RADIANT HEATER FOR A COOKTOP
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
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Accused Products
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.
76 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A radiant heater for a cooktop, the radiant heater comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A radiant heater for a cooktop, the radiant heater comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification