阅读说明：本技术 家用设备和用于确定物体的轮廓信息的方法 (Household appliance and method for determining contour information of an object ) 是由 S·马特青格 K·里戈特 S·施特茨 M·施蒂夫 M·福格特 于 2020-03-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种家用设备(1),其具有用于处理物体(G)、尤其是烹饪物的处理空间(3)、至少一个设计用于将至少一个光图案(L)入射到处理空间(3)中的图案灯(6；6-1、6-2),和至少一个指向处理空间(3)的用于拍摄至少一个从处理空间(3)反射的光图案(L-(1)、L-(2))的图像传感器(10；10-1、10-2),其中图案灯(6；6-1、6-2)可以借助马达(9)转动,并且家用设备(1)设计用于,从至少两个归属于至少一个图案灯(6；6-1、6-2)的不同的转动角度(D-(1)、D-(2))的被反射的光图案确定通过光图案(L-(1)、L-(2))照射的物体(G)的至少一个轮廓信息。方法用于确定位于家用设备(1)的处理空间(3)中的物体(G)的轮廓信息。本发明尤其可以有利地用于确定烤箱中的烹饪物的轮廓信息。(The invention relates to a household appliance (1) having a treatment space (3) for treating an object (G), in particular a cooking product, at least one pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) which is designed to emit at least one light pattern (L) into the treatment space (3), and at least one light pattern (L) directed at the treatment space (3) for recording at least one light pattern (L) reflected from the treatment space (3) 1 、L 2 ) The image sensor (10; 10-1, 10-2), wherein the pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) can be rotated by means of a motor (9), and the home is provided withThe device (1) is designed to rotate from at least two different angles (D) of rotation associated with at least one pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) 1 、D 2 ) Determines a passing light pattern (L) 1 、L 2 ) At least one profile information of the illuminated object (G). The method is used for determining contour information of an object (G) located in a processing space (3) of a household appliance (1). The invention can be used particularly advantageously for determining profile information of a cooking product in an oven.)

1. Household appliance (1) having:

a processing space (3) for processing an object (G),

-at least one pattern lamp (6; 6-1, 6-2) designed for injecting at least one light pattern (L) into the process space (3), and

-at least one light pattern (L) directed to the process space (3) for capturing at least one light pattern reflected from the process space (3)₁、L₂) The image sensor (10; 10-1, 10-2),

wherein

-the pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) is rotatable by means of a motor (9), and

the household appliance (1) is designed to rotate from at least two different rotation angles (D) attributed to at least one pattern lamp (6; 6-1, 6-2)₁、D₂) Determines a passing light pattern (L)₁、L₂) At least one profile information of the illuminated object (G).

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) is a surrounding rotatable pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2).

3. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1) is designed for at least two different rotation angles (D) attributed to the pattern light (6)₁、D₂) Is reflected light pattern (L)₁、L₂) Determines at least one profile information of the object.

4. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) has at least two rotatable pattern lights spaced apart from each other.

5. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) has at least two rotatable pattern lights (6; 6-1, 6-2), the light pattern (L) of which pattern lights₁、L₂) In the process space (3) in at least one set of angular positions of the pattern lamps (6-1, 6-2).

6. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, wherein the light pattern is a single line.

7. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) has beam-forming optics and is rotatable around an optical axis of said optics.

8. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one image sensor (10; 10-1, 10-2) has at least two image sensors spaced apart from each other, directed at the processing space (3) with different spatial angles.

9. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1) has at least one rotatable microwave antenna (11; 15; 22; 24; 27) and at least one pattern light (6) is arranged on the microwave antenna (11; 15; 22; 24; 27).

10. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pattern light (6; 6-1, 6-2) has at least one light source (7) for generating a light beam and at least one optical element (8) optically post-positioned to the light source (7) for generating a light pattern (L) from the light beam emitted by the light source (7).

11. Household appliance (1) according to claims 9 and 10, wherein the microwave antenna (11; 15; 22; 24; 27) has a hollow shaft (14; 17) rotatable about its longitudinal axis for conveying microwaves into the treatment space (3), at least one optical element (8) of the pattern light (6) being arranged in the shaft (14; 17).

12. Household appliance (1) according to claim 11, wherein

-the shaft (17) is separated with respect to the treatment space (3) by a cover (21; 28) having a notch (20),

the shaft (17) has a first electrically conductive longitudinal section (18) and a second, in particular electrically non-conductive longitudinal section (19; 23),

the second longitudinal section (19; 23) is guided through the recess (21) and

at least one optical element (8) is arranged in the second longitudinal section (19; 23).

13. Household appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one profile information determines the height, surface shape, surface size, volume and/or mass of the object (G).

