed easily, the energy emission in this context being upward onto the food below it. For example, in this case it is also possible to prepare food, in particular meat, at temperatures up to 800° C.
It is also possible for at least two separate cooking compartment inserts to be arranged in the cooking compartment at the same time. In particular, these may be positioned in the cooking compartment at different height locations. In particular, the orientation of the cooking compartment inserts is in general such that, in the cooking compartment, the energy-emitting unit faces the food that is to be prepared.
With a concept of this kind with a cooking compartment insert of modular construction, the cooking appliance may itself be formed for example without a permanently installed conventional heating body for heating from below. In particular, with an appliance of this kind it may be provided in that case for hot-air operation to be made available through the cooking compartment insert, in particular also in a dual arrangement. In that case, a cooking compartment insert of this kind may for example be arranged in the cooking compartment and consequently an upper and a lower cooking compartment subregion formed. In this context, in an exemplary embodiment the cooking compartment insert then provides a unit for heating from above for the lower cooking compartment subregion.
With an installation that is turned through 180° relative to this, or if the cooking compartment insert is introduced into the cooking compartment turned around, on the other hand, it is possible to provide a module for heating from below, or a steam oven module for the cooking compartment subregion that is located above it as seen in the direction of height.
Similarly, in an exemplary embodiment it is possible for the cooking compartment insert to be positioned right at the bottom of the cooking compartment and thus for there no longer to be a cooking compartment subregion for introducing food into below the cooking compartment insert, as it were. In an exemplary embodiment of this kind, the cooking compartment insert then represents for example a module for heating from below and/or a steam-generating module, which in that case is usable as it were for the whole of the cooking compartment above it.
Similarly, these in particular three different exemplary embodiments are possible if the basic formation of the cooking appliance does not have its own permanently installed conventional heating body for heating from above. Depending on the respective introduction position of the cooking compartment insert, it is then possible to provide a corresponding module for heating from above and/or a steam-generating module as a result of this cooking compartment insert.
It is also possible, in an exemplary embodiment of the cooking appliance, for both a heating body for heating from above and a heating body for heating from below to be dispensed with, and for this cooking compartment insert that is present to provide both a module for heating from above and also a module for heating from below. In this context, it is then possible for a simple circulating air oven to be implemented, without an additional modular heater. In an exemplary embodiment of this kind, however, the modular heater or cooking compartment insert may also be utilized as a module for heating from above. In particular, even if it is formed as a steam-generating module. Similarly, it is possible, with such a formation of a cooking appliance without its own integrated heating body for heating from above or heating body for heating from below, for the cooking compartment insert to be utilized as a module for heating from below. In particular, it is advantageous if the energy-emitting unit is for example a pizza stone or a grill plate. In an exemplary embodiment with the cooking compartment insert as a steam generator, the water in the relevant energy-emitting unit may already be directly present. It is thus also possible in this respect for there to be an integrated water tank. This water tank of the energy-emitting unit may for example be filled through a water supply line or at a water faucet.
In an exemplary embodiment, the invention also makes it possible to provide the cooking compartment insert as a retrofit system for a cooking appliance. This also makes it possible for a cooking appliance to be provided in an individual basic configuration. Depending on whether a user wishes to expand the functionality, this at least one cooking compartment insert or indeed plurality of cooking compartment inserts may be retrofitted as retrofit components. In particular, in this context it is also possible for only the basic configuration to be provided in the cooking compartment insert. For the purpose of forming an arrangement individually, a user may then additionally retrofit one or more energy-emitting units, as desired or needed, in addition, with the result that the user can configure an arrangement with the cooking compartment insert and at least one energy-emitting unit in a manner specific to the user.
One aspect of the invention thus also relates to a retrofit system for a cooking appliance. The retrofit system has a cooking compartment insert in accordance with the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous exemplary embodiment thereof. The retrofit system may also have an arrangement in accordance with the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous exemplary embodiment thereof.
The specifications “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “direction of depth”, “direction of width”, “direction of height”, etc. are used to specify the positions and orientations that occur when the cooking compartment insert or the appliance is used and arranged correctly.
Further features of the invention will be apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features that are mentioned above in the description, and the features and combinations of features that are mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or are solely shown in the figures, may be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or by themselves without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, statements that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures but are apparent and producible from the explained statements by separate combinations of features are also to be regarded as comprised and disclosed by the invention. Statements and combinations of features that consequently do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim should also be regarded as disclosed.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings, in which:
In the figures, elements which are identical or functionally identical are provided with the same reference characters.
The cooking appliance 1 has a housing 2. Arranged in the housing 2 is in particular a muffle 3. The walls of this delimit a cooking compartment 4. The cooking compartment 4 is delimited at the front by a door 5 (merely indicated here by dashed lines) of the cooking appliance 1, the door 5 being schematically shown in the open state here.
Moreover,
This exemplary embodiment with only the frame 8 and the heating element 14 is a basic configuration of the cooking compartment insert 6.
In an exemplary embodiment, the heating element 14 is arranged in the free space 13 such that, as seen in the direction of height, it does not project upward or downward beyond the height of the frame 8. This means in particular that the frame 8 extends further up and/or further down than the heating element 14.
