US5183996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cook-top
Assignee: Whirlpool Europe BV
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Filing: 1991-07-01
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Granted: 1993-02-02
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Expires: 2011-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A cook-top (10) includes a plurality of heating elements (11a, 12a) which are activated by function controls. The heating elements are covered by a plate (15) which are fixedly connected to strain-guage modules (30) which detect the forces exerted on the plate as a result of loads placed on the heating elements. By computing the center of gravity of the forces, controls (70, 75, 76) identify a heating element whose load has varied and influence its electric power supply. The power supply may then be turned off, reduced or controlled. The function controls may be pressure-sensitive touch controls.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Hazan
- 👤 Remy Polaert
- 👤 Gilles Delmas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:30
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/68; H05B3/74; H05B3/746; F; F24; F24C; F24C15/00; F24C15/10; F24C15/102; F24C15/105; F24C15/108; F24C7/00; F24C7/08; F24C7/082; F24C7/083; G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/52; G01G19/56; H05B2213/00; H05B2213/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A cook-top (10) comprising a plurality of heating elements (11a, 12a) activated by function controls, wherein the heating elements are covered by a plate (15) which is fixedly connected to strain-gauge modules (30) which detect forces exerted on the plate by loads placed above the heating elements, control means (70, 75, 76) identifying such a heating element whose load has been subject to a variation, by computing the center of gravity of said forces, and influencing its electric power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A cook-top (10) comprising a plurality of heating elements (11a, 12a) activated by function controls, wherein the heating elements are covered by a plate (15) which is fixedly connected to strain-gauge modules (30) which detect forces exerted on the plate by loads placed above the heating elements, control means (70, 75, 76) identifying such a heating element whose load has been subject to a variation, by computing the center of gravity of said forces, and influencing its electric power supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means (70, 75, 76) turn off or reduce the electric power supply to the identified heating element when its load is removed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means (70, 75, 76) control the electric power supply to the identified heating element when the relative load variations are small.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1, for which the arrangement of the strain gauges (30) is such that without a separate external load the principal load of the strain gauges is formed by the weight of the plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1, for which the arrangement of the strain gauges (30) is such that without a separate external load the strain gauges support substantially the entire weight of the cook-top.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1 which comprises either three (3a, 3b, 3c) or four (4a, 4b, 4c) strain-gauge modules.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one heating element is arranged closer to one of the strain gauges than the other heating elements to increase the detection sensitivity for said heating element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load variation is converted into a measure of the weight by means which compute (75) and display (90) the weight of the load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 8, wherein it comprises taring means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means can be programmed to determine the size of a cooking area by functionally rearranging a plurality of heating elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate has at least one touch-control zone (17) for manual actuation of the function controls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plate includes touch controls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control means can be programmed to modify the arrangement of the touch controls.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cook-top as claimed in claim 12 wherein the control means can be programmed to modify the arrangement of the touch controls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-02-02 | 1996-08-03 | 1997-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-02-02 | 2000-08-03 | 2001-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-02-02 | 2004-08-03 | 2005-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |