HEATING ASSEMBLY FOR HEATING COOKWARE ON A COOKING DEVICE

Abstract

 The current invention relates to a heating assembly for heating cookware on a cooking device, the heating assembly comprising;
- at least one electronic heating element,
- a power unit configured for supplying electric power to the at least one electronic heating element,
- a power wiring connecting the power unit and the at least one electronic heating element,
- at least one supporting plate member providing strength to the heating assembly and supporting the at least one electronic heating element,
wherein the at least one electronic heating element and the power unit are at opposite sides of the supporting plate member, and wherein the supporting plate member comprises an opening allowing to feed through a power wiring from the power unit to the at least one heating element.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The current disclosure relates to a heating assembly for heating cookware, the heating assembly comprising;

• at least one electronic heating element,
• a power unit configured for supplying electric power to the at least one electronic heating element,
• a power wiring connecting the power unit and the at least one electronic heating element,
• at least one supporting plate member providing strength to the heating assembly and supporting the at least one electronic heating element,

wherein the at least one electronic heating element and the power unit are at opposite sides of the supporting plate member, and wherein the supporting plate member comprises an opening allowing to feed through a power wiring from the power unit to the at least one heating element.

[0002] The current disclosure further relates to a cooking device comprising the heating assembly as defined above.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Heating assemblies for cookware are known. Constraints with respect to installation dimensions of a cooking device, as well as a requirement to integrate extraction of cooking fumes through the heating assembly, do limit available surface to provide adequate mechanical support to the at least one electronic heating element, usually a plurality of electronic heating elements like for example 4 electronic heating elements in a cooking device with a standardized width of 60 cm. Therefore, there is a need for a heating assembly that provides an improved mechanical support to the at least one electronic heating element.

SUMMARY

[0004] The object of the current invention is to provide a heating assembly for heating cookware on a cooking device, wherein mechanical support to the at least one electronic heating element is improved.

[0005] Another object of the current invention is to provide a heating assembly for heating cookware on a cooking device wherein a known problem is at least partly solved.

[0006] Another object of the current invention is to provide an alternative heating assembly for heating cookware on a cooking device.

[0007] Therefore, the invention provides a heating assembly for heating cookware on a cooking device, the heating assembly comprising;

• at least one electronic heating element,
• a power unit configured for supplying electric power to the at least one electronic heating element,
• a power wiring connecting the power unit and the at least one electronic heating element,
• at least one supporting plate member providing strength to the heating assembly and supporting the at least one electronic heating element,

wherein the at least one electronic heating element and the power unit are at opposite sides of the supporting plate member, and wherein the supporting plate member comprises an opening allowing access to the power unit from the at least one heating element, and wherein the heating assembly comprises a removeable cover for closing off the opening and the removeable cover having a passage for the power wiring.

[0008] The removeable cover enables to install the power wiring and at the same time increases the available surface to provide improved mechanical support to the at least one electronic heating element. The available surface is increased by closing off the opening in the supporting plate member.

[0009] Mechanical support of the at least one electronic heating element is important in view of an optimal heat conduction from the at least one electronic heating element to the cookware. Mechanical support of the at least one electronic heating element is all the more important when the at least one electronic heating element comprises an induction element. In that case, mechanical support of the induction element is important in view of an optimal electro-magnetic coupling between the induction element and the cookware place on a top cover. Therefore, the induction element is prestressed towards the top cover. The increased available surface to mechanically support the induction element enables to prestress the induction element towards the top cover in an even or uniform manner.

[0010] The supporting plate member providing strength to the heating assembly and supporting the at least one electronic heating element is to say that the supporting plate member forms at least a path for lines of force to support the electronic heating element. A direct mechanical contact between the supporting plate member and the at least one electronic heating element is not strictly required. Such a contact between the supporting plate member and the at least one electronic heating element can be indirect like for example via a support foot member.

[0011] The supporting plate member comprising an opening allowing access to the power unit from the at least one heating element is to say that an operator is able to manually install power wiring from the at least one heating element to the power unit like for example connect power wiring to power terminals of the power unit.

[0012] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the removeable cover and supporting plate member engage such that the removeable cover is supported by the supporting plate member. This all the more provides an improved mechanical support to the at least one electronic heating element. The support plate member can support the removeable cover in any suitable way as long as the supporting plate member as well as the removeable cover form at least a path for lines of force to support the electronic heating element. The removeable cover contacts, rests on, abuts the supporting plate member in a direct or indirect manner.

