EP0224098B1 - Electrical cooking plate and device for its connection - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for connecting appliance lines to cooking plates, hobs or hotplates. Our of the bottom of the electric hotplate, connecting pins (19b) extend for connection to connecting members (33) of a connecting piece (31) that is part of the appliance line. From a passage through an insulating member (20b) in the bottom of the hotplate, the connecting pins (19b) project outwards towards the circumference of the hotplate body (2b). In a transportation mode the pins can be resiliently and completely countersunk in the underside of the hotplate. In the vicinity of the front end of the connecting members (33) of the appliance plug, the connecting piece (31) of the plug has a threading and guidance apparatus for the connecting pins (19b) that does not project beyond the outer circumference of hotplate body (2b), thereby ensuring an automatic, positonally correct connection between the connecting piece (31) and connecting pins (19b).

Description

The invention relates to an electric hotplate according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such hot plates are usually fastened in a hob such that they engage in a mounting opening of this hob, are supported against the edge of this mounting opening against support forces and are connected to the appliance lines on the underside of the hob. The width of the mounting opening is usually only slightly larger than the greatest width of the part of the hotplate body engaging in it, which is generally determined by an outer, annular cast flange edge of the hotplate body. For the assembly of the hotplate, which is expediently in the wrong or upside down position, i.e. with the hotplate underneath and the hob above, it is essential how that part of the hob is designed which has to be inserted through the mounting opening into the hob.

From EP-A2-0 113 923 an electric hotplate of the generic type has become known, in which the connection sections are formed only by short stubs protruding over the insulating piece, which either protrude vertically downwards in the position of use or at a small angle in the direction are angled towards the center of the hotplate body. This makes access to the connection of the device lines relatively complicated, especially if the connection is to be made by a welded connection.

From EP-A2-0 102 015, an electric hotplate with flexible connecting sections has become known, which in particular makes the assembly or insertion of the hotplate in the hob more difficult, for example due to an automated working process. From DE-AI-2 422 717 an electric hotplate has also become known, on the underside of which a terminal block projecting beyond the outer circumference is attached, to which the connecting lines of the heating resistors are connected. In this case too, the electric hotplate must be installed with parts protruding over the outer circumference.

The invention has for its object to provide an electric hotplate of the type described, which with a simple structure ensures a significantly simplified installation in the hob or the like. And a cheap connection of the device lines.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1. The deformable, not flexible connecting pins, which can only be deformed using relatively large bending forces, do not protrude so far on the one hand that they hinder a merging of the hob and hotplate, which is axially parallel to the central axis of the assembly opening, and on the other hand they project transversely to the central axis of the hotplate in such a way that they extend from the outer circumference forth, for example se in a plug-in movement, can be connected to the device lines, whereby they compensate for any slight deviations in position relative to the connecting members by their resilient mobility.

The hotplate according to the invention can also be designed in a simple manner in such a way that it can be stacked one above the other, for example with the interposition of a cardboard coated with foam film or a similar flat body, with similar or identical hotplates, and in such a way that hotplates lying one above the other are arranged coaxially are. The hot plates can be alternately supported with their cooking surfaces and their undersides, or they can be stacked in the same orientation so that adjacent hot plates with a cooking surface and a bottom face each other, whereby the bottom cooking plate is expediently arranged with the cooking surface facing downwards is. The above-mentioned stacks, which ensure transport and storage in a narrow space, are possible in particular if at least one receiving recess for the connecting pins is provided in the cover in such a way that, in a transport position, they extend at most down to the underside of the hotplate, however when the stack pressure is released, spring out over the underside of the hotplate. The connecting pins then move away from the underside of the hotplate, for example, at a few angular degrees to their free ends, so that their access is particularly favorable for the connection to the appliance lines parallel to their longitudinal direction.

Due to the inventive design, it is also possible in an advantageous manner to take into account the disadvantages that usually occur, which result from the fact that during operation of the hotplate in the immediate vicinity of its underside, relatively high temperatures occur, which impair both the connection connections and the device lines or damage. These degrees of temperature decrease considerably even at relatively short distances from the underside of the hotplate, which is why the connection connections and the device lines can be laid in an area in which no excessive temperatures occur due to the design according to the invention. The connecting lines themselves, however, are designed over their entire length so that they are resistant to the high temperatures.

The object on which the invention is based can also be achieved in an advantageous manner in that a common connecting piece is provided for all connecting pins, which has separate connecting elements arranged next to one another on an insulating body and threading guide means for the connecting pins located in the region of their front ends , so that even with automated assembly, a positionally correct connection between the connecting pins and the connecting piece or the device lines connected to it is guaranteed. The connector thus contributes to the correct orientation of the pins before the final connection or before reaching its end position. For this purpose, guiding surfaces can be provided on the one hand on the insulating body and on the other hand on the connecting members or on both parts, which are expediently arranged in such a way that they have an alignment effect in at least two coordinate directions.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting piece has connecting or aligning members which are insulated from the connecting members for direct engagement in the hotplate, so that an exact positional alignment and possibly a direct load-bearing connection of the connecting piece with respect to the hotplate can be achieved in a simple manner. In its connected position, the insulating body expediently protrudes with a larger part of its total length over the outer circumference of the hotplate, so that the device lines adjoining its outer end are relatively far away from the hotplate and therefore do not have to be particularly temperature-resistant.

The connection pins can also be aligned with the hotplate before assembly by a separate centering member, this centering member engaging at a distance from the bushing through the insulating piece on the connection pins and expediently leaving their ends freely exposed at least over a short length. The centering member, which can be transferred from a stacking position into an assembly position, is advantageously arranged so that it gradually releases the connecting pins over the entire length on which they engage in the connecting piece when the connecting piece is connected.

The mechanical and securely electrically conductive connection between the connecting members and the connecting pins can be made by resistance welding, spot welding, inert gas welding and in particular by non-contact welding, such as laser welding. But it can also be done by squeezing the connecting member, by clamping screws or by pure, if necessary releasable plug connections, which is particularly advantageous when hot plates have to be replaced or replaced. Similarly, the connections mentioned are also suitable for connecting the connecting members to the device lines, each of the possible combinations between the type of connection with the connection pins and the type of connection with the device lines being conceivable to adapt to the respective requirements.

The risk that the heating resistor connecting lines are torn from their connection to the heating resistors when the hotplate is stacked or during assembly by moving the connecting pins inside the hotplate can be substantially reduced by the fact that the inner sections of the connecting lines are so opposite to the The hotplate is secured so that movements of the pins are not transferred to it.

