Surface mount igniter assembly

Abstract

A cooktop surface is a high dielectric strength surface in which an opening is provided to receive a burner assembly. A surface mount igniter assembly extends through the same opening and terminates adjacent a perimeter of the burner assembly. The surface mount igniter assembly includes an electrode having a first end extending through the burner opening, an intermediate portion received in a ceramic insulator, and a terminal, second end disposed adjacent the burner perimeter. The ceramic insulator preferably has an opening edge slot to facilitate receipt of the electrode therein, and the ceramic insulator faces the dielectric cooktop surface to fully insulate around the electrode.

1 . A surface mount igniter assembly comprising:
 a surface having at least one opening therein;   a burner assembly operatively mounted to the surface with at least a portion extending into the opening; and   an igniter extending through the opening and terminating adjacent the burner assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the surface is a glass ceramic. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the igniter has a first portion that extends approximately perpendicular to the surface opening. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first portion includes an electrode extending through a ceramic insulator, the electrode including an exposed terminal end. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the ceramic insulator includes an opening facing the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein the igniter is bent through substantially 90 degrees at each of opposite ends. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the electrode is mechanically fixed in the ceramic insulator. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the electrode is retained by a resin in the ceramic insulator. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the ceramic insulator extends outwardly from the opening along the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein the ceramic insulator terminates adjacent a perimeter of the burner. 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a surface mount igniter assembly:
 providing a ceramic cooktop with at least one opening;   aligning a burner assembly at least partially through the opening; and   positioning at least a part of an igniter assembly through the opening.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising positioning a ceramic member adjacent the surface to extend outwardly from the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising positioning the electrode in the ceramic member. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the electrode positioning step includes orienting at least one end of the electrode substantially perpendicular to the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the orienting step includes orienting opposite ends of the igniter assembly perpendicular to the opening. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the electrode positioning step includes pre-bending the electrode before inserting the electrode into a ceramic member. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the electrode positioning step includes bending the electrode after inserting the electrode into a ceramic member. 
     
     
         18 . A gas cooking appliance comprising:
 a high dielectric strength cooktop surface having an opening;   a burner assembly at least partially received through the opening;   a surface mount spark electrode assembly extending through the opening, along the cooktop surface, and terminating adjacent the burner assembly.   
     
     
         19 . The igniter assembly of  claim 18  wherein the electrode assembly includes an electrode received in an insulator, the insulator being open along one edge to facilitate receipt of the electrode therein, the open edge of the insulator facing the high dielectric strength cooktop surface so that the spark electrode assembly is fully insulated. 
     
     
         20 . The igniter assembly of  claim 18  wherein the electrode assembly includes an electrode that is bent through approximately 90 degrees.