Cooking Appliance and Method for Mounting a Control Panel and a Cooktop Assembly to a Cooking Appliance

Abstract

A cooking appliance comprises a housing; a control panel, which is mounted at an upper front region of the housing; a cooktop assembly, which is mounted at a top side of the housing and which is mechanically coupled to the control panel and to the housing, wherein the housing comprises a first hook part located at the upper front region and to which the control panel is hooked in, and wherein the cooktop assembly has a first flange region, which has a bent shape and which is hooked into an interior region of the control panel through an opening in the control panel, and wherein a gap is formed between the control panel and the cooktop assembly at the first flange region.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance and a method for mounting a control panel and a cooktop assembly to a cooking appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When constructing the housing of a cooking appliance usually several screws are used to fix the components of the housing to each other. Further, in commonly used cooking appliances side walls and other components of the housing as well as the cooktop and control panels are attached and mounted by several screws which hold the components together. In order to provide a housing and cooking appliance it would be an advantage for using the housing and mounting the components of the cooking appliance if the number of screws could be reduced.

Document EP 1 761 730 A2 describes a cooktop sealing with a gasket which is mounted to a base body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to improve the way of attaching housing components together and thereby reducing the number of screws and further to improve the sealing of the housing between a control panel and a cooktop assembly. Further, a preventing of the leakage of overspill fluids through a gap between a control panel of the cooking appliance and a cooktop assembly can be improved.

The object is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims.

The present invention pertains a cooking appliance according to claim 1 and a method for mounting a control panel according to claim 17.

Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention the cooking appliance comprises a housing; a control panel, which is mounted at an upper front region of the housing; and a cooktop assembly, which is mounted at a top side of the housing and which is mechanically coupled to the control panel and to the housing, wherein the housing comprises a first hook part located at the upper front region and to which the control panel is hooked in, and wherein the cooktop assembly has a first flange region, which has a bent shape and which is hooked into an interior region of the control panel through an opening in the control panel (f), and wherein a gap is formed between the control panel and the cooktop assembly at the first flange region.

This is possible to the provide a top surface of the control panel such that it is level with the top surface of the cooktop assembly. The control panel can be mounted in front of the cooktop and can cause a gap on the top surface of the cooking appliance. In the event of an overspill, the fluid can leak into the enclosure of the appliance. To prevent the overspill or at least lower the probability for it the assembly between the control panel and the cooktop is done in a way that channels the fluids to the side of the appliance. This is done by the special channel shaped front flange of the cooktop assembly which can be embodied as a detail on the cooktop assembly or an additional part fixed to the cooktop assembly. This channel hooks under the rear flange of the control panel, which fixes the two part together and creates a channel with a barrier along the entire width of the gap above the appliance. To create a better looking seam between the control panel and the cooktop assembly and further prevent the leakage, a gasket can also be mounted into the channel.

It can advantageously lower the probability of a leakage of the overspill fluids into the appliance or even prevent it. The fluid channel can divert the flow of the overspill fluids to the sides of the appliance, where most of the fluids flow off the top surface of the appliance to the floor or to the adjacent cabinet. Some small amount of the overspill fluid can leak into the enclosure of the appliance, but only on the most outer sides. This fluid can flow down to the floor on the inside surface of the side panel of the appliance. The control panel can be a sheet metal part which has the rear flange of a specified length that serves as a hook for the channel shaped flange of the cooktop. The cooktop has a front flange shaped into a V or U shape, that creates a channel for overspilled fluids. After the control panel is mounted to the appliance, the cooktop is positioned at an angle according to the horizontal plane, so the front edge of its channel shaped flange is positioned lower than the lower edge of the rear flange of the control panel. The cooktop is then simultaneously pushed toward the control panel and rotated back to the horizontal position, which makes the rear flange of the control panel to fit into the channel of the channel shaped flange of the cooktop. This makes a shape connection between the control panel and the cooktop, leaving a channel to divert overspilled fluids. If there is no gasket used for the sealing of the gap, the length of the rear flange of the control panel can be such that it's lower edge sits on the inner surface of the channel shaped flange of the cooktop assembly, which can create an additional barrier for the overspilled fluid.

For the case that the gasket is being used, it can be mounted to the rear flange of the control panel, where the shape of the gasket can be made such to hold the gasket in position before the cooktop assembly is mounted. The gasket can also be mounted to the channel shaped flange of the cooktop assembly. If the gasket is mounted to the channel flange, the top part of the gasket, which covers the gap, has to be narrower due to the assembly kinematics. The gasket can be made with an extrusion process. The advantage of mounting the gasket to the control panel rear flange is that the top part of the gasket covers the gap of the channel. The gasket is shaped according to the joint between the control panel and cooktop. However, the top part of the gasket is—due to easier assembly (kinematics)—more adjusted to the control panel, where the top part is at an angle towards to the cooktop (bigger radius of the gasket) to adjust to both upper radiuses of both components (top parts at their edge) after the assembly because the cooktop is then pressing the gasket to the control panel. The detail that covers the top of the channel can be made wider, which hides the gap better and improves the look of the appliance. The rear flange of the controlpanel can be shorter than itself at the version without the gasket so the gasket can fit between it and the channel shaped flange of the cooktop assembly. When the gasket is being used, none or almost none of the overspilled fluid can enter the appliance's enclosure (housing).

The cooking appliance can be easy and quick to assemble what can lead to an increase of productivity with less components than compared to usual cooking appliances. The cooking appliance can provide a construction/solution that is easy to build and is price competitive.

By the mentioned cooking appliance, it is possible to get a maximum useable area of the cooktop and a significantly (or at least visually) bigger (higher located) control panel or user interface in the control panel, wherein these features are valid for both appliances of the cooktop, in particular gas and electro. At the same time, it is possible to allow a quick assembly and good serviceability of the control panel.

Thus, by the cooking appliance a new, (and unified for both appliances) (assembly has been defined, in particular a cooking appliance cavity base assembly can have side panels. Then the connection blend can be mounted by screws to the cooking appliance cavity base assembly and a plastic holder can be fixated on both side walls. Further, the connection blend can have special details to provide a fixation of the side wall to the cooking appliance cavity base without the use of screw. Said construction and the corresponding details make the appliance more rigid. A plastic holder can be clicked-in by hand to the side wall. Further, a function of the plastic holder is to position the control panel and connects it to the side panel. A whole front control panel is then assembled and mounted to the plastic holder. A control panel part can be produced with a set of sheet metal tools (with several operations), thus no additional part or welding is then needed. A control panel can be fixated by screws on the lower side (above the door) to the connection blend. The cooktop assembly can be connected with the control panel by special details and secured by screws to the profile at the rear appliance area. The front flange region for the gas cooktop can be produced from tooling and be part of the cooktop (made from one sheet metal). The front flange for the electric cooktop is made separately and is welded or pressed together by tox to the front side of the electric cooktop.

