Temperature sensor for heater unit in cooktop range

• US 20020185489A1
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Backer EHP Inc. (NIBE Industrier AB)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Small, James E., Bates, Jeffrey A., Taylor, Christopher R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,756,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/461.1
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0213 using bimetallic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/746 Protection, e.g. overheat cutoff, hot plate indicator

Abstract

A heating unit for use in a cooktop is disclosed. The heating unit includes a pan with an insulation structure supporting a heating element. The heating unit further includes a temperature sensor and indicator to be used as a visual indication to the user that the heating unit is energized.

Claims

1. A heating unit adapted to be installed in a cooktop, the heating unit comprising:

a support pan disposed beneath a heating surface;

an insulation layer inside the pan;

a heating element supported on the insulation layer; and

a bimetal temperature sensor mounted within the heating unit;

wherein the temperature sensor is configured to activate a visual indicator when the heating element is providing heat to the heating surface.

2. The heating unit of claim 1, wherein the insulation layer further comprises an insulation base and an insulation sidewall ring, the insulation base being supported by the support pan.

3. The heating unit of claim 2, wherein the heating element is supported by the insulation base and spaced apart from the heating surface by the insulation sidewall ring.

4. The heating unit of claim 3 wherein the temperature sensor is disposed within an opening in the insulation base.

5. The heating unit of claim 4 wherein the temperature sensor is affixed within the opening by a ceramic paste.

6. The heating unit of claim 1, wherein the heating element is selected from the group consisting of:

a ribbon-type heating element, a coiled heating element and a composite heating element.

7. The heating unit of claim 1 further comprising a terminal block assembly affixed in an opening in the insulation base.

8. The heating unit of claim 7 wherein the terminal block assembly is affixed within the opening by a ceramic paste.

9. A heating unit adapted to be installed in a cooktop, the heating unit comprising:

a support pan disposed beneath a heating surface;

an insulation layer inside the pan;

an insulation blanket disposed between the pan and the insulation layer;

a heating element supported on the insulation layer; and

a bimetal temperature sensor affixed within a recess in the insulation layer;

wherein the temperature sensor is configured to activate a visual indicator when the heating element is providing heat to the heating surface.

10. The heating unit of claim 9 wherein the temperature sensor is affixed within the recess by a ceramic paste.

11. The heating unit of claim 9 further comprising a terminal block assembly integral with the insulation layer.

12. The heating unit of claim 9, wherein the insulation layer further comprises an insulation base and an insulation sidewall ring, the insulation base being supported by the support pan.

13. The heating unit of claim 12, wherein the heating element is supported by the insulation base and spaced apart from the heating surface by the insulation sidewall ring.

14. The heating unit of claim 13 wherein the temperature sensor is disposed within an opening in the insulation base.

15. The heating unit of claim 14 wherein the temperature sensor is affixed within the opening by a ceramic paste.

16. The heating unit of claim 9, wherein the heating element is selected from the group consisting of:

a ribbon-type heating element, a coiled heating element and a composite heating element.

17. The heating unit of claim 9 further comprising a terminal block assembly affixed in an opening in the insulation base.

18. The heating unit of claim 17 wherein the terminal block assembly is affixed within the opening by a ceramic paste.

20. The heating unit of claim 19 wherein the temperature sensing means is mounted in an opening in the insulation layer and affixed with a ceramic paste.

21. The heating unit of claim 20 further comprising an insulation blanket disposed between the insulation layer and the support pan.

22. The heating unit of claim 21 further comprising a terminal block assembly.

23. The heating unit of claim 22 wherein the terminal block assembly is formed integrally with the insulation layer.

24. The heating unit of claim 22 wherein the terminal block assembly is affixed in an opening in the insulation layer by a ceramic paste.

19. A heating unit adapted to be installed in a cooktop, the heating unit comprising:

a support pan disposed beneath a heating surface;

an insulation layer inside the pan;

a heating element supported on the insulation layer; and

a means for sensing temperature and activating a visual indicator in response to heat generated by the heating element.