The hotplate according to the invention is particularly suitable for automatic stacking and for automatic assembly using automatic handling machines (robots). For this purpose, both the hotplate and the connecting piece or its insulating body expediently each have at least one positioning member, by means of which the position of the hotplate or the connecting piece can be precisely recognized by the handling machine and this position can be secured.

A device for attaching the connection piece to the electric hotplate is characterized according to the invention in that a gripper is provided which moves the connection piece in three coordinate directions with respect to the connection pins in order to bring them into engagement one after the other with the guide surfaces so that the simple way gives an accurate alignment of the pins relative to the connector. In addition to this or instead of this, it can also be advantageous if a gripping and aligning device is provided for the connecting pins, preferably two gripping jaws being provided, at least one of which has a comb-like gripping surface with centering cutouts for the connecting pins. The centering cutouts can be prism-shaped, for example V-shaped, in a simple manner.

• Fig. 1 einen Ausschnitt einer erfindungsgemäßen Elektrokochplatte in Ansicht auf die Unterseite,
• Fig. 2 die Kochplatte gemäß Fig. 1 in teilweise geschnittener Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 3 eine weitere Ausführungsform in einer Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 2,
• Fig. 4 eine weitere Ausführungsform in einer ausschnittsweisen Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1,
• Fig. 5 die Kochplatte gemäß Fig. 4 in Montage-und Anschlußstellung mit zugehörigem Anschlußstück,
• Fig. 6 das Anschlußstück gemäß Fig. 5 in seiner der Fig. 4 zugehörigen Lage,
• Fig. 7 einen Ausschnitt des Anschlußstückes in Ansicht auf das Anschlußende gemäß Fig. 5,
• Fig. 8 einen Ausschnitt einerAnschlußleitung in vergrößerter Darstellung und in Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 9 der Ausschnitt gemäß Fig 8 in Draufsicht,
• Fig. 10 und 11 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Anschlußstückes in Darstellungen entspreschend den Fig. 5 und 6,
• Fig. 12 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Anschlußstückes in geschnittener Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 13 das Anschlußstück gemäß Fig. 12 in einer Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 6,
• Fig. 14 das Anschlußstück gemäß Fig. 12 in Ansicht auf das Anschlußende,
• Fig. 15 eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Kochplatte mit zugehörigem Anschlußstück in Ansicht auf die Unterseite,
• Fig. 16 und 17 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Anschlußstückes in Darstellungen entsprechend den Fig. 5 und 6,
• Fig. 18 bis 20 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Anschlußstückes in Darstellungen entsprechend den Fig. 12 bis 14,
• Fig. 21 bis 23 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Anschlußstückes in Darstellungen entsprechend den Fig. 5 bis 7,
• Fig. 24 bis 27 zwei weitere Ausführungsformen von Anschlußstücken in Darstellungen entsprechend den Fig. 5 und 6,
• Fig. 28 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Anschlußstückes in Seitenansicht,
• Fig. 29 eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Kochplatte mit zugehörigem Anschlußstück in einer Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 5,
• Fig. 30 die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 29 in Ansicht auf die ünterseite der Kochplatte,
• Fig. 31 und 32 eine weitere Ausführungsform in Darstellungen entsprechend den Fig. 29 und 30,
• Fig. 33 einen Ausschnitt der Fig. 31 in Längsansicht auf die Anschlußstifte,
• Fig 34 und 35 zwei weitere Ausführungsformen in Darstellungen entsprechend Fig. 33,
• Fig. 36 ein erfindungsgemäßes Werkzeug zum Positionieren der Anschluß-Abschnitte der Elektrokochplatte bei deren Verbindung mit den Anschluß-Gliedern bzw. mit dem Anschlußstück in Ansicht und geöffneter Stellung,
• Fig 37 das Werkzeug gemäß Fig 36 in geschlossenem Zustand,
• Fig 38 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Werkzeuges in einer Darstellung entsprechend Fig 36.

These and further features of preferred developments of the invention are also apparent from the description and the drawings, the individual features being able to be implemented individually or in groups in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields. Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

• 1 shows a section of an electric hotplate according to the invention in a view of the underside,
• 2 the hotplate according to FIG. 1 in a partially sectioned side view,
• 3 shows a further embodiment in a representation corresponding to FIG. 2,
• 4 shows a further embodiment in a partial representation according to FIG. 1,
• 5 shows the hotplate according to FIG. 4 in the assembly and connection position with the associated connecting piece,
• 5 in its position associated with FIG. 4,
• 7 shows a detail of the connector in view of the connector end according to FIG. 5,
• 8 shows a detail of a connecting line in an enlarged representation and in a side view,
• 9 the detail according to FIG. 8 in plan view,
• 10 and 11 another embodiment a connector in representations corresponding to FIGS. 5 and 6,
• 12 shows a further embodiment of a connecting piece in a sectional side view,
• 13 the connector according to FIG. 12 in a representation corresponding to FIG. 6,
• 14 the connector according to FIG. 12 in view of the connector end,
• 15 shows a further embodiment of a hotplate with associated connector in a view of the underside,
• 16 and 17 a further embodiment of a connector in representations corresponding to FIGS. 5 and 6,
• 18 to 20 a further embodiment of a connecting piece in representations corresponding to FIGS. 12 to 14,
• 21 to 23 a further embodiment of a connecting piece in representations corresponding to FIGS. 5 to 7,
• 24 to 27 two further embodiments of connectors in representations corresponding to FIGS. 5 and 6,
• 28 shows a further embodiment of a connector in side view,
• 29 shows a further embodiment of a hotplate with associated connector in a representation corresponding to FIG. 5,
• 30 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 29 in view of the underside of the hotplate,
• 31 and 32 a further embodiment in representations corresponding to FIGS. 29 and 30,
• 33 shows a detail of FIG. 31 in a longitudinal view of the connecting pins,
• 34 and 35 two further embodiments in representations corresponding to FIG. 33,
• 36 shows a tool according to the invention for positioning the connection sections of the electric hotplate when they are connected to the connection members or to the connection piece in a view and in the open position,
• 37 the tool according to FIG. 36 in the closed state,
• 38 shows a further embodiment of a tool in a representation corresponding to FIG. 36.