As already mentioned, a rigid appliance construction can be provided which is cost effective (quick assembly with less as possible components) what can be achieved with the good connection between the control panel and the cooktop assembly. The whole width of the cooktop assembly (lateral at the front side) can have a detailed flange, which an be connected to the control panel flange (for example hooked in). The flange at a gas cooktop assembly can be made directly from the tooling. For the case of an electro cooktop assembly the flange can be welded to the cooktop assembly.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the housing comprises a first side panel and a second side panel and wherein at least one of the first side panel and/or the second side panel has side panel top flange which has at least one control panel holder hook cut-out and a control panel holder locking cut-out, wherein the housing further comprises a control panel holder for each side panel which has a first hook part and at least one a side panel hook part for hooking the control panel holder into the control panel holder hook cut-out such that the control panel holder is attached tight to the side panel and the first hook part projects vertically over the top of the side panel.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the side panel top flange has a side panel cut-out for a cooktop spacer and a side panel cut-out for a cooktop spacer locking detail and wherein the housing further comprises at least one cooktop spacer for each side panel which further has a side panel hook for hooking the cooktop spacer into the side panel cut-out for the cooktop spacer such that the cooktop spacer is attached tight to the side panel and wherein the cooktop spacer further has a cooktop positioning cut-out projecting in an opposite and top direction to the side panel hook and for hooking the cooktop assembly into the cooktop positioning cut-out.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the first side panel and the second side panel have a side panel cut-out for mounting a connection blend between the side panels and wherein the housing further comprises a connection blend having a positioning side flange at each end which is inclined towards a longitudinal extend of the connection blend for hooking the connection blend into the side panel cut-out for the connection blend and wherein the connection blend has fixation regions along its longitudinal extend for screw fixation of the control panel to the connection blend.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the control panel has a panel housing which has a front cover, two lateral side plates extending inclined from lateral sides of the front cover and a top cover extending inclined from a top edge of the front cover and in the same direction as the lateral side plates, wherein an inner control panel flange is formed at the top cover on an opposite side to the front cover and a side flange with a hook cut-out is formed at each lateral side plate on an opposite side to the front cover.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the housing of the control panel is hooked in with the first hook part into the hook cut-out at each lateral side plate and thereby mounted to the housing of the cooking appliance.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the cooktop assembly has a top area, lateral cooktop side walls and a rear wall which project downwards from the top area on both lateral sides of the cooktop assembly and a front bent part as the first flange region which is bent upward from a front side of the cooktop assembly under a predefined angle and which extends at least partly along the front side of the cooktop assembly in the lateral direction for hooking the front bent part into the panel housing of the control panel and inside of the inner control panel flange.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the cooktop assembly is a cooktop assembly for electric appliances having a flat top area and/or electrical heating devices on or under the top area or wherein the cooktop assembly is a cooktop assembly for gas appliances having gas heating devices on the top area.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the front bent part forms at least partly a vertical front wall of the cooktop assembly and is bent from the vertical part under a predefined angle towards an upper front direction or wherein the cooktop assembly has a separate front wall part and the front bent part crosses the front wall part from an interior of the cooktop assembly under a predefined angle towards an upper front direction and wherein the front bent part is mechanically tight with the cooktop assembly. According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the cooktop assembly has at least one fixation part at each lateral cooktop side wall wherein the fixation part is a flange or cut-out in the lateral cooktop side walls on an end of a flange, wherein the flange is placed opposite to the top area for pushing the fixation part into the cooktop positioning cut-out of the cooktop space.

The cooktop assembly can be embodied as a freestanding appliance or slide-in assembly, wherein the fixation part(s) can slide in at the cooktop positioning cut-out of the cooktop space what helps positioning the cooktop assembly at a predefined height and lateral (horizontal) position, in particular in the front-rear direction.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance, the cooking appliance further comprises a cooktop gasket having a longitudinal extend and a cross section profile when cut perpendicular to the longitudinal extend which is constant along the longitudinal extend, wherein the cooktop gasket comprises a flexible material for being spanned between the control panel and the cooktop assembly.

The extruded gasket can be made from silicon rubber, which can cover the whole gap of the appliance width to additionally prevent spillage and to cover the production tolerances. The assembling process can be very simple, which speeds the production time and decreases the needed number of skilled workers in the production.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the cross section profile of the cooktop gasket has a first section which is elongated and extends mainly vertically and a second section which is bent upward from a lower part of the first section and which is elongated and extends mainly inclined with regard to the first section, and wherein the first section has a top edge at an upper end where the first section has a maximum width.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the cooktop gasket is placed with the second section inside the opening in the control panel such that an inner control panel flange of the control panel is put between the first section and the second section and the top edge extends partly on a top side of the housing of the control panel.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance a front bent part of the cooktop assembly is hooked under the cooktop gasket and inside the opening in the control panel pushing the second section towards the inner control panel flange and pulling the cooktop assembly towards the control panel and thereby pressing the first section of the cooktop gasket between the control panel and the cooktop assembly and wherein the top edge extends partly on a top side of housing of the cooktop assembly.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the second section has at least one holding flap for the control panel which projects towards the first section, wherein the second section further has a bent part for receiving the front bent part on a side opposite to the holding flap.

According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the second section has a retain bump inside the bent part for receiving the front bent part to which the front bent part is pushable and by which a force from pushing the front bent part into the bent part is partly redirectable towards the holding flap for deforming it at the inner control panel flange.

According to the invention a method for mounting a control panel and a cooktop assembly to an cooking appliance, comprising the steps of Providing (S1) a control panel, a cooktop assembly and a housing of the cooking appliance; attaching (S2) the control panel to an upper front region of the housing, wherein the housing comprises a first hook part located at the upper front region and to which the control panel is hooked in; attaching (S3) the cooktop assembly to a top side of the housing and mechanically coupling the cooktop assembly to the control panel, wherein the control panel is hooked in a first hook part located at the upper front region and wherein the cooktop assembly has a first flange region, which has a bent shape and which is hooked into an interior region of the control panel through an opening in the control panel, and wherein a gap is formed between the control panel and the cooktop assembly at the first flange region.

According to a further embodiment of the method the cooktop assembly is mechanically coupled to the control panel such that the cooktop assembly is placed at an inclined position and under a predefined angle range with regard to the top side of the housing and wherein the first flange region is pushed into the interior region of the control panel when the cooktop assembly is inclined and afterwards the cooktop assembly is pushed towards the top side and the angle lowered and thereby the first flange region is pushed further inside the control panel and closer to an inner control panel flange from the interior of the control panel and thereby the cooktop assembly is pulled towards the control panel by the first flange region and placed with the gap towards the control panel.

The housing can be provided by connecting the side walls (panels), the rear side and the connection blend as mentioned in this description.

According to a further embodiment of the method a gap between the cooktop assembly and the control panel is formed which has a width of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

According to a further embodiment of the method a cooktop gasket with a cross section profile of the cooktop gasket having a first section which is elongated and extends mainly vertically and a second section which is bent upward from a lower part of the first section and which is elongated and extends mainly inclined with regard to the first section, and wherein the first section has a top edge at an upper end where the first section has a maximum width is placed with the second section inside the opening in the control panel such that an inner control panel flange of the control panel is put between the first section and the second section and the top edge extends partly on a top side of housing of the control panel and wherein a front bent part of the cooktop assembly is hooked under the cooktop gasket and inside the opening in the control panel pushing the second section towards the inner control panel flange when lowering the angle of the cooktop assembly towards the top side and pulling the cooktop assembly towards the control panel and thereby pressing the first section of the cooktop gasket between the control panel and the cooktop assembly and wherein the top edge extends partly on a top side of housing of the cooktop assembly.

According to a further embodiment of the method the predefined angle range is between 10 and 45 degrees.

According to a further embodiment of the method the second section has at least one holding flap for the control panel which projects towards the first section and which is deformed when the second section is pushed towards the inner control panel flange by the front bent part while the front bent part is hooked under the cooktop gasket.

Regarding the method an order of assembling the cooking appliance can be provided as follows.

As first step, side panels, for example made from sheet metal, (one side panel for both sides of the appliance) can be connected with a cooking appliance cavity base assembly which can be the welded assembly of the cooking appliance wrapper, back wall and front wall with special positioning and locking details, wherein the cavity can also be screwed on a front and back side of the appliance.

