RADIANT HEATER FOR A COOKTOP

• US 20160174299A1
• Filed: 12/04/2015
• Published: 06/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eika S.Coop.
• Original Assignee: Eika S.Coop.
• Inventors: DE LOS TOYOS LOPEZ, Daniel, AZPIRITXAGA ZALBIDE, Jon Endika
• Granted Patent: US 10,451,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/102 electrically heated
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2213/07 Heating plates with temperature control means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/74 Non-metallic plates , e.g. vitroceramic, ceramic or glassceramic hobs, also including power or control circuits

Abstract

According to one implementation a radiant heater is provided that includes a cover, an insulating base arranged on the cover, at least one resistance element fixed to the insulating base, a temperature sensor suitable for measuring the temperature of a cooktop arranged on the radiant heater, and a flat resilient member suitable for keeping the temperature sensor in constant contact with the cooktop in a final assembly position.

Claims

1. A radiant heater for a cooktop, the radiant heater comprising:

a housing structure having a top side and a bottom side, the housing structure having a longitudinal first opening with a first central axis and extending between and through the top side and bottom side, the first opening having a first cross-sectional area,

a resistance element arranged in the housing structure,

a flat having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being fixed to the bottom side of the housing structure, the second end portion being elastic and extending from the first end portion with an ability to be flexed outward from the bottom side of the housing structure so as to form a first angle with the bottom side, in a rest position the second end portion of the flat is substantially parallel with the bottom side of the housing structure, in an active position the second end portion of the flat forms the first angle with the bottom side of the housing structure and is resiliently urged toward the rest position,

a first temperature sensor having a body that extends through the first opening, the body having a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area, the body having a first part that is coupled with the second end portion of the flat and a second part that extends above the top side of the housing structure, the first temperature sensor moveable in an axial direction within the first opening upon the second end portion of the flat transitioning between the rest and active positions.

2. The radiant heater according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal portion of the body of the first temperature sensor that moves within the first opening has a central axis that forms a second angle with the second end portion of the flat.

3. The radiant heater according to claim 2, wherein the first and second angles are substantially complementary angles.

4. The radiant heater according to claim 1, wherein the second end portion of the flat comprises a second opening through which the body of the first temperature sensor passes.

5. The radiant heater according to claim 1, wherein the housing structure comprises a cover and an insulating base arranged on the cover, the resistance element being coupled to the insulating base, the first opening extending through the cover and insulating base, the bottom side of the housing structure corresponding to a bottom side of the cover.

6. The radiant heater according to claim 1, further comprising a support arranged in the housing structure, the support comprising a second opening that is substantially centered with respect to the first central axis, a part of the body of the first temperature sensor extending through the second opening, the support comprising a material that protects the first temperature sensor from infrared radiation.

7. The radiant heater according to claim 1, wherein a part of the body of the first temperature sensor extending through the first opening has a second central axis, the second central axis being more axially aligned with the first central axis of the first opening when the second end portion of the flat is in the active position as opposed to when the second end portion of the flat is in the rest position.

8. The radiant heater according to claim 6, further comprising a second temperature sensor arranged substantially orthogonal to the first temperature sensor, the support bearing an end portion of the second temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor forming a part of a temperature-limiting device of the radiant heater.

9. The radiant heater according to claim 8, wherein the support includes a third opening through which the end portion of the second temperature sensor passes, the second and third openings being arranged substantially orthogonal to one another.

10. A radiant heater for a cooktop, the radiant heater comprising:

a cover,

an insulating base arranged on the cover,

at least one resistance element coupled to the insulating base,

a first temperature sensor suitable for measuring the temperature of the cooktop when the cooktop is assembled on the radiant heater; and

elastic means suitable for keeping the temperature sensor in constant contact with the cooktop when the cooktop is assembled on the radiant heater, the elastic means comprise a flat fixed to the cover at one end, the temperature sensor being fixed to the flat, the flat moveable between a rest position wherein it is arranged substantially parallel to a bottom side of the cover and an active position wherein it forms an angle with the bottom side of the cover, in the active position the flat is resiliently urged toward the rest position so that when the cooktop is assembled on the radiant heater the flat pushes the temperature sensor against the cooktop.

11. The radiant heater according to claim 10, wherein the first temperature sensor is fixed to the flat forming a first angle with the flat.

12. The radiant heater according to claim 11, wherein the flat forms a second angle with the bottom side of the cover, the first angle and second angle being substantially complementary angles when the cooktop is assembled on the radiant heater.

13. The radiant heater according to claim 10, wherein the temperature sensor passes through openings within the cover and the insulating base.

14. The radiant heater according claim 10, further comprising a support which is arranged such that it is supported on the insulating base, centered with respect to the insulating base and comprising a first opening through which the first temperature sensor passes, the support comprising a material to protect the temperature sensor from infrared radiation.

15. The radiant heater according to claim 14, further comprising a second temperature sensor having an end portion that is also supported by the support, the second temperature sensor arranged substantially orthogonal to the first temperature sensor.

16. The radiant heater according to claim 15, wherein the support includes a second opening through which the end portion of the second temperature sensor passes, the first and second openings being arranged substantially orthogonal to one another.

17. A method of assembling a cooktop on a radiant heater so that a temperature sensor associated with the radiant heater makes constant contact with the cooktop when the cooktop is assembled on the radiant heater, the radiant heater comprising a resistance element located within a housing structure, when assembled on the radiant heater the cooktop lies above the resistance element and rests on a top surface of a support, the housing structure having a first through opening of a first cross-sectional area for receiving a body of the temperature sensor having a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area, the first through opening extending through a bottom side of the housing structure, the method comprising:

obtaining a flat resilient member having a first end portion and a second end portion,

fixing the temperature sensor to the second end portion of the flat resilient member,

placing the temperature sensor into the first through opening through the bottom side of the housing structure,

fixing the first end portion of the flat resilient member to the bottom side of the housing structure so that the second end portion of the flat resilient member is substantially parallel to the bottom side of the housing structure, the temperature sensor having a length such that at least a portion of temperature sensor extends above the top surface of the support when the second end portion of the resilient member is arranged substantially parallel to the bottom side surface of the housing structure,

positioning the cooktop to rest on the top surface of the support so that the cooktop applies a downward force on the temperature sensor to cause the second end portion of the resilient member to flex downward while at the same time urging the temperature sensor upward against the bottom surface of the cooktop.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the temperature sensor is fixed to the second end portion of the flat resilient member forming a first angle with the second end portion.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the second end portion of the flat resilient member comprises a through opening, the method including inserting at least a portion of the temperature sensor into the through opening prior to fixing the temperature sensor to the second end portion of the flat resilient member.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the flat resilient member is configured such that when the cooktop rests on the top surface of the support, the second end portion of the resilient member forms a second angle with the bottom side of the housing structure, the first angle and second angle being substantially complementary angles.