CA2200375A1

CA2200375A1 - Recessing control for a heating element

Info

Publication number: CA2200375A1
Application number: CA002200375A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Herwig Scheidler; Martin Taplan; Bernd Schultheis; Stefan Hubert; Patrik Schober
Original assignee: Herwig Scheidler; Martin Taplan; Bernd Schultheis; Stefan Hubert; Patrik Schober; Schott Glaswerke
Current assignee: Schott AG
Priority date: 1996-03-20
Filing date: 1997-03-19
Publication date: 1997-09-20
Also published as: DE59705835D1; DE19610921A1; EP0797052B1; DE19610921C2; EP0797052A1; ES2169284T3

Abstract

A heating element control (10), that can be recessed into a surface, for controlling the power to a heating element arranged on a cooking surface (20) and for regulating the temperature of the heating element. The heating element control (10) comprises a knob (12) that can be recessed into an opening (22) in the cooking surface (20). To prevent cooking spills or other liquids from (10) entering into the range interior, sealing and containment devices are arranged in the opening (22) in the cooking surface (20).

Description

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RECESSING CONTROL FOR A HEATING ELEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control that can be-recessed into a surface when not in use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rotary switch or knob for operating and controlling the power of a heating element disposed on a cooking range and for regulating the heat produced by the heating element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recessed controls for cooking ranges are known in the art. Such controls have been widely employed in domestic cooking ranges that have heating elements integrated into a cooking range surface made of a thermally conductive material, for example ceramic glass. Knobs for operating the heating elements and for regulating the temperature of a heating element are usually arranged on a control panel in the front area of the range and can be lowered into the control panel at the touch of a finger if the corresponding heating element is not in use. If a given heating element is to be used, the associated knob can be pulled from the recess and used in the same manner control knobs are used with conventional ranges. It is known, for example, to use a spring to bias the knob out from the recessed position.

- ~ ~ on 3 ~ 5 In many conventional cooking ranges, the control panel and control knobs are arranged together near the front of the range and away from the heating elements. For example, the control panel is often arranged vertically on the front of the stove or cooking range. This protects the interior of the control panel and the electronics therein from -- cooking spills, which are a common occurrence.
However, a substantially vertical arrangement of the knobs on the front of the range has a number of drawbacks.
First, it may not be obvious which control knob is associated with which heating element. The proper association is most likely indicated by symbols that are arranged next to the knob. Consequently, the user must pause to determine which knob controls which heating element. Even so, the knob for the desired heating element may still occasionally be confused.
There are cooking ranges in which heating element controls are integrated into the cooking range itself.
However, such ranges have the disadvantage that the knobs both interfere with the visual effect of the range and present substa-ntial difficulties during cleaning.
Additionally, the ergonomics of vertically arranged knobs can be a problem if the wrist must assume an ergonomically poor position while turning the knob.
Vertically arranged knobs on the front of the range may also p~otrude from the range during cooking when the user is n ~ ~ ~

frequently in front of the range. As a result, the user's movements may be impeded due to knocking against the protruding knobs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control knob for controlling the temperature of a heating element disposed on a cooking range wherein the knob can be recessed into the surface of the cooking range.
It is a further object of the present invention to create a simple and readily understood association between each control knob and the corresponding heating element. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a control knob with favorable ergonomics that does not protrude or interfere with the user either during cooking or while the range is not in use. It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a control knob for a cooking range that prevents cooking spills and other liquids from entering the range interior.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the d-escription which follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The objects of the invention are attained by making it possible to lower a control knob into a recess in the cooking range. This permits a direct association of the knob with the corresponding heating element through positioning the knob near the corresponding heating element.
The direct spatial correspondence of the knob and the respective heating element makes it possible for the user to rapidly associate the knob with the heating element it controls. It is thus practically impossible to confuse heating element controls. This arrangement prevents burns and accidents that may be caused by confusing heating element controls. Decorative markings on the cooking range may be used to further clarify the association.
Another object of the invention may be accomplished by a horizontally disposed knob with the knob protruding from the top surface of the cooking range. Such an arrangement provides favorable ergonomics because the user's wrist assumes an ergonomically favorable position while turning the knob.
Additionally, while the range is in operation, that is, while the knobs are pulled out, there are no controls protruding from the front of the range. This eliminates the possibility that the user moving in front of the range will be disturbed or impeded by protruding control knobs.

-Lastly, the almost continuous surface provided by this arrangement substantially facilitates cleaning by eliminating the need to clean around control knobs.
Another object of the invention is attained by arranging a sealing device in the opening of the cooking range into which the control knob is recessed. The sealing device is used to retain liquids. This prevents any spills that may occur during cooking from entering the interior of the range through the control knob. It also facilitates cleaning of the entire cooking range by making it possible to simply wipe up spills from the cooking surface. Even the rinse water used in the cleaning process will be prevented from entering the interior of the range beneath the cooking surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the control knob according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a control knob according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a control knob according to the present invention.

