Abstract:
An induction hob comprising a hotplate, beneath which at least one induction mechanism is situated in a housing. The housing comprises a base and lateral walls that project vertically and are connected to the hotplate. The walls delimit an inner chamber of their corresponding housing containing the induction mechanism. At least one sub-section of the housing base is configured as a one-piece plastic section.

Description:
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to, as specified in the description, an induction hob, with which the production of the housing, including the induction mechanism and various structural parts, is to be simplified such that the housing can be manufactured in just a few working steps with a high degree of measuring precision. 
   GENERAL PRIOR ART 
   There are domestic induction hobs known, in which a container, which is arranged on the hotplate, is heated in complete absence of a heat source. In the case of these hobs a hotplate is provided, on which the containers to be heated are arranged, and under which at least one induction mechanism is provided, which is the main component, by means of which heating takes place. As with other types of hob, the corresponding hotplate is fixed in an opening of the work surface. The above mentioned structural parts and the induction mechanism are arranged in a housing, which has a floor connected to the hotplate and lateral walls delimiting a space, in which the induction mechanism is arranged or mounted. 
   The structure of the housing and its assembly have drawbacks to the extent that a series of considerably complex procedures is required to prolong the assembly work time. Also it is necessary due to the different dimensions and types of devices to provide different housings, which have different dimensions with respect to wall thickness. On the other hand the arranging of different elements on the plate is necessary for assembly of the hotplate, said elements having different functions and being produced independently of the housing, which contains the induction mechanism. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   To attain the goals and avoid the disadvantages specified in the foregoing paragraphs, the invention comprises a hob with a hotplate, under which at least one induction mechanism is arranged, which is arranged in a housing, which housing has a housing floor and vertically projecting lateral walls connected to the hotplate, which delimit a housing interior, in which the induction mechanism is arranged. 
   According to the present invention at least a partial region of the housing floor is designed as a monobloc plastic profile part. 
   According to the present invention the plastic profile part carries hob components of the induction mechanism. 
   According to the present invention the plastic profile part is connected to a hob frame. 
   By way of novelty the above mentioned housing according to the present invention is designed as a monobloc plastic profile part. 
   By way of novelty the shaping and/or material thickness of the plastic profile part according to the present invention varies and is adapted according to the respective functional requirements. 
   At least one functional element for reducing the number of components can be designed monobloc on the housing. 
   The functional element can be connected to the housing monobloc via a nominal point of separation. 
   After separation of the functional element at the nominal point of separation the functional element is mounted ready for use on the housing, preferably clamped and/or screwed. 
   The functional element is designed as a locking element, with which at least one hob component, for example an induction mechanism carrier, cool-air fan or electronic control unit, is fixed detachably in the housing. 
   The locking element has a ramp inclination, along which the hob component is guided into locked connection with the locking element. 
   The locking element can be connected to the housing via a spring-elastic connecting leg. 
   The locking element is designed with a lateral stop, which is attached to the induction mechanism carrier for localised mounting of an induction mechanism carrier parallel to the hotplate. 
   The locking element has a height stop, by which the height position of the hob components is fixed in the housing. This locking element can be assigned a compression spring, which presses the induction mechanism carrier against the height stop with a spring force directed at the hotplate. 
   When the hotplate is disassembled, the induction mechanism carrier is pressed against the height stop into an assembly position by means of the compression spring. 
   When the hotplate is assembled it presses the induction mechanism carrier into an operating position under the assembly position. 
   The lateral stop of the locking element guides the induction mechanism carrier vertically when shifted between the assembly position and the operating position or during assembly or disassembly. 
   The functional element is designed as a bearing element for bearing the hob in a work surface section. 
   The functional element is designed as a bulkhead for cool-air flow. 
   The functional element is designed as a strain relief for cables. 
   According to the present invention the hob is a mixed hob. 
   With the described configuration the inventive hob has the advantage that enables the housing to be manufactured simply in few working steps and with a high degree of precision. Also adaptation can occur simply through the correspondingly adapted injection moulding moulded parts. The adapted shaping decreases the danger of the housing warping due to thermal stress or due to mechanical tension. 
   On the other hand without much additional expenditure functional elements, i.e. other elements for assembly of the induction hob and the hob assembly can be designed in a work surface section to yet further reduce assembly expenditure. An added advantage is that after the housing has taken shape the functional element can be separated from the housing in a simple manner, advantageously and without use of a tool. A further advantage is that both the housing and the additionally required functional elements, such as fastening elements for mounting current cables, can be made by a single working procedure. Material expenditure, manufacturing expense and manufacturing costs can be reduced thereby. 
