CN1748278A - Improvements relating to the control of electric heating elements - Google Patents

Abstract

A heating element overtemperature protection (dry boil) control for a cordless water heating appliance has a pair of dished, snap-acting bimetallic discs spring mounted on one face of the control to be juxtaposed with the underside of a planar heating element and, on an opposite face of the control, has a 360< DEG > power input connector designed to be powered by way of a complementary 360< DEG > power output connector mounted in a power base of the appliance. The bimetals each operate a respective set of switch contacts via a trip-lever and a spring wire latching arrangement operates to prevent the trip-lever from resetting once the respective bimetal has reset. A cam is provided in the 360< DEG > power input connector part of the control and is coupled to the spring wire latching arrangements so that the act of disconnecting the power input connector from the power base output connector, by lifting the appliance proper off its base, releases the spring wires and allows the trip levers to reset. A steam control can also be provided which acts upon the dry boil switch contacts. The mounting arrangement of the bimetals provides compliance and optimum switch-actuating movement.

Description

The improvement that the controller of electrical heating elements is relevant

Technical field

The present invention relates to the relevant improvement of electrical heating elements controller; particularly; with be used under the situation about being elevated at temp of heating element on the lsafety level limit to turn off with the cross heat controller of electric current supply to electrical heating elements, such controller is commonly referred to element protection device controller.

Background technology

Element protection device controller uses usually in the water heater tool, such as kettle and thermos, but also is widely used on other family and the commercial Application.In following, the present invention is also especially with reference to the controller of the electrical heating elements of kettle of using in the family and thermos, but should be appreciated that the present invention has widely uses.

Being used for the kettle of family and the electrical heating elements of thermos is such type traditionally, comprise: be contained in the resistance heating wire within the elongated tubular product such sheath of stuffed mineral insulating material, the heating element of such band sheath uses usually in immersing heating arrangement, in described structure, suitable heating element is attached plate to the end, described plate makes heating element attached in the vessel wall, and suitable heating element is immersed in the vessel contents (vessel contents).The configuration of the heating element under plane or the floor is also known to be comprised: the heating element with band sheath clamps or the plate of the basal surface of holding with a firm grip as described above, described plate is manufactured from aluminium usually, and this type of heating element is used as the part of water heating electrical appliance, and also as the hot plate that is used for using, for example in coffee maker with independent hydrophone ware.

Particularly, the so-called thick film heating element that has resistance heating trace or form the electrical insulation substrate of layer thereon that comprises has attracted the attention of the manufacturer of the electronic water heater tool of family, especially consider and compare this type of the power density of heating element with above-mentioned more traditional heating element, this means that water can be heated more apace with increase.

Bimetallic element protector controller is used to protect the heating element of traditional band sheath traditionally; have and immerse heating type and plane or base plate (underfloor) type, and bimetallic element protector controller is suggested with the thick film heating element and uses.Such bimetallic element protector controller generally includes the bimetal release starting component, and described bimetal release starting component is arranged to keep become heat transfer closely to concern with electrical heating elements, and by push rod operation pair of switches contact.The suggestion that unnecessary one the bimetal release starting component that becomes the close thermal transmission relation with electrical heating elements is provided is suggested; principle for this is the two sides; the protection level of main and auxiliary (perhaps backup) promptly is provided; even fail safe also is guaranteed under the unlikely situation that major control is not operated like this; even and/or on the position of a plurality of heating elements, provide surface that hot sensing operates in inclination with utensil (for example; home-use draining board) also guarantees safety on; if utensil is boiled dry like this; specific part (higher part) will be boiled dry and remaining heating element surface of overheated while still covers water, and be in like this on the normal operating temperature.

Be used to provide other suggestion of main and auxiliary protection to utilize to be used to bimetal release starting component that main protection is provided and have fusion temperature is used to provide auxiliary protection on the temperature of main bimetallic normal running fusible element.

For example, respectively with reference to the dual bimetallic element protector controller of British patent No.2176055 and 2194099 and incorporate the controller that combines with the fusible element auxiliary protection into.Other such layout is disclosed among the British patent No.2299454 and 2181598 of Strix Limited.

Foregoing element protection controller is suggested with being with cord (corded) and alternating current-direct current double-purpose type (cordless) water heater tool to use; as well-known; have integrated current and supply with the band cord utensil and the alternating current-direct current double-purpose type utensil of electric wire or cable and comprise base unit and suitable utensil, base unit be the band cord and the interoperability electric connector is set on the suitable utensil and base portion on so that heating element in utensil by base portion at suitable utensil by reasonably relative base portion arrangement.It is effectively suitably to be connected in order to carry out that alternating current-direct current double-purpose type utensil and their cooperation electric connector begin, the relative base portion of suitable utensil is set to downwards on its base portion on predetermined relative orientation, but such shortcoming and be inconvenient to be realized and cause developing 360 degree connector groups, in other words, the cooperation base portion and make suitable utensil downwards relative base portion no matter it rotates and is orientated and is arranged on suitable utensil connector on its base portion.