14. Method for determining contour information of an object (G) located in a processing space (3) of a household appliance (1), wherein

a) At least one light pattern (L) is incident into the process space (3) and the light pattern (L) reflected there is detected in an image-wise manner₁、L₂），

b) Repeating step a) with at least one light pattern (L) incident rotationally opposite thereto,

c) superimposing the reflected light pattern (L) detected in steps a) and b)₁、L₂) And is and

d) with at least one reflected light superimposed from an unloaded process space (3)Pattern comparison, reflected light pattern (L) from superposition₁、L₂) Determines at least one contour information of the object (G).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a domestic appliance having a treatment space for treating an object, at least one pattern light which is designed to inject at least one light pattern into the treatment space, and at least one image sensor which is directed at the treatment space and is used to record at least one light pattern reflected from the treatment space. The invention also relates to a method for determining contour information of an object located in a processing space of a household appliance. The invention can be used particularly advantageously for determining profile information of a cooking product in an oven.

Background

WO 2015185608 a1 discloses a cooking appliance having a cooking space with a loading opening which can be closed by means of a door, a light pattern projector which is arranged fixedly with respect to the cooking space for generating a light pattern, a camera for capturing images from an area which can be illuminated by the light pattern, and an evaluation device which is coupled to the camera for knowing the three-dimensional shape of an object located in the area which can be illuminated by the light pattern by means of a light pattern evaluation, wherein the light pattern projector is arranged for injecting a light pattern into the cooking space, the camera is fixedly arranged relative to the cooking space, the camera is arranged for taking an image from an area of the cooking space that is illuminable by the light pattern even in a closed cooking space, and the evaluation device is designed to repeatedly calculate the three-dimensional shape of at least one object located in the region of the cooking space that can be illuminated by the light pattern during operation of the cooking appliance.

US 2018187899a1 discloses a stove having a heated cooking volume for cooking food, the stove comprising a three-dimensional scanning system configured to detect information about the volume and/or shape of food located in the heated hollow space.

EP 2149755 a1 discloses an oven for baking food products. To improve the automatic heating process, the oven includes a camera and a distance sensor used together to enable the determination of relevant product characteristics for use in the automatic heating process.

WO 2013098004 a1 discloses an oven with a housing, a cooking space in which a cooking process is carried out, and an optical detection device which is located in the cooking space and which is provided to detect data about a target object, such as a cooking item or a cooking item carrier, and which has a transmitter (which transmits light waves to the target object), a receiver (which detects light waves reflected from the target object), and a housing, which is located on the upper side of the cooking space and in which the transmitter and the receiver are mounted side by side in such a way as to be directed towards the cooking space.

DE 102016107617 a1 discloses a method for operating a cooking appliance and a cooking appliance having a heatable cooking space for preparing a cooking product. The heating of the cooking space is regulated by a control device. The control device takes into account the parameters characterizing the cooking product. To know the parameters, the cooking product is detected by means of a camera device. In this case, the cooking product is illuminated by means of an illumination device in order to produce shadows. Shadows cast by the cooking items are detected by the camera device. From the detected shadow, parameters characterizing the cooking object are known by the evaluation means.

US 2008049210 a1 discloses a distance measuring sensor in which, in an embodiment, there are a light emitting element (which projects light onto a distance measuring object arranged on a reference surface) and a light receiving element (which receives reflected light reflected by the distance measuring object), wherein the light emitting element and the light receiving element are each sealed with a resin alone by a light-transmissive resin sealing section. Further, the outer periphery of the light-transmitting resin sealing section is covered by the light-opaque resin sealing section, and the light-opaque resin sealing section is provided with a light-emitting section slit that limits the luminous flux of light projected onto the distance measurement object, and is provided with a light-receiving section that limits the luminous flux of reflected light reflected by the distance measurement object.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome at least in part the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a particularly simple and compact design possibility for reliably determining contour information of an object located in a domestic appliance.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

The object is achieved by a household appliance having a treatment space for treating an object, at least one pattern light which is designed to inject at least one light pattern into the treatment space, and at least one image sensor which is directed at the treatment space and is used to capture at least one light pattern reflected from the treatment space, wherein the pattern light can be rotated by means of a motor, and the household appliance is designed to determine at least one profile information of the object illuminated by the light pattern from at least two reflected light patterns which are associated with different angles of rotation of the at least one pattern light.

The domestic appliance has the advantage that the contour information (e.g. height information, surface shape, etc.) can be acquired particularly reliably without movement, in particular without rotation of the object itself. Furthermore, the method can be realized in a simple and compact structure.

In particular in the sense of "white goods", for example kitchen appliances, household appliances are in particular electrically operated household appliances. The household appliance may be a cooking appliance, such as an oven, a microwave appliance, a steaming appliance or any combination thereof, such as an oven with microwave functionality, a microwave oven or the like. The object may then be a cooking object, such as a dessert, food, etc., and the processing space may also be referred to as a cooking space. The treatment of the culinary item ("cooking") may include heating, moistening with hot steam, etc. But the household appliance may also be a cooling appliance, such as a refrigerator, a laundry treatment appliance, such as a washing machine, a dryer or a combination thereof.

