CN114729527B - Water leakage safety module and electric stove comprising same - Google Patents

Water leakage safety module and electric stove comprising same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN114729527B
CN114729527B CN202080080881.6A CN202080080881A CN114729527B CN 114729527 B CN114729527 B CN 114729527B CN 202080080881 A CN202080080881 A CN 202080080881A CN 114729527 B CN114729527 B CN 114729527B
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
water
sensor
water leakage
safety module
pressure variation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN202080080881.6A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Other versions
CN114729527A (en
Inventor
朱元一
金圭准
D.W.郑
方相宇
申显珉
朴万旭
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kaweiyi Co ltd
Original Assignee
Kaweiyi Co ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020190151720A external-priority patent/KR20210063153A/en
Priority claimed from KR1020190151721A external-priority patent/KR20210063154A/en
Application filed by Kaweiyi Co ltd filed Critical Kaweiyi Co ltd
Publication of CN114729527A publication Critical patent/CN114729527A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN114729527B publication Critical patent/CN114729527B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03CDOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24CDOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C15/00Details
    • F24C15/10Tops, e.g. hot plates; Rings
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24CDOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C7/00Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
    • F24C7/04Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy with heat radiated directly from the heating element
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24CDOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C7/00Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
    • F24C7/08Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01MTESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/16Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
    • G01M3/18Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a water leakage safety module comprising a sensor and an electric cooker comprising the same.

