A mounting assembly for facilitating disassembly of an upper and a lower body in induction cooktops

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting assembly for induction cooktops that provides ease of assembly-disassembly and a long service life, by means of an assembly clearance (40) created between a connection apparatus (12) and a mounting protrusion (25) via a mounting protrusion (25) positioned on an intermediate carrier (21), at the location where the upper body (10), which contains the top plate (11) with the user interface and connection apparatuses (12), and the lower body (20), which contains various electronic components, are assembled to each other using a connection element (30).

Description

[0001] A MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR FACILITATING DISASSEMBLY OF AN UPPER AND A LOWER BODY IN INDUCTION COOKTOPS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a mounting assembly which facilitates disassembly of an upper body and a lower body in induction cooktops, providing ease of assembly and long service life.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a mounting assembly which facilitates disassembly of an upper body that contains the user interface, top plate and connection apparatus, and a lower body that contains coils as magnetic field sources, electronic components and a cooling unit — assembly providing ease of assembly and long service life by means of an assembly clearance formed when the upper and lower bodies are mounted to one another with a connection element.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] Induction cooktops are widely used in modern kitchens today. These cooktops use electromagnetic induction technology to heat cookware. Unlike traditional gas or electric cookers, induction cooktops heat directly the bottom of the cooking vessel. This increases energy efficiency and provides faster heating times.

[0007] The basic principle of operation of induction cooktops relies on generating magnetic fields that induce electric currents in the bottom of the cooking vessel. These currents cause resistive heating in the metal base of the cookware, thereby heating the contents. The technology operates only with cookware that has ferromagnetic properties (for example iron, steel). Induction cooktops minimize the heat released to the kitchen environment, keeping the cooking area cooler.

[0008] Induction cooktops comprise multiple layers. A glass-ceramic surface provides a heat-resistant and easy-to-clean top plate. Induction coils generate electromagnetic fields to provide heating at the base of the cookware. A power electronics module supplies and controls the coils. A touch control panel allows the user to set cooktop parameters. T emperature sensors monitor the temperature at the base of the cookware. A cooling system is provided to prevent overheating of internal components. The cooling function is effected by fans or other cooling mechanisms. Safety features include locks such as a child lock to prevent accidental operation. Timers are provided to set and track cooking durations, power-level controls adjust power for cooking zones, and ventilation openings provide ventilation for internal components.

[0009] Induction cooktops include a lower carrier that houses electronic components and an intermediate carrier that houses the coils. The aforementioned lower carrier and the intermediate carrier together form the lower body. Similarly, the top plate and connection apparatus together form the upper body. When the upper body and the lower body are attached to each other by connection elements (such as screws etc.), certain disadvantages may arise. Due to tensile forces applied to the screws during attachment, the connection apparatus are drawn toward the intermediate carrier and a contact region forms between the connection apparatus and the inner surface of the intermediate carrier tray. This contact region causes high friction resistance during situations that require disassembly of the cooktop and makes removal of the cooktop without using tools difficult. Forced removal operations pose a risk of damaging the glass. The aforementioned attachment process gives rise to fatigue, creep and associated deformation processes at the connection points. Fatigue denotes the process in which the strength of a material decreases and cracks form as a result of repeated loading. The connection element causes repeated stresses and micro-movements during repeated mounting / dismounting operations. Repeated stresses induce micro-cracks on the plate surface and at the connection holes. These micro-cracks, depending on continued movement, may join together over time to form larger cracks and ultimately cause fatigue failures. Fatigue leads to loss of strength at plate connection points over time and reduces the reliability of the connection. Creep is the timedependent permanent deformation of a material under sustained stress, especially at elevated temperatures. Creep results from slow and continuous flow in the atomic structure and crystal lattice of the material. In the type of attachment processes mentioned, as temperature increases the atoms of the materials become more mobile and viscoelastic behaviour becomes more apparent. This results in the sheet plates undergoing increasing deformation under continuous tensile stress applied by the screw. Creep causes permanent deformations in connection holes and connection surfaces. Deformations reduce the strength and stability of the material and endanger the reliability of the connection. This reduces the clamping force applied by the connection element over time and the connection may loosen. Deformation is the permanent change in shape of a material under applied forces. During repeated mounting / dismounting operations the teeth of the connection element and the edge of the sheet plate hole experience friction and pressure. This process may cause plastic deformations of the hole edges and material flow. The clamping force of the screw produces local stresses on the sheet plates that lead to permanent shape change. Deformation changes the diameter and form of the screw hole. Expansion or ovalisation of holes adversely affects connection stability and strength. When deformation prevents proper contact between the connection element teeth and the plate surface, the connection may loosen and functional losses may occur. EP2981155A1 discloses an induction cooktop, in which the upper and lower bodies are mounted by a connection element. No solution is provided there for problems arising from the connection- element-caused interaction between plates.

