Abstract: A domestic cooking appliance for heating a food item includes a main housing; a cooking chamber located in the main housing and configured to receive the food item, the cooking chamber having side panels, and a back panel; a heater cover panel located in a lower region of the cooking chamber, the heater cover panel being one of translucent and transparent; and a heater that produces heat for heating the cooking chamber, the heater being located below the heater cover panel. The heater is visible through the heater cover panel.

Abstract: A household appliance includes a housing having a receiving space for food and a storage space disposed below the receiving space. A door for closing an opening of the receiving space of the housing is insertable into the storage place when the door is opened and includes at least one electrical consumer, a first electrical contact coupled to the electrical consumer, and a housing-side second electrical contact electrically coupled to the first electrical contact for supply of electrical energy to the consumer as a function of an operating position of the door. The door is guided into the storage space by a guide apparatus which has a housing-side horizontal guide slot arranged laterally in relation to the door in a side wall of the storage space. The second electrical contact is arranged adjacent to the guide slot in the side wall of the storage space.

Abstract: A household appliance includes a housing having a receiving space for food and a storage space disposed below the receiving space. A door for closing an opening of the receiving space of the housing is insertable into the storage place when the door is opened and includes at least one electrical consumer, a first electrical contact coupled to the electrical consumer, and a housing-side second electrical contact electrically coupled to the first electrical contact for supply of electrical energy to the consumer as a function of an operating position of the door. The door is guided into the storage space by a guide apparatus which has a housing-side horizontal guide slot arranged laterally in relation to the door in a side wall of the storage space. The second electrical contact is arranged adjacent to the guide slot in the side wall of the storage space.

Abstract: A cooktop with a ceramic glass panel has a panel portion with a first indicia set for selection of a burner and a second indicia set for selection of a power level to the selected burner. Each set of indicia is associated with switches for input to a control circuit in response to manipulation by a user. In addition, each indicia set includes a display interactive with the manipulation of the other indicia set. Preferably, the control circuit includes a processor for responding only to a sequential manipulation of an indicia from the first set indicia set and a sequential manipulation of an indicia from the second set within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A cooktop with a ceramic glass panel has a panel portion with a first indicia set for selection of a burner and a second indicia set for selection of a power level to the selected burner. Each set of indicia is associated with switches for input to a control circuit in response to manipulation by a user. In addition, each indicia set includes a display interactive with the manipulation of the other indicia set. Preferably, the control circuit includes a processor for responding only to a sequential manipulation of an indicia from the first set indicia set and a sequential manipulation of an indicia from the second set within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A dark transmissive ceramic glass cooktop panel insert is retained in an opening in a colored cooktop glass ceramic panel to provide a visible area for illumination elements representative of controls for or displays of the cooktop operation. Illumination elements are supported at a position adjacent to the ceramic glass surface insert panel in the cooktop panel opening. A control activates the illumination elements at least in response to burner operations. A method for forming a cooktop surface over burners includes defining an opening in a colored glass ceramic cooktop panel at an area adjacent illumination elements, dimensioning of a glass ceramic insert panel to fit at least a portion of the opening, and supporting the insert panel at the periphery of the opening in the cooktop panel. Preferably, the insert panel supports a frame to provide one-piece removal or installation of the insert and the control.

Abstract: An appliance control protection apparatus for a glass ceramic cooktop is constructed with a double wall housing and a low voltage cooling fan. The double wall housing is comprised of a first inner wall and a outer wall and prevents the transfer of heat from the heating elements in a glass ceramic cooktop towards the electronic control unit. The first inner wall is adhered to the underside of the ceramic glass panel of the cooktop and the outer wall snaps into position over the first wall, resulting in a space therebetween for insulation. Additionally, the control housing is provided with a low voltage fan that convects heat away from hot spots formed on the electronic control unit toward other components within the control housing. The low voltage fan operates in response to certain operating temperatures within the control housing as detected by a heat sensor.

