DE102023115166B4 - Holder for a core temperature sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

Holder for a core temperature sensor (22), comprising a tube (34) which is designed to shield microwaves in a parking position of the core temperature sensor (22), wherein the tube (34) is open on both sides and has a length which is shorter than a length of a measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22), and wherein the tube (34) has an inner diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22), characterized in that the tube (34) is half as long as the measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22).

Description

The invention relates to a holder for a core temperature sensor, an assembly with a holder and a core temperature sensor and a cooking appliance.

In professional and commercial kitchens, cooking appliances are used that can cook food in a variety of ways. In addition to traditional methods that use hot air and/or steam to cook the food, modern cooking appliances often also use microwave sources that heat the food using electromagnetic radiation (microwaves). Magnetrons and semiconductor components can generally be used as microwave sources.

Modern cooking appliances also often feature core temperature probes for measuring the temperature inside the food, i.e., the core of the food. These typically have a handle and a measuring probe that can be inserted into the food and has a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature.

Of course, monitoring the core temperature of food isn't necessarily necessary or useful for every cooking process. This depends, in particular, on the type of food being cooked. Therefore, it may happen that the core temperature probe isn't inserted into the food while the cooking appliance is in operation.

Many cooking appliances therefore have holders inside the cooking chamber in which the core temperature probe can be stored when it is not currently inserted into a food item. This positioning of the core temperature probe in the holder is also referred to below as the "parking position." Due to the defined parking position for the core temperature probe, it is not necessary to unplug the core temperature probe and store it separately to prevent arcing when the cooking appliance is in microwave mode.

Various types of core temperature sensor holders are known from the state of the art.

The DE 10 2014 117 693 A1 discloses a holder with a tube open on one side.

From the WO 2003/ 078 899 A2 A holder with two ring-shaped holding elements is known.

The DE 36 41 659 C1 describes a holder that is designed as a receiving sleeve or sleeve-like pocket.

The EP 1 271 061 A2 discloses a cylindrical core temperature sensor holder with a lateral recess which thermally shields the core temperature sensor in the inserted state.

In cases where the cooking appliance is in operation and the core temperature probe is in the holder in the cooking chamber, very high thermal loads may occur, which may lead to a shortened service life and/or damage to the core temperature probe, in particular the integrated temperature sensor.

This can also occur when the cooking appliance is operated with microwaves and a very small load. Due to the low microwave absorption by the load, the microwave radiation within the cooking chamber can become excessive, resulting in a disproportionate amount of energy being coupled into the core temperature probe via the microwaves. Even if the core temperature probe has a microwave trap to protect the temperature sensor and/or a control system of the cooking appliance to which the core temperature probe is connected, the microwave trap can become overloaded in such a situation.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a technically simple way of protecting the core temperature sensor when it is not inserted into a food item during operation of the cooking appliance.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a holder for a core temperature sensor with a tube designed to shield microwaves when the core temperature sensor is parked. The tube is open on both sides and has a length that is shorter than the length of a measuring probe of the core temperature sensor. The tube has an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the measuring probe of the core temperature sensor.

According to the invention, the tube is half as long as the measuring probe of the core temperature sensor.

The basic idea of the invention is to design the holder in such a way that the measuring probe and/or a microwave trap of the core temperature sensor are at least partially located within the tube in the parked position and are protected from microwave radiation by the tube. This ensures that the energy input of the microwaves into the core temperature sensor is reduced, thereby providing better protection, especially for the internal components of the core temperature sensor.

The tube can be a metal tube, for example, especially a stainless steel tube. This ensures effective microwave shielding and high stability of the mount, even in a cooking chamber environment that promotes corrosion.

The holder according to the invention ensures that the core temperature probe is actually stored in the parked position and not located somewhere in the cooking chamber. This is important to prevent arcing between the core temperature probe and a cooking chamber wall if the cooking appliance were to be operated in microwave mode. The protective effect of the holder is therefore ensured. If, for example, a user of the cooking appliance forgets to insert the core temperature probe into the designated holder after use and it is lying near a metal object in the cooking chamber, arcing can occur and thus damage the cooking appliance.

The functionality of the position detection of the core temperature sensor and the interaction with the holder according to the invention are explained below.

During normal cooking processes, the temperature inside the cooking chamber, i.e., the cooking chamber temperature, rises. Regardless of whether the core temperature probe is in the holder or parking position as intended or, for example, is positioned on the floor of the cooking chamber, the entire measuring probe will (essentially) reach the cooking chamber temperature after some time.