As second step, a connection blend can be created from sheet metal and mounted to the cooking appliance cavity assembly. At each side special detailed flanges can be produced/provided on the connection blend, which lock and connect the connection blend with the side panels. Due to this feature the appliance gets more rigid in this area against transportation tests. The connection blend is then screwed to the cooking appliance cavity base assembly. The connection blend has a detail for easier assembly with the control panel on the lower part control panel area. This main part of this detail is a connection flange (made from several flanges), which has on each side a cut-out to reduce local blend rigidity and thus helps to minimize the, for example 1 mm, gap between the connection blend and control panel due to the assembly kinematics. At the end of the connected flange an upwards directed bended part is created between 5° and 60° which helps to guide the control panel to the final position.

As third step, front control panel holders (left and right) can be mounted to the side panel front top area by a click system. The control panel holders are made from plastic material (UL recognized PA66 with 20% of glass fibres or other type of plastic which improved mechanical strength (withstands RTI 120° C. and has HB or V0 flammability rate), which can be slid in the side panels of the appliance by hand and fixed with a screw each into the side panel, for example from an inner side of the housing. In order to achieve a click system special details are implemented on the holder, which are implemented to reduce cost for the injection moulding tooling. This detail has a feature added to achieve a good position and alignment of the holder with the control panel due to limitations of injection moulding tooling (the holder can have a length of about 100 mm and it is not straight when it is coming from the tooling).

As fourth step, on a top area of the side panel additional plastic cooktop spacers are manually installed with similar click details as on the control panel holder. On each side of the side wall two or three spacers (depending on the appliance type) can be applied on designated cut-outs, which are placed on the top surface of the side wall. The spacer function is to guarantee a proper gap, for example of 3 mm, between the cooktop and side wall across the whole appliance depth, thus a good airflow can be achieved, which can cool the appliance and prevent higher temperatures above the predefined limit (according to UL858) on the surfaces of surrounding components.

As fifth step, the control panel is assembled with the user interface, switches and belonging components and then hooked to the plastic holders. The plastic holders are mounted on both sides of the appliance side wall and can have special cut-outs in the front area, where the control panel is mounted. The plastic holders can be situated on the control panel back flange. For positioning of the control panel a rectangular cut-out is made on the flange area flat part. The cut-out is bigger (for example having a 0.3-0.7 mm gap on each side) than the plastic holder hook detail width to cover the production tolerances and achieve good alignment. The height of the control panel can be for example 115 mm and its design can be made in such a way, that it can enables in combination with the plastic holder easy kinematics and mounting to the appliance also at the lower control panel area. The control panel can then be fixated by screws on the lower side in the special drawn area to the connection blend. A drawn area can have a height of 3.5 mm to hide the screw head such that it is not seen by the customer even when the door is open. The design of the control panel part (made from sheet metal) can be made in such a way, that no additional pieces (blends, holders . . . ) or welding technologies are needed to make the component. For example, on each control panel side there is an imprint, which hides a first draw operation dividing line and is there for aesthetical reason (its size and shape is defined by the tool maker). This means that it is made with the use of draw, cutting, bending and tox operation in a set of tools.

As sixth step, in order to achieve a good connection, prevent spillage of the liquids inside the appliance or solve aesthetics problems with the gap between the cooktop assembly and the control panel an extruded silicon rubber gasket is applied on the control panel rear top flange. The special shape of the gasket holds it in place.

As seventh step, on the back appliance a rear cooktop holder can be positioned on the top side wall surface of the housing at designated rectangular cut-outs and screwed into place. The profile function is to make the appliance more rigid at the rear area and to fix-ate the cooktop to the appliance.

As eighth step, the cooktop is then positioned so that it's lower front edges sit on the flat surface of control panel holders L/R. After positioning the cooktop assembly can be slid to the front of the appliance, so that the channel shaped edge of the cooktop front is positioned underneath the gasket mounted to the control panel. The cooktop is then hooked under the edge of the control panel rear flange, which holds the gasket and rotated to its final position. During the process of rotation, the channel shaped edge of the cooktop hooks under the gasket mounted on the control panel. The cooktop squeezes the gasket to the control panel, locking it in place and closing the gap to assure a proper sealing. The cooktop assembly details with flanges at the front help to connect the control panel on the top side to the appliance without screws.

As nineth step, after a final connection with the control panel and a placement of the cooktop assembly on the cooktop spacer, the cooktop assembly can be secured by screws (2 or 4 screws depending on the type of the appliance) on the rear profile, which is placed on the appliance back side. This prevents the possibility of the cooktop assembly unhooking itself from the edge of the control panel during manipulation and use of the appliance or at least to lower it.

As tenth step, in order to close the appliance from the top side an additional rear cooktop cap with a gasket can be assembled to the cooktop.

The assembly of the appliance can be made in such a way, that it enables an assembly of additional systems, for example a cooling system. The connection blend can position the cooling system to the cooking appliance cavity base. The control panel can be assembled also with an extruded gasket, which covers the gap and prevents or lowers spillage inside the appliance. The control panel holders can also be made to fit on both sides of the appliance (one part instead of left and right parts) while retaining the above-mentioned functions.

Depending on the appliance design, the shape fixation flanges of the control panel and the cooktop may also vary.

Generally, the cooking appliance in the sense of the invention can be an oven, a freestanding cooking device or any other cooking device having a cooktop assembly and a control panel.

The method can be also characterized by the features and advantages of the cooking appliance and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings as appended.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate a comparative embodiment and embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show a side panel for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b show a connection blend of the side panels for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b and FIG. 3c show a connection blend of the side panels for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c show a control panel holder for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b show a cooktop spacer for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b show a control panel for a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b show the control panel during a method for mounting it to the housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8a shows a control panel from the bottom side and FIG. 8b shows the bottom side of the control panel above a connection blend in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b show a rear cooktop holder for being mounted to the housing in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows the rear cooktop holder of FIG. 9a as mounted to the housing.

FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b and FIG. 11c show a cooktop assembly in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11d shows a rear part of the housing with the fixed cooktop assembly in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12a and FIG. 12b show a cooktop assembly for a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13a and FIG. 13b show a cooktop gasket for a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b and FIG. 14c and FIG. 14d show the cooking appliance during the cooktop assembly is mounted to the housing without the use of a gasket and according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15a and FIG. 15b and FIG. 15c show the cooking appliance during the cooktop assembly is mounted to the housing with the use of a gasket and according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b show a further embodiment of the cooktop assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

Further combinations of the mentioned embodiments with each other are possible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show a side panel for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 1a a first side panel SP1 (or second one SP2) is shown. The first side panel SP1 can be a right panel (and the second side panel can be a left panel) of the housing or vice versa. The side panel SP1 has a side panel top flange 4a which has at least one control panel holder hook cut-out 1a and a control panel holder locking cut-out 2a, the latter can be arranged next to or between the control panel holder hook cut-outs 1a if there are several of them. Further, the side panel top flange 4a has a side panel cut-out 7a as shown in FIG. 1b for a cooktop spacer (not shown) and a side panel cut-out 8a for a cooktop spacer locking detail (not shown). Extending from the front part, which can be positioned vertical in the housing 1, a flange extends to the inward side and said flange can have a control panel holder fixation screw hole 3a. Further, the side panel SP1 can have a side panel cut-out 5a at said flange extending from the front side to the inward for mounting a connection blend b between the side panels (SP1, SP2) and wherein the housing 1 further comprises a connection blend b having a positioning side flange 2b at each end which is inclined towards a longitudinal extend of the connection blend b for hooking the connection blend b into the side panel cut-out 5a for the connection blend. The side wall SP1 has rectangular cut-outs 1a and 2a which size is dependent on the top flange length and its width can be 0.3 times to 0.7 times of the flange length and the rectangular length can be 1-3 times of the flange length. Closer to the rear side of the side panel SP1 the top flange 4a can have cut-outs 6a for mounting a real profile of the housing (not shown). The side panel cut-out(s) 7a for a cooktop spacer and the side panel cut-out 8a for a cooktop spacer locking detail can be located between the control panel holder hook cut-out 1a and the cut-outs 6a for the real profile in the top flange 4a. The second side panel SP2 can be symmetric to the first side panel SP1 for representing the opposite lateral side of the housing 1.

FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b show a connection blend of the side panels for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 2a a full view from an upper side on the connection blend b is shown which can have control panel fixation holes 1b, for example equidistant for screws of the control panel, and which can be located at a front edge to face the front side of the housing when mounted. It is possible that a connection flange for fixation 3b of the control panel from the front side of the housing can be provided around each of the fixation holes 1b such that there is a flat part of the blend b around the fixation hole 1b and an bent portion of the connection flange for fixation 3b which is bent upwards at the front edge of the blend b and called the upper portion 4b of the connection flange having cut-out details 5b of the connection flange as longitudinal cut outs extending from the front edge of the flange into the interior of the blend b. The fixation hole can be a drawn cut-out hole 6b. At the lateral ends of the connection blend b a positioning side flange 2b at each end is provided which is inclined with regard to a longitudinal extend of the connection blend b for hooking the connection blend b into the side panel cut-out (FIG. 1a).

FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b and FIG. 3c show a connection blend of the side panels for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

The connection blend b can be hooked in to the side walls SP1 and SP2 as shown in FIG. 3a at a front side of the housing 1 and spanning between the side walls SP1 and SP2. FIG. 3b shows the details of the positioning side flange 2b which can be bent downward from the end of the blend b by an angle less of 90 degrees and therefore be inclined towards the side wall SP1, SP2. The angle from the direction perpendicular to the plane of the blend b at which the positioning side flange 2b is inclined towards the side wall can be, for example, 2-45 degrees measured from the perpendicular (vertical) direction to the blend b plane, in order to cover the assembly tolerances. Further, as shown in FIG. 3c the positioning side flange 2b can be partly tapered in a middle part between the plane of the blend b and an edge of the side flange 2b which can be bent upward from the middle part. The middle part can be tapered by an angle of 3-30 degrees, for example such that the width of the tapered part narrows towards the edge of the side flange 2b. The angle of inclination with regard to the plane of blend b can also belong to the middle part of the flange 2b as shown in FIG. 3b. Both angles help to achieve easier positioning and connection. With this detailed flange an overall appliance width and rigidity can be ensured without the use of further screws. Further, the blend b can be fixated to the front wall of the housing by screws.

FIG. 4a shows a control panel holder for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 4a a control panel holder c for a right side wall (SP1, SP2) is shown. The control panel holder c can be fixed by a screw to a hole (3a in FIG. 1a) in a flange in the side wall which extends from a front side. The control panel holder c can have a hole 4c for fixation in a side flange. Further, the control panel holder c has a longitudinal extent providing a flat surface 5c at parts of the top side of the control panel holder c. At a front end, which can be positioned over the side wall top side and partly project over a front edge of the side wall, the control panel holder c comprises a first hook part 1c which extends upwards (in direction opposite to the flange for fixing the control panel holder c to the side wall) in a perpendicular or inclined manner. The first hook part 1c can have a straight part close to the end of the flat surface 5c and a hook part at the upper end of the straight part wherein the hook part is directed with the tip towards the longitudinal extend direction of the flat surface 5c and towards the interior part of the cooking appliance. Further, the control panel holder c can have adjacent to the flat surface 5c, on the opposite side to the first hook part 1c, a side panel hook with adjustment detail 2ca, an adjustment detail 6c for the control panel holder c, a cooktop positioning detail 7c extending from an upper side of the control panel holder c and opposite to the side panel hook which extends from a lower side of the control panel holder c. Further, a second flat (top) region can be adjacent to these parts and extending in the longitudinal direction towards a read end of the control panel holder c. On a lower side, opposite the top side, a locking detail 3c can be provided as a bump for locking the control panel holder c into the side wall (SP1, SP2). The cooktop positioning detail 7c can be formed as a conical cut out in a vertical part of the control panel holder c which can extend from the top side in the upper direction. Said cut-out can be opened towards the rear side of the control panel holder c, similar as the tip of first hook 1c. At the rear end of the control panel holder c a further side panel hook 2cb is provided at the lower side of the control panel holder c. The tips of the side panel hooks 2ca and 2cb can be directed towards the front of the control panel holder c in order to push the control panel holder c into the corresponding cut-outs (1a in FIG. 1a) in the side walls (SP1, SP2). The adjustment details 6c and the one from the side panel hook 2ca can be connected to the side panel hook 2ca or made integral with it. A control panel holder for the left side wall can be provided symmetrically to the one (left or right) shown in FIG. 4a.

A control panel hook avoiding area 8c at the tip of the first hook 1c can be provided.

FIG. 4b shows a control panel holder for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 4b the middle and rear part of the control panel holder c is shown. A direction for pushing the control panel holder c when mounting (hooking) it into the side wall SP1, SP2 and for pushing the cooktop assembly into the cooktop positioning detail 7c is shown as direction D. The locking detail 3c is put into the control panel holder locking cut-out 2a and the side panel hooks 2ca and 2cb can be positioned at and hooked into control panel holder hook cut-outs 1a of the side panel top flange 4a. A mounting of the control panel holder c (left) starts with positioning of control panel holder hooks 2ca, 2cb into the rectangular cut-out 1a. The cut-outs can also be of triangular shape to center the control panel holder while they are being slid forward. The control panel holder c (left) is then pushed forward in direction D (according to the appliance, where the front of the appliance is the side where the doors are attached), therefore the control panel holder hooks 2ca and 2cb slide under the side panel top flange 4a.

It is possible that the control panel hook details are customized to the side panel sheet metal thickness in order to improve an easy fit. The first hook part 1c can have an avoidance area 8c which can help to prevent a collision with the electric cooktop front flange cut-out area. The side wall thickness can be, for example, 0.6 mm or reduced to 0.5 mm.

When the control panel holder c is slid to its final forward position, the locking detail 3c can click into the locking cut-out 2a what can help to fix the control panel holder c to the side panel SP1 (or SP2) and thus to the entire appliance. The cooktop assembly can be placed on the flat surface 5c and slid into the cut-out 7c also in direction D.

A control panel holder (right or left) for the particular side wall can be fixed to the corresponding side panel in the same way. The cooktop positioning detail 7c can ensure an easy assembly and achieves the cooktop assembly to be positioned flush with the side panel what can also connect the cooktop assembly to the side panel SP1 (SP2) firmly enough that no screws must be used for their intermediate fixation. Therefore, construction of the holder c is made in such way, that the flat surface 5c ensures a proper gap, for example 3 mm, between the cooktop assembly (its lower side) and the side panel top side. The flat surface helps with easier sliding of the cooktop assembly during assembly. This gap gp is important to achieve convectional cooling (hot air escaping out of the appliance outer enclosure and letting the cool air come from below to cool it down). Said gap gp can be adjusted to 5 mm with additional details depending on the need for convection cooling.

FIG. 4c shows a control panel holder for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 4c the holder c and its side panel hook can have an adjustment detail 6c which enables a more rigid and easy connection to the side panel SP1. Such an adjustment detail 6c has in the beginning (side closer to side wall top flange) a conical shape at the lower end for easier positioning and assembly. In FIG. 4c the left figure shows a right version for the right side wall and the right figure shows a left version for the left side wall. The adjustment detail 6c can be located at the lateral side of the holder c which is directed to the outside or inside of the housing.

