EP0807947A2 - Energieregler - Google Patents

Energieregler Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0807947A2
EP0807947A2 EP97113273A EP97113273A EP0807947A2 EP 0807947 A2 EP0807947 A2 EP 0807947A2 EP 97113273 A EP97113273 A EP 97113273A EP 97113273 A EP97113273 A EP 97113273A EP 0807947 A2 EP0807947 A2 EP 0807947A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
auxiliary
regulator
cam surface
cam
collar
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97113273A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0807947A3 (de
Inventor
John Crawshaw Taylor
Dominic Anthony Michael Oughton
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.)
Strix Ltd
Original Assignee
Strix 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
Application filed by Strix Ltd filed Critical Strix Ltd
Publication of EP0807947A2 publication Critical patent/EP0807947A2/de
Publication of EP0807947A3 publication Critical patent/EP0807947A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H89/00—Combinations of two or more different basic types of electric switches, relays, selectors and emergency protective devices, not covered by any single one of the other main groups of this subclass
    • H01H89/04—Combination of a thermally actuated switch with a manually operated switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/54—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
    • H01H19/60—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts
    • H01H19/63—Contacts actuated by axial cams
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/001—Thumb wheel switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H19/54—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
    • H01H19/60—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts
    • H01H19/605—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts in which the actuation of the contacts depends on the direction of rotation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to energy regulators for controlling the supply of electrical energy to electrical loads such as cooker hot plates or grills.
  • energy regulators comprise a microswitch having a set of switch contacts arrangeable in the electrical supply circuit to the electrical load, a snap-acting switch contact arm operatively associated with a bimetallic actuator, and electrically energisable heating means associated with the bimetallic actuator.
  • electrical power is initially supplied to the load and to the heating means which may be connected either in parallel or in series with the load.
  • the heating means heats the bimetallic actuator, causing it to deform to the point where it causes snap-action of the contact arm to open the switch contacts and interrupt the power supply to both the load and the heating means.
  • the bimetallic actuator then cools and deforms in the opposite direction to the point where the contact arm undergoes reverse snap-action to close the contacts once more, whereupon the cycle recommences.
  • control means coupled in use to a user actuated control member e.g. a knob or spindle.
  • the control means normally comprises a rotary control cam member, against which a cam follower, for example provided on an ambient compensating bimetal coupled to the bimetallic actuator, abuts.
  • Such constructions are for convenience hereinafter referred to as "energy regulators of the kind described”.
  • a dual output is provided from the energy regulator.
  • the first output is connected to a primary load which is intended to be energised whether the load is on a "full load” or “part load” setting.
  • the second output is connected to an auxiliary load which is intended to be energised in addition to the primary load only in the "full load” setting through an auxiliary set of switch contacts.
  • the position of the auxiliary contacts is controlled by an auxiliary cam surface engaged by an auxiliary cam follower, and when the auxiliary contacts are closed, the auxiliary load will also be energised.
  • an auxiliary cam surface is provided on the same cam body as the main control cam surface to rotate therewith, the auxiliary cam surface being profiled such that over one half of the arc of movement of a control knob from an 'off' position, the auxiliary contacts are open, such that only the primary load is energised and over the other half of the arc, on the opposite side of the 'off' position, the auxiliary contacts are closed so that both the primary and auxiliary loads are energised.
  • This arrangement has the disadvantage that the full range of the control must be fitted into 180° of movement of the control knob rather than 360°.
  • a particular angular setting of a control knob can represent different power settings depending on whether or not the heater plate being controlled is a "split ring", This is not ideal.
  • the auxiliary switch contacts are provided in a completely separate switch unit which is mounted to and electrically connected to the energy regulator.
  • a separate auxiliary control cam body having a cam surface on its radially outer edge is provided in the unit, and coupled to the control shaft of the regulator through a lost motion mechanism.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a dual output energy regulator of the kind described which is compact and which allows a full scale control for both "full load” and “part load” settings.
  • a dual output energy regulator of the kind described wherein the cam member of the regulator comprises a primary cam surface for setting the operating point of the regulator and an auxiliary cam surface movable relative to said primary cam surface, for controlling the opening and closing of the auxiliary set of contacts, and a lost motion mechanism arranged between the control means of the regulator and the auxiliary cam surface such that over movement of said control means in one direction from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position said auxiliary cam surface remains in a first angular position wherein said auxiliary contacts are in a first state, movement of said control means in the same direction beyond said second predetermined position to a third predetermined position moving said auxiliary cam surface into a second angular position so as to move said auxiliary contacts to a second state, whereafter over movement of said control member and cam member in the opposite direction over a predetermined range, said auxiliary cam surface remains in said second position and said auxiliary contacts remain in said second state.