A pattern lamp is to be understood in particular as a lighting device having at least one light source, which is designed to emit a light pattern. Light patterns are understood to mean, in particular, light distributions that are not uniform in their brightness in a plane, such as line patterns, grid patterns, triangular patterns, etc. The light pattern emitted may in particular also comprise only one, in particular straight, line.

The at least one light source is not limited in its type and may comprise, for example, at least one semiconductor light source, for example at least one LED and/or at least one laser, in particular a laser diode. The pattern light fixture can simultaneously generate the entire light pattern, for example by beam forming of the emitted light beam by means of at least one optical element, for example one or more lenses, reflectors and/or correspondingly shaped caps, partitions or the like. It is therefore an embodiment that the pattern light has at least one light source for generating a light beam and at least one optical element optically downstream of the light source for generating a light pattern from the light beam emitted by the light source. The pattern light may alternatively generate a light pattern by scanning a light beam, in particular a laser beam, for example according to the so-called Flying-Spot-Verfahren.

The fact that the pattern light is designed to inject at least one light pattern into the process space includes, in particular, that a light pattern of exactly one shape (for example a line which is always straight) is generated by means of the pattern light and is injected into the process space. Alternatively, the light pattern may be designed to produce different shapes or types of light patterns, e.g. straight lines, gratings, etc., at different points in time.

The light pattern incident into the process space is projected or mapped onto a corresponding projection surface (e.g. comprising a wall or an accessory of a cooking space, a cooking item, etc.). As is generally known, the shape of this projection ("projection pattern") corresponds to a geometric adaptation of the shape of the incident light pattern to the shape of the projection surface. The shape of the projection surface can be deduced from the shape of the projected pattern.

For this purpose, the light or the light pattern reflected in the process space or on the projection surface (i.e. the projection pattern) is imaged by means of at least one image sensor. In other words, an image of the process space is recorded by means of at least one image sensor, which shows or comprises the projection pattern. The image sensor may be, for example, a CCD sensor, a digital camera, or the like.

The pattern light can be rotated in a targeted manner by means of a motor and can occupy at least two different angles of rotation. The angle of rotation that can be occupied by the pattern light can be varied in several steps by activating the motor (e.g. by a stepper motor) or steplessly or virtually steplessly.

The fact that the pattern lights are rotatable includes, in particular, that the pattern lights are rotatable, so that the light patterns emitted at different angles of rotation of the pattern lights (for example measured in an image plane directly behind the pattern lights) can be converted into one another by means of a rotation or rotational transformation. In other words, the light patterns emitted at different angles of rotation can be converted into one another by a rotational transformation about the axis of rotation of the pattern light, in particular without further translation, i.e. by a rotation with a difference between two different angles of rotation.

By evaluating at least two reflected light patterns which are assigned to different angles of rotation of at least one pattern light, at least one profile information can be derived. In a further embodiment, the household appliance is designed to generate the same light pattern (for example a straight line) and to inject it into the treatment space with different angles of rotation of the pattern light.

In a further embodiment, the at least one pattern light is arranged in the region of the cover of the treatment space, since it is thus advantageously possible to illuminate a particularly large surface of the object with the light pattern. The arrangement in the region of the center of the cover is particularly advantageous here.

In an embodiment, the at least one image sensor is also arranged in the region of the cover of the processing space, in particular in the region of the corners of the cover. The advantage is thus achieved that the projection pattern can also be mapped or detected with particularly good resolution on the lateral surface regions of the object.

The fact that the household appliance is designed for determining the contour information can be realized in that the household appliance has a corresponding data processing or evaluation device, which can be integrated, for example, into a control device of the household appliance. Alternatively or additionally, the household appliance may have a communication device for communicating with an external data processing device, for example a network server or a so-called cloud computer, which may be coupled via a data network, for determining the contour information. In principle, the flow of data processing steps required for determining the contour can be distributed at will between the domestic appliance and the external data processing device and can therefore also be implemented at least substantially outside the domestic appliance, for example.

The design scheme is that at least one pattern lamp is a pattern lamp capable of rotating around, namely, the pattern lamp can rotate 360 degrees around the rotating axis of the pattern lamp. This yields the advantage that light patterns with particularly high angular variations can be incident into the process space, which in turn can increase the reliability of the contour information.

An extension is that at least one pattern light has a limited range of rotation (i.e. less than 360 °), for example [0 °; 180 degrees and 0 degrees; 90 ℃ and the like. The rotary mechanism can therefore be designed particularly simply if necessary.

The design scheme is that at least one pattern lamp is exactly one pattern lamp. This advantageously enables a particularly inexpensive and compact arrangement.

The household appliance is designed to determine at least one profile information of the object from a superposition of at least two reflected light patterns which are associated with different angles of rotation of the pattern light. Superimposition, in particular of images: thus, the reflected light patterns or projected patterns of two images taken at different angles of rotation may be superimposed and subsequently evaluated, or they may be evaluated separately and subsequently correlated, etc.

The design is that at least one pattern light has at least two rotatable pattern lights spaced apart from each other. The pattern lights may in particular have different spatial orientations or directions of incidence. The advantage is thus achieved that the object can be illuminated with a light pattern from different spatial angles or from several sides, which enables a particularly large-area detection of contour information of the object. In particular, the shadow region of one pattern light may also be illuminated by another pattern light. The reflected light pattern or projected pattern, which is attributed to two different angles of rotation, typically (i.e. if the angle of rotation does not correspond to the angle of symmetry of the incident light pattern) has at least one intersection point or point of intersection. This facilitates the evaluation and determination of the contour information, since the contour information can be determined particularly easily and reliably from the position of the intersection point.

The at least one image sensor has at least two image sensors spaced apart from one another and directed at the processing space at different spatial angles. This has the advantage that the light reflected at the object can be recorded or detected particularly completely and over a large area.

In an embodiment, each pattern light is assigned an image sensor, wherein the image area of the image sensor completely or partially comprises the projection area of the pattern light. Alternatively, the pattern light may be assigned a plurality of image sensors whose image areas completely or partially comprise the projection area of the pattern light from different spatial angles. It is also possible to assign a plurality of pattern lights to at least one image sensor, i.e. to an image area which completely or partially comprises the projection area of the plurality of pattern lights.

It is provided that at least one of the pattern lamps has at least two rotatable pattern lamps, the simultaneously incident light patterns of which intersect in the process space in at least one set of angular positions of the pattern lamps, i.e. form at least one intersection with one another.

In an embodiment, the plurality of rotatable pattern lamps has different rotational speeds and/or opposite rotational directions of their light patterns or of the reflected light patterns generated thereby in the treatment space. This makes it possible to provide a particularly multi-modal progression or sequence of intersection points over time, which in turn makes it possible to increase the reliability in determining the contour information.

In an embodiment, the one or more light patterns are individual lines. This facilitates evaluation for determining contour information. If there is only one light pattern source, it then always, in particular, but with different angles of rotation, strikes a straight line into the process space. If there are multiple light pattern sources, they each inject a straight line into the process space.

It is provided that at least one of the pattern lamps has beam-forming optics, in particular a lens, and is rotatable about an optical axis of the optics. A particularly simple construction is thus achieved.

The embodiment is that the at least one light source is rotated together, which allows a particularly compact construction and supports the design of the pattern light as a module.

In an embodiment, the at least one light source is arranged stationary and does not rotate together. This enables a simple arrangement of the more complex light sources and a structurally particularly simple design of the rotatable parts. For example, light may be incident from a stationary light source directly on the beam-forming optics, indirectly via the deflection optics on the beam-forming optics, and/or via at least one optical conductor on the beam-forming optics.

The household appliance has at least one rotatable microwave antenna, and at least one pattern light is arranged on the microwave antenna. By combining a microwave antenna and a pattern light or optical coupling, the antenna motor can be used in two functions, namely for rotating the pattern light and for rotating the antenna during microwave operation. The axis of rotation of the microwave antenna corresponds to the axis of rotation of the pattern light. In an embodiment, the microwave antenna can be used for both the incident microwave and the light pattern. However, these two functions may also be used separately. At least one of the pattern lights or components thereof may be fixed to the microwave antenna or at least partially integrated into the microwave antenna.

The microwave antenna has a hollow shaft which can be rotated about its longitudinal axis for conveying microwaves into the treatment space, and at least one optical element of the pattern lamp, in particular at least one optical element for shaping the light pattern, is arranged in the treatment space. Thus, advantageously, a particularly compact and stable pattern lamp may be provided. The at least one light source may likewise be arranged on or in the shaft and may thus likewise be rotatable. Alternatively, the at least one light source is arranged outside the shaft, in particular stationary or not motored together. The advantage is thus achieved that the arrangement, shape and/or size of the light sources can be chosen virtually arbitrarily. The at least one light source can therefore also be shielded particularly simply and effectively from the influence of microwave incidence. The light beam generated by the at least one light source can be incident into the shaft, for example, at an open end facing away from the treatment space, if appropriate via a deflection optics and/or a light guide.

At least one antenna wing or antenna blade can be arranged on the microwave antenna or on the shaft, which is provided to influence the distribution of the microwave incidence in the treatment space, in particular to homogenize it. The microwave antenna may be connected, i.e. directly or via a microwave guide, to a microwave generator, for example a magnetron or semiconductor-based microwave generator.

The shaft is at least partially separated from the treatment space by a microwave-transparent cover having a recess. The advantage is thus achieved that the microwave antenna is protected against contamination, for example by steam or splashes, and the incidence of the light pattern into the process space is still not impaired. The cover in particular separates the process space from a space ("dome") formed, for example, by a recess in a wall (e.g., a lid) of the process space. The cover can be, for example, a non-conductive plate, for example made of ceramic. The shaft can in particular be guided through the cutout or aligned with the cutout, as a result of which the cover advantageously reliably does not impair the radiation area of the pattern light.