FIG. 5a shows a cooktop spacer for a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5b shows a cooktop spacer positioned in a side wall of a housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 5a a perspective side view from an lower and lateral side of the cooktop spacer e is shown which has a side panel hook 2e for hooking the cooktop spacer e into the side panel cut-out 7a of the side wall SP1 at the upper flange (4a) as shown in FIG. 5b such that the cooktop spacer e is attached tight to the side panel and wherein the cooktop spacer e further has a cooktop positioning cut-out 3e projecting in an opposite and top direction to the side panel hook 2e and for hooking the cooktop assembly into the cooktop positioning cut-out 3e. The cooktop spacer e can be pushed into the cut outs in the top flange of the side walls in the same direction as for the control panel holder. Also the cooktop positioning cut-out 3e can be a conical cut-out opened against the direction (D) of pushing the cooktop assembly in when mounting it to the housing. On the lower side the cooktop spacer e can have a locking detail 1e for locking it into the side wall top flange (4a) and on the upper side and adjacent to the cooktop positioning cut-out 3e the cooktop spacer e can have a flat top surface for positioning the cooktop assembly on it.

The cooktop spacer e can be made from proper plastic material and (hooked in) snapped-in to the side wall 2-3 times on each appliance side (depending on the appliance type) on special dedicated rectangular cut-outs (7a) on the side panel (4a) by locking detail 1e and two side panel hooks 2e (opened towards the direction of pushing the spacer e when mounting it to the side wall holes 7a) on the lower side thereof. For fixation a special detail 1e is applied to the side panel designated cut-out (8a) which prevents unlocking of the spacer. The main thickness of the cooktop spacer can be the same as the control panel holder (3 mm). Therefore, the locking detail 1e can be placed to a corresponding side panel cut-out for a cooktop spacer locking detail. As shown in FIG. 5b the housing 1 can comprise several cooktop spacers e for each side and placed in the intermediate region between cooktop holder c and a rear end of the housing (side wall).

FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b show a control panel for a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 6a a view of the rear side of the housing of the control panel f is shown which can be directed towards the cooktop assembly when mounted to the housing of the cooking appliance. An interface or display can be covered by the shown housing and being accessible at the opening in the housing of the control panel. The control panel f has therefore a panel housing which has a front cover fc, two lateral side plates Isp extending inclined from lateral sides of the front cover fc and a top cover tc extending inclined from a top edge of the front cover and in the same direction as the lateral side plates, wherein an inner control panel flange 1f is formed at the top cover tc on an opposite side to the front cover fc and a side flange with a hook cut-out 2f, 3f is formed at each lateral side plate Isp on an opposite side to the front cover fc and close to the top cover tc The position of this flange, for example 15.5 mm from a top side of the control panel is dependent on the width of the plastic control panel holder flange (tapered top part, for example around 4.7 mm), bending technology limitations (enough distance between the cut-out and flange end, ensure proper perpendicular bend angle) and construction rules (shorter the flange, more rigid it is). The distance can be 2.5-3.5 times the plastic holder width. Further, the housing of the control panel can have mounting holes 4f at a bottom which can be located above the cut out holes (6b) of the connection blend (b) and at corresponding positions. In FIG. 6b the lateral side Isp is shown from the interior side (left figure) and from the exterior side (right figure). The control panel f can have a tox detail 5f and an imprint detail 6f to cover the draw line. The inner control panel flange 1f can have a length fl (FIG. 6a), in particular measured from the top surface of the top cover tc to the lower end of the inner control panel flange 1f. The top surface of the top cover tc can have a predefined (flat) area.

FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b and FIG. 7c show the control panel during a method for mounting it to the housing of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

The control panel f is placed at the upper front of the housing 1. After the control panel holders c are in placed in position to the side walls SP1 and SP2, the control panel f can be mounted. In a first step the control panel is positioned slightly above and in front of the housing 1, and at an initial angle, for example between 15-30° according to the horizontal axis. Afterwards the control panel f is positioned so that it's rear flanges with the rectangular cut-out 2f for control panel holder right hook (2c) and rectangular cut-out 3f for control panel holder left hook are aligned together, they can form a connection. Further, as shown in FIG. 7b, the control panel f can be pulled forward such that the control panel right flange with rectangular cut-out 2f can hook into the control panel holder hook detail and control panel left flange with rectangular cut-out 3f in a similar way on the other side. The control panel is then rotated around the horizontal axis, so the control panel holder hooks 1c fully engage into the control panel flange rectangular cut-out 2f and 3f and the control panel assumes its final position on the appliance. Further, there can be provided a gap, for example of 0.3 mm (d1) to 0.7 mm (d2), measured from right or left side, between the edge of the control panel rectangular cut-out and control panel holder hook edge as shown in FIG. 7c to cover the production tolerances and achieve good alignment. In FIG. 7c it is further shown, that the tip of the control panel holder hook cut-out 1c can have a tapered form towards the tip (and a flat bottom face to make the cut out 3f sliding flat to the hooked in position.

Further, the hook detail as first hook part 1c can have an angle from the vertical of the housing 1 of 2-30°, that can hold the control panel at the housing and the control panel can thereby have a minimum 1 mm and max 1.5 mm gap (or another gap size) to the cooktop assembly and a zero gap to the side panel when mounted at its final position.

Top of the hook detail first hook part 1c can have a special conical shape (tapered) for easier assembly and has a special cut-out to accommodate to the cooktop assembly construction to lower the possibility of collision during mounting it.

FIG. 8a shows a control panel from the bottom side and FIG. 8b shows the bottom side of the control panel above (or at this place below) a connection blend in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 8a a bottom side of the control panel f is shown. For the final fixation of the control panel f it is possible that four (or another number) screws are screwed through the mounting holes 4f of the control panel f bottom and to the connection blend b. The screws can be screwed into the control panel fixation holes 4f to the drawn cut-out holes 6b on the control panel connecting cover blend detail 3b as shown in FIG. 8b (only holes in cross section are shown one above the other. The drawn cut-out holes 6b of the connecting cover blend can be on four special fixation details 3b. To avoid collision during assembly (rotation step) of the control panel to the appliance there are two features applied: first a gap d3 of, for example 1.2 mm, between the control panel f and connection blend b and the front flange portion 4b of the fixation detail can be at an angle, for example 3-45°. A drawn area (3b, 6b) can have a height of 3.5 mm to hide the screw head such that it is not seen by the customer even when the door of the cavity is open.

The fixation detail 3b can have a flange, which is cut (5b) from both sides (length is to the end of the drawn cut-out hole) to reduce the rigidity of the flange. With this feature an easier assembly is enabled (minor screw torque is needed) to bridge the gap between the control panel and connection blend b.

FIG. 9a and FIG. 9b show a rear cooktop holder h for being mounted to the housing 1 in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention. The rear cooktop holder h can span between the first and second side wall SP1 and SP2 and on top of them and comprise cooktop assembly fixation screw holes 1h in a flange part that extends vertically from the housing 1 when mounted and rear cooktop cap fixation holes 2h in the same flange and at the ends of the longitudinal extend side wall positioning and fixation areas 3h. As shown in FIG. 9b the rear cooktop holder h can have a positioning flange 4h at each fixation area 3h which can be a flange bent downward or upward from the end portion of the fixation area 3h. Further, at the fixation area 3h a fixation hole 5h can be present to be able to fix the rear cooktop holder h to the side walls SP1/SP2 by screws.

FIG. 10 shows the rear cooktop holder of FIG. 9a as mounted to the housing.