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Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the control knob according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREEl~R~ED EMBODIMENT
Using the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained.
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a device for retaining liquids is disposed in an opening in a cooking range surface into which a heating element control may be recessed. The liquid retaining device has an annular body. The outer perimeter of the annular body is mounted tightly to the opening in the cooking surface. The inside of the annular body fits tightly against the outer surface of a control knob.
The annular body is preferably made from a pliant material and is provided with lamellas to ensure a permanent and tight fit against the surface of the control knob.

According to the principles of the present invention, this construction reliably prevents cooking spills and other liquids from entering the opening in the cooking surface into which the heating element control may-be recessed.
Fig. 1 depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of a heating element control according to the present invention. Heating element control 10 is arranged in opening 22 in cooking surface 20. Opening 22 in cooking surface 20 is completely encircled by a protective ring 24.

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A sealing ring 26 is mounted to the underside of protective ring 24. The heating element control 10 has a knob 12 and a shank 14.
Fig. 1 depicts a heating element control 10 in its recessed position. When recessed, knob 12 of the heating element control 10 disappears almost completely into the surface 20 of the cooking range. The sealing ring 26 is mounted tightly against the underside of the protective ring 24 by gluing or welding or the like. The inside of sealing lO ring 26 fits tightly against the surface of knob 12. To control the corresponding heating element, heating element control 10 is pulled out of opening 22 in surface 20. Any known means, including a spring ~not shown) may be used for this purpose.
The upward movement of the heating element control 10 is limited. When the control 10 is in use and not recessed, the outer surface of knob 12 remains in contact with sealing ring 26.
Knob 12 does not protrude above surface 20 enough to 20 lose contact with sealing ring 26. This ensures that whether knob 12 is recessed or protruding, the opening 22 in surface 20 is reliably sealed against cooking spills or other liquids.
According to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device for retaining liquids and cooking spills includes a collecting basin disposed in the 3 ~ ~

opening in the cooking surface into which the heating element control is recessed. The collecting basin is preferably formed as an annular pan with its the outer perimeter mounted tightly to the opening in the cooking surface. The heating element control includes a shank that is guided through the center of the annular pan.
This makes it possible to safely and reliably catch any cooking spills or other liquids that may enter the opening in the cooking surface and thus prevent them from entering the interior of the range. The heating element control may also be constructed so that it can be completely removed from the opening into which it is recessed. This allows the collecting basin to be accessible through the opening in the cooking surface for easy cleaning.
Fig. 2 depicts embodiment of the present invention.
The heating element control 10 is recessed in an opening 22 in cooking range surface 20. The edge of the opening 22 is encircled by a protective ring 24 that covers the upper edge of opening 22. Protective ring 24 also extends through and below the opening 22 and is there provided with threads 28.
A collecting basin 30 that is annular in shape and has an inner edge 34 and an outer edge 32 is arranged below opening 22 in cooking surface 20. At the upper end and on the inside of the outer edge 32, threads are arranged, which correspond to the threads 28 on the protective ring 24.