[0013] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the passage comprises a recess at an outer circumference of the removeable cover and the passage is at least partly defined by the supporting plate member. The passage comprises a recess at an outer circumference of the removeable cover facilitates introduction of a power wiring in the passage.

[0014] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the removeable cover is moveable between a release position and a locked position, wherein at least in the locked position, the removeable cover closes off the opening, and in the release position the removeable cover can be removed from the opening to allow access to the power unit from the at least one heating element. That means from a side of the supporting plate member, which side faces the at least one heating element. The removeable cover being moveable between a release position and a locked position enables to both facilitate removal of the removeable cover as well as ensure a locked position of the removeable cover with respect to the supporting plate member. The movement of the removeable cover between the release position and the locked position can include one or more of a rotary motion, linear motion, hinging motion, and sliding motion.

[0015] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the removeable cover is slideable between the release position and the locked position. The removeable cover being slideable between the release position and the locked position facilitates the movement of the removeable cover into the locked position for an operator.

[0016] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, in the locked position, the removeable cover engages with both opposite sides of the supporting plate member. This ensures both support of the removeable cover as well as a secure locking of the removeable cover by the supporting plate member. Moreover, this prevents pushing the removeable cover away out of the locked position by the power wiring. In this respect it is noted that power wiring can be stiff and resilient and may exert a considerable force to the removeable cover in locked position. Thus, the removeable cover engaging with both opposite sides of the supporting plate member ensures a secure locking of the removeable cover by the supporting plate member. It is however conceivable that a secure locking of the removeable cover with respect to the supporting plate member can alternatively or additionally be obtained by a threaded element providing a threaded connection and/or by any other suitable separate connection element like a clip, snap element, etc. The secure locking of the removeable cover with respect to the supporting plate member can be direct to the supporting plate member, and/or indirect via a surrounding structure or component proximate the supporting plate member. It will be clear that locking of the removeable cover by the supporting plate member itself does not require such additional separate connection element as well as the assembly step of mounting the separate connection element.

[0017] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the removeable cover comprises stops for defining the locked position and/or the release position of the removeable cover with respect to the supporting plate member. The stops all the more facilitate installation and movement of the removeable cover into the locked position for an operator.

[0018] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the removeable cover comprises at least one lip and the heating assembly comprises a socket to receive the at least one lip. The socket and lip facilitate installation and release of the removeable cover in at least the release position. The lip and socket can take any conceivable form as long as an operator can enjoy a simple plug connection between the lip and socket.

[0019] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the lip is slideable within the socket for facilitating sliding of the removeable cover between the release position and the locked position. This all the more facilitated movement of the removeable cover from the release position into the locked position for an operator.

[0020] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the socket is formed in a plastic member coupled with the supporting plate member. This facilitates formation of the socket. The plastic member can be coupled with the supporting plate member in any suitable way as long as the socket takes up a defined position with respect to the opening of the supporting plate member. The plastic member can be coupled with the supporting plate member by for example a threaded connection, a clamping connection, and a snap connection.

[0021] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the at least one electric heating element is in supporting contact with the removeable cover.

[0022] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the removeable cover comprises metal, preferably aluminium. The removeable cover is preferably made of aluminium. The removeable cover may comprise any non-ferritic metal to avoid heating of the removeable cover by induction.

[0023] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the at least one electric heating element comprises an induction heating element. As explained above, the invention is all the more advantageous in case of an induction heating element because support and prestressing of the induction heating element towards the top cover plate is important in view of electro-magnetic coupling of the induction heating element with cookware placed on the top cover plate.

[0024] In an embodiment of the heating assembly according to the invention, the supporting plate member comprises a ventilation opening for allowing extracting of cooking fumes through the heating assembly. The invention is all the more advantageous in case of the supporting plate member comprising a ventilation opening. In that case, available surface to support an electronic heating element is all the more limited. Normally, the ventilation opening is arranged centrally in the supporting plate member, which is to say, between electronic heating elements.

[0025] Therefore, the invention provides a cooking device comprising the heating assembly as defined above.

[0026] In an embodiment of the cooking device according to the invention, the cooking device comprises a top cover plate configured to seat cookware to be heated and wherein the supporting plate member is configured to couple to the top cover plate. Once the supporting plate member is coupled to the top cover plate, they both can contribute to the strength of the cooking device. To put it differently, once the supporting plate member is coupled to the top cover plate, the at least one heating element is sandwiched between them.