The electric hotplate 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 has a hotplate body 2 consisting of one piece, the upper side of which forms a flat cooking surface 3 which is provided with a recess in the center and is therefore ring-shaped, but free of openings. The, for example, circular hotplate body 2 forms a circumferential collar 4 adjoining the cooking surface 3, the outer circumference of which determines the greatest width or the largest diameter of the hotplate body 2 and on the underside of which a jacket or apron-shaped flange edge 5 slightly offset inward relative to this outer circumference whose lower end face determines the underside of the hotplate body 2. This outer flange edge 5, which is provided axially symmetrical to the central axis 6 of the electric hotplate 1, projects downwards over the part of the underside of the hotplate body 2 which closes on the central axis 6. In this part, one, two or more heating resistors 7 in the form of heating coils are laid in grooves extending spirally about the central axis 6, which are separated from one another by correspondingly spiraling, rib-shaped intermediate webs of the cast body, which are pressed into a mineral-pressed insulating mass relative to the hotplate body 2 are embedded without contact. In the radially inner region of the field in which the heating resistors 7 are installed, this field can be delimited by an inner flange edge of the cast body corresponding to the outer flange edge 5, this flange edge expediently projecting less far downward than the outer flange edge 5. In the center, that is, possibly with a radial spacing within the inner flange edge, the hotplate body 3 has a center pin 8 which projects approximately over its underside as far as the flange edge 5 or slightly less and is provided with a threaded bore. The underside of the electric hotplate 1 or of the space enclosed by the flange edge 5 is closed with a cover 9 made of sheet metal, which bears under tension with an outer ring edge 10 on the lower end face of the flange edge 5. The cover g formed by a lid-like embossing or deep-drawn part, the outer circumference of which is formed by the approximately the same width as the outer circumference of the flange edge 5, having an edge surface of the ring edge 10, is provided with a hollow screw 11 lying in the central axis 6 and engaging in the central pin 8 stretched against the lower end face of the central pin 8, the head of the hollow screw 11 being countersunk in a recess in the underside of the cover 9 in such a way that the hollow screw 11 does not protrude beyond the areas of the underside of the cover 9 which are essentially in one plane. The banjo bolt 11 can, however, without significantly impairing the stackability, protrude at most by an amount beyond this underside that corresponds to the depth of the central recess in the cooking surface 3. In addition to the flat bottom mentioned, the cover 9 only has areas which form depressions on the underside, that is to say are set back upwards relative to this underside. These areas are formed, in particular, by an approximately closed annular groove-shaped depression 12, which is immediately adjacent to the ring edge, and an approximately rectangularly delimited depression 13 in the bottom view, which lies symmetrically to an axial plane 14 of the hotplate in the area of the interruption of the annular groove 12. On the underside of the circumferential collar 4 or the lower ring shoulder formed by this, a support ring 15 made of sheet metal is provided, which closely surrounds the outer periphery of the flange 5 on a small part of its height and for opening from the electric hotplate 1 on the edge of the mounting hole in a hob or the like. The support ring 15 can be approximately U-shaped in cross section outer ring leg expediently runs obliquely outwards in cross section.

The heating resistors 7 have end pins 16 fastened at their ends, which protrude downward from the insulating bed and lie completely in the space between the underside of the hotplate body 3 and the cover 9. At these end pins 16, the ends of inner sections 18 of heating resistor connecting lines 19 are fastened, these inner sections 18 between an insulating piece 20 and the associated end pin 16 being substantially straight or parallel to the cooking surface 3 with a distance between the underside of the hotplate body and the cover 9 run. All, in the exemplary embodiment shown four connecting lines 17 are led out through side-by-side through openings 21 at right angles to the cooking surface 3 in the insulating piece 20 downward from the hotplate or through the cover 9, the through openings 21 on both sides of the axial plane 14 in a common to this Lie level and the insulating piece 20 is approximately symmetrical to the axial plane 14. The sections 18 are angled approximately at right angles adjacent to the inside of the insulating piece 20 or to the associated end of the respective feed-through opening 21 and can lie in the respective feed-through opening 21 with essentially no play with this angled section. Immediately adjacent to the outside of the insulating piece 20 or following the outer end of the through opening 21, the respective connecting line 17 is in turn provided with a bend 22 such that it forms an outer, straight connecting pin 19 following this bend, which is parallel to the axial plane 14 lies and is directed against the area of the flange 5 closest to the insulating piece 20. The connecting lines 17 are thus angled in the area of the passage through the insulating piece 20, in some cases approximately U-shaped or in part Z-shaped. The expediently made of steatite insulating piece 20 passes through a window-like opening 23 that closely surrounds it with its boundary in the bottom of the recess 13 of the cover 9 parallel to the underside and is supported with a shoulder surface on the inside of the edge of the cover 9 surrounding the opening 23. With projections 24 protruding on both sides of the lead-through openings 21, the insulating piece 20 is further supported on the underside of the hotplate body 3 in the area in which the heating resistors 7 are located. The outer ends of the through openings 21 lie in a region of the insulating piece 20 which is provided approximately in the plane of the bottom of the recess 13 and is surrounded by a circumferential, projecting edge which, however, does not protrude to the underside of the cover 9. Cutouts 26 are provided in the long sides of this edge 26, the connecting pins 19 crossing the edge 26 at right angles in the area of the associated cutout 25. Following the recess 13, a less deep receiving recess 27 is provided in the underside of the cover 9 between the latter and the ring edge 10, which extends almost to the ring edge 10 and into which the connecting pins 19 can be pressed resiliently such that they do not have the underside of the cover 9 protrude and its ends extend almost to the inner circumference of the flange 5. In the relaxed state, the connecting pins 19 lie in a common plane which is perpendicular to the axial plane 14 and which, at a few angular degrees, bw to the underside of the cover 9. is inclined to the cooking surface 3, that the connecting pins 19 move away from their underside to their free ends and lie at a distance from the underside of the rest of the hotplate with these free ends. All pins 19 are of equal length or so long that their free ends lie in a common plane perpendicular to the axial plane 14.