Description

Water leakage safety module and electric stove comprising same
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a water leakage safety module capable of suppressing electric leakage and electric shock occurring due to water leakage from a tap in an electric range including the tap, and an electric range including the same.
Background
An electric range is a cooking apparatus for cooking food using an electric Heater or a separate burner as a heat source, and according to a heating method, the electric range may be classified into an Induction Heater (Induction Heater) using an Induction heating method and a radiation Heater (radiation Heater) using a resistance method.
When a power source is connected to the induction heater, a high frequency voltage of a predetermined magnitude is applied to a Working Coil (Working Coil) so that a magnetic field is generated around the Working Coil, and magnetic lines of force of the induced magnetic field generated at this time generate Eddy currents (Eddy Current) inside the burner, whereby the generated Eddy currents can heat the burner for cooking.
Further, when the radiation heater is used, a predetermined power is applied to a Heating Coil (Heating Coil) in the furnace mouth, so that the Heating Coil emits high-temperature heat radiation by self-Heating, whereby cooking can be performed.
These electric stoves have no explosion hazard, are convenient to use, do not generate soot or the like due to incomplete combustion of fuel gas, and have aesthetic advantages due to the use of a flat top plate to cover the heating element, compared with conventional gas stoves, so that users of these products are gradually increasing.
However, although the electric cooker is installed on a kitchen operation table of a household, it is fixedly installed at a position far from a water tap, so that when the electric cooker is used, water is firstly supplied in a container to be heated, and then the container filled with water is moved to a stove mouth, which is cumbersome in operation, and thus the applicant has proposed an electric cooker with a water tap, which can be directly supplied with water from above a top plate of the electric cooker and used.
However, if a water supply structure such as a faucet is mounted on an electric cooker, if the water supply structure is not mounted in place or if water leakage occurs due to poor connection or impact of components, there is a risk of short circuit or electric shock when the leaked water contacts with an electric component such as a control unit of the electric cooker.
(patent document 1) KR 2018-0028739A
Disclosure of Invention
Problems to be solved
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water leakage safety module that can detect whether water leakage occurs in a ceiling of a power range and the inside of the power range and prevent water from a tap, and a power range including the same.
Further, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a water leakage safety module that can automatically interrupt water discharge if water leakage occurs when a faucet is used, and an electric range including the same.
Means for solving the problems
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water leakage safety module of an electric range including a water tap, the water leakage safety module comprising: a housing on which the faucet is mounted; the capacitive sensor is positioned on the top plate side of the electric stove at one side of the shell and is used for detecting whether water leaks on the top plate; a shut-off valve for blocking water flowing into the faucet; and the control unit is positioned in the shell and controls the stop valve to operate, wherein when the capacitive sensor detects that water leakage occurs on the top plate, the control unit operates the stop valve.
Preferably, the faucet further comprises a water inlet allowing water to flow into the faucet, and the water inlet is located inside the housing.
Preferably, the capacitive sensor is disposed at a side of the tap remote from a heating unit disposed at the top plate.
Preferably, the control unit further includes a water leakage sensor located inside the housing, the water leakage sensor being configured to detect whether the inside of the housing is leaked, and the control unit operating the shut-off valve when the water leakage inside of the housing is detected by the water leakage sensor.
Preferably, the water leakage sensor is located at a side close to the water inlet pipe.
Preferably, the bottom of the housing is inclined downward toward one side of the water leakage sensor.
Preferably, the water leakage sensor further includes a step portion located at a bottom of the housing for forming a step so that the water leakage sensor side is located at a lower position.
Preferably, the control unit is configured to control the stop valve to be operated when the pressure of the water flowing into the water tap is changed by a predetermined pressure, and the pressure of the water flowing into the water tap is changed by a predetermined pressure.
Preferably, the control unit is configured to control the flow rate sensor to detect the flow rate of water flowing into the faucet, and to control the flow rate sensor to detect the flow rate of water when the flow rate sensor detects the flow rate of water when the pressure change amount of water detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a preset pressure change amount and a preset time elapses while being smaller than the preset pressure change amount.
And, an electric range including the water leakage safety module is provided.
Also, provided is a control method of a water leakage safety module of an electric range including a water tap, the control method of the water leakage safety module including: (a) discharging water through the tap; (b) Detecting the pressure variation of the water flowing in through the tap and the flow of the water through the pressure sensor and the flow sensor respectively; (c) A step of operating a shut-off valve by a control unit to block water flowing out through the tap when water leakage is detected by a capacitance sensor or a water leakage sensor; and (d) in a case where whether or not water leakage is not detected by the capacitance sensor or the water leakage sensor, when a state in which the flow rate of the water is detected after a preset time passes and the pressure variation exceeds a preset pressure variation, or when the flow rate of the water is detected by the flow sensor in a state in which the pressure variation is less than the preset pressure variation, the control unit operates a shut-off valve to shut off water.
Effects of the invention
The water leakage safety module and the electric cooker comprising the same provided by the invention comprise the top plate of the electric cooker and the sensor for detecting whether water leakage occurs in the inner part of the electric cooker, and the water outlet of the faucet can be blocked by detecting whether water leakage occurs in each position, so that the electric leakage or electric shock accident caused by water leakage can be prevented.
Also, the water leakage safety module and the electric cooker including the same according to the present invention can detect water leakage occurring due to water discharged from a tap when the electric cooker mounted with the tap is used, and can prevent electric leakage or electric shock accidents occurring due to water leakage by forcibly blocking the water discharge when water leakage occurs.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view illustrating an electric range according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electric range according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is an overall perspective view illustrating a water leakage safety module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a faucet is installed.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which the faucet is mounted on the cover of the leakage safety module, as viewed from above.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which the faucet is mounted on the cover of the leakage safety module, as viewed from the bottom.
Fig. 6 is an overall perspective view of a state in which a cover of the water leakage safety module is removed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is an overall perspective view of the housing of the water leakage safety module.
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of fig. 6.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of fig. 7.
Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the water leakage safety module according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description
The objects, features and other advantages of the present invention as described above will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings. In the course of the description, the thickness of lines or the sizes of components may be exaggerated for convenience and clarity of description. Also, terms to be described later are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and thus may be changed according to the habit or intention of a user or an operator. Accordingly, the terms should be defined according to the general contents set forth in the specification.