  • an auxiliary cam surface is provided on the cam member of the regulator which is movable relative to the main control cam surface to allow selective opening and closing of the auxiliary set of contacts.
  • the cam member may be integrally formed with the control member, for example by moulding, or may be coupled thereto by suitable means. It may also be formed as one or more elements suitably coupled together.
  • the auxiliary cam surface is formed on a collar member which is rotatably mounted on the cam member.
  • the collar member may be mounted on an outer edge of the cam member, with the auxiliary cam surface facing radially outwardly of the cam member.
  • the collar member is mounted on a face of the cam member such that the auxiliary cam surface faces in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the cam member.
  • the collar is received in a circular track formed in the face of the cam member.
  • the main control cam surface of the cam member is formed in such a surface and in a particularly preferred arrangement, the auxiliary cam surface and main cam surface are provided on the same face of the cam body.
  • the lost motion mechanism comprises cooperating members, such as dog teeth, one tooth provided on each of the collar and the control member or cam member, with a groove or slot formed in either to accommodate the relative movement of the members.
  • cooperating members such as dog teeth, one tooth provided on each of the collar and the control member or cam member, with a groove or slot formed in either to accommodate the relative movement of the members.
  • the collar member may be retained in position on the cam member by the auxiliary cam follower, to avoid the need for further location means, but in a preferred embodiment, additional means may be provided for this purpose, for example a retaining tooth provided on or coupled to the control member and which overlies an upper surface of the collar member.
  • the auxiliary cam surface is arranged radially inwardly of the main cam surface.
  • the collar may be provided with a cam surface portion and a dog tooth extending radially inwardly therefrom for engagement with an outwardly directed dog tooth coupled to rotate with the control member of the regulator.
  • the auxiliary cam surface preferably comprises detent portions, corresponding to the two states of the auxiliary switch contacts, and in which the auxiliary cam follower engages.
  • the detents may comprise depressions of differing depth in the collar, such that the auxiliary cam follower can assume two different positions.
  • the detents should be so shaped that the auxiliary cam follower will be retained in the desired position as the cam member rotates, the auxiliary cam follower essentially holding the collar in its first position until the collar is rotated by the interengagement of the dog teeth to its alternative position, in which the auxiliary cam follower is moved into the other detent.
  • the invention provides an energy regulator wherein a cam member of the regulator comprises a primary cam surface for controlling a first function of the regulator and an auxiliary cam surface movable relative to said primary cam surface for controlling a further function of said regulator, and a lost motion mechanism arranged between the control member or cam member of the actuator and the auxiliary cam surface to accommodate such relative movement.
  • Such an energy regulator may of course also have preferred features as described above.
  • the invention provides a dual output energy regulator comprising a primary cam surface for controlling a first function of the regulator and an auxiliary cam surface movable relative to said primary cam surface for controlling a second function, and a lost motion mechanism arranged so as to accommodate such relative movement, wherein said surfaces are positioned closely with respect to one another, preferably adjacent one another.
  • the invention provides an energy regulator comprising a primary cam surface for controlling a first function of the regulator, and an auxiliary cam surface for controlling a further function of the regulator, said cam surfaces being movable in response to rotation of a control member of the regulator, a lost motion mechanism operative to permit said primary and auxiliary surfaces to rotate relative to one another, said auxiliary cam surface being formed on a member mounted within the regulator housing.
  • an energy regulator 2 (shown with its lid removed) comprises a snap-acting microswitch 4 having a contact arm 6 pivotally mounted on the free end of a bimetallic actuator 10.
  • a snap acting "C” spring 12 is released from the contact arm 6 and engages in a fulcrum provided in an output tab 14.
  • a movable contact 16 is mounted on the free end of the contact arm 6, and a fixed contact 18 is provided on the upper face of an input tab 20.
  • An electrical circuit to a primary load such as a first section of a grill element, not shown, is established through the input tab 20, the contacts 16,18, the spring 12, and the output tab 14.
  • a ceramic substrate heater 22 is mounted on the root end of the bimetallic actuator 10, and when energised, causes the actuator 10 to deflect, to open the contacts 16,18 with a snap-action after a predetermined deflection.
  • the electrical supply to the heater 22 is made via the input tab 20, the contacts 16, 18, the contact arm 6, the bimetallic actuator 10, a tongue 24 released therefrom, and a resilient connection 26 connected to a tab 28.