[0010] US6410892B1 discloses an induction cooktop. The invention discloses mounting of upper and lower bodies with a connection element. It is foreseen that problems arising from the connection element between plates may increase due to the configuration in the relevant region.

[0011] Considering the abovementioned disadvantages, a need has arisen for an assembly in induction cooktops that prevents pull-back caused by screw tension during disassembly of the upper and lower bodies.

[0012] Object and Brief Description of the Invention

[0013] An object of the invention is to provide a mounting assembly which eliminates fatigue, creep and deformation mechanisms that arise when the lower body containing electronic components, a cooling unit and coils and the upper body including the user interface and the top plate are brought together by a connection element, thereby facilitating assembly / disassembly and increasing material life in induction cooktops.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to prevent fatigue, creep and deformation processes by configuring a form of assembly clearance between the intermediate carrier and the connection apparatus in induction cooktops.

[0015] A mounting assembly for facilitating disassembly of the upper and a lower body in an induction cooktop, the induction cooktop comprising an upper body comprising a top plate and at least one connection apparatus attached to the underside of the top plate; and a lower body comprising an intermediate carrier and a lower carrier that houses electronic components and a cooling group, wherein the lower body comprises the two carriers assembled together, it comprises: the intermediate carrier comprising at least one assembly clearance formed between a first hole of the connection apparatus and a second hole of the intermediate carrier by means of at least one mounting protrusion which is formed by bending at least one edge of the intermediate carrier to be connected with the connection apparatus so as to form a protrusion.

[0016] Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is an angled, perspective top view of the induction cooktop.

[0017] Figure 2 is a side view of the induction cooktop.

[0018] Figure 3 is a front, angled, perspective, exploded view depicting the main components of the induction cooktop.

[0019] Figure 4 is a front, angled, perspective view depicting the lower body and the upper body to be assembled to each other.

[0020] Figure 5 is a side, cross-sectional view where the lower body and the upper body are assembled and the mounting region is depicted.

[0021] Figure 6 is a front, angled, perspective, detailed view of the mounting region.

[0022] Figure 7 is an angled, perspective view of the mounting region on the intermediate carrier.

[0023] Figure 8 is a top, angled, perspective view depicting the assembly of the upper body and the intermediate carrier using connection elements.

[0024] Figure 9 is a side, cross-sectional view from the prior art, where the screwing process is performed without an assembly clearance in the connection of the lower body and the upper body.

[0025] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting region where the lower body and the upper body are connected.

[0026] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the lower body and the upper body in their assembled state.

[0027] Reference Numerals

[0028] 10. Upper body

[0029] 11. Top plate

[0030] 12. Connection apparatus

[0031] 13. Upper edge

[0032] 14. First hole

[0033] 20. Lower body

[0034] 21. Intermediate carrier

[0035] 22. Lower edge

[0036] 23. First bending point

[0037] 24. Second bending point

[0038] 25. Mounting protrusion 26. Second hole

[0039] 27. Heater

[0040] 28. Display card

[0041] 29. Lower carrier

[0042] 30. Connection element

[0043] 40. Assembly clearance

[0044] A. Mounting region

[0045] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0046] The invention relates to an mounting assembly that facilitates the assembly-disassembly operations of an upper body (10) and a lower body (20) in induction cooktops and provides a long service life and easy maintenance by preventing deformation that may occur during the operations.

[0047] The cooktop used in the invention preferably includes at least one electronic or mechanical switch on a control panel with which the user can make various settings for the cooktop, and at least one control unit that processes the incoming commands and sends the necessary electrical signals. The cooktop in the invention operates entirely on electrical energy and includes at least one power inlet that allows the user to connect to an electrical grid.

[0048] The present invention basically comprises at least one upper body (10), at least one lower body (20), at least one connection element (30), and at least one assembly clearance (40). The upper body (10) has a structure of at least one top plate (11) and at least one connection apparatus (12). The connection apparatus (12) has at least one upper edge (13) and at least one first hole (14). The lower body (20) comprises at least one intermediate carrier (21) and at least one lower carrier (29). The intermediate carrier (21) has at least one lower edge (22), at least one first bending point (23), at least one second bending point (24), at least one mounting protrusion (25), and at least one second hole (26).

[0049] The upper body (10) comprises at least one top plate (11), which includes a user control panel and can be used by the user for heating operations during the operation of the induction cooktop, and at least one connection apparatus (12) positioned on the lower part of the top plate (11). The top plate (11) and the connection apparatus (12) together form the upper body (10) (Figure 4). To provide for the assembly of the upper body (10) and lower body (20), there is at least one first hole (14) positioned on the connection apparatus (12).

[0050] The lower body (20) has structures of an intermediate carrier (21) and a lower carrier (29). The assembled state of the intermediate carrier (21) and the lower carrier (29) is defined as the lower body (20) (Figure 4). The intermediate carrier (21) is preferably configured in a rectangular geometry and in a structure that corresponds to the lower carrier (29) to be connected with the lower carrier (29). The lower edge (22) refers to the flat structure of the intermediate carrier (21) before it is bent towards the upper body (10).

