Abstract:
Provided is a cooktop assembly that includes a generator that produces a high-frequency alternating current and is configured to be coupled to a surface of a cabinet. An adjustable cooking surface with a heating coil is electrically connected to the generator to conduct the high-frequency alternating current produced by the generator and induce an induced current in a cooking vessel supported by the adjustable cooking surface in a cooking orientation. An adjustable coupling pivotally couples the adjustable cooking surface to the generator and supports the adjustable cooking surface at a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the generator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/734,046, filed Dec. 6, 2012, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This application relates generally to kitchen appliances and, more particularly, to induction cooktops. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Many kitchens lack the amount of countertop surface area desired by residents, who would benefit from additional space usable for preparation of food items, for example. A portion of the already-limited countertop surface area available for food preparation is also occupied by other kitchen necessities such as cooktops on which food can be cooked. 
         [0006]    One such cooktop commonly found in kitchens is an induction cooktop. Induction cooktops conduct a high-frequency current through a heating coil to generate a high-frequency magnetic flux that induces a current in cookware made of a ferromagnetic material. This induced current causes the cookware, and the food contained therein, to be heated. To generate the high-frequency current conducted through the heater coils, however, induction cooktops have utilized bulky circuitry fixed immediately adjacent to each heater coil. Such circuitry rendered induction cooktops to be fixed, permanent installations that consumed valuable countertop space. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an adjustable induction cooktop having an adjustable cooking surface including a heating coil configured to be pivotally or otherwise adjusted relative to a generator board. The adjustable cooking surface can thus be adjusted to expose, and render usable, a countertop or other work surface concealed by the cooking surface while the cooking surface is in a cooking orientation in which cookware is inductively heated as a result of the conduction of electric current through the heating coil. 
         [0008]    According to one aspect, the subject application involves a cooktop assembly including a generator that produces a high-frequency alternating current and is configured to be coupled to a surface of a cabinet. The cooktop assembly further includes an adjustable cooking surface comprising a heating coil electrically connected to the generator to conduct the high-frequency alternating current produced by the generator and induce an induced current in a cooking vessel supported by the movable portion while the movable portion is in a cooking orientation. An adjustable coupling pivotally couples the adjustable cooking surface to the generator and supports the adjustable cooking surface at a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the generator. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect, the subject application involves a cooktop assembly including an adjustable cooking surface with a heating coil that conducts an alternating electric current and induces an induced current in a cooking vessel supported by the adjustable cooking surface to heat the cooking vessel. A hinge pivotally supports the adjustable cooking surface to be pivotally adjusted between a cooking orientation, in which an externally-exposed surface of the adjustable cooking surface is substantially horizontal, and a stowed orientation in which the externally-exposed surface is substantially vertical. A generator is coupled to the hinge to generate and supply the alternating electric current conducted by the heating coil, and a duct is formed within a hinge housing to convey cooling air entering an air inlet generally toward the adjustable cooking surface. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect, the subject application involves a cooktop assembly including a generator that produces a high-frequency alternating current and is configured to be coupled to a surface of a cabinet. An adjustable cooking surface is also provided, and includes a heating coil electrically connected to the generator to conduct the high-frequency alternating current produced by the generator and induce an induced current in a cooking vessel supported by the movable portion while the movable portion is in a cooking orientation. A hinge pivotally couples the adjustable cooking surface to the generator and supports the adjustable cooking surface at a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the generator. An air inlet is formed in at least one of a hinge housing forming a portion of the hinge and a generator housing enclosing at least a portion of the generator to allow for the introduction of cooling air into the cooktop assembly. A duct is formed within the hinge housing to convey cooling air entering the air inlet generally toward the adjustable cooking surface. A damping device coupled to the hinge slows pivotal adjustment of the adjustable cooking surface toward a countertop surface of the cabinet to which the cooktop assembly is to be installed relative to an undamped rate at which the adjustable cooking surface can be pivotally adjusted. 
         [0011]    The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]    The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a cooktop with a movable portion in a raised position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the example embodiment of the cooktop with the movable portion in a lowered position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the cooktop that is mounted relative to a cabinet and where a movable portion is in the lowered position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the cooktop of  FIG. 3  and where the movable portion is in the raised position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the cooktop of  FIG. 3  shown with a first cooling air path; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the cooktop that is mounted relative to a cabinet and where the movable portion is in the lowered position; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the cooktop of  FIG. 3  shown with a second cooling air path. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form. 
