The invention is directed to an apparatus and method related to properly positioning the igniter in a burner of a gas cooktop.
An example of an application for the invention is a domestic kitchen gas cooktop having an improved burner igniter locating structure.
Some modern domestic kitchens include a gas cooktop as either a countertop mounted cooktop or as a part of a standalone range.
In some domestic appliances, such as a gas cooktop, an igniter is used to create a spark between the igniter and another part of the cooktop to light the gas supplied to the burner. For example, an igniter can create a spark in a gap between the igniter and a metallic burner head that is positioned on the top of the burner body. The consistency and reliability of the creation of the gap and, as a result, the spark is instrumental in reliable and consistent lighting and relighting of the burner.
With some igniter configurations, it can be difficult to accurately locate the igniter such that the size of the gap is within design parameters. This difficulty can result from how the igniter is held in place and to what part of the cooktop the igniter is attached. Certain attachment methods, especially those that attach the igniter to the burner body, can also present difficulties during assembly in that it is necessary to hold the top sheet of the cooktop above, and in close proximity to, the lower portion of the cooktop so that wires can be connected to the igniter. This can be especially difficult if the cooktop has multiple, such as five or six, burners. This operation can often require two assembly workers to complete.
Some igniters are held in position by a friction fit into a bracket that is fastened to a burner body. This attachment method can be problematic because the friction fit can wear over time, possibly resulting in an improper spark gap and associated inconsistent lighting of the burner.
Applicants recognized these problems and developed a solution as described herein.
The invention achieves the benefit of more precise and repeatable igniter placement and simpler assembly. The invention achieves this benefit by providing an igniter that is attached to the lower burner mounting structure below the top sheet. The igniter is attached to the lower burner mounting structure using a spring or other urging member that pushes the igniter toward the burner body. The igniter is captured such that it will stay attached to the lower burner mounting structure even without the top sheet in place. The igniter includes a stop that provides a ledge for the urging member on its lower side and a ledge that is pressed down by an underside of the burner body when the burner body and top sheet are lowered into an operating position. Because the igniter is located in the operating position by a surface-to-surface engagement with the burner body itself by being pressed into position by the urging member (and not a friction fit that can move over time), the igniter head is more precisely and repeatably positioned. In addition, because the igniter is captured by the lower burner mounting structure and held in place before the top sheet (and associated burner body) is lowered into position, the igniter wiring can be attached to the igniter without having to hold the top sheet.
Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a burner assembly for a domestic gas cooktop having a top sheet. The burner assembly includes a lower burner mounting structure configured to be positioned on a first side of the top sheet; a burner body configured to be positioned on a second side of the top sheet, the second side of the top sheet being opposite the first side of the top sheet, the burner body having an igniter positioning surface; an igniter having an igniter end, and a stop integrally formed in the igniter, the stop having an upper ledge; and an urging member that pushes against the lower burner mounting structure, and urges the igniter in a direction away from the lower burner mounting structure and toward the igniter positioning surface of the burner body such that the upper ledge of the stop is urged into contact with the igniter positioning surface of the burner body when the burner assembly is in an assembled condition. The igniter is held in an operating position by the burner body and the urging member when the burner assembly is in use.
Other embodiments of the invention are directed to a domestic gas cooktop. The domestic cooktop includes a top sheet; a gas manifold below the top sheet; and a burner assembly having a lower burner mounting structure positioned on a first side of the top sheet, a burner body positioned on a second side of the top sheet, the second side of the top sheet being opposite the first side of the top sheet, the burner body having an igniter positioning surface, an igniter having an igniter end and a stop integrally formed in the igniter, the stop having an upper ledge, and an urging member that pushes against the lower burner mounting structure and urges the igniter in a direction away from the lower burner mounting structure and toward the igniter positioning surface of the burner body such that the upper ledge of the stop is urged into contact with the igniter positioning surface of the burner body when the burner assembly is in an assembled condition. The igniter is held in an operating position by the burner body and the urging member when the domestic gas cooktop in use.
The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as “attached,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
As explained above, embodiments of the invention provide a solution to the problems associated with an igniter attached to a burner body.
In this example, gas supply line 140 and the gas valve are positionally fixed relative to a lower burner mounting structure 195. Burner body 110 is mounted to a top sheet 190 of the cooktop. Top sheet 190 can be a piece of sheet material, such as, for example, sheet metal, that forms the main surface that is seen by the user when the cooktop is in use.
As shown in
The designs shown in
Applicants recognized these shortcomings of the designs shown in
In this example, gas supply line 440 and the gas valve are positionally fixed relative to a lower burner mounting structure 495. Burner body 410 is mounted to a top sheet 490 of the cooktop. Top sheet 490 can be a piece of sheet material, such as, for example, sheet metal, that forms the main surface that is seen by the user when the cooktop is in use.
Igniter 500 is shown in this example as a one-piece igniter having a stop 510 formed in its main body 520.
Also shown in
Both
As can be seen in the above exemplary embodiments, the invention provides a solution to problems associated with igniters that are attached to a burner body prior to the top sheet being installed onto the cooktop lower structure, and problems associated with igniters that are press fit into mounting brackets.
It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the invention. In addition, all combinations of any and all of the features described in the disclosure, in any combination, are part of the invention.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20170292710 A1 | Oct 2017 | US |