When the cooking chamber is ventilated, for example by opening the cooking chamber door, a sudden drop in temperature typically occurs in the cooking chamber.

If the core temperature sensor is unprotected in the cooking chamber (for example on the cooking chamber floor), this drop in temperature causes the entire measuring probe to cool down.

However, if the core temperature sensor is inserted into the holder according to the invention, the cooling behavior of the measuring probe is different, as it is at least partially surrounded by the tube, which creates a microclimate that is slower than the cooking chamber climate. Therefore, the temperature inside the tube changes with a time delay compared to the cooking chamber temperature.

Because the holder tube is shorter than the length of the measuring probe, the core temperature sensor can be inserted into the holder so that one measuring probe tip protrudes from the tube. This way, in the parked position, the measuring probe tip is directly exposed to the cooking chamber atmosphere, while another part of the measuring probe is surrounded by the tube. When the cooking chamber door is opened, the tip of the measuring probe can cool down correspondingly quickly, especially faster than the part of the measuring probe surrounded by the tube.

This difference in cooling behavior can be detected and evaluated using temperature sensors located in the measuring probe. Based on this evaluation, it can be determined whether the core temperature probe is actually in the parked position or not. This applies analogously when heating the cooking chamber, as a temperature sensor located in the measuring tip detects a higher temperature sooner than a temperature sensor located in the part of the measuring probe shielded by the tube.

The inventive design of the tube, half as long as the measuring probe of the core temperature sensor, enables position detection for various conventional core temperature sensors, which typically have several temperature sensors arranged at a distance from one another along the length of the measuring probe.

In addition, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor located in the measuring tip can be compared with a temperature detected by a cooking chamber temperature sensor of the cooking appliance. This provides a plausibility check.

If the core temperature probe is not in the park position, appropriate measures can be taken to prevent damage to the core temperature probe and/or the cooking appliance. For example, a warning message can be issued or a control system can ensure that no microwaves are fed into the cooking chamber.

In other words, the geometric design of the holder makes it possible to impose a specific cooling behavior on the core temperature probe's measuring probe. This can be measured and used for position detection or position verification of the core temperature probe.

In one embodiment of the invention, the tube has a frontal support surface for a handle of the core temperature sensor. This allows the core temperature sensor to be can be easily and quickly inserted into the holder. To do this, the measuring probe is guided through the tube until the core temperature probe handle rests against the support surface. This prevents the core temperature probe from slipping through the holder. In particular, the handle rests on the support surface via a ring when the core temperature probe is in the parked position.

Typically, at least part of a microwave trap is integrated into the core temperature probe handle. The microwave trap can extend to the rim.

Furthermore, the holder can be provided with a centering device spaced from the pipe for centering the measuring probe. This ensures that the core temperature sensor is seated in the holder as intended. This results in defined distances to the inside of the pipe. For example, a coaxial arrangement of the measuring probe with respect to the pipe is ensured.

The centering device preferably has a section with a hole through which the measuring tip of the measuring probe can be inserted. For example, the centering device can be formed from a sheet metal section into which the hole is drilled. This is technically very simple and cost-effective to implement. Of course, the centering device can also act as additional microwave shielding in addition to the tube.

In a further embodiment, the hole has an electrically and/or thermally insulating lining for guiding the measuring tip of the measuring probe, preferably a plastic ring, a plastic tube, and/or a plastic collar, particularly preferably made of PTFE. This prevents the measuring tip from rubbing against the inside of the hole when inserting the core temperature probe, thereby causing scratches over time. PTFE is particularly well suited for this purpose due to its heat resistance and good sliding properties.

In addition, the insulating lining can prevent direct electrical and/or thermal contact between the measuring probe and the centering device. Such contact can lead to a change in the cooling behavior of the measuring probe and thus negatively impact position detection.

In a preferred embodiment, the tube and the hole are arranged circularly and coaxially to each other. This allows for particularly easy insertion of the core temperature holder into the holder.

In another version of the mount, the tube is between 20 and 60 mm long, preferably 40 mm. For conventional core temperature sensors, this tube length corresponds to half the length of the measuring probe.