In addition, the examples are provided for the purpose of describing the present invention by way of example, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.
The respective elements constituting the water leakage safety module according to the present invention may be used integrally or individually as required. Further, depending on the form of use, part of the members may be omitted.
Hereinafter, the water leakage safety module 300 and the electric range including the same according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying fig. 1 to 9.
The electric range according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 100, a tap 200, and a water leakage safety module 300.
< description of electric cooker body 100 >
As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the electric range main body 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 110, a heating unit 120, a frame 130, and a top plate 140.
The housing 110 is a box-shaped configuration having a predetermined space provided therein, and the heating unit 120 is installed therein.
As shown in fig. 2, the present embodiment is exemplified by providing two heating units 120, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and fewer or more than two heating units 120 may be provided.
The heating unit 120 may be configured as a highlighting method that directly generates heat by applying a current from a power source or an induction method that heats a heating target object by applying a current frequency, and may be configured as other configurations that generate heat by applying a current.
The frame 130 surrounds the upper periphery of the housing 110. Specifically, the peripheral upper portion of the housing 110 is configured as a plate shape extending outward.
The top plate 140 is plate-shaped and is mounted on the frame 130 to cover an upper portion of the case 110.
A heating target object (cooking container) is placed on an upper portion of the top plate 140, whereby heat or current generated from the illustrated heating unit 120 is transferred to the heating target object through the top plate 140 to achieve heating of the heating target object.
The material of the top plate 140 is not limited, but is preferably made of a material such as tempered glass or ceramic so as not to be damaged by the heating target object.
As described above, the electric range main body 100 is configured to apply an electric current to the heating unit 120 to generate heat, thereby heating the heating target object placed on the top plate 140, so that cooking can be performed.
< description of faucet 200 >
Hereinafter, the construction of the faucet 200 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with further reference to fig. 3 to 5.
Faucet 200 is an element configured to be used directly from a power range when the power range is in use.
The faucet 200 is mounted on one side of the main body 100, specifically, as shown in fig. 2, on a safety module 300 located on one side of the main body 100.
The faucet 200 of the present embodiment includes a spout 210, a body 220, a handle 230, and a knob 240.
The water outlet pipe 210 penetrates the top plate 140 and a cover 390 of the security module 300, which will be described later.
Specifically, the water outlet 211 at the upper portion of the water outlet pipe 210 is located at the outside of the top plate 140, the water inlet 212 at the bottom is located at the inside of the safety module 300, and water flowing in through a water inlet pipe (not shown) connected to the water inlet 212 is discharged through the water outlet 211.
The body 220 surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the water outlet pipe 210, a sealing member 280 (first sealing member) such as rubber is provided between the body 220 and the cover 390 of the safety module 300, and a sealing member (second sealing member) may be provided between the body 220 and the top plate 140.
Thereby, foreign substances or moisture can be suppressed from entering the inside of the main body 100 and the safety module 300 from the outside of the electric range main body 100.
In addition, as shown in fig. 5, the bottom of the body 220 is fixedly mounted inside the cover 390 portion by a wing nut 290.
The wing nut 290 has a structure in which the flange 291 extends at both sides of the nut body, and a user can easily tighten or loosen the flange 291 by holding the flange 291, so that the tap 200 can be easily disassembled and assembled from the cap 390 part, with the advantage of easy maintenance and management of the tap 200.
The handle 230 is an adjusting member rotatably provided at one side of the body 220, which can adjust the amount of water discharged through the water outlet pipe 210.
A knob 240 is formed to extend from one side of the handle 230, and a user can adjust the amount of water discharged through the outlet pipe 210 by holding the knob 240 and rotating the handle 230.
However, alternatively, the handle 230 may be configured to perform a hinge operation instead of a rotation operation, in which case the hinge operation of the handle 230 is performed by operating the knob 240 in a linear direction, whereby the amount of water discharged through the water outlet pipe 210 may be adjusted.
Further, the amount of water discharged may be adjusted by providing an electric water outlet valve (not shown) without providing the handle 230, and the operation of the water outlet valve may be controlled by a control unit 351 to be described later. In addition, the outlet valve may be provided at one side of the outlet pipe 210, or may be provided on a line connected to the inlet pipe and the inlet 212.
As described above, since the water tap 200 is provided at one side of the electric range main body 100, when cooking using the electric range, water can be directly received on the electric range and used without moving to the water tank.
< description of Water leakage Security Module 300 >
Hereinafter, the construction of the water leakage safety module 300 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with further reference to fig. 6 to 9.
As described above, the water leakage safety module 300 is mounted together with the tap 200 such that the respective components supplying water to the tap 200 are effectively arranged, and problems that may occur due to the leakage of water from the respective components and the tap 200 can be prevented.
As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the water leakage safety module 300 includes a housing 310, a cover 390, a capacitance sensor 325, a pressure sensor 322, a flow sensor (not shown), a shut-off valve 321, a water leakage sensor 324, and a control unit 351.
The inside of the housing 310 is provided with a predetermined space. In addition, the space inside the housing 310 is divided into a plurality of spaces by a partition.
Specifically, as shown in fig. 7, the space inside the housing 310 is divided into four spaces by three partitions.
The outlet chamber 320 and the inlet chamber 330 are partitioned by the first partition 301 and the second partition 302, the wiring chamber 340 and the electric component chamber 350 are partitioned by the second partition 302 and the third partition 03, and the space inside the housing 310 is thus divided into four spaces.
In addition, a plurality of heat dissipation holes 380 are formed along the outer side surface of the housing 310, the heat dissipation holes 380 being partially opened at the outer side surface of the housing 310.
Thereby, it is possible to discharge heat generated by the operation of the above-described components located inside the case 310 to the outside of the case 310, thereby preventing malfunction caused by an increase in the internal temperature of the case 310.
A cover 390 is located at an upper portion of the housing 310 and covers the upper portion of the housing 310.
In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the cover 390 covers only the upper portion of the water outlet chamber 320 of the housing 310, and other portions are covered by the lower surface of the housing 110, however, a configuration may be adopted in which the cover 390 covers the upper portion of the housing 310 as a whole.
The capacitive sensor 325 is disposed at a side of the upper portion of the housing 310, specifically, at a rear side of the faucet 200, i.e., a side remote from the heating unit 120 near the faucet 200, between the faucet 200 and the frame 130 to be in contact with the top plate 140.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the capacitive sensor 325 from failing in water leakage detection due to a cooking container or the like placed on the heating unit 120.
The capacitance sensor 325 detects whether moisture is present on the top plate 140 by sensing the amount of impedance change on the top plate 140.
The pressure sensor 322 and the shut-off valve 321 are located inside the outlet chamber 320.
Which are respectively installed between the water inlet 212 and the water inlet pipe (not shown) of the faucet 200, and water flowing into the water inlet 212 through the water inlet pipe flows into the water inlet 212 through the shut-off valve 321 and the pressure sensor 322.
