Connecting element for connecting an induction coil to a coil carrier of an induction cooking hob

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting element (10) for connecting an induction coil (24) to a coil carrier (26) of an induction cooking hob. The connecting element (10) is made of an elastic material and formed as a single-piece part. The connecting element (10) includes a first snap-fit portion (12) connectable to a cut-out of the induction coil (24), so that the snap-fit portion (12) and the cut-out form a snap-in mechanism. The connecting element (10) includes a spring portion (14) arrangeable between the induction coil (24) and the coil carrier (26), so that the spring portion (14) provides a distance between the induction coil (24) and the coil carrier (26). The connecting element (10) includes at least one groove (16) enclosing at least partially the connecting element (10). The groove (16) is engageable with the cut-out of the induction coil (24). The connecting element (10) includes a second snap-fit portion (18) extending opposite to the first snap-fit portion (12). The second snap-fit portion (18) is connectable to a cut-out (32) of the coil carrier (26), so that the second snap-fit portion (18) and the cut-out (32) form a snap-in mechanism.

1 . A connecting element for connecting an induction coil to a coil carrier of an induction cooking hob, wherein:
 the connecting element is made of an elastic material,   the connecting element is formed as a single-piece part,   the connecting element includes a first snap-fit portion connectable to a first cut-out of the induction coil, so that the first snap-fit portion and the first cut-out form a first snap-in mechanism,   the connecting element includes a spring portion arrangeable between the induction coil and the coil carrier, so that the spring portion provides a distance between the induction coil and the coil carrier,   the connecting element includes at least one groove enclosing at least partially the connecting element   the groove is engageable with the first cut-out of the induction coil,   the connecting element includes a second snap-fit portion extending opposite to the first snap-fit portion, and   the second snap-fit portion is connectable to a second cut-out of the coil carrier, so that the second snap-fit portion and the second cut-out form a second snap-in mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element is made of silicone or rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one groove is arranged between the first snap-fit portion and the spring portion. 
     
     
         4 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring portion includes at least two wings arranged at opposite sides, wherein said wings extend outwards and away from the first snap-fit portion. 
     
     
         5 . The connecting element according to  claim 4 , wherein the second snap-fit portion extends between the least two wings of the spring portion. 
     
     
         6 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , the at least one groove comprising two parallel grooves arranged at opposite sides of the connecting element. 
     
     
         7 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting element is formed as a profile section having a profile axis extends parallel to the at least one groove. 
     
     
         8 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first snap-fit portion includes a clearance hole that extends parallel to the profile axis. 
     
     
         9 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first snap-fit portion is formed as a truncated pyramid. 
     
     
         10 . An induction cooking hob comprising an induction coil, a coil carrier, and a plurality of the connecting elements according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The induction cooking hob according to  claim 10 , wherein the induction coil includes a plurality of said first cut-outs adapted for receiving the first snap-fit portions of respective ones of said plurality of connecting elements, wherein each said first cut-out is engaged or engageable with the at least one groove of the respective connecting element. 
     
     
         12 . The induction cooking hob according to  claim 11 , wherein the coil carrier includes a plurality of said second cut-outs adapted for receiving the second snap-fit portions of respective ones of said plurality of connecting elements. 
     
     
         13 . The induction cooking hob according to  claim 10 , wherein the first cut-outs of the induction coil and/or the second cut-outs of the coil carrier have rectangular shapes. 
     
     
         14 . A method for assembling at least one induction coil to a coil carrier for the induction cooking hob according to  claim 10 , comprising the steps of:
 providing the coil carrier including a plurality of said second cut-outs,   providing the induction coil including a plurality of said first cut-outs,   inserting a predetermined number of the connecting elements into the corresponding selected ones of said second cut-outs of the coil carrier by a robot, so that the second snap-fit portion of each said connecting element penetrates the corresponding second cut-out of the coil carrier, and   setting the induction coil onto the inserted connecting elements by the robot, so that the first snap-fit portion of each said connecting element penetrates a corresponding one of said first cut-outs of the induction coil and the grooves of the connecting elements engage with the corresponding first cut-outs of the induction coil.   
     
     
         15 . A method for assembling at least one induction coil to a coil carrier for an induction cooking hob according to  claim 10 , comprising the steps of:
 providing the induction coil including a plurality of said first cut-outs,   providing the coil carrier including a plurality of said second cut-outs,   inserting a predetermined number of the connecting elements into corresponding selected ones of said first cut-outs of the induction coil by a robot, so that the first snap-fit portion of each said connecting element penetrates the corresponding first cut-out of the induction coil and the grooves of the respective connecting elements engage with the corresponding first cut-outs of the induction coil, and   setting the induction coil the connecting elements onto the coil carrier, so that the second snap-fit portion of each said connecting element penetrates a corresponding one of said second cut-outs of the coil carrier.   
     
     
         16 . A connecting element for connecting an induction coil to a coil carrier, the connecting element being a single-piece part made of elastic material and formed as a profile section of constant cross-section along a profile axis; the connecting element comprising a first snap-fit portion, a spring portion, and a pair of opposing and substantially coplanar grooves extending parallel to the profile axis at either lateral side of the connecting element and being located between the first snap-fit portion and the spring portion; said first snap-fit portion having a lateral dimension that at least partially decreases with increased distance from said grooves; said spring portion comprising a pair of opposing wings respectively extending downward from said groves and away from one another at either lateral side of the connecting element; and a second snap-fit portion extending opposite the first snap-fit portion between said opposing wings. 
     
     
         17 . The connecting element according to  claim 16 , said first snap-fit portion comprising a pyramid shape and having a clearance hole therein that extends parallel to said profile axis. 
     
     
         18 . An induction cooking hob comprising an induction coil supported on a coil carrier by the connecting element of  claim 16 , and cooking panel arranged at a top side of said cooking hob,
 said first snap-fit portion extending upward above a coil plate of said induction coil through a first cut-out therein, said spring portion extending downward below said coil plate, and said coil plate being received and engaged in said grooves, said spring portion resting on said coil carrier to thereby support the induction coil thereon, said spring portion being resilient thereby pushing the induction coil upward toward and against said cooking panel;   said snap-fit portion and said alignment means being adapted to facilitate interconnection of said induction coil to said coil carrier via said connecting element via compression thereof along a common single axis to facilitate efficient robotic assembly thereof, said connecting element acting as a spacer that prohibits direct physical contact between said coil carrier and said induction coil.   
     
     
         19 . The induction cooking hob according to  claim 18 , said second snap-in portion extending downward through a second cut-out in said coil carrier to thereby fix a lateral position of said connecting element on said coil carrier, said first snap-in portion and said second snap-in portion being aligned along said common single axis so that said induction coil can be connected to said coil carrier via said connecting element robotically via single-axis compression therebetween.