WO2015149824A1

WO2015149824A1 - Heat protective shield for gas cooking appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2015149824A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/056390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Davut Ayhan Serabatir
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-03-31
Filing date: 2014-03-31
Publication date: 2015-10-08
Also published as: CN106461229A; EP3126743A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat protective shield (1) which is suitable for use in a gas cooking appliance (2) having an electrical component (7) mounted on a lower cover (6) of a casing. In the gas cooking appliance (2) of the present invention, the electrical component (7) has a snap-fit fastener (8) configured to releasably engage with a counterpart (9) formed on the lower cover (6). The heat protective shield (1) of the present invention comprises a base portion (10) and a shielding portion (11).

Description

HEAT PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR GAS COOKING APPLIANCE

The present invention relates to a heat protective shield for use in a gas cooking appliance. The present invention also relates to a process of manufacturing the gas cooking appliance by using the heat protective shield.

In a gas cooking appliance using flammable gases such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), usually an ignition spark plug (also known as igniter) is utilized to ignite the gas flowing out of a gas outlet of a gas burner assembly. The igniter typically includes a heat resistant insulating casing made of porcelain, an electrode for generating an ignition spark and a cable for supplying high tension electricity to the electrode. The igniter is usually built into the gas burner assembly at a position close to the gas outlet. The gas burner assembly is generally mounted on an upper cover of a casing whereas electrical components including a coil utilized for generating the high tension electricity for the igniter is arranged in a lower cover of the casing.

When the gas cooking appliance is put into operation, the heat given off by the gas flames is absorbed by the casing and dissipated to an interior of the casing. The electrical components inside the casing usually have relatively low temperature limits which can be easily exceeded when the gas cooking appliance is operated at its maximum capacity.

Recently there is a general tendency to increase the capacity of the gas burner assemblies in the domestic gas cooking appliances to meet consumer requirements. However, in a gas cooking appliance with an increased capacity, the temperature prevailing inside the casing also increases. Thereby, the electrical components become more vulnerable to overheating.

In a commonly known technique, a metal plate is provided on an underside of the upper cover to reduce excessive heat-transfer into the casing and to protect the heat sensitive elements.

EP 2 267 372 A1 discloses a gas hob which has a hob cover and a hob base, wherein the hob cover supports at least one gas burner assembly, and wherein a heat protective element, in particular a metal sheet is attached to an underside of the hob cover. The gas hob also includes a thermally sensitive electrical component which is arranged between the hob cover and the hob base.

A drawback of the above-mentioned gas hob is that the heat protective metal sheet renders the assembly process more labor and cost intensive. Moreover, due to the complicated assembly there is a risk that the parts to be assembled are not correctly fitted.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a heat protective shield and a gas cooking appliance having the same which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art and which enables effective thermal insulation of the electrical components. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a process of manufacturing the gas cooking appliance by using the heat protective shield of the present invention.

This objective have been achieved by the heat protective shield as defined in claim 1, the manufacturing process as defined in claim 12, and the gas cooking appliance as defined in claim 14. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the gas cooking appliance of the present invention, the electrical component has a snap-fit fastener configured to releasably engage with a counterpart which is formed on the lower cover of the casing.

The heat protective shield of the present invention comprises a base portion and a shielding portion. The base portion is suitable for sandwiching between the lower cover and the electrical component. A slot is formed into the base portion. The slot allows insertion of the snap-fit fastener through the base portion so that the snap-fit fastener releasably engages with its counterpart in the lower cover. The shielding portion screens a surface of the electrical component which is exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly in operation.

The present invention also provides a process of manufacturing the gas cooking appliance by using the heat protective shield. In the manufacturing process, the base portion is placed between the lower cover and the electrical component. Then, the snap-fit fastener is inserted through the slot and engaged with its counterpart.

In an embodiment, the heat protective shield is made from a metal sheet which has one or more than one slot for inserting of respective parts of the snap-fit fastener.