The water inlet joint pipe 331 is located between the water inlet pipe and the shut-off valve 321, and the water outlet joint pipe 323 is located between the pressure sensor 322 and the water inlet 212 of the faucet 200.
That is, as shown in fig. 5, the water inlet pipe is connected to the water inlet 212 of the faucet 200 through the water inlet joint pipe 331, the shut-off valve 321, the pressure sensor 322, and the water outlet joint pipe 323.
The shut-off valve 321 is constituted by a fluid control device capable of blocking water flowing from the water inlet pipe into the water inlet 212, and may be constituted by an electromagnetic valve, for example.
Since the amount of water discharged from the faucet 200 can be regulated by the handle 230, the shut-off valve 321 is maintained in an opened state in general, and is automatically closed when leakage occurs as will be described later, so that the water discharge of the faucet 200 can be blocked.
As described above, the shutoff valve 321 is normally kept in an open state, and therefore the shutoff valve 321 is constituted by a normally open solenoid valve (NOS, normal Open Solenoid), that is, kept in an open state when not energized, and is closed only when energized, and when no leakage occurs, the valve in the open state does not require electric power to operate the valve, thus having an effect of saving electricity.
The pressure sensor 322 detects a pressure change of the water flowing from the water inlet pipe into the water inlet 212. That is, whether water is being discharged through the faucet 200 is detected by the pressure sensor 322.
Specifically, when the handle 230 or the outlet valve is in the closed state, the water flowing from the inlet pipe into the inlet 212 does not flow out through the outlet pipe 210 of the faucet 200, but stays in the pipe connecting the inlet pipe and the inlet 212, i.e., the water stays inside the inlet pipe, the inlet joint pipe 331, the shut-off valve 321, the pressure sensor 322, and the outlet joint pipe 323. Therefore, it will be in a state where the pressure sensor 322 detects a predetermined pressure.
On the other hand, when the handle 230 or the outlet valve is opened and water is discharged through the outlet pipe 210 of the faucet 200, water in the line connecting the inlet pipe and the inlet 212 is discharged, and thus the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 322 will be reduced as compared with when water is not discharged.
That is, the pressure sensor 322 detects whether water is discharged by a pressure variation of water in a line connecting the water inlet pipe and the water inlet 212. For example, when the amount of change (decrease) in the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 322 exceeds a preset amount of change in the pressure, it may be determined that the faucet 200 is discharging water.
Further, when the amount of change (decrease amount) of the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 322 does not exceed the preset amount of change of the pressure, it may be judged that the water is not discharged.
The flow sensor detects whether water is discharged through the tap 200 by detecting the flow rate of water discharged from the tap 200.
The flow sensor is used to detect the flow rate of water discharged through the tap 200, and is installed in the water inlet pipe, the water inlet joint pipe 331, the shut-off valve 321, the pressure sensor 322, the water outlet joint pipe 323, and the pipeline in which the water inlet pipe is connected to the water inlet 212.
When the flow rate of the water discharged from the faucet 200 is small, the above-mentioned pressure variation amount may be smaller than a preset variation amount, and thus it may be difficult to detect whether the water is discharged through the pressure sensor 322.
However, since the flow sensor is provided, it is possible to detect whether or not water flows out even if the amount of water flowing out of the faucet 200 is small.
The water leakage sensor 324 is located inside the water outlet chamber 320 of the housing 310. Preferably, it may be located near the first partition 301 separating the outlet chamber 320 from the inlet chamber 330.
The water leakage sensor 324 is used to detect whether the inside of the water chamber 320 leaks, i.e., when the respective connection parts of the water inlet pipe, the water inlet joint pipe 331, the shut-off valve 321, the pressure sensor 322, the water outlet joint pipe 323, and the water inlet 212 leak, the water leakage can be detected by the water leakage sensor 324.
The water inlet chamber 330 is separated from the water outlet chamber 320 by a first partition 301, and the water inlet joint pipe 331 may cross the water inlet chamber 330 and the water outlet chamber 320 through the first partition 301.
The intake chamber 330 has a first opening 332 and a second opening 333, which are opened on one side and the other side thereof, respectively.
The water inlet joint tube 331 connects the water inlet tube and the shut-off valve 321 in a curved shape within the water inlet chamber 330, and one side thereof is rotatably connected with a portion connected to the shut-off valve 321 as an axis.
Thus, the other side of the water inlet joint pipe 331, i.e., the side connected to the water inlet pipe, may be operated to selectively face the sides of the first opening 332 and the second opening 333.
Thus, by rotating the water inlet joint pipe 331 according to the arrangement of the water inlet chamber, the water inlet pipe can be connected with the water inlet joint pipe 331 through the first opening 332 or the second opening 333.
When the electric range is installed, it may be restricted due to the arrangement of the water inlet pipe, but by rotatably installing the water inlet joint pipe 331, it may be selectively connected to the water inlet pipe at the plurality of openings 332 and 333, so that the restriction caused by the arrangement of the water inlet pipe may be reduced.
The inside of the intake chamber 330 is formed with a first fixing rib 336 formed protrusively between the rotation axis of the intake joint pipe 331 and the first opening 332 and a second fixing rib 335 formed protrusively between the rotation axis of the intake joint pipe 331 and the second opening 333, and thus it is possible to selectively fix it to each of the fixing ribs 335 and 336 according to the position of connection with the intake pipe of the intake joint pipe 331.
Thereby, the water inlet joint pipe 331 connecting the water inlet pipe and the shut-off valve 321 is firmly fixed, so that it is possible to prevent poor connection and to suppress water leakage.
In addition, an open water passage 301a is formed at one side of the first partition 301 separating the water inlet chamber 330 from the water outlet chamber 320, and preferably, the water passage 301a may be formed between the water inlet pipe and the water leakage sensor 324 so as to be open at the water leakage sensor 324 side of the water outlet chamber 320.
Accordingly, when water leakage occurs between the water inlet pipe in the water inlet chamber 330 and the water inlet joint pipe 331, the water leaked into the water inlet chamber 330 flows into and out of the water chamber 320 through the water passage 301a, and can be detected by the water leakage sensor 324 provided in the water outlet chamber 320.
Also, as described above, the water leakage sensor 324 is provided near the first partition 301, and the water passage 301a is formed such that the side of the water leakage sensor 324 is opened, so that the water leakage can be rapidly detected by the water leakage sensor 324 before the water leakage is stored in the water outlet chamber 320.
As shown in fig. 8, the bottom surface 328 of the water outlet chamber 320 is inclined downward toward the side where the water leakage sensor 324 is located.
Thus, even if water leakage occurs at a position away from the water leakage sensor 324 in the water outlet chamber 320, the leaked water flows toward the water leakage sensor 324 along the inclined bottom surface 328, so that whether water leakage occurs can be rapidly detected.
The bottom surface 328 of the water outlet chamber 320 is formed with a groove-shaped flow path, along which water leaked from the inside of the water outlet chamber 320 flows toward the water leakage sensor 324 side, so that water leakage can be rapidly detected.
In addition, the bottom surface 328 of the water outlet chamber 320 is formed with a stepped portion 327 such that the opposite side is higher than the bottom of the side where the water leakage sensor 324 is located. When water leakage occurs at the water leakage sensor 324 side of the water outlet chamber 320, the water leakage may flow to the opposite side of the water leakage sensor 324 without being detected by the water leakage sensor 324, and the stepped portion 327 may prevent this from occurring.
The electric element chamber 350 and the wiring chamber 340 are partitioned from the water outlet chamber 320 by the second partition plate 302, and the electric element chamber 350 and the wiring chamber 340 are partitioned by the third partition plate 303, respectively.
A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA, printed Circuit Board Assembly) and electrical components provided therein are accommodated in the electrical component chamber 350, the electrical components are electrically connected with the configuration of the outlet valve, the shut-off valve 321, the pressure sensor 322, the flow sensor, the capacitance sensor 325, the water leakage sensor 324, and the like, information detected from each assembly as described above is input to the electronic assembly, and the electronic assembly serves as the control unit 351 that controls each assembly according to the input information.
A first wiring groove 341 and a second wiring groove 342 are formed on the wiring chamber 340 side of the second separator 302 and the third separator 303.
Specifically, the water outlet chamber 320 communicates with the wiring chamber 340 through the first wiring groove 341, and the wiring chamber 340 communicates with the electric element chamber 350 through the second wiring groove 342. That is, the electric component chamber 350 and the water outlet chamber 320 are indirectly communicated through the wiring chamber 340, not directly communicated.
Even if water leakage occurs in the water outlet chamber 320, the leakage water is prevented from flowing into the inside of the electric component chamber 350 by the second partition 302, so that electric leakage and electric shock accidents which may occur when the electric component is in contact with the water leakage can be prevented.
The electric components in the electric component chamber 350 and the configuration provided in the water outlet chamber 320 are electrically connected by wires surrounding the first and second wiring grooves 341 and 342.
The first and second wire grooves 341 and 342 are formed at the wire compartment 340 side of the second separator 302 and the upper portion of the third separator 303, so that even if the water outlet chamber 320 leaks, the leaked water cannot overflow from the first and second wire grooves 341 and 342, respectively, and flow into the electric element chamber 350.
Further, as shown in fig. 9, the bottom surface of the wiring chamber 340 is formed lower than the electric element provided in the electric element chamber 350.
Specifically, as shown in the drawing, the electric element may be mounted at a position spaced apart from the bottom surface of the electric element chamber 350, or the bottom surface of the wiring chamber 340 may be formed lower than the bottom surface of the electric element chamber 350 to achieve a height difference.
Thus, even if water leaked from the water outlet chamber 320 overflows to the wiring chamber 340 through the first wiring groove 341, the water flowing into the wiring chamber 340 is difficult to overflow to the electric element chamber 350, so that leakage and electric shock accidents which may occur due to the overflow of water leakage and contact with the electric components of the control unit 351 can be further prevented.
< description of Water-out prevention and Water leakage prevention control method >
Hereinafter, a water leakage safety module and a water outlet operation and a water leakage prevention control method of an electric cooker including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 to 9 as described above again.
First, water is discharged through the tap 200 (S100).
By operating knob 240 of faucet 200 to turn handle 230, or by control unit 351 to open the outlet valve, water flows from the inlet pipe to shut-off valve 321, flow sensor and pressure sensor 322, then enters water inlet 212 of outlet pipe 210 and is discharged through water outlet 211.
Next, the pressure of the water flowing into the tap is detected by the pressure sensor 322 or the flow sensor (S200).
As described above, the water discharged from the water inlet pipe through the faucet 200 passes through the pressure sensor 322 and the flow sensor, the pressure sensor 322 detects the pressure variation of the water flowing from the water inlet pipe into the water inlet 212 as described above, the flow sensor detects the flow rate of the water, and the control unit determines whether the water is discharged based on the pressure variation detected by the pressure sensor 322 or the flow rate detected by the flow sensor.
Next, it is judged whether or not water leakage occurs by the capacitance sensor 325 or the water leakage sensor 324 (S300).
The capacitance sensor 325 or the water leakage sensor 324 detects whether water leakage occurs when the faucet 200 is out of water.
Specifically, when the water discharged from the tap 200 is not properly connected to the cooking vessel, or when a large amount of water is discharged into the cooking vessel and the water overflows, the water may flow on the top plate 140, and when the capacitance sensor 325 detects this, the control unit 351 will determine that water leakage occurs on the top plate 140.
On the other hand, when the faucet 200 is discharging water, if the inside of the housing 310 leaks due to poor connection between the water inlet pipe, the water inlet joint pipe 331, the shut-off valve 321, the pressure sensor 322, the water outlet joint pipe 323, and the water inlet 212 or due to malfunction of the respective accessories, the water leakage sensor 324 located inside the housing 310 will detect the water leakage condition, the control unit 351 will determine that the inside of the housing 310 leaks.
Next, the control unit 351 operates the shut-off valve 321 and blocks the discharge of water (S350).
As described above, when water leakage on the top plate 140 or inside the housing 310 is detected from the capacitance sensor 325 or the water leakage sensor 324, the control unit 351 operates the shut-off valve 321 and forcibly blocks the water tap 200 from water.
On the other hand, in a state where the water leakage is not detected by the capacitance sensor 325 or the water leakage sensor 324, it is judged whether or not the time when the flow rate of the water is detected by the flow sensor or the time when the pressure variation amount of the water is detected by the pressure sensor 322 exceeds the preset pressure variation exceeds the preset time (S400).
If no water leakage is detected by the capacitance sensor 325 or the water leakage sensor 324, the water outlet will continue without being blocked, and if the pressure variation amount of the water detected by the pressure sensor 322 exceeds a preset pressure variation amount or the time of the water flow detected by the flow sensor exceeds a preset time (for example, about 10 minutes), in which case the cooking vessel may be filled with water in general, or the user may forget to operate the tap 200 to turn off the water, or the handle 230 of the tap 200, etc. may be high, after which there is a concern that water leakage may occur on the top plate 140.
Accordingly, when the pressure sensor 322 or the flow sensor detects that the water outlet time exceeds the preset time, the control unit 351 operates the shut-off valve 321 to forcibly block the water from the faucet 200, so that water leakage can be prevented.
Alternatively, after a preset time, even if the amount of pressure change detected by the pressure sensor 322 is less than the preset amount of pressure change, if the flow sensor detects the flow of water, the control unit 351 operates the shut-off valve 321 to forcibly close the water discharged from the faucet 200.
That is, if the preset time is exceeded in the case where the pressure variation amount of the pressure sensor 322 is smaller than the preset pressure variation amount, it does not mean that no water leakage occurs, but rather that micro leakage where the pressure variation amount is smaller than the preset pressure variation amount occurs.
Therefore, even if the amount of pressure change detected by the pressure sensor 322 is smaller than the preset amount of pressure change, if the flow sensor detects the flow rate of water, water leakage, even a minute amount of leakage, can be prevented by blocking the water.
According to the control method of the water leakage safety module, water leakage caused by water outlet of the faucet can be detected when the electric cooker provided with the faucet is used, and electric leakage or electric shock accidents caused by water leakage can be prevented by forcibly interrupting water outlet when water leakage occurs.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments. That is, various changes and modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains without deviating from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and all such suitable changes and modifications are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.
Description of the reference numerals
100 main body
110 casing body
120 heating unit
130 frame
140 top plate
200 tap
210 outlet pipe
211 water outlet
212 water inlet
220 body
230 handle
240 knob
280 sealing member
290 butterfly nut
300 water leakage safety module
310 outer casing
320 outlet chamber
330 inlet chamber
340 wiring room
350 electrical component chamber
380 heat dissipation port
390 cover

