EP1946199A1 - Ergonomic knob and gas cooking top using it - Google Patents

Ergonomic knob and gas cooking top using it

Info

Publication number
EP1946199A1
EP1946199A1 EP06809179A EP06809179A EP1946199A1 EP 1946199 A1 EP1946199 A1 EP 1946199A1 EP 06809179 A EP06809179 A EP 06809179A EP 06809179 A EP06809179 A EP 06809179A EP 1946199 A1 EP1946199 A1 EP 1946199A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
knob
gas
degrees
shaft
cooking top
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Withdrawn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
EP06809179A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
David Lewis
Laura Lomiento
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.)
Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Original Assignee
Indesit Co SpA
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 Indesit Co SpA filed Critical Indesit Co SpA
Publication of EP1946199A1 publication Critical patent/EP1946199A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C3/00—Stoves or ranges for gaseous fuels
    • F24C3/12—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24C3/124—Control panels
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B40/00—Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a knob, in particular for a gas valve, and to a gas cooking top using it.
  • Gas cooking tops are household appliances comprising a plurality (often four to six) of gas burners; generally, each burner is associated with a corresponding gas valve, which allows to adjust the gas flow supplied to the burner.
  • a gas valve is fitted with a rotating adjustment shaft. Therefore, the gas flow adjustment is obtained through rotary movements of the shaft.
  • knobs are applied to the valve shafts in order to make it easier for the user to manipulate them.
  • the valves of gas cooking tops are fitted with a safety system to avoid that an accidental rotation of their shaft, through the knob, may cause an undesired emission of (unburnt) gas from the burner.
  • a safety system includes a mechanism that prevents the shaft from turning from the closed position unless it is also simultaneously pushed in axially toward the valve body.
  • thermocouple must monitor the flame on the burner when the valve is not closed; this occurs by detecting the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the burner; however, when the flame has just been lighted, the thermocouple is still cold and therefore erroneously provides a flame absence signal; this means that it must be initially excluded until it has reached the proper operating temperature.
  • the translation of the valve shaft is countered by the action of elastic means, typically a spring, used for keeping the valve shaft at a distance from the valve body.
  • the general object of the present invention is to provide a knob which facilitates both the rotation and the translation of the shaft whereto it is applied.
  • a more specific object of the present invention is to provide such a knob which is specifically adapted to be applied to gas valves fitted with a safety system, in particular for use in. cooking tops.
  • knob having the features set out in the appended claims, which are intended as an integral part of the present description.
  • the Applicant has understood that the difficulty in effectively transmitting the axial force to the knobs known in the art is related to the fact that prior-art knobs are adapted to be manipulated with the fingertips.
  • the general idea at the basis of the present invention is to shape the knob in such a way that it can be, in a sense, gripped.
  • the knob is so shaped that it can be manipulated with one hand by gripping one end thereof between the tip of the thumb of said hand and the side of at least the forefinger of said hand.
  • the present invention also relates to a gas cooking top using said knob for its valves.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a knob according to the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional side view of a cooking top according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a knob 1 according to the present invention. Said knob is fitted to a shaft (partially shown) of a gas valve (not shown) which protrudes from a control panel (partially shown) of a gas cooking top (not shown). Knob 1 comprises a first outer portion 11 on the front and a second outer portion 12 on the rear; the valve shaft is inserted in rear portion 12; essentially, knob 1 is adapted to be manipulated through front portion 11.