In a version of this embodiment, the metal sheet has one or more than one folding perforation such that in a folded state, the heat protective shield screens a side surface and a top surface the electrical component which is exposed to radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly in operation.

In another version of this embodiment, the heat protective shield has in an unfolded state a substantially rectangular-shape.

In another version of this embodiment, the heat protective shield assumes in the folded state a C-shaped profile.

In an alternative embodiment, the heat protective shield is made from a heat resistant plastic material.

In a version of this alternative embodiment, the heat protective shield screens a side surface and a top surface the electrical component which is exposed to radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly in operation.

In another version of this alternative embodiment, the heat protective shield has a C-shaped profile.

In other versions of the above embodiments, the heat protective shield has open portions which allow airflow to cool the electrical component. In this embodiment, one of the open portions is also utilized to install electrical cables leading to the electrical component.

In other versions of the above embodiments, heat protective shield has two slots to respectively allow insertion of two hooking arms of the snap-fit fastener. In this embodiment, each hooking arm engages with a corresponding t through-hole formed in the lower cover.

In other versions of the above embodiments, the heat protective shield is provided with an additional thermal insulating layer.

By the present invention, a heat protective shield has been provided which can be installed in the close vicinity of the electrical component. Thereby, a surface of the electrical component which is exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly can be effectively screened. Moreover, an additional insulation element can be placed on a side of the heat protective shield which is averted from the electrical component in order to improve the insulation performance without compromising airflow towards the electrical component. Thus, it becomes possible to secure a sufficient air-gap between the additional insulation element and the electrical component. By the screwless heat protective shield, the costs for material and labor have been reduced. The heat protective shield can be easily mounted/demounted without the burden of time consuming assembly steps involving screwing/unscrewing of bolts. Due to the simple installation of the heat protective shield, the overall manufacturing process of the gas cooking appliance has been facilitated and rendered safer.

Additional advantages of the heat protective shield of the present invention and the manufacturing process of the gas cooking appliance of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a gas cooking appliance having a heat protective shield according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a schematic partial perspective view showing an interior of the gas cooking appliance illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 – is a schematic enlarged partial perspective view showing the interior of the gas cooking appliance illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figure 4 – is a schematic cross sectional view of the gas cooking appliance illustrated in Fig.3, taken along the line A-A;

Figure 5 – is a schematic partial perspective view showing a manufacturing step of the gas cooking appliance wherein a base portion of the heat protective shield is placed between an electrical component and a lower cover;

Figure 6 – is a schematic cross sectional view of the gas cooking appliance illustrated in Fig.5, taken along the line B-B after the electrical component has been engaged with the lower cover;

Figure 7 – is a schematic exploded partial perspective view of the gas cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the gas cooking appliance illustrated in Fig. 7 prior to folding a metal sheet in order to screen the electrical component;

Figures 9a to 9d – are schematic partial perspective views showing manufacturing steps in which a snap-fit portion of the electrical component is inserted into a slot of the heat protective shield and in which the heat protective shield is folded in order to screen a top surface and a side surface of the electrical component.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Heat protective shield
Gas cooking appliance
Casing
Upper cover
Gas burner assembly
Lower cover
Electrical component
Snap-fit fastener
Counterpart
Base portion
Shielding portion
Slot
Metal sheet

14a. Folding perforation

14b. Folding perforation

15. Top surface

16. Side surface

17. Open portion

18. Hooking arm

19. Through-hole

20. Igniter

21. Ventilation slot

The heat protective shield (1) is suitable for use in a gas cooking appliance (2) (Figs. 1 to 9).

The gas cooking appliance (2) comprises a casing (3) which has a lower cover (6) and an upper cover (4), at least one gas burner assembly (5) which is mounted on the upper cover (4) and at least one electrical component (7) which is mounted to the lower cover (6) (Figs. 1 to 9).

In the gas cooking appliance (2) of the present invention, the electrical component (7) has a snap-fit fastener (8) which is configured to releasably engage with a counterpart (9) formed on the lower cover (6). The gas cooking appliance (2) of the present invention further comprises a heat protective shield (1) (Figs. 1 to 9).