Claims (8)

1. A water leakage safety module of an electric range including a tap, the water leakage safety module comprising:
a housing on which the faucet is mounted;
a water inlet located inside the housing, through which water is supplied to the faucet;
the capacitive sensor is positioned on the top plate side of the electric stove at one side of the shell and is used for detecting whether water leaks on the top plate;
the water leakage sensor is positioned in the shell and used for detecting whether the shell is leaked or not;
a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure variation of water flowing into the faucet from the water inlet; a water flow sensor for detecting a flow rate of water flowing from the water inlet into the faucet;
a shut-off valve for blocking water flowing into the faucet; and
a control unit located inside the housing, the control unit controlling the operation of the shut-off valve,
wherein the control unit operates the shut-off valve in the following case: when the flow rate of water is detected by the water flow rate sensor, the water flow rate is detected even after a preset time elapses in which no water leakage is detected by the capacitance sensor or the water leakage sensor even in a state in which the pressure variation exceeds a preset pressure variation, or in a state in which the pressure variation is smaller than a preset pressure variation.
2. The water leakage safety module according to claim 1, wherein,
the capacitive sensor is disposed on a side of the faucet remote from a heating unit disposed on the top plate.
3. The water leakage safety module according to claim 1, wherein,
the water leakage sensor is positioned at one side close to the water inlet pipe.
4. The water leakage safety module according to claim 1, wherein,
the bottom of the housing is inclined downward toward one side of the water leakage sensor.
5. The water leakage security module of claim 1, further comprising:
and a step portion located at a bottom of the housing for forming a step so that the water leakage sensor side is located at a lower position.
6. The water leakage safety module according to claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the shut-off valve when a preset time does not decrease to less than a preset pressure variation after the pressure variation of the water detected by the pressure sensor exceeds the preset pressure variation.
7. An electric cooker, comprising:
the water leakage safety module of any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. A control method of a water leakage safety module of an electric range including a water tap, the control method of the water leakage safety module comprising:
a step of discharging water flowing into a water inlet inside the shell through the tap;
b, detecting the pressure variation of the water flowing in through the tap and the flow of the water through a pressure sensor and a flow sensor;
c, when water leakage in the top plate or the shell is detected by the capacitance sensor or the water leakage sensor, the control unit operates the stop valve so as to block water flowing out from the water tap; and
d, under the condition that whether the water leakage inside the top plate or the shell is not detected by the capacitance sensor or the water leakage sensor, when the water flow sensor detects the water flow after the preset time and the pressure variation exceeds the preset pressure variation, or when the water flow sensor detects the water flow under the condition that the pressure variation is smaller than the preset pressure variation, the control unit operates the stop valve to block water outlet.
CN202080080881.6A 2019-11-22 2020-11-18 Water leakage safety module and electric stove comprising same Active CN114729527B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1020190151720A KR20210063153A (en) 2019-11-22 2019-11-22 Leakage safety module and controlling method of the same
KR10-2019-0151720 2019-11-22
KR1020190151721A KR20210063154A (en) 2019-11-22 2019-11-22 Leakage safety module comprising sensor and electric range comprising the same
KR10-2019-0151721 2019-11-22
PCT/KR2020/016267 WO2021101245A1 (en) 2019-11-22 2020-11-18 Water leak safety module and microwave oven comprising same