The shaft has a first electrically conductive longitudinal section and a second electrically non-conductive longitudinal section, wherein the electrically conductive longitudinal section is located behind the cover (and thus in particular in the dome), and the electrically non-conductive longitudinal section is guided through the cutout. The advantage is thus achieved that the microwave distribution of the microwave antenna is not or not significantly impaired by the function of the light pattern, since only the electrically conductive sections influence the conduction and/or distribution of the microwaves.

Alternatively, the second longitudinal section may also be electrically conductive. The second longitudinal section may be composed of the same material as the first longitudinal section, or also of a different material.

In one embodiment, at least one optical element, in particular all optical elements, is arranged in the non-conductive longitudinal section. The advantage is thus achieved that the at least one optical element is not actually influenced by microwaves and vice versa. Assembly of the microwave antenna can be facilitated.

It is provided that the at least one profile information includes a height or height information of the object, a surface shape of the object, a position of the object in the cooking space, in particular in a specific transfer plane, a surface size of the object, a volume of the object and/or a mass of the object. The mass may be determined, for example, by the volume and type of object. The quality can in particular provide important parameters for an automatic cooking program or a thawing function in order to achieve a desired cooking result.

The object is also achieved by determining contour information of an object located in a processing space of a household appliance, wherein

(a) At least one light pattern is incident into the process space and the light pattern reflected there is detected in an image-wise manner,

(b) repeating step (a) with at least one light pattern rotated relative thereto,

(c) superimposing the reflected light pattern detected in steps (a) and (b), and

(d) in particular, at least one profile information of the object is determined from a distortion of the superimposed reflected light pattern, in particular compared to at least one light pattern, in particular the superimposed light pattern, reflected from the unloaded process space.

The method can be constructed similarly to a domestic appliance and vice versa and has the same advantages.

It is provided that the method is carried out several times during the treatment process (for example, a cooking process), which has the advantage that the development or change of the contour or shape over time can be determined. From this, in turn, it is possible, for example, to infer the progress of the treatment (for example, the progress of cooking) and adapt the treatment process accordingly. For example, the rising of the pasta can be monitored during the cooking process.

In general, the invention can also include the case where a conventional lamp (which is therefore not or not only designed for generating a light pattern, but additionally or alternatively has a lamp for conventional illumination of the cooking space and/or for non-rotational incidence of light information) is arranged on a rotatable or non-rotatable microwave antenna.

These lamps may inject light into the cooking space, in particular through the microwave guide and/or the hollow conductor of the microwave antenna.

Drawings

The above-described features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention, and the manner and method of how it may be carried out, will become more apparent and more readily understood in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are set forth in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1 shows a sketch of a microwave cooking device with exactly one pattern lamp and an image sensor in a side view as a sectional view;

fig. 2 shows a line-shaped light pattern projected by means of a pattern lamp at two different rotation angles from the view of the pattern lamp;

FIG. 3 shows the projected line-shaped light pattern of FIG. 2 from the perspective of the image sensor;

fig. 4 shows, in a plan view similar to fig. 2, a linear light pattern projected by means of two pattern lamps in the unloaded process space, from the perspective of the pattern lamps, at two respectively different angles of rotation;

fig. 5 shows a sketch of a variant of the microwave cooking device of fig. 1 with a pattern lamp integrated into the microwave antenna according to a first embodiment in a side view as a sectional view;

fig. 6 shows a sketch of a further variant of the microwave cooking device of fig. 1 with a pattern lamp integrated into the microwave antenna according to a second embodiment in a side view as a sectional view;

fig. 7 shows a sketch of a further variant of the microwave cooking device of fig. 1 with a pattern lamp integrated into the microwave antenna according to a third embodiment in a side view as a sectional view;

fig. 8 shows a sketch of a further variant of the microwave cooking device of fig. 1 with a pattern lamp integrated into the microwave antenna according to a fourth embodiment in a side view as a sectional view; and is

Fig. 9 shows a sketch of a further variant of the microwave cooking device of fig. 1 with a pattern lamp integrated into the microwave antenna according to a fifth embodiment in a side view as a sectional view.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a microwave cooking device 1, for example a pure microwave device, a microwave oven or a microwave-enabled oven, in a side view as a sectional illustration. The cooking appliance 1 has a cooking space 3 which can be closed by means of a door 2 and in which a cooking product G can be treated, in particular heated. The cooking appliance 1 or its operation can be controlled by means of a control device 4, for example, to carry out a cooking program or other operating sequences.

The cooking appliance 1 has a pattern light 6, which is arranged at least approximately in the middle of the cover 5 of the cooking space 3 and has at least one light source (in the form of a laser 7) and beam-forming optics 8 downstream of the laser 7. The light beam emitted by the laser 7 is shaped by means of a beam-forming optical component 8 into a light pattern L, which here has the shape of a straight line, for example, in the beam path behind the optical component 8.

