Induction type cooking range

Abstract

An induction cooktop comprising: a ceramic glass comprising an outer cooking face provided with one or more cooking zones and an inner face opposite the cooking face and coupled to one or more respective induction heating sources; a peripheral frame extending along a side edge of the ceramic glass, preferably along the entire side edge of the ceramic glass, and projecting beyond an inner face of the ceramic glass towards a support surface for supporting the induction cooking range; a peripheral seal extending beyond the peripheral frame and configured to contact the support surface such that the frame and its interior ceramic glass rise from the support surface to form at least one inner chamber between the induction hob and the support surface, the at least one inner chamber being isolated from the outside by the peripheral seal; at least one light source located in the inner chamber between the stove and the support surface; wherein the peripheral seal is made of a material that allows light to exit from the inner chamber and at least partially illuminates the support surface at the induction hob.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102024000008344, filed on April 12, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an induction cooktop. In particular, the present invention provides a solution to the problems encountered in producing a cooktop provided with an innovative integrated lighting device. Background Art

[0004] Induction cooktops are well known and commercially available. These devices typically comprise a ceramic glazing coupled to a support surface. The glazing comprises an outer cooking surface provided with one or more cooking zones, and an inner surface, opposite the cooking surface, coupled to one or more corresponding induction heating sources. Currently, illumination of the cooktop and the support surface to which it is attached relies solely on external light sources, typically located above the cooktop.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an induction cooktop provided with an innovative integrated lighting device, which can supplement the known external ambient light. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided an innovative induction stove, the induction stove of this type comprising:

[0007] - a ceramic glass (preferably rectangular with rounded edges) comprising an outer cooking surface provided with one or more cooking zones (preferably defined by specific dividing lines on the cooking surface), and an inner surface opposite to the cooking surface and coupled to one or more corresponding induction heating sources;

[0008] - a peripheral frame (preferably made of metal) extending along the side edge of the ceramic glass, preferably along the entire side edge of the ceramic glass; one side of the frame is preferably flush with the cooking surface of the ceramic glass and the other side projects beyond the inner face of the ceramic glass towards a support surface for supporting the induction hob (e.g. a table or a worktop);

[0009] - A peripheral seal extending beyond the peripheral frame (e.g., coupled to the frame by seating in a specific seat formed in the frame) and configured to contact the support surface and to be positioned between the frame and the support; in this manner, the frame and the ceramic glass within it are elevated from the support surface to form at least one interior chamber between the induction cooktop and the support surface, the at least one interior chamber being isolated from the exterior by the peripheral seal. Even more preferably, the seal is not flush with the lower outer edge of the frame, but rather is in a setback position (e.g., flush with the lower inner edge of the frame), so that the cooktop appears to float above the support surface and the seal is not visible.

[0010] Thus, according to the invention, the ceramic glass is neither flush with the support surface nor rests on it (it is supported by the frame to which it is constrained), and the frame does not rest directly on the support surface, but the cooktop is kept elevated from the support surface due to the position of the seal, thereby forming an inner chamber between the cooktop and the support surface, which is isolated from the outside (in particular from liquids) by the seal.

[0011] In this configuration, at least one light source is provided and housed within the inner cavity between the cooktop and the support surface (i.e., between the frame / glass / seal assembly and the support surface). This light source may be directly or indirectly constrained to the cooktop or the support surface. The peripheral seal is suitably made of a transparent material, or any material that allows light to escape from the inner cavity and at least partially illuminate the support surface at the lower edge of the induction cooktop. Thus, according to the present invention, in addition to performing a barrier function, the seal also acts as a light guide, directing light from the inner cavity toward the support surface around the lower edge of the cooktop.

[0012] Preferably, the light source is supported by a U-shaped support constrained to the inner face of the glass and / or to the inner face of the frame, wherein the U-shaped support is open towards the supporting surface, preferably the support extends along the entire outer edge of the inner face of the ceramic glass.