The heat protective shield (1) of the present invention comprises a base portion (10) for sandwiching between the lower cover (6) and the electrical component (7), a shielding portion (11) for screening a surface of the electrical component (7) which is exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) in operation and a slot (12) which is formed into the base portion (10). The slot (12) is configured to allow insertion of the snap-fit fastener (8) through the base portion (10) so as to releasably engage with its counterpart (9) (Figs. 1 to 9).

In an embodiment, the electrical component (7) comprises a coil (not shown) for driving an igniter (20) of the gas burner assembly (5).

In another embodiment, the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) are integrally provided from a single metal sheet (13) (Fig. 9).

In a version of this embodiment, the metal sheet (13) has two folding perforations (14a, 14b) for allowing manual folding thereof. In this embodiment, one folding perforation (14a) is formed between the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) whereas the other folding perforation (14b) is formed into the shielding portion (11) such that in a folded state, the shielding portion (11) screens a top surface (15) of the electrical component (7) and a side surface (16) of the electrical component (7) which are exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) in operation (Figs. 1 to 9)

In another version of this embodiment, the metal sheet (13) is substantially rectangular-shaped. In this embodiment, the two folding perforations (14a, 14b) are formed parallel to each other. A distance between the two parallel folding perforations (14a, 14b) is equal to or larger than a height of the electrical component (7). In a case where a distance between the two parallel folding perforations (14a, 14b) is larger than the height of the electrical component (7), an air-gap is formed between the shielding portion (11) and the top surface (15) of the electrical component (7) after the folding step (Figs. 1 to 9). In a version of this embodiment, the lower cover (6) has ventilation slots (21) formed in a region close to the electrical component (7) to prevent heat accumulation and to promote air circulation inside the casing (3).

In another version of this embodiment, in the folded state of the heat protective shield (1), the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) take a C-shaped profile (Figs. 1 to 9).

In an alternative embodiment, the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) are formed from a heat resistant plastic material. In a version of this embodiment, the heat protective shield (1) is monolithic.

In a version of this alternative embodiment, the shielding portion (11) screens a top surface (15) and a side surface (16) of the electrical component (7) which are exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) in operation. An air-gap is formed between the shielding portion (11) and the top surface (15) of the electrical component (7).

In another version of this alternative embodiment, the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) have a C-shaped profile.

In another embodiment, the heat protective shield (1) comprises at least two opposing open portions (17) which allow airflow to cool the electrical component (7) (Fig. 4). In this embodiment, the open portions (17) also allow installing electrical cables (not shown) leading to the electrical component (7).

In another embodiment, two slots (12) are formed into the base portion (10). Each slot (12) is configured to allow inserting a corresponding hooking arm (18) of the snap-fit fastener (8) through the base portion (10) so as to releasably engage with a corresponding through-hole (19) respectively. In this embodiment, the counterpart (9) is configured by the two through-holes (19) (Figs. 1 to 9).

In another embodiment, the heat protective shield (1) comprises an additional thermal insulating layer (not shown) which is provided on the base portion (10) and/or the shielding portion (11).

The present invention also provides a process of manufacturing the gas cooking appliance (2) using the heat protective shield (1). In the manufacturing process of the present invention, the base portion (10) is placed between lower cover (6) and the electrical component (7) (Fig. 5). Then, the snap-fit fastener (8) is inserted through the slot (12) and engaged with the counterpart (9) (Fig. 6). In this embodiment, the heat protective shield (1) is configured to allow screwless mounting.

In another embodiment, in the manufacturing process, the metal sheet (13) is manually folded so as to screen a top surface (15) of the electrical component (7) and a side surface (16) of the electrical component (7) which is exposed to the radiant heat to be emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) when taken into operation (Fig. 9)

By the present invention, a heat protective shield (1) has been provided which can be installed close to the electrical component (7). Thereby, the surfaces of the electrical component (7) which are exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) can be effectively screened. Also the screwless heat protective shield (1) reduces the costs for material and labor. The heat protective shield (1) can be cooperatively mounted with electrical component (7) to the lower cover (6). Thereby, the overall manufacturing process of the gas cooking appliance (2) has been facilitated and rendered safer.