The rear cooktop holder h is screwed to the housing 1 at the fixation holes 5h.

FIG. 11a and FIG. 11b and FIG. 11c show a cooktop assembly in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

The shown cooktop assembly i is shown in general (as flat surface) without specifying the details whether it is a gas or an electric appliance. The edges of the cooktop assembly as shown in FIG. 11a-c can be provided at both versions, gas and electric assembly. FIG. 11a shows a cooktop assembly grooved edge 10i, for applying it to corresponding protrusions in the side walls of the housing and cooktop assembly fixation holes 2i (as shown in FIG. 11c). Further, the cooktop assembly i can have a cooktop assembly rear flange (not shown). As shown in FIG. 11b the edge of the cooktop assembly i at the front or at the rear side can have a cooktop (front, rear) flange cut-out area 5i which can be a cutout made to avoid the tip of the control panel hook (1c). On an interior part, as shown in FIG. 11c, the lateral left and right side of the cooktop assembly i can have cooktop assembly fixation details 4i for a cooktop spacer (e) to which the cooktop assembly fixation details 4i, for example a same number as cooktop spacers (e) at the particular side wall, can be pushed into. Both the electric cooktop assembly and the gas cooktop can be mounted to the appliance in the same way. The cooktop is first turned at an angle and positioned in the control panel area. The cooktop is sitting on the control panel holder (5c) for better guidance.

The fixation part 11i can help with the positioning and in some appliance types secures the electric cooktop (i) with the side wall (a) with the help of the cooktop spacer (e). The fixation part 11i can be a flange csw-f.

FIG. 11d shows a rear part of the housing 1 with the fixed cooktop assembly i.

A cooktop assembly rear flange 3i as shown in FIG. 11d, when the cooktop assembly is at its final location, sits behind the rear cooktop holder h to which the rear wall of the cooktop assembly can be pushed (from its interior or exterior). The cooktop assembly i is then fixed by (four or another number) screws that are put through the cooktop assembly fixation holes (2i) and screwed to the rear cooktop holder screw holes 1h in the rear wall 3i. Depending on the appliance type (at Slide-In appliances) the cooktop is fitted with a rear cooktop cap (a sheet metal part shaped to cover the rear portion of the appliance behind the cooktop and can have a cutout for the chimney vent), then the cap is positioned between the rear cooktop flange and a chimney cut-out. The cap has also a gasket h-gk to prevent a liquid to come inside the appliance. The gasket h-gk has an adhesive layer (the glue can be pre-applied to the gasket and covered with a protective foil and before the assembly the protective foil can be removed and the gasket can be glued to the cooktop cap) which enables gluing to the cap and is made from silicon rubber. The rear cooktop cap is screwed with two screws P, that are put through the cooktop fixation holes 2i and screwed to the fixation holes 2h of the rear cooktop holder (h). With this solution the screws are hidden inside the cap and not visible to the customer. Further, the appliance can be closed from a top side (not shown).

FIG. 12a and FIG. 12b show a cooktop assembly in a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 12a a perspective view from the upper side of the cooktop assembly i is shown. The lateral edge regions can be at a predefined height and provide a top area ta. Further, the inner part of the top side can be positioned lower than the edges (for example as a bowl). In FIG. 12a there are generally shown heating parts, these can for example represent a gas appliance. The cooktop assembly i can have a top area ta, lateral cooktop side walls csw and a rear wall 3i which project downwards from the top area ta on lateral sides of the cooktop assembly i and a front bent part 1i as the first flange region FL1 which is bent upward from a front side of the cooktop assembly i under a predefined angle as shown in FIG. 12b and which extends at least partly along the front side of the cooktop assembly i in the lateral direction for hooking the front bent part 1i into the panel housing of the control panel (f) and inside of the inner control panel flange (1f) (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 12b the front bent part 1i can form at least partly a vertical front wall fw of the cooktop assembly i (for example extending from the top area ta and can be bent from the vertical part under a predefined angle 1io towards an upper front direction).

The cooktop front edge 1i can form a channel flange 5i, where it is bent upward. The bent part can provide a front lip 4i of the channel flange with the channel flange bottom 5i. A height 1iL1 from the top surface of the cooktop to the channel flange bottom can be measures and a (second) height 1iL2 of the front lip of the channel flange (in vertical direction) can be measured. Further, an inner radius 1ir of the channel flange and an angle of the front lip of the channel flange 1io can be defined.

FIG. 13a and FIG. 13b show a cooktop gasket for an cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

The cooktop gasket g has a longitudinal extend L as shown in FIG. 13b and a cross section profile when cut perpendicular to the longitudinal extend L as shown in FIG. 13a and which can be constant along the longitudinal extend L, wherein the cooktop gasket g comprises a flexible material for being spanned between the control panel and the cooktop assembly). The cross section profile of the cooktop gasket g has a first section A which is elongated and extends mainly vertically and a second section B which is bent upward from a lower part of the first section A and which is elongated and extends mainly inclined with regard to the first section A as shown in FIG. 13a, and wherein the first section A has a top edge 6g at an upper end where the first section A has a maximum width. As shown in FIG. 13a the gasket can have between the sections A and B a groove 1g for the control panel rear flange. On the second section B and directed towards the first section B a lower control panel holding flap 2g and at the end of the second section B an upper control panel holding flap 3g can be present. Further, a control panel seat 4g can be present at the upper end of the first section and on the opposite side of the upper end of the first section A the gasket can have a cooktop seat 5g. Further, the second section B can have a retain bump 7g inside the bent part for receiving the front bent part and a channel flange seat 8g which can represent a bottom of the bent part between the first and the second sections.

FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b and FIG. 14c and FIG. 14d show the cooking appliance during the cooktop assembly is mounted to the housing without the use of a gasket and according to an embodiment of the invention.

The cooking appliance can be provided with the mentioned gasket or without it. The cooktop assembly i can be assembled to the appliance after the appliance is already equipped with the control panel f. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14a, when the housing 1 is provided and the control panel f already mounted to the upper front part, the cooktop assembly i is placed at an initial angle & about 10-45 ° with regard to the horizontal top plane of the housing (and depending on the geometry of the cooktop and control panel and positioned such that it is supported by the appliance on front lower corners) and then can be pushes with the front bent part 1i towards the rear side of the control panel f. FIG. 14a shows this configuration without a gasket between the cooktop assembly i and the control panel f. The cooktop can be the pushed forward towards the control panel until it touches the control panel. At this point the front lip of the channel flange (4i) is underneath the control panel rear flange.

In FIG. 14b a zoomed in front part of the cooktop assembly is shown when the cooktop i is rotated towards the horizontal position but is still inclined. The front lip 4i of the channel flange fits behind the rear control panel flange 1f, which interlocks the two components together.

FIG. 14c shows the cooktop assembly i in the horizontal position and hooked in the control panel. The length of the control panel rear flange (fl) should be almost equal to the height from the top surface of the cooktop to the channel flange bottom (1iL1). In practice it should be shorter just enough to compensate for the production and assembly tolerances of the appliance. This creates a very small gap between the edge of the control panel rear flange (1f) and the channel flange bottom (5i), which adds a barrier that diverts the flow of overspill fluids from entering the appliance. The length of the front lip of the channel flange (1iL2) along with the angle of the front lip of the channel flange (1id) define how much overspilled liquid that gets through the gap between control panel rear flange (1f) and the channel flange bottom (5f) can be diverted to the sides by the inner part of the channel. The gap ds between the cooktop and the control panel can be controlled to a point by the definition of the inner radius of the channel flange (1ir) and the angle of the front lip of the channel flange (1id).

