Cooktop appliance and heating element having a thermostat

A cooktop appliance, comprising:

• a heating element defining a heating zone;
• and
• a thermostat positioned within the heating zone of the heating element, the thermostat comprising
• a base extending axially between a first end and a second end,
• a first terminal mounted to the base,
• a bimetallic disk disposed within the base, and
• a conductive spring disposed within the base in biased engagement with the bimetallic disk to motivate the bimetallic disk towards the first end within the base, the conductive spring comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer extending from a contact end proximal to the bimetallic disk to a joinder end connected to the first terminal, and the second layer extending from a biasing end proximal to the bimetallic disk to a secured end fixed within the base,
• wherein the first layer comprises a top lever portion and a bottom lever portion,
• wherein the second layer comprises a top lever portion and a bottom lever portion,
• wherein the top lever portion of the second layer extends along a bottom surface of the top lever portion of the first layer, and
• wherein the bottom lever portion of the second layer extends along a top surface of the bottom lever portion.

An electric resistance heating coil assembly, comprising:

• a spiral wound sheathed heating element having a first coil section and a second coil section;
• and
• a thermostat connected in series between the first and second coil sections of the spiral wound sheathed heating element, the thermostat comprising
• a base extending axially between a first end and a second end,
• a first terminal mounted to the base and connected to the first coil section,
• a bimetallic disk disposed within the base,
• a conductive spring disposed within the base in biased engagement with the bimetallic disk to motivate the bimetallic disk towards the first end within the base, the conductive spring comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer extending from a contact end proximal to the bimetallic disk to a joinder end connected to the first terminal, and the second layer extending from a biasing end proximal to the bimetallic disk to a secured end fixed within the base, and
• a support rod extending axially from the bimetallic disk to the first layer,
• wherein the first layer comprises a top lever portion and a bottom lever portion,
• wherein the second layer comprises a top lever portion and a bottom lever portion,
• wherein the top lever portion of the second layer extends along a bottom surface of the top lever portion of the first layer, and
• wherein the bottom lever portion of the second layer extends along a top surface of the bottom lever portion,
• wherein the secured end is attached to the joinder end,
• wherein the first layer comprises a first material, and
• wherein the second layer comprises a second material having a higher electrical resistivity than the first material.