CN1258792C

CN1258792C - Improvements relating to thermally-responsive controls

Info

Publication number: CN1258792C
Application number: CN00809498.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·J·瓦尔福德
Original assignee: Otter Controls Ltd
Current assignee: Otter Controls Ltd
Priority date: 1999-04-26
Filing date: 2000-04-25
Publication date: 2006-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-25
Also published as: EP1173863B1; CN1358320A; AU4134400A; DE60015746D1; GB2349508A; WO2000065625A1; GB2349508B; ATE282245T1; EP1173863A1; DE60015746T2; GB9909563D0

Abstract

A bimetallic actuator has a dished, snap-acting, bimetal held in a spring metal carrier with its convex surface uppermost in the cold condition of the bimetal, and the carrier is adapted to be biased against a heated surface with a force sufficient to flatten the bimetal. The carrier is arranged to deform under the application of this force and, in doing so, to apply stresses to the bimetal such as to raise its operating temperature above that at which it would operate in stand alone condition. The carrier furthermore spaces the bimetal periphery from the heated surface, even when the bimetal is in its cold condition, and is substantially flattened against the heated surface, so that additional movement is obtained from the bimetal when it snaps to its opposite curvature. A thermally-responsive control incorporating such an actuator is better able to operate with modern thick film heating elements.

Description

Thermally-responsive controls

Technical field

The present invention relates to the improvement of thermally-responsive controls, specifically, relate to the improvement of the bimetal controller that is used to control the electric heating element operation, in this electric heating element, a bimetallic actuator and a heating element thermo-contact that its temperature is had induction is installed.This bimetal controller is well-known, particularly is applied in the hot-water heating system, as electric heating utensil and hot-water bottle.

Background technology

Heating element overtemperature protection is controlled at household utensil and the hot-water bottle field is widely used, and they are overheated through being usually used in preventing that heating element energising before vessel or hot-water bottle are not full of water from causing.Sort controller uses the quick-action bimetallic actuator usually, and the quick-action actuator comprises a butterfly shaped dual metal sheet element, can carry out quick-action between two relative dish-shaped positions.

The motion that simple dish-shaped circular bimetal leaf produces during quick-action between relative disc structure is subjected to the bimetal leaf geometry and simply limits.In order to strengthen the motion that obtains, in the controller of our processing, use nicked bimetal leaf usually, form one or several tongue component from its edge.Early stage this bimetal leaf described at GB2117568, is rectangle, is with a U-shaped otch.Subsequently, described at GB2097920, use one with an annular plug-in strip near the otch of C shape.Recently, as in GB2194099, having described our initial X1 or Gemini controller, used rectangle bimetal leaf with X-shaped otch.Use in this controller that has increased the bimetal leaf that moves at some, bimetal leaf is installed by its edge, and the free-ended motion of the tongue piece that stretches out is used for switching manipulation, and other bimetal leaf is installed by its tongue piece, and utilizes the motion at its edge.Octter Controls X series controller belongs to the previous case, and the controller that Strix Limited produces belongs to latter event, as, the controller of in WO 98/30066, describing.Below will be by in detail with reference to the previous case, and with reference to our X series controller present invention is described, certainly can understand, the present invention is not limited to this device, also is suitable for the preferred another kind of erecting device of Strix Limited.

In the X1 controller of in GB2194099, describing, referring to its Fig. 3 A, 3B and 3C, the bimetal leaf with essentially rectangular of central X-shaped otch is installed on the spring biased elastomeric material support,, be pushed to heating element so that heating element to be installed on the convenient controller.Support is made with the selected material that can soften under predetermined temperature or melt, therefore the switch that when bimetal leaf complete failure, can link in the overheated situation lower-pilot of heating element, temp of heating element continues to raise as a result, and support is pressed the skew spring of directed heating element and collapsed.Support pressed to collapse be arranged to influence second controlled function.X1 controller and offspring's product X2 thereof and X3 controller are well-known.The X2 controller is substantially as describing in GB2283156, and the X3 controller is as describing in GB2248724.

