EP3184893B1

EP3184893B1 - A thermostat tap with a motor controlled by electronic circuit for domestic ovens

Info

Publication number: EP3184893B1
Application number: EP16160977.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet Demirezen; Gokhan Turhan; Ercan Ersoy
Original assignee: Turas Gaz Armatuerleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Turas Gaz Armatuerleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2015-12-25
Filing date: 2016-03-17
Publication date: 2019-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-17
Also published as: EP3184893A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a thermostat tap for gas operated domestic cookers/ovens which comprises a motor driven by electronic circuit and allowing direct control, as well as a solenoid coil or electromagnet connected to the gas inlet in the gas tap body for safety purposes, wherein the need for a transmission element is eliminated due to said motor driven by electronic circuit.
In the state of the art, thermocouple or thermostat taps comprising heat-sensitive liquid therein are used for setting the oven temperature. In said thermostat systems, the lower and upper sections of the gas tap are adjusted to the desired heat by manually rotating for positioning and the meal is cooked for some time under temperature. The thermocouple connected to the tap inside the oven is the part which provides said balance. To describe the system briefly, a thermocouple which is disposed in the oven and connected to the gas tap is located in the burner section of the oven, the thermal balance of which is desired to be adjusted and where burning occurs. A force effect is formed inside the thermocouple by means of a heat-sensitive liquid inside the thermocouple. Said force effect is proportional to the temperature inside the oven. With the effect of said force, a diaphragm quite thin in structure is provided in the end portion of the thermocouple connected at tap side. The diaphragm is opened/closed with the effect of the force coming from the thermocouple by means of the diaphragm. Thus, thermal balance within the oven is maintained. Apart from that, there exist electrical thermostat taps in the state of the art, yet this type of configurations are intended for manually controlled ovens, and also the tap size increases while the sensitivity decreases because of the section where heat-sensitive liquid is stored. In the thermostat tap according to the invention, however, temperature is set by means of a motor directly connected to the body and driven by an electrical circuit. Hence, touch-control of the ovens operated by gas can also be achieved.
The thermostat tap according to the invention can also be produced in a way to be safe against going out, as is the case for the gas taps of prior art. In going out-safe production, the entire gas passage may be stopped by means of an electromagnet placed in the tap in the event of gas leakage. Nevertheless, the invention is different in that there also exists an alternative embodiment thereof allowing the use of a solenoid coil instead of electromagnet for providing safety against going out.