The hotplate has on its underside, namely in the lower end face of the flange edge 5, a positioning member 28 in the form of a cutout in which the cover 9 engages with a cam which is formed out of its ring edge 10. In this way, on the one hand, the position of the cover relative to the hotplate body 2 is precisely defined and, moreover, this positioning member 28 is suitable for the precise alignment of the hotplate with respect to the central axis 6 during assembly.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, protruding parts are provided on the hotplate 1a over the underside of the cover 9a, so that it is essentially only suitable for stacking with offset central axes 6a. To fasten the hotplate 1a in the appliance, a threaded bolt 11a projecting downward in the central axis 6a is provided, which is screwed into the central pin of the hotplate body 2a and on which a nut for fixing the cover 9a relative to the hotplate body is arranged. The cover 9a lies completely within the flange edge 5a and is cup-shaped with a raised edge within the flange edge 5a against the underside of the hotplate body or the field having the heating resistors. To prevent rotation of the hotplate in the device, which can be done in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 by a part that can be set up from the transport position over the underside of the hotplate, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 at least one is adjacent to the central pin 11a via the Bottom protruding anti-rotation pin 29 provided. The insulating piece 20a also projects beyond the underside of the cover 9a, so that the connecting pins 19a lie completely below the underside of the cover 9a. Above the connecting pins 19a there is a mating connector 30 projecting parallel to them and in the form of a sheet metal profile, which is penetrated by the insulating piece 20a and at the bottom side of the cover 9a, for example by spot welding, is attached. The mating connector 30, which is U-shaped in cross section, the free end of which protrudes outward to the same extent as the connecting pins 19a, lies at a distance below the cover 9a with its plugging section, this plugging section having approximately the same plugging direction as the connecting pins 19a. The profile legs of the mating connector 30 are directed downward to the connection pins 19a and are at a clearance from one another which is greater than the width of the zone on which the connection pins 19a lie. The mating connector 30, which can also be used instead of the positioning member 28 for the correct orientation of the electric hotplate la, is used for attaching a connecting piece which at the same time has connecting members for receiving the connecting pins 19a.

In all figures, the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts, but in the individual embodiments with different letter indices.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 4 to 7, a connecting piece 31 is provided which or the like in an insulating body 32 made of steatite. one of the number of pins 19b corresponding number parallel to each other and immediately adjacent, electrically conductive connecting members 33, which extend approximately over the entire length of the insulating body 32 and protrude freely over the front end. At the rear ends of the connecting members 33 device lines 34 are squeezed or. Clamped connections 35 are connected, these device lines 34 being flexible, that is to say easily bendable or limp, and, if appropriate, each surrounded by a separate insulating jacket which are aligned with the front ends of the connecting members 33 in the region of their transition into the connecting piece 31. In the area behind the front, freely projecting ends, the connecting members 33 are designed in the manner of plug sockets, in this area they are U-shaped in cross-section approximately up to the connection of the device lines 34 and the opening between the U-legs is provided by an inner surface of the Receiving opening in the insulating piece 32 is covered, so that a closed in cross section over the circumference, partly delimited by the connecting element 33 and partly by the insulating piece 32, is formed, the width of which is less than twice the diameter of the connecting pins 19b. The freely projecting front ends of the connecting members 33 designed in the manner of wire end sleeves form threading-in guide means and, for this purpose, have a cross-sectional shape which is not completely closed over the circumference. In the illustrated embodiment, this cross-sectional shape is approximately rectangular at an angle with a rounded transition zone between the angle legs, the radius of curvature of which corresponds to the radius of curvature of the semicircular crossbar of the aforementioned U-profile and is flush with it. A shorter angle leg 38 of this angle profile 37 is in the connected position parallel to the common central plane of the angb locking pins 19b, namely on its side facing away from the cover 96 and aligned with the associated Ü-leg of the connecting member 33, from which it forms a continuous continuation. The other, longer angle leg 39 is at right angles to this and is directed towards the underside of the cover 9b, this angle leg 39 being formed by a correspondingly deformed end section of the other U-profile leg of the connecting member 33 and in this profile leg via a surface which is smooth on the inside, continuously curved guide section 42 merges. The inner surfaces of the angled legs 38, 39 form two guide surfaces 40, 41 which are at right angles to one another and merge into one another via a concave fillet, of which the guide surface 41 is continuously curved into the inner surface of the guide section 42 and thus, like the guide surface 40, continuously into the associated inner surfaces of the Socket opening 36 merges. The angle leg 38 connects with its outer surface to a shoulder surface 43 of the insulating body 32 which covers the freely projecting ends of the connecting members 33 or the angle profiles 37 over part of their length, which is formed by a corresponding projection extending over the width of the insulating body 32. This projection or the shoulder surface 43 lies on the side of the connecting members 33 or the angle profiles 37 facing away from the cover 9b, the shoulder surface 43 being able to form a continuation of the guide surfaces 40. The angled legs 38 or the guide surfaces 40 of all the connecting members 33 protrude in cross section in the same direction, that is to say that the threading-in guide means are oriented identically in all connecting members. 5, the electric hotplate 1b is shown in its preferred mounting position, namely with the cooking surface 3b at the bottom, and the hob 44 engaging in the support ring 15b is indicated by dash-dotted lines. After the electric hotplate 1b and hob 44 have been joined together, the connecting piece 31 is moved parallel or in alignment with the connecting pins 19b with a gripper (not shown in detail) onto the connecting pins 19b. The gripper engages in two positioning members 45 of the connecting piece 31 provided on the side of the insulating body 32, which are formed by lateral cutouts or depressions, so that in addition to a positionally correct mounting of the connecting piece 31, a positive connection in the plug-in direction is also ensured. The connecting piece 31 is moved towards the connecting pins 19b in such a way that they are still a short distance from the extensions of the guide surfaces 40, 41 which are intended in the plug-in direction, that is to say in any case at the angle or angle enclosed by these. Slot come to rest. As soon as the guide surfaces 40, 41 have overlapped all the connecting pins 19b over a sufficiently large length, the connecting piece 31 is moved in two mutually perpendicular coordinate directions 46, 47 at right angles to the insertion direction arrow 48, these coordinate directions being parallel or at right angles to the planes of the guide surfaces 40, 41 and each directed in the direction at right angles to the associated guide surface 40 or 41 are in which this guide surface points. Advantageously, the connecting piece 31 is first moved in the coordinate direction 47 perpendicular to the guide surface 41 until the connecting pins 19b abut the respectively associated guide surface 41, after which the connecting piece 31 is moved in the coordinate direction 46 perpendicular to the guide surface 40 until the connecting pins 19b also start strike this guide surface 40. The connecting pins 19b are thus aligned exactly with respect to the socket openings 46, so that the connecting piece 31 can be pushed completely in the plugging direction arrow 48 onto the connecting pins 19b designed as plug pins, for example until the front ends of the connecting members 33 or the angle profiles 37 come to lie in the area of the bends 22b. During the movement in the coordinate directions 46, 47, the movement in the direction of insertion arrow 48 can be interrupted or it can be continued at such a low speed that threading of the connecting pins 19b into the socket openings 36 is guaranteed in any case. The connecting pins 19b are then firmly connected to the connecting members 33 within the connecting members 33, that is to say between their front and rear ends or between the front and rear ends of the insulating body 32. This can be done advantageously, for example, by a contactless welding, for which purpose the an access opening 49 is provided on the side of the insulating body 32 facing away from the cover 9b in the region of each connecting member 33. However, it is also possible to firmly connect the connecting members 33 to the connecting pins 19b in the region of their freely projecting ends by welding, for example by resistance welding.

