Low-Profile Spring Bracket for Cooktop Temperature Sensor Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spring-loaded temperature sensors in cooktop appliances often fail to maintain contact with lightweight cooking utensils due to high spring rates and vertically oriented profiles, leading to tilting and space constraints, and are difficult to attach to cooktop components.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile spring bracket with a mounting plate and curved arms that moves axially with minimal force, allowing a temperature sensor to maintain contact with cooking utensils and reducing the force required for proper seating, while being easily attachable to cooktop components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded temperature sensor with high spring rate is used, then the sensor can maintain contact with cooking utensils, but lightweight cooking utensils cannot force the sensor downward due to insufficient weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the spring bracket arms with curved portions that extend about the circumferential direction. This curved geometry allows the mounting plate to move axially with minimal force while maintaining reliable contact with cooking utensils, resolving the contradiction between contact reliability and excessive spring force.
2Reliability
If a vertically oriented spring-loaded temperature sensor is used, then the sensor can provide spring-loaded contact, but the design takes up considerable vertical space below the heating element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical orientation to a horizontal/planar configuration by extending arms circumferentially from the mounting plate. This dimensional change maintains the spring-loaded contact function while dramatically reducing the vertical space occupied below the heating element.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved portions of the arms extend about the circumferential direction, creating a low-profile configuration that maintains spring functionality while minimizing vertical volume consumption.
3Reliability
If conventional coil springs are used in the temperature sensor, then the sensor can provide spring-loaded contact, but the coil springs are difficult to weld or attach to cooktop components due to spiral shapes and minimal surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spring function into separate arm components with curved portions, where each arm can be independently formed and attached. This segmentation eliminates the attachment difficulties of conventional coil springs while maintaining the spring-loaded contact function through the elastic deformation of the curved arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved portions of the arms provide both the spring function and adequate surface area for welding or attachment to cooktop components, resolving the manufacturing difficulty associated with conventional coil springs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spring bracket ensures consistent contact with cooking utensils, reduces tilting, and optimizes space usage by allowing smooth axial movement with minimal force, effectively addressing the challenges of conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
The spring bracket includes a first arm extending from the mounting plate... wherein the first arm comprises a curved portion that extends about the circumferential direction... The spring bracket further includes a second arm extending from the mounting plate... wherein the second arm comprises a curved portion that extends about the circumferential direction
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile spring bracket for a heating element of a cooktop appliance includes features that allow the bracket to move along the axial direction in a smooth fashion with minimal force. In this way, a temperature sensor attached thereto can maintain contact with a cooking utensil placed on the heating element.