EP2638329B1

EP2638329B1 - A cooking device

Info

Publication number: EP2638329B1
Application number: EP11781541.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ahmet Onder Fesligil; Metin Gozacar; Merih Tarimtoru; Mustafa Yalcin
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2010-11-12
Filing date: 2011-11-10
Publication date: 2017-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-10
Also published as: WO2012062881A1; EP2638329A1; ES2627614T3

Description

The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising heaters for which ease of assembly is provided.
One or more than one heater is provided in cooking devices. The heater comprises a heating member and a heater casing wherein the heating member is disposed. The heater is placed between an upper plate whereon cooking containers are placed and a lower plate. The heaters are mounted on the lower plate by being welded or attached to the helical or leaf springs which are fastened with screws to the lower plate. Particularly in cooking devices comprising glass-ceramic upper plates, the heaters are required to bear against the upper plate completely in order to increase the heat convected from the heating elements to the upper plate situated thereabove. However, the heater cannot be adhered to the upper plate since the temperature is high. Therefore, the heater is pushed towards the upper plate by the spring force created with the fixing springs located on the lower plate. In the state of the art, different methods are used for exerting pressure on the glass homogeneously, increasing thermal efficiency and the safety and for decreasing the production costs.
In the state of the art utility model documents no DE29610464 and DE29610539 , a cooking device is described that comprises a securing element as in the introductory section of Claim 1.
The document ES 2 039 188 A2 discloses a cooking device comprising an upper plate, a lower plate disposed below the upper plate, at least one heater disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate and at least one securing spring disposed between the heater and the lower plate and serving to fasten the heater to the lower plate. The securing spring cannot avoid the tilting of the heater relative to the upper plate.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooking device, the cooking performance of which is improved.
The cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a securing spring that serves to secure the heater, disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate, to the lower plate. The securing spring comprises a body seated on the lower plate and a supporter whereon the heater is fastened. The securing spring, furthermore, comprises at least two feet that extend in different directions from each other and clasp the lower plate from below by being passed through the securing holes. The securing spring is secured onto the lower plate by the lower plate being clasped from different directions by means of the feet. The lower plate is almost surrounded by means of the feet at points whereto the securing spring is fastened. The heater is easily mounted on the lower plate by means of the securing spring without requiring a second fixing element like screws etc.
The securing spring, furthermore, comprises an expansion surface that extends between the body and the supporter and a resting surface that extends from the body towards the heater so as to be opposite to the expansion surface, almost clasping the heater from outside.
Furthermore, retainers are disposed under the heater, having slots through which the resting surfaces are passed. The retainer has the appearance of a three-sided frame due to the opening at its center. The side walls forming two opposite sides of the frame are surrounded by the body from below and by the top wall from above.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the heater is configured in almost circular shape. The securing spring comprises at least two first feet disposed at two opposite sides of the body, clasping the lower plate being in almost tangent direction to the heater from below by being passed through the first securing holes and at least one second foot, extending perpendicularly to the first feet and clasping the lower plate from below in the radial direction with respect to the heater.
In an embodiment of the present invention, two cut-outs are situated at each of the two opposite sides of the body, and two legs that connect each foot to the body, each formed by bending the portion of the body remaining between each two cut-outs. The legs form an elevation difference between the body and the feet.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the securing holes disposed on the lower plate, through which the first feet and the second foot pass, are arranged with 120 degree angles with respect to one another. Consequently, the securing spring is fastened to the lower plate in a more balanced manner.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the first securing hole, through which the first feet clasping the lower plate in tangential direction passes, comprises an inlet port, a barrier and a locking housing. The width of the inlet port is wider than the width of the first foot thereby providing the first foot to be inserted into the first securing hole easily during mounting of the securing spring to the lower plate. The first foot is seated into the locking housing, having almost the same width with itself, by being crossed over the barrier. The barrier disposed between the inlet port and the locking housing prevents the first foot from dislodging/slipping after being seated in the locking housing.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a wave-shaped curl is disposed at the end of the second foot. The curl provides the second foot to get stuck into the second securing hole by means of its shape.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the securing spring comprises a stopper extending towards the opening, having a detent means that bears against the upper surface of the retainer when the resting surface is passed through the slot. The stopper prevents the movement of the heater in the vertical direction after it is fastened to the securing spring.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the securing spring is shaped by cutting and bending a metal plate.
By means of the present invention, mounting of the heater on the lower plate is facilitated. At the same time, the performance of the cooking device is improved by providing the heater to get closer to the upper plate.
The cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a cooking device.
Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a lower plate.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of detail A in Figure 2.
Figure 4 - is the partial perspective view of a heater mounted to the lower plate.
Figure 5 - is the partial perspective view of a securing spring mounted to the lower plate.
Figure 6 - is the perspective view of a heater mounted to the lower plate from another angle.
Figure 7 - is the perspective view of a securing spring.
Figure 8 - is the perspective view of a securing spring from another angle.
Figure 9 - is the perspective view of a securing spring and a retainer.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.: Cooking device
2.: Upper plate
3.: Lower plate
4.: Heater
5.: Body
6.: Supporter
7.: Expansion surface
8.: Resting surface
9.: Securing spring
10.: Securing hole
11.: Foot
12.: Extension
13.: Cut-out
14.: Leg
15.: Inlet port
16.: Locking housing
17.: Barrier
18.: Protuberance
19.: Curl
20.: Slot
21.: Retainer
22.: Side wall
23.: Opening
24.: Top wall
25.: Detent means
26.: Stopper
27.: Hole