The connecting piece 31 or the insulating body 32 is formed as a flat body of approximately constant thickness when viewed in side view or in the direction of insertion, which is oblong-rectangular in plan view with connecting members 33 lying side by side over its width. On its side facing the cover 9b, the insulating body 32 has, near its front end, protruding, knob-shaped latching members 50, to which corresponding latching openings or latching depressions 51 in the bottom of the receiving recess 27b are assigned. The two locking recesses 51 lie in a view of the underside of the hotplate according to FIG. 4 on both sides of the group of connecting pins 19b. The latching members 50 snap into the latching depressions 51 when the connector 31 is plugged onto the connector pins 19b, so that the insertion depth with which the connector pins 19b engage in the connector 31 is precisely defined. The design can be provided such that the locking members 50 are pressed into the locking recesses 51 by the spring force of the connecting pins 19b and thereby secured in their locking position. In the connected state, the connector 31 lying obliquely to the underside of the electric hotplate 1, corresponding to the connecting pins 19b, projects relatively far beyond the outer periphery of the flange edge 5b or the hotplate body 2b, so that the device lines 34 lie at a relatively large distance from the electric hotplate.

The bend 22 or 22a or 22b of each connecting pin also forms a hinge zone in the form of a predetermined bending point, through which the connecting pin is in particular about a central axis perpendicular to the axial plane 14 with respect to the rest of the hotplate, preferably at least up to a position projecting at right angles above its underside can be pivoted. As a result, the connecting piece can, if necessary, also lie vertically below the insulating piece 20b, the bending of the connecting pins advantageously only taking place after the connection to the connecting piece. 8, this joint zone 22 of the connecting line 17c is formed by two cross-sectional weakenings 52 lying directly adjacent to one another on both sides of the bend, these cross-sectional weakenings being able to be formed by squeezing the solid piece of wire and having their smaller cross-sectional extent at right angles to the joint axis. The cross-sectional weakenings can also be provided directly adjacent to the bend next to one another at the associated end of the connecting pin, so that the bend and the joint zone lie next to one another and do not coincide.

10 and 11, the connecting members 33d are formed by sockets protruding freely over the front end of the insulating body 32d, which are bent from sheet metal strips and are therefore longitudinally slotted. At a distance from the front end of the insulating body 32d, the connecting members 33d have conical extensions 37d as threading and guiding means for the connecting pins. Furthermore, the insulating body 32d has a stop 50d on its associated side, which can abut the outer periphery of the flange edge of the hotplate body and thereby fix the insertion depth for the connecting pins. The projecting connecting members 33d are particularly suitable for connection to the connecting pins by spot welding or non-contact welding, such as laser welding. Between its front and rear ends, the insulating body 32d has, in the region of each connecting member 33d passing through it, an engagement opening 53 for a crimping tool, with which the connecting members 33d are deformed by squeezing within the insulating body 32d in such a way that they are secured in the longitudinal direction with respect to the insulating body 32d are. The intervention Openings 53 can be provided side by side on the side facing away from the hotplate, on the side facing it or on both sides, preferably in alignment with one another.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 12 and 13, a guide surface 40e, namely the guide surface parallel to the common central plane of the connecting pins, is formed by the insulating piece 32e, namely by a shoulder surface which is approximately the entire width thereof and similar to the shoulder surface 43 according to FIG. 7. This shoulder surface is only interrupted by flat strip-like or flag-shaped extensions of the connecting members 33e, which engage in groove-shaped recesses in the shoulder surface such that the guide surfaces 40e are approximately aligned with the associated inner boundaries of the socket openings 36e, these inner boundaries being connected by the associated U- Profile legs of the connecting members 33e are formed. But it is also conceivable to design the connecting members 33e over the entire length to be brought into engagement with the connecting pins, for example up to the connection of the device lines 34e, as flat strip-shaped connecting lugs, so that the socket opening is only on one side from the electrically conductive one Connection member 33e and otherwise limited by the insulating body 31e e. Each guide surface 40e passes continuously between two guide and connecting lugs 39e, each connecting lug 39e forming a guide surface 41e lying at right angles to the guide surface 40e. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the guide surfaces 40e, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 7, point away from the underside of the hotplate, so that the associated coordinate direction 46e is accordingly directed in the opposite direction. In addition to the access openings 49e for the contactless welding located adjacent to the front end of the insulating body 32e, the insulating body 32e also has at least one engagement opening 53e for a crimping tool or the like for each connecting member 33e. on. The freely projecting ends of the terminal lugs 39e are for the connection to the terminal pins by resistance welding or the like. suitable.

While the distances between adjacent pins or connecting members are the same in the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 14, they are asymmetrically unequal in the embodiment according to FIG. 15 that the connecting piece 31f can only be connected to them in a single predetermined position and thus connection errors due to a reversed insertion of the connector 31f are excluded. In a preferred embodiment, apart from a distance, in particular between two outer connecting members 33f, all other distances between adjacent connecting members 33f are the same, the differing distance being greater than these distances. For each connecting pin 19f, a separate, groove-shaped receiving recess 27f is provided in the underside of the cover 9f, said recess being made between a relatively narrow circumferential groove 54 adjoining the ring edge 10f and the recess 13f for the insulating piece 20f in the cover 9f. As a result, each connecting pin 19f is also secured during transport or during stacked storage against lateral movements and thus any corresponding bending.

16 and 17 form freely over the front end of the insulating body 32h protruding, closed, sleeve-shaped sockets whose inner bore at the front end is funnel-shaped or conically widened at an acute angle. The connecting members 33h are expediently formed by thick-walled pipe sections made of corrosion-resistant steel or a similarly high-temperature-resistant, electrically conductive material and can be mechanically firmly connected to the connecting pins by simply squeezing them together.