For example, can be respectively with reference to the alternating current-direct current double-purpose type connected system of British patent No.2241390 and 2285716, it needs relative its base portion to have the specific orientation and the 360 degree alternating current-direct current double-purpose type connected systems of suitable utensil.Other such layout is disclosed among the patent application No.2263364 and international monopoly publication No.WO95/08204 of Strix Limited.

Russell Hobbs Millenium ^TMKettle be the example of last sale, and be with thick film (film) heating element and 360 degree cordless technology and the combined very successful products of bimetallic heating element protective device.We have proposed to be used for unify our the difference suggestion of X2 series of elements protector controller combination of the CS4/CP7360 degree alternating current-direct current double-purpose type connector family of our current manufacturing, and the example of these suggestions is illustrated in our UK Patent Application No.2 306 801.As is known; knot effect bimetal release actuator is taken in X2 element protection device controller utilization in our UK Patent Application No.2 315 366 and 2 248724; be used to the protection that provides main; and have the bimetallic that is installed in the collapsible thermoplastic carrier and be used to provide protection auxiliary or backup, it is operated under the situation of the failure of main protection.

The element protection device controller of our X4 series is developed as X2 controller follow-up and has currently been obtained suitable business success.The X4 controller is described in UK Patent Application No.2 339 088 substantially.So illustrated in the file; the design of X4 controller can many different forms be implemented; all these are integrated with heating element overtemperature protection device and 360 degree power input connectors, and described 360 degree power input connectors are designed to cooperate with the supplemental capacity out connector of alternating current-direct current double-purpose type appliance base.In a version, the bimetallic actuator that separates determines to be arranged on the condition of the set of switch contacts in the controller to determine whether power can be fed into heating element through the overpower input connector by described controller.In other version, one of bimetallic actuator is replaced by fusible component.In these versions arbitrary, can hold a kind of layout, utensil heating element overheated will cause the operation of bimetallic actuator will interrupt power source path to heating element thus, and described system latchs under inoperable condition then, but can be reset by suitable utensil is lifted from its base portion, get back to its base portion then.All versions provide the steam controller, and the Z5 steam controller described in our UK Patent Application No.2 331 848 is to be connected to element protection device controller.

Fig. 4 A-4D of our UK Patent Application No.2 339 088 has shown such mechanism: in a single day activate thus, bimetallic must be reset, and described like this controller can supply to power supply the heating element that accompanies.Bimetallic 16 is installed in the spring metal carrier, and with reference to figure 3A, 3B, it also is used as center (overcentre) mechanism excessively of push rod 26.Camming parts 41 are accommodated in the chamber 40, and described chamber is formed in the 360 degree power input connectors parts of described controller and moves freely within described chamber.Opening 42 in the wall of power input connector part allows camming parts 41 to be projected into the circular passage 43 from its accommodating chamber, described circular passage 43 appears within the power input connector part, and it is occupied to pass through the additional part 44 of base unit power output connector when two connectors suitably cooperate.Push rod 26 is associated with bimetallic 16 and is used for operating sheet spring 14 to determine the condition of one group of switch contact.

As proving absolutely among the UK Patent Application No.2 339 088, the specific shape of camming parts 41 and its layout in described controller guarantee when response heating element overheated condition its not with bimetallic devices 16, the operation interference of crossing central authority and push rod 26.But, when suitable utensil is lifted from its base portion, the power output connector part makes camming parts 41 can adjust its position accommodating chamber and be orientated to such degree from the removing of power input connector part of described controller: when suitable utensil is set on its base portion then downwards, a power output connector part 44 partly that enters the power input connector circular passage 43 partly of described controller is met with camming parts 41, driving itself and push rod 26 matches to merge drive push rod to reset central authority and to reset bimetallic devices 16, if it is not reseted automatically when its temperature cooling.

The controller similar to our X4 controller is by the U18 controller produce and market of Strix Limited as them.This is described in international monopoly publication No.WO 95/34187.The U18 controller has two bimetallic devices of separating, the temperature of each response heating element, and described controller and described heating element link, and each bimetallic devices is determined the state of each set of switch contacts in the described controller.Two bimetallic devices are connected to the mechanism that exceeds body, and it has manual retrievable reseting.The U18 controller has also obtained suitable business success.