STATE OF THE ART

In the state of the art, the U.S. Patent No. US2014/0117103 A1 dated 01.05.2014 discloses a "Thermostat and Housing for Thermostat". Accordingly, said thermostat comprises a housing, a temperature sensor assembly, a switching arrangement, and an adjustment shaft. The housing includes a generally L-shaped main body attached to a generally U-shaped cover. The temperature sensor assembly includes a bellows operably fluidly attached to a capillary tube. The switching arrangement is operated by the temperature sensor assembly to open and close a circuit as a result of the temperature changes in the operating fluid. The adjustment shaft is configured to define the temperature adjustment point operating the circuit opening/closing assembly of the temperature sensor assembly and extends along the housing. However, the aforementioned invention is designed for manually controlled domestic ovens while our invention, in contrast thereto, has a motor driven by electronic circuit suited for use in touch-control ovens.
Another one is the "Thermostat" application No. WO 2014/053981 A2 made by Controlling Saving Energy Italia S.R.L. This invention relates to a thermostat for cooking appliances powered by gas, said thermostat comprising a body within which there are formed an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, suitable to receive a gas flow from a supply source and to supply such a gas flow to a gas burner, respectively, as well as a chamber. Moreover, the chamber comprises a main opening and a second conduit which are respectively dimensioned for a maximum and a minimum flow rate of gas, wherein the thermostat body is arranged in fluid communication with the outlet conduit either directly, through said main opening, or indirectly, through said secondary conduit. In addition, a valve is placed in the chamber for adjusting the gas flow rate, the valve being coaxially fitted therein. Thanks to these characteristics, the structural configuration of the thermostat body is smaller, more functional and cost-effective than the thermostat of prior art. The application mentioned here is also designed for manually controlled domestic cookers, wherein the thermostat is opened/closed by means of a thermostatic liquid in accordance with the set temperature. Our application, on the other hand, the temperature is closed after reaching the set temperature by means of the motor driven by electronic circuit.
In document EP0875720A2 , a safety and regulation valve unit for a gas installation, comprising a duct (2) through which the fuel can flow between an inlet (4) and at least one outlet (6,8) is disclosed. On-off fuel-valve means (10) are interposed in the duct (2) between the inlet (4) and the at least one outlet (6,8), and there is a movable device (18) for controlling the valve means as well as actuator means acting on the movable device in order to move it towards a first operative position in which it cooperates with the on-off valve means (10) in order to put the inlet (4) into communication with the outlet (6, 8). The actuator means comprise a reversible motor (20) with a rotor (22) connected to a male-and-female screw (24a,26) coupling acting on the movable device (18) to translate it towards the first operative position and to control the on-off valve means (10) mechanically.
Document GB2225415 discloses a gas valve wherein a motor shaft (24) comprises a diaphragm pin (25) moving a valve member and limit switches (50) associated with the flange (51) of the valve member.
Our invention, in contrast thereto, has a motor driven by electronic circuit suited for use in touch control ovens.
In light of the state of the art described above, it is an innovative approach to use together gas taps which are integrated with a motor driven by an electronic circuit and can be directly driven without requiring any transmission element, and gas taps which comprise at least one solenoid coil within touch-controlled domestic cooking appliances. The present invention solves the problems of the prior art, and thus exceeds the state of the art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention is carried out by the thermostat tap according to claim 1.
Another object of the invention is to introduce a thermostat tap with an electromagnet instead of the solenoid coil in an alternative embodiment.
Another object of the invention is to be provided with an adjustment screw allowing a continuous gas passage at the minimum from the thermostat tap body.
Yet another object of the invention is to introduce a gas operated touch-control oven gas tap by allowing the temperature to be set by means of a motor directly connected to the body and driven by an electrical circuit.
Another object of the invention is to produce the tap of aluminum by profile extrusion process.
And another object of the invention is to provide the body as a single-piece body made of aluminium.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, all types of standard solenoid coils used today can be used in the present system.
The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will be understood more clearly with the detailed description written by referring to the following figures; therefore, the evaluation needs to be done by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of the thermostat tap according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the thermostat tap in the alternative embodiment,
Fig. 3 is the exploded view of the thermostat tap according to the invention,
Fig. 4 is the exploded view of the thermostat tap in the alternative embodiment,
Fig. 5 is the cross-sectional view of the thermostat tap according to the invention,
Fig. 6 is the cross-sectional view of the thermostat tap in the alternative embodiment,
Fig. 7 is the perspective view of the thermostat tap body according to the invention,
Fig. 8 is the perspective view of the body in the alternative embodiment,
Fig. 9 is the view showing the cross-sectional hole in the thermostat tap body according to the invention,
Fig. 10 is the top perspective view of the plastic carrier,
Fig. 11 is the bottom perspective view of the plastic carrier,
Fig. 12 is the perspective view of the stop means,
Fig. 13 is the perspective view of thermostat tap of prior art, and
Fig. 14 is the overall schematic view of the touch-control thermostat gas control system.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1. Thermostat tap according to the invention
- 1.1. Body
  - 1.1.1. Gas inlet
  - 1.1.2. Gas outlet
  - 1.1.3. Solenoid coil pool
  - 1.1.4. Cross-sectional hole
  - 1.1.5. Plastic carrier bearing
  - 1.1.6. Gasket bearing
  - 1.1.7. Body hole
  - 1.1.8. Adjustment screw housing
  - 1.1.9. Thermostat system housing
  - 1.1.10. Sealing element bearing
- 1.2. Solenoid coil
  1.2.1. O-ring
- 1.3. Motor driven by electronic circuit
  1.3.1. Shaft
  - 1.3.1.1. Diaphragm pin
  - 1.3.1.2. Stop pin
- 1.4. Stop means
  - 1.4.1. Angular protrusions
  - 1.4.2. Thread
- 1.5. Plastic carrier
  - 1.5.1. Cylindrical bearing
  - 1.5.2. Longitudinal bearing
  - 1.5.3. Lug
  - 1.5.4. Quadrangular bearing
- 1.6. Sealing element
- 1.7. Thermostat system
  - 1.7.1. Thermostat diaphragm
  - 1.7.2. Diaphragm shaft
  - 1.7.3. Diaphragm gasket
  - 1.7.4. Pressure spring
  - 1.7.5. Diaphragm washer
  - 1.7.6. Diaphragm O-ring
  - 1.7.7. Pinion shaft
- 1.8. Gasket
- 1.9. Adjustment screw
2. Gas tap in the alternative embodiment
- 2.1. Union
- 2.2. Electromagnet
3. Fixing screw
4. Contact means
5. Thermostat tap of prior art
6. Temperature sensor
7. Thermocouple
8. Lighter
9. Control card
10. Touch panel

