Patent Application
20230400190
The present subject matter relates generally to cooktop appliances having one or more heating elements, including features for supporting such heating elements.
Certain cooktop appliances include electric heating elements for heating pots, pans and other containers with food items therein. The electric heating elements can be operated at various settings. For example, the electric heating elements can be operated at a low heat setting to simmer food items, or the electric heating elements can be operated at a high heat setting to boil water or fry food items.
In some cooktop appliances, the heating elements are mounted below a cooking surface, such as might be defined by a cooktop plate. For instance, induction or radiant heating elements may be disposed directly beneath the cooktop plate. Oftentimes, such heating elements are provided within a frame that may contact or rest beneath a lower interior surface of the cooktop plate. Moreover, multiple heating elements (e.g., of varying sizes, shapes, or diameters) may be provided, such as to accommodate cooking utensils of different sizes. Although each of the heating elements may have a different corresponding frame that rests on or at least partially supports the cooktop plate, certain issues exist with the mounting or support structures for existing cooktop appliances.
One such issues is accounting for movement or deflection of the cooktop appliance. For instance, although the cooktop plate may be a generally rigid structure, deflection of the cooktop plate may occur, such as during shipping of the cooktop appliance or in response to the weight of cooking utensils on the cooktop plate. This may, in turn, deflect or press against the frame(s) supporting heating elements. Under certain conditions, this may cause one or more of the frames to unevenly deflect or rub against the cooktop plate—either of which may damage the cooktop appliance (e.g., during shipment or use).
As a result, it would be useful to provide a cooktop appliance that could address one or more of the above issues. For instance, an appliance with one or more features for ensuring the even or reliable distribution of force or deflection of the cooktop appliance (e.g., in an easily assembled configuration).
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance may include a cooktop plate, a support panel, a raised ridge, a mounting spring, a heater frame, and an electric heating element. The cooktop plate may define an upper cooking surface. The support panel may be disposed below the cooktop plate. The raised ridge may be disposed on the support panel. The raised ridge may define an elevated surface above the support panel. The mounting spring may be mounted to the raised ridge and extend above the elevated surface. The heater frame may be supported on the mounting spring below the cooktop plate. The electric heating element may be mounted within the heater frame below the cooktop plate.
In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance may include a cooktop plate, a support panel, a raised ridge, a first mounting spring (MS1), a first heater frame, a first electric heating element, a second mounting spring (MS2), a second heater frame, and a second electric heating element. The cooktop plate may define an upper cooking surface. The support panel may be disposed below the cooktop plate. The raised ridge may be disposed on the support panel. The raised ridge may define an elevated surface above the support panel. The MS1 may be mounted to the raised ridge and extend above the elevated surface. The first heater frame may be supported on the MS1 below the cooktop plate. The first electric heating element may be mounted within the first heater frame below the cooktop plate. The MS2 may be mounted to a portion of the support panel below the elevated surface relative to a vertical direction and horizontally spaced apart from the raised ridge. The MS2 may be formed as an identical spring to the MS1. The second heater frame may be supported on the MS2 below the cooktop plate. The second electric heating element may be mounted within the second heater frame below the cooktop plate.
In yet another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance may include a cooktop plate, a support panel, a raised ridge, a mounting spring, a heater frame, and an electric heating element. The cooktop plate may define an upper cooking surface and a bottom interior surface. The support panel may be disposed below the cooktop plate. The support panel may define a lateral width along a lateral direction between a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The raised ridge may be disposed on the support panel at a location between 25% to 75% of the lateral width. The raised ridge may include an embossing defining an elevated surface above the support panel. The mounting spring may be mounted to the raised ridge and extend above the elevated surface. The heater frame may be disposed above the mounting spring in contact with the bottom interior surface. The electric heating element may be mounted within the heater frame below the cooktop plate.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin (i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value). In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction (e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, such as, clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V).
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Turning now to the figures,
According to exemplary embodiments, appliance 100 includes a cabinet 102 that is generally configured for containing or supporting various components of appliance 100 and which may also define one or more internal chambers or compartments of appliance 100. In this regard, as used herein, the terms “cabinet,” “housing,” and the like are generally intended to refer to an outer frame or support structure for appliance 100, (e.g., including any suitable number, type, and configuration of support structures formed from any suitable materials, such as a system of elongated support members, a plurality of interconnected panels, or some combination thereof.) It should be appreciated that cabinet 102 does not necessarily require an enclosure and may simply include open structure supporting various elements of appliance 100. By contrast, cabinet 102 may enclose some or all portions of an interior of cabinet 102. It should be appreciated that cabinet 102 may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.
