Abstract: A radiant electric heater having a dish-like support having a base layer of thermal insulation material. At least one heating element is supported relative to the base layer. A temperature-responsive device having a rod-like component is secured at one end at a peripheral region of the dish-like support and extends without support partly across the heater over the at least one heating element. A supporting member is provided at a free end region of the rod-like component. The supporting member comprises a central portion with a hoop at a first end to receive the free end of the rod-like component and a foot at a second end, the foot being bent at an angle relative to the central portion. A base of the dish-like support is provided with a loop of material extending internally of the dish-like support so as to provide an opening between the base of the dish-like support and the loop, the foot of the supporting member being received through the opening.

Abstract: Electronic thermostat for an oven that includes a shaft with a first end suitable for being coupled to a rotary knob for modifying the temperature set point according to its angular position, and an electronic board with a potentiometer, a second end of the shaft being coupled to the potentiometer. The electronic thermostat includes a support having a base in which the electronic board is fixed, a side wall extending from the base, and a support wall extending from the base and arranged parallel to the side wall, the shaft going through the side wall and the support wall.

Abstract: According to one implementation a radiant heater is provided that includes a cover, an insulating base arranged on the cover, at least one resistance element fixed to the insulating base, a temperature sensor suitable for measuring the temperature of a cooktop arranged on the radiant heater, and a flat resilient member suitable for keeping the temperature sensor in constant contact with the cooktop in a final assembly position.

Abstract: A control method is provided for controlling a burner of a cooking appliance. According to one implementation the method includes the selection of a desired first power level of the burner within a first discrete set of possible power levels and the selection of a second power level within a second discrete set of power levels, the power released by the burner being the power corresponding to a combination of the selected first and second power levels, the values of the second discrete set of power levels being such that the released power by the burner is between the selected first power level and the next consecutive greater power level of the first set of power levels. A cooking appliance capable of implementing the control method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the supply of power to a radiant heater of a cooking hob. According to one implementation a method is provided that includes the use of a control circuit that is configured to deliver power to the radiant heater via first and second electrical paths. One control method includes supplying a first level of power to the radiant heater through a closed disconnection switch situated in the first electrical path while sensing a temperature of the cooking hob. Upon detecting that the temperature has reached or exceeded a predetermined temperature, the control circuit terminates the supply of power to the radiant heater through the first electrical path by opening the disconnection switch and for at least a period of time initiating the supply of a second level of power to the radiant heater through the second electrical path, the second level of power being less than the first level of power and sufficiently low to cause the radiant heater to cool.

Abstract: System for the remote control of at least one electrical household appliance with a first transmitter/receiver and an auxiliary receiver incorporated into the electrical household appliance, and a second transmitter/receiver and an auxiliary transmitter incorporated into a remote control device that includes a screen for displaying information received by and/or transmitted from the remote control device. The system of remote control may use a primary system of short-range communication between the auxiliary transmitter and the auxiliary receiver and a secondary system of long-range communication between the first transmitter/receiver and the second transmitter/receiver, enabling a critical-parameter control command to be sent from the remote control device to the electrical household appliance via the secondary system only once the secondary system is activated, the secondary system then being bidirectional.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the supply of power to a radiant heater of a cooking hob. According to one implementation a method is provided that includes the use of a control circuit that is configured to deliver power to the radiant heater via first and second electrical paths. One control method includes supplying a first level of power to the radiant heater through a closed disconnection switch situated in the first electrical path while sensing a temperature of the cooking hob. Upon detecting that the temperature has reached or exceeded a predetermined temperature, the control circuit terminates the supply of power to the radiant heater through the first electrical path by opening the disconnection switch and for at least a period of time initiating the supply of a second level of power to the radiant heater through the second electrical path, the second level of power being less than the first level of power and sufficiently low to cause the radiant heater to cool.

Abstract: Temperature sensor device inserted into a radiant heater (1) that incorporates at least one heating resistance (2) and is adapted to a glass ceramic cooking hob (4), comprising a film-type resistive sensor element (11) with metal wires (12) for its connection to terminals (18) and a support element (13) that passes through the radiant heater (1), at least in part. The sensor element (11) is inserted into the free end of said support element (13) so that the top and bottom faces are exposed in relation to said support element (13), and the sensor device also comprises an insulating element (14) disposed beneath the sensor element (11), separated from the support element (13) at least in the area in which the sensor device passes through the radiant heater (1).

Abstract: A switch for a domestic appliance, such as a cooking range, that includes a radiation emitter, an auxiliary radiation emitter and a radiation receiver, the radiation receiver adapted to receive at least part of the radiation emitted from the radiation emitter and auxiliary radiation emitter and to generate one or more reception signals whose values depend on the radiation received. A controller associated with the switch generates a periodic control pulse (Pc) at a first time interval to cause the radiation emitter to emit radiation for a duration of time and a periodic test pulse (Pt) at a second time interval different than the first time interval to cause the auxiliary radiation emitter to emit radiation for a duration of time. The controller configured to evaluate the one or more reception signals to determine if an error or malfunction exists in the switch.

