COOKING DEVICE WITH SAFETY ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A cooking device may include a heat source switchable between an on state and an off state, a support element moveable between a first position and a second position, and a controller operably connected to the heat source and the support element. The support element may be in the first position when no cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element, and the support element may be in the second position when a cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element. The controller may be configured to transition the heat source to the off state in response to the heat source being in the on state and the support element being in the first position.

Description

BACKGROUND

Electric and gas stove tops, and ranges including electric and gas cooktops, are ubiquitous in home and commercial kitchens. Various cooking implements, such as pots, pans, skillets, saucepans, and the like are used on these stove tops. In some cooking applications, it may be necessary to remove the cooking implement from the stove top from time to time in order to stir, add new ingredients, or perform other cooking tasks. However, these appliances can present fire and safety hazards if left attended for too long while the stove top is active.

Everyone has experienced incidents where the cooking implement has been removed from the stove top without properly turning off the heating element. With decreased mental capacity, as found in the elderly and those with brain disorders, such a risk is escalated.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device and control system that can provide warnings and power off a stove top after determining that the stove top is no longer in use. There is a further need for an assembly and control system that can be customized based on user preference and managed remotely from a user's smart device.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of a cooking device may include a heat source switchable between an on state and an off state, a support element moveable between a first position and a second position, and a controller operably connected to the heat source and the support element. The support element may be in the first position when no cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element, and the support element may be in the second position when a cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element. The controller may be configured to transition the heat source to the off state in response to the heat source being in the on state and the support element being in the first position.

An exemplary embodiment of a safety assembly may be used with a cooking device comprising a heat source switchable between an on state and an off state. The safety device may include a support element moveable between a first position and a second position, and a controller operably connected to the support element. The support element may be in the first position when no cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element, and the support element may be in the second position when a cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element. The controller may be configured to transition the cooking device to the off state in response to the heat source being in the on state and the support element being in the first position.

An exemplary method of operating a safety assembly in a cooking device comprising a heat source switchable between an on state and an off state may include providing the safety assembly. The safety assembly may include a support element moveable between a first position and a second position, a position detector configured to detect a position of the support element, and a heat source detector operably configured to detect a state of the heat source of the cooking device. The support element may be in the first position when no cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element, and the support element may be in the second position when a cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element. The method may further include causing the heat source to transition to the off state in response to the heat source being in the on state and the support element being in the first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description will be rendered by reference to exemplary embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Understanding that these drawings depict exemplary embodiments and do not limit the scope of this disclosure, the exemplary embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a cooking device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram of a cooking device with no cooking implement according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram of a cooking device with a cooking implement according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a controller according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a controller according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the method of operation of a controller according to an exemplary embodiment.

Various features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components throughout the figures and detailed description. The various described features are not necessarily drawn to scale in the drawings but are drawn to aid in understanding the features of the exemplary embodiments.

The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims. To facilitate understanding, reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various exemplary embodiments. Each example is provided by way of explanation and is not meant as a limitation and does not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments. It is understood that reference to a particular “exemplary embodiment” of, e.g., a structure, assembly, component, configuration, method, etc. includes exemplary embodiments of, e.g., the associated features, subcomponents, method steps, etc. forming a part of the “exemplary embodiment.”

For purposes of this disclosure, the phrases “devices,” “systems,” and “methods” may be used either individually or in any combination referring without limitation to disclosed components, grouping, arrangements, steps, functions, or processes.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual schematic of a cooking device 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. The cooking device 102 may include a heat source 104, a support element 106, and a controller 108. The heat source 104 may be switchable between an on state and an off state. The support element 106 may be moveable between a first position and a second position (see FIG. 10A, 10B for an exemplary embodiment of the first position and the second position). The first position may correspond to a position when nothing is placed on the support element 106. The second position may correspond to a position when a cooking implement such as a pot, pan, skillet, saucepan, or the like is placed directly or indirectly on the support element 106. The controller 108 may be operably connected to the heat source 104 and the support element 106. Further structure and operation of the heat source 104, the support element 106, and the controller 108 will be discussed hereinbelow.

The cooking device 102 may further include a position detector 110 operably connected to the support element 106 and/or the controller 108. The position detector 110 may be configured to detect a position of the support element 106. For example, the position detector 110 may be configured to detect whether the support element 106 is in the first position or in the second position. In an exemplary embodiment, the position detector 110 may be configured to output a first signal in response to the support element 106 being in the first position and output a second signal in response to the support element 106 being in the second position. Alternatively, the position detector 110 may be configured to output a signal having an amplitude proportional to an amount of movement of the support element 106 or proportional to a weight of a cooking implement placed on the support element 106. The position detector 110 may include one or more of an electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical switch actuated by the support element 106, infrared sensors, light or photographic sensors, laser sensors, rotary encoders, and/or pressure sensors.

The cooking device 102 may further include a heat source detector 112 configured to detect a state of the heat source 104. For example, the heat source detector 112 may be configured to detect whether the heat source 104 is in the on state or the off state, detect whether power is being supplied to the heat source 104, and/or detect whether fuel is being supplied to the heat source 104. The heat source detector 112 may be operably connected to the controller 108.

The cooking device 102 may further include a warning device 114 operably coupled to the controller 108. The warning device 114 may be configured to provide a warning in response to certain conditions being met. In an exemplary embodiment, the warning device 114 may be an audio device, and the warning may be an audible sound such as a buzzer, ringer, chime, or any other suitable sound. In another exemplary embodiment, the warning device 114 may be a light source or display, and the warning may be a visible indicator on the light source or the display. For example, the warning may be an illuminated or blinking LED or light source, or a message shown on the display. In an exemplary embodiment, the warning device 114 may include both audio and visual components. Further structure and operation of the warning device 114 will be discussed hereinbelow.

The cooking device 102 may further include a user input 116 for providing instructions to the controller 108 and/or modifying settings of the controller 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the user input 116 may be controls provided on the cooking device 102. In an alternative embodiment, the user input 116 may instead be embodied as an external device communicating wirelessly with the controller 108 (discussed in further detail hereinbelow).

With reference to FIG. 2, the controller 108 may include a processor 202, a memory 204, a time circuit 206, and a communication module 208 in mutual communication. The processor 202, the memory 204, the time circuit 206, and the communication module 208 may be provided on one or more circuit boards and may be embodied within a single integrated circuit or multiple integrated circuits.

It will be understood that the drawing in FIG. 2 represents a conceptual relationship between the various components, and the physical structure of the components is not limited by what is shown in FIG. 2. For example, various components shown as being inside the controller 108 in FIG. 2 may actually be provided physically outside of the controller structure in an exemplary embodiment. As a non-limiting example, the communication module 208 may be provided within a same integrated circuit as the processor 202, on a different integrated circuit on a same circuit board as processor 202, on a different circuit board in electrical communication with the processor 202, or provided outside the physical structure of the controller 108 while being in electrical communication with the processor 202.

The memory 204 may store computer executable instructions to be executed by the processor 202 for controlling various components of the cooking device 102. The time circuit 206 may be configured to measure certain periods of time, such as how long the support element 106 has been in the first position while the heat source 104 is in the on state. The communication module 208 may include components such as a transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver, and may be configured to provide wired and/or wireless communication with a control device 210 such as a cellular phone or tablet computer. The wireless communication may be achieved via Bluetooth, wireless LAN, radio frequency, infrared, or any other suitable wireless control method. The control device 210 may be configured to execute an application or web-based interface configured to control the cooking device 102 and/or the controller 108.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 108 may be configured to transition the heat source 104 from the on state to the off state in response to the support element 106 being in the first position for longer than a shutdown time period. The shutdown time period is a predetermined period of time that elapses before the controller 108 switches the heat source 104 to the off state, and the shutdown time period is counted while the heat source is in the on state and the cooking implement has been removed from the heat source 104 and the support element 106. The time circuit 206 may be configured to measure how long the support element 106 has been in the first position while the heat source 104 is in the on state once the cooking implement has been removed. The shutdown time period may be settable by a user, for example, via the user input 116 shown in FIG. 1 or the control device 210 shown in FIG. 2. In an exemplary embodiment, the shutdown time period may be in a range of 0.5 minutes to 30 minutes. In a further exemplary embodiment, the shutdown time period may be in a range of 1 minute to 15 minutes. In a further exemplary embodiment, the shutdown time period may be in a range of 1 minute to 5 minutes.

