Electric stovetop heater unit with integrated temperature control

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heater comprising a heating element having a region that does not contain a surface heating portion. The apparatus further includes a thermostat positioned in the region. The thermostat includes a contact surface disposed to make contact with an object placed on the surface heating portion. The thermostat includes a switch configured to prevent a current from conducting through the heating element when the contact surface experiences a temperature equal to or greater than a temperature limit. The apparatus further includes a medallion coupled to the thermostat and positioned below a top surface of the heating element, the medallion comprising an aperture shaped to allow the contact surface to extend through the aperture to make contact with the object. The apparatus includes an urging element configured to provide vertical movement of the medallion in response to a downward force applied from the object.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An urging element for a stovetop heater unit comprising a switch and a contact surface coupled to the switch, the urging element comprising:
 an urging portion configured to be coupled to the switch, the urging portion configured to provide an upward force to cause contact between the contact surface and an object placed on the stovetop heater unit; and   a deformable surface operatively connected to the urging portion and that mechanically deforms to cause the upward force in response to a downward force applied from the object to the contact surface, the deformable surface comprising a plurality of planar sections connected at an angle, the upward force applied through the deformable surface being a restorative force to urge the deformable surface to restore the angle between the plurality of planar sections.   
     
     
         18 . The urging element of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of planar sections comprises: a first planar section; and a second planar section extending from the first planar section. 
     
     
         19 . The urging element of  claim 18 , wherein the first planar section extends radially away from the urging portion. 
     
     
         20 . The urging element of  claim 18 , wherein the urging portion comprises: a first surface; and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface configured to face a first direction towards the object placed on the stovetop heater unit; and wherein the first planar section is configured to extend in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         21 . The urging element of  claim 18 , wherein the second planar is configured to be coupled to an inner wall of a housing of the stovetop heater unit, the housing configured to surround at least a portion of the switch. 
     
     
         22 . The urging element of  claim 17 , further comprising an aperture; wherein at least a portion of the switch is positioned within the aperture. 
     
     
         23 . The urging element of  claim 22 , wherein the aperture is positioned at a center of the urging portion. 
     
     
         24 . The urging element of  claim 22 , wherein the aperture has a shape that corresponds to at least a portion of the switch. 
     
     
         25 . The urging element of  claim 18 , wherein the second planar section is positioned in a direction that is perpendicular relative to the urging portion. 
     
     
         26 . The urging element of  claim 17 , further comprising at least two deformable surfaces. 
     
     
         27 . An urging element for a stovetop heater unit comprising a switch and a contact surface coupled to the switch, the urging element comprising:
 an urging portion configured to be coupled to the switch, the urging portion configured to provide an upward force to cause contact between the contact surface and an object placed on the stovetop heater unit; and   a deformable portion operatively connected to the urging portion and that mechanically deforms to cause the upward force in response to a downward force applied from the object to the contact surface, the deformable portion comprising at least one planar section, the upward force applied through the deformable portion being a restorative force.   
     
     
         28 . The urging element of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one planar section comprises: a first planar section; and a second planar section extending from the first planar section. 
     
     
         29 . The urging element of  claim 28 , wherein the first planar section extends radially away from the urging portion. 
     
     
         30 . The urging element of  claim 28 , wherein the urging portion comprises: a first surface; and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface configured to face a first direction towards the object placed on the stovetop heater unit; and wherein the first planar section is configured to extend in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         31 . The urging element of  claim 28 , wherein the second planar is configured to be coupled to an inner wall of a housing of the stovetop heater unit, the housing configured to surround at least a portion of the switch. 
     
     
         32 . The urging element of  claim 27 , further comprising an aperture; wherein at least a portion of the switch is positioned within the aperture. 
     
     
         33 . The urging element of  claim 32 , wherein the aperture is positioned at a center of the urging portion. 
     
     
         34 . The urging element of  claim 32 , wherein the aperture has a shape that corresponds to at least a portion of the switch. 
     
     
         35 . The urging element of  claim 28 , wherein the second planar section is positioned in a direction that is perpendicular relative to the urging portion. 
     
     
         36 . The urging element of  claim 27 , further comprising at least two deformable portions.