This also means that this cooking compartment insert 6 with the frame 8 and the heating element 14 can be utilized as a finished basic configuration. The cooking compartment insert 6 can thus be correctly used in this basic configuration as a cooking compartment divider. In this exemplary embodiment, heat from the heating element 14 can then be emitted unhindered downward and at the same time upward.
In an exemplary embodiment, it may be provided for the cooking compartment insert 6 to have at least one additional part 17. It is also possible for a plurality of additional parts 17 and 18 to be provided. The additional part 17 and/or the additional part 18 are separate components from the frame 8 and the heating element 14. In particular, the additional part 17 and/or the additional part 18 may be a guide rail. These may each be U-shaped in cross section. In an exemplary embodiment, the elongate rails that are shown here are arranged on receptacles 19 and/or 20 that are specifically provided for this purpose. In particular, these receptacles 19 and 20 are formed on an upper side 8a and/or on edge sides 21 and 22 of the frame 8. An additional part 17 and/or 18 may in that case be secured in particular to lateral frame bars 11 and/or 12 such that it projects upward, as seen in the direction of height, in relation to the upper side 8a. As can be seen, these additional parts 17 and/or 18 are in this case oriented with their longitudinal axes in the direction of depth. This means that they are arranged in particular parallel to the longitudinal axes of the lateral frame bars 11 and 12. The additional parts 17 and 18, which here take the form of guide rails, can thus be mounted such that they can be detached in a non-destructive manner and can be removed again. As a result, the modular nature and individual configurability of the cooking compartment insert 6 are significantly more flexible.
In an exemplary embodiment, these additional parts 17 and/or 18 may be provided specifically in order to receive a further additional module of the cooking compartment insert 6. In an exemplary embodiment, an additional module of this kind is once again a separate component from the additional parts 17 and/or 18, the frame 8 and the heating element 14. An additional module of this kind, which may preferably take a plate-like form, is guided by the exemplary embodiments of the additional parts 17 and 18 that are shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 8 has at least one handle zone. In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, handle zones 24 and 25 are formed in this regard on undersides of the lateral frame bars 11 and 12. As a result, a user can directly take hold of the entire cooking compartment insert 6 in the region of the frame 8 and carry it easily. This may be performed safely with touching the heating element 14. In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, in this regard a respective handle zone 24, 25 is formed as a recessed handle.
A handle zone 24, 25 may be delimited on the inside by a delimitation wall, as shown in
As can be seen, this delimitation web 26 may be formed to run peripherally all the way around. In particular, in an exemplary embodiment it may be interrupted only at the location 26a at which the ends 15 and 16 are guided out of the frame 8. The delimitation web 26 has, as seen in the direction of height, a greater height than the heating element 14. In particular, in an exemplary embodiment this delimitation web 26 may also take the form of a standing element. This is specifically provided in order that the cooking compartment insert 6 can be placed directly on a surface, for example a worktop, by means of this delimitation web 26. This may take place such that the heating element 14 is arranged such that it does not touch this worktop.
In an exemplary embodiment, the frame 8, in particular the front frame bar 9, has a notch 28. In the exemplary embodiment, this is a forwardly and/or upwardly and/or downwardly open cutout. This makes it possible to reach in from the front and/or from below and to reach through upward. This is advantageous if an additional module is arranged on the frame 8 and in particular covers the front frame bar 9 from above. It is then possible to reach into this notch 28 from below and access the underside of this additional module in the front region, so that this additional module can be taken hold of directly at the front underside.
Preferably, only a single heating element 14 is arranged in the free space 13. In particular, this is the heating element 14 by means of which the cooking compartment insert 6 can be externally coupled directly to the energy supply. This takes place by way of the ends 15 and 16.
Generally speaking, the additional module 29 is provided for installation in the configuration as shown in
In another exemplary embodiment, however, an additional module 30 may also be an energy-emitting unit, as shown by way of example in
In an exemplary embodiment, where an additional module 29 is formed as an insulation plate, it may be made in one piece. However, it may also be formed in multiple parts. In this context, it may have a top plate 31 and a bottom plate 32. These may be connected to one another directly. For example, this may take place by an adhesive connection. It is also possible for a welded connection or a screw connection to be provided here. In another exemplary embodiment, the additional module 29 may have an additional edge border 33. This may surround the top plate 31 and the bottom plate 32 peripherally. For example, this edge border 33 may be made from metal, in particular stainless steel.
It may be provided for an upper side 31a of the top plate 31 and/or an underside 32a of the bottom plate 32 to be given a structure. Stamped elements may be provided. Likewise, depressions and/or elevations or similar may be formed.
In the exemplary embodiment of
The cooking compartment insert 6 can be configured in the most diverse formations, in particular as set forth by the diverse exemplary embodiments explained above. This produces the most diverse possible uses for a cooking compartment insert 6 that can be configured in different ways. This in turn makes possible different functionalities and preparation procedures in the cooking compartment 4, in particular in a cooking compartment region 4a and/or 4b. In this context, it is also possible for different preparation procedures using different heating scenarios to be performed in these cooking compartment regions 4a and 4b at the same time.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2020 214 630.6 | Nov 2020 | DE | national |
| 10 2021 212 761.4 | Nov 2021 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/081998 | 11/17/2021 | WO |