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the thermostat taps (5) of prior art, oven temperature is set manually by means of a thermocouple and heat-sensitive liquid. The thermostat tap (1) according to the invention, on the other hand, has been developed for touch-control, gas-powered ovens and basically consists of a body (1.1) having a gas inlet (1.1.1) and one or more gas outlets (1.1.2); at least one motor (1.3) which is driven by an electronic circuit connected to the body (1.1), which provides control without requiring any transmission element, and which comprises a shaft (1.3.1); a solenoid coil (1.2) that may be connected for safety purposes; at least one stop means (1.4) which allows stopping the motor (1.3) driven by electronic circuit and controlling the position; a plastic carrier (1.5) which isolates said stop means (1.4) inside the tap; a thermostat system (1.7) for setting the oven temperature, a sealing element (1.6) that provides sealing of the gas in said thermostat system (1.7), fixing screws (3) for fixing all these systems, and an adjustment screw (1.9). In the aforementioned thermostat tap (1) according to the invention, the first area through which the gas first enters is the gas inlet (1.1.1) disposed on the tap body (1.1), and right behind is the solenoid coil pool (1.1.3) connected thereto. However, in the alternative embodiment (2) of the invention, an electromagnet (2.2) and a union (2.1) are disposed in place of the solenoid coil (1.2). The thermostat tap (1) according to the invention is capable of being adjusted at the desired temperature range as long as the user system and burner is suitable for said purpose.
Said thermostat system (1.7) consists of a thermostat diaphragm (1.7.1) allowing gas passage at the set temperature by moving up/down, a diaphragm shaft (1.7.2), a diaphragm gasket (1.7.3), a pressure spring (1.7.4), a diaphragm washer (1.7.5), a diaphragm O-ring (1.7.6), and a pinion shaft (1.7.7). Said pressure spring (1.7.4) allows pushing while the diaphragm gasket (1.7.3) prevents the thermostat diaphragm (1.7.1) from compression in case of closing. Thus, compression is avoided even in case of excessive rotation of the motor.
In order for the gas to be directed to the outlet, the motor (1.3) driven by electronic circuit is given energy and the diaphragm (1.7.1) is thus made to move up/down by means of the diaphragm pin (1.3.1.1) connected to the shaft (1.3.1). In this manner, with the magnetic field formed by triggering the solenoid coil (1.2), the coil (1.3) and thermostat diaphragm (1.7.1) are retracted, and the gas inside the pool (1.1.3) passes through the body hole (1.1.7) and reaches the adjustment screw housing (1.1.8) and thermostat system housing (1.1.9). The desired gas flow rate can be adjusted by means of the adjustment screw (1.9) located between the thermostat system (1.7) and the gas outlet (1.1.2). Minimum level of gas passage is provided by the adjustment screw (1.9) while maximum gas passage is provided by the thermostat system (1.7). Upon reaching the temperature set by the user, the diaphragm (1.7.1) closes and maximum gas passage stops. However, minimum gas passage is required to continue in order that constant temperature can be achieved and the flame will not go out, i.e. that inside of the oven will not be filled with gas. To that end, a cross-sectional hole (1.1.4) is arranged on the body (1.1.1) in a way to connect the adjustment screw housing (1.1.8) to the gas outlet (1.1.2).
A gasket (1.8) is disposed in the gas inlet (1.1.1) for sealing and a gasket bearing (1.1.6) is arranged in the body (1.1) where said gasket is to be positioned. There exists an O-ring housing on the body (1.1) in order to provide sealing subsequent to connecting the solenoid coil (1.2) on said body (1.1). An O-ring (1.2.1) with the desired properties may be located in said housing. Said solenoid coil (1.2) is connected to the body (1.1) by means of at least two fixing screws (3). However, in the alternative embodiment, the electromagnet (2.2) does not require either a fixing screw (3) or a gasket (1.8). Said electromagnet (2.2) is tightened by means of a union (2.1) therebehind. The body is provided thereon with a sealing element bearing (1.1.10) where the sealing element (1.6) is placed and the motor (1.3) driven by electronic circuit is mounted on said part. In order for the motor (1.3) driven by electronic circuit not to lose its position, a stop means (1.4) is assembled on the body (1.1). However, said stop means (1.4) needs to be isolated with the body (1.1). For that purpose, the body (1.1) is provided thereon with a plastic carrier bearing (1.1.5) for positioning of the plastic carrier (1.5); wherein said plastic carrier (1.5) is mounted in the plastic carrier bearing (1.1.5) using at least two fixing screws (3). The plastic carrier (1.5) is thus prevented from turning to the right and left, thereby achieving a sensitive positioning. There exist cylindrical (1.5.1) and longitudinal (1.5.2) bearings on the plastic carrier (1.5), said bearings allowing the engagement of the contact means (4), and at the same time allowing the contact means (4) to move away from the body (1.1). Furthermore, the plastic carrier (1.5) is provided with at least two lugs (1.5.3) facilitating it to be assembled in the body (1.1), and with a quadrangular bearing (1.5.4) for mounting the stop means (1.4) and for preventing the same from turning to the right and left. Said stop means (1.4) is quadrangular in cross-section; wherein it comprises angular protrusions (1.4.1) that provide contact with the stop pin (1.3.1.2) on the shaft (1.3.1) connected to the motor (1.3) driven by electronic circuit. Said angular protrusions (1.4.1) are located parallel to the stop pin (1.3.1.2). The stop means (1.4) is threaded (1.4.2) inside so that it can be fixed.
Apart from that, since the thermostat tap (1) according to the invention has a compact structure, the need for the gas distribution pipe to have a particular form is eliminated. As a result, it is not of much importance where the gas distribution pipe is arranged; in fact, even a small gas distribution pipe will be sufficient for the system.
The protection scope of this application is stated under the claims and cannot be restricted to the descriptions given only for illustrative purposes. It is because it is clear that any person skilled in the art can produce the novelty provided by the invention without drifting apart from the main subject of the invention and/or s/he can apply this novelty to other fields used in the related technique for similar purposes. Therefore, it is obvious that such embodiments will lack novelty, and especially will lack the criteria of exceeding the prior art, i.e. comprising inventive step.