[0051] The mounting protrusion (25) is positioned on the outer part of the intermediate carrier (21) and at a certain distance above the lower part of the intermediate carrier (21); its lower part is preferably configured in the shape of a semi-circle with a width sufficient for the head of a connection element (30) to be seated around a second hole (26); its upper part expands to provide a suitable contact and support surface with the connection apparatus (12); it is configured to form a protrusion on the outer part of the intermediate carrier (21) (left side of figure 10) and a recess on the inner part (right side of figure 10). In other words, the mounting protrusion (25) is configured on the part of a lower edge (22) of the intermediate carrier (21) that is bent towards the upper body (10). More specifically, the mounting protrusion (25) has a structure that is bent from a first bending point (23), which is where the lower edge (22) is first bent towards the upper body (10); is configured at a certain distance above the first bending point (23); continues from the first bending point (23) to a second bending point (24) towards the upper body (10); is bent at the second bending point (24) to form a certain angle towards the outer part of the intermediate carrier (21); and terminates at a certain distance from the upper edge (13) of the connection apparatus (12) (Figure 10). The second hole (26) is preferably configured in the middle parts of the mounting protrusion (25). The structure of the mounting protrusion (25) enables the formation of the assembly clearance (40) created between the mounting protrusion (25) and the connection apparatus (12). In other words, the configuration of the mounting protrusion (25) on the intermediate carrier (21) to form a protrusion on the outer side and a recess on the inner side allows for the formation of an assembly clearance (40) between the first hole (14) and the second hole (26) (Figure 11).

[0052] The second hole (26) is positioned on the mounting protrusion (25) to provide for the assembly of the upper body (10) and the lower body (20). The intermediate carrier (21) preferably comprises at least one heater (27) and at least one display card (28). The heater (27) elements are configured in the form of a coil and heat the cooking vessel placed by the user on the top plate (11) through an electromagnetic induction process by creating a magnetic field during the cooking operation. The display card (28) creates the image on the user control panel located at a point on the top plate (11). The lower carrier (29) contains the electronic components. The cooler located in the lower carrier (29) prevents the heater (27) coils and various electronic equipment contained in the induction cooktop from overheating. The connection element (30) provides for the assembly of the upper body (10) and the lower body (20) to each other. The connection element (30) is preferably a screw. In the preferred configuration of the invention, there are five mounting regions (A) on the long sides and two on the short sides, and the upper body (10) and the lower body (20) are assembled to each other using a total of fourteen screws. The intermediate carrier (21) and the connection apparatus (12) are assembled to each other with the help of a connection element (30) passed through the first hole (14) and the second hole (26).

[0053] The assembly clearance (40) is configured in the form of a truncated cone between the mounting protrusion (25) and the connection apparatus (12), with its wide surface on the outer surface of the connection apparatus (12) and its narrow surface on the inner surface of the mounting protrusion (25). The assembly clearance (40) prevents surface damages (damages resulting from assembly with the connection element (30)) on the connection apparatus (12) and the intermediate carrier (21) by preventing contact between the inner surface of the first hole (14) and the outer surface of the second hole (26). Thus, the fatigue, creep, and deformation mechanisms that occur during assembly, disassembly, and use are eliminated thanks to the assembly clearance (40).

[0054] In this description, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the figures and is solely for the clarity and ease of explanation of the technical solution. It does not imply or indicate that the specified device or element requires a particular orientation, is constructed and operated in a particular direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mounting assembly for facilitating disassembly of the upper and a lower body in an induction cooktop, the induction cooktop comprising an upper body (10) comprising a top plate (11) and at least one connection apparatus (12) attached to the underside of the top plate (11); and a lower body (20) comprising an intermediate carrier (21) and a lower carrier (29) that houses electronic components and a cooling group, wherein the lower body (20) comprises the two carriers assembled together, characterised in that it comprises:- the intermediate carrier (21) comprising at least one assembly clearance (40) formed between a first hole (14) of the connection apparatus (12) and a second hole (26) of the intermediate carrier (21) by means of at least one mounting protrusion (25) which is formed by bending at least one edge of the intermediate carrier (21) to be connected with the connection apparatus (12) so as to form a protrusion.

2. The mounting assembly for facilitating the disassembly of the upper and lower body in induction cooktops according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one intermediate carrier (21) having at least one mounting protrusion (25) positioned on its outer surface.

3. The mounting assembly for facilitating the disassembly of the upper and lower body in induction cooktops according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one assembly clearance (40) configured in the form of a truncated cone between the mounting protrusion (25) and the connection apparatus (12), with its wide surface on the outer surface of the connection apparatus (12) and its narrow surface on the inner surface of the mounting protrusion (25).

4. The mounting assembly for facilitating the disassembly of the upper and lower body in induction cooktops according to Claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one connection element (30) to provide for the assembly of the upper body (10) and lower body (20) by means of the first hole (14) and the second hole (26).

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