AU2006200722A1

AU2006200722A1 - Cook top

Info

Publication number: AU2006200722A1
Application number: AU2006200722A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Werner Echtler
Original assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Current assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corp NV
Priority date: 2005-02-26
Filing date: 2006-02-21
Publication date: 2006-09-14
Also published as: EP1696179A2; DE102005008901A1; RU2006105489A; EP1696179A3; JP2006234379A

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys 1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia INVENTION TITLE: Cook top The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5102 The invention relates to a cook top.

Cook tops are offered in combination with baking ovens but also as self-contained units. From DE 100 15 973 Al a self-contained cook top is known where the glass ceramic cook top has a control area to the underside of which there is glued a retaining part into which a printed circuit board can be snapped into position in such a manner that the indicator elements arranged thereon are positioned directly on an underside of the glass ceramic cook top plate for quick and easy reading. DE 44 19 866 Al describes a cook top where the printed circuit board is spring-loaded against the underside of the glass ceramic plate. Both solutions have one shortcoming in common, namely limited flexibility.

It is the object of the present invention to increase flexibility.

In accordance with the invention, this task is achieved by the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The cook top comprises one first support element, which supports a cook top plate for accommodating cooking utensils and at least one second support element which supports at least one third support element which is to accommodate electrical and/or electronic components and is from a lateral position exchangeable and insertable into the first support element.

In this configuration, the first support element in particular is configured as a frametype support element whilst the second support element is preferably insertable into the frame from the inside.

In this manner not only a non-glued installation is achieved but also the replacement of defective second support elements is rendered possible.

The second support element in particular is positively connectable with the first support element, preferably via at least one slot and key connection. It can be latched with, and/or snapped into, the first support element.

The second support element in particular has at least one first projection which, in the inserted state, in the inserting direction engages behind at least one second projection of the first support element or vice versa. The at least one first and/or second projection is preferably embodied as an edge extending perpendicularly to the inserting direction.

Since the inserted second support element is preferably inserted in a manner to be bearing under spring tension against the cook top plate, preferably with the tension being generated in particular by the cook top plate itself, the positioning of the third support element relative to the cook top plate is not only secured generally, but also for the duration. In this arrangement in particular in the direction tumrned away from the cook top plate the inserted second support element is propped up by the first support element, preferably against its at least one second projection.

The second support element in particular is embodied as a U-shape.

The first leg of the second support element which defines an approximate U-shape serves as a stop, in particular acting in the inserted direction. From the first leg of the approximately U-shaped second support element, the spring of the slot and key connection can extend together with the first support element in the inserted direction. In the first leg of the approximately U-shaped second support element, there is preferably provided a third projection, which grasps an edge of the third support element inserted between the first and the second leg.

The free end of the second leg of the approximately U-shaped second support element, in its inserted state, can be spring-loaded against the cook top plate. In the second leg of the approximately U-shaped second support element there is preferably provided at least one fourth projection, which grasps an opposite, further edge of the third support element inserted between the first and the second leg.

The insertion of the third support element can initially be achieved by the element being pushed from a lateral position underneath the at least one third projection of the first leg and by subsequently being snapped into position in the direction of the transverse web of the approximately U-shaped second support element via the fourth projections of the resilient second leg.

In the transverse web of the approximately U-shaped second support element there is formed in particular at least one spring element which pre-tensions the third support element inserted between the first and the second leg into the direction of the third and fourth projections.

The transition between the transverse web and the first leg of the U-shaped second support element is preferably formed as a first inclined surface which in the inserted state bears against a second inclined surface of the first support element which in particular extends away at an incline from the cook top plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the inserted second support element is received rigidly relative to the first support element perpendicularly to the latter's inserted direction and/or the inserted third support element is received rigidly relative to the second support element perpendicularly to the latter's inserted direction.

The first support element preferably consists of metal, in particular aluminium. It may be composed of one or more profiles. The cook top surface preferably consists of glass-ceramic. The second support element preferably consists of plastic and, in particular, is formed as one piece. The third support element in particular is a circuit board.

The electric and/or electronic components are at least partially embodied as operating control and/or indicator/display elements which, in the inserted state of the third support element into the second support element and the second support element into the first support element, are arranged immediately under the cook top plate or bear directly against its underside.

The invention is explained in greater detail by reference to an embodiment example.