The pattern light 6 can be rotated by means of a motor 9 which can be controlled by the control device 4, as is indicated by the curved arrow. This means that, as a rule, at least the beam-forming optics 8 are also rotatable, while the laser 7 can likewise be arranged rotatably or alternatively can be arranged stationary. The light pattern L is correspondingly rotated by rotating the pattern light 6. The pattern light 6 can be adjusted in a targeted manner to at least two angles of rotation or angles of rotation which are associated with different rotational positions. In a further development, the pattern light 6 can be arranged at least in the angular range [0 °; 180 ° for example, in a stepless manner or at a preset level or angular distance, for example, 1 °, 5 °, 10 ° or the like.

The image sensor is arranged in the form of a camera 10, in particular a color camera, in the region of a corner of the cooking space 3 on the lid side. The field of view S shown by the dashed line of the camera 10 includes a typical spatial area of the cooking item G and a projection plane of the incident light pattern L. The camera 10 is thus designed for capturing a light pattern or a projected pattern reflected from the cooking space 3.

The images captured by the camera 10 can be evaluated by means of the control device 4 in order to obtain or determine contour information associated with the cooking product G. Alternatively, the image may be evaluated in an external data processing device, such as a cloud computer or the like (not shown), wherein the external data processing device may be in communication connection with the cooking appliance 3 via the communication device 16 of the cooking appliance 3, for example a WLAN module, a bluetooth module, an ethernet module or the like. For determining the contour information, at least two images taken with light patterns L incident at different angles of rotation of the pattern light 6 are evaluated in a correlated manner, for example superimposed, as described more precisely below.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the pattern light 6, with the aid of the pattern light 6, of two different angles of rotation D₁And D₂Linear light pattern L projected into cooking space 3₁(D₁) And L₂(D₂) The image shape of (2). From this perspective, light patterns L1 and L2 are both linear, but at an angular difference D₂-D₁Stagger a certain angle. This results in an intersection or point of intersection S in a known location in the superimposed image (i.e. at the position of the axis of rotation of the pattern light 6)₀. The positions of the light patterns L1 and L2 do not depend on whether the cooking object G is located in the cooking space 3 from this perspective. It is then assumed that the point of intersection or cross-over S₀Is understood to be in the process of cookingThe location of the point in the cooking space 3 where there is no cooking object G, and may then also be referred to as the "zero point". The height position of the zero point can in a variant be determined from the plane of the displacement of the cooking product G.

Fig. 3 shows the projected line-shaped light pattern L1 or L2 of fig. 2 from the perspective of the camera 10. Since the camera 10 has a different angle of view into the cooking space 3 from the rotation axis of the pattern lamp 6, at least the light pattern L1 or L2 projected onto the cooking object G is distorted or changed based on the shape of the cooking object G.

In particular, from the perspective of the camera 10, the point of intersection S depends on the height of the cooking object G introduced_GMoving in the superimposed camera image. By comparing the intersections S_GIs located at the intersection S with no cooking object G₀The position of the pattern lamp 6 or the size of the generated movement, the height of the cooking object G on the extension of the rotation axis of the pattern lamp 6 (i.e., the intersection of the rotation axis and the cooking object G) can be determined as the profile information.

Furthermore, the light pattern L can be used₁、L₂Determines further contour information of the cooking item G. Depending on the surface shape of the cooking goods G, the course of the lines in the camera image can therefore be curved, stretched or interrupted, whereby, for example, spherical, hollow or irregular cooking goods can be deduced.

In principle, the intersection of any number of angularly offset incident line patterns can be used to determine the height of the cooking product G. By evaluating a sufficient number of light patterns L of different angles of rotation, for example, the region of the edge of the cooking product G which is covered or interrupted can be determined. In contrast, the projected area without the cooking object does not show any movement of the line pattern relative to its zero position. Thus, for example, the contour of the cooking product G can be determined by means of a geometric algorithm and converted into an area from which the surface size of the cooking product G is calculated from the known height. The high degree of surface correlation is caused by surface distortions in the camera image. The volume of the cooking product G can in turn be determined at least approximately from the area size. For more accurate calculation of the volume, the line distortion at the position of the cooking item G may also be taken into account.

FIG. 4 shows, from the perspective of the pattern lamps 6-1 and 6-2 or in a plan view similar to FIG. 2, a linear light pattern L projected by means of two cover-side pattern lamps 6-1 and 6-2 (not shown) spaced apart from one another in the case of two respectively different angles of rotation₁(6-1) and L₂(6-1) or L₁(6-2) and L₂(6-2) (shown in solid or dashed lines).

Advantageously, at least two height positions of the cooking product G can now be determined independently of one another. In general, profile information may be determined for each of the pattern lamps 6-1 and 6-2, e.g., in a manner similar to the process described in fig. 2 and 3. The additional advantage results that a larger surface area of the cooking product G can generally be evaluated than with only one pattern light 6, in particular if the cooking product G is shaped in a complex manner. The pattern lamps 6-1 and 6-2 can be controlled in particular independently of one another. The more independent pattern lamps 6-1 and 6-2 are used, the more the cooking space 3 or the cooking articles G present therein can be scanned seamlessly.

