Connecting element for connecting a heating energy generating element to a carrier element of a cooking hob

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting element (10) for connecting a heating energy generating element (24) to a carrier element (26) of a cooking hob. The connecting element (10) includes an engagement portion (12) connectable to a receiving portion of the heating energy generating element (24) and/or the carrier element (26). Further, the present invention relates a cooking hob with a heating energy generating element (24) and a carrier element (26).

1 . A connecting element for connecting a heating energy generating element to a carrier element of a cooking hob, comprising a first engagement portion connectable to a receiving portion of the heating energy generating element and/or the carrier element. 
     
     
         2 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement portion is a snap-fit portion and the receiving portion is a cut-out, wherein the snap-fit portion and the cut-out form a snap-in mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a spring portion arrangeable between the heating energy generating element and the carrier element, so that the spring portion provides a distance between the heating energy generating element and the carrier element. 
     
     
         4 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a groove enclosing at least partially the connecting element, said groove being arranged between the first engagement portion and the spring portion. 
     
     
         5 . The connecting element according to  claim 4 , wherein the groove is engageable with the cut-out of the heating energy generating element. 
     
     
         6 . The connecting element according to  claim 3 , further comprising a groove enclosing at least partially the connecting element, wherein the spring portion is funnel-shaped and has a diameter that increases with distance from the first engagement portion and the groove. 
     
     
         7 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , wherein the first engagement portion is formed as a truncated pyramid. 
     
     
         8 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a groove enclosing at least partially the connecting element, and a through hole having an axis that extends perpendicular to the groove, the through hole being adapted for receiving an elongated element of the carrier element extending perpendicular to a plane of said carrier element. 
     
     
         9 . The connecting element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a further engagement portion extending opposite to the first engagement portion, wherein said further engagement portion is connectable to a receiving portion of the carrier element. 
     
     
         10 . The connecting element according to  claim 9 , wherein the further engagement portion is a further snap-fit portion, while the receiving portion of the carrier element is a cut-out, so that the further snap-fit portion and the cut-out form a snap-in mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The connecting element according to  claim 9 , wherein the spring portion includes at least two wings arranged at opposite sides, wherein said wings extend outwards and away from the first engagement portion. 
     
     
         12 . The connecting element according to  claim 11 , wherein the connecting element is formed as a profile section and includes two parallel grooves, wherein a profile axis extends parallel to said grooves, the first engagement portion comprising a clearance hole extending parallel to the profile axis. 
     
     
         13 . A cooking hob comprising a heating energy generating element, a carrier element, and the connecting element according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The cooking hob according to  claim 13 , wherein the heating energy generating element includes a plurality of receiving portions adapted for receiving the engagement portion, wherein said receiving portion is engaged or engageable with a groove enclosing at least partially the connecting element. 
     
     
         15 . The cooking hob according to  claim 13 , wherein the carrier element includes a plurality of receiving portions adapted for receiving a further engagement portion of the connecting element. 
     
     
         16 . The cooking hob according to  claim 13 , wherein the carrier element includes a plurality of bent sheet metal fingers, wherein said bent sheet metal fingers are penetrable into or penetrate a through hole of the connecting element. 
     
     
         17 . The cooking hob according to  claim 13 , comprising at least three said connecting elements per heating energy generating element and/or per carrier element. 
     
     
         18 . The cooking hob according to  claim 13 , comprising one said heating energy generating element per carrier element, wherein each said carrier element includes three said connecting elements. 
     
     
         19 . The cooking hob according to  claim 13 , comprising two said heating energy generating elements per carrier element, wherein each said carrier element includes four said connecting elements. 
     
     
         20 . An induction cooking hob comprising an induction coil supported on a coil carrier by a connecting element, a cooking panel arranged at a top side of said cooking hob, and alignment means to fix a lateral position of said connecting element on said coil carrier to fix a lateral position of said connecting element thereon;
 said connecting element being a single-piece part comprising a snap-fit portion extending upward above a coil plate of said induction coil through a cut-out therein, a spring portion extending downward below said coil plate, and a groove extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connecting element, said coil plate being received and engaged in said groove, said snap-fit portion having a lateral dimension that at least partially decreases with increased distance from said groove, 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 of said elements along a common single axis to facilitate efficient assembly thereof, said connecting element acting as a spacer that prohibits direct physical contact between said coil carrier and said induction coil, said induction cooking hob being devoid of steel springs for supporting said induction coil above said coil carrier.