In the design of X1 bimetal plate bracket, bimetal leaf is placed simply, its convex surface is towards heating element, when running into relative curved surface, the bimetal leaf quick-action realizes motion, core moves to controller, and the edge moves to the heating element surface rapidly, so that a support to be provided, against producing power output thereon.Because X1, can obtain enough heat conduction to this method that the distortion of heating element head compensates and move to satisfy controlled function, can improve heat conduction although it has been generally acknowledged that if bimetal leaf can more closely be pressed on the heater.In the design of X3, the bight that is chosen in bimetal leaf settles little clamp that it is remained on the support, owing to use flat heating element, preferably no longer is provided at the quick-acting slice on the most advanced and sophisticated X1 controller that is provided with of push rod, so as not to the heating element surface disturbance.Clamp can make bimetal leaf and heating element separate, and makes X3 response ratio X1 when beginning slow.In order to overcome this point, be provided with step in the clamp back, so that bimetal leaf can be clipped between step and the clamp.Can prevent that like this bimetal leaf from removing from heating element, therefore heat conduction be changed back to the level of X1.Yet, it has been generally acknowledged that, wish to avoid bimetal leaf is pressed on the heating element, so that be unlikely to make its pressurized to change the temperature of setting.Use clamp that a pennies from heaven is arranged, they support the bight after the bimetal leaf back-flexing, core can more effectively be moved.

The controller initial design of X series becomes, and uses traditional heating element that adds shell, and it is used for immersion or underground heating mode.The appearance of the X4 controller of describing along with thick-film heating element and UK Patent Application 9909171.2 is avoided in life of product in the phase and the level that the needed bimetal leaf design temperature of operation failure has reached processing difficulties especially occurs after the heating element fouling.In addition, the response speed of bimetal leaf depends on the temperature of its setting, and it is slow more to set high more response.Therefore, the bimetal leaf design temperature is enough low to be used for the economy processing of bimetal leaf and to set enough height avoiding having produced contradiction between the operating trouble making for we, and, caused tight machining tolerance.In addition, X4 does not have the advantage of the distortion of floating bracket absorber element, therefore has to optimize moving of bimetal leaf, to guarantee to open the contact.Opposite with the locking pattern, the special like this circulation pattern that meets.In X4, the bight of bimetal leaf keeps by the metal clamps of extremely thin (0.2mm), and as the situation of X3, how many clamps do not increase to effectively moving of bimetal leaf.

Summary of the invention

Main purpose of the present invention is to overcome or remarkable at least minimizing problem above-mentioned.This is intended to by improving heat conduction between the bimetallic actuator and the mobile above-mentioned purpose that is achieved of optimizing this actuator.

In order to overcome these problems of X4 controller, we provide the step that increases in the bight of X4 installation clip, move with bight and the effective of raising bimetal leaf who supports bimetal leaf.In addition, we also provide on clamp, bimetal leaf are pressed to the structure of heating element when controller uses.The application point of the power that these structures apply is in the inboard of bight step, so force couple role is on bimetal leaf.Trend towards increasing the bending of bimetal leaf like this, correspondingly improve its operating temperature.Yet the bending of Zeng Jiaing resists mutually with the heating element surface in use, and therefore, the power that acts on the bimetal leaf causes bimetal leaf to flatten on the heating element surface.The distortion that acts on power on the bimetal leaf and bimetal leaf has two results: first, effective design temperature of bimetal leaf is improved, therefore can use more practicable lower processing unit (plant), and can avoid operation failure, secondly, bimetal leaf flattens on the heating element surface and causes, and improves many heat conduction that provide than fast-response.In fact, response faster compensation making temperature widely increases, and also is to realize the higher opposing to operational failure, and the while controller moves faster.