  • Knob of Fig. 1 has the shape of a cylinder sectioned according to a plane 30, which forms an angle ⁇ relative to the cylinder axis 10. As a result, there are a side surface 2 and a front surface 3.
  • Knob 1 is a single piece; alternatively, it may consist of a number of parts rigidly joined to one another.
  • Fig. 2 shows a very schematic view of a gas cooking top 100.
  • Gas cooking top 100 comprises just one gas burner 4; of course, the present invention is independent of the number of burners.
  • Gas cooking top 100 comprises a flat area (shown on the right) accommodating burner 4, and a raised area having a substantially triangular section (with rounded corners). Said raised area houses a gas valve 5 fitted with a safety system, and includes a control panel 6. Control panel 6 is flat along a plane 60 forming an angle ⁇ relative to the installation plane 1000 of the cooking top 100.
  • Gas valve 5 is provided with a gas flow adjustment shaft 51 ; the gas enters valve 5 through a duct 52 and flows out of valve 5 through a duct 53, which delivers it to burner 4.
  • Shaft 51 of valve 5 can perform both a rotary motion and a translation (axial) motion.
  • Knob 1 of Fig. 1 is fitted to shaft 51 of valve 5 of cooking top 100 shown in Fig. 2.
  • the knob according to the present invention has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a front surface arranged according to a plane forming an angle of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, relative to the cylinder axis.
  • the front surface may be substantially flat.
  • the front surface may be concave, preferably so that it accommodates to a fingertip, in particular the tip of a thumb.
  • the side surface may be substantially flat.
  • the side surface may be concave, preferably so that it accommodates the side of a finger, in particular of a forefinger.
  • the knob according to the present invention is so shaped that it can be manipulated with one hand by gripping one end thereof between the tip of the thumb of said hand and the side of at least the forefinger of said hand.
  • the knob according to the present invention can be manipulated easily, as regards both translation (axial) and rotary movements. Therefore, the knob according to the present invention is particularly suited to being applied to the adjustment shaft of any gas valve; furthermore, it turns out to be particularly useful for valves fitted with a safety system and/or associated with gas ignition systems and/or with temperature sensor exclusion devices.
  • a gas cooking top comprises at least one gas burner supplied through a corresponding gas valve and a knob as defined above; said valve is fitted or associated with a rotating adjustment shaft and the knob is applied to said shaft.
  • a knob can be applied to a shaft in several known ways.
  • the present invention is even more advantageous when the valve shaft can slide axially.
  • the knob as defined is particularly suitable for use in a gas cooking top having the features described below.
  • Said gas cooking top comprises a substantially flat control panel; the valve shaft is arranged in the panel in an inclined and preferably perpendicular direction relative to the panel; the panel is inclined through an angle of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, relative to the installation plane of the cooking top.
  • the knob can be gripped very naturally by a user of the cooking top; the grip is even more natural if the control panel is located on the front of the cooking top and is inclined toward the front.
  • the present invention may be implemented in many different ways and is not limited to the illustrated examples, as is apparent to anyone skilled in the art.
  • the knob according to the present invention may advantageously be used for non-gas cooking tops and, more in general, for other household appliances, and applied to a shaft of an adjusting and/or switching element.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
  • Taps Or Cocks (AREA)
  • Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a knob (1), in particular for a gas valve (5), and to a gas cooking top (100) using it. Said knob (1) is ergonomic because it is so shaped that it can be manipulated with one hand by gripping one end (11) thereof between the tip of the thumb of said hand and the side of at least the forefinger of said hand. In particular, the knob (1) according to the present invention has a substantially cylindrical shape; it also has a side surface (2) and a front surface (3) arranged according to a plane (30) forming an angle (α) of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, relative to the cylinder axis (10).

Description

ERGONOMIC KNOB AND GAS COOKING TOP USING IT
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a knob, in particular for a gas valve, and to a gas cooking top using it.
Gas cooking tops are household appliances comprising a plurality (often four to six) of gas burners; generally, each burner is associated with a corresponding gas valve, which allows to adjust the gas flow supplied to the burner.
Typically, a gas valve is fitted with a rotating adjustment shaft. Therefore, the gas flow adjustment is obtained through rotary movements of the shaft. In gas cooking tops, knobs are applied to the valve shafts in order to make it easier for the user to manipulate them. Usually, the valves of gas cooking tops are fitted with a safety system to avoid that an accidental rotation of their shaft, through the knob, may cause an undesired emission of (unburnt) gas from the burner. Such a safety system includes a mechanism that prevents the shaft from turning from the closed position unless it is also simultaneously pushed in axially toward the valve body. Moreover, said axial translation is often associated with the activation of an ignition device, typically a piezoelectric one, to ignite the gas released on the burner, as well as with the (temporary) exclusion of a safety temperature sensor, typically a thermocouple. As known, the thermocouple must monitor the flame on the burner when the valve is not closed; this occurs by detecting the temperature in the immediate vicinity of the burner; however, when the flame has just been lighted, the thermocouple is still cold and therefore erroneously provides a flame absence signal; this means that it must be initially excluded until it has reached the proper operating temperature. The translation of the valve shaft is countered by the action of elastic means, typically a spring, used for keeping the valve shaft at a distance from the valve body.
It is therefore apparent that handling the knob requires the user to apply to the knob, through the fingers of his/her hand, not only a torque (for its rotation), but also an axial force (for its translation); as far as valves adapted for use in gas cooking tops are concerned, said torque is almost negligible for the average user, while said axial force is noteworthy.
The Applicant realized that the problem about how to shape the valve knob in order to help the user apply the axial force has been largely (if not entirely) neglected in the past.
Therefore, no really effective solution to this problem is available on the market.
The general object of the present invention is to provide a knob which facilitates both the rotation and the translation of the shaft whereto it is applied. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide such a knob which is specifically adapted to be applied to gas valves fitted with a safety system, in particular for use in. cooking tops.
These and other objects are achieved by the knob having the features set out in the appended claims, which are intended as an integral part of the present description. The Applicant has understood that the difficulty in effectively transmitting the axial force to the knobs known in the art is related to the fact that prior-art knobs are adapted to be manipulated with the fingertips.
The general idea at the basis of the present invention is to shape the knob in such a way that it can be, in a sense, gripped. Preferably, according to the present invention, the knob is so shaped that it can be manipulated with one hand by gripping one end thereof between the tip of the thumb of said hand and the side of at least the forefinger of said hand.
According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a gas cooking top using said knob for its valves. The present invention will become more apparent from the following description and from the annexed drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a knob according to the present invention, and
Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional side view of a cooking top according to the present invention.
Said description and said drawings are to be considered as non-limiting examples. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a knob 1 according to the present invention. Said knob is fitted to a shaft (partially shown) of a gas valve (not shown) which protrudes from a control panel (partially shown) of a gas cooking top (not shown). Knob 1 comprises a first outer portion 11 on the front and a second outer portion 12 on the rear; the valve shaft is inserted in rear portion 12; essentially, knob 1 is adapted to be manipulated through front portion 11.
Knob of Fig. 1 has the shape of a cylinder sectioned according to a plane 30, which forms an angle α relative to the cylinder axis 10. As a result, there are a side surface 2 and a front surface 3.
Knob 1 is a single piece; alternatively, it may consist of a number of parts rigidly joined to one another.
Fig. 2 shows a very schematic view of a gas cooking top 100.
Gas cooking top 100 comprises just one gas burner 4; of course, the present invention is independent of the number of burners.
Gas cooking top 100 comprises a flat area (shown on the right) accommodating burner 4, and a raised area having a substantially triangular section (with rounded corners). Said raised area houses a gas valve 5 fitted with a safety system, and includes a control panel 6. Control panel 6 is flat along a plane 60 forming an angle β relative to the installation plane 1000 of the cooking top 100.
Gas valve 5 is provided with a gas flow adjustment shaft 51 ; the gas enters valve 5 through a duct 52 and flows out of valve 5 through a duct 53, which delivers it to burner 4. Shaft 51 of valve 5 can perform both a rotary motion and a translation (axial) motion.
Knob 1 of Fig. 1 is fitted to shaft 51 of valve 5 of cooking top 100 shown in Fig. 2.
In the example of Fig. 2, the angles α and β are equal; this is a preferred but it is not an essential feature. In general, the knob according to the present invention has a substantially cylindrical shape and has a front surface arranged according to a plane forming an angle of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, relative to the cylinder axis.
For the sake of simplicity, the front surface may be substantially flat.
As an alternative, the front surface may be concave, preferably so that it accommodates to a fingertip, in particular the tip of a thumb.
For the sake of simplicity, the side surface may be substantially flat.
As an alternative, the side surface may be concave, preferably so that it accommodates the side of a finger, in particular of a forefinger.
Even more generally, the knob according to the present invention is so shaped that it can be manipulated with one hand by gripping one end thereof between the tip of the thumb of said hand and the side of at least the forefinger of said hand.
It is apparent from the above description that the knob according to the present invention can be manipulated easily, as regards both translation (axial) and rotary movements. Therefore, the knob according to the present invention is particularly suited to being applied to the adjustment shaft of any gas valve; furthermore, it turns out to be particularly useful for valves fitted with a safety system and/or associated with gas ignition systems and/or with temperature sensor exclusion devices.
In the light of the above, it can be easily understood why an aspect of the present invention is represented by a gas cooking top.
In general, a gas cooking top according to the present invention comprises at least one gas burner supplied through a corresponding gas valve and a knob as defined above; said valve is fitted or associated with a rotating adjustment shaft and the knob is applied to said shaft. A knob can be applied to a shaft in several known ways.
As said, the present invention is even more advantageous when the valve shaft can slide axially.
The knob as defined is particularly suitable for use in a gas cooking top having the features described below. Said gas cooking top comprises a substantially flat control panel; the valve shaft is arranged in the panel in an inclined and preferably perpendicular direction relative to the panel; the panel is inclined through an angle of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, relative to the installation plane of the cooking top.
Thus, the knob can be gripped very naturally by a user of the cooking top; the grip is even more natural if the control panel is located on the front of the cooking top and is inclined toward the front.
The present invention may be implemented in many different ways and is not limited to the illustrated examples, as is apparent to anyone skilled in the art. In particular, the knob according to the present invention may advantageously be used for non-gas cooking tops and, more in general, for other household appliances, and applied to a shaft of an adjusting and/or switching element.
The above-mentioned advantages in terms of grip and the above considerations about the inclined control panel also apply to other household appliances.