The cooking device (1) comprises an upper plate (2), produced preferably from glass or ceramic and whereon the cooking container is placed, a lower plate (3) disposed below the upper plate (2), preferably produced from metal material, at least one heater (4) disposed between the upper plate (2) and the lower plate (3) and at least one securing spring (9)

disposed between the heater (4) and the lower plate (3),
serving to fasten the heater (4) to the lower plate (3),
having a body (5) seated on the lower plate (3) and a supporter (6) whereon the heater (4) is mounted.

The lower plate (3) and the upper plate (2) that are mounted to one another during assembly of the cooking device (1) form a closed space wherein the heater (4), the electrical elements and connections are supported. The heater (4) comprises at least one heating element and a casing wherein a heating element is disposed. Fastening of the lower plate (3) and the heater (4) to each other is provided by means of the securing spring (9). The securing spring (9) provides the heater (4) to be pressed towards the upper plate (2) by exerting pushing force to the heater (4) by means of the supporter (6). Thus, the heater (4) is got stuck between the lower plate (3) and the upper plate (2).
The cooking device (1) of the present invention, furthermore, comprises more than one securing hole (10, 110) disposed on the lower plate (3), serving to fasten the each securing spring (9) to the lower plate (3),
the securing spring (9) having at least two feet (11, 111), disposed on the body (5), extending in different directions and clasping the lower plate (3) from below by being passed through the securing holes (10, 110).
The heater (4) is mounted on the lower plate (3) by using three securing springs (9) preferably having a 120 degree arc therebetween. The lower plate (3) is provided to be clasped from below by the feet (11, 111) by the feet (11, 111) being passed through the securing holes (10, 110). Since the body (5) is seated on the lower plate (3), the lower plate (3) is clasped both from above and below by means of the securing spring (9). Thus, the securing spring (9) is fastened to the lower plate (3). By seating the heater (4) on the supporter (6), the connection between the lower table (3) and the heater (4) is provided by means of the securing spring (9). Thus, mounting of the heater (4) on the lower plate (3) is realized without requiring any fixing element like screw etc. Accordingly, cost advantage is provided since labor is facilitated.
The securing spring (9) comprises an expansion surface (7) that extends between the body (5) and the supporter (6) and a resting surface (8) that extends from the body (5) towards the heater (4) so as be opposite the expansion surface (7), almost clasping the heater (4) from outside. The expansion surface (7) springs with the pressing force exerted by the heater (4) on the supporter (6) and pushes the heater (4) towards the upper plate (2), providing the heater (4) to get closer towards the upper plate (2). Consequently, the performance of the cooking device (1) is increased by increasing the contact of the heater (4) with the upper plate (2).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the heater (4) is configured in circular or elliptical shape, the securing spring (9) comprises at least two first feet (11) disposed on two opposite sides of the body (5), clasping the lower plate (3) from below in tangential direction with respect to the heater (4) and at least one second foot (111), extending perpendicularly to the first feet (11) and clasping the lower plate (3) from below in the radial direction.
There are preferably three securing holes (10, 110) on the lower plate (3) for fastening each securing spring (9). The first feet (11) are passed through the first securing holes (10), the second foot (111) through the second securing hole (110) and are provided to clasp the lower plate (3) from below. The securing spring (9) can be rigidly mounted on the lower plate (3) since the first feet (11) clasp the lower plate (3) in tangential direction and the second foot (111) in the radial direction. Thus, the movement of the securing spring (9) on the lower plate (3) both in the radial and the tangential directions is prevented.
The securing spring (9) comprises at least two extensions (12), disposed on two opposite sides of the body (5), clasping the lower plate (3) from above to be in tangential direction with respect to the heater (4). The movements of the securing spring (9) on the lower plate (3) in the axial direction are prevented by means of the extensions (12). Consequently, the rigid connection of the securing spring (9) on the lower plate (3) is realized.
The securing spring (9) comprises at least two cut-outs (13) disposed on each side of the body (5) such that a distance remains therebetween and at least one leg (14) formed by bending the portion of the body (5) remaining between the cut-outs (13) towards the first foot (11) so as to be almost perpendicular to the body (5). The leg (14) and the first foot (11) are together in form of a step. In the vertical, there is a distance between the surface of the body (5) and the first foot (11) which is as long as the length of the leg (14). The length of the leg (14) is almost equal to the wall thickness of the lower plate (3). When the first foot (11) is passed through the securing hole (10), the leg (14) bears against the lower plate (3).
