SURFACE MOUNT IGNITER ASSEMBLY
A cooktop surface is a high dielectric strength surface in which an opening is provided to receive a burner assembly. A surface mount igniter assembly extends through the same opening and terminates adjacent a perimeter of the burner assembly. The surface mount igniter assembly includes an electrode having a first end extending through the burner opening, an intermediate portion received in a ceramic insulator, and a terminal, second end disposed adjacent the burner perimeter. The ceramic insulator preferably has an opening edge slot to facilitate receipt of the electrode therein, and the ceramic insulator faces the dielectric cooktop surface to fully insulate around the electrode.
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The present disclosure pertains to the art of gas cooking appliances and, particularly to the mounting of a gas burner assembly, and more particularly mounting a surface mount igniter assembly to a ceramic-based appliance cooktop.
Conventional gas cooking appliances incorporate a cooktop generally formed of metal or glass. An opening is provided in the cooktop to receive a gas operated burner assembly, and typically multiple openings are provided in the cooktop to each receive a respective gas operated burner assembly. The gas burner assembly has a portion extending through the cooktop opening and is secured to the appliance, i.e., secured to the cooktop. A smaller diameter offset hole or bore is provided adjacent the burner assembly opening. An electronic igniter assembly is configured to extend through the offset hole and has an electrode that is connected to an electric wire below the cooktop thereby selectively creating a spark for igniting the associated gas burner assembly.
The current practice of mounting the burners directly to the glass or ceramic cooktop surface is desirable since consumers perceive such an arrangement to be easy to clean. However, each cut or opening formed in the ceramic glass increases the manufacturing cost. Likewise, each cut weakens the cooktop surface. In fact, a distance between openings must be closely controlled in order to maintain the strength and integrity of the glass cooktop surface.
Igniters are typically made by molding a ceramic insulator, inserting an electrode wire, and capturing the electrode mechanically or with a resin in the ceramic. Preferably, the electrode is maintained straight in order for easy insertion into a through hole of the ceramic insulator. Alternatively, the electrode has an extended length and is bent to enable additional spark positions. These latter types of electrode assemblies are not as desired for surface burners since there is a potential to snag or catch rags, sponges, etc. when cleaning the cooktop surface around the burner assembly. Further, these types of electrodes have a tendency to move out of position. In the current arrangements, the electrode must pass through a bore or hole in the cooktop surface where the burner is mounted directly to the glass cooktop.
In other instances, additional features such as an illuminated burner adds complexity to the assembly and manufacturing process. This added complexity requires an alternative method to mount an ignition source to surface burners.
Therefore, a need exists for an alternative assembly that overcomes the various deficiencies associated with traditional ignition mounting designs and methods which are either not physically possible or viable.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREA surface mount igniter assembly includes a cooktop surface having at least one opening, a burner operatively mounted to the surface with at least a portion extending into the opening, and an igniter extending through the opening and terminating adjacent the burner.
The cooktop surface is formed of a high dielectric strength material such as a glass ceramic.
The igniter includes an electrode extending through a ceramic insulator, and preferably the ceramic insulator includes an opening facing the cooktop surface.
The electrode is mechanically fixed or retained by a resin in the ceramic insulator.
The electrode is bent through substantially 90° at each of opposite ends.
The open edge of the insulator faces the high dielectric strength cooktop surface so that the igniter is fully insulated.
A method of forming a surface mount igniter assembly includes providing a ceramic cooktop with at least one opening, aligning a burner through the opening, and positioning an igniter assembly through the opening.
The method further includes positioning a ceramic insulator adjacent the surface to extend outwardly from the opening, and positioning an electrode of the igniter assembly into the ceramic insulator.
The electrode positioning step includes orienting at least one end of the electrode substantially perpendicular to the opening.
In one arrangement, the electrode positioning step includes pre-bending the electrode before inserting into the ceramic insulator.
One advantage of the present disclosure is the ability to eliminate the need for separate ignition holes to be formed in the cooktop surface.
Another benefit resides in the simplified product assembly.
Yet another advantage is the ability to vary burner geometry, glass cooktop geometry, and incorporate other unique features such as illuminated burners where traditional ignition mounting methods are not possible or viable.