The drawings show the following: Fig. 1 a support element for an electronic printed circuit board, Fig. 2 an electronic printed circuit board being inserted into the support element, Fig. 3 an inserted electronic printed circuit board, Fig. 4 a lateral view of an assembled support element being inserted into a frame of a cook top, Fig. 5 a lateral view of an inserted support element, Fig. 6 a bottom view of the assembled support element being inserted into the frame of the cook top, Fig. 7 a bottom view of the inserted support element.

The support element 2 is made of plastic. Its cross section is approximately Ushaped. It has a transverse web 4, a first leg 6 and a second leg 8. The first leg 6, seen in cross section, is divided into a free orthogonal section 10 and an inclined section 12 which follows on from the transverse web 4. The second leg 8 which, seen in cross section, is continuously orthogonal and has multiple breaks in the longitudinal direction.

At the free end of the orthogonal section 10 of the first leg 6 there originate, on thc one hand, a plurality of projections 14 which extend inwardly at an incline away from the transverse web 4. On the other hand, there also originates a strip 16, which extends outwardly in a plane parallel to the plane of the transverse web and defines the spring of a slot and key connection with a frame 18 of a cook top.

On the inclined section 12 of the first leg 6 there are formed small bumps 20 which together with the projections 14 form a lead-in receiving area for a first edge region of a circuit board 22.

At the inner sides of the second leg 8 there are projections 24 which, in the legassociated edge region of the transverse web 4, together with elevations 26 form a snap-in contact area to receive an opposite second edge region of circuit board 22.

On transverse web 4 there are furthermore spring sections 28, which, on the one hand, pre-tension the seated circuit board 22 against the projections 14 of the first leg 6 and, on the other hand, against projections 24 of the second leg 8.

Finally there is raised on the transverse web 4 also a locating pin 28, which passes through the inserted circuit board 22 via a bore 30 and positions same in particular in the longitudinal direction.

On the opposite side of transverse web 4, directed away from legs 6,8, edges 32 are formed, which extend parallel to the legs, have a spring action normal to the transverse web and upon insertion of support element 2 engage a slot 34 of frame 18 behind a frame edge 36. Opposite the edges 32 there are abutments 38 positioned on transverse web 4 which serve the removal of the inserted support element 2.

Finally, the transverse web 4 further has a cable strain relief 40, which consists of an elliptical depression 42 and an overlapping spring 44. A further elevation 46 of transverse web 4, which can engage a recess 48 of frame 18, serves the positioning of support element 2 in the longitudinal direction.

Altogether, the support element 2 is a one piece unit, all of whose functions are integrally formed of the base material.

The frame 18, at least at the side receiving support element 2, consists of a metal profile which, as seen in cross section, comprises multiple sections.

A first section 50 supports a glass ceramic plate 52, which is connected with frame 18, in particular by way of a glued joint. In a second section 54 directed inwardly, there is arranged a slot 34 to receive the spring 16 of support element 2. A stripshaped third section 56, which extends at an incline inwardly away from the glass ceramic plate 52, in the installed state, serves as bearing surface for the inclined section 12 of support element 2. Its free end is edged to that edge 34 which latches with edge 32 of transverse web 4 of support element 2.

The installation is as follows: Initially, circuit board 22 is inserted into support element 2 in that a first edge region is positioned onto bumps 20 of the inclined section 12 of first leg 6 and inserted below the projections 14 of the orthogonal section 10 of the first leg in order to subsequently move the opposite second edge region in the direction of the transverse web and finally latch it with projections 24 of the second leg 8. In this work step, particular care must be taken to ensure that bore 30 of circuit board 22 is positioned above the locating pin of transverse web 4. The U-shaped design of support element 2 being a design which is open in the longitudinal direction allows the accommodation of circuit boards of varying lengths, for instance also of such circuit boards which extend beyond the support element.

Support element 2 having been equipped with circuit board 22 is inserted into frame 18 in that the indicator/display elements A of the inserted circuit board 22 as well as the free end of the second leg 8 are placed onto the underside of the glass ceramic plate 52 in order to finally push spring 16 into slot 34 of frame 18 until its edge 34 snaps into position behind edge 32 of transverse web 4. In this situation, particular care must be taken that recess 48 of frame 18 is positioned in front of elevation 46 of transverse web 4. The height of second leg 8 is dimensioned such that its free end bears resiliently against the underside of the glass ceramic plate. This theoretical overlapping to the glass ceramic for the sake of pre-tensioning the plug-in situation via the cantilever geometry of the profile takes into consideration, amongst others, a relaxation of the plastic support element over a useful life under operating conditions. The front of the support element being proximate to the frame shows joining, bearing, spring, positioning snap/latching and unlocking geometries.