The object of the invention is further achieved by an assembly comprising a holder according to the invention and a core temperature sensor having a handle and a measuring probe with a measuring tip provided at one end of the measuring probe. In a parked position, the measuring probe of the core temperature sensor extends at least through the tube of the holder such that the measuring probe partially protrudes from the tube, so that the measuring tip and the handle are located on opposite sides of the tube in the parked position.

The advantages discussed for the bracket also apply to the assembly.

In one embodiment of the assembly, the core temperature sensor has a microwave trap, for example a λ/4 trap, which is shielded from microwaves in the parking position by the tube of the holder.

The microwave trap can be arranged in or on the handle of the core temperature sensor in such a way that it prevents the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the microwave range between the measuring probe, in particular cables arranged in the measuring probe, and a signal cable protruding from the core temperature sensor at the end of the handle.

In particular, the microwave trap can also be arranged in the transition area of the core temperature sensor from the handle to the measuring probe, i.e., extending to the end of the handle facing the measuring tip. As already explained above, the rim of the handle can be formed here, via which the core temperature sensor rests on the support surface of the tube in the parked position. This prevents microwaves from coupling into the microwave trap in the parked position, since the microwave trap, in particular a coupling area of the microwave trap, is electromagnetically insulated by the tube. This design allows the core temperature sensor and, in particular, the microwave trap itself to be particularly effectively protected from microwaves.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is also achieved by a cooking appliance comprising a A core temperature probe with a handle and a measuring probe, wherein the core temperature probe has at least a first temperature sensor in the measuring probe and a second temperature sensor spaced apart from the first temperature sensor. The cooking appliance further comprises a holder according to the invention for holding the core temperature probe and is characterized in that, in a parked position, the measuring probe of the core temperature probe is guided at least partially through the tube of the holder and protrudes from the tube such that the first temperature sensor is located outside the tube.

The advantages discussed for the bracket and the assembly naturally also apply to the cooking appliance.

In a preferred embodiment, the second temperature sensor is provided in the handle of the core temperature sensor or in a region of the measuring lance of the core temperature sensor which is in the parking position within the tube.

Because at least one temperature sensor is located inside the tube and another is in the parked position outside the tube, they react at different speeds to sudden temperature changes in the cooking chamber. Normally, the temperature sensor located inside the tube will react more slowly to the temperature change. This is because a temperature change inside the tube occurs with a delay. Air exchange is only possible through one opening in the tube when the core temperature sensor is in its parked position, namely the opening facing away from the handle. The tube therefore shields the part of the measuring probe containing the temperature sensor from the cooking chamber atmosphere. The same applies to a temperature sensor integrated into the handle.

These different cooling characteristics of the temperature sensors or the immediate sensor environments can be measured and used as described above for position detection or position verification of the core temperature sensor.

In one embodiment of the cooking appliance, the holder is arranged in a cooking chamber of the cooking appliance so that the tube is vertically aligned. This allows the core temperature probe to be easily inserted into the holder from above. With this arrangement, gravity ensures that the core temperature probe is securely mounted in the holder and cannot slip out.

In a further embodiment, at least the tube of the holder is electrically connected to a wall of the cooking chamber and/or a component within the cooking chamber. Preferably, there is a mechanical, electrical, and/or thermal connection to a member of a rack, such as a strut or support. This connection can, for example, prevent electrical charges and/or dissipate heat, which improves component safety on the one hand and the measurement accuracy and reproducibility of measurements in the parking position on the other.

Furthermore, the cooking appliance can be designed such that the first temperature sensor is directly exposed to the cooking chamber atmosphere during operation of the cooking appliance when the core temperature probe is arranged in the parked position. In particular, it is conceivable that the area of the measuring probe in which the first temperature sensor is located is directly exposed to the cooking chamber atmosphere, for example, a hot air flow. This ensures that the first temperature sensor responds very quickly to temperature changes. This, in turn, increases the predictive accuracy of the position detection described above.

• - 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts;
• - 2 einen Ausschnitt aus einem Innenraum des Gargeräts aus 1;
• - 3 eine erfindungsgemäße Baugruppe;
• - 4 ein Diagramm mit Temperaturverläufen mehrerer Temperatursensoren eines Kerntemperaturfühlers in einer Parkposition; und
• - 5 eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Baugruppe.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings:

• - 1 a schematic representation of a cooking appliance according to the invention;
• - 2 a section of the interior of the cooking appliance 1 ;
• - 3 an assembly according to the invention;
• - 4 a diagram showing temperature profiles of several temperature sensors of a core temperature sensor in a parking position; and
• - 5 a further embodiment of an assembly according to the invention.

In 1 A cooking appliance 10 according to the invention is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the cooking appliance 10 has a cooking chamber 12, a microwave source 14, also referred to as a microwave generator, and a hot air source 16.

The microwave source 14 or the microwave generator generates microwaves which are fed into the cooking chamber 12 in order to cook a food 18 introduced into the cooking chamber 12, i.e. to introduce (additional) energy into the food 18 by means of microwaves.

The hot air source 16 can generate hot air, which is also introduced into the cooking chamber 12 in order to cook the food 18 by exposing the food 18 to thermal energy (heat). Optionally, the cooking appliance 10 can of course also have various other energy sources through which energy is introduced into the food 18 during cooking. For example, the cooking appliance 10 also has a steam generator and/or a fan wheel to create a cooking chamber climate in the cooking chamber 12.

The cooking appliance 10 further comprises an assembly 20 according to the invention. This assembly comprises a core temperature sensor 22 and a holder 24 for the core temperature sensor 22.

The holder 24 serves to safely store the core temperature probe 22 when it is not currently inserted into the food 18. This is also referred to as the parking position of the core temperature probe 22.

In the exemplary embodiment, the assembly 20 is located in the cooking chamber 12 of the cooking appliance 10. The holder 24 is attached to a vertical bar 26 of a frame in the cooking chamber 12.

Furthermore, the cooking appliance 10 has a control unit 28 by means of which cooking processes can be controlled, for example by monitoring the cooking chamber temperature and regulating the heating power of the microwave source 14 and/or the hot air source 16.

The core temperature sensor 22 is connected to the control unit 28 via a signal cable 30. Temperature information can be transmitted from the core temperature sensor 22 to the control unit 28 via this signal cable 30, based on which the control unit 28, among other things, (automatically) controls the cooking process.

The 1 The components shown and their interaction are described in detail below using the additional figures.

2 shows a section of an interior of the cooking appliance 10, in which the bar 26 and the holder 24 attached to it are shown three-dimensionally.

In the illustrated example, both the bar 26 and the bracket 24 are made of stainless steel. This has the advantage that the components are easy to clean and corrosion-resistant.

In the variant shown, the holder 24 comprises a holder base 32 and a tube 34.

In the described variant, the mounting base 32 consists of a stainless steel sheet and is connected to the spar 26 as a single piece. More precisely, the mounting base 32 is formed from a portion of a spar sheet section. Alternatively, the mounting base 32 can also be formed separately from the spar 26 and attached to it. In particular, the mounting base 32 can also be connected to the spar 26 via weld points and/or a weld seam.

The support base 32 has two sections angled at 90° at its upper and lower ends.

The tube 34 is attached to the upper of the two sections, ensuring it is securely mounted. In the illustrated example, it is welded to create a particularly secure and durable connection between the two parts.

Tube 34 is straight and also made of stainless steel. Being made of metal, it effectively shields microwaves. Of course, this is not intended to be limiting. Curved tubes for special core temperature sensor types, as well as other tube materials, are also conceivable.

The holder 24 is arranged in the cooking chamber 12 such that the tube 34 is aligned vertically, i.e., parallel to the bar 26. However, it can also be arranged such that it extends in a direction that has a defined angle (not equal to 0) to the orientation of the bar 26. Ultimately, this also depends on the design of the core temperature sensor 22.

The tube 34 is open at its upper and lower ends so that the core temperature sensor 22 can be easily inserted into the tube 34.

The lower end of the holder 24 forms a centering device 36 for the core temperature sensor 22, spaced from the tube 34. For this purpose, the holder 24, in particular the bent sheet metal section, has a hole 38. In this case, the hole 38 is created, for example, by drilling a hole in the sheet metal section. The hole 38 serves to guide and center the core temperature sensor 22 when inserted into the holder 24.

Both the tube 34 and the hole 38 are circular and arranged coaxially to each other. This simplifies the insertion of the core temperature sensor 22 into the holder 24.

Of course, the feature of the centering device 36 is not to be understood as restrictive or mandatory. Rather, embodiments of the holder 24 according to the invention are also conceivable in which no centering device 36 is provided.

3 shows an assembly 20 according to the invention, which comprises the 1 and 2 shown holder 24 and the core temperature sensor 22.