  • the actuator 10 forms one arm of a bimetallic member 30, the other arm 32 of which acts as an ambient temperature compensator in a manner well known in the art. It is provided with a cam follower 34 which engages in a cam track 36 formed in a cam member 37 having a cam body 38.
  • the cam member 37 is of plastics and attached to, or formed with, a control member or spindle 40, to the top end of which may be attached a knob, not shown.
  • a control member or spindle 40 to the top end of which may be attached a knob, not shown.
  • the spindle 40 is rotated, the cam track 36 is rotated, with the follower 34 moving up and down accordingly.
  • the free end 8 of the actuator 10 is also moved up or down, so changing the amount of deflection necessary to open or close the switch contacts 16,18.
  • the operating point of the regulator is set by the angular position of the spindle
  • the output tab 14 is also provided with a fixed auxiliary contact 42.
  • a movable auxiliary contact 44 is mounted on the free end of a resilient conductive member 46 which is provided with an auxiliary output tab 48 which in use is connected to an auxiliary load such as a second section of a grill pan element.
  • the conductive member 46 is provided with an auxiliary cam follower 50 which engages an auxiliary cam surface 52 provided radially inwardly of the cam track 36.
  • the auxiliary contacts 42,44 will be either open or closed. When open, no current will flow to the auxiliary load, but when closed, a current will flow from the tab 14 via the contacts 42,44, the member 46 and auxiliary output tab 48.
  • a dual output energy regulator in accordance with the invention, with certain parts removed for clarity.
  • the general arrangement of the regulator is the same as that of Fig. 1, although the form of the member 46 is slightly different and, as will be described in further detail below, the auxiliary cam arrangement is different.
  • the regulator 100 comprises a primary output tab 114 which mounts a fixed auxiliary contact 142.
  • a movable auxiliary contact 144 is mounted on the free end of a resilient electrically conductive member 146 which has an auxiliary output tab 148 at its other end.
  • An auxiliary cam follower 150 formed on the member 146 extends downwardly onto an auxiliary cam surface 152 formed in a cam body 138 of a cam member 137 which is formed integrally with a control member or spindle 140.
  • the auxiliary cam surface 152 is formed on a collar member 154 which is rotatably slidably mounted in a circular track 155 of the cam body 138 radially inwardly of a primary cam track 136 which receives the cam follower of the compensating bimetal (not shown) for controlling the operating point of the regulator as described above.
  • the collar member 154 is formed with a cylindrical wall 156, having an inwardly directed flange 158 at its top.
  • a slot 160 is formed in the upper surface of the wall 156 and is provided with two detents in the form of two depressions, 162,164 of different depths. The detents are shaped so as to retain the lower end of the auxiliary cam follower 150.
  • the first detent 162 will retain the follower 150 in a raised position in which the auxiliary contacts 142,144 will be held open, and the second detent 164 will retain the follower 150 in a lowered position in which the auxiliary contacts 142,144 will be closed.
  • the side wall 161 of the slot 160 will restrain and locate the auxiliary cam follower 150 laterally.
  • a dog tooth 166 is formed on the inner surface of the wall 156.
  • the spindle 140 is provided with a dog tooth 168 for engagement with the dog tooth 166 of the collar under the flange 158.
  • the outer edge of the cam body 138 is provided with a dog tooth 170 which engages against a stop 172 provided on the regulator housing in its extreme rotational positions.
  • the auxiliary cam follower 150 In the position shown in Fig. 2, the auxiliary cam follower 150 is engaged in the first detent 164 and the auxiliary contacts 142,144 are open. The regulator is in the 'off' position and no power is supplied to the primary or auxiliary loads. As the control member 140 and cam body are rotated clockwise from this position, the cam follower of the compensating bimetal will be raised or lowered by the outer cam profile 136 to control the supply to the primary load. However, the collar member 154 stays in the position shown, by virtue of the engagement of the auxiliary cam follower 150 within the first detent 162. The shape of the detent 162 and resilience of the member 146 overcome any moment applied to the cam follower 150 by frictional forces between the collar 154 and track 155 which would tend to push the cam follower out of the detent 162.
  • the control member 140 is prevented from rotating any further clockwise than the position in which the auxiliary cam follower is received in the second detent 164 by engagement of the teeth 170,172 on the cam body and housing respectively.
  • This position represents a 'maximum' power setting of the control and as the control member 140 is turned anti-clockwise from this position, the power setting reduces.
  • a lug 180 (shown schematically in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3) formed on the outer surface of the control member 140 which overlies the upper surface of the collar 154 to prevent it moving upwardly.
  • the collar 154 is formed with a complementary slot (not shown) to allow the collar to be slipped over the control member 140 on assembly, the collar then being turned so as to move the slot and lug out of alignment.
  • the relative positions of the slot and lug are chosen such that substantially over the normal range of operation of the regulator they do not become aligned once again.
  • the slot may be formed slightly smaller than the lug so that the collar must be push fitted over the lug, so that even if they do become realigned, the collar could not inadvertently slip back over the lug.
  • auxiliary cam follower 150 need not be coupled to a set of contacts controlling the supply of power to an auxiliary load. It could, in broad terms merely be used as an actuator to provide an actuating movement of any member for example a further movable contact.