         [0021]    It is also to be noted that the phrase “at least one of”, if used herein, followed by a plurality of members herein means one of the members, or a combination of more than one of the members. For example, the phrase “at least one of a first widget and a second widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, or the first widget and the second widget. Likewise, “at least one of a first widget, a second widget and a third widget” means in the present application: the first widget, the second widget, the third widget, the first widget and the second widget, the first widget and the third widget, the second widget and the third widget, or the first widget and the second widget and the third widget. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , an exemplary embodiment of a cooktop assembly  10  is illustrated. The cooktop assembly  10  may be arranged with respect to a cabinet  12  that may be part of a kitchen, for example. The cabinet  12  includes a countertop  14  and optionally doors  16  and/or drawers  18  that provide access to storage space  20 . The countertop  14  provided atop the cabinet  12  may be formed of a durable, and optionally heat-resistant solid material with a flat surface on which food items can be handled and prepared for cooking and/or serving. Illustrative examples of the material from which the countertop surface  14  can be formed include, but are not limited to, granite, marble, quartz, concrete or the like. 
         [0023]    According to one embodiment, the cooktop  10  includes an adjustable cooking surface  22  that is movable relative to a stationary generator  24  (shown in the cutaway region  26  of the generator housing  28  appearing in  FIG. 4 ). The cooking surface  22  is coupled to the generator  24  by a hinge  30 , for example, such that the cooking surface  22  can be pivoted around the hinge  30  relative to the generator  24  along the arcuate path  32  shown for illustrative purposes in  FIG. 1 . In other words, the generator  24  is installed at a fixed location of the cabinet  12  and is not designed to pivot about the hinge  30  like the cooking surface  22 . According to an embodiment of the cooktop assembly  10 , the cooking surface  22  can optionally be pivotally adjusted about an axis of rotation  36  established by the hinge  30  between a cooking orientation as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  in which an externally-exposed surface  34  on which a cooking vessel (e.g., pot, pan, etc. . . . ) (not shown) is to be supported while food therein is cooked is substantially horizontal, and a stowed orientation in which the externally-exposed surface  34  is arranged in a substantially-upright, vertical orientation as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). The externally-exposed surface  34  of the cooking surface  22  is said to be substantially-horizontal in the cooking orientation, meaning that the externally-exposed surface  34  is not sloped to an extent that risks allowing the cooking vessel to slide. Also, the externally-exposed surface  34  of the cooking surface  22  is said to be substantially-vertical in the stowed orientation, meaning that the cooking surface  22  is upright enough to allow the portion of the countertop  14  that is concealed by the cooking surface  22  in the cooking orientation to be exposed for use in the preparation of food items. In the stowed orientation, the cooking surface  22  remains extended vertically above the countertop  14  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . According to an embodiment, the cooking surface  22  and hinge  30  can optionally lack a vertically-adjustable support structure that would allow the cooking surface  22 , or a substantial portion thereof, to be adjusted to be recessed below the countertop  14  when not in use to cook food items. 
         [0024]    The cooking surface  22  may be configured in a panel-like shape according to the present embodiment. A glass pane can form the externally-exposed surface  34 , and overlay a tray portion  38  with upright side walls forming a bottom and sides of the cooking surface  22 . The bottom of the cooking surface  22  opposes, and optionally rests on the countertop  14  while the cooking surface  22  is in the cooking orientation. For the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the bottom feature  21  includes an insignia, logo, trademark/service mark, etc. . . . provided to the bottom of the tray portion  38  of the cooking surface  22  to be visible to occupants of the kitchen while the cooking surface  22  is in its stowed orientation. However, the bottom feature  21  can take on any desired appearance and/or structure. For instance, the bottom feature  21  can include a so-called flat-panel television (e.g., LCD, LED, OLED, plasma displays, etc. . . . ) on which motion picture video and/or still images and/or computer-generated images can be displayed, a dry-erase board (e.g., glossy, white or other colored surface for nonpermanent markings), chalkboard, any other surface, and any combination thereof in place of, or in addition to the logo shown in, and described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4  for illustrative purposes. 
         [0025]    At least one, and optionally a plurality (e.g., four (4), five (5), etc. . . . ) heating coils  40  (shown by hidden lines in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 ) are supported within the tray portion  38  and concealed by the glass pane forming the externally-exposed surface  34  of the cooking surface  22 . A space or other suitable duct can be established between the one or more heating coils  40  and the glass pane on which the cooking vessel is to be supported to allow for the passage of cooling air there through to provide a cooling effect to the heating coil(s)  40 . The components included as part of the cooking surface  22  can be kept to a minimum to minimize the profile of the cooking surface  22  resting on the countertop  14  in the cooking orientation. According to alternate embodiments of the cooktop assembly  10 , of all of the electronic components utilized to conduct electric currents to inductively heat the cooking vessel, the cooking surface  22  can be limited to include only the coils  40  and optionally a portion of the cable(s)  42  described below can be housed within the cooking surface  22 . 
