The present subject matter relates generally to cooktop appliances, and more particularly to electric cooktop appliances.
Cooking appliances, such as, e.g., cooktops or ranges (also known as hobs or stoves), generally include one or more heated portions for heating or cooking food items within a cooking utensil placed on the heated portion. The heated portions utilize one or more heating sources to output heat, which is transferred to the cooking utensil and thereby to any food item or items within the cooking utensil. Typically, a controller or other control mechanism, such as an electromechanical switch, regulates the heat output of the heating source selected by a user of the cooking appliance, e.g., by turning a knob or interacting with a touch-sensitive control panel. For example, the control mechanism may cycle the heating source between an activated or on state and a substantially deactivated or off state such that the average heat output of the heating source corresponds to the user-selected heat output level.
The control mechanism can utilize a temperature sensor to help control the heat output in order to regulate or otherwise limit the cooking utensil from reaching an undesired temperature level. The transfer of heat to the cooking utensil and/or food items may cause the food items or cooking utensil to overheat or otherwise cause unwanted and/or unsafe conditions on the cooktop. However, such temperature sensors may be ineffective at accurately measuring or estimating the temperature of the heating element or the cooking utensil placed thereon.
As a result, certain cooking appliances include a safety temperature switch the is placed in contact with or in close proximity to the drip pan to provide a more accurate temperature measurement and to turn off the heating element when an undesired temperature level is reached. However, such temperature switches are often not properly aligned with the surface of the drip pan, resulting in accurate or varying temperature measurements.
Accordingly, a cooktop appliance having a system for accurately detecting temperature conditions near a heat source would be desirable. More particularly, it may be desirable for a cooktop appliance to have a system that addresses one or more of the conditions discussed above.
The present disclosure relates generally to a cooktop appliance including a top panel, an electric heating element, a drip pan, and a temperature switch. The drip pan may be attached to the top panel and positioned below the electric heating element. A switch bracket may be mounted to the top panel and may include a cantilevered mounting plate that is biased toward or interferes with the drip pan. The temperature switch may be mounted to the mounting plate using two elongated pins passing through two apertures in the mounting plate such that the temperature switch may pivot relative to the mounting plate and self-align with the drip pan. The temperature switch may be operable to limit the power supplied to the electric heating element at a predetermined temperature. 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 aspect of the present disclosure, a cooktop appliance is provided including a top panel and an electric heating element positioned at the top panel. A drip pan is attached to the top panel and is positioned below the electric heating element and a switch bracket is attached to the top panel. A temperature switch is operably coupled to the electric heating element to limit the power supplied to the electric heating element at a predetermined temperature, the temperature switch being mounted to the switch bracket by one or more elongated pins, each elongated pin passing through an aperture in the switch bracket such that the temperature switch engages the drip pan.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a cooktop appliance is provided including a top panel and an electric heating element positioned at the top panel. A drip pan is attached to the top panel and is positioned below the electric heating element. A switch bracket is attached to the top panel and extends toward the drip pan, the switch bracket including a cantilevered mounting plate defining two apertures spaced apart along a pivot axis. A temperature switch is mounted to the mounting plate by two elongated pins passing through the two apertures, each elongated pin defining a pin length that is greater than a thickness of a mounting plate of the switch bracket such that the temperature switch may pivot along the pivot axis to self-align with the drip pan.
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 or spirit 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.
Generally, the present disclosure provides a cooktop appliance that includes at least one heating assembly. The heating assembly may have one or more electric heating elements and a drip pan that is positioned below the electric heating element(s). A temperature switch may touch the drip pan to detect the heat transmitted from the electric heating element(s). When the temperature switch detects a certain temperature, it may restrict or cut off a voltage to one or more of the electric heating elements. If and/or when the temperature falls by a sufficient amount, the temperature switch may permit or direct the voltage to the electric heating element(s).