It is particularly advantageous here if a plurality of cameras 10-1 and 10-2 are present, which are directed at the cooking space 3 at different spatial angles, since "dead corners" in which the light pattern L or L in the camera image is located can thus be avoided as far as possible₁、L₂Covered by a cooking item G.

It is now also possible to evaluate the light patterns L belonging to the different pattern lamps 6-1 and 6-2₁、L₂The intersection point of (a).

From the light pattern L₁、L₂Determining the profile information of the cooking item G may be carried out a plurality of times during the cooking process, for example in order to monitor the cooking progress.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a variant of a microwave cooking device 1 with a pattern lamp 6 integrated into a microwave antenna 11 in a side view, partially as a sectional view.

Hitherto, electrically conductive microwave antennas have been coupled in microwave technology to a microwave generator (not shown) and serve to couple microwave radiation generated by the microwave generator into the cooking space 3. Microwave thermal radiation (currently typically having a power of up to 1 kW) or less measurement radiation (typically a few milliwatts) can be brought into the cooking space 3, for example, by means of a microwave antenna.

In order to prevent, in particular, a constantly uneven distribution of the microwaves in the cooking space 3, it is known to design the microwave antenna so as to be rotatable and equipped with at least one blade or wing 12. By adjusting the angle of rotation of the microwave antenna, a specific (not necessarily known) microwave distribution can be adjusted. It is known in particular to vary the microwave distribution in the cooking space 3 by varying the angle of rotation, so that there is a microwave distribution which is improved for cooking the cooking product 3. For this purpose, the microwave antenna can usually be rotated, if necessary stepwise or in practice steplessly by 360 °.

It is also known to place microwave antennas at least partially in a recess or dome 13 of the wall of the cooking space 3 (not limited to the lid 5 here). The microwave antenna can be guided through the wall 5 with its end section facing away from the cooking space, for example, in order to be coupled to a microwave guide (not shown).

It is also known to cover the dome 13 on the cooking space side by means of a cover a in order to prevent steam, splashes or other contaminants or stresses, such as water vapor, heat radiation or the like, in particular to seal it off from the cooking space 3. The cover a can be, for example, a ceramic plate or another cover made of a material that is transparent to microwaves.

In order to integrate the pattern lamp 6 into the microwave antenna 11 according to the invention, the microwave antenna 11 has a hollow, in particular tubular, shaft 14 which is open, in particular on both sides, and which can be rotated motorically about its longitudinal axis D. At least one blade 12 is disposed laterally of the shaft 14 and rotates with the shaft 14.

The pattern light 6 or the combined microwave antenna/pattern light (also referred to as "combined antenna" 6, 11) has a laser 7 or another light source (for example at least one LED) on the end of the shaft 14 facing away from the cooking space. The light beam emitted by the laser 7 is incident directly or indirectly (i.e. via a turning optic or light guide) into the shaft 14 (which may, but need not, then act as a light guide) and hits the beam-forming optic 8. The optics 8 may, for example, expand an incident light beam into a light pattern, such as a straight line, and may, for this purpose, be configured, for example, as a grating, a hood and/or a lens.

The optical means 8 are arranged in particular on the cooking space-side end section of the shaft 14. The optics 8 are fixedly connected with at least the shaft 14 and then thus rotate together with the shaft 14. In one embodiment, the laser 7 can likewise be arranged fixedly connected to the shaft on or in the shaft and likewise rotate together. Alternatively, the laser 7 is arranged stationary. In both cases, the longitudinal axis of the shaft 14 corresponds to the axis of rotation D of the pattern lamp.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the cover a is omitted in order to be able to achieve the light pattern L incident into the cooking space 3. Alternatively, a particularly thin transparent cover a may be used.

Fig. 6 shows a sketch of a further variant of a microwave cooking device 1 with a pattern lamp 6 integrated into a microwave antenna 15, partially as a sectional view, in a side view.

The microwave antenna 15 is constructed analogously to the microwave antenna 11, however, the hollow shaft 17 now has a longitudinal section 18, which projects through the dome 13 and faces away from the cooking space 3 (at the rear), which is composed of an electrically conductive material, for example metal, and a longitudinal section 19, which faces the cooking space 3 (at the front), which is composed of an electrically insulating material, for example ceramic or plastic. The electrically conductive blade 12 is arranged on the rear section 18. The rear longitudinal section 18 with the blades 12 is microwave-conducting or microwave-influencing, while the front longitudinal section 19 acts without or without significantly influencing the microwaves.

The front longitudinal section 19 projects rotatably through an opening or recess 20 in an electrically insulating cover 21 covering the dome 13. The optics 8 are arranged in a front section 19. The front longitudinal section 19 may protrude through the notch 20 as shown or be aligned with the notch surface.

