DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A CONTROL MODULE TO A PLATE OF A COOKING HOB

Abstract

 The present invention refers to a cooking hob, particularly to a device for attaching at least one component part of the cooking hob, preferably to a device for attaching a control module to a glass-ceramic plate of the cooking hob. It is provided for according to the present invention, that a control module unit (5) comprises a control module (6) and at least one holding unit of the control module (6), wherein each said holding unit of the control module (6) comprises a first holder (7) and a second holder (8), said first holder (7) representing a holder arranged close to an edge of a plate (2), whereas the second holder (8) representing a holder spaced from said edge of the plate (2), and wherein said holders (7, 8) of each holding unit of the control module (6) are preferably formed symmetrically with regard to each transversal centreline.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a cooking hob, particularly to a device for attaching at least one component part of the cooking hob, preferably to a device for attaching a control module to a glass-ceramic plate of the cooking hob.

[0002] A document EP 2 790 468 A2 discloses an induction cooking hob under which a body is arranged for receiving heating and control devices. On the bottom side of the cooking hob there are arranged fixing bars having a U-shaped nut. Said nuts are open with both bars towards each other in direction parallel with regard to the cooking hob. The body with a longitudinal extension is inserted into the first fixing bar, whereas the body is pressed against the second bar from below and fixed by means of a releasable fixing means. However, said know solution does not provide for that all heating and control units within the body are reliable pressed against the bottom side of the cooking hob in order to provide as tight and seal proof contact there between. There must be no spacing between the bottom side of the cooking hob and the control module, for example, or else light dissipation occurs under the glass of the cooking hob leading to lower visibility. If the control module does not fit properly to the bottom side of the cooking hob, then touch sensors are not pressed properly against the surface of the cooking hob resulting in low responsivity and even non-responsivity of the touch sensors, respectively.

[0003] It is the object of the present invention to create a cooking hob which remedies drawbacks of the known prior art, whereby it is enabled particularly technically simple and reliable assembly and attaching of component parts, in particular of heating and control modules.

[0004] With a device for attaching a control module according to the invention the assembly of all parts is particularly simplified, since the structure of first front holders prevent possible longitudinal displacement of the control module. On the other hand, the control module is easily fixed to second holders arranged spaced and in parallel with the first holders. In this manner a fast and easy assembly is enabled, without any doubts as of the correct position of the control module. Said first holder comprises extensions by means of which the control module is held in the position. Said second holder into which the control module is eventually screwed in, is formed at the ends thereof with a C-shaped fold, thus preventing, even when wrong screw is used or to high tightening force is utilized, for the screw to be pressed against a glass-ceramic plate of the cooking hob.

[0005] The invention is further described in detail by way of non-limiting embodiment, and with a reference to the accompanying drawings, where

Fig. 1 shows a cooking hob in a three-dimensional exploded view;

Fig. 2 shows a plate of a cooking hob with a control module from below in a three-dimensional partial view;

Fig. 3 shows a plate of a cooking hob of Fig. 2 without a control module in a three-dimensional partial view;

Fig. 4 shows holders of a control module of a cooking hob of Fig. 3 in a three-dimensional partial view;

Fig. 5 a device for attaching a control module viewed in direction of an arrow V of Fig. 4.

[0006] A cooking hob1 comprises a plate 2, such as a glass-ceramic plate for instance, and a body 3, said plate 2 being connected therewith in a known manner. Within said body 3 is arranged and fixed in a known manner at least one heating device 4, which faces and cooperates with a bottom side of said plate 2 when the cooking hob 1 assembled. Mutual interconnection of the plate 2, the body 3 and the heating device 4 is not a subject of the present invention. Further, a control module unit 5 is arranged on the bottom side of said plate 2 of the cooking hob 1 and in the area of at least one of the edges of the plate 2, said bottom side facing the inside of the body 3.

[0007] Said control module unit 5 comprises a control module 6 and at least one holding unit of the control module 6, each consisting of a first front holder 7 and a second back holder 8. Here, the first front holder 7 represents a holder arranged close to the edge of the plate 2, whereas the second back holder 8 represents a holder arranged close to the centre of the plate 2. Said holders 7, 8 of each holding unit are preferably formed symmetrically with regard to each transversal centreline thereof, and are attached to the plate 2 of the cooking hob 1 by means of an adhesion connection, for example.

[0008] Said first holder 7 of the control module 6 resembles a form of a longitudinal L-shaped structure, such as an angle iron or an L section, extending along the edge of the plate 2, the first leg of said L-sahped structure 7.1 cooperating with the inner surface of the plate 2, whereas the second leg 7.2 of said L-shaped structure is placed approximately perpendicularly to the plate 2 and faces the second holder 8. Said first leg 7.1 is formed at each end of said first holder 7 with a fold 7.3 extending approximately perpendicularly to the leg 7.1 and away from the plate 2. Each fold 7.3 is formed at its end facing the second holder 8 and at the side spaced from the bottom surface of the plate 2 with at least one protrusion 7.4 which cooperates with the control module 6 when the latter is placed on the holders 7, 8. When installing the control module 6 the latter is pushed under said extension 7.4 with a relative interference fit, thus enabling a reliable pressing of the control module 6 against the bottom surface of the plate 2 of the cooking hob 1. At least one of the folds 7.3 is optionally formed with an additional protrusion 7.5 which cooperates with the control module 6 when the latter is placed on holders 7, 8. Said additional protrusion 7.5, which is formed on the fold 7.3 in the area between the protrusion 7.4 and the bottom surface of the plate 2, cooperates with a respective recess on the control module 6, thus preventing a possible longitudinal displacement of the control module 6. Said protrusions 7.4, 7.5 are configured for positioning and fixing of the control module 6. Said second leg 7.2 of the first holder 7 is optionally formed with at least one extension 9 resembling the shape of a stirrup and provided for receiving a fixing protrusion of a circuit and, respectively, of a fixing protrusion of the control module 6. Cooperation of said fixing protrusion and the extension 9 enables a reliable pressing of the control module 6 against the bottom surface of the plate 2 of the cooking hob 1. Said extension 9 is formed as a an extension of the second leg 7.2 in direction away from the plate 2.