As noted above, in an exemplary embodiment the position detector 110 may be configured to output the first signal in response to the support element 106 being in the first position and output the second signal in response to the support element 106 being in the second position. In this embodiment, the controller may be configured to transition the heat source 104 to the off state in response to the position detector 110 outputting the first signal for longer than the shutdown time period.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller 108 may be configured to transition to a warning state in response to the heat source detector 112 indicating that the heat source 104 is in the on state and the support element 106 is in the first position for longer than a warning time period. For example, the time circuit 206 may begin counting a fault timer when the 108 detects that the heat source 104 is in the on state and there is no cooking implement on the heat source 104 (e.g., because the support element 106 is in the first position). The controller 108 may compare the time measured by the time circuit 206 to the warning time and enter the warning state when the time measured by the time circuit 206 is longer than the warning time period. The controller 108 may be further configured to control the warning device to provide the warning in response to the controller 108 being in the warning state. In an exemplary embodiment, the warning time period may be in a range of 0.5 minutes to 30 minutes. In a further exemplary embodiment, the warning time period may be in a range of 1 minute to 15 minutes. In a further exemplary embodiment, the warning time period may be in a range of 1 minute to 5 minutes.

As noted above, the warning may be an audible warning provided by a component within the cooking device 102 and/or a visual warning provided by light sources or displays on the cooking device 102. Additionally, the warning may include notifications sent to the user's cellular phone and/or table. The warning time period and the frequency and/or intensity of the warning may be settable by the user, for example via the user input 116 or the control device 210. In an exemplary embodiment, the shutdown time period may be measured from the point at which the controller 108 enters the warning state.

In other words, while the time measured by time circuit 206 is less than the warning time period, no action is taken by the controller 108. This may represent an allowable period for when a cooking implement may be purposefully removed from the heat source, such as to stir contents of the cooking implement, add additional ingredients, or various cooking-related tasks. Once the time measured by the time circuit 206 exceeds the warning time period, the controller 108 may control the warning device 114 to issue the warning and start counting the shutdown time period. If the time measured by the time circuit 206 exceeds the shutdown time period, the controller 108 controls the heat source 104 to go into the off state.

FIG. 3 shows a block schematic diagram of a cooking device 302. The cooking device 302 may include an electric burner 304 as the heat source and a burner holder 306 as the support element. The electric burner 304 may rest on top of the burner holder 306 such that the burner holder 306 supports the electric burner 304. The burner holder 306 may be movable such that the burner holder 306 is in the first position when no cooking implement is placed on the electric burner 304, and the burner holder 306 moves to the second position when the cooking implement is placed on the electric burner 304.

The cooking device 302 may further include a power source 308 and an electrical line 310 configured to supply electrical power from the power source 308 to the electric burner 304. A switch 312 may be provided in series with the electrical line 310, and the switch 312 may be operably connected to the controller 108. In the cooking device 302, the heat source detector may be embodied as a current detector 314 configured to measure a current in the electrical line 310. The current detector 314 may be operably connected to the controller 108.

The controller 108 may be configured to open the switch 312, thereby cutting off power to the electric burner 304, in response to the burner holder 306 being in the first position for longer than the shutdown time period and the current detector 314 indicating that the electric burner 304 is in the on state.

FIG. 4 shows a block schematic diagram of a cooking device 402. The cooking device 402 may include a gas burner 404 as the heat source and a grate 406 as the support element. The grate 406 may be provided over the gas burner 404 to provide a surface on which to place the cooking element. The grate 406 may be movable such that the grate 406 is in the first position when no cooking element is placed on the grate 406, and the grate 406 moves to the second position when the cooking implement is placed on the grate 406.