Landscapes

  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
  • Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
  • Polymers With Sulfur, Phosphorus Or Metals In The Main Chain (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
  • Retarders (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
EP97113273A 1993-05-12 1994-05-12 Energieregler Withdrawn EP0807947A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB939309804A GB9309804D0 (en) 1993-05-12 1993-05-12 Energy regulators
GB9309804 1993-05-12
EP94303403A EP0624890B1 (de) 1993-05-12 1994-05-12 Energie Regler

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94303403A Division EP0624890B1 (de) 1993-05-12 1994-05-12 Energie Regler
EP94303403.3 Division 1994-05-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0807947A2 true EP0807947A2 (de) 1997-11-19
EP0807947A3 EP0807947A3 (de) 1998-03-11

Family

ID=10735362

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97113273A Withdrawn EP0807947A3 (de) 1993-05-12 1994-05-12 Energieregler
EP94303403A Expired - Lifetime EP0624890B1 (de) 1993-05-12 1994-05-12 Energie Regler

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94303403A Expired - Lifetime EP0624890B1 (de) 1993-05-12 1994-05-12 Energie Regler

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0807947A3 (de)
AT (1) ATE163797T1 (de)
DE (2) DE624890T1 (de)
GB (1) GB9309804D0 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2352089A (en) * 1999-07-12 2001-01-17 Strix Ltd Energy regulators

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9808313D0 (en) * 1998-04-20 1998-06-17 Arcolectric Switches Plc Switch assembly

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH386581A (de) * 1959-07-02 1965-01-15 Braun Ag Elektrisches Raumheizgerät mit wählbarer Lüfterförderleistung
EP0027976A1 (de) * 1979-10-27 1981-05-06 E.G.O. Elektro-Geräte Blanc u. Fischer Regel- oder Steuergerät für Koch- und/oder Warmhalteeinheiten
WO1990000822A1 (en) * 1988-07-08 1990-01-25 Robertshaw Controls Company Cyclable electrical switch construction, system utilizing the switch construction and methods of making the same

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH386581A (de) * 1959-07-02 1965-01-15 Braun Ag Elektrisches Raumheizgerät mit wählbarer Lüfterförderleistung
EP0027976A1 (de) * 1979-10-27 1981-05-06 E.G.O. Elektro-Geräte Blanc u. Fischer Regel- oder Steuergerät für Koch- und/oder Warmhalteeinheiten
WO1990000822A1 (en) * 1988-07-08 1990-01-25 Robertshaw Controls Company Cyclable electrical switch construction, system utilizing the switch construction and methods of making the same

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2352089A (en) * 1999-07-12 2001-01-17 Strix Ltd Energy regulators
WO2001004921A1 (en) * 1999-07-12 2001-01-18 Strix Limited Energy regulators

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9309804D0 (en) 1993-06-23
EP0624890A3 (de) 1995-02-22
DE624890T1 (de) 1996-09-19
EP0807947A3 (de) 1998-03-11
DE69408716D1 (de) 1998-04-09
EP0624890B1 (de) 1998-03-04
EP0624890A2 (de) 1994-11-17
ATE163797T1 (de) 1998-03-15
DE69408716T2 (de) 1998-06-25

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