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN114729527A CN114729527A (en) 2022-07-08
CN114729527B true CN114729527B (en) 2024-01-09

Family

ID=75981400

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CN202080080881.6A Active CN114729527B (en) 2019-11-22 2020-11-18 Water leakage safety module and electric stove comprising same

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (1) CN114729527B (en)
WO (1) WO2021101245A1 (en)

Citations (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19724063A1 (en) * 1997-06-07 1998-12-24 Guenther Mayer Safety switching device for automatic switching of electrical circuits, water or gas lines
US5992218A (en) * 1997-08-25 1999-11-30 Tryba; Stephen A. Water leakage protector apparatus
JP2002364032A (en) * 2001-06-06 2002-12-18 San-Ei Faucet Mfg Co Ltd Receptacle for waterworks
KR100964959B1 (en) * 2009-08-31 2010-06-21 주식회사 엑스텍 Water supply distributor of box type and water supply equipment system using the same
KR20100130472A (en) * 2009-06-03 2010-12-13 주식회사 노비타 Water leakage sensor of bidet and method
KR20120101810A (en) * 2011-03-07 2012-09-17 박진서 Drip stop device structure for counter top type water purifier and mehtod thereof
CN103003499A (en) * 2010-01-14 2013-03-27 爱昭拓株式会社 Box-type distributor and plumbing system using same
WO2013049748A2 (en) * 2011-09-30 2013-04-04 Newcare Solutions, Llc. Sensors and monitoring systems comprising sensors
CN202882040U (en) * 2012-08-30 2013-04-17 黄守威 Intelligent household water leakage water-saving protector
CN103086527A (en) * 2011-11-02 2013-05-08 江苏正本净化节水科技实业有限公司 Leak-proof water purifier
CN103322417A (en) * 2012-03-20 2013-09-25 江苏正本净化节水科技实业有限公司 Water leakage protection device and water purification system adopting same, and water leakage prevention method of system
KR20130006458U (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-11-07 윤진호 All in one home appliances
CN104048089A (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-17 印地安纳马斯科公司 Integrated solenoid valve for an electronic faucet
CN104832961A (en) * 2015-05-12 2015-08-12 张勇 Electric ceramic furnace
CN104976518A (en) * 2015-06-08 2015-10-14 中国海洋石油总公司 Subsea pipeline leakage monitoring system
CN104990675A (en) * 2015-07-31 2015-10-21 储锦方 Detection method of fluid leakage and water leakage protector with application of detection method
CN204826058U (en) * 2015-07-31 2015-12-02 储锦方 Sensitive compact of response protector that leaks
CN105214500A (en) * 2015-10-09 2016-01-06 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Water purifier, water purifier water leakage protection device and control method
CN105353690A (en) * 2015-12-07 2016-02-24 福州锐洁源电子科技有限公司 Special water faucet for water purifier
KR20160097700A (en) * 2015-02-09 2016-08-18 엘지전자 주식회사 A cooking apparatus
DE202015104028U1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2016-11-04 Pipe Systems Gmbh Water leakage protection device for buildings
CN106123208A (en) * 2016-06-21 2016-11-16 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Dehumidifier water leakage detection device and method and dehumidifier
CN106480941A (en) * 2016-11-28 2017-03-08 西安工程大学 A kind of home-use water saving fixtures of cutting off the water supply
CN106641738A (en) * 2016-12-27 2017-05-10 上海科勒电子科技有限公司 Pipeline leakage monitoring method and control unit, device and system
KR20170001772U (en) * 2017-04-12 2017-05-22 김학규 Induction Range Including All-in-one Container support and Temperature Control Sensor
CN206709142U (en) * 2017-05-15 2017-12-05 深圳国创名厨商用设备制造有限公司 A kind of electromagnetic stove with weight measurement functionality
CN207262487U (en) * 2017-09-12 2018-04-20 南京佳乐船舶设备有限公司 A kind of ship electric stove
DE102017100416A1 (en) * 2017-01-11 2018-07-12 Eq-3 Holding Gmbh Method for detecting a leak, monitoring device and computer program for this purpose
CN207831431U (en) * 2017-11-17 2018-09-07 宁波市百斯麦瑞电器设备有限公司 A kind of multi-function electromagnetic rang
CN207966154U (en) * 2018-01-11 2018-10-12 厦门百霖净水科技有限公司 A kind of capacitive sensing leak alarm device
CN109199073A (en) * 2017-06-30 2019-01-15 佛山市顺德区美的电热电器制造有限公司 Leakage treatment device, cooking apparatus, leakage detection method and computer equipment
CN109237096A (en) * 2018-09-27 2019-01-18 浙江欧琳生活健康科技有限公司 A kind of automatic rotary faucet of detectable water quality
CN208687802U (en) * 2018-08-28 2019-04-02 天津市大唐富地商用厨具有限公司 A kind of stainless steel electromagnetism stir-fry furnace
KR101983660B1 (en) * 2018-08-29 2019-05-29 성백명 Leak detection apparatus

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20160125117A (en) * 2015-04-21 2016-10-31 엘지전자 주식회사 Smart faucet valve system and controlling the same

