Electrolux Home Products, Inc.

Steven Baas

Brian Martin

Bryan Thomas Phillips

William Michael Pryor

A power circuit for controlling power to a heating element includes an electric resistive element and a thermal switch assembly in series. The thermal switch assembly includes a first contact connected to the electric resistive element, a second contact, and a bimetal element configured to electrically connect and disconnect the first and second contacts. The bimetal element establishing an electrical connection between the first and second contacts when a temperature of the bimetal element is below a predetermined cut-off temperature, and no longer electrically connecting the first and second contacts when the bimetal element is at or above the predetermined cut-off temperature. A first voltage is applied to the electric resistive element when the bimetal element electrically connects the first and second contacts and a second voltage, lower than the first voltage, is applied to the electric resistive element when the bimetal element electrically disconnects the first and second contacts.

Method and apparatus for preventing cooktop fires

Provided is a method for controlling the operation of a cooking appliance, such as an oven range. The cooking appliance includes a door with multiple spaced apart glass panels. The method uses an interlocking mechanism that interferes with the installation of at least one of the plurality of glass panels in the door if at least one of the glass panels is not installed properly. The method further uses a switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.

Oven door glass with interlocking mechanism

Provided is a door for a cooking appliance, such as an oven range, with multiple spaced apart glass panels. An interlocking mechanism promotes a proper installation of the glass panels, and interferes with the installation of the glass panels or with operation of the appliance if at least one of the panels is not properly installed. A switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.

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Hendersonville, TN, United States of America

Steven Baas