The core temperature sensor 22 in turn comprises a handle 40 with a ring 42, which serves as a spark guard, and a measuring lance 44 with a measuring tip 46, which is provided at one end of the measuring lance 44.

The core temperature sensor 22 also has a plurality of temperature sensors 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, which are arranged within the measuring lance 44 and are (uniformly) distributed over its entire length.

A first temperature sensor 48 is located at the measuring tip 46 and a second temperature sensor 50 is located in the measuring lance 44, but near the handle 40.

A third temperature sensor 52, a fourth temperature sensor 54, a fifth temperature sensor 56, and a sixth temperature sensor 58 are optionally arranged between them. The greater the number of temperature sensors, the more information can be obtained, for example, about the insertion depth. This also results in redundant temperature detection should one of the temperature sensors fail.

Furthermore, the core temperature sensor 22 comprises a microwave trap 60, which is arranged at a transition region from the handle 40 to the measuring lance 44, in particular has its coupling region there, via which microwaves enter the microwave trap 60.

The microwave trap 60 prevents electromagnetic waves in the microwave range from propagating between the measuring probe 44 and the handle 40 of the core temperature sensor 22 or the signal cable 30. This serves, in particular, to protect the component.

Furthermore, the microwave trap 60 also serves to prevent additional, in particular undesired, energy input into the food 18 via the measuring lance 44.

In principle, a temperature sensor can also be assigned to the microwave trap 60, which detects heating of the microwave trap 60 in order, among other things, to obtain conclusions about energy absorbed in the microwave trap 60.

In 3 The core temperature sensor 22 is shown in the parked position. It is inserted into the holder 24.

The tube 34 has an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the measuring lance 44 of the core temperature sensor 22. This results in an annular gap between the inner wall of the tube 34 and the measuring lance 44.

Furthermore, the core temperature sensor 22 can be easily brought into the parking position and safely stored there by inserting the measuring lance 44 into the tube 34.

In addition, the tube 34 has a length that is shorter than the length of a measuring probe 44 of the core temperature sensor 22. In the exemplary embodiment, the tube 34, at approximately 40 mm, is approximately half as long as the measuring probe 44 of the core temperature sensor 22.

Due to this special geometry, the measuring lance 44 with the measuring tip 46 protrudes downwards from the tube 34 in the parking position.

Towards the top, the tube 34 has a support surface 84 for the handle 40 of the core temperature sensor 22, in particular the ring 42. Because the handle 40, in particular the ring 42, has a larger diameter than the tube 34 in the exemplary embodiment, the handle 40 rests on top of the tube 34, which prevents the core temperature sensor 22 from slipping through the holder 24.

In the parking position, the measuring tip 46 and the handle 40 protrude from the tube 34 on opposite sides.

The measuring probe 44 extends downwards to the centering device 36. The measuring tip 46 protrudes through the hole 38 of the centering device 36 and thus vertically aligns the core temperature sensor 22 in the holder 24. In particular, this also achieves a defined distance between the measuring probe 44 and the tube 34.

To prevent scratches on the measuring tip 46 when the core temperature sensor 22 is repeatedly inserted and removed from the holder 24, the hole 38 in the exemplary embodiment has a lining 62 made of PTFE, which is designed as a plastic collar. This lining lines the inner wall of the hole 38 and thereby electrically and/or thermally insulates the measuring probe 44 from the holder 24. This also improves the measuring behavior of the core temperature sensor 22 in the parked position.

In the described embodiment, the measuring tip 46 of the measuring lance 44 protrudes so far downwards from the tube 34 that the first temperature sensor 48 lies outside the tube 34.

This also applies to the third temperature sensor 52 and the fourth temperature sensor 54.

As a result, these temperature sensors are directly exposed to the cooking chamber atmosphere when the cooking appliance 10 is in operation.

The second temperature sensor 50, on the other hand, is located inside the tube 34 and is shielded from the cooking chamber 12 by this.

This also applies to the sixth temperature sensor 58.

The fifth temperature sensor 56 is located at the lower end of the tube 34 and is therefore less well shielded than the second and sixth temperature sensors 50, 58.

The coupling section of the microwave trap 60 also adjoins the tube 34 in the parked position, whereby coupling of microwaves into the microwave trap 60 is only possible via the tube 34, which is why additional shielding is ensured.

In the exemplary embodiment, the core temperature sensor 22 is positioned such that a small gap exists between a housing or sleeve of the microwave trap 60 and the inside of the tube 34 (not shown).