[0009] Said second holder 8 arranged transversally spaced from and in parallel with the first holder 7 is formed in a sense of more or less flat longitudinal bracket each end thereof comprises a C-shaped fold 8.1. Each fold 8.1 is provided with a first fixing means 8.2 configured for cooperation with the second fixing means 8.3. With the present embodiment, the first fixing means 8.2 is selected as a threaded hole in a flange of the C-shaped fold 8.1, said flange being spaced and in parallel to the plate 2, whereas the second fixing means 8.3 is selected as a screw. Said second holder 8 with said folds 8.1 and the fixing means 8.2, 8.3 is configured for positioning and holding in place of the control module 6 with respect to the plate 2 of the cooking hob 1. Simultaneously, said second holder 8 with said folds 8.1 represent a protection of the glass-ceramic plate 2 of the cooking hob 1 when the second fixing means 8.3 is selected as a screw. In case a screw dimension misselection, screw tightening overload or any other error during assembly, transport, or use of the cooking hob 1, the screw 8.3 may get in contact only with the second holder 8, any contact of the screw 8.3 with the plate 2 and possible resulting damage is thus prevented.

[0010] When installing the control module 6 to the bottom surface of the plate 2 of the cooking hob 1 said protrusions 7.4, 7.5 serve as a guidance by means of which the control module 6 is placed in the proper position. The control module 6 is inserted into the first holder 7 under the first protrusion 7.4 in an angle of about 45° with respect to the bottom surface of the plate 2, and afterwards it is lowered to the bottom surface of the plate 2 and tightly pressed against the second leg 7.2 of the first holder 7. The additional protrusion 7.5 catches the respective recess on the control module 6. At the other end, the control module 6 is pressed against said flange of said fold 8.1 and eventually fixed by means of the fixing means 8.2, 8.3.

Claims

1. A device for attaching a control module to a plate of the cooking hob, wherein the cooking hob comprises

- a plate, such as a glass-ceramic plate,

- a body to which is connected said plate,

- at least one heating device arranged in said body which, faces the bottom side of said plate and cooperates therewith when the cooking hob is assembled,

- a control module unit which is arranged in the area of one of edges of the plate on the bottom side of said plate facing the inside of the body,

characterized in that said control module unit (5) comprises a control module (6) and at least one holding unit of the control module (6), wherein each said holding unit of the control module (6) comprises a first holder (7) and a second holder (8), said first holder (7) representing a holder arranged close to an edge of a plate (2), whereas the second holder (8) representing a holder spaced from said edge of the plate (2), and wherein said holders (7, 8) of each holding unit of the control module (6) are preferably formed symmetrically with regard to each transversal centreline.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first holder (7) of the control module (6) is formed as a longitudinal L-shaped structure extending along the edge of the plate (2) a first leg (7.1) thereof cooperating with an inner surface of the plate (2), whereas a second leg (7.2) of said L-shaped structure is placed approximately perpendicularly to the plate (2) and faces the second holder (8).

3. A device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said first leg (7.1) is formed at each end of said holder (7) with a fold (7.3) extending approximately perpendicular to the leg (7.1) and away from the plate (2), wherein each fold (7.3) is formed at its end facing the second holder (8) and at the side spaced from the bottom side of the plate (2), with at least one protrusion (7.4).

4. A device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of folds (7.3) comprises an additional protrusion (7.5) which is formed on the fold (7.3) in the area between the protrusion (7.4) and the bottom surface of the plate (2).

5. A device according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said additional protrusion (7.5) formed on the fold (7.3) in the area between the protrusion (7.4) and the bottom surface of the plate (2) cooperates with a recess on the control module (6), thus preventing possible longitudinal displacement of the control module (6).

6. A device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said second leg (7.2) of the first holder (7) is formed with at least one extension (9) which resembles the shape of a stirrup and is provided for receiving a fixing protrusion of a circuit and, respectively, of a fixing protrusion of the control module (6).

7. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second holder (8) is longitudinally spaced from and in parallel with the first holder (7), wherein each end of the second holder (8) comprises a C-shaped fold (8.1) which is each time equipped with a first fixing means (8.2) provided for cooperation with a second fixing means (8.3).

8. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that the first fixing means (8.2) is selected as a threaded hole in a flange of the C-shaped fold (8.1), said flange being spaced from and in parallel with the plate (2), whereas the second fixing means (8.3) is selected a screw.

9. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holders (7, 8) are connected with said plate (2) by means of an adhesive connection.

Drawing