Abstract: A switch for a domestic appliance, such as a cooking range, that includes a radiation emitter, an auxiliary radiation emitter and a radiation receiver, the radiation receiver adapted to receive at least part of the radiation emitted from the radiation emitter and auxiliary radiation emitter and to generate one or more reception signals whose values depend on the radiation received. A controller associated with the switch generates a periodic control pulse (Pc) at a first time interval to cause the radiation emitter to emit radiation for a duration of time and a periodic test pulse (Pt) at a second time interval different than the first time interval to cause the auxiliary radiation emitter to emit radiation for a duration of time. The controller configured to evaluate the one or more reception signals to determine if an error or malfunction exists in the switch.

Abstract: The electric radiant heater (101) adapted to a cooking hob is attached to the cooking plate (2a) forming with it an air cavity (13) in which the extended heating resistor (105) is housed on an insulating base (104). A peripheral outer wall (3,6) of the heater defines said cavity (13) in which there is a thermal switch (107) positioned, having a bimetal sensor (107c) the compact body (107a) of which rests on a central area (104a) of the insulating base, and its metal heat-receiving base (107b) in a position facing a heating resistor segment (105a) and either very close to or above it making contact. The relative position of the bimetal sensor (107c) enables a switching point (SWC?,SWO?) of the electrical contact (109) to be set in correlation to the hotplate warning light temperature range (TU).

Abstract: A control system for an electrical appliance, such as a cooking range, that includes a safety switch and one or more auxiliary switches arranged in proximity to the safety switch. The control system is configured to interrupt power to the electrical appliance when only the safety switch is activated and to permit the supply of power to the electrical appliance when the safety switch and an auxiliary switch are simultaneously activated.

Abstract: System for the remote control of at least one electrical household appliance with a first transmitter/receiver and an auxiliary receiver incorporated into the electrical household appliance, and a second transmitter/receiver and an auxiliary transmitter incorporated into a remote control device that includes a screen for displaying information received by and/or transmitted from the remote control device. The system of remote control may use a primary system of short-range communication between the auxiliary transmitter and the auxiliary receiver and a secondary system of long-range communication between the first transmitter/receiver and the second transmitter/receiver, enabling a critical-parameter control command to be sent from the remote control device to the electrical household appliance via the secondary system only once the secondary system is activated, the secondary system then being bidirectional.

Abstract: The electric radiant heater (101) adapted to a cooking hob is attached to the cooking plate (2a) forming with it an air cavity (13) in which the extended heating resistor (105) is housed on an insulating base (104). A peripheral outer wall (3,6) of the heater defines said cavity (13) in which there is a thermal switch (107) positioned, having a bimetal sensor (107c) the compact body (107a) of which rests on a central area (104a) of the insulating base, and its metal heat-receiving base (107b) in a position facing a heating resistor segment (105a) and either very close to or above it making contact. The relative position of the bimetal sensor (107c) enables a switching point (SWC?,SWO?) of the electrical contact (109) to be set in correlation to the hotplate warning light temperature range (TU).

Abstract: The electric radiant heater (1) adapted to a cooking hob is attached to the cooking plate (2a) forming with it an air cavity (13) inside which the extended heating resistor (5) is housed on an insulating base (4). A peripheral insulating ring (6) and an outer metal tray form a peripheral external wall (3,6) defining said cavity (13) in which there is positioned a bimetal thermal switch (7), which has a compact body (7a) resting on the surface (4a) of the insulating base, and a heat receiver base (7b) in a position facing a part of the heating resistor (5). The position of the compact body (7a) relative to the heating resistor (5) is determined so as to obtain an actuating temperature point (SWC, SWO) adjusted for switching a hotplate warning light on and off.

Abstract: The heating resistance (2) comprises a flat conductor strip of small thickness, made from a strip of high-temperature alloy, and extended over the porous insulating base (4) of a radiant electric cooking plate, which has a flat horizontal surface, and a series of lugs for welded on the strip insertion into the insulating base (4) to fix into a vertical position the heating resistance (2) without the need for seating grooves. The heating resistance (2) has a regular width (W) and the retaining lugs (3) are straight and flat, of a thickness “t2” greater than the thickness (t1) of the resistance strip (2) and of high inserted length (h2) in relation to the height (h1) of the strip (2).

Abstract: On an electric cooker the sensor circuit (1) detects the presence of a pan (2) on each heater (F1-F4) and comprises a microcontroller (4) and a generator (6,7) that supply a high-frequency current (Ig) to a respective sensor loop (E1-E4) of each heater which generates a magnetic field, and two maximum and minimum reference signals (Vr0,Vr1) for all the heaters (F1-F4) obtained in the working temperature condition and a circuit (9-13) for measuring and evaluating the voltage (Vs) produced in each sensor loop, with a circuit part (11,11′) for demodulation into low frequency of the measuring and reference signals (Vs,Vr0,Vr1), and their differential amplification (Vm,Vrr).

Abstract: The system for the attachment of a heating element in a electric cooking hob comprises a flat electrical element made of a thin resistance alloy strip, a horizontal porous insulating base (4) supporting the heating element (2) and a plurality of feet (3) for attachment to the base (4), which are inserted in said base (4) and hold vertical the element (2) in place. The heating element (2) is same width (w) throughout its length, and stands on the surface of the insulating base (4) without the need for a housing groove, and the fixing are flat feet (3) each one bent along their central vertical zone (3c) coinciding with the element (2) bending, to facilitate the secure attachment of the element (2).