The industry that we and Strix Limited are managed is promoted by large volume and low cost, and constantly makes great efforts to improve the controller that is provided for utensil manufacturer.The present invention is that we carry out such further work and obtain: with 360 degree alternating current-direct current double-purpose type connected systems with provide the element protection device controller of multilevel protection integrated; in particular for using with the plane heating element; described plane heating element comprises the thick film heating element and comprises the heating element of planar substrate, and described planar substrate has band cover heating element and is installed in the downside or on the downside.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect of the invention, purpose for the improvement of the X4 series controller that keeps improveing us, replace above-mentioned camming mechanism by optional mechanism, still depend in removing from its base portion simultaneously and reset at suitable utensil with alternating current-direct current double-purpose type utensil, be no longer dependent on the camming parts of the given shape of X4 controller, but the more simple camming of utilization mechanism, still depend on the decoupling of each 360 degree connector part, with operating spring wire bolt mechanism, wherein bimetallic devices causes the switching manipulation parts to move relative to wire of spring to the response of heating element overheated condition, described like this wire moves to its position that stops the switching manipulation parts to be replied, and wherein in order to reset, cam mechanism mobile spring wire also makes the suitable utensil of switching manipulation unit response be reset from removing of its base portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, described embodiment will be elaborated in the back, take the current collector that knot effect bimetallic devices is arranged to operate by pivot trip rod (trip lever) one group of switch contact, aforesaid wire of spring uses trip rod towards the contact bias voltage, described layout is such: the response overheated condition also is seated in alternating current-direct current double-purpose type utensil on its power base, bimetallic devices will cause trip rod to move, and cause the relative trip rod of wire of spring to move to it thus and stop that trip rod motion gets back in the position of its initial position.Arrange by this, look the state of described controller, trip rod is opened under the condition by bolt in switch activated, contact.In order to make described mechanism from then on be reset by the bolt condition, simple camming parts are set up, it is projected in the appliance power input connector part, and when lifting from its power base, utensil is released, make wire of spring rebound thus and leave its blocking position, allow the pivot trip rod under the action of switch contact, to be returned to its initial position thus.

Additional features of the present invention is the simplification of bimetallic devices.And in the X4 controller, in UK Patent Application No.2 339 088, bimetallic devices is specific shape, usually (dished) of rectangle, concave, take knot effect bimetallic element and have X-shaped circuit breaker (cut-out) usually in their centre, the present invention advises utilizing the bi-metal plate of more simple concave.The bi-metal plate of aforesaid concave has less interstitial hole, and described interstitial hole receives on an end of mounting spring installs finger piece, and an other end of spring is captured in the formation thing in the moulded plastics body part that is formed at described controller.

According to this aspect of the invention, the installed part that is used for concave bimetal release actuator comprises the spring metal parts, have be suitable for the first of extending by the opening in the concave bimetallic actuator be suitable for or contact the second portion of bimetallic actuator adjacent to the edge on the side, described layout is such, has the bimetallic actuator that is mounted under its colder condition, to have its recessed surface towards the monitored surface of its temperature, the girth of described second portion bias voltage bimetallic actuator contacts with described surface, the rising that responds the temperature on described surface when bimetallic actuator changes in its relative concave state thus, a side of described bimetallic actuator will be by described spring metal parts described second portion towards described surperficial bias voltage, the opposite flank of bimetallic devices is elevated on the described surface.

Second portion arrangement bi-metal plate and principle that the first of spring metal parts is used for relative spring metal installing component are metal flange simply, and it cooperates with opening in bimetallic devices.But, use such layout, will not have parts can be before whole assembling relatively its temperature controlled surface (for example heating element surface) stopped bi-metal plate dismantling from the spring metal installing component.For the reason of this and other, the first of spring metal parts preferably at its free end clasp joint so that bi-metal plate is held in place.This has additional advantage and is to switch to its relative concave structure when bi-metal plate, by the part of clasp joint in bimetallic devices be heated between the surface and, increased like this from the obtainable motion of actuator as fulcrum.

The steam controller can be the part of described controller; the steam controller; as in the U18 of StrixLimited controller; the bimetallic element that comprises the other center that was connected to yoke mechanism, the described center yoke mechanism of crossing is arranged to operate the one group of switch contact that links with described or each heating element overtemperature protection bimetallic devices.When two or more such bimetallic devices were provided, preferably the one group of switch contact that links with one of each bimetallic devices was operated by the steam controlling organization before another one.Arrange that by this power supply can disconnect to the medial side of utensil heating element before wire side (line side) is switched.