18 to 20, the connecting members 33i are formed by relatively thick-walled steel sleeves which are widened in a funnel shape at their front ends to form threading and guiding means for the connecting pins by non-cutting deformation. At their rear ends, which lie in the insulating body 32i, they are oval or elongated, such that their larger cross-sectional extent lies at right angles to the common central plane of the connecting members 33i or the connecting pins. In these sections, clamping screws 55 with a thread are guided such that they engage in the side flanks of the oval cross section of the connecting members 33i in accordance with FIG. 23 and are therefore guided particularly securely. The clamping screws 55 are used to connect the device lines 34i, which are thus releasably attached. The connecting members 33i are connected to the connecting pins by pinching. The insulating body 32i is fastened to an essentially U-shaped plug body 56 which is bent from sheet metal and which can be designed, for example, to be plugged onto the mating connector 30 according to FIG. 3. The plug body 56, which partially encompasses the insulating body 32i for securing the position, projects in the direction of insertion arrow 48i over the connecting members 33i and can be provided in the region of its front end with the latching members 50i in the form of features. The plug body 56 lies on the side of the insulating body 32i facing the hotplate, which it covers with respect to the hotplate.

In the embodiment close to FIGS. 21 to 23, the connecting members 33k are oval or long round throughout their length in cross section, so that the connecting pins are also inserted into long round socket openings, the larger cross-sectional extent of which is perpendicular to the common central plane of the connecting pins. For securing the Terminal pins are also provided clamping screws 57 which are exposed in front of the insulating body 32k at the projecting ends of the connecting members 33k in such a way that their threads engage in the mutually parallel, flat inner flank surfaces of the socket openings.

24 and 25 is a very short connecting piece 31m, the insulating body 32m of which receives the connecting members completely sunk and has a considerably greater width than its extension in the plug-in direction and can be designed in the manner of a luster terminal. Expediently, only a single clamping screw 37m is provided on each connecting member 33m, which overlaps the end of the associated connecting pin 19m, which is expediently widened by squeezing, against the associated end of the device line 34m and thus directly against it. This end of the device line 34m can be welded or the like. be attached to the connecting member 33m or it can be detachably fixed to the connecting pin 19m by the clamping screw 57m. The clamping screws 57 are also recessed in the insulating body 32m. In particular, this training is suitable for the connection pins 19m to be transferred into a position approximately at right angles from the underside of the hotplate, so that the connecting piece 31m and the device line 34m, provided the space under the hob allow it, are relatively far below that Electric hotplate.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the connecting members 33n can also be designed such that they can be connected to the connecting pins via a pure, preferably self-locking plug connection. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each connecting member 33n is formed by an approximately U-shaped sheet metal profile, the leg of which lying towards the front of the connecting piece 31n has a plug-in opening for the respective connecting pin. This plug-in opening can be delimited by a barb-like locking member 57n, which hooks in the connecting pin in such a way that it no longer releases it in the opposite direction. In the other, opposite leg of the connecting member 33n, a plug opening is expediently provided for a plug 58 attached to the device line 34n in such a way that it can be inserted releasably. All device lines 34n are attached directly adjacent to their associated ends or plugs 58 in the correct position on a web-shaped connecting piece 59, so that they can be connected together as a block to the connecting piece 31n.

The embodiment according to FIG. 28 differs from this essentially in that the front ends of the connecting members 33p assigned to the connecting pins are formed by angular profiles 37p lying freely in front of the insulating body 32p or similar threading and guiding means, so that the connecting pins are connected by welding can.

2g and 30 the assignment of the connecting piece 31r to the electric hotplate 1r or to a mating connector 30r is shown, the electric hotplate 1r being similar to that according to FIG. 3 and the connecting piece 39r essentially being the one according to FIGS. 21 to 23 corresponds. The plug body 56r is arranged in such a way that it receives the mating connector 30r between its relatively low legs pointing away from the underside of the hotplate and is thereby secured against lateral displacement relative to the latter. According to FIG. 30, latching members 50r can be provided on the plug body 56r, which cooperate with corresponding counterparts in the counterplug 30r, which are not shown in detail. Through the plug body 56r, which can come into engagement with the mating connector 30r before the connecting members 33r come into engagement with the connecting pins 19r, the connecting members 33r are aligned very precisely with respect to the connecting pins 19r in two mutually perpendicular coordinate directions.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 31 and 32, at the free end of the mating connector 30s, a plate-shaped centering member 60, formed in one piece with the mating connector 30s, is provided for all connecting pins 19s, this centering member 60 being in a centering position in a plane approximately perpendicular to the connecting pins 19s and protrudes downward from the electric hotplate 1s. The centering member 60, which has an undercut centering opening 61 on its lower longitudinal edge for each connecting pin 19s, which in the region of this longitudinal edge forms an outlet opening which is narrower than the remaining width of the centering opening 61 and is slightly adapted to the diameter of the connecting pin 19s, engages on the connecting pins 19s at a short distance behind their free ends. The centering member 60 is integrally connected to the front end of the mating connector 30s in the region of its side facing away from the centering openings 61 via a hinge zone 63 in the form of relatively weakly dimensioned connecting webs, the hinge axis being in the plane of the underside of the mating connector 30s, so that the centering member 60 can be folded against this underside. In this case, the connecting pins 19s exit from the centering openings 61 through the execution openings 62. The plug body 56s of the connecting piece 31s can be shortened relative to the connecting members 33s in such a way that the latter first come into engagement with the connecting pins 19s. In the further course, the connecting members 33s and in particular the plug body 56s strike the centering member 60, so that this is folded against the underside of the mating connector 30s and then lies between this underside and the plug body 56s, so that it cannot electrically bridge the connecting members 33s . In this case, the plug body 56s is located between the sides Profile legs of the mating connector 30s on its underside. Gripping jaws of a device for connecting the hotplate can be designed in accordance with the centering member, but expediently have prism-shaped, that is to say extended V, centering openings, for example V-shaped, wherein two gripping jaws can be provided in opposite directions.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 31 to 33, the centering openings 61 of the link-like centering member 60 are dovetail-shaped. 34, the centering openings 61t can also be angular, in such a way that they are delimited by angular fixing tabs and the centering opening 61t lies essentially laterally offset with respect to the outlet opening 62t. This is also the case in the embodiment according to FIG. 35, in which the centering openings 61 are formed by inclined, groove-like openings with approximately continuously flat side surfaces, which can be at a constant distance over their height or at a decreasing distance from the outlet openings 62u. The features described on the basis of the individual embodiments can also be provided in all other embodiments, depending on which requirements are to be met in the respective application. In the case of use on a so-called automatic hotplate, in which a temperature sensor is provided in an opening in the center of the hotplate body, two hollow screws with an internal thread lying outside the central axis of the hotplate and at a distance from one another are expediently corresponding to the hollow screw 11 according to FIG. 1 and 2 are provided both for fastening the cover and for fastening and securing the hotplate to the appliance. Instead of the described connection options between the connection members 33 etc. and the device lines 34, flat plug tongues for plug connections, as are common under the trade name AMP, can be provided on the connection members in all embodiments.