[0013] Preferably, multiple light sources, even more preferably LED light sources, are arranged substantially along the entire length of the U-shaped support. In this case, the light generated, projected onto the support surface from the lower edge thereof, is uniform and diffuse, without local peaks. Also in this example, the multiple LED light sources are preferably supported by a metal support, preferably a flexible aluminum strip, and preferably secured to the U-shaped support (which is also preferably made of metal) by screws. Metallic materials are advantageous in dissipating heat generated by the LEDs. Also in this embodiment, the U-shaped support preferably includes a side portion in contact with the peripheral frame and a base side portion in contact with the outer edge of the lower face of the ceramic glass. The base side portion in contact with the ceramic glass is provided with multiple holes for passage of silicone, which serves to restrain the U-shaped support, the glass, and the frame to one another (and prevent liquid penetration).

[0014] Preferably, the induction cooktop of the present invention may include an integrated extraction device, i.e., a raised or elevatable portion of the ceramic glass is joined to the rest of the ceramic glass by means of a perforated grille wall. An extraction fan (preferably housed in the inner chamber below the ceramic glass) is also provided to force cooking fumes through the perforated grille wall toward the inner chamber. Even more preferably, the raised portion of the ceramic glass is movable from a raised extraction position to a resting position flush with the rest of the ceramic glass.

[0015] Finally, for the sake of clarity, the present invention may also include a support surface supporting a cooktop as described above to form an innovative induction cooking assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] For a better understanding of the invention, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of two opposite sides of an induction cooktop according to the present invention;

[0018] - Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of the details;

[0019] - Figure 4 Is placed on a supporting surface Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a stove;

[0020] - Figure 5 An example of an embodiment is shown in which the stove further comprises an extraction device;

[0021] - Figure 6 Shown mounted on the relevant support surface Figure 5 stove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Schematic diagram of two opposite sides of an exemplary embodiment of an induction cooktop according to the present invention. Specifically, Figure 1 The induction cooktop 1 includes a rectangular ceramic glass 2 having a cooking surface 3, which is divided into a plurality of cooking zones 4-8 (specifically designated by 26). Reference numeral 10 denotes a metal frame extending along the entire side edge of the ceramic glass 2. Although not shown, the cooking surface 3 also includes a controller and / or user interface for the cooking zones (see FIG. Figure 6 25 in the figure). Figure 2 Another side 9 of the ceramic glass 3 is shown. Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , a frame 10 projects beyond this face 9 and there are U-shaped metal supports 15 along the edge of the face 9 at the frame 10 .

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a detail (i.e., a corner portion of the stove 1) shows the frame 10 flush with the exterior face 3 while projecting beyond the interior face 9. It can also be noted that one side 19 of the U-shaped structure 15 contacts the interior face of the frame 10, with the end of the structure flush with the frame. A seal 11, extending along the entire length of the frame 10, extends from the edge of the frame 10 on the side facing the interior face 9. The side 20 of the structure 15 is bonded to the edge of the interior face 9 of the glass 2 via silicone, which gradually spreads out through holes 21 and also bonds the frame 10 to the glass 2. Reference numeral 22 denotes a second seal disposed between the side edge of the glass 2 and the frame 10 (which may also be made of a constraining material, such as silicone, that is oozing from the interior face of the ceramic glass). As shown in the figure, holes 18 formed in the folded edge of the structure 15, parallel to the glass, serve as seats for screws 17 to secure the L-shaped metal support 16 with the plurality of LEDs 13 in place. The metal support is flexible, extends along the entire structure 15 and is coupled to the side of the structure opposite to the side 19 .

[0024] Figure 4 is placed on the support surface 12 Figure 1 10. Note that glass 2 and frame 10 do not rest directly on surface 12, but are elevated by seal 11. Thus, an inner cavity 14 is formed between the induction cooktop and support surface 12, housing LEDs 13. In this example, seal 11 is positioned internally relative to the outer edge of frame 10 and is therefore not visible, and cooktop 1 appears to float above surface 12 without contact.