Cabinet 102 generally defines a mutually orthogonal vertical, lateral, and transverse direction. Cabinet 102 extends between a top and a bottom along the vertical direction V, between a first side (e.g., the left side when viewed from the front as in
Cooktop appliance 100 includes a cooktop plate 110 (e.g., mounted to cabinet 102) for supporting cooking utensils, such as pots or pans, on a cooking or top surface 114 of cooktop plate 110. Optionally, cooktop plate 110 may be fixed or secured to cabinet 102 at its perimeter edge (e.g., such that the sides or edges of cooktop plate 110 rest on a more rigid structure—or are otherwise prevented from deflected more than—a central portion of cooktop plate 110). When assembled, a top surface 114 is directed vertically upward to contact cooking utensils, while a bottom interior surface 112 is directed vertically downward opposite the top surface 114 (e.g., toward a support panel 116 mounted below cooktop plate 110). Cooktop plate 110 may be any suitable rigid plate, such as one formed of ceramic or glass (e.g., glass ceramic). As will be described in greater detail below, one or more electric heating assemblies 120, 122, 124 are mounted below cooktop plate 110 such that heating assemblies 120, 122, 124, and 126 are positioned below cooktop plate 110 (e.g., below the bottom interior surface 112 along the vertical direction V—
While shown with four heating assemblies 120, 122, 124, and 126 in the exemplary embodiment of
Generally, a user interface 130 provides visual information to a user and allows a user to select various options for the operation of cooktop appliance 100. For example, displayed options can include a desired heating assemblies 120, 122, 124, and 126, a desired cooking temperature, or other options. User interface 130 can be any type of input device and can have any configuration. In
In some embodiments, such as that shown in
Generally, cooktop appliance 100 includes a controller 140. Operation of cooktop appliance 100 is regulated by controller 140. Controller 140 is operatively coupled or in communication with various components of cooktop appliance 100, including user interface 130. In response to user manipulation of the user interface 130, controller 140 operates the various components of cooktop appliance 100 to execute selected cycles and features.
Controller 140 may include memory (e.g., non-transitory media) and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 140 may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry, such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Heating assemblies (e.g., 120, 124, 122, or 126), user interface 130 and other components of cooktop appliance 100 may be in communication with controller 140 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
Turning now generally to
As shown, support panel 116 or upper surface 118 may extend along the lateral direction L from a first lateral side 150 to a second lateral side 152. In turn, a lateral width 154 is defined between the first lateral side 150 and the second lateral side 152 (e.g., along or relative to the lateral direction L). Similarly, support panel 116 or upper surface 118 may extend along the transverse direction T from a front end 156 to a rear end 158. In turn, a transverse depth 160 is defined between the front end 156 and the rear end 158 (e.g., along or relative to the transverse direction T).
Support panel 116 itself may generally provide a flat upper surface 118. Although one or more slots, apertures, or bends may be formed in the support panel 116 (e.g., via stamping or bending processes), such as for accepting one or more fasteners or increasing rigidity, upper surface 118 may generally extend along a horizontal plane (e.g., parallel to cooktop plate 110). Nonetheless, one or more raised ridges 210 may be disposed on the support panel 116. For instance, such raised ridges 210 may be secured to or formed with support panel 116 (e.g., to define an elevated surface 212 above upper surface 118).
In the illustrated embodiments, multiple raised ridges 210 are provided as discrete embossings, each extending upward from the support panel 116 (e.g., at the upper surface 118) and integral therewith. When assembled each embossing 210 defines a corresponding elevated surface 212 above (e.g., higher along the vertical direction V) than support panel 116 (e.g., at upper surface 118). In turn, elevated surface 212 may provide a surface (e.g., flat surface) that is higher than the surrounding portions of support panel 116. Moreover, each embossing (or raised ridge 210, generally) may define a corresponding vertical height 214 that extends from the support panel 116 (e.g., at upper surface 118) to the elevated surface 212. In some embodiments, the vertical height 214 is between 0.05 inches and 0.5 inches. In certain embodiments, the vertical height 214 is about 0.05 inches.