Abstract: A cooktop with a ceramic glass panel has a panel portion with a first indicia set for selection of a burner and a second indicia set for selection of a power level to the selected burner. Each set of indicia is associated with switches for input a control circuit in response to manipulation by a user. In addition, each indicia set includes a display interactive with the manipulation of the other indicia set. Preferably, the control circuit includes a processor for responding only to a sequential manipulation an indicia from the first indicia set and a sequential manipulation of an indicia from the second indicia set within a predetermined time.

Abstract: An appliance control protection apparatus for a glass ceramic cooktop is constructed with a double wall housing and a low voltage cooling fan. The double wall housing is comprised of a first inner wall and a outer wall and prevents the transfer of heat from the heating elements in a glass ceramic cooktop towards the electronic control unit. The first inner wall is adhered to the underside of the ceramic glass panel of the cooktop and the outer wall snaps into position over the first wall, resulting in a space therebetween for insulation. Additionally, the control housing is provided with a low voltage fan that convects heat away from hot spots formed on the electronic control unit toward other components within the control housing. The low voltage fan operates in response to certain operating temperatures within the control housing as detected by a heat sensor.

Abstract: A cooktop having a flat glass ceramic plate and a plurality of rails independently attached to the bottom surface of the glass ceramic plate. The rails are configured to be received in a cutout in a countertop and are not connected to each other at the corners. The bottom of the cooktop is enclosed by a rough in-box consisting of a primary U-shaped cover and two independent end covers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for illuminating a heated area on a cooktop panel includes a light ring peripherally aligned about a burner under the cooktop panel, a gasket for resiliently retaining the tube beneath the cooktop panel and a support for resiliently engaging the gasket against the panel. Preferably, the light ring is a tube recessed within the gasket to avoid direct contact with the cooktop panel surface. The gasket may also restrict illumination to a channel portion of the gasket. Alternatively, the tube can be coated to avoid illumination in directions other than the area exposed to the panel. The gasket forms a convenient masking tool for delineating the surface area of the tube that is to be exposed while shielding other exterior surfaces of the tube. Both the illuminator and the method for illuminating the burner are simplified when the gasket includes a support flange beneath the tube retaining socket.

Abstract: An electrical switching device includes a switching device socket and terminals. The device also includes a snap-action switch with at least one catch spring. The catch spring carries at least one switching contact stud. The snap-action switch is trippable by a thermobimetal. For thermal influencing the thermobimetal, a heating device with a heating resistor mounted on a metal support is provided. The metal support can be made from a steel plate carrying an electrically insulating layer made from glass. An extensive heating resistor is provided on the insulating glass.

Abstract: An arrangement for the control of electrically controllable appliances, particularly electric cookers proposes for each cooking point an operating element magnetically held in contactless manner on the top or front of a plate, e.g. a glass ceramic plate. Below or behind the plate is located a magnet, which magnetically secures the operating element, which can in this position be rotated in contactless manner sensors are operated, which are used for changing the control of the cooking point. Both the control and the fixing of the operating element take place in contactless manner. The plate requires no openings, passages, depressions, etc. The operating elements can be removed on overcoming the magnetic holding force. This removal can be utilized for the complete disconnection of the cooker.

Abstract: A touch contact switch has a sensor key or button with a spatially extended, electrically conductive foam or flexible plastic or rubber body. The switch is operated by contact or approach. The sensor button essentially forms one pole of a capacitor and is electrically connected to an evaluating circuit of the touch contact switch, wherein switching is initiated as a result of a capacitance change in consequence of approach or contact. The sensor button can be bonded directly on a mounting plate of the associated electrical evaluating circuit or can be engaged by a pin or the like. The body can be flush to the underside of a cover, which forms or contains the contact surface. The body can include an opening along the longitudinal axis in which is insertable a LED.

Abstract: An electric radiant heater is constructed with a pot detection system for switching on one or more heating areas. The pot detection system operates inductively according to the resonant circuit detuning principle. The sensor consists of a single-turn loop made from thick wire and which in the vicinity of the heating areas is positioned above the latter and just below a glass ceramic plate. In the case of a two-circuit heater, the sensor loop is shaped with clearly defined circumferential areas in said heating areas, so that the signal has a stepped transition between these areas and consequently a pot size detection in adaptation to the heating areas is possible.