In FIG. 14 d a zoomed front part of the cooktop assembly i is shown when the cooktop i is rotated towards the horizontal position and already horizontal. Since the gap ds between the cooktop i and control panel f is small, for example 0.5-2 mm, the surface tension of the liquid helps to prevent all of the liquid to flow down to the channel flange bottom 5i and can make it flow towards the sides of the appliance on the top, where the gap between the cooktop and control panel is wider due to the radii on both parts. The liquid that gets to the channel flange bottom (5i) can be barriered by the control panel rear flange (1f) and thus diverted towards the sides of the appliance. The remaining liquid that gets through (below) the barrier can then be channeled towards the sides of the appliance between the front lip of the channel flange and the control panel rear flange.

FIG. 15a and FIG. 15b and FIG. 15c show the cooking appliance during the cooktop assembly is mounted to the housing with the use of a gasket and according to an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 15a the control panel f is shown and after the control panel is already mounted to the appliance (cooking appliance) and the gasket can be also mounted to the control panel f. The gasket g can be applied by pushing it to the control panel rear flange 1f. The latter can be pushed between the first section A and the second section B of the gasket g. During this process the lower control panel holding flap 2g and upper control panel holding flap 3g deform. This causes friction between the rubber cooktop gasket g and the metal control panel f, which is holding the cooktop gasket g to the control panel. In order to improve a fixation, the control panel seat 4g fits over the control panel top side lowering the chance that the cooktop gasket to falls off the control panel rear flange 1f.

As shown in FIG. 15b the cooktop i can then be positioned at an angle of 10-45° (depending on the geometry of the cooktop and control panel) and positioned such that it is supported by the appliance (housing) on front lower corners.

Afterwards the cooktop is pushed forward, similar to FIG. 14a and FIG. 14b but now with a gasket, such that the upper edge of the cooktop squeezes the cooktop gasket g against the control panel rear flange 1f of the control panel f. At this point the front lip of the channel flange 4i is underneath the control panel rear flange 1f and the cooktop gasket g channel flange seat 8g.

Afterwards, the cooktop i is rotated back, such that it lays flat on the appliance. Simultaneously the cooktop i is still being pushed forward slightly, so that the cooktop upper edge remains in contact with the cooktop gasket g. During this step, the channel flange seat 8g of the cooktop gasket g sits into the channel flange 3g. The front lip of the channel flange 4i pushes to the retaining bump 7g of the cooktop gasket g. This pushes the bottom portion of the cooktop gasket g towards the control panel rear flange 1f of the control panel f, which deforms the lower control panel holding flap 2g and upper control panel holding flap 3g even further, ensuring more friction between the cooktop gasket and the control panel, and also between the cooktop gasket and the cooktop. This fixes the gasket in place so it lowers the risk of moving it undefined. The front lip of the channel flange 4i is now positioned behind the control panel rear flange 1f, which interlocks the cooktop and the control panel together as shown in FIG. 15c. When pushing the cooktop downward and forward it can be pushed inside the cooktop spacer (similar without gasket).

The length of the control panel rear flange (fl) must be less than the height from the top surface of the cooktop to the bottom of the channel flange (1iL1). In particular, the length of the control panel rear flange (fl) should be just enough to accommodate the thickness of the gasket between the control panel rear flange 1f and the channel flange bottom 5i and to compensate for the production and assembly tolerances of the appliance. The length of the front lip of the channel flange along with the angle of the front lip of the channel flange and the inner radius of the channel flange (1ir) can be adjusted along with the shape and thickness of the gasket to ensure maximum sealing and gasket fixation. The gasket can start to deform at a predefined angle of inclination of the cooktop assembly, for example at and/or below 10° with regard to the horizontal plane. The cooktop groove area 9g helps to achieve a good connection. When the cooktop is it the final horizontal position, the gasket with the similar detail as the bend of control panel flange (1f) and similar detail as the bend of cooktop front flange (1i) adjusts to the contact area due to the silicon rubber material. The radius (4g) of the gasket can be shaped so that it fits to the radius on the control panel and the radius (5g) of the gasket can be shaped so that it fits to the radius of the cooktop.

The gasket g can close the gap between the control panel and the cooktop, and therefore almost none of the overspilled fluid can get to the channel flange bottom 5i. If any overspill liquid gets pass the gasket squeezed in the gap, it is then diverted along the channel flange bottom 5i towards the sides of the appliance. The gasket height on the top is, for example 0.5 mm lower than a control panel rear flange 1f length in predeformed state to create a good connection to the control panel flange after assembly.

An upper (visible) shape of the gasket can be adjusted to the bending radiuses of the control panel and cooktop. This can help to prevent appearing of gaps. Other shapes of the gasket are also possible (flaps, seats, O-rings) to achieve a good look and seal, however the described shape is the easiest and simple to produce from extrusion. The gasket is made from flexible material (silicon rubber) and fitted between the control panel and cooktop. Due to the assembly concept, production tolerances of parts or assembly (if both parts are not straight across the whole length, if whole appliance is not straight, if control panel or cooktop are not aligned on the same level . . . ) different gaps can appear across the whole appliance width. The gap, which can be in this context a difference in height between the control panel and the cooktop, can be about 1 mm. This means that the gasket can locally be more outside and above the other parts. If the control panel is positioned lower than the cooktop due to tolerances, the gasket sits a bit higher because it is lifted on the rear side by the higher positioned cooktop. The gasket can be even more inside and below the other components (cooktop assembly and control panel). If the control panel is positioned higher than the cooktop due to tolerances, the gasket sits a bit lower because in this case the cooktop does not lift the rear portion of the gasket. A combination of 0.5 mm lower gasket (the gasket can be made 0.5 mm shorter in its vertical direction, what means that the ideal model of the gasket that would be exactly the height to sit perfectly in the gap is shortened by 0.5 mm to be subjected to tension and be pulled into the gap when assembled. This ensures that the gasket does not sit above the control panel A height and radius (R15) on the gasket top can be made to cover (hide) these different heights and give a good aesthetical look. A visible width of the gasket upper part is minimal, for example 5.8 mm, and helps providing a good look and seal between the control panel and cooktop. The gasket upper part width is defined with the ratio 1-2.5 times to the control panel upper visible length, which is for example 10 mm. With this ratio a good aesthetic solution is created.

The gasket shape may vary according to the different mounting edge shapes or cinematics. In the case of the cooktop being mounted on top of the control panel this type of gasket design can also be used. The control panel holders can also be made to fit on both sides of the appliance (one part instead of left and right parts) while retaining the above mentioned functions. The channel flange can be incorporated directly into the cooktop as shown above, but it can also be incorporated into a separate part that is later fixed to the cooktop by the use of screws, glue or welding.

FIG. 16a and FIG. 16b show a further embodiment of the cooktop assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16a shows a further embodiment of the cooktop assembly j wherein the front bent part 1i has a separate front wall part fw which extends from the top surface and the front bent part 1i crosses the front wall part fw from an interior of the cooktop assembly i under a predefined angle towards an upper front direction and wherein the front bent part 1i is mechanically tight with the cooktop assembly by welding such that it is connected to the shaped continuation part of the front wall when it extends to the interior of the cooktop assembly and there connected or fixed together (in some cases a channel flange can not be directly made on the cooktop. It is possible to make the channel flange on a separate part and then fix that part to the cooktop to perform the same function as the one piece channel flange.) In FIG. 16a the cooktop assembly is shown when hooked into the control panel as mentioned in FIG. 14a-c without the gasket and in FIG. 16b the cooktop assembly from FIG. 16a is shown when hooked into the control panel as mentioned in FIG. 15a-c with the gasket g. The methods for connecting the cooktop to the control panel are similar to FIGS. 14 and 15.