Instead of the alignment by the centering members 60 or in addition thereto, an alignment of the connection pins, for example the connection pins 19, 19 s or 19 v during assembly, can also be carried out by providing a separate alignment or centering tool 64 is, which is expediently provided as a gripper for the separate gripping of the connecting pins 19 v in such a way that they are both aligned parallel to one another and are held at a predetermined distance from one another. The tool has two comb-like gripping jaws 65, 66 which can be brought into engagement with one another and which either lie immediately adjacent to one another and can thereby overlap one another, or of which a thicker gripping jaw on their comb edge has a receiving slot for immersing the other, thinner or plate-shaped ones Has gripper jaw. The gripping jaws 65, 66 have gripping openings 67 which are designed and arranged corresponding to the centering member 60 and are directed towards one another with their open sides and which are narrowed in a funnel-like manner to their bottom surfaces, for example with convexly curved flanks, the bottom surfaces being approximately half the cross-section of the connecting pins 19 v correspond. The gripping jaws 65, 66 project in the direction in which the gripping openings 67 are provided next to one another, projecting freely from one end from a gripper holder 68, opposite which one or both gripping jaws are movably mounted towards and away from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, only one gripper jaw 65 is slidably mounted to close the tool relative to the gripper holder 68, while the other gripper jaw 66 is rigidly attached to the gripper holder 68. A steep member 70 in the form of, for example, an actuating rod guided on the rod-shaped jaw guide 69 engages on the respectively movable gripping jaw 65. In the open state, the tool 64 moves laterally into the connecting pins 19 v in such a way that they lie between the gripping jaws 65, 66 and between two adjacent connecting pins 19 v the two opposite, essentially tapering, associated comb teeth are provided are each between two gripping openings 67 of the respective gripping jaw 65, 66 and form their flanks. 37 slide the connecting pins 19 v on the flanks of the gripping openings 67 until they abut the two opposite bottom surfaces of two opposite gripping openings 67 and are held essentially free of play by clamping. Since the free ends of the connecting pins 19 v protrude beyond the tool 64, these ends can be slightly resiliently adapted to their position or to the position of the connecting members when they are inserted into the connecting piece.

While in the embodiment according to FIGS. 36 and 37 the gripping jaws 65, 66 can be moved in a straight line relative to one another, the gripping jaws 65 v, 66 v in the embodiment according to FIG. 38 can be pivoted relative to one another in the manner of pliers. For this purpose, the two gripping jaws 65 v, 66 v form tong arms which are elongated beyond the gripping openings 67 v and which, at their ends remote from the gripping openings 67 v, can be pivoted to one another in a joint 69 v about an axis parallel to the central axes of the gripping openings 67 v, as well as on the gripper bracket 68 v. It is also conceivable to provide separate pliers for each connecting pin, so that a plurality of tongs lying next to one another can engage in the connecting pins from the underside of the electric hotplate. In this case, the tongs can engage in the connecting pins very close to the insulating piece, since they take up very little space between these connecting pins and the underside of the electric hotplate.

The gripping openings of at least one gripping device Cheek can also be designed according to Figures 33 to 35.

Claims (21)

1. Electric hotplate (1) with a hotplate body (2) determining an external circumference, a cover (9) on an underside and an insulating member (20) in the vicinity of the cover (9) for the passage of heating resistor leads (17), whose connecting portions for the connection of appliance lines (34) exposed on the underside are constructed as approximately parallel, inherently rigid and substantially straight connecting pins (19) at least in one piece from the passage through the insulating member (20) and which do not project over the outer circumference of the hotplate body (2), characterized in that the connecting pins (19) are directed outwards against the area of the outer circumference closest to the insulating member (20) and for position adaptation on connecting the appliance lines (30) are constructed in resiliently movable manner and at the most extend up to the outer circumference of the hotplate body (2) (figs. 1,2).

2. Electric hotplate according to claim 1, characterized in that the outwardly directed connecting pins (19) at the most extend up to the outer circumference of an outer flange edge (5) of the hotplate body (2) and are in particular set back with respect thereto by at least the width of an outer, offset ring rim (10) of the cover (9) e.g. engaging over the underside of the flange edge (5) and that the connecting pins (19), particularly in a transportation position, extend in the underside direction at the most up to the underside of the hotplate (1). (figs. 1, 2).

3. Electric hotplate according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, in a transportation position, the connecting pins (19) are resiliently pressed into a reception depression (27) on the underside of the hotplate (1), that in the relieved state the connection ends of the connecting pins (19) project in downwardly sloping manner by a few radians in the use position, that at least the ends of the connecting pins (19) have substantially the same spacings from the underside of the hotplate and all the connecting pins (19) are located in a common plane and preferably between adjacent connecting pins (19f) are provided different, asymmetrically distributed spacings. (figs. 1, 2, 15).

4. Electric hotplate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the particular connecting pin (19) which can be transferred at least approximately into a position at right angles to the hotplate is provided adjacent to the insulating member (20) with a hinge-like desired bending point, which is in particular formed by two cross-sectionally weakened portions (52) on either side of a bend (22c). (figs. 1, 2, 8, 9).

5. Electric hotplate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the cover (9f) is provided at least one reception depression (27f) for the connecting pins (19f) and in particular a separate, slot-like reception depression (27f) is provided for each connecting pin (19f) and is preferably provided between a circumferential groove (54) connected to a ring rim (10f) of the cover (9f) and a depression (13f) receiving the insulating member (20f) on the underside of the cover (9f) in an area which is located in the plane of the underside of the ring rim (10f).

6. Electric hotplate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leads (17) from direct connections with the heating resistors (7) or end pin (16) of the heating resistors up to the ends of the connecting pins (19) are formed by one-piece, bent, thermally stable solid wire portions, e.g. of chrome-nickel alloy and which are preferably bent directly on the underside of the insulating member (20).

7. Electric hotplate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a common connecting piece (31) for all the connecting pins (19b) provided on the insulating member (20b) and which has separate connecting members (33) juxtaposed on an insulating body (32) and in the vicinity of the front ends thereof in a connection direction (arrow 48) threading guide means for the connecting pins (19b) and at least one of the components formed by the connecting members (33) and the insulating body (32) form sockets for the connecting pins (19b) and in the vicinity of the front end in the connection direction at least one socket has a cross-sectional shape forming the said guide means.

8. Electric hotplate according to claim 7, characterized in that for forming the threading guide means the front end of at least one socket opening (36h) is widened in funnel-shaped manner and is formed by a tubular or longitudinally slotted, sleevelike connecting member (33h or 33d) or at least one socket opening (36k) at right angles to the common plane of the connecting pins in elongated slot-like manner, or upstream of at least one socket opening (36) is provided at least one guide surface (40,41) for the connecting end of connecting pin (19b) roughly parallel to the plugging direction (arrow 48) and wider than the width of the socket opening (36) and whereof preferably one guide surface (40e) is approximately parallel to the common plane of the connecting pins on the side remote from the underside of the hotplate and one guide surface (41) is at right angles to the common plane of the connecting pins in such a way that two guide surfaces (40, 41) at an angle to one another connect to each other and pass in smooth-surface manner into one another, as well as into the inner face of the socket opening (36).

9. Electric hotplate according to claims 7 or 8, characterized in that for forming the threading guide means at least one guide surface (40, 41) is formed by the connecting member (33), whose front end is in particular flat bar-like, angular or provided with a flat plugging tongue, or at least one guide surface (40e) is formed by the insulating body (32e), particularly by a shoulder surface passing over all the connecting members (33e).

10. Electric hotplate according to one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the insulating body (32, 32e) of the connecting piece (32) forms at least one orientation member, such as a locking member (50), a plugging depth stop (50d), a plugging profile (56), etc. engaging directly into the underside of the hotplate, preferably formed by projecting studs for engagement in depressions (51) on either side of the connecting pins (19b) on the underside of the cover (9b) or by a stop (50d) for engagement on the outer circumference of the outer flange edge of the hotplate body, the insulating body being supported in the stop position on the flange edge.

11. Electric hotplate according to one of the claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the connecting piece (31r) has a connector (56r) roughly parallel to the connecting pins (19r) and associated with a mating connector (30r) of the hotplate (1r) and in particular the connector (56r) is formed by a sheet metal profile carrying the insulating body (32r) or the mating connector (30r) by a plugging tongue positioned above the connecting pins (19r) and fixed to the cover (9r).

12. Electric hotplate according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized by a centering member (60) for the connecting pin (19s) engaging in the vicinity of the connection end, which is arranged on the hotplate (1s) so as to be movable from a centering position into a connection position displaced out of the plugging path of the connecting piece (31s) and preferably the centering member (60) can be moved out of the centering position roughly in plugging direction (38s) by the connecting piece (31s) or is pivotably mounted about an axis roughly parallel to the common plane of the connecting pins (19s) on the cover (9s) and is connected by means of desired bending articulation zone (63) to a mating plug (30s) of the hotplate.

13. Electric hotplate according to claim 12, characterized in that the centering member (60) for the centering pins (19s) has centering openings (61), which are edge-open in the vicinity of the passage openings (62) for the connecting pins, the openings (62) being provided in particular on the edge of the centering member (60) remote from the articulation zone (63) and which has a plate-like construction. (figs. 31, 32).

14. Electric hotplate according to one of the claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the connecting piece (31) has at least one positioning member (45) for the correct position alignment on the gripper of a robot and preferably positioning depressions are provided on either side of the insulating body (32). (figs. 5, 6).

15. Electric hotplate according to one of the claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the connecting members (33) are made from steel and in particular by multicore cable ends for connection to appliance lines (34).

16. Electric hotplate according to one of the claims 7 to 15, characterized in that at least one of the connecting members (33d) is secured in position by squeezing with respect to the insulating body (32d) and which in the vicinity of each connecting member (33d) has at least one engagement opening (53) for a squeezing tool located at right angles thereto, that preferably at least one of the connecting members (33d) is constructed for the contactless welding to the connecting pin (19b) and in the insulating body (32) is provided an access opening (49e) in the vicinity of the weld and that in particular at least one of the connecting members (33h) is constructed for crimping connection to the connecting pin (19) or the appliance line (34h). (figs. 10, 11, 13, 17).

17. Electric hotplate according to one of the claims 7 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the connecting members (33n) is constructed for the in particular, detachable, plug connection to the connecting pin or a plug (58) of the appliance line (34n), that at least one of the connecting members (33k) for the connecting pin or for the appliance line (34k) has at least one connection clamping screw (57 or 55k), whose thread in the case of an oval bush cross-section of the connecting member (33k) engages in its cross-sectional flanks, that at least one connecting member (33) projecting over the insulating body (32) in the plugging direction (arrow 48) extends approximately up to the bend (22b) of the connecting pin (19b), or that, in the longitudinal direction of the in particular one-piece, through connecting members (33), the insulating body (32) is elongated and constructed as a flat member and is made from a ceramic material. (figs. 27, 22, 5).

18. Electric hotplate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating piece (20) is positionally secured between the cover (9) and a facing underside of the hotplate body (3) receiving heating resistors (7) and engages in centered manner in a window- like opening (23) in the cover (9) and preferably the insulating member (20) is set back with respect to the underside of cover (9) and, in narrow passage openings (21), secures the connecting leads (17) against movements of their inner portions (18) belonging to the heating resistors (7). (figs. 1, 2).

19. Electric hotplate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underside of the hotplate and in particular the cover (9) is constructed as a stacking surface located substantially in one plane, which is substantially free from projecting parts and is located in the plane of the ring rim (10) and that preferably, in the case of the construction of the hotplate as an automatic hotplate, it has on the underside two spaced fastening members and in particular hollow screws.

20. Apparatus suitable for the fitting of an electric connecting piece (31) to the connecting pins (19) of an electric hotplate according to claim 1, characterized in that a gripper is provided, which moves the connecting piece (31) in three coordinate directions (arrows 46, 47, 48) with respect to the connecting pins (19b), in order to successively engage the same with guide surfaces (40, 41) and the remaining connecting member, or that as a separate tool (64) is provided a gripping and orienting means for the connecting pins (19).

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the gripping and orienting means has two gripping jaws (65, 66), whereof at least one has a comb-like gripping surface with centering cutouts for the connecting pins.

Images