Modular cooktop assembly

Abstract

A modular cooktop assembly includes a modular housing. The modular housing includes a cooktop unit, a track assembly, and a safety device. The cooktop unit includes a heating surface, and/or the track assembly is connected between the modular housing and the cooktop unit. The cooktop unit is configured to move between a first position and a second position via the track assembly. The safety device is configured to connect power to the cooktop unit as the cooktop unit moves between the first position and the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular cooktop assembly, comprising:
 a modular housing, including:
 a cooktop unit including a heating surface; 
 a track assembly connected to the modular housing and the cooktop unit; and 
 a safety device; 
   wherein the cooktop unit is configured to move between a first position and a second position via the track assembly; and the safety device is configured to connect power to the cooktop unit as the cooktop unit moves between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the safety device connects power to the cooktop unit when the cooktop unit is in the second position; and the safety device disconnects power from the cooktop unit when the cooktop unit is in the first position. 
     
     
         3 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , wherein when the cooktop unit is in the first position, the cooktop unit is disposed substantially within the modular housing; when the cooktop unit is in the second position, the cooktop unit is disposed substantially outside the modular housing; and the modular housing is configured to be disposed substantially within a recess of a storage assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the modular housing includes insulation material configured to substantially limit dispersion of heat from the cooktop unit through the modular housing. 
     
     
         5 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the track assembly includes a first track member and a second track member; the first track member is connected to an inner surface of the modular housing; the second track member is connected to an outer surface of the cooktop unit; and the second track member slides along the first track member to move the cooktop unit between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the heating surface includes a first cooking surface and a second cooking surface; the cooktop unit includes a third position; the safety device provides power to the first cooking surface when the cooktop unit is in the third position; and the safety device provides power to the first cooking surface and the second cooking surface when the cooktop unit is in the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the safety device does not provide power to the second cooking surface when the cooktop unit is in the third position. 
     
     
         8 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the safety device is a mechanical switch. 
     
     
         9 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , including an electronic control unit (ECU);
 wherein the safety device is a sensor; and the ECU is configured to control the safety device.   
     
     
         10 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor includes a first sensor portion, a second sensor portion, and a third sensor portion; the ECU is configured to provide power to the first cooking surface when the first sensor portion is proximate the second sensor portion; and the ECU is configured to provide power to the first cooking surface and the second cooking surface when the first sensor portion is substantially proximate the third sensor portion. 
     
     
         11 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cooktop unit includes an outer side, and the outer side is configured to connect with a panel member. 
     
     
         12 . A storage assembly including the modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the storage assembly includes a first recess and a second recess; the first recess is substantially similar to the second recess; the modular housing is configured to be disposed in at least one of the first recess and the second recess; the modular housing is configured to removed from one of the first recess and the second recess; and the modular housing is configured to be inserted into the other of the first recess and the second recess without disconnecting the cooktop unit from the modular housing. 
     
     
         13 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , including an air mover disposed within the cooktop unit. 
     
     
         14 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , including sealing member; the sealing member is disposed on the heating surface; and the sealing member at least partially provides a fluid seal between the heating surface and a top of the modular housing. 
     
     
         15 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 1 , including a blocking member; wherein the blocking member is disposed on the heating surface; the blocking member includes a first position in which the blocking member is substantially perpendicular to the heating surface; the blocking member includes a second position in which the blocking member is substantially parallel to the heating surface; and the blocking member is configured to move between the first position and the second position as the cooktop unit moves between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         16 . A modular cooktop assembly, comprising:
 a modular housing, including:
 a cooktop unit including a heating surface; 
 a hinge member connected to the modular housing and the cooktop unit; and 
 a safety device; 
   wherein the cooktop unit is configured to move between a first position and a second position via the hinge member; when the cooktop unit is in the first position, the cooktop unit is disposed substantially within the modular housing; when the cooktop unit is in the second position, the cooktop unit is disposed substantially outside the modular housing; and the modular housing is configured to be disposed substantially within a recess.   
     
     
         17 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 16 , wherein when the cooktop unit pivots about 90 degrees when moving between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         18 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 16 , including a safety device; wherein the safety device is configured to selectively connect power to the cooktop unit as the cooktop unit moves between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         19 . The modular cooktop assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the safety device includes a sensor; the safety device is configured to connect power to the cooktop unit when the cooktop unit is in the second position; and the safety device is configured to disconnect power form the cooktop unit when the cooktop unit is in the first position. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling a modular cooktop assembly including a modular housing, a cooktop unit, a track assembly, and an ECU, the method comprising:
 connecting the cooktop unit with the modular housing via the track assembly;   connecting the cooktop unit to a safety device configured to selectively provide power to the cooktop unit;   inserting the modular housing substantially within a recess of a storage assembly; and   connecting the modular cooktop assembly to a power supply;   wherein the cooktop unit is configured to move between a first position and a second position via the track assembly independent of the recess; when the cooktop unit is in the first position, the cooktop unit is disposed substantially within the modular housing; and when the cooktop unit is in the second position, the cooktop unit is disposed substantially outside of the modular housing.