EP1734308A1

EP1734308A1 - Built-in cooking heater

Info

Publication number: EP1734308A1
Application number: EP04821728A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kouichi Hosoi; Kazuichi Okada; Satoru Kodama
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2004-03-16
Filing date: 2004-11-17
Publication date: 2006-12-20
Also published as: CN100451458C; CA2525599A1; CN1829883A; RU2304744C2; JP4375066B2; WO2005088198A1; CA2525599C; RU2005138491A; JP2005265211A; HK1091893A1

Abstract

The embedded heating cooker according to the present invention includes a top plate on which placing a pot or the like, a sustainer sustaining underneath the top plate, and a frame covering an end face portion of the top plate, in which the sustainer includes a top plate sustaining plane for sustaining the top plate and a main body supporting plane for supporting the sustainer at an outside of the top plate sustaining plane, and in which the frame has a plurality of claws formed at a side of the frame for holding the main body supporting plane and mechanically putting the frame, the top plate and the sustainer together.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a structure of a top portion of an embedded heating cooker.

BACKGROUND ART

A top part of a conventional embedded heating cooker is structured having a frame covering an end face portion of the top plate and an adhesive applied to a portion where the frame comes into contact with the top plate. The structure is disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H08-243016 , for instance. Figs 11 and 12 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the top part.
In Figs 11 and 12, top plate 1 is made of a ceramic plate or the like. Frame 2 is placed surrounding top plate 1, and adhesive 3 is applied to where plate 1 and frame 2 come into contact. Frame 2 is fixed to outer frame 4 that is a constituent part of a main body, with screw 5 or other fixing part. Inside outer frame 4, two heating coil units 6 (hereinafter referred to as "units") are placed for heating a pot (not shown). Units 6 are pushed toward a rear side of top plate 1 by springs 9, 3 pcs each put in boss 8 of coil holder 7, keeping a fixed space between top plate 1 and units 6. Frame 2 comes into contact with cabinet 10, sustaining the heating cooker main body.
In the conventional structure, because adhesive 3 mainly holds top plate 1, a large amount of adhesive 3 is required to hold top plate 1 securely. Heating coil units 6 are inside the main body and a print indicating a position of heating coil 6 is made on top plate 1. Although it is important to match correctly a position of top plate 1 and frame 2, there is no mechanism for positioning of top plate 1 and frame 2, therefore top plate 1 can be easily displaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embedded heating cooker includes a top plate on which to place a pot or the like, a sustainer sustaining underneath the top plate, and a frame covering an end face portion of the top plate, in which the sustainer includes a top plate sustaining plane sustaining the top plate, and a main body supporting plane supporting the sustainer at an outside of the top plate sustaining plane, and in which the frame includes a plurality of claws formed at one side of the frame for holding the main body supporting plane and mechanically putting the frame, the top plate and the sustainer together. With this constitution, an apparatus having a robust top part can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.1 is a perspective view of an embedded heating cooker in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of this invention.
Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view of the embedded heating cooker in Fig.1.
Fig. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the embedded heating cooker in Fig .2.
Fig. 4 is a development view of a top part of the embedded heating cooker in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an embedded heating cooker in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6 is a development view of a top part of the embedded heating cooker in Fig.5.
Fig. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an embedded heating cooker in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 8 is a top view of the embedded heating cooker in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the invention when a frame is removed.
Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embedded heating cooker in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 10 is a development view of a top part of the embedded heating cooker in Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional embedded heating cooker.
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional embedded heating cooker.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

1: top plate
2: frame
3: adhesive
4: outer frame
5: screw
6: heating coil unit
7: coil holder
8: boss
9: spring
10: cabinet
11: top plate
12: sustainer
13: top plane holding plane
14: adhesive
15: frame
16: outer frame
17: main body supporting plane
18: cabinet
19: claw
20: heating coil unit
21: coil holder
22: boss
23: spring
24: frame sustaining flap
25: side plane
25a: side plane
25b: side plane
26: top facing portion
27: hooking portion
30: main body
31: top part

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)

