US 2026/0132929 A1 · COOKTOP LOCKOUT

Abstract

Switches such as knobs are configured to control power to heating elements of a cooktop. Measurement points of a cooktop circuit are utilized to confirm that the switches of the cooktop are off. Responsive to selection of a lock control of a cooktop while not in a cooktop lockout mode, the measurement points are utilized to confirm that switches of the cooktop are off. Responsive to confirming that the power is not being supplied, a control board relay drive signal is applied to open normally closed relays to enter the cooktop lockout mode. Responsive to selection of the lock control while in the cooktop lockout mode, the measurement points are used to confirm for unlocking that the switches are off. Responsive to the confirmation for unlocking indicating that the switches are off, the control board relay drive signal is removed to close the relays and exit the cooktop lockout mode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A circuit for controlling a cooktop lockout feature, comprising:

a first switch connected to main power and configured to control the main power to a first heating element of a cooktop;
a first normally closed relay configured to receive a control board relay drive signal to selectively connect a switched power line to the first switch;
one or more measurement points configured to measure power along the circuit;
a lock control;
and
a controller configured to:
responsive to selection of the lock control while not in a cooktop lockout mode, utilize the one or more measurement points to confirm that at least the first switch is in an OFF position where power is not being supplied to the first heating element, and
responsive to confirmation that the power is not being supplied, apply the control board relay drive signal to open the first normally closed relay to enter the cooktop lockout mode.

5 more elements

A circuit for controlling a cooktop lockout feature, comprising:

a first switch connected to main power and configured to control the main power to a first heating element of a cooktop;
a second switch connected to the main power and configured to control the main power to a second heating element of the cooktop;
a first normally closed relay configured to receive a control board relay drive signal to selectively connect a switched power line to the first switch;
a second normally closed relay configured to receive the control board relay drive signal to selectively connect the switched power line to the second switch;
one or more measurement points configured to measure power along the circuit;
a lock control;
and
a controller configured to:
responsive to selection of the lock control while not in a cooktop lockout mode, utilize the one or more measurement points to confirm that at least the first and second switches are in an OFF position where power is not being supplied to the first and second heating elements, and
responsive to confirmation that the power is not being supplied, apply the control board relay drive signal to open the first and second normally closed relays to enter the cooktop lockout mode.

7 more elements

A method for controlling a cooktop lockout feature, comprising:

responsive to selection of a lock control of a cooktop while not in a cooktop lockout mode, utilizing one or more measurement points of a cooktop circuit to confirm that at least first and second switches of the cooktop are in an OFF position where power is not being supplied to heating elements of the cooktop, the first and second switches configured to control power to at least first and second heating elements of the cooktop;
and
responsive to confirmation that the power is not being supplied, applying a control board relay drive signal to open first and second normally closed relays to enter the cooktop lockout mode, the first normally closed relay configured to receive the control board relay drive signal to selectively connect a power line to the first switch, the second normally closed relay configured to receive the control board relay drive signal to selectively connect the power line to the second switch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cooktop lockout

Life of this patent

Cooktop lockout

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20