         [0026]    Each of the heating coils  40  can be formed as a substantially-flat, spiral coil formed from a length of an electrically-conductive material such as copper, for example, wound several turns in a common plane. To be considered substantially-flat, every turn of the coil does not necessarily have to be arranged exactly in the same common plane, as minor deviations are permissible. However, the major planar surface of the resulting heating coil  40  closest to the overlaid glass pane of the cooking surface  22 , when considered as a whole, should be approximately parallel with the externally-exposed surface  34  on which cooking vessel rests while being inductively heated. Since the generator  24  that drives each coil  40  is arranged separate from the cooking surface  22 , the cooking surface can optionally have a height (in the vertical dimension, extending normally upward from the countertop  14  when the cooking surface  22  is viewed in the cooking orientation) that is less than one (1″) inch. Accordingly, the vertical distance from the countertop  14  to the externally-exposed surface  34  can be approximately one (1″) inch or less. 
         [0027]    In operation to heat a cooking vessel supported on the externally-exposed surface  34 , a high-frequency (e.g., at least 10 kHz, at least 20 kHz, etc. . . . ) alternating current is conducted through the wound coil. The high-frequency alternating current is produced by a collection of electric circuitry referred to herein as the generator  24  from an alternating current (e.g., having a voltage of approximately 220 V at a frequency of 50 Hz, or having a voltage of approximately 240 V at 60 Hz) supplied by a conventional AC mains electrical outlet in a residential dwelling. A flexible cable  42  (shown as hidden lines in  FIG. 4 ) or other suitable electrically-conductive material extends between the generator  24  and at least one, and optionally a plurality of heating coils  40  to conduct the high-frequency electric current between the generator  24  and the respective heating coil(s)  40 . The cable  42  can be of a suitable length to maintain the electrical connection between the heating coil(s)  40  and the generator  24  regardless of the orientation in which the cooking surface  22  is arranged. 
         [0028]    The generator  24  can optionally be at least partially, and optionally fully, enclosed within a rectangular, box-shaped generator housing  28 . The hinge  30 , which can optionally include a plurality of concentrically-aligned cylindrical portions, allows the cooking surface  22  to be adjusted toward the horizontal cooking orientation, and adjusted in the opposite direction approximately  90 ° toward the upright stowed orientation. To minimize the likelihood of damage to the cooking surface  22  and/or underlying countertop  14  from the inadvertent dropping of the cooking surface  22 , the cooktop assembly can optionally be provided with a damping device  44  to slow pivotal adjustment of the cooking surface  22  toward the countertop  14  from a rate at which the cooking surface  22  would otherwise drop under the force of gravity alone, without the damping device  44  (an “undamped” rate). Shown as hidden lines in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the damping device can optionally include a fluid-filled cylinder containing relatively-adjustable segments, the relative rotation of which are impeded by a viscous (e.g., having a greater viscosity than water at room temperature and pressure) fluid. According to embodiments of the cooking apparatus  10 , the damping device  44  can be enclosed within a cylindrically-shaped hinge  30 . 
         [0029]    Installed on the cabinet  12 , the hinge  30  can be at least partially inserted into an aperture formed adjacent to a rearward region of the countertop  14 . The aperture may have inside dimensions similar to the external dimensions of the hinge  30 . According to the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the generator housing  28  extends downwardly, through the aperture into an interior (e.g., within the storage space  20 ) of the cabinet  12 , or optionally reward of the storage space  20  (e.g., between a wall and a rear partition establishing the depth of the storage space  20 ). Parts of the cabinet  12  may be cut out or otherwise customized to accommodate installation of the cooktop assembly  10 . 