Fig.1 is a perspective view of an embedded heating cooker in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embedded heating cooker shown in Fig.1, in which two heating coil placed in parallel are viewed vertically. Fig.3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the embedded heating cooker illustrated in Fig.2. Fig. 4 is a development view of a top part of the embedded heating cooker illustrated in Fig. 1.
In Figs. 1 to 4, top plate 11 made of a ceramic plate or the like on which to place a pot (not shown) or other things for heated. Top plate 11 is sustained from a lower part by top plate sustaining plane 13 that is a part of sustainer 12. Top plate 11 and sustainer 12 are fixed with heat-resistant adhesive 14. At an end face of top plate 11, frame 15 is placed covering whole periphery of top plate 11. Top pate 11 and frame 15 are also fixed with adhesive 14.
Outer frame 16 is formed inside sustainer 12. Outer frame 16 is a constituent part of main body 30. Outward of top plate sustaining plane 13 of sustainer 12, main body supporting plane 17 is formed. By placing main body supporting plane 17 on cabinet 18, sustainer 12 is supported, thereby bearing main body 30.
Frame 15 has a plurality of claws 19 formed at an under part of its four sides. Claws 19 are caulked onto main body supporting plane 17 and frame 15 is held by sustainer 12, constituting top part 31. Frame 15 is fixed above main body supporting plane 17 by a thickness of a plate of frame 15.
The cooker installs two pieces of heating coil units 20 (hereinafter referred to as "units") for heating a pot. Units 20 are sustained by springs 23, and three pieces each spring are put in boss 22 of coil holder 21, keeping a certain distance between top plate 11 and units 20. Retaining power that holds and puts sustainer 12 and top plate 11 together is mechanically obtained by caulking claw 19. Unit 20 is kept pushed toward a back side of top plate 11 with the retaining power which is obtained by caulking claw 19.
A plurality of claws 19 which is formed under part of frame 15 is all caulked in four sides of the frame 15, for holding main body supporting plane 17. Top plate 11 is placed and fixed on top plate sustaining plane 13. Namely top plate 11 is mechanically held and sustained by both frame 15 and sustainer 12 with claw 19.
Moreover, top plate 11 is bonded to frame 15 with adhesive 14. So, top plate 11 is fixed to both frame 15 and sustainer 12 firmly and strongly. Since top plate 11 is sustained by a strong mechanical retaining force of caulking, a small amount of adhesive 14 can provide a sufficient bonding strength. Adhesive 14 serves as a sealing and protects main body 30 from invading water.
As described, a plurality of claws 19 formed at frame 15 is bent and caulked like holding main body supporting plane 17. Therewith top plate 11 is clipped and sustained mechanically. An amount of adhesive 14 is thereby greatly reduced, yet top plate 11 is securely held in top part 31, providing a highly reliable apparatus.
In above explanation, claws 19 are formed on four sides of the frame 15, but the claw can be formed on three sides or even on opposing two sides. If a rib reinforcing portion is provided to a bending portion of claw 19 or a wider bending portion is provided, only one side of the frame can have such a claw, giving a similar effect.
In above explanation, three claws 19 are formed on one side of the frame 15. However, the number of the claw can be two or even one if it is wide, providing a similar effect.
Top part 31 and outer frame 16 are not screw-fixed as it is a case of a conventional apparatus. Although top plate 11 is pushed upward by spring 23, claw 19 is caulked mechanically holding sustainer 12 and fixing top plate 11, stress applied to adhesive 14 bonding top plate 11 and sustainer 12 is greatly reduced. Consequently, top part 31 is provided with a mechanical strength equivalent to or larger than the conventional apparatus.

(SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)

Figs. 5 and 6 show a detailed cross-sectional view of an embedded heating cooker in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, and a development view of a top part of the heating cooker.
Because the fundamental structure is the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, only a different structure is explained.
A plurality of claws 19 is formed with frame 15. Frame sustaining flap 24 is formed at a place corresponding to a position of claw 19 when frame 15 and sustainer 12 are assembled. Frame sustaining flap 24 comes into contact with a back side of frame 15, in an upward position of claw 19, sustaining frame 15 underneath.
Assembling process of top part 31 is explained next.
Claw 19 and a side of frame 15 form one plane before claw 19 is assembled into top part 31. Sustainer 12 which places top plate 11 on it is formed inward frame 15. Claw 19 is bent inward of main body 30 by an automatic machine (not shown), and then claw 19 is caulked. Frame 15 is fixed holding sustainer 12. Consequently, frame 15, top plate 11 and sustainer 12 are clipped and fixed together.
Moreover, frame sustaining flap 24 extended from sustainer 12 is formed at an upward part of claw 19, sustaining back side of frame 15. An edge top of frame sustaining flap 24 comes into contact with a back side of upper plane of frame 15, and flap 24 and frame 15 are positioned. With this structure, frame 15 is securely held without deformation and manufactured with maintaining an original shape of the frame 15 when claw 19 is bent. Because frame sustaining flap 24 supports fixation by caulking, a large mechanical retaining power is endowed, so that the usage amount of adhesive 14 are greatly reduced.
As explained, since frame sustaining flap 24 is formed underneath sustaining frame 12, a usage amount of adhesive 14 is greatly reduced. Furthermore, since deformation of frame 15 is prevented when claw 19 is bent, a height of frame 15 that is an outer appearance of an apparatus is uniformly maintained. Since frame 15 is sustained when main body 30 is mounted, neat and robust top part 31 is provided.
In this exemplary embodiment, frame sustaining flap 17 is formed at a place corresponding to claw 19, however, flap 24 can be formed at other place where no corresponding claw 19 exists. Even when frame sustaining flap 17 is formed at a place having no corresponding claw 19, flap 24 still sustains frame 15, similarly enforcing mechanical strength. Other similar effect described in the first exemplary embodiment can also be obtained.