Therefore, the present invention proposes a kind of thermally-responsive controls, it contacts with a flat heating element arranges so that in response to the temperature of this heating element, this controller comprises the quick-action heat-sensitive duplex metal actuator of a dish, this bimetallic actuator is installed on the support like this, promptly under cold conditions, can make the front surface of the projection of this bimetallic actuator be oriented to contact with this heating element, this support can make this bimetallic actuator be crushed on this heating element with such power, promptly effectively be positioned to when this heating element contacts when this controller, this power is enough to the front surface of the described projection of this bimetallic actuator is flattened on flat heating element, and this support limits a plurality of isolated and be used for the mounting portion of this bimetallic actuator, each described mounting portion comprises the edge of front surface of the described projection that is used to make this bimetallic actuator and the flat isolated marginating compartment of this heating element mechanism, be used for also cooperating the mechanism that acts on the couple on this bimetallic actuator with formation with this marginating compartment mechanism when this bimetallic actuator is crushed on this heating element thus to the rear surface application of force of this bimetallic actuator, this couple has increased near the bending of this bimetallic actuator this edge.

In thermally-responsive controls according to the present invention, this support is made by spring metal.In addition, this bimetallic actuator is rectangular substantially, this marginating compartment mechanism substantially some bights of this bimetallic actuator have on some described bights that are positioned at described bimetallic actuator on put part and be positioned at other underlying part under the described bimetallic actuator, this bimetallic actuator is supported on this support described and puts between part and the described underlying part.In addition, this underlying part rear surface with this bimetallic actuator on more such positions of this support contacts, be these positions inboard with should on to put part spaced apart with the front surface position contacting of this bimetallic actuator, each described underlying part and described on put spacing partly and be suitable for when this support is out of shape on this heating element because of being crushed on, making this bimetallic actuator bear described couple.In addition, described marginating compartment mechanism comprises and should put extension and the boss that contact with the described front surface of described bimetallic actuator of part downwards from described support.

Description of drawings

For the present invention is better understood, an embodiment is described below with reference to accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of the X4 controller of our UK Patent Application 9909171.2;

Fig. 2 A, 2B and 2C are different perspective views and the end view that is used for according to the elastic metallic bracing frame of the bimetal leaf of the improved X4 controller of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows when the X4 controller that uses shown in Fig. 1, the view of the power that the bimetal leaf bracing frame of Fig. 2 A, 2B and 2C produces;

Embodiment

At first, with reference to figure 1, what illustrate is our X4 controller described in UK Patent Application 9909171.2 herein, more detailed than description herein to its reference.This controller is used for wireless connections for 360 ° of whole insertion connectors, and inserting (socket) connector with our C54 serve as that the basis is applicable to that our CP7 exports (plug) connector, and the heating element protector.360 ° of jack connetors illustrate at Fig. 1, integral body of first and second bimetal leaf overfire protection controllers formation that it and reference number 2 and 3 are represented.When the temp of heating element rising surpasses to a certain degree, controller 2 respectively can be by the power supply of jack connetor 1 disconnection to relevant heating element (not shown) with 3, for example, because hot water vessel switch opens when not having topped up with water of heating element is installed, perhaps do not have lid or open to allow it boil dry because of having boiled alternatively, therefore in vessel, be provided with the reject steam transducer.

These two bimetal leafs can be set to work when same temperature; perhaps; be preferably in the temperature difference between the setting of two bimetal leafs; so that one as dry combustion method protector proper function and can reset automatically; and another provides the collateral protection unit; had only when the dry combustion method protector lost efficacy, the collateral protection unit just works under higher temperature, and another bimetal leaf can be provided under its condition of work and can lock.As describing in our UK Patent Application 9909171.2, controller 2 all will be connected with a fastener with 3 any or two, so that can reset by the wireless device that removes connection from base, then with its replacement; GB2176055 has disclosed this conception of species first; promptly when bimetal leaf heating element overtemperature protection controller during in response to the overtemperature measured; lock this bimetal leaf heating element overtemperature protection controller, and can come it is reset by the plug and the jack connetor that disconnect and reconnect this device.

Controller 2 and 3 respectively has the bimetal leaf 4 of a general rectangular, it forms the opening 5 that an X-shaped is arranged as shown in the figure, each bimetal leaf all is supported on respectively on the spring metal support 6, support is fixed on the elasticity die cavity of X4 controller on (lower) plane, there is definite shape opposite end on another (higher) plane, and it is used for fixing and supports the opposite end of bimetal leaf.They not only can be allowed the method for this support bimetal leaf because the change in size between a heating element and another heating element that inevitable mismachining tolerance causes can also make them allow in operating process because the distortion of heat expansion/heating element that the shrinkage effect causes.Each bimetal leaf has the push rod (not shown) of a connection, when bimetal leaf (when its curved surface during) under the state of cooling during to the hot state quick-action of its opposite curvature to the heating element rat that links to each other, make the setting of each switch contact point that controller is interior open, therefore cut off the electric current feed path by controller.In a particularly preferred device, have at least a bimetal leaf mounting spring integrally to form with the device of crossing the center that becomes the interface with push rod, so that when bimetal leaf is operated, push rod is locked at the position of its operation at its low side.According to top description, just can provide a kind of device that can reset this locking device by the wireless device on raising and the replacement base.

At last, about the X4 controller in our UK Patent Application 9909171.2, as can be seen from Figure 1, generator 7 is used for directly being connected with the controller of steam induction control, as the Z5 steam inductor of describing in our UK Patent Application 9811400.2.

With reference now to Fig. 2 A,, 2B and 2C, what illustrate is the refill-unit that is used for device bimetal leaf mounting bracket 6 shown in Figure 1 herein, thought according to the present invention is with its configuration.Perspective view when Fig. 2 A shows support 10 and can appear on the controller, Fig. 2 B is the perspective view of counter-rotating, Fig. 2 C is the end view of bimetal leaf 4 support 10 when being supported on the support.

Fig. 2 A illustrates spring metal support 10, comprise a position base 12 that is generally rectangle, it has long side 13, its perforate on position 14 is used to be installed in the elastomeric material main body of X4 controller, it also has short side 15, end at upstanding portion 16, the top of upstanding portion is the

structure division

17,18 and 19 that usually inwardly stretches.

Part

17,18 is positioned at the bight of spring support, and at its free end, it ends at and is generally flat part 20, is the finger of dangling 21 of stretching downwards from this part outer.As the support described in our UK Patent Application of mentioning in front 9909171.2, when bimetal leaf is rack-mount, part 20 covers the bight of bimetal leaf, and finger 21 is used for fixing vertical edge of bimetal leaf, and part 19 keeps into the position below bimetal leaf and with it.This can see that bimetal leaf is represented with reference number 30 at Fig. 2 C herein.

At Fig. 2 A, also show the structure that boss or sharp platform 22 are set among 2B and the 2C on the part 20 of stand spring 10, sharp platform stretches out with following bimetal leaf from part 20 and contacts.These sharp platforms 22 serve a dual purpose inwardly according to the invention, be that they can increase from moving that bimetal leaf obtains, and as hereinafter described, assisting when using controller makes bimetal leaf smooth, it is made bimetal leaf more smooth than the curved surface under its normal static situation by enough defeating on heating element.In this connects, it should be noted that the spring section 19 of support 10 and the contact point of bimetal leaf are in the inside of this position (with respect to the longitudinal axis of bimetal leaf), sharp platform 22 contacts with bimetal leaf.

With reference to figure 3, the figure shows when bimetal leaf 30 by one be enough to make the bimetal leaf curved surface smooth defeat to heating element surface 50 time situation.There is shown sharp platform 22 and its position 100, apply power at 19 pairs of bimetal leafs of this position spring holder part, can see, these positions are in the inside of sharp platform 22 with the contact point of bimetal leaf, so that illustrated couple 200 is applied on the bimetal leaf.

The additional bimetal leaf that obtains with regard to the structure by sharp platform 22 moves, and as can be seen from Figure 3, under the bimetal leaf cooling condition (condition shown in the figure), the end of bimetal leaf 30 contacts with sharp platform point.When the bimetal leaf quick-action when its heating condition, in Fig. 3,, can see with label 30 ' represent, the bimetal leaf end by sharp platform 22 lift to heating element above, make that like this mobile phase when the mobile ratio of bimetal leaf does not provide sharp platform 22 should increase.

The bimetal leaf curved surface is flattened on the heating element surface be, by being installed on the heating element, realizes by controller, therefore bimetal leaf mounting bracket 10 bears sizable power, about 800 grams, this power opposing bimetal leaf is bent downwardly the

part

17 and 18 of support, produces reaction force 100 and makes bimetal leaf smooth from part 19 simultaneously.As noted earlier, be applied to the effect of the power on the bimetal leaf, and resist the smooth of heating element, make the effective design temperature of heating element improve, therefore, can use device more practical, low processing request, simultaneously still can avoid operation failure, and increase the thermo-contact of bimetal leaf and heating element, produce response faster, be enough to remedy the raising of design temperature like this, the result has in fact obtained higher anti-operation failure effect.

For fear of suspection, inefficacy is operating as when relevant device normally seethes with excitement operation, the temperature that the setting operation temperature of controller is born near controller very much so that controller can only operate, rather than only responds just operation under the heating element overheated condition under normal boiling condition.The inefficacy tripping operation problem of heating element overtemperature protection controller is; owing to the generation of calcareous dirt on the heating element worsens; because lime scale can make heating element and hydro-thermal insulation to be heated; therefore heating element has to operate under higher temperature; so that water boiling, the difference between the design temperature that the normal boiling temperature that has reduced heating element like this and element protection are controlled.

The present invention is described by reference example, should be understood that can make improvements and change and do not exceed scope of the present invention.For example, although Fig. 2 is A, the spring metal bimetal plate bracket of 2B and 2C does not have the whole mechanism of crossing the center, and as the embodiment described in our UK Patent Application 9909171.2, it also can have such structure.

Claims

1. a thermally-responsive controls (2), it contacts with a flat heating element arranges so that in response to the temperature of this heating element, this thermally-responsive controls comprises the quick-action heat-sensitive duplex metal actuator (4) of a dish, and this bimetallic actuator is installed in a support (6 like this; 10) on, promptly under cold conditions, can make the front surface of the projection of this bimetallic actuator be oriented to contact this support (6 with this heating element; 10) this bimetallic actuator (4) is crushed on this heating element with such power, promptly effectively be positioned to when this heating element contacts when this thermally-responsive controls (2), this power is enough to the front surface of the described projection of this bimetallic actuator (4) is flattened on this flat heating element, and this support (6; 10) limit a plurality of isolated and be used for the mounting portion (16 of this bimetallic actuator (4), 17,18,19), each described mounting portion (16,17,18,19) comprise the edge of front surface of the described projection that is used to make this bimetallic actuator (4) and the flat isolated marginating compartment of this heating element mechanism, be used for the rear surface application of force of this bimetallic actuator (4) and cooperate the force application mechanism that acts on the couple on this bimetallic actuator (4) with formation with this marginating compartment mechanism can be crushed on this heating element in this bimetallic actuator (4) thus the time, this couple has increased near the bending of this bimetallic actuator this edge.

2. according to the described thermally-responsive controls of claim 1, it is characterized in that this support is made by spring metal.

3. according to the described thermally-responsive controls of claim 2, it is characterized in that, this bimetallic actuator (4) is rectangular, each described mounting portion of this support (10) some bights of this bimetallic actuator (4) have on some described bights that are positioned at described bimetallic actuator and as described marginating compartment mechanism on put part (20) and be positioned under the described bimetallic actuator (4) and as the underlying part (19) of described force application mechanism, this bimetallic actuator (4) is supported on puts part (20) and described underlying partly between (19) on this support (10) described.

4. according to the described thermally-responsive controls of claim 3, it is characterized in that, the described underlying part (19) of the described mounting portion of this support (10) rear surface with this bimetallic actuator (4) on more such positions contacts, be that these positions are spaced apart with the front surface position contacting of this bimetallic actuator (4) with putting part (20) on described in the inboard, each described underlying part (19) and described on put partly that the spacing of (20) is suitable for making this bimetallic actuator (4) bear described couple when this support (10) is out of shape on this heating element because of being crushed on.

5. according to claim 3 or 4 described thermally-responsive controls, it is characterized in that described marginating compartment mechanism comprises should put extension and the boss (22) that contact with the described front surface of described bimetallic actuator (4) of part (20) downwards from described support (10).