The securing holes (10, 110) are arranged on the lower plate (3) so as to form the corners of an equilateral triangle for fastening each securing spring (9) to the lower plate (3). Consequently, the securing spring (9) is provided to be secured on the lower plate (3) in a balanced manner.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first securing hole (10) comprises an inlet port (15) through which the first foot (11) is passed, wider than the width of the first foot (11), a locking housing (16) having almost the same width as the first foot (11) and a barrier (17) remaining between the inlet port (15) and the locking housing (16). During mounting of the securing spring (9) to the lower plate (3), firstly, the first feet (11) are passed through the inlet port (15), and after the second foot (111) is passed through the second securing hole (110), the first foot (11) is pushed towards the locking housing (16) so as to cross over the barrier (17). When the first foot (11) is seated into the locking housing (16), the second foot (111) is seated into the second securing hole (110). The first foot (11) is prevented from dislodging from the locking housing (16) by means of the barrier (17). Thus, the securing spring (9) is firmly fastened to the lower plate (3). In another embodiment of the present invention, the second securing hole (110) through which the second foot (111) is passed, is almost rectangular shaped. Accordingly, inserting the second foot (111) into the second securing hole (110) is facilitated during mounting of the securing spring (9) to the lower plate (3).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the securing spring (9) comprises a W shaped curl (19), disposed at the end of the second foot (111), having a protuberance (18) that contacts the lower plate (3) when passed through the second securing hole (110). While the protuberance (18) pushes the lower plate (3) upwards from its lower surface, the second foot (111) is prevented from dislodging out of the second securing hole (110) by means of the W shape of the curl (19). In other words, the curl (19) serves as a barrier that prevents the second foot (111) from dislodging out of the second securing hole (110).
The cooking device (1) comprises a retainer (21) disposed under the heater (4), having a slot (20) through which the resting surface (8) is passed. After the securing springs (9) are fastened to the lower plate (3), the heater (4) is seated on the supporters (6) by passing the resting surfaces (8) through the slots (20). The resting surfaces (8) serve as the guide determining the position of the heater (4) on the lower plate (3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the securing spring (9) comprises two side walls (22) disposed on two opposite sides of the resting surface (8), an opening (23) remaining between the side walls (22) and a top wall (24) disposed over the side walls (22) and the opening (23). The securing spring (9), furthermore, comprises a stopper (26) that extends from the top wall (24) towards the opening (23), having a detent means (25) that bears against the upper surface of the retainer (21) when the resting surface (8) is passed through the slot (20). The stopper (26) prevents the heater (4) from moving upwards by the detent means (25) bearing against the retainer (21). The stopper (26) is in outwardly angled form and passes through the slot (20) by sliding while the heater (4) is being seated on the securing spring (9). When the detent means (25) bears against the upper surface of the retainer (21), the motion of the heater (4) ends and the heater (4) becomes fastened to the securing spring (9). Consequently, the heater (4), the securing spring (9) and the lower plate (3) are fastened to each other.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the expansion surface (7) is in angled form. Thus, the distance between the body (5) and the supporter (6) in the radial direction is increased. Accordingly, the heater (4) is provided to be supported on the supporters (6) in a more balanced manner.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the securing spring (9) comprises more than one hole (27) situated on the expansion surface (7). The expansion capacity of the securing spring (9) is increased by means of the holes (27). Thus, the upper plate (2) is provided to press on the heater (4) more firmly.
In various embodiment of the present invention, the securing spring (9) is produced from steel. The feet (11, 111) and the extensions (12) are formed by cutting and bending the body (5).
By means of the present invention, mounting of the heater (4) on the lower plate (3) is facilitated. Moreover, the heating performance of the cooking device (1) is improved by providing the heater (4) to get closer to the upper plate (2).