The cooking device 402 may further include a gas source 408 and a gas line 410 configured to supply gas from the gas source 408 to the gas burner 404. A valve 412 may be provided in series with the gas line 410, and the valve 412 may be operably connected to the controller 108. The valve 412 may be switchable between an open state in which gas flows through the gas line 410 to the gas burner 404, and a closed state in which the supply of gas to the gas burner 404 is stopped.

In the cooking device 402, the heat source detector may be embodied as a temperature sensor 414 proximate to the gas burner 404. The temperature sensor 414 may be any suitable device for detecting a temperature of the gas burner 404, such as a thermocouple, thermopile, infrared sensor, or other suitable device.

The controller 108 may be configured to control the valve 412 to transition to the closed state in response to the grate 406 being in the first position for longer than the shutdown time period and the temperature sensor 414 indicating that the gas burner 404 is in the on state.

FIG. 5 through FIG. 8 show views of an exemplary embodiment of the cooking device 302. With reference to FIG. 5, the burner holder 306 may include a hinge portion 508 and a detector arm portion 510 opposite the hinge portion 508. The burner holder 306 may be rotatably coupled to a surface 502 of the cooking device 302 via a hinge 506. The hinge portion 508 of the burner holder 306 may be coupled to the hinge 506. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the detector arm portion 510 is placed opposite the hinge portion 508 in order to take advantage of the relatively large rotational displacement at a location further from the hinge portion 508, thereby making it easier to detect movement of the burner holder 306. However, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to this, and the detector arm portion 510 may be placed at other portions of the burner holder 306 consistent with this disclosure.

The surface 502 may further define an opening 504 through which an arm 702 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) projects from the detector arm portion 510.

With reference to FIG. 6, the electric burner 304 may be provided on the burner holder 306 such that the burner holder 306 supports the electric burner 304.

With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in an exemplary embodiment of the cooking device 302, a combination of the arm 702 and a switch assembly 704 is shown. The switch assembly 704 may include an actuator 706 and a plurality of electrical leads 708 for connecting the switch assembly 704 to a power source, a ground, and the controller 108. The actuator may be moveable between an actuator first position and an actuator second position. The switch assembly 704 may be mounted to an underside 712 of the surface 502 via a mounting bracket 714.

The burner holder 306 may be configured such that the arm 702 does not depress the actuator 706 when the burner holder 306 is in the first position and depresses the actuator 706 when the burner holder 306 is in the second position, i.e., when a cooking implement is placed on the electric burner 304. In other words, the arm 702 may be configured to push the actuator from the actuator first position to the actuator second position in response to the burner holder 306 moving from the first position to the second position.

The switch assembly 704 may configured to output a first signal, e.g., a digital low signal, when the actuator 706 is not depressed i.e., in the actuator first position, and a output a second signal, e.g., a digital high signal, when the actuator 706 is depressed by the arm 702, i.e., in the actuator second position. As a non-limiting example, the switch assembly 704 may be an assembly such as Part. No. D3V-014-3C3-T-K commercially available from Omron Electronics Inc. The signals output by the switch assembly 704 can be read by the controller 108 to determine whether the burner holder 306 is in the first position or the second position.

As further seen in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the electric burner 304 may include burner leads 710 to supply connections to electrical power and ground for the electric burner 304.

With reference to FIG. 9, the arm 702 may extend in a vertical direction from the detector arm portion 510 of the burner holder 306. A first arm extension 906 may extend substantially perpendicular to the arm 702, which creates a shoulder to provide more surface to press against the actuator 706 of the switch assembly 704. According to an embodiment, this may allow for more reliable contact with the actuator 706.