Turning now to the figures,
Top panel 12 may be constructed of any suitable material, e.g., a ceramic, enameled steel, or stainless steel. As shown in
Exemplary embodiments include a user interface 20 having one or more control inputs 22 that permit a user to make selections for cooking of food items using heating assemblies 14 and/or the cooking chamber. As an example, a user may manipulate one or more control inputs 22 to select, e.g., a power or heat output setting for each heating assembly 14. The selected heat output setting of heating assembly 14 affects the heat transferred to cooking utensil 16 positioned on heating assembly 14. Although shown on a backsplash or back panel of cooktop appliance 10, user interface 20 may be positioned in any suitable location, e.g., along a front edge of the appliance 10. Control inputs 22 may include one or more buttons, knobs, or touch screens, as well as combinations thereof.
Some embodiments further include a controller 24 operably connected, e.g., electrically coupled, to user interface 20 and/or control inputs 22. Generally, operation of cooktop appliance 10, including heating assemblies 14, may be controlled by controller 24. In some embodiments, controller 24 is a processing device and may include a microprocessor or other device that is in operable communication with components of cooktop appliance 10, such as heating assembly 14. Controller 24 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a selected heating level, operation, or cooking cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, and/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 24 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/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. Control inputs 22 and other components of cooktop appliance 10 may be in communication with (e.g., electrically coupled to) controller 24 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
Operation of heating assembly 14 may be regulated such that the temperature or heat output of heating assembly 14 corresponds to a temperature or heat output selected by a user of cooktop appliance 10. In this regard, for example, a user of cooktop appliance 10 may, e.g., manipulate a control 22 associated with a heating assembly 14 to select a desired heat output or temperature. As illustrated, heating assembly 14 includes one or more electric heating elements 30 that are coupled to a power source 32. In general, power source 32 passes electrical energy through heating elements 30 in a manner that generates thermal energy to transfer to cooking utensil 16. The amount of electrical energy provided may be regulated, e.g., by controller 24, to control the output of heat energy from heating element 30.
According to one exemplary embodiment, heating elements 30 may be cycled between an activated state and a deactivated state, i.e., between on and off, such that the average temperature or heat output over each cycle corresponds to or approximates the selected temperature or heat output. In this regard, a duty cycle of heating element 30 may be controlled such that, based on the user's selection, heating element 30 is activated or turned on for a fraction or portion of the operating cycle and deactivated or turned off for the remainder of the operating cycle. For example, if the user selects the midpoint heat output or temperature, the duty cycle of heating element 30 may be controlled to 50% such that heating element 30 is on for half of the operating cycle and off for half of the operating cycle.
As illustrated in
It should be appreciated that the heating assembly 14 illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring still to
According to an exemplary embodiment, the first voltage L1 and the second voltage L2 may have opposite polarities. In addition, a magnitude of the first voltage L1 with respect to ground may be about equal to a magnitude the second voltage L2 with respect to ground. As used herein, the term “about” corresponds to within ten volts of a stated voltage when used in the context of voltage. As an example, the magnitude of the first and second voltages L1, L2 may be about one hundred and twenty volts with respect to ground. Thus, e.g., first electrical conduit 40 may be coupled to one phase of a two-hundred and forty volt household electrical supply, and second electrical conduit 42 may be coupled to the second phase of the two-hundred and forty volt household electrical supply.
As illustrated generally in
Generally, temperature switch 54 may be positioned such that a temperature of temperature switch 54 corresponds to a temperature of heating assembly 14, cooking utensil 16, or another component of cooktop appliance 10. When the temperature of that component exceeds a desired temperature, temperature switch 54 may take corrective action. For example, temperature switch 54 may generally be operable to restrict a voltage to electric heating element 30 when a predetermined temperature threshold is reached or exceeded.
According to exemplary embodiments, temperature switch 54 is a bimetallic switch configured for switching from a first state (e.g., a closed or activated state as illustrated in
Referring still to
Turning now to
Notably, conventional temperature switches are configured to engage drip pan 62 to ensure safe operating temperatures. However, because drip pan 62 is removable and may vary in size, and because the positioning of temperature switch 54 is not always consistent, the temperature detected by temperature switch 54 may vary undesirably, resulting in dangerous temperature conditions or frequent false trips. Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, an improved switch assembly 50 is provided which ensures proper contact of temperature switch 54 onto drip pan 62 at all times. An exemplary embodiment or such a switch assembly 50 will be described below.