This effectively protects the microwave trap 60 from microwave radiation and at the same time thermally and electrically insulates it from the holder 24.

Alternatively, the microwave trap 60 can also be arranged partially or completely within the handle 40. In this case, it can be provided that a part of the handle 40 or a part of the microwave trap 60 protruding beyond the handle 40 protrudes into the tube 34 in order to effectively shield the microwave trap 60 from microwaves in the parked position (not shown).

The special geometric design of the holder 24 creates a characteristic heating and cooling behavior in different areas of the core temperature sensor 22.

This is in 4 shown using a diagram with the temperature curves of the temperature sensors 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58.

• - einen ersten Temperaturverlauf 64 des ersten Temperatursensors 48,
• - einen zweiten Temperaturverlauf 66 des zweiten Temperatursensors 50,
• - einen dritten Temperaturverlauf 68 des dritten Temperatursensors 52,
• - einen vierten Temperaturverlauf 70 des vierten Temperatursensors 54,
• - einen fünften Temperaturverlauf 72 des fünften Temperatursensors 56, und
• - einen sechsten Temperaturverlauf 74 des sechsten Temperatursensors 58.

The diagram shows:

• - a first temperature profile 64 of the first temperature sensor 48,
• - a second temperature profile 66 of the second temperature sensor 50,
• - a third temperature profile 68 of the third temperature sensor 52,
• - a fourth temperature profile 70 of the fourth temperature sensor 54,
• - a fifth temperature profile 72 of the fifth temperature sensor 56, and
• - a sixth temperature profile 74 of the sixth temperature sensor 58.

In addition, a first door closing time 76 and a second door closing time 78 are marked in the diagram, at which the door of the cooking chamber 12 (“cooking chamber door”) was closed, and a first door opening time 80 and a second door opening time 82, at which the door of the cooking chamber 12 was opened.

The recording of the diagram begins at a time when the cooking appliance 10 has already been operated, the interior of the cooking chamber 12 has heated up accordingly and, due to an open door (e.g. due to the removal of a food item 18), hot air has been able to escape from the cooking chamber 12 and cooler air has been able to flow in.

Therefore, the temperature profiles of the unprotected temperature sensors 48, 52, 54 and 56 (the first temperature profile 64, the third temperature profile 68, the fourth temperature profile 70 and the fifth temperature profile 72), which are directly exposed to the cooking chamber atmosphere, initially have only low temperature values.

The temperature sensors two 48 and six 58 arranged inside the tube 34, however, are shielded from the cooking chamber atmosphere.

Accordingly, they react more slowly to temperature changes in the cooking chamber 12, which occur due to the opening of the door of the cooking chamber 12.

Therefore, the second temperature curve 66 and the sixth temperature curve 74 start at a higher initial temperature.

After the cooking chamber door is closed at the first door closing time 76, the cooking chamber atmosphere warms up again due to the operation of the heat sources, and temperature profiles 64, 68, 70, 72 rise. Due to the shielding of the second and sixth temperature sensors 48, 58 by the tube 34, temperature profiles two and six 66, 74 react with a delay. Therefore, they drop slightly after the first door closing time 76 before beginning a renewed rise.

After some time, the cooking chamber door is opened at the first door opening time 80, for example to remove fully cooked food 18 and to load the cooking appliance 10 with new food 18.

When the door of the cooking chamber 12 is opened, hot air can escape from the cooking chamber 12 and cooler air can flow in. Accordingly, the temperature curves of the unprotected temperature sensors 48, 52, 54, and 56, which are directly exposed to the cooking chamber atmosphere (the first temperature curve 64, the third temperature curve 68, the fourth temperature curve 70, and the fifth temperature curve 72), drop very quickly.

The two temperature sensors 48 and six 58 arranged inside the tube 34 react more weakly and with a time delay due to the shielding, as can be seen from the second temperature curve 66 and the sixth temperature curve 74.

When the cooking chamber door is subsequently closed again at the second door closing time 78, the temperature curves 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74 of all temperature sensors 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 rise again. Here, too, the temperature sensors shielded by tube 34 react with a time delay.

The different response behavior of the temperature sensors 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 caused by the holder 24 can be evaluated in order to draw a conclusion about the position of the core temperature sensor 22, in particular whether it is actually inserted into the holder 24.