This embodiment provides the advantage that the incidence of the light pattern L into the cooking space 3 is smoothly feasible and still particularly effectively protects the combined antenna 6, 15 against dirt from the cooking space 3.

The front longitudinal section 19 can be fixedly connected to the rear longitudinal section 18 and thus rotate together with the rear longitudinal section 18. By the connection between the rear longitudinal section 18 and the front longitudinal section 19, the beam path is particularly stable with respect to thermal deformations.

However, it is also possible for the front longitudinal section 19 to be fixedly connected to the cover 21, and for an air gap or other sliding surface to be present between the front longitudinal section 19 and the rear longitudinal section 18. The optics 8 can, for example, be present in the rear longitudinal section 18 and/or the lens pattern L can already be produced at least according to its basic shape by the laser 7 or the like rotating together.

Fig. 7 shows a sketch of a further variant of a microwave cooking device 1 with a pattern lamp 6 integrated into a microwave antenna 22 in a side view as a sectional view. The microwave antenna 22 is constructed analogously to the microwave antenna 15, wherein the front longitudinal section 23 is however now shaped such that it completely covers the recess 20. Thereby, the dome 13 is more effectively separated from the cooking space 3. In order to prevent friction between the front longitudinal section 23 and the cover 20, an air gap may be maintained between the two parts 20, 23.

Fig. 8 shows a sketch of a further variant of a microwave cooking device 1 with a pattern lamp 6 integrated into a microwave antenna 24 in a side view as a sectional view. The microwave antenna 24 is constructed identically to the microwave antenna 22, wherein the recess 20 is now closed or covered on the side facing away from the cooking space 3 by a cover seal 25. The cover seal 25 can be a disk located on the cover 21 or a shaped part which additionally surrounds the front longitudinal section 23. The larger the sealing surface, i.e. the cover 21 and the contact surface between the front longitudinal section 23 and the cover seal 25, the better the antenna dome 13 is sealed. The closing of the two sides of the through-opening 20 of the cover 21 provides the advantage that the gap between the front longitudinal section 23 and the cover 21 can be dimensioned larger and the dome 13 is still closed, in particular air-tight. This results in easier manufacturability of the components, since no precise dimensional tolerances are required (e.g. allowing eccentric running/swinging of the axis of rotation D). Even in the case of deviations in geometry from the manufacturing-related design, it can be ensured that dirt cannot penetrate from the cooking space 3 into the dome 13 and further, for example, into the hollow conductor of the microwave guide and/or into the switching chamber.

The cover seal 25 can additionally be pressed onto the cover 21 by a holding device, such as a spring 26, in order to hold it in place. It is thus achieved that the cover seal 25 is always placed flat on the cover 21.

Fig. 9 shows a sketch of a further variant of a microwave cooking device 1 with a pattern lamp 6 integrated into a microwave antenna 27 in a side view as a sectional view. In contrast to fig. 6, the cover 28 is now not fixedly connected to the lid 5, but is movably fixed thereto by means of the retaining tongues 39, 30. By means of the transverse distance between the cover 28 and the cover 5, the cover 28 can follow the movement of the combined antennas 6, 27 in the case of an eccentric operation thereof. This also results in easier manufacturability.

The different embodiments enable the introduction of microwave power and light beams without interference while preventing contamination.

In general and also in embodiments, the optics 8 can be protected against contamination by cooking products, for example by grease splashes. This may be achieved, for example, by providing a shutter or closure, which may be controlled in such a way that the optics 8 are exposed only when light is incident into the cooking space 3. Another possibility is that the optics 8 can be extended from the shafts 14, 17 for light incidence and pulled back into the shafts 14, 17 after the light incidence.

It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

In general, "a", "an", etc. may be understood as meaning, in particular, "at least one" or "one or more", etc., in the singular or plural, as long as this is not explicitly excluded, for example, by the expression "exactly one", etc.

The numerical specification may also include exactly the stated numbers and the usual tolerance ranges, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

List of reference numerals

1 microwave cooking device

2 door

3 cooking space

4 control device

5 cover

6 pattern lamp

6-1 pattern lamp

6-2 pattern lamp

7 laser

8 optical device

9 Motor

10 Camera

10-1 camera

10-2 camera

11 microwave antenna

12 blade

13 dome

14 shaft

15 microwave antenna

16 communication device

17 axle

18 rear longitudinal section

19 front longitudinal section

20 gap

21 cover

22 microwave antenna

23 front longitudinal section

24 microwave antenna

25 cover seal

26 spring

27 microwave antenna

28 cover

29 fixation tongue plate

30 fixed tongue plate

A covering part

Axis of rotation D

D₁Angle of rotation

D₂Angle of rotation

G cooking article

L light pattern

L₁Light pattern

L₂Light pattern

Field of view of S camera

S₀Intersection point

S_GAnd (4) an intersection point.