(THIRD EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)

Figs. 7 and 8 show a detailed cross-sectional view of an embedded heating cooker in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention, and its top view with a frame removed.
Because their fundamental structure is the same as that of the first and the second exemplary embodiments, only different structure is explained.
At least two frame sustaining flaps 24 are formed at every side of sustainer 12. Both side planes 25 of two frame sustaining flaps 24 formed at one side of sustainer 12 are substantially on one plane, and the plane is in parallel with or in vertical to each side of sustainer 12.
When assembling top plate 11 with sustainer 12, top plate 11 may be placed with one side contacting with right side plane 25a of sustainer 12 and another side with front side plane 25b, for example as is shown in Fig. 8. With this way, top plate 11 can be placed on sustainer 12 without displacement. Moreover, the top plate can be securely placed to a desired position. Then, top plate 11 and sustainer 12 are securely fixed with adhesive 14 and by caulking claw 19.
As described, at least two frame sustaining flaps 24 are formed at one side of sustainer 12 having side planes 25 aligned substantially on one line. Because of this arrangement, top plate 11 is easily positioned and displacement of top plate 11 is prevented. Printing on top plate 11 indicating a position of heater and an actual position of the inside heating component can be therefore matched, providing a highly reliable apparatus.
If side planes 25 are formed on all four sides of sustainer 12, top plate 11 is thereby sustained by four sides. In this case, after top part 31 is assembled or after bonded, top plate 11 is firmly held at front and back, and right and left sides strengthened by the bonding power and the mechanical sustaining power. Similar effects as obtained by the first and the second exemplary embodiments can also be realized.

(FOURTH EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of two heating coil units placed in parallel in an embedded heating cooker in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention, observed in a direction parallel to the coils. Fig. 10 is a development view of a top part of the embedded heating cooker shown in Fig. 9. Other fundamental structure is the same as the first exemplary embodiment, so the detailed explanation is omitted.
Three hooking portions 27 are formed at a side of sustainer 12 of a front side of top part 31, and top facing portions 26 that is a bent edge of frame 15 are formed at a side of frame 15 facing corresponding hooking portions 27. When frame 15 and sustainer 12 are set together, hooking portion 27 is engaged with top facing portion 26 and hooking portion 27 is hooked over top facing portion 26. In an opposite side that is a rear side of top part 31, claw 19 is caulked onto main body supporting plane 17 of sustainer 12, so that frame 15, top plate 11 and sustainer 12 are mechanically clipped and fixed together.
In this state, when only frame 15 is pulled up, hooking portion 27 is hanged over top facing portion 26, so that top plate 11, sustainer 12 and outer frame 16 are linked together and do not fall apart. Constituent parts of top part 31 are thus fixed by opposing sides of the frame 15, in front and back, and right and left sides, so the mechanical fix ensured.
Moreover, because frame 15 is constructed in a shape of a frame that is easy to bent, frame 15 and sustainer 12 are easily put together when put together. Furthermore, because a fitness between hooking portion 27 and top facing portion 26 is decided with both an inside shape of frame 15 and an outside shape of sustainer 12, frame 15 and sustainer 12 are put together in a simple and secured manner, and they are hard to be separated. Still furthermore, because caulking is unnecessary at the front side of top part 31, automated caulking process is saved.
As described, in this structure, hooking portion 27 engaged with top facing portion 26 is formed at a side of sustainer 12 that is an opposing side of frame 15 that includes claw 19. Because of this structure, bending process of claw 19 is partly reduced when assembling top part 31, and an easy to assemble apparatus is provided. Furthermore, the apparatus is provided with a sufficient strength.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The embedded heating cooker according to the present invention is applicable to built-in type cooker, home instrument and other varieties of applications.

Claims

An embedded heating cooker comprising:
a top plate whereon placing a pot or the like;

a sustainer sustaining underneath the top plate; and

a frame covering an end face portion of the top plate,

wherein the sustainer includes;
a top plate sustaining plane sustaining the top plate, and

a main body supporting plane supporting the sustainer at an outside of the top plate sustaining plane, and

wherein the frame includes;
a plurality of claws formed at one side of the frame, for holding the main body supporting plane and mechanically putting the frame, the top plate and the sustainer together.
The embedded heating cooker according to claim 1,
wherein the sustainer includes a frame sustaining flap sustaining underneath the frame at a position corresponding to the claw.
The embedded heating cooker according to claim 1,
wherein the sustainer includes a plurality of frame sustaining flaps formed at one side of the sustainer for sustaining underneath the frame, and
wherein the plurality of frame sustaining flaps formed at same side of the sustainer include a side plane aligned in one line and positioning the top plate.
The embedded heating cooker according to claim 1,
wherein the frame includes a top facing portion bent toward inside the frame at an opposite side to the side where the claws are formed,
wherein the sustainer includes a hooking portion formed at a side corresponding of the frame that includes the top facing portion, and
wherein the top facing portion is engaged with the hooking portion.