   The hob component is to be fixed in the housing during assembly and can easily be disassembled from the housing. Assembly/disassembly of the hob components therefore takes place quickly, without much effort, and reliably all the same. According to an advantageous configuration of the invention further ease of assembly comes about from each locking element being provided with an inclined face. The latter can be brought into contact with an edge of the hob component with assembly of the hob components. Then the edge of the hob component can be guided along the inclined face in locking engagement with the locking element. 
   In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the locking element is connected to the housing via an elastic connecting leg. After it is taken out of its original position and the hob component is snapped in, the locking projection automatically snaps back into in its original position. If required, possible excess of the hob components is also equalised by elastic deforming of the connecting leg. Hob components, which are made with greater manufacturing tolerances, can also be held securely by the locking element. 
   By comparison, a factory pre-mounted unit is easily produced, without concern over displacement of the induction mechanism carrier in the housing. The hob components are easily fixed in a vertical direction. Manufacturing tolerances can be equalised through elastic pressure against the induction mechanism carrier. Also it is ensured that the induction mechanism is positioned against the underside of the hotplate. 
   A further advantage of the invention is the ease of assembly when shifting the induction mechanism carrier between the assembly position and the operating position or during assembly or disassembly. 
   Further advantages of the invention are that the housing is imparted increased functionality and an additional spoiler is kept inside the housing. 
   For a clearer understanding of the description and as a constituent of same some figures are attached hereinbelow, in which the object of the invention is illustrated by way of example and in a non-limiting manner. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the housing, which includes the plate and the induction elements of the hob of the example of the present document. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial sectional view of the hob, shown in  FIG. 1 , in its arrangement on the corresponding work surface. 
       FIG. 3  shows a leaf spring with a bearing body in its interior, used in the example of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the housing of  FIG. 1 , when the plate and the induction elements are housed therein. 
       FIG. 5  shows a detail of the hob of the present example, in which apart from the other elements, locking elements, a cable mounting and a nominal point of separation are evident. 
       FIG. 6  shows a section according to section A-A, shown in the previous  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a section of the cable mounting, shown in the previous  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 8  schematically shows an assembly position (I) and an operating position (II) in the hob of the present example. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of some locking elements in the hob of the present example. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fan and some cool-air baffles. 
       FIG. 11  shows a side elevation of functional elements for mounting an electronic circuit board. 
       FIG. 12  shows in plan view functional elements for strain relief of cables of varying diameters. 
       FIG. 13  shows the housing with two monobloc designed plastic profile parts of the housing floor. 
       FIG. 14  shows a hob frame with a monobloc designed plastic profile part of the housing floor. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
   An example of the invention is described in the following with reference to the reference numerals used in the figures. 
   Accordingly the induction hob of this embodiment has a housing  1  and a housing floor  3  and vertically projecting lateral walls  5 , whereby the hob is one of those which have a glass ceramic plate  7  with induction elements  23  underneath. 
   The shaping and the material thickness of the housing  1  could obviously vary according to the requirements in other embodiments. 
   There are functional elements provided, such as the trunnion  11 , the locking elements  19 , the cable mountings  35 , the locking element  47  and the cool-air baffles  57 . These functional elements enable the number of components to be reduced. 
   In addition the cable holder  35  is connected via a nominal point of separation  37  monobloc to the housing  1 . 
   Following separation of the element  35  the functional element  35  is mounted by clamping and/or screwing at the designated place  37  on the housing  1 . 
   The functional element ( 19 ,  47 ) is designed as a locking element, with at least one hob component, such as an induction mechanism carrier  21 , a cool-air fan  55  or an electronic control unit  43 , attached detachably in the housing  1 . 
   In addition this functional element ( 19 ,  47 ) has a ramp inclination  34 , along which the hob component is guided in a locked connection with this element. 
   By comparison the locking element ( 19 ,  47 ) is connected to the housing  1  via a spring-elastic connecting leg  30 . 
   A lateral stop  33 , which is in contact with the induction mechanism carrier  21  for localised mounting of the induction mechanism carrier  21  parallel to the plate  7 , is designed on the multiple locking element ( 19 ,  47 ). 
   This element ( 19 ,  47 ) has a height stop  31 , with which the height position of the hob components is fixed in the housing  1 . 
   Assigned to the locking element  19  is a compression spring  29 , which presses the induction mechanism carrier  21  against the height stop  31  with a spring force directed at the hotplate  7 . 
   If the hotplate  7  is disassembled, the induction mechanism carrier  21  is pressed against the height stop  31  by means of the compression spring  29  (operating position I). 
   If the hotplate  7  is assembled it presses the induction mechanism carrier  21  into a second operating position Il under the assembly position I. 
   The lateral stop  33  of the locking element  19  guides the induction mechanism carrier  21  vertically when shifted between the assembly position I and the operating position II or during assembly or disassembly. 