[0027] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which;

figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a heating assembly according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a detail of fig. 1;

figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a cooking device comprising the heating assembly of fig. 1;

figure 4 shows in top view a detail of the first embodiment of fig. 1;

figure 5 shows top view a detail of the cooking device of fig. 3;

figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view as indicated in fig. 4; and

figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of a detail of the first embodiment of fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a first embodiment of a heating assembly 1 according to the invention. The heating assembly 1 is configured for heating cookware on a cooking device. The heating assembly 1 comprises at least one electronic heating element 2. Here, the electronic heating element 2 comprises or is an induction heating element 20.

[0030] The heating assembly 1 comprises a power unit 3. The power unit 3 is configured for supplying electric power to the at least one electronic heating element 2. Therefore, the power unit 3 is able to deliver like up to 5 kW to the induction heating element 20. Therefore, the heating assembly 1 comprises a power wiring 4. The power wiring 4 connects the power unit 3 and the at least one electronic heating element 2.

[0031] The heating assembly 1 comprises at least one supporting plate member 5. The supporting plate member 5 provides mechanical strength to the heating assembly 1, Therefore, the supporting plate member 5 supports the at least one electronic heating element 2. The at least one electronic heating element 2 is supported by the supporting plate member 5 in a defined position.

[0032] As shown, the at least one electronic heating element 2 and the power unit 3 are at opposite sides 6, 7 of the supporting plate member 5. The side 6 of the supporting plate member 5 can be referred to as lower side 6 as this will be the case during use of the heating assembly 1. To put it differently, the lower side 6 of the supporting plate member 5 faces away form the at least one electronic heating element 2. The side 7 of the supporting plate member 5 can be referred to as upper side 7 as this will be the case during use of the heating assembly 1. To put it differently, the upper side 7 of the supporting plate member 5 faces towards the at least one electronic heating element 2.

[0033] The supporting plate member 5 comprises an opening 8. The opening 8 allows access to the power unit 3 from the at least one heating element 2, that is to say from the upper side 7 of the supporting plate member 5. The opening 8 provides a short route for the power wiring 4 between the power unit 3 and the electronic heating element 2. The opening 8 has such dimensions that an operator is able to access the power unit from the upper side 7 and connect the power wiring 4 to the power unit 3.

[0034] The heating assembly 1 comprises a removeable cover 9. The removeable cover 9 is configured for closing off the opening 8. The removeable cover 9 comprises a passage 10 for the power wiring 4. The passage 10 is considerably smaller in dimensions as compared to the opening 8. The removeable cover 9 and supporting plate member 5 engage such that the removeable cover 9 is supported by the supporting plate member 5. Therefore, the cover 9 enables to increase available surface that can provide mechanical support to the electronic heating element 2.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a detail of fig. 1 in that the supporting plate member 5 is shown by itself. The supporting plate member 5 comprises the opening 8. The opening 8 allows access from the upper side 7 to the lower side 6 of the supporting plate member 5. In this case, the supporting plate member 5 comprises a ventilation opening 21. The ventilation opening 21 allows extracting of cooking fumes centrally through the heating assembly 1. The ventilation opening 21 will reduce available surface that can provide mechanical support to the electronic heating element 2 all the more. Therefore, the current invention is all the more beneficial for heating assemblies 1 having such a ventilation opening 21 in the supporting plate member 5. It will be clear that the ventilation opening 21 is optional, however today, integrated ventilation is more and more common for cooking devices.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a cooking device 12 comprising the heating assembly 1 of fig. 1. The cooking device 12 comprises a top cover plate 13. The top cover plate 13 is configured to seat cookware 11. The cookware 11 is positioned or positionable above an induction heating element 20a in order to be heated. The top cover plate 13 defines the "look and feel" of the cooking device 12 for a user of the cooking device 12. The supporting plate member 5 is configured to couple to the top cover plate 12. The cooking device 12 comprises coupling members 22. The coupling members 22 can be releasably fastened to the supporting plate member 5. Normally, the coupling members 22 are fastened to the outer circumference of the supporting plate member 5. The coupling members 22 are mounted to the top cover plate 13. Normally, the coupling members 22 are mounted to the top cover plate 13 by glue bond since usually the top cover plate 13 is made of glass-ceramics. The supporting plate member 5 as well as the top cover plate 13 contribute to the strength of the cooking device 12. As shown, once the supporting plate member 5 is coupled to the top cover plate 13, the, in this case two, inductive heating elements 20 are sandwiched between the supporting plate member 5 and the top cover plate 13.