The mounting bracket 714 may further include a first mounting extension 910 extending from the mounting bracket 714 in a substantially horizontal direction and a second mounting extension 912 extending substantially perpendicular to the first mounting extension 910. The first mounting extension 910 and the second mounting extension 912 may be formed separately or as an integral, one-piece unit. A relative position of the second arm extension 908 and the second mounting extension 912 may be used to guide alignment and positioning of the burner holder 306 and the switch assembly 704 during assembly of the cooking device 102. For example, alignment of the second arm extension 908 and the second mounting extension 912 may indicate that the burner holder 306 and the switch assembly 704 are properly aligned.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B provide a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the cooking device 302 moving from the first position to the second position. It will be understood that FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are not drawn to scale, and the displacement of the burner holder 306 may be exaggerated for the purposes of illustrating the concept. In actual use, it is contemplated that the displacement of burner holder 306 and the burner 302 may not be visible to the naked eye.

FIG. 10A shows the burner holder 306 in the first position. A bias element 1002 may be provided to bias the burner holder 306 to the first position. While FIG. 10A shows the bias element 1002 as a coil spring between the burner holder 306 and the surface 502, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to this, and other configurations of the bias element 1002 may be possible. For example, the bias element 1002 may be embodied as a spring provided within the hinge 506 to form a spring-loaded hinge. The bias element 1002 may be configured to counter the weight of the burner holder 306 so that the burner holder 306 does not move from the first position to the second position under its own weight.

FIG. 10B shows a cooking implement 1004 placed on the electric burner 304, which in turn causes the burner holder 306 to rotate about the hinge 506 to the second position. In FIG. 10B, it is seen that the weight of the cooking implement 1004 is sufficient to counter the biasing force of the bias element 1002 so that the burner holder 306 can move from the first position to the second position.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show an exemplary embodiment of a controller 108 usable with the cooking device 102. It will be understood that some wiring connections and cables may be omitted from FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 to facilitate visibility. The controller 108 may be mounted to the cooking device 102, and in an embodiment to the underside 712 of the surface 502 of the cooking device 102 or elsewhere within the cooking device 102.

The controller 108 may include a controller housing 1102. The controller 108 may further include one or more circuit boards 1104, and various circuit components 1106 may be provided on the circuit boards 1104. The circuit components 1106 may include components such as a processor 202, a memory 204, a time circuit 206, and a communication module 208, such as in the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 2.

The controller 108 may further include an external connector 1108 configured to couple to an external device such as the control device 210 or a computer (not shown). The external connector 1108 may be a USB connector, USB-C connector, micro USB connector, or any other connector suitable for connecting to an external device. The external connector 1108 may be in electrical communication with the circuit components 1106 via one or more cables 1110. The connection via external connector 1108 may be used to load computer-executable instructions or other settings to be saved in the circuit components 1106.

The controller 108 may further include additional electrical connectors 1112 of various types or structures. These electrical connectors 1112 may be used for electrical communication with various other components within the cooking device 102, such as a power source, ground, the position detector 110, the heat source detector 112, and/or the switch 312 or valve 412.

In an exemplary embodiment, the warning device 114 may be provided as part of the controller 108. For example, FIG. 11 shows that the controller 108 may include an audio device 1114 configured to provide a warning sound when the controller 108 is in the warning state. FIG. 12 further shows that the controller 108 may include one or more light sources 1202 that could serve as a warning device. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, one light source 1202 may show a red light when the controller 108 is in the warning state, and another light source 1202 may show a green light when the controller 108 is in the warning state.

The controller 108 may further include an AC/DC converter 1116 to convert power from a power source and a relay 1118 to facilitate electronic communications within the controller 108 or with other components.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method 1302 for operating the controller 108.

In block 1304, the system is in a normal state. This normal state is reached upon booting the controller 108 or in response to certain conditions described below. In the normal state, the controller 108 takes no action to control the heat source 104 and operation of the cooking device 102 proceeds normally.

In block 1306, the controller 108 monitors the status of support element 106 and the heat source 104, i.e., a burner. The controller 108 monitors the status of the support element 106 to determine whether an object such as a cooking element is present, and the controller 108 monitors the status of the heat source 104 to determine whether the burner is in the on state. The controller 108 monitors the position detector 110 to determine whether the support element 106 is in the first position (Object=False) or the second position (Object=True).