Referring to the illustrated embodiment, switch bracket 52 is attached to cooktop appliance 10, e.g., at top panel 12 and extends toward drip pan 62. Switch bracket 52 is generally configured for holding temperature switch 54 in contact with drip pan 62. More specifically, switch bracket 52 generally includes a mounting flange 74 that is mounted to top panel 12 using any suitable mechanical fastener, such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. Similarly, glue, bonding, snap-fit mechanisms, interference-fit mechanisms, or any suitable combination thereof be used to join mounting flange 74 and top panel 12. Switch bracket 52 further includes a resilient arm 76 that extends from mounting flange 74 toward drip pan 62. At the end of resilient arm 76, switch bracket 52 includes a mounting plate 78 configured for receiving temperature switch 54 as described below. In this manner, mounting plate 78, and thus temperature switch 54, is cantilevered, extending from top panel 12 and being biased against drip pan 62.
In this manner, resilient arm 76 may generally bias towards drip pan 62, such that when drip pan 62 is installed in hole 60, mounting plate 78 is deflected to ensure proper contact between temperature switch 54 and drip pan 62. More specifically, for example, in a non-engaged state, e.g., when drip pan 62 has been removed from hole 60, resilient arm 76 may hold temperature switch 54 beneath the vertical footprint of hole 60. In an engaged state, e.g., when drip pan 62 has been attached to top panel 12, drip pan 62 may engage temperature switch 54 and deflect resilient arm 76.
More specifically, referring now also to
According to the illustrated embodiment, temperature switch 54 is disposed on mounting plate 78 such that temperature switch 54 engages the drip pan 62. More specifically, for example, mounting plate 78 may define a receiving hole 100 for receiving temperature switch 54. In addition, mounting plate 78 may define one or more apertures 102 configured for receiving elongated pins 104 that mount temperature switch 54 to mounting plate 78. More specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, mounting plate defines two apertures 102 and temperature switch 54 is mounted using two elongated pins 104. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable number and size of apertures 102 and pins 104 may be used according to alternative embodiments.
As best shown in
In addition, to allow some movement of temperature switch 54 within mounting plate 78, apertures 102 may generally be larger than elongated pins 104. In this regard, for example, each aperture 102 in switch bracket 52 defines a first diameter 114 and each elongated pin 104 defines a second diameter 116. According to exemplary embodiments, a ratio of first diameter 114 to second diameter 116 is between about 1.05 and 1.2. For example, according to one embodiment, first diameter 114 is approximately 0.140 inches and second diameter 116 is approximately 0.125 inches.
It should be appreciated that the size and position of apertures 102 and elongated pins 104 may be adjusted to achieve the desired pivotal motion of temperature switch 54. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, two apertures 102 are spaced apart to define a pivot axis 120 such that temperature switch 54 may pivot about pivot axis 120 to self-align with drip pan 62. In addition, according to the exemplary embodiment, mounting plate 78 and elongated pins 104 are configured such that temperature switch 54 pivots through a pivot angle 122 of between about 5 degrees and 15 degrees. However, configurations defining other pivot axes and pivot angles are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter.
When assembled in an engaged state, temperature switch 54 may contact drip pan 62. For instance, temperature switch 54 may contact outer surface 70 of drip pan 62. A flat face-plate 130 may directly contact a portion of outer surface 70 of concave sidewall 66. Advantageously, temperature switch 54 may be able to quickly detect and respond to variations in temperature at drip pan 62 and electric heating element 30. Moreover, flat face-plate 130 may allow a point of constant contact between concave sidewall 66 and temperature switch 54, regardless of movement or tolerances of drip pan 62.
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.
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Number | Date | Country |
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2278237 | Nov 1994 | GB |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20190049118 A1 | Feb 2019 | US |