[0037] Figure 4 shows in top view a detail of the first embodiment of fig. 1. The detail concerns the removeable cover 9. The removeable cover 9 is configured for closing off the opening 8 of the supporting plate member 5. The removeable cover 9 itself comprises a passage 10 for the power wiring 4. The passage 10 comprises a recess 14. The recess 14 is arranged at an outer circumference 15 of the removeable cover 9. As shown, the passage 14 is therefore at least partly defined by the supporting plate member 5. More specific, the passage 14 is therefore at least partly defined by the opening 8 in the supporting plate member 5.

[0038] The removeable cover 9 is moveable between a release position and a locked position. In this case, the removeable cover 9 is slideable between the release position and the locked position. The removeable cover 9 is shown here in the locked position. In the locked position, the removeable cover 9 closes off the opening 8. In the release position the removeable cover 9 can be installed as well as removed from the opening 8. The removeable cover 9 comprises stops 16a, 16b. The stops 16a, 16b function to define the locked position and/or the release position of the removeable cover with respect to the supporting plate member 5. Here, the removeable cover 9 comprises a pair of stops 16a, 16b. The pair of stops 16a, 16b are arranged at opposite sides of the removeable cover 9. Therefore, the stops 16a, 16b can facilitate installation and movement of the removeable cover 9 into the locked position and as well as into the release position.

[0039] The removeable cover 9 comprises at least one lip 17a, 17b. In this case, the removeable cover 9 comprises a pair of lips 17a, 17b. The pair of lips 17a, 17b are mutually spaced. The pair of lips 17a, 17b are arranged at one side of the removeable cover 9. The pair of lips 17a, 17b are arranged at the side of the removeable cover 9 adjacent to the recess 14.

[0040] The heating assembly comprises a socket 18a, 18b. In this case, the heating assembly comprises a pair of sockets 18a, 18b. The pair of sockets 18a, 18b are mutually spaced. The sockets are configured to receive at least one lip. The pair of sockets 18a, 18b and the pair of lips 17a, 17b have a similar mutually spacing to be able to receive both lips 17a, 17b in a respective socket. The sockets 18a, 18b and lips 17a, 17b facilitate installation and release of the removeable cover 9 in at least the release position. In this case, the release position is also the position wherein a removeable cover 9 is initially installed before sliding to the locked position. The lip and socket can take any conceivable form as long as an operator can enjoy a simple plug connection between the lip and socket.

[0041] The lip 17a, 17b is slideable within the socket 18a, 18b in this case. This facilitates sliding of the removeable cover 9 between the release position and the locked position.

[0042] In this case, the socket 18a, 18b is formed in a plastic member 19. The plastic member 19 is coupled with the supporting plate member 5. The plastic member 19 is coupled with the supporting plate member 5 such that the socket 18a, 18b takes up a defined position with respect to the opening 8 of the supporting plate member 5. Here, the plastic member 19 is coupled with the supporting plate member 5 by a threaded connection 23.

[0043] The supporting plate member 5 comprises a supporting surface 26, also catch 26. The removeable cover 9 contacts the supporting surface 26, in this case through a projection 25. The catch 26 is at a side of the opening 8 opposite the pair of sockets 18a, 18b. The removeable cover 9 and supporting plate member 5 engage such that the removeable cover 9 is supported by the supporting plate member 5. Here, the removeable cover 9 is supported by the supporting plate member 5 through the catch 26 and the pair of sockets 18a, 18b. The removeable cover 9 is supported by the supporting plate member 5 directly through the catch 26. The removeable cover 9 is supported by the supporting plate member 5 indirectly through the pair of sockets 18a, 18b formed in the plastic member 19.

[0044] Figure 5 shows in top view a detail of the cooking device 12 of fig. 3. The at least one electric heating element 2 is supported by the removeable cover 9. In this case, two electric heating elements 2 are supported by the removeable cover 9. The two electric heating elements 2 are in supporting contact with the removeable cover 9 each through a respective support foot member 24.

[0045] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view as indicated in fig. 4. The detail shown in this figure 6, concerns the plug connection between the lips 17a, 17b and sockets 18a, 18b. The lips 17a, 17b are shown in plugged in position in respective sockets 18a, 18b. The removeable cover comprises a cam 27, in this case a pair of cams 27. When the removeable cover 9 slides into the locked position, the cams 27 engage with the lower side 6 of the supporting plate member 5. This prevents pushing the removeable cover 9 away out of the locked position by e.g. resilient power wiring. To put it differently, in the locked position, the removeable cover 9 engages with both opposite sides 6, 7 of the supporting plate member 5. The lip 17a, 17b is slideable within the socket 18a, 18b in this case. This facilitates sliding of the removeable cover 9 between the release position and the locked position. As shown, the removeable cover 9 extends substantially flush with the supporting plate member 5. Therefore, an induction element 20 can be evenly supported by the upper side 7 of the supporting plate member 5 as well as by the removeable cover 9, at least a top area 28 of the removeable cover 9.