Claims

1. Knob (1), in particular for a gas valve (5), having a substantially cylindrical shape, characterized by having a side surface (2) and a front surface (3) arranged according to a plane (30) forming an angle (α) of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, relative to the cylinder axis (10).
2. Knob (1) according to claim 1, wherein said front surface (3) is substantially flat.
3. Knob (1) according to claim 1, wherein said front surface (3) is concave, preferably so that it accommodates a fingertip, in particular the tip of a thumb.
4. Knob (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said side surface (2) is substantially flat.
5. Knob (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said side surface (2) is concave, preferably so that it accommodates the side of a finger, in particular of a forefinger.
6. Knob (1), in particular for a gas valve, characterized by being so shaped that it can be manipulated with one hand by gripping one end (11) thereof between the tip of the thumb of said hand and the side of at least the forefinger of said hand.
7. Knob (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by being a single piece or by consisting of a number of parts rigidly joined to one another.
8. Gas cooking top (100) comprising at least one gas burner (4) supplied through a corresponding gas valve (5), said valve (5) being fitted or associated with a rotating adjustment shaft (51), characterized by comprising at least one knob (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7 applied to said shaft (51).
9. Gas cooking top (100) according to claim 8, wherein said shaft (51) can slide axially.
10. Gas cooking top (100) according to claim 8 or 9, comprising a substantially flat control panel (6), said shaft (51) being arranged in said panel (6) in an inclined and preferably perpendicular direction relative to said panel (6), wherein said panel (6) is inclined through an angle (β) of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, preferably about 45 degrees, relative to the installation plane (1000) of said cooking top (100).
11. Household appliance characterized by comprising at least one knob according o any of claims 1 to 7 applied to a shaft of an adjusting and/or switching element.
EP06809179A 2005-11-09 2006-11-03 Ergonomic knob and gas cooking top using it Withdrawn EP1946199A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000791A ITTO20050791A1 (en) 2005-11-09 2005-11-09 ERGONOMIC KNOB AND GAS COOKING HOB THAT USES IT
PCT/IB2006/003101 WO2007054772A1 (en) 2005-11-09 2006-11-03 Ergonomic knob and gas cooking top using it

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1946199A1 true EP1946199A1 (en) 2008-07-23

Family

ID=37872325

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06809179A Withdrawn EP1946199A1 (en) 2005-11-09 2006-11-03 Ergonomic knob and gas cooking top using it

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1946199A1 (en)
IT (1) ITTO20050791A1 (en)
RU (1) RU2403613C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2007054772A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU208731U1 (en) * 2021-10-12 2022-01-11 Акционерное общество "Научно-производственный комплекс "ЭЛАРА" имени Г.А. Ильенко" (АО "ЭЛАРА") SWITCH HANDLE

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE617441C (en) * 1935-08-19 Eschebach Werke Akt Ges Gas tap with a position indicator connected to the gas tap plug
GB265698A (en) * 1925-11-14 1927-02-14 Pacent Electric Company Improvements in or relating to control knobs
US2571681A (en) * 1947-03-12 1951-10-16 Keeler Brass Co Knob for spindles of electrical apparatus and the like
GB663509A (en) * 1949-12-28 1951-12-19 Thomas Lamb Rotatable knobs or handles
GB716726A (en) * 1951-11-21 1954-10-13 Jackson Electric Stove Company Improvements in or relating to electric thermostat control and like knobs
CH337587A (en) * 1955-04-14 1959-04-15 Prometheus Ag Fabrik Elektrisc Electric cooker
DE1565409A1 (en) * 1966-01-05 1970-02-26 Electrolux Ab Lighting device of the switchboard on electrical heating devices
FR1518919A (en) * 1967-02-10 1968-03-29 Control panel for household appliance such as stove and household appliances provided with this control panel
DE3014829C2 (en) * 1980-04-15 1983-01-20 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Rotary handle for manual operation of a device
DE3045568C2 (en) * 1980-11-28 1982-10-28 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Motor drive for low-voltage circuit breakers

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007054772A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2008122887A (en) 2009-12-20
WO2007054772A8 (en) 2007-09-27
ITTO20050791A1 (en) 2007-05-10
WO2007054772A1 (en) 2007-05-18
RU2403613C2 (en) 2010-11-10

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