The controller 108 further monitors the heat source detector 112 to determine whether the heat source 104 is in the on state (Burner=On) or the off state (Burner=Off). If the heat source 104 is the gas burner 404, then the monitoring of the heat source detector 112 may include monitoring the temperature sensor 414 to determine whether the gas burner 404 is on. If the heat source 104 is the electric burner 304, then the monitoring of the heat source detector 112 may include monitoring the current detector 314 to determine whether current is being supplied to the electric burner 304.

Additionally, in some types of electric burners 304, the cooking device 102 may periodically cycle the supply of current to the electric burner 304 to maintain the electric burner 304 at a particular temperature. In this case, monitoring the current state may not be sufficient by itself to determine whether the electric burner 304 is truly in the on state or the off state. Instead, it may be necessary to monitor the time that the current detector 314 detects that no current is being supplied to the electric burner 304, for example using the time circuit 206. If the current detector 314 detects that the current is turned off for longer than a max de-energization time period, then it can be determined that the electric burner 304 is truly in the off state. The max de-energization time period may be determined during a calibration process in which the electric burner 304 is turned from its highest setting to its lowest setting. In an alternative embodiment, the controller 108 may monitor the state of the electric burner 304 by monitoring a signal from the controls used to control the electric burner 304.

If the controller 108 detects that the support element 106 is in the second position (Object=True) or the heat source 104 is in the off state (Burner=Off), i.e., “No” in decision block 1308, then the method proceeds back to block 1306 to monitor the status. If the controller 108 detects that the support element 106 is in the first position (Object=False) and the heat source 104 is in the on state (Burner=On), i.e., “Yes” in decision block 1308, then the method proceeds to block 1310. In other words, both conditions (Object=False and Burner=On) must be true in order for the method 1302 to progress to block 1310.

In block 1310, a fault timer is started, for example using time circuit 206. In decision block 1312, it is determined whether the fault timer is greater than a predetermined warning time period. The warming time period may be set by the user via the control device 210. If the fault timer is not greater than the warning time, i.e., “No” in decision block 1312, the method proceeds to decision block 1314. If the fault timer is greater than the warning time, i.e., “Yes” in decision block 1312, the method proceeds to block 1316.

In block 1316, the controller 108 enters the warning state. As noted above, the warning state may include warnings generated by the warning device 114, such as audible warnings and/or visible warnings, and/or warnings sent to the control device 210. Additionally in block 1316, the fault timer is restarted at zero.

In decision block 1318, it is determined whether the fault timer is greater than the shutdown time period. The shutdown time period may be set by the user via the control device 210. If the fault timer is not greater than the shutdown time period, i.e., “No” in decision block 1318, the method proceeds to decision block 1320. If the fault timer is greater than the shutdown time period, i.e., “Yes” in decision block 1320, the method proceeds to block 1322.

In block 1322, the controller 108 operates to shut down the burner. If the burner is the electric burner 304, then this may be accomplished by opening the switch 312 on the electrical line 310 to cut off current to the electric burner 304. If the burner is the gas burner 404, then this may be accomplished by controlling the valve 412 to cut off gas supply to the gas burner 404.

At any point during the method 1302, if a cooking element is placed on the burner or the burner is turned off by the user, then the method will return to the normal state in block 1304. This is represented in the method 1302 by decision block 1314 and decision block 1320. Decision block 1314 and decision block 1320 evaluate whether a cooking implement has been placed on the burner (Object=True) or whether the burner has been turned off (Burner=Off). If either of these conditions are true, then the method returns to the normal state in block 1304. If both of these conditions are false, then the method returns back to monitoring the respective times in decision block 1312 or decision block 1318.

The method 1302 described above describes a binary state for the object detection by the position detector 110, but it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as noted above, the signal output by the position detector 110 may be proportional to the weight of the cooking implement or other object placed on the burner. With this type of position detector 110, it may be necessary to first calibrate the position detector 110 before. Calibration may be achieved either through controls provided on the cooking device or via a cellular phone or tablet in wireless communication with the controller 108.