The exact location of the raised ridge 210 may vary according to the specific appliance model into which it is provided. Nonetheless, in some embodiments, the raised ridge(s) 210 is/are disposed at a location between 25% to 75% of the lateral width 154. For instance, one or more raised ridges 210 may be disposed within the lateral middle third of the support panel 116 (i.e., such that each ridge 210 is disposed at a corresponding location that is between 33% to 66% of the lateral width 154). In additional or alternative embodiments, the raised ridge(s) 210 is/are disposed at a location between 50% to 100% of the transverse depth 160 (e.g., proximal to the rear end 158 and, thus, distal to the front end 156). For instance, one or more raised ridges 210 may be disposed within the rear half of the support panel 116 within 10% of the rear end 158 (i.e., such that each ridge is disposed at a corresponding location that is between 51% to 90% of the transverse depth 160). Notably, potential deflection of the cooktop plate 110 or support panel 116 (e.g., during use or shipping) may be relatively large at the location of the raised ridge 210.
As noted above, the heating assemblies 120, 122, 124, and 126 are generally disposed below cooktop plate 110. Specifically, heating assemblies 120, 122, 124, and 126 are mounted between support panel 116 and cooktop plate 110 relative to the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, one or more of the heating assemblies (e.g., heating assembly 126) includes a frame 240 on which one or more heating elements (e.g., heating elements 202) are supported. As would be understood, frame 240 may include a number of discrete parts and materials to support and enclose heating elements 202. In particular, frame 240 may include a suitable base wall 242 and insulated wall 244 extending from base wall 242 (e.g., in the vertical direction V towards cooktop plate 110). Optionally, a metal pan 248 may further enclose at least a portion (e.g., bottom portion) of base wall 242 or insulated wall 244.
When assembled, frame 240 is positioned below cooktop plate 110. In particular, insulated wall 244 may be positioned beneath bottom interior surface 112. An upper edge of insulated wall 244 may even rest against or contact bottom interior surface 112 (e.g., directly or indirectly, such as through an intermediate rim or gasket). As shown, frame 240 may circumferentially surrounds one or more electric heating elements 202. For example, insulated wall 244 may be formed as a circular ring or loop (e.g., as a toroid having a rectangular cross section) positioned about center point (e.g., coaxial to heating elements 202). Thus, insulated wall 244 may bound (e.g., extend about) the perimeter of the footprint of the corresponding heating elements 202. Generally, insulated wall 244 includes or is formed from any suitable insulation material, such as ceramic or metallic insulation materials.
The heating assemblies 120, 122, 124, or 126 may generally be supported on support panel 116. In some embodiments, one or more mounting springs 250 are provided to support one or more of the heating assemblies 120, 122, 124, and 126 on support panel 116 to bias a corresponding heating assembly upward. Thus, such mounting springs 250 may each be disposed between support panel 116 and at least a portion of a corresponding heater frame 240. Optionally, such mounting springs 250 may be secured to support panel 116, such as by one or more suitable mechanical fasteners or adhesives.
The mounting spring(s) 250 may be provided as any suitable compression spring structure. For instance, a mounting spring 250 may be provided as a suitable leaf spring, torsion spring, coil spring, etc. formed from a suitable material (e.g., stainless steel or aluminum, including alloys thereof). Thus, as a heating assembly is forced or deflected downward, a corresponding mounting spring 250 may counteract or such deflection to bias the corresponding heating assembly upward. Additionally or alternatively, mounting spring 250 may hold the corresponding heating assembly in tension (e.g., biased against a bottom interior surface 112 of cooktop plate 110). In optional embodiments, multiple mounting springs 250 may be provided as identical springs (i.e., formed from the same material and having substantially the same size and shape at the time of assembly of appliance 100 or in the assembled form). For instance, multiple heating assemblies (e.g., 120, 122, 124, 126) may be supported by mounting springs 250 that are identical to each other. Advantageously, the use of identical springs may reduce costs or otherwise ease assembly while ensuring the correct mounting spring is provided at the corresponding heating assembly.
Turning especially to
Returning generally to
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