If, for example, the core temperature sensor 22 were to lie unprotected on the cooking chamber floor, all temperature sensors 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 would react comparatively quickly to the change in the temperature of the cooking chamber atmosphere when the door is opened.

If, however, the core temperature probe 22 were inserted into a food item 18, the temperature sensors 48, 52 located closer to the measuring tip 46 would be shielded from the cooking chamber atmosphere by the food item 18 or would output the temperature of the food item 18. In other words, these temperature sensors 48, 52 do not react at all to the opening of the cooking chamber door, or only after the food item 18 has cooled down, unlike the temperature sensors located in the immediate vicinity of the handle or in the handle 40.

The response behavior of the temperature sensors therefore provides information about the position of the core temperature sensor 22 in the cooking appliance 10.

The special design of the holder 24 ensures reliable position detection of the core temperature sensor 22 and adequate protection against microwaves.

5 shows a further embodiment of an assembly 20 according to the invention with a holder 24 according to the invention and a core temperature sensor 22.

Assembly 20 differs from the one in 3 shown embodiment in that the holder 24 does not have a centering device 36. This simplifies the insertion of the core temperature sensor 22, since it does not have to be threaded into the centering device 36.

The remaining elements of assembly 20 essentially correspond to those of the 3 and are designated by the same reference numbers.

Claims (13)

Holder for a core temperature sensor (22), comprising a tube (34) which is designed to shield microwaves in a parking position of the core temperature sensor (22), wherein the tube (34) is open on both sides and has a length which is shorter than a length of a measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22), and wherein the tube (34) has an inner diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22), characterized in that the tube (34) is half as long as the measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22). Bracket according to Claim 1 , wherein the tube (34) has a frontal support surface (84) for a handle (40) of the core temperature sensor (22). Bracket according to Claim 1 or 2 , comprising a centering device (36) spaced from the tube (34) for centering the measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22). Bracket according to Claim 3 , wherein the centering device (36) comprises a section with a hole (38), in particular wherein the hole (38) has an electrically and/or thermally insulating lining (62) for guiding the measuring tip (46) of the measuring lance (44), preferably a plastic ring, a plastic tube and/or a plastic collar, particularly preferably made of PTFE. Bracket according to Claim 4 , wherein the tube (34) and the hole (38) are circular and arranged coaxially to each other. Holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (34) is between 20 and 60 mm long, preferably 40 mm. An assembly comprising a holder (24) according to any one of the preceding claims and a core temperature sensor (22) having a handle (40) and a measuring lance (44) with a measuring tip (46) provided at one end of the measuring lance (44), wherein the measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22) extends, in a parked position, at least through the tube (34) of the holder (24) such that the measuring lance (44) partially protrudes from the tube (34), so that the measuring tip (46) and the handle (40) are provided on opposite sides of the tube (34) in the parked position. Assembly according to Claim 7 , wherein the core temperature sensor (22) has a microwave trap (60) which is shielded from microwaves in the parking position by the tube (34) of the holder (24). Cooking appliance, comprising a core temperature sensor (22) with a handle (40) and a measuring lance (44), wherein the core temperature sensor (22) has at least a first temperature sensor (48) in the measuring lance (44) and a second temperature sensor (50) spaced from the first temperature sensor (48), wherein the cooking appliance (10) further comprises a holder (24) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 for holding the core temperature sensor (22) in a parking position, wherein the parking position is characterized in that the measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22) is guided at least partially through the tube (34) of the holder (24) and protrudes from the tube (34) such that the first temperature sensor (48) is located outside the tube (34). Cooking appliance after Claim 9 , wherein the second temperature sensor (50) is provided in the handle (40) of the core temperature sensor (22) or in a region of the measuring lance (44) of the core temperature sensor (22) which is in the parking position within the tube (34). Cooking appliance after Claim 9 or 10 , wherein the holder (24) is arranged in a cooking chamber (12) of the cooking appliance (10) such that the tube (34) is aligned vertically. Cooking appliance according to one of the Claims 9 until 11 , wherein at least the tube (34) of the holder (24) is electrically conductively connected to a wall of the cooking chamber (12) and/or a component in the cooking chamber (12), in particular a bar (26). Cooking appliance according to one of the Claims 9 until 12 , wherein the core temperature sensor (22) is arranged in the parking position such that the first temperature sensor (48) is directly exposed to a cooking chamber atmosphere during operation of the cooking appliance (10).

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