s Thus, the collecting basin 30 and protective ring 24 can be screwed together as shown in Fig. 2. Heating element control 10 is again provided with a knob 12 and a shank 14.
Shank 14 is guided through a passage 36 formed in the annular collecting basin 30. Knob 12 covers the inner edge 34 of collecting basin 30.
When recessed as in Fig. 2, the heating element control 10 almost entirely disappears into opening 22 in cooking surface 20. The result is a cooking surface that is substantially flat. To operate the associated heating element, heating element control 10 is pulled out of the opening 22. Again, the movement of heating element control 10 is limited.
Knob 12 is not entirely pulled out of opening 22, but always re~;ns so as to cover the inner edge 34 of the collecting basin 30 and the passage 36. This ensures that cooking spills or other liquids that may enter through the narrow passage between protective ring 24 and knob 12, are caught in basin 30. To clean collecting basin 30, the heating element control 10 can be removed completely from the recess 22 to make collecting basin 30 accessible from above.
According to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, an annular seal is arranged between the outer wall of the annular pan and the outer surface of the knob of the second embodiment. According to the principles -of the invention, this embodiment provides a particularly effective two-step device for retaining liquids. If cooking spills should enter the opening in the cooking surface, they are retained by the annular seal. If, however, cooking spills or other liquids should pass the seal for whatever reason, they will collect in the collecting basin and thus be prevented from entering the interior of the cooking range.
Fig. 3 depicts a cross-section of the third embodiment of the present invention. Because the third embodiment completely incorporates the second embodiment, identical elements are indicated by the same reference numbers in both Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The third embodiment differs from the second in that seallng ring 38 is arranged between the outer edge 2 of the annular collecting basin 30 and outer surface of knob 12.
Sealing ring 38 further enhances retention of cooking spills or liquids. A seal is created by tightly mounting sealing ring 38 against the inside of outer edge 32 and against the outer surface of knob 12. This seal is mounted whether the heating element control 10 is in a recessed or a pulled-out position. Thus, any cooking spills or other liquids entering the narrow annular passage between knob 12 and protective ring 24 are contained by sealing ring 38. If cooking spills for some reason should pass sealing ring 38, they will be contained by collecting basin 30 and thus wiLl be prevented from getting into the range interior. To further enhance the sealing effect, an additional sealing ring 38 may be arranged between shank 14 of knob 12 and inner edge 34 of collecting basin 30 as depicted in Fig. 3.
According to a fourth preferred em~odiment of the present invention, the collecting basin is made of a flexible material. The collecting basin is tightly mounted by its outer edge to the opening in the cooking surface and is provided with an opening for the shank of the heating element control. The edge of the opening is mounted tightly to the shank.
This achieves a particularly reliable seal for the opening in the cooking surface and the range interlor because the flexible collecting basin follows the movements of the knob as the latter is pushed down or pulled out. The seal between the opening in the collecting basin and the shank r~m~ins fixed with respect to the shank.
Fig. 4 depicts a cross-section of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A heating element control 10 is arranged in an opening 22 cooking surface 20. The edge of opening 22 is encircled by a protective ring 24. A
collecting basin 40 made of flexible material is arranged below opening 22 in cooking surface 20. The collecting basin 40 is fixed tightly to protective ring 24 by its outer edge 44. The collecting basin 40 also has an opening 48 that has an inner edge 46, which is provided with a reinforcement ring 42. Heating element control 10 comprises a knob 12 and a shank 14. The shank 14 is guided through the opening 48 of collecting basin 40. An upper stop ring 16 and a lower stop ring 18 are arranged on shank 14 and tightly hold between them the reinforcement ring 42 that is arranged on the inner edge 46 of opening 48 in collecting basin 40.
This embodiment provides a particularly secure and reliable device for containing liquids. In both the recessed and protruding positions of knob 12, the flexible collecting basin 40 reliably seals opening 22 in the cooking surface 20 against any cooking spills and liquids. The tight mounting of reinforcement ring 42 that surrounds the opening 48 in collecting basin 40, between stop rings 16 and 18 on shank 14, locally fixes this seal area with respect to shank 14 and thereby provides a particularly reliable seal.
This local fixation of the sealing area between passage 48 of collecting basin 40 and shank 14 is made possible by the flexible collecting basin 40 that readily follows the movements of the control knob is pushed in and pulled out.
The above description has been presented only to illustrate and describe the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The preferred embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A control element which can be recessed in a surface to control the power of a cooking zone disposed in a cooking surface and to regulate the power of the cooking zone, characterized therein that the control element (10) can be recessed in an opening (22) of the cooking surface (20), whereby a sealing device (26, 30, 40) is disposed in the opening (22) of the cooking surface (20).

2. A control element according to claim 1, characterized therein that the control element is a rotary switch (10).

3. A control element according to claims 1 or 2, characterized therein that the cooking surface (10) is made of ceramic glass.

4. A control element according to claims 1 to 3, characterized therein that the sealing device has an annular body (26) having its outside perimeter tightly mounted to the opening (22) of the cooking surface (20) and its inside perimeter tightly fitted against the outer side of the control element (10).

5. A control element according to claim 4, characterized therein that the annular body (26) is made of a pliant material.

6. A control element according to claim 4 or 5, characterized therein that the annular body (26) has lamellas.

7. A control element according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized therein that the device has a collecting basin (30, 40).

8. A control element according to claim 7, characterized therein that the collecting basin (30) is an annular pan.

9. A control element according to claim 8, characterized therein that the outer edge (32) of the annular collecting basin (30) is tightly mounted to the opening (22) of the cooking surface (20).

10. A control element according to claim 8 or 9, characterized therein that the control element (10) has a T-handle (12) and a shank (14) and that it is guided through the annular collecting basin (30) with its shank (14).

11. A control element according to one of the claims 8 to 10, characterized therein that an annular seal (38) is disposed between the outer edge (32) of the annular collecting basin (30) and the outer side of the T-handle (12).

12. A control element according to claim 7, characterized therein that the collecting basin (40) is made of a flexible material.

13. A control element according to claim 12, characterized therein that the outer edge (44) of the collecting basin (40) is tightly mounted to the opening (22) of the cooking surface (20).

14. A control element according to claim 12 or 13, characterized therein that the collecting basin (40) has an opening (48) for the shank (14) of the control element (10).

15. A control element according to claim 14, characterized therein that the edge (46) of the opening (48) sits tightly against the shank (14) of the control element (10).