Claims

A cooking device (1) comprising an upper plate (2), whereon the cooking container is placed, a lower plate (3) disposed below the upper plate (2), at least one heater (4) disposed between the upper plate (2) and the lower plate (3) and at least one securing spring (9)
- disposed between the heater (4) and the lower plate (3),

- serving to fasten the heater (4) to the lower plate (3),

- having a body (5) seated on the lower plate (3) and a supporter (6) whereon the heater (4) is mounted,

- comprising an expansion surface (7) that extends between the body (5) and the supporter (6) and a resting surface (8) that extends from the body (5) towards the heater (4) so as be opposite the expansion surface (7), almost clasping the heater (4) from outside,
wherein more than one securing hole (10, 110) are disposed on the lower plate (3) of the cooking device serving
to fasten each securing spring (9) to the lower plate (3), and the securing spring (9) has at least two feet (11, 111), disposed on the body
(5), extending in different directions and clasping the lower plate (3) from below by being passed through the securing holes (10,110),
characterized by a retainer (21) disposed under the heater (4), having a slot (20) through which the resting surface (8) is passed.
A cooking device (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the heater (4) that is in circular or elliptical form and the securing spring (9) comprising at least two first feet (11) disposed on two opposite sides of the body (5), clasping the lower plate (3) from below so as to be in tangential direction with respect to the heater (4) and at least one second foot (111), extending almost perpendicular to the first feet (11) and clasping the lower plate (3) from below in the radial direction.
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the securing spring (9) comprising at least two extensions (12), disposed on two opposite sides of the body (5), clasping the lower plate (3) from above so as to be in tangential direction with respect to the heater (4).
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the securing spring (9) comprising at least two cut-outs (13) disposed on each side of the body (5) such that a distance remains therebetween and at least one leg (14) formed by bending the portion of the body (5) remaining between the cut-outs (13) towards the first foot (11) so as to be almost perpendicular to the body (5).
A cooking device (1) as in claim 4, characterized by the leg (14), the length of which is equal to the wall thickness of the lower plate (3).
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the securing holes (10, 110) arranged on the lower plate (3) so as to form the corners of an equilateral triangle, for fastening each securing spring (9) to the lower plate (3).
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the first securing hole (10) comprising an inlet port (15) through which the first foot (11) is passed, wider than the width of the first foot (11), a locking housing (16) having almost the same width as the first foot (11) and a barrier (17) remaining between the inlet port (15) and the locking housing (16).
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the second securing hole (110) through which the second foot (111) is passed, that is almost rectangular shaped.
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the securing spring (9) comprising a W shaped curl (19), disposed at the end of the second foot (111), having a protuberance (18) that contacts the lower plate (3) when passed through the second securing hole (110).
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the securing spring (9) comprising two side walls (22) disposed on two opposite sides of the resting surface (8), an opening (23) remaining between the side walls (22) and a top wall (24) disposed over the side walls (22) and the opening (23).
A cooking device (1) as in claim 10, characterized by the securing spring (9) comprising a stopper (26) that extends from the top wall (24) towards the opening (23), having a detent means (25) that bears against the upper surface of the retainer (21) when the resting surface (8) is passed through the slot (20).
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the expansion surface (7) that is in angular form.
A cooking device (1) as in anyone of the above claims, characterized by the securing spring (9) comprising more than one hole (27) situated on the expansion surface (7).