Patent Citations (34)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19724063A1 (en) * 1997-06-07 1998-12-24 Guenther Mayer Safety switching device for automatic switching of electrical circuits, water or gas lines
US5992218A (en) * 1997-08-25 1999-11-30 Tryba; Stephen A. Water leakage protector apparatus
JP2002364032A (en) * 2001-06-06 2002-12-18 San-Ei Faucet Mfg Co Ltd Receptacle for waterworks
KR20100130472A (en) * 2009-06-03 2010-12-13 주식회사 노비타 Water leakage sensor of bidet and method
KR100964959B1 (en) * 2009-08-31 2010-06-21 주식회사 엑스텍 Water supply distributor of box type and water supply equipment system using the same
CN103003499A (en) * 2010-01-14 2013-03-27 爱昭拓株式会社 Box-type distributor and plumbing system using same
KR20120101810A (en) * 2011-03-07 2012-09-17 박진서 Drip stop device structure for counter top type water purifier and mehtod thereof
WO2013049748A2 (en) * 2011-09-30 2013-04-04 Newcare Solutions, Llc. Sensors and monitoring systems comprising sensors
CN103086527A (en) * 2011-11-02 2013-05-08 江苏正本净化节水科技实业有限公司 Leak-proof water purifier
CN103322417A (en) * 2012-03-20 2013-09-25 江苏正本净化节水科技实业有限公司 Water leakage protection device and water purification system adopting same, and water leakage prevention method of system
KR20130006458U (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-11-07 윤진호 All in one home appliances
CN202882040U (en) * 2012-08-30 2013-04-17 黄守威 Intelligent household water leakage water-saving protector
CN104048089A (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-17 印地安纳马斯科公司 Integrated solenoid valve for an electronic faucet
KR20160097700A (en) * 2015-02-09 2016-08-18 엘지전자 주식회사 A cooking apparatus
CN104832961A (en) * 2015-05-12 2015-08-12 张勇 Electric ceramic furnace
CN104976518A (en) * 2015-06-08 2015-10-14 中国海洋石油总公司 Subsea pipeline leakage monitoring system
CN204826058U (en) * 2015-07-31 2015-12-02 储锦方 Sensitive compact of response protector that leaks
CN104990675A (en) * 2015-07-31 2015-10-21 储锦方 Detection method of fluid leakage and water leakage protector with application of detection method
DE202015104028U1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2016-11-04 Pipe Systems Gmbh Water leakage protection device for buildings
CN105214500A (en) * 2015-10-09 2016-01-06 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Water purifier, water purifier water leakage protection device and control method
CN105353690A (en) * 2015-12-07 2016-02-24 福州锐洁源电子科技有限公司 Special water faucet for water purifier
CN106123208A (en) * 2016-06-21 2016-11-16 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Dehumidifier water leakage detection device and method and dehumidifier
CN106480941A (en) * 2016-11-28 2017-03-08 西安工程大学 A kind of home-use water saving fixtures of cutting off the water supply
CN106641738A (en) * 2016-12-27 2017-05-10 上海科勒电子科技有限公司 Pipeline leakage monitoring method and control unit, device and system
DE102017100416A1 (en) * 2017-01-11 2018-07-12 Eq-3 Holding Gmbh Method for detecting a leak, monitoring device and computer program for this purpose
KR20170001772U (en) * 2017-04-12 2017-05-22 김학규 Induction Range Including All-in-one Container support and Temperature Control Sensor
CN206709142U (en) * 2017-05-15 2017-12-05 深圳国创名厨商用设备制造有限公司 A kind of electromagnetic stove with weight measurement functionality
CN109199073A (en) * 2017-06-30 2019-01-15 佛山市顺德区美的电热电器制造有限公司 Leakage treatment device, cooking apparatus, leakage detection method and computer equipment
CN207262487U (en) * 2017-09-12 2018-04-20 南京佳乐船舶设备有限公司 A kind of ship electric stove
CN207831431U (en) * 2017-11-17 2018-09-07 宁波市百斯麦瑞电器设备有限公司 A kind of multi-function electromagnetic rang
CN207966154U (en) * 2018-01-11 2018-10-12 厦门百霖净水科技有限公司 A kind of capacitive sensing leak alarm device
CN208687802U (en) * 2018-08-28 2019-04-02 天津市大唐富地商用厨具有限公司 A kind of stainless steel electromagnetism stir-fry furnace
KR101983660B1 (en) * 2018-08-29 2019-05-29 성백명 Leak detection apparatus
CN109237096A (en) * 2018-09-27 2019-01-18 浙江欧琳生活健康科技有限公司 A kind of automatic rotary faucet of detectable water quality

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN114729527A (en) 2022-07-08
WO2021101245A1 (en) 2021-05-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP2016524962A (en) Pressure cooker
EP1658798B1 (en) Steam generator for cooking apparatus
MX2014004317A (en) Tankless water heater.
EP3561393B1 (en) Cooking appliance
CN114729527B (en) Water leakage safety module and electric stove comprising same
CA2669565A1 (en) Cooking oven and method for operating the same
CN106461095B (en) Gas regulating valve, cooking range surface and gas stove
KR20160125926A (en) Water purifier including a heating passage heated by an induction heating apparatus
KR20210063153A (en) Leakage safety module and controlling method of the same
KR20210063154A (en) Leakage safety module comprising sensor and electric range comprising the same
KR20200141224A (en) Electric range capable of controlling water supplied according to container volume
KR20210063156A (en) Leakage safety module equiped fauset and electric range comprising the same
KR20210063155A (en) Leakage safety module and electric range comprising the same
KR101851865B1 (en) A combination cooker including induction heater
KR20210049511A (en) Leakage safety module comprising a fauset
KR102481604B1 (en) Combination cooking appliance
FR2899957A1 (en) Domestic baking oven for e.g. cooker, has power control device controlling electric heating element, gas supply management control device, and gas burner by switching unit, and control assembly controlling electric or gas baking oven
KR101847284B1 (en) Overheating prevention apparatus and cooking appliance therewith
JP6842317B2 (en) Steam generator
KR100221870B1 (en) Electric pressure cooker
KR20140048924A (en) Pot-type water purifier blocking a power of a pot
KR101264272B1 (en) Heating cooker
KR102248633B1 (en) System for controlling hybrid range hood system
KR102604562B1 (en) Cooking device for both induction stove and gas stove
KR980008904U (en) Automatic Thermostat of Gas Oven Range

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PB01 Publication
PB01 Publication
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
GR01 Patent grant
GR01 Patent grant