Removable multi-zone griddle for a cooktop appliance

Abstract

A method of operating a cooktop including a plurality of heating elements, a griddle removably positioned over the plurality of heating elements, the griddle defining a first heating zone and a second heating zone, a temperature sensing assembly operably coupled to the griddle for monitoring a first zone temperature of the first heating zone and a second zone temperature of the second heating zone, and a griddle detection system. The method includes receiving a request to perform a griddle cooking operation, determining that the griddle is present, receiving a command that the griddle cooking operation includes a common target temperature for the first heating zone and the second heating zone, obtaining the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly, and operating the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature to the common target temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a cooktop, the cooktop comprising a plurality of heating elements, a griddle removably positioned over the plurality of heating elements, the griddle defining a first heating zone and a second heating zone, a temperature sensing assembly operably coupled to the griddle for monitoring a first zone temperature of the first heating zone and a second zone temperature of the second heating zone, and a griddle detection system, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to perform a griddle cooking operation;   determining that the griddle is present on the cooktop using the griddle detection system;   receiving a command that the griddle cooking operation includes a common target temperature for the first heating zone and the second heating zone;   obtaining the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly; and   operating the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature to the common target temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a command that the griddle cooking operation includes a first target temperature and a second target temperature;   obtaining the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly; and   operating the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature to the first target temperature and the second zone temperature to the second target temperature.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first target temperature and the second target temperature are different by greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a command that the griddle cooking operation is a single burner operation at a first target temperature;   obtaining the first zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly; and   operating a first heating element of the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature to the first target temperature.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 receiving a request to operate a second heating element of the plurality of heating elements in an open-loop cooking mode;   determining a target heating level of the second heating element;   operating the second heating element at the target heating level; and   adjusting operation of the first heating element to maintain the first zone temperature at the first target temperature.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that the griddle is not present on the cooktop using the griddle detection system; and   providing a user notification that the griddle is not present.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cooktop further comprises a control knob assembly comprising a manual valve for manually regulating a heating level of a heating element of the plurality of heating elements or placing the heating element in a griddle mode; and
 an encoder for selecting a target temperature of a heating zone associated with the heating element in the griddle mode.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cooktop further comprises an interactive display, wherein user inputs and user notifications are communicated at least partially using the interactive display. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the interactive display is a touch screen display. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensing assembly comprises a first temperature sensor embedded in the first heating zone of the griddle and a second temperature sensor embedded in the second heating zone of the griddle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein operating the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature to the common target temperature comprises:
 implementing a closed-loop feedback control algorithm based on the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the closed-loop feedback control algorithm comprises a proportional control algorithm, a proportional-integral control algorithm, or a proportional-integral-derivative control algorithm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the griddle further defines a third heating zone, the temperature sensing assembly monitors a third zone temperature of the third heating zone, the method further comprising:
 receiving a third target temperature;   obtaining the third zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly; and   operating the plurality of heating elements to drive the third zone temperature to the third target temperature.   
     
     
         14 . A cooktop defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the cooktop comprising:
 a plurality of heating elements;   a griddle removably positioned over the plurality of heating elements, the griddle defining a first heating zone and a second heating zone;   a griddle detection system for detecting the griddle on the cooktop;   a temperature sensing assembly operably coupled to the griddle for monitoring a first zone temperature of the first heating zone and a second zone temperature of the second heating zone; and   a controller in operative communication with the plurality of heating elements and the temperature sensing assembly, the controller being configured to:
 receive a request to perform a griddle cooking operation; 
 determine that the griddle is present on the cooktop using the griddle detection system; 
 receive a command that the griddle cooking operation includes a common target temperature for the first heating zone and the second heating zone; 
 obtain the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly; and 
 operate the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature to the common target temperature. 
   
     
     
         15 . The cooktop of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive a command that the griddle cooking operation includes a first target temperature and a second target temperature;   obtain the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly; and   operate the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature to the first target temperature and the second zone temperature to the second target temperature.   
     
     
         16 . The cooktop of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive a command that the griddle cooking operation is a single burner operation at a first target temperature;   obtain the first zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly; and   operate a first heating element of the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature to the first target temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The cooktop of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 receive a request to operate a second heating element of the plurality of heating elements in an open-loop cooking mode;   determine a target heating level of the second heating element;   operate the second heating element at the target heating level; and   adjust operation of the first heating element to maintain the first zone temperature at the first target temperature.   
     
     
         18 . The cooktop of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
 determine that the griddle is not present on the cooktop using the griddle detection system; and   provide a user notification that the griddle is not present.   
     
     
         19 . The cooktop of  claim 14 , wherein operating the plurality of heating elements to drive the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature to the common target temperature comprises:
 implementing a closed-loop feedback control algorithm based on the first zone temperature and the second zone temperature.   
     
     
         20 . The cooktop of  claim 14 , wherein the griddle further defines a third heating zone, the temperature sensing assembly monitors a third zone temperature of the third heating zone, and the controller is further configured to:
 receive a third target temperature;   obtain the third zone temperature using the temperature sensing assembly; and   operate the plurality of heating elements to drive the third zone temperature to the third target temperature.