   The above functional element is designed as a bearing element  11  for bearing the hob  7  in a section of a work surface  10 . 
   The relevant functional element is designed as a bulkhead  57  for cool-air flow. 
   In addition a cool-air inlet  51  and a cool-air outlet  53  are evident in the figures. 
     FIG. 11  is a side elevation of functional elements  47 ,  48  for mounting an electronic circuit board  43 . The functional element  47  on the right side is held by the electronic circuit board  43  under a latching tab  58  of the functional element  47 . On the left side the electronic circuit board  43  is held clamped by a spring-elastic pin  59  of the functional element  48 , which can be moved out of its rest position against the illustrated arrow direction to insert the electronic circuit board  43 . If the electronic circuit board  43  is inserted, the spring-elastic pin  59  snaps back into its rest position in the arrow direction and thus clamps the electronic circuit board  43  firmly in its position. 
   In  FIG. 12  functional elements  60 ,  61 ,  62  for strain relief of cables  41 ,  42  of various diameters are shown in plan view. The cables  41 ,  42  can be threaded in through an opening in the lateral wall  5  of the plastic profile part  2  into the housing  1 . A cable  41  of small diameter is guided into a gap  63 , formed by an elastic lateral wall  65  of the functional element  60  and by an elastic lateral wall  66  of the functional element  61 . A cable  42  with a larger diameter is guided into a gap  64 , formed by an elastic lateral wall  67  of the functional element  61  and by an elastic lateral wall  68  of the functional element  62 . If strain is exerted on the cable  41  or respectively  42  in the arrow direction, the corresponding gap  63  or respectively  64  is reduced by the elastic lateral walls  65  and  66  or respectively  67  and  68  and thus the cable  41  or respectively  42  is clamped, causing strain relief. 
   In  FIG. 13  the housing  1  is shown with two monobloc designed plastic profile parts  2  of the housing floor  3  as an alternative embodiment. 
   Both plastic profile parts  2  are attached to a hob frame  4  by fastening elements, designed on each of the plastic profile parts  2 . 
   By way of example the plastic profile parts  2  are screwed to the hob frame  4 , so that both can be detached from one another again. This facilitates exchange of defective parts. 
     FIG. 14  shows an embodiment of the invention which can be used for mixed hobs, i.e. for hobs, which have apart from at least one cooking point with induction mechanism at least one other cooking point with another type of heating, such as for example a gas hob or a radiated heat source. The monobloc designed plastic profile part  2  to the hob frame  4  for this purpose such that the hob frame  4  still comprises a separate area  8  for the cooking point of the other heating type. In this way for example a housing floor part made of metal can be attached to the hob frame  4  (not shown) for mounting a radiated heat source, which can endure the temperature stress from the radiated heat source. Advantageously the housing floor part made of metal is heat-insulated from the plastic profile part  2  in order to prevent damage to the plastic profile part at high temperatures from the radiated heat source. 
   In the following list other elements are designated, which are referred to in the figures.
       9  Housing interior     13  Edge strip     15  Leaf spring     27  Assembly openings in induction mechanism carriers, through which locking elements  19  are guided     29  Compression spring     39  Recesses for cable holder     41  Cable     45  Screw-in socket   

   LEGEND 
   
       
         1 . Housing 
         2 . plastic profile part 
         3 . housing floor 
         4 . hob frame 
         5 . Vertically projecting lateral walls 
         6 . Fastening element 
         7 . Glass ceramic plate 
         8 . area for other cooking point 
         9 . Housing interior 
         10 . work surface 
         11 . trunnion 
         13 . Edge strip 
         15 . U-shaped leaf spring with two spring legs 
         19 . locking elements 
         21 . induction mechanism carrier 
         23 . induction mechanism 
         27 . Assembly openings in induction mechanism carriers, through which locking elements  19  are guided 
         29 . compression spring 
         30 . Spring-elastic leg 
         31 . Height stop 
         33 . lateral stop 
         34 . Ramp inclination 
         35 . cable holder 
         37 . nominal point of separation 
         39 . Recess for cable holder 
         41 . Cable 
         42 . Cable with large diameter 
         43 . electronic control unit 
         45 . Screw-in socket 
         47 . Additional locking element 
         48 . functional element 
         51 . Cool air inlet 
         53 . Cool air outlet 
         55 . Fan 
         57 . Cool-air baffle 
         58 . Locking tab 
         59 . spring-elastic pin 
         60 . functional element for strain relief 
         61 . functional element for strain relief 
         62 . functional element for strain relief 
         63 . gap for strain relief 
         64 . gap for strain relief 
         65 . elastic lateral wall 
         66 . elastic lateral wall 
         67 . elastic lateral wall 
         68 . elastic lateral wall