For dismounting, it is merely necessary to force a coin between an abutment 38 of the transverse web 4 and the front edge of the inclined frame section 56, push it downwardly and turn it.

Altogether, a one-piece plastic support element for electronic printed circuit boards is made available which, in combination with a corresponding cook top frame design, ensures a direct, close-to-the glass positioning of the switch and display elements.

The reference numerals in the following claims do not in any way limit the scope of the respective claims.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. Cook top comprising one first support element (18) which supports one cook top plate (52) for accommodating cooking utensils, and at least one second support element which supports at least one third support element (22) for accommodating electrical and/or electronic components and being exchangeable and insertable from a lateral position into the first support element (18).

2. Cook top in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said first support element (18) is designed as a frame.

3. Cook top in accordance with Claim 2, wherein said second support element is insertable into the frame, in particular from the inside.

4. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said second support element is positively connectable with said first support element (18). Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said second support element is connectable with said first support element (18) via at least one slot and key connection.

6. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said second support element can be latched with, and/or snapped into, said first support element (18).

7. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said second support element has at least one first projection (32) which, in the inserted state, in the inserting direction engages behind at least one second projection (34) of said first support element (18) or vice versa.

8. Cook top in accordance with Claim 7, wherein said at least one first and/or second projection (32, 34) is designed as an edge extending perpendicularly to the inserting direction.

9. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein said inserted second support element bears under spring tension against said cook top plate (52). Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said inserted second support element is propped up by said first support element (18) in a direction turned away from said cook top plate in particular by at least one second projection (34) of said first support element (18).

11. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said second support element is designed to be approximately U-shaped.

12. Cook top in accordance with Claim 10, wherein said first leg of said approximately U-shaped second support element is defined as a stop acting in the inserting direction.

13. Cook top in accordance with Claim 11 or 12, wherein in the inserting direction, the spring (15) of the slot and key connection extends along with said first support element (18) away from said first leg of said approximately U-shaped second support element

14. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 11 to 13, wherein in said first leg of said approximately U-shaped second support element at least one third projection (14) is formed which engages an edge of said third support element (22) inserted between said first and second legs Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 11 to 14, wherein the free end of said second leg of said approximately U-shaped second support element in its inserted state bears resiliently against said cook top plate (52).

16. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 11 to 15, wherein in said second leg of said approximately U-shaped second support element (2) there is formed at least one fourth projection (24) which grasps an opposite edge of said third support element (22) inserted between said first and second legs 8).

17. Cook top in accordance with Claim 16, wherein the insertion of said third support element (22) is initially achicvcd by pushing it from a lateral position underneath said at least one third projection (14) of said first leg and by subsequently snapping it into position in the direction of the transverse web of said approximately U-shaped second support element via said fourth projections (24) of said resilient second leg

18. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 11 to 17, wherein in the transverse web of said approximately U-shaped second support element there is formed at least one spring element which pre-tensions said third support element (22) inserted between said first and second legs 8) in the direction of said third and fourth projections (14, 24).

19. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 18, wherein the transition between said transverse web and said first leg of said U- shaped second support element is formed as a first inclined surface (12), which in the inserted state bears against a second inclined surface (56) of said first support element which in particular extends at an incline from said cook top plate (52). Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein said inserted second support element is received rigidly relative to said first support element (18) perpendicularly to the latter's inserted direction and/or said inserted third support element (22) is received rigidly relative to said second support element perpendicularly to the latter's inserted direction.

21. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 20, wherein said first support element (18) consists of metal, in particular aluminium, and is preferably formed of one or more profiles.

22. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 21, wherein said cook top plate (52) consists of glass-ceramic.

23. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 22, wherein said second support element consists of plastic and in particular is a one piece unit.

24. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 23, wherein said third support element (22) is a circuit board.

25. Cook top in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 24, wherein said electrical and/or electronic components are embodied at least partially as operating control and/or indicator/display elements which, in the inserted state of said third support element (22) into said second support element (2) and said second support element into said first support element are arranged immediately under said cook top plate (52) or bear directly against its underside. DATED this TWENTYFIRST day of FEBRUARY 2006 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicant(s)