Above-mentioned and additional features of the present invention will be described in will describing in described claim and will and revising in exemplary embodiments of the present invention in more detail, and it is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 implements the plan view from above that typical heating element of the present invention is crossed heat controller, and this view has shown the described controller under its condition that will adopt the alternating current-direct current double-purpose type utensil that removes from its power base usually;

Fig. 2 is when utensil is set to its power base downwards, the plan view from above of the normal condition of the controller of key diagram 1;

Fig. 3 is the plan view from above that the condition of Fig. 1,2 controller has been described when having responded the heating element overheated condition, the trip rod that bimetallic devices operation in the controller is associated, in the operation control each energising (live) and neutral current path thus, wire of spring part is mobile to prevent that trip rod from reseting;

Fig. 4 is the viewgraph of cross-section of Fig. 1,2 and 3 controller;

Fig. 5 is the face upwarding view of modification of the controller of Fig. 1-4 of comprising vapor sensor;

Fig. 6 is the signal lateral plan that is presented at the concave bimetallic actuator of original embodiment that describes under its colder condition, keeps will contacting by the surface of spring metal installing component monitoring with its temperature;

Fig. 7 has shown that wherein bimetallic actuator is not tied in its relative concave structure but also take by the layout of Fig. 6 in the heated condition in described surface; And

Fig. 8 has shown the layout that bimetallic actuator is therein taken the Fig. 6 under the condition of tying in its relative concave structure.

Embodiment

With reference to Fig. 1, shown herein embodiments of the invention are that integrated heating element is crossed heat controller (doing the boiling controller otherwise will be known as) and 360 degree appliance power input connectors.This embodiment is used for using with alternating current-direct current double-purpose type utensil, particularly alternating current-direct current double-purpose type insulating pot or thermos, and as the power supply input connector of suitable utensil, complementation 360 degree power output connectors on the power base that is arranged on alternating current-direct current double-purpose type utensil obtain its energy, and as such controller, described controller is used for opening for example at first not filling the utensil of water the supply of cutting out under described utensil causes by sensing heating element overheated condition utensil heating element power supply.

Described embodiment comprises plastic material main body mould product 1, on a side, has the installed part that is used for the first and second switch activated elements 2,3, described side is presented at the topmost among Fig. 1, and on an other side, having 360 degree power input connectors 4, bimetallic element 2 and 3 symmetrical placement are on each side of power input connector 4.

With reference to Fig. 4, each bimetallic element 2,3 has the one group of switch contact that links with it, comprises fixed contact 5 and movable contact 6 extraly, and described movable contact 6 is installed on the end of sheet spring 7.The installation trip rod 8 that can pivot links with each bimetallic element 2,3, and at one end go up, trip rod 8 has integrally formed push rod 9, described push rod 9 is used for the switching manipulation campaign of each of bimetallic element 2,3 is sent to each sheet spring 7, and what be used for determining each switch contact 5,6 opens or be closed state.

The switch contact 5,6 relevant with them extends to 360 degree power input connectors 4 to sheet spring 7 from the position of bimetallic element 2,3 in described controller.As shown in Figure 4, power input connector 4 have limit medial compartment 12 and around the inside and outside cylindrical wall 10,11 of circular passage 13.One of sheet spring 7 extends within first within the inwall 10 depression 4 and as shown in the figure in the contact 15 in the medial compartment 12 of being projected into adjacent to its lower end (as shown in Figure 4), another one sheet spring 7 similarly extends within second depression 16 in inwall 10 and has contact 17 adjacent to its lower end, and described contact 17 is projected within the circular passage 13.The 360 degree power output connectors that replenish do not show in any accompanying drawing, but it is readily appreciated that, it describes in our UK Patent Application No.2 285716 substantially, and has a central cylindrical part, described central cylindrical partly is adapted to fit in the medial compartment 12 of above-mentioned power input connector 4, and around separately ring-shaped cylinder shape part, it is adapted to fit in the circular passage 13, the central cylindrical of carrying on its outer surface partly is annular contact, described annular contact is suitable for contacting described contact 15, and what partly be carried on its inner surface around ring-shaped cylinder shape is the annular contact that is suitable for contacting described contact 17.As shown in Figure 4, power controlling input connector 4 also comprises middle ground pin 18, described middle ground pin 18 is installed on the metal mounting panel 19 of described controller, and the above-mentioned intermediate cylindrical of power output connector partly has the intermediate recess of holding, and it has the contact and is suitable for carrying out electricity with ground connection pin 18 and contacts.

Refer back to Fig. 1,2 and 3, a pair of as can be seen elongated wire spring 20 matches with formation thing 21 by loosely and is movably captured on the surface of main body mould product 1.As after this describing in detail, each spring 20 is arranged to provide the bolt function, when the push rod 9 of by its relevant pivot of extruding trip rod 8 being installed when one of each bimetallic element 2,3 responded the heating element overheated condition thus, each spring 20 moved to the position that it prevents that trip rod 8 is reset.

Fig. 1 has shown the condition of putting of having a rest of controller, and promptly it will adopt suitable utensil not bear any heating element overheated condition and remove from its power base.What need note in this figure especially is the relation of adjacent corners of the common rectangle extension 22 of 20 pairs of trip rods 8 of wire of spring; As can be seen, wire 20 is crooked and from the turning of above-mentioned trip rod 8 separately.

When suitable utensil is set down onto its power base, the circular passage 13 of power base out connector ingoing power input connector 4, it meets (referring to Fig. 5) with the installation cam part 23 that pivots, and its head part 24 can be seen in Fig. 1,2 and 3.Crooked wire is connected to wire of spring 20 to cam part 23 by the vertical part 25 on the head part 24 that is formed on cam part.When suitable utensil is set down onto on its power base, the action of the power base out connector on the cam part 23 causes vertical part 25 back to spur, and wire 20 is contacted with the above-mentioned turning of trip rod part 22 with their pullings and with being bent partly of wire 20.With this understanding, wire 20 is promoted toward each other by the inside edge of the corner part by trip rod part 22.This is presented among Fig. 2.

Respond then under the situation of heating element overheated condition in one of bimetallic element 2,3 or another one or the two, such response causes the trip rod that is associated 8 to pivot, and the turning of each above-mentioned trip rod will be moved to allow wire spring 20 to jump out under the turning of trip rod thus its bolt is on the throne and prevent its answer.With this understanding, will be stayed open its electric contact group that is associated 5,6 by the trip rod of bolt, power supply can not supply to the heating element of relevant utensil by described controller like this.This is presented among Fig. 3.

In order to reset trip rod 8, only suitable utensil need be lifted from its power base.This has discharged above-mentioned cam part 23, and spring 20 can be returned to condition as shown in Figure 1 like this, allows trip rod to reset under the effect that acts on the sheet spring 7 on the push rod 9 thus.Certainly, if this will only take place when bimetallic element has been reset and allow trip rod to reset.

Bimetallic element 2,3 is not normally used type, comprises the concave disk, and it has the part that cuts off of C shape or U-shaped, and the described part that cuts off limits and to be released tongue, describedly is used as installation elements by tongue in aforesaid WO 95/34187.But, as after this will more describing in detail, the bimetallic element the 2, the 3rd in described embodiment, the dished discs of truncated cone a little, the interior circle 30 as shown in Fig. 1,2,3 is indicated, and under their colder condition, their sunk surface is towards last (as shown in Fig. 1,2,3).Be formed centrally in aperture 31 quilts and receive on an end of mounting spring 32 finger piece (referring to Fig. 4) is installed, an other end is trapped in the formation thing that is arranged in the molded body part 1.Mounting spring provide flexibility to a certain degree with allow they a bit contacting with the lower surface of heating element of periphery and guarantee the correct location of bimetallic element, take in the relative concave structure of tying them when bimetallic element response heating element overheated condition like this, the diameter corresponding point of their periphery drives push rod 9 to operate their relevant switch contact 5,6.Be appreciated that and more traditional obtainable comparing of bimetallic mounting arrangements that this layout provides the double bimetallic amount of movement of operation push rod.

By described controller the electrical connection of heating element is undertaken by floatless switch contact 5, described floatless switch contact 5 is provided at electricity and can leads on the end of terminal batten 35, and described electricity can be led terminal batten 35 and be fixed in the controller main body mould product 1.Terminal batten 35 provides by electrical conductors and is connected to the spade tip 36 that overlaps the heating element under the floor such as band, and be used for using with the control of thick film heating element, provide the connection of spring terminal 37 to be used to contact pad on the downside that is arranged on heating element.

Controller as shown in Figure 1, 2, 3 is not suitable for causing power supply to supply to the steam controller of the heating element of relevant container, with the generation disconnection of response steam when the container contents are boiled.Fig. 5 has shown and has incorporated the modification of such steam controller as the part of The whole control into.The steam controller can be to be arranged to removably by X4 and the mode of the Z5 controller independent parts that are connected to dry boiling controller of suitable plug and socket connector with us.

With reference to Fig. 5, main body mould product 1 is formed with extension 50, and the trip rod 51 that center arrangement is installed was passed through in described extension 50 carryings, and the described center arrangement of crossing provides the pivoting action of trip rod between two stable positions.Be not easy to find out although be not in the drawings, be appreciated that trip rod 51 and extension 50 have the complementary portion of pivot V-arrangement bearing, and act on separately but keep the motionless relative extension of trip rod that allows simultaneously of described bearing between two extreme (each is being crossed on the side of center line of center installed part), to carry out pivoting action towards the compression spring between the adjacency of trip rod and extension.Taking knot effect bimetallic devices 52 (for example being simple concave bi-metal plate) provides trip rod also can be arranged to use in described controller at the power of the motion between its relative position, described controller is exposed to the steam that produces when the container contents boil, this is known.

What the sheet spring 7 that the motion of trip rod 51 is transferred to described controller was used for determining contact 5,6 opens or closes condition, determines thus whether relevant heating element will be provided power supply.This realizes by trip rod 51 being provided divergent ends or yoke 53, and described yoke 53 has and is arranged to the end sections 54 of cooperating with the end sections of sheet spring 7, and the end sections of described spring 7 extends beyond contact 6.When being driven by steam sensing bimetallic element 52 when the generation of trip rod 51 response steam, the end sections 54 of yoke 53 acts on the sheet spring 7 to open contact sets 5,6.

Preferably specify one of contact sets 5,6 as the intermediate switch contact, another one is as live contact (live contact) and correspondingly to settle mains connection to be arranged to power base.In order to guarantee that the switching that disconnects heating element at first works in the neutral side of power supply, yoke 53 can asymmetricly be constructed, and one of its end sections was opened its relevant switch contact before another one like this.This device is important for meeting official standard.

The end 54 that it should be noted that trip rod 51 not with switch contact 5,6 and their relevant sheet springs 7 on the normal running interference of dry boiling bimetallic element 2,3.Trip rod 51 can operating contact 5,6, and can be connected to hand controller, described hand controller is as the ON/OFF switch, but dry boiling mechanism that is to say response heating element overheated condition and the mechanism that closes described controller does not act on the trip rod 51.

Referring now to Fig. 6-8, the bimetallic mounting arrangements will illustrate in more detail.Mounting spring 1 ' is displayed in the end view and is the spring metal batten of about 6mm width.It is on the main body mould product that is arranged to described controller on its end 2 '.Hook 3 ' discharges from the plane of mounting spring l ', and shank 4 ' of described spring extension, and described shank 4 ' is as the supporter that is used to take knot acting bimetallic discs 5 '.As among Fig. 6 it is seated in surface with protected plane heating element 6 ' than the bi-metal plate as shown in the cool condition on.Described element can be a thick filrn type, and perhaps surface 6 ' can be the thermal transfer plate of base plate band cover heating element type.Hook 3 ' is by the centre bore 7 ' in the bi-metal plate.In colder state, as shown in Figure 6, bi-metal plate is mounted has its sunk surface towards element 6 '.The described relatively surperficial bimetal 5 ' of shank 4 ' that hook 3 ' opposed member surface is settled and is extended.Notice that bimetallic center does not have hook in the case, contacting with element surface with the edge maintenance that guarantees bi-metal plate is used for effective heat transfer.Will notice that also leg-supporting 4 ' is placed on the bimetal leaf 5 ', have distance from described edge, so sufficient power is applied to described element surface is given thermo-contact preferably.

In Fig. 7, bimetallic devices is shown just and was heated before it takes reverse its curvature of knot.Notice that described center does not still have hook 3 '.Should be noted that also support force passes through described 5 ' edge now, had described minimal deformation like this, and the sheet that is mounted thus and is not mounted is taken being implemented than the low deviation temperature between the junction temperature.

In Fig. 8, bimetallic devices 5 ' is displayed in its hot condition, and it is reverse to have its curvature.The shank 4 ' that is extended applies sufficient power and is pushed with 8 ' the opposed member surface, edge that guarantees bimetallic devices.The relative edge of bimetallic devices promotes to leave from the surface of element along 9 ', and hook 3 ' obtains to cross the motion of maximum of the diameter of bimetallic devices as fulcrum.The edge 9 ' of bimetallic devices cooperates with the described push rod that respectively pivots before this, causes it to move, and open the contact like this, resets bolt mechanism by hand and cooperates.Support force is held much larger than needs and opens contact and the manual required power of part of reseting of operation.

Attention in Fig. 6-8, bi-metal plate 5 ' be shown as have by frusto-conical surface around almost flat zone line.This is the optional form of bimetallic devices, but described mounting arrangements also can fine work to the bi-metal plate of spherical form.

The advantage of this installation method is that it guarantees the element extruding of the edge of bimetallic devices with more available heat transmission, just reaches and takes node.The spring installed part of bimetallic devices guarantees inaccurate, the distortion of heating element and the operation that motion does not influence described control, and this feature also is known.But known to us, resilient mounting also is not employed in the mode that gives extra motion from the bimetallic edge at present, especially by fulcrum being provided in bi-metal plate in the heart and limiting the relative edge edge.

Although providing the buckle end with the fulcrum that moves of the switching manipulation side 9 ' that acts on bimetallic actuator 5 ' to the part 3 ' of spring 1 ' is easily, described fulcrum for example can provide the lip-deep formation thing as heating element 6 ' alternatively.

By describing the present invention with reference to aforesaid certain embodiments, the modifications and variations that can understand well it are possible under the situation that does not deviate from scope of the present invention.For example, embodiment utilizes wire spring 20, but spring can be by plastic material manufacturing and can be integrally formed with the main body mould product 1 of described controller.In addition, the traditional knot effect of taking bimetallic element for example is the type described in the WO95/34187, can be used to replace described bimetallic element.But in addition; can have two bimetallic elements and cross heat control device; it is placed in and becomes mirror image to settle so that the duplicate protection to the plane heating element to be provided on the either side of controller; among the embodiment, can comprise single dry boiling controlling organization or can comprise unnecessary two dry boiling controlling organization as described according to controller of the present invention.Dissimilar steam controllers also can be used, and a plurality of dry boiling thermal response switch actuators are provided, they one of can be fusible element.In the place that a plurality of bimetal release actuators are provided; nominally bimetallic devices can be arranged to operate all identical temperature or they can be the bimetallic devices of different temperatures; the protection of the subsidiary level of advocating peace is provided; and in addition; not every bimetallic devices need provide related bolt structure, and even now is preferred.

Claims (32)

1. integrated power input connector and heating element overtemperature protection controller; be used for alternating current-direct current double-purpose type liquid heat utensil; wherein overfire protection controller comprises the thermal response switch actuator; it is arranged to determine the condition of one group of switch contact; the spring bolt arranges to be provided for and opens in the condition maintained switch contact after the operation of described thermal response switch actuator in the contact that described spring bolt is arranged and partly reseted by the suitable utensil that removes described utensil from its power base.

2. controller according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, the thermal response switch actuator be arranged to by between first and second positions of closing and opening condition of the described switch contact of correspondence movably intermediate member determine the condition of described one group of switch contact, and described spring bolt is arranged and is arranged to cooperate with described intermediate member.

3. controller according to claim 2 is characterized in that, described intermediate member comprises that pivot is installed trip rod and described spring bolt arranges it is like this to stop described trip rod to move back to the motion of its contacts closed position from its contact open position.

4. controller according to claim 3 is characterized in that, described spring bolt is arranged and comprised that spring element, described spring element are arranged to and described trip rod is opened in its contact and the contact is closed moving physically between the condition and interfered.

5. controller according to claim 4 is characterized in that described spring element comprises wire spring.

6. according to the described controller of arbitrary claim, it is characterized in that, but described power input connector comprises that whether definite be connected to a part that described spring bolt arranges is used for according to the existence of the power base power output connector that becomes operative relationship with described power input connector its operability.

7. controller according to claim 6, it is characterized in that, described part comprises cam member, described cam member is installed within the described power input connector to be moved when power output connector cooperates with the power input connector, but the motion that is transferred to the arrangement of spring bolt like this is used to carry it into operating condition, and the disengaging of follow-up power input and output connector makes the spring bolt arrange the condition that can not operate that bounces back into.

8. according to the controller described in claim 7 that is subordinated to claim 4 or 5, it is characterized in that, spring members comprises that installation is with by described cam member movably elongated spring on the direction of its prolongation usually, but spring has the part that is suitable for only settling at the spring bolt with described trip rod physical interference when being in its operating condition, and described part can the limited amount of transverse movement, suppresses reseting of trip rod when having moved to its contact open position with trip rod in case can move thus.

9. according to aforementioned arbitrary described controller, comprise a plurality of described thermal response switch actuators, described actuator is positioned in the described controller in use to bear the temperature of heating element on different positions.

10. controller according to claim 9 is characterized in that, each described thermal response switch actuator has respectively organize switch contact and the spring bolt that are associated with it and arranges.

11., it is characterized in that described or each described thermal response switch actuator comprises bimetallic element according to aforementioned arbitrary described controller.

12. controller according to claim 11 is characterized in that, described bimetallic element comprises the knot effect of taking, concave bi-metal plate.

13. controller according to claim 12 is characterized in that, described concave bi-metal plate is a truncated cone to a certain degree.

14., it is characterized in that described bi-metal plate is also gone up porose therebetween and is installed in the described controller by the spring installed part according to claim 12 or 13 described controllers, described spring installed part comprises the finger piece that cooperates with described hole.

15., it is characterized in that also comprise other thermal response switch layout, it is suitable for closing liquid heating appliances when liquid boils in utensil according to aforementioned arbitrary described controller.