Claims

A heat protective shield (1) for use in a gas cooking appliance (2) comprising a casing (3) which has an upper cover (4) for mounting at least one gas burner assembly (5) and a lower cover (6) for mounting at least one electrical component (7) which has a snap-fit fastener (8) configured to releasably engage with a counterpart (9) formed on the lower cover (6) respectively,

the heat protective shield (1) characterized in that

- a base portion (10) for sandwiching between the lower cover (6) and the electrical component (7),

- a shielding portion (11) for screening a surface of the electrical component (7) which is exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) in operation,

- a slot (12) which is formed into the base portion (10), wherein the slot (12) is configured to allow insertion of the snap-fit fastener (8) through the base portion (10) so as to releasably engage with its counterpart (9).
The heat protective shield (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) are integrally provided from a single metal sheet (13).
The heat protective shield (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the metal sheet (13) has two folding perforations (14a,14b) for allowing manual folding thereof, wherein one folding perforation (14a) is formed between the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11), and the other folding perforation (14b) is formed into the shielding portion (11) such that in a folded state the shielding portion (11) screens a top surface (15) of the electrical component (7) and a side surface (16) of the electrical component (7) which is exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) in operation.
The heat protective shield (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the metal sheet (13) is substantially rectangular-shaped and in that the two folding perforations (14a, 14b) are formed parallel to each other, wherein a distance between the two folding perforations (14a, 14b) is equal to or larger than a height of the electrical component (7) so that in the latter case an air-gap is formed between the shielding portion (11) and the top surface (15) of the electrical component (7).
The heat protective shield (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that in the folded state the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) assume a C-shaped profile.
The heat protective shield (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) are formed from a heat resistant plastic material.
The heat protective shield (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the shielding portion (11) screens a top surface (15) of the electrical component (7) and a side surface (16) of the electrical component (7) which are exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) in operation.
The heat protective shield (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the base portion (10) and the shielding portion (11) have a C-shaped profile.
The heat protective shield (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least two opposing open portions (17) which allow an airflow to cool the electrical component (7), wherein the open portions (17) are further configured to allow installing electrical cables leading to the electrical component (7).
The heat protective shield (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that two slots (12) are formed into the base portion (10), wherein each slot (12) is configured to allow inserting a corresponding hooking arm (18) of the snap-fit fastener (8) through the base portion (10) so as to releasably engage with a corresponding through-hole (19) respectively, wherein the through-holes (19) configure said counterpart (9).
The heat protective shield (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by further comprising an additional thermal insulating layer which is provided on the base portion (10) and/or the shielding portion (11).
A process of manufacturing the gas cooking appliance (2) using the heat protective shield (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by comprising the following steps to be carried out in the given order:

- a step of placing the base portion (10) between lower cover (6) and the electrical component (7) and

- a step of inserting the snap-fit fastener (8) through the slot (12) and engaging the same with its counterpart (9).
The manufacturing process according to claim 12, where dependent on claim 3, characterized by further comprising

- a step of folding the metal sheet (13) so as to screen a top surface (15) of the electrical component (7) and a side surface (16) of the electrical component (7) which are directly exposed to the radiant heat emanated from the gas burner assembly (5) in operation.
A gas cooking appliance (2) comprising

- a casing (3) which has an upper cover (4) and a lower cover (6),

- one or more than one gas burner assembly (5) which is mounted to the upper cover (4) and

- at least one electrical component (7) which is mounted to the lower cover (6),

characterized in that

- the electrical component (7) has a snap-fit fastener (8) which is configured to releasably engage with a counterpart (9) formed on the lower cover (6) and

- a heat protective shield (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11 which is sandwiched between the lower cover (6) and the electrical component (7).
The gas cooking appliance (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that the electrical component (7) comprises a coil for driving an igniter (20) of the gas burner assembly (5).