[0025] Advantageously, the seal 11 is made of a transparent material, or any material that allows light to pass through (a kind of "sealing wax / light guide"), so that when the LED is switched on, the light diffused in the cavity 14 escapes from the seal 11 and illuminates the surface 12 along the entire edge of the hob 1. This effect is Figure 6 Of course, although not shown, the electronics required to control and operate the LEDs 13 and to control and operate the heating zones are present.

[0026] at last, Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the cooktop 1 is integrated not only with lighting but also with an extraction device 23. In this example, the extraction device 23 is precisely the portion of the pane 2 that is in a raised position and is connected to the rest of the pane 2 via a perforated grille wall 24. Of course, in this example, the chamber 14 also houses an extraction fan and is provided with suitable control electronics.

[0027] Finally, it is obvious that modifications and variations may be made to the induction hob described and illustrated in the embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An induction stove (1), comprising: - a ceramic glass (2) comprising an outer cooking surface (3) provided with one or more cooking zones (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and an inner surface (9) opposite to the cooking surface (3) and coupled to one or more corresponding induction heating sources; - a peripheral frame (10) extending along the side edge of the ceramic glass (2), preferably along the entire side edge of the ceramic glass, and projecting beyond the inner face (9) of the ceramic glass (2) towards a support surface (12) for supporting the induction cooktop (1); - a first peripheral seal (11) extending beyond the peripheral frame (10) and configured to contact the support surface (12) so that the peripheral frame (10) and the ceramic glass (2) inside the peripheral frame are raised from the support surface (12), thereby forming at least one inner chamber (14) between the induction cooktop (1) and the support surface (12), the at least one inner chamber being isolated from the outside by the first peripheral seal (11); - at least one light source (13) located in the inner cavity (14) between the induction cooktop (1) and the support surface (12); The first peripheral seal (11) is made of a material that allows light to escape from the inner cavity (14) and at least partially illuminate the support surface (12) at the induction cooktop (1).

2. The induction cooktop according to claim 1, wherein: At the edge of the inner face (9) of the ceramic glass (2), preferably along the entire edge of the inner face of the ceramic glass, a U-shaped support (15) open toward the support surface (12) is provided; the at least one light source (13) is accommodated in the U-shaped support.

3. The induction cooktop according to claim 2, wherein: A plurality of LED light sources (13) are arranged along the entire U-shaped support member (15).

4. The induction cooktop according to claim 3, wherein: The plurality of LED light sources (13) are supported by a metal material support (16), which is preferably a flexible aluminum strip, and the metal material support is preferably constrained to the U-shaped support (15) by screws (17).

5. The induction cooktop according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The U-shaped support (15) comprises a side (19) in contact with the peripheral frame (10) and a side (20) in contact with the ceramic glass (2), wherein the side (20) in contact with the ceramic glass (2) is provided with a plurality of holes (21) for silicone to pass through.

6. An induction cooktop according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein A second peripheral seal (22) is provided between the peripheral frame (10) and the ceramic glass (2).

7. An induction cooktop according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The peripheral frame (10) is substantially flush with or slightly recessed from the cooking surface (3) of the ceramic glass (2).

8. An induction cooktop according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The ceramic glass (2) comprises: a raised portion (23), preferably a central raised portion (23), and joined to the rest of the ceramic glass (2) by means of a perforated grille wall (24); and a suction fan arranged to force cooking smoke through the perforated grille wall (24).

9. The induction cooktop according to claim 8, wherein: The raised portion (23) is movable from a raised suction position to a rest position flush with the rest of the ceramic glass (2).

10. An induction cooktop according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first peripheral seal (11) is not flush with the lower outer edge of the peripheral frame (10), but is in a rearward position.

11. The induction cooktop according to claim 10, wherein: The first peripheral seal (11) is flush with the lower inner edge of the peripheral frame (10).

Images