16. controller according to claim 15; it is characterized in that; described other thermal response switch is arranged and is comprised that other arrangement is exposed to the thermal response switch actuator of vapours when boiling in utensil; and the device that is associated with described other thermal response switch actuator, be used for determining the situation of described switch contact of the heating element overtemperature protection part of described controller.

17. controller according to claim 16, it is characterized in that, described device comprises trip rod, described trip rod had center (overcentre) mounting arrangements, the position of the trip rod in the controller is determined by the situation of described other thermal response switch actuator thus, and trip rod has a part that is provided for operating described switch contact.

18. the controller that is subordinated to claim 10 according to claim 17; it is characterized in that; have two overheat switch actuators and be suitable for cooperating with described switch contact with trip rod that described other thermal response switch actuator is associated, described switch contact and two described overheat switch actuators link.

19. controller according to claim 18; it is characterized in that; the trip rod that links with described other thermal response switch actuator is arranged to open switch contact, and one of described switch contact and described overheat switch actuator linked before another one.

20. according to aforementioned arbitrary described controller that is suitable for use in the plane heating element; described or each described overheat switch actuator is set on the side of described controller; it is suitable for the downside of plane heating element and puts, and described power input connector is arranged on the opposite flank of described controller.

21., it is characterized in that described power input connector is 360 degree connectors according to aforementioned arbitrary described controller.

22. one kind according to aforementioned arbitrary described controller and plane heating combination of elements.

23. combination according to claim 22 is characterized in that, described plane heating element is the thick film heating element.

24. one kind comprises the alternating current-direct current double-purpose type liquid heat utensil as claim 22 or 23 described combinations.

25. thermal response controller, comprise the thermal response switch actuator, be used for the thermoinduction motion of described switch actuator is transferred to the device of one group of switch contact, and be used for described motion transmitting device is remained on predetermined situation up to its bolt of reseting layout, described bolt arranges and comprises spring assembly, described spring assembly during towards described motion transmitting device bias voltage and in the switching manipulation campaign removable entering be used to the position that suppresses to reset.

26. installed part that is used for the concave bimetallic actuator, comprise the spring metal parts, described spring metal parts have be suitable for the first of extending by the opening in the bimetallic actuator and be suitable for or adjacent to a side on the second portion of contact bimetallic actuator, described layout makes in use, in the colder state of bimetallic actuator, described first settles bimetallic actuator, simultaneously described second portion with its relatively its temperature with its its surperficial bias voltage of monitoring than the cool condition sunk surface towards described surface, and when the increase that bimetallic actuator responds the temperature on described surface changed to its relative concave state, the opposite side along with bimetallic actuator moved away the bias voltage by the described second portion of described spring metal to a described side of described bimetallic actuator from described surface towards described surface.

27. installed part according to claim 26, it is characterized in that, the first of spring metal parts be suitable for use as its than cold-peace than the fulcrum in the process of the motion of the bimetallic actuator between the heat condition, increase the motion of the described opposite flank of bimetallic actuator thus.

28. installed part according to claim 27 is characterized in that, the first of spring metal parts has the buckle end, and it is placed in bimetallic actuator and temperature with between the monitored described surface.

29. a thermal response controller comprises by be installed in the bimetallic actuator in the controller according to the described installed part of aforementioned arbitrary claim.

30. method that is used for the concave bimetallic actuator is installed in the thermal response controller, described method comprises bimetallic actuator is installed in spring in the described controller, like this when described controller and its surface temperature with monitored surface and when putting, the sunk surface of bimetallic actuator is towards described surface, and bimetallic actuator is the spring towards described surperficial bias voltage, and settle described spring, described spring is biased into a side of bimetallic actuator, like this when its respond described surface temperature increase and when moving in the configuration of its relative concave, the spring bias voltage causes the opposite flank of bimetallic actuator to move away from described surface.

31. method according to claim 30 comprises the fulcrum of the described motion of the opposite side that is provided for bimetallic actuator.

32. concave bimetallic actuator, be installed in the thermal response controller by having the spring metal parts that discharge from the buckle finger piece, described buckle finger piece extends by in the heart opening in the bimetallic devices and has on the one side spring bias voltage part of bimetallic carrying relatively, described layout is such, in heating element uses, bimetallic devices than cool condition in, its sunk surface is towards will be by the heating element surface of described controller monitoring, spring bias voltage part contacts described bimetallic devices spring bias voltage with the heating element surface, and add when warming up and changing to its relative concave structure when bimetallic devices, described part is towards a side of heating element bimetal, an other side of bimetallic devices moves away from the heating element surface like this, and the end of buckle finger piece is as the fulcrum that increases motion.

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