         [0030]    The cooktop assembly  10  can also optionally include one or more air inlets  48 , shown in  FIG. 5 , through which cooling air can enter the generator housing  28 . The inlet  48  can be formed as a grate or other restricted aperture, optionally adjacent to a lower region of the generator housing  28  in the vertical orientation, where cooler air than that adjacent to the uppermost region of the generator housing  28  near the hinge  30  may be available. Cooling air entering the generator housing  28  through the air inlet  48  can optionally pass over the circuitry forming the generator  24  through natural convection or forced convection created through operation of a fan such as a so-called squirrel-cage blower or fan  50  ( FIG. 5 ), thereby providing a cooling effect to that circuitry as the cooling air travels upward, generally toward the hinge  30 . According to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the cooling air may follow a path indicated generally by arrow  52 , and enter the cooktop assembly adjacent the lower region of the generator housing  28 , move upward therein, and then exit the generator housing  28  to be introduced to a duct within the interior of the hinge  30 . The cooling air is then expelled from the hinge  30  into the duct between the heating coil(s)  40  and the glass pane forming the externally-exposed surface  34 , where it cools the heating coil(s)  40  en route to being expelled from a forward region  54  of the cooking surface  22  as illustrated by the move past the hinge and the induction coils, and exit at the front of the cooking surface  22  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , another embodiment of the cooktop assembly  10  may be configured similarly so as to include the hinge  30  and the cooking surface  22 , but lack the vertically-oriented, upright generator housing  28  of the preceding embodiments. Instead, the cooking surface  22  include a substantially-cylindrically shaped hinge housing  60  that houses the circuitry forming the generator  24  that supplies the high-frequency electric current required to power the heating coil(s)  40 . Thus, according to the present embodiment, the generator  24  is disposed within an interior cavity defined by the hinge  30 . Similar to the preceding embodiments, the hinge  30  may be at least partially inserted into an aperture formed adjacent to a rearward portion of the cabinet countertop  14 . In the present embodiment, however, the hinge housing  60  includes an air inlet  62  through which cooling air can enter a duct or other interior passage defined in the hinge housing  60 . Again, a suitable fan or blower  64  can be provided to achieve the desired airflow through the hinge housing  60  and/or cooking surface  22 . Just as for the preceding embodiments, the cooling air exiting the hinge housing  60  in a forward direction can be introduced to a duct, the space between the one or more heating coils  40  and the glass pane on which the cooking vessel is to be supported, or other interior passage defined within the cooking surface  22  to provide a cooling effect to the heating coil(s)  40 , and optionally other features involved in inducing the electric current in the cooking vessel, before being exhausted from a forward region  54  of the cooking surface  22  in the direction generally parallel to the direction indicated by arrow  66 . Additionally, or alternately, the cooling air can be directed along a length of the hinge  30  in the direction of arrow  68 , in a transverse direction relative to the cooling air path indicated by arrow  66 . Thus, some embodiments of the cooktop assembly  10  can be configured to achieve a multi-dimensional cooling effect for different portions of the cooktop assembly  10 . 
         [0032]    Any of the embodiments described herein can optionally include a balance spring in place of, or in addition to the damping device  44 , to support at least a portion of the cooking surface&#39;s  22  weight and give the impression that the cooking surface  22  is lightweight. The balance spring can optionally be a helical spring or other suitable device, optionally disposed within the hinge  30  similar to the damping device  44 , to provide the cooking surface  22  with a near “neutral buoyancy” that allows the cooking surface  22  to be raised by the application of a force that is less than would be required to pivotally adjust the cooking surface  22  without the balance spring. 
         [0033]    Moreover, the cooktop assembly  10  may be provided with a controller that turns off and/or interferes with activation of all heat-generating operations once the cooking surface  22  is adjusted away from the cooking orientation. Such a feature can be embodied in a number of ways such as a switch, a level sensor, or parts provided on a printed circuit board. Furthermore, the cooktop assembly  10  may also be provided with a locking feature that prevents movement of the cooking surface  22  away from the cooking orientation if the presence of a kitchenware is sensed on the externally-exposed surface. For example, an inductive signal can be generated by the heating coil(s)  40  or by a sensor adjacent to the heating coil(s)  40 , or a weight sensor can be utilized to detect the presence of the cooking vessel or other foreign object. Thus, the locking feature, which can be positioned adjacent to the damping device within the hinge  30 , would allow the cooking surface  22  to be raised only if no item is present on the externally-exposed surface of the cooking surface  22 . This can be enabled by using induction coils with a pan sense capability. 
         [0034]    The entirety of the cooktop assembly  10  may be “factory-made”, ready for installation, such that the generator  24 , hinge  30  and heating coil(s)  40  require no assembly at the site of installation by the end-user or service technician, and only the mounting of the cooktop assembly  10  to the cabinet  12  is necessary. This is beneficial with respect to the heating coil(s)  40  which are high voltage, high current and high frequency devices. Because the quality and torque of the connection of the heating coil(s) to the generator  24  can affect proper operation of the cooktop assembly  10 , distributing the cooktop assembly  10  in a factory-made form ensures proper assembly is achieved. 
         [0035]    The aforementioned embodiments of the cooktop assembly  10  allow the space underneath the cooking surface  22  to be used as countertop space for preparation of food items to be served and/or cooked. It is also possible to configure the cabinet with drawers directly below the cooking surface because the space directly underneath the cooking surface  22  and the cooking surface when the cooktop assumes the lowered position is not occupied by components of the cooktop. 
         [0036]    Illustrative embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above devices and methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.