In FIGS. 16a and 16b the cooktop assembly j for a gas cooktop is shown.

The front flange region for such a gas cooktop assembly j can be produced from tooling and be part of the cooktop (made from one sheet metal).

In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples with the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A cooking appliance comprising:

a housing;

a control panel, which is mounted at an upper front region of the housing; and

a cooktop assembly, which is mounted at a top side of the housing and which is mechanically coupled to the control panel and to the housing wherein the housing comprises a first hook part located at the upper front region and to which the control panel (f) is hooked in, and wherein the cooktop assembly has a first flange region, which has a bent shape and which is hooked into an interior region of the control panel through an opening in the control panel, and wherein a gap is formed between the control panel (+) and the cooktop assembly at the first flange region.

2. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first side panel and a second side panel and wherein at least one of the first side panel and/or the second side panel has a side panel top flange which has at least one control panel holder hook cut-out and a control panel holder locking cut-out, wherein the housing further comprises a control panel holder for each side panel which has a first hook part and at least one a side panel hook part for hooking the control panel holder into the control panel holder hook cut-out such that the control panel holder is attached tight to the side panel and the first hook part projects vertically over the top of the side panel.

3. The cooking appliance according to claim 1. wherein the side panel top flange has a side panel cut-out for a cooktop spacer and a side panel cut-out for a cooktop spacer locking detail and wherein the housing further comprises at least one cooktop spacer for each side panel which further has a side panel hook for hooking the cooktop spacer into the side panel cut-out for the cooktop spacer such that the cooktop spacer is attached tight to the side panel and wherein the cooktop spacer further has a cooktop positioning cut-out projecting in an opposite and top direction to the side panel hook and for hooking the cooktop assembly into the cooktop positioning cut-out.

4. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel have a side panel cut-out for mounting a connection blend between the side panels and wherein the housing further comprises a connection blend having a positioning side flange at each end which is inclined towards a longitudinal extend of the connection blend for hooking the connection blend into the side panel cut-out for the connection blend and wherein the connection blend has fixation regions along its longitudinal extend for screw fixation of the control panel to the connection blend.

5. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control panel has a panel housing which has a front cover, two lateral side plates (lsp) extending inclined from lateral sides of the front cover and a top cover extending inclined from a top edge of the front cover and in the same direction as the lateral side plates, wherein an inner control panel flange is formed at the top cover on an opposite side to the front cover and a side flange with a hook cut-out formed at each lateral side plate (lsp) on an opposite side to the front cover wherein the housing of the control panel is hooked in with the first hook part into the hook cut-out at each side flange and thereby mounted to the housing of the cooking appliance, and wherein the cooktop assembly has a top area, lateral cooktop side walls and a rear wall which project downwards from the top area on lateral sides of the cooktop assembly and a front bent part as the first flange region which is bent upward from a front side of the cooktop assembly under a predefined angle and which extends at least partly along the front side of the cooktop assembly in the lateral direction for hooking the front bent part into the panel housing of the control panel and inside of the inner control panel flange

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The cooking appliance according to claim 5, wherein the front bent part forms at least partly a vertical front wall of the cooktop assembly and is bent from the vertical part under a predefined angle towards an upper front direction or wherein the cooktop assembly has a separate front wall part and the front bent part crosses the front wall part from an interior of the cooktop assembly under a predefined angle towards an upper front direction and wherein the front bent part is mechanically tight with the cooktop assembly, wherein the cooktop assembly has at least one fixation part at each lateral cooktop side wall, wherein the fixation part is a flange or a cut-out in the lateral cooktop side walls on an end of a flange, wherein the flange is placed opposite to the top area (ta) for pushing the fixation part into the cooktop positioning cut-out of the cooktop spacer.

10. (canceled)

11. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a cooktop gasket having a longitudinal extend and a cross-section profile when cut perpendicular to the longitudinal extend which is constant along the longitudinal extend, wherein the cooktop gasket comprises a flexible material for being spanned between the control panel and the cooktop assembly.

12. The cooking appliance according to claim 11, wherein the cross section profile of the cooktop gasket has a first section which is elongated and extends mainly vertically and a second section which is bent upward from a lower part of the first section and which is elongated and extends mainly inclined with regard to the first section, and wherein the first section has a top edge at an upper end where the first section has a maximum width.

13. The cooking appliance according to claim 12, wherein the cooktop gasket is placed with the second section inside the opening in the control panel such that an inner control panel flange of the control panel is put between the first section and the second section and the top edge extends partly on a top side of the housing of the control panel.

14. The cooking appliance according to claim 13, wherein a front bent part of the cooktop assembly is hooked under the cooktop gasket and inside the opening in the control panel pushing the second section towards the inner control panel flange and pulling the cooktop assembly towards the control panel and thereby pressing the first section of the cooktop gasket between the control panel and the cooktop assembly and wherein the top edge extends partly on a top side of housing of the cooktop assembly.

15. The cooking appliance according to claim 12, wherein the second section has at least one holding flap for the control panel which projects towards the first section, wherein the second section further has a bent part for receiving the front bent part on a side opposite to the holding flap (2g, 3g).

16. The cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein the second section has a retain bump inside the bent part for receiving the front bent part to which the front bent part is pushable and by which a force from pushing the front bent part into the bent part is partly redirectable towards the holding flap for deforming it at the inner control panel flange.

17. A method for mounting a control panel and a cooktop assembly to a cooking appliance comprising the steps:

Providing a control panel, a cooktop assembly and a housing of the cooking appliance;

Attaching the control panel to an upper front region of the housing, wherein the housing comprises a first hook part located at the upper front region and to which the control panel is hooked in;

Attaching the cooktop assembly to a top side of the housing and mechanically coupling the cooktop assembly to the control panel, wherein the control panel is hooked in a first hook part located at the upper front region and wherein the cooktop assembly has a first flange region, which has a bent shape and which is hooked into an interior region of the control panel through an opening in the control panel, and wherein a gap is formed between the control panel and the cooktop assembly at the first flange region.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the cooktop assembly is mechanically coupled to the control panel such that the cooktop assembly is placed at an inclined position and under a predefined angle range with regard to the top side of the housing and wherein the first flange region is pushed into the interior region of the control panel when the cooktop assembly is inclined and afterwards the cooktop assembly is pushed towards the top side and the angle lowered and thereby the first flange region is pushed further inside the control panel and closer to an inner control panel flange from the interior of the control panel and thereby the cooktop assembly is pulled towards the control panel by the first flange region and placed with the gap towards the control panel.

19. (canceled)

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein a cooktop gasket with a cross section profile of the cooktop gasket having a first section which is elongated and extends mainly vertically and a second section which is bent upward from a lower part of the first section and which is elongated and extends mainly inclined with regard to the first section, and wherein the first section has a top edge at an upper end where the first section has a maximum width is placed with the second section inside the opening in the control panel such that an inner control panel flange of the control panel is put between the first section and the second section and the top edge extends partly on a top side of housing of the control panel and wherein a front bent part of the cooktop assembly is hooked under the cooktop gasket and inside the opening in the control panel pushing the second section towards the inner control panel flange when lowering the angle of the cooktop assembly towards the top side and pulling the cooktop assembly towards the control panel and thereby pressing the first section of the cooktop gasket between the control panel and the cooktop assembly and wherein the top edge extends partly on a top side of housing of the cooktop assembly.

21. (canceled)

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second section has at least one holding flap for the control panel which projects towards the first section and which is deformed when the second section is pushed towards the inner control panel flange by the front bent part while the front bent part is hooked under the cooktop gasket.