In a possible calibration method, the user may be prompted to remove any objects from the burner. Once any objects are removed, the user may issue a “Tare” command to the controller 108. The controller 108 may store the output of the position detector 110 as a tare level in the memory 204 and issue a status or confirmation alert to the user. The user may then be prompted to place a reference object on the burner. Once the reference object is placed on the burner, the user may send a “Calibrate” command to the controller 108. The controller 108 may read the output of the position detector 110 with the reference object in position, and store a threshold level based on the output of the position detector 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the threshold level may be calculated as: threshold level=(tare level)+(reference level)/2. If the threshold does not exceed the tare level by more than a pre-programmed noise level, then the controller 108 will indicate a calibration failure to the user. If the threshold exceeds the tare level by more than the noise level, the controller 108 will store the threshold in the memory 204. The controller 108 may be programmed to interpret any signal from the position detector 110 that is greater than the threshold level as indicating that the cooking implement or other object is present on the burner.

The safety features described above may be incorporated directly in the assembly of a cooking device, or may be retrofitted into an existing cooking device by adding a safety assembly to the existing cooking device. The safety assembly may include the moveable support element 106, the controller 108, the position detector 110, the heat source detector 112, and the switch 312 or the valve 412, which can be installed in a cooking device 102 having a heat source 104.

The embodiments described above provide important safety benefits for a user of a cooking device. For example, a warning can be provided to a user if a burner on a cooking device is left on for too long without any cooking implement being placed on the burner. Further, the burner can be shut off automatically if the burner is left on even despite the warning. This can help to reduce the chance of accidental fires or the user or other people accidentally touching an active burner, as well as helping to preserve electricity or cooking gas.

This disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems, and/or apparatuses as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. This disclosure contemplates, in various embodiments, configurations and aspects, the actual or optional use or inclusion of, e.g., components or processes as may be well-known or understood in the art and consistent with this disclosure though not depicted and/or described herein.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “about” or “approximately” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. Such approximating language may refer to the specific value and/or may include a range of values that may have the same impact or effect as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art field. For example, approximating language may include a range of +/−10%, +/−5%, or +/−3%. The term “substantially” as used herein is used in the common way understood by persons of skill in the art field with regard to patents, and may in some instances function as approximating language. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value.

In this specification and the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The terms “a” (or “an”) and “the” refer to one or more of that entity, thereby including plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “an embodiment” and the like are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “about” is not to be limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower” etc. are used to identify one element from another, and unless otherwise specified are not meant to refer to a particular order or number of elements.

As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances the event or capacity cannot occur—this distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.”

As used in the claims, the word “comprises” and its grammatical variants logically also subtend and include phrases of varying and differing extent such as for example, but not limited thereto, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.” Where necessary, ranges have been supplied, and those ranges are inclusive of all sub-ranges therebetween. It is to be expected that the appended claims should cover variations in the ranges except where this disclosure makes clear the use of a particular range in certain embodiments.

The terms “determine”, “calculate,” and “compute,” and variations thereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any type of methodology, process, mathematical operation or technique.

This disclosure is presented for purposes of illustration and description. This disclosure is not limited to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the Detailed Description of this disclosure, for example, various features of some exemplary embodiments are grouped together to representatively describe those and other contemplated embodiments, configurations, and aspects, to the extent that including in this disclosure a description of every potential embodiment, variant, and combination of features is not feasible. Thus, the features of the disclosed embodiments, configurations, and aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, and aspects not expressly discussed above. For example, the features recited in the following claims lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure.

Advances in science and technology may provide variations that are not necessarily express in the terminology of this disclosure although the claims would not necessarily exclude these variations.

Claims

1. A cooking device comprising: a heat source switchable between an on state and an off state;a support element moveable between a first position, in which no cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element, and a second position, in which a cooking implement is placed on the heat source or the support element;a controller operably connected to the heat source and the support element;a position detector operably connected to the controller and configured to detect a position of the support element;a heat source detector configured to detect a state of the heat source and operably connected to the controller; anda warning device operably connected to the controller; wherein the controller is configured to: start a first fault timer in response to the position detector indicating that the support element is in the first position and the heat source detector indicating that the heat source is in an on state;stop the first fault timer and reset to a normal state in response to the position detector indicating that the support element is in the second position while the first fault timer is active or in response to the heat source detector indicating that the heat source is in an off state while the first fault timer is active;control the warning device to provide a warning and starting a second fault timer in response to the first fault timer exceeding a warning time period;stop the second fault timer and reset to the normal state in response to the position detector indicating that the support element is in the second position while the second fault timer is active or in response to the heat source detector indicating that the heat source is in an off state while the second fault timer is active; andshut down the heat source in response to the second fault timer exceeding a shut down time period.

2. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the position detector is configured to: output a first signal in response to the support element being in the first position; andoutput a second signal in response to the support element being in the second position.

3. The cooking device of claim 2, further comprising: a surface;an opening extending through the surface;wherein the support element comprises an arm configured to extend through the opening;the position detector comprises an actuator moveable between an actuator first position and an actuator second position;the actuator is biased to the actuator first position;the arm is configured to push the actuator from the actuator first position to the actuator second position in response to the support element moving from the first position to the second position;the position detector is configured to: output the first signal in response to the actuator being in the actuator first position; andoutput the second signal in response to the actuator being in the actuator second position.

4. The cooking device of claim 1, further comprising: a surface; anda hinge;wherein the support element is rotatably coupled to the surface via the hinge.

5. The cooking device of claim 1, further comprising a bias element configured to bias the support element to the first position; wherein the support element is configured to move to the second position in response to a cooking implement being placed on the cooking device.

6. (canceled)

7. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein: the heat source comprises: an electric burner;an electrical line configured to supply current to the electric burner; anda switch provided in series with the electrical line and operably connected to the controller;the heat source detector comprises a current detector configured to measure a current in the electrical line;the electric burner is supported on the support element;the controller is configured to open the switch in response to the support element being in the first position for longer than a shutdown time period.

8. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein: the heat source comprises: a gas burner;a gas line configured to supply gas to the gas burner; anda valve provided in series with the gas line and operably connected to the controller, the valve being switchable between an open state and a closed state;the heat source detector comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature proximate to the base burner;the support element is a grate provided over the gas burner; andthe controller is configured to control the valve to transition to the closed state in response to the support element being in the first position for longer than a shutdown time period.

9. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein: the warning device is an audio device; andthe warning is an audible sound.

10. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein: the warning device is light source or a display; andthe warning is a visible indicator on the light source or the display.

11. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises a time circuit configured to measure how long the support element is in the first position.

12. The cooking device of claim 1, further comprising a user input operably connected to the controller; wherein the shutdown time period is settable via the user input.

13. The cooking device of claim 12, further comprising a communication module operably connected to the controller; wherein the communication module is configured to communicate wirelessly with a control device; andthe shutdown time period is settable via the control device.

14. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein the control device is a cellular phone or tablet computer running an application configured to control the cooking device.

15-18. (canceled)

19. A method of operating a safety assembly in a cooking device comprising a heat source switchable between an on state and an off state, the method comprising: providing a safety assembly comprising: a support element moveable between a first position, in which no cooking implement is placed on the support element or the heat source, and a second position, in which a cooking implement is placed on the support element or the heat source;a position detector configured to detect a position of the support element;a heat source detector operably configured to detect a state of the heat source of the cooking device;starting a first fault timer in response to the position detector indicating that the support element is in the first position and the heat source detector indicating that the heat source is in an on state;stopping the first fault timer and resetting to a normal state in response to the position detector indicating that the support element is in the second position while the first fault timer is active or in response to the heat source detector indicating that the heat source is in an off state while the first fault timer is active;providing a warning and starting a second fault timer in response to the first fault timer exceeding a warning time period;stopping the second fault timer and resetting to the normal state in response to the position detector indicating that the support element is in the second position while the second fault timer is active or in response to the heat source detector indicating that the heat source is in an off state while the second fault timer is active; andshutting down the heat source in response to the second fault timer exceeding a shut down time period.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the support element comprises a hinge; andthe support element is rotatably coupled to a surface of the cooking device via a hinge.