Still other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.
Turning first to
The illustrated cooking appliance 100 incorporates a ceramic or glass cooktop surface 140. The cooktop surface 140 can adopt various configurations and may be made from various ceramic base materials so that reference to a ceramic-based material is intended to cover other materials including ceramic, glass-ceramic, and similar materials. Mounted to the cooktop surface 140 is at least one, and preferably plural, gas burner assemblies 142, 144, 146, 148. Each of the gas burner assemblies is substantially identical in construction and function, unless particularly noted otherwise. In some embodiments, a greater or lesser number of burner assemblies may be provided. An upper, rear portion of the cooking appliance 100 forms a control panel 160 that is preferably provided with plural control members or knobs 162, 164, 166, 168 to operate and control the operation of the gas burners 142, 144, 146, 148, respectively. In addition, the control panel 160 includes a central control unit 170 and may include a visual display 172.
The cooktop surface 140 is separately illustrated in
The present disclosure eliminates use of the separate igniter holes adjacent the burner openings.
The ceramic insulator 204 preferably includes a fastener arrangement such as fastening strap 220 that extends over the periphery of the ceramic insulator and includes one or more openings 222 (
Because ceramic glass is an excellent insulator, the bottom side of the ceramic insulator of the igniter assembly does not need to be closed or fully insulated. Rather, the ceramic insulator 204 and the high dielectric properties of the ceramic glass cooktop create a fully insulated spark source. The above-described surface mount spark electrode allows installation of a spark ignition source on a cooktop without the need to have a separate hole or bore for the electrode to be inserted into adjacent the burner opening formed in the cooktop surface. Product assembly is simplified, and this provides for new burner geometries, glass cooktop geometries, and incorporation of other unique features such as an illuminated burner where there is a need for an alternative method to mount an ignition source to surface burners.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.
Claims
1. A surface mount igniter assembly comprising:
- a surface having at least one opening therein;
- a burner assembly operatively mounted to the surface with at least a portion extending into the opening; and
- an igniter extending through the opening and terminating adjacent the burner assembly.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the surface is a glass ceramic.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the igniter has a first portion that extends approximately perpendicular to the surface opening.
4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first portion includes an electrode extending through a ceramic insulator, the electrode including an exposed terminal end.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the ceramic insulator includes an opening facing the surface.
6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the igniter is bent through substantially 90 degrees at each of opposite ends.
7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the electrode is mechanically fixed in the ceramic insulator.
8. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the electrode is retained by a resin in the ceramic insulator.
9. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the ceramic insulator extends outwardly from the opening along the surface.
10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the ceramic insulator terminates adjacent a perimeter of the burner.
11. A method of forming a surface mount igniter assembly:
- providing a ceramic cooktop with at least one opening;
- aligning a burner assembly at least partially through the opening; and
- positioning at least a part of an igniter assembly through the opening.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising positioning a ceramic member adjacent the surface to extend outwardly from the opening.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising positioning the electrode in the ceramic member.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the electrode positioning step includes orienting at least one end of the electrode substantially perpendicular to the opening.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the orienting step includes orienting opposite ends of the igniter assembly perpendicular to the opening.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein the electrode positioning step includes pre-bending the electrode before inserting the electrode into a ceramic member.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the electrode positioning step includes bending the electrode after inserting the electrode into a ceramic member.
18. A gas cooking appliance comprising:
- a high dielectric strength cooktop surface having an opening;
- a burner assembly at least partially received through the opening;
- a surface mount spark electrode assembly extending through the opening, along the cooktop surface, and terminating adjacent the burner assembly.
19. The igniter assembly of claim 18 wherein the electrode assembly includes an electrode received in an insulator, the insulator being open along one edge to facilitate receipt of the electrode therein, the open edge of the insulator facing the high dielectric strength cooktop surface so that the spark electrode assembly is fully insulated.
20. The igniter assembly of claim 18 wherein the electrode assembly includes an electrode that is bent through approximately 90 degrees.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 13, 2011
Publication Date: Mar 14, 2013
Applicant:
Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima (Prospect, KY)
Application Number: 13/231,656
International Classification: F24C 3/10 (20060101); B21D 53/00 (20060101);