[0046] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of a detail of the first embodiment of fig. 1. The lips 17a, 17b are shown in plugged in position in their respective sockets 18a, 18b. The lips 17a, 17b extend at a right angle with respect the removeable cover 9. At the side of removeable cover 9 opposite the pair of lips 17a, 17b, the removeable cover 9 contacts a supporting surface 26. The removeable cover 9 contacts a supporting surface 26 through a projection 25 at a side of the cover 9 as also shown in fig. 4. To put it differently, the projection 25 contacts a supporting surface 26 or also catch 26. In this case, during sliding of the removeable cover 9 between the release position and the locked position, the projection 25 maintains contact with the supporting surface 26. The electric heating element 2 is supported by the removeable cover 9. The electric heating element 2 is in supporting contact with the removeable cover 9 through a support foot member 24.

[0047] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

Reference number

[0048] 

1

Heating assembly

2

Heating element

3

Power unit

4

Power wiring

5

Supporting plate member

6, 7

Opposite sides of supporting plate member

8

Opening

9

Removeable cover

10

Passage

11

Cookware

12

Cooking device

13

Top cover plate

14

Recess

15

Outer circumference of removeable cover

16a, 16b

Stops

17a, 17b

Lip

18a, 18b

Socket

19

Plastic member

20, 20a, 20b

Induction heating element

21

Ventilation opening

22

Coupling members

23

Threaded connection

24

Support foot member

25

Projection

26

Supporting surface

27

Cam

28

Top area of the removeable cover

Claims

1. Heating assembly (1) for heating cookware (11) on a cooking device (12), the heating assembly comprising;

- at least one electronic heating element (2),

- a power unit (3) configured for supplying electric power to the at least one electronic heating element,

- a power wiring (4) connecting the power unit and the at least one electronic heating element,

- at least one supporting plate member (5) providing strength to the heating assembly and supporting the at least one electronic heating element,

wherein the at least one electronic heating element and the power unit are at opposite sides (6, 7) of the supporting plate member (5), and wherein the supporting plate member comprises an opening (8) allowing access to the power unit from the at least one heating element, characterized, in that the heating assembly comprises a removeable cover (9) for closing off the opening and the removeable cover having a passage (10) for the power wiring.

2. Heating assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the removeable cover and supporting plate member engage such that the removeable cover is supported by the supporting plate member.

3. Heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim, wherein the passage (10) comprises a recess (14) at an outer circumference (15) of the removeable cover and the passage is at least partly defined by the supporting plate member.

4. Heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim, wherein the removeable cover is moveable between a release position and a locked position, wherein at least in the locked position, the removeable cover closes off the opening, and in the release position the removeable cover can be removed from the opening to allow access to the power unit from the at least one heating element.

5. Heating assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the removeable cover is slideable between the release position and the locked position.

6. Heating assembly (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein in the locked position, the removeable cover engages with both opposite sides (6, 7) of the supporting plate member.

7. Heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim 4-6, wherein the removeable cover comprises stops (16a, 16b) for defining the locked position and/or the release position of the removeable cover with respect to the supporting plate member.

8. Heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim, wherein the removeable cover comprises at least one lip (17a, 17b) and the heating assembly comprises a socket (18a, 18b) to receive the at least one lip.

9. Heating assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein the lip is slideable within the socket for facilitating sliding of the removeable cover between the release position and the locked position.

10. Heating assembly (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the socket is formed in a plastic member (19) coupled with the supporting plate member.

11. Heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim, wherein the at least one electric heating element is in supporting contact with the removeable cover.

12. Heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim, wherein the removeable cover comprises metal, preferably aluminium.

13. Heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim, wherein the at least one electric heating element comprises an induction heating element (20).

14. Heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim, wherein the supporting plate member comprises a ventilation opening (21) for allowing extracting of cooking fumes through the heating assembly.

15. Cooking device (12) comprising the heating assembly (1) according to a preceding claim.

16. Cooking device (12) according to claim 15, comprising a top cover plate (13) configured to seat cookware (11) to be heated and wherein the supporting plate member is configured to couple to the top cover plate.

Drawing