Claims

A thermostat tap (1) for gas-powered ovens comprising
- a body (1.1) having a gas inlet (1.1.1) and one or more gas outlets (1.1.2);

- a thermostat system (1.7) configured to adjust the gas passage according to a set temperature, which comprises a diaphragm (1.7.1), a diaphragm shaft (1.7.2), a diaphragm gasket (1.7.3), a pressure spring (1.7.4), a diaphragm washer (1.7.5), a diaphragm O-ring (1.7.6), and a pinion shaft (1.7.7);

- a motor (1.3) which is driven by an electronic circuit connected to the body (1.1), which comprises a shaft (1.3.1), the shaft (1.3.1) comprising
• a diaphragm pin (1.3.1.1) moving the thermostat diaphragm (1.7.1) and

• a stop pin (1.3.1.2);

the thermostat tap (1) further comprising
- a solenoid coil (1.2) connected to the body (1.1);

- at least one electromagnet (2.2);

- an adjustment screw (1.9);

- a stop means (1.4) for stopping the motor (1.3);

- a plastic carrier (1.5) carrying the stop means (1.4), so as to isolate said stop means (1.4) from the body (1.1) of the thermostat tap (1);
and wherein the stop pin (1.3.1.2) provides the contact between the stop means (1.4) and the shaft (1.3.1) of the motor (1.3).
The thermostat tap (1) of claim 1 characterised in that the stop means (1.4) provides position control; and that it comprises angular protrusions (1.4.1) for stopping the stop pin (1.3.1.2) disposed on the motor (1.3) driven by electronic circuit, as well as threads (1.4.2).
The thermostat tap (1) of claim 1 characterised in that the solenoid coil (1.2) is located right behind the gas inlet (1.1.1) of the tap body (1.1).
The thermostat tap (1) of claim 1 characterised in that the tap body (1.1) comprises a solenoid coil pool (1.1.3) where the gas is stored before triggering the solenoid coil (1.2), a cross-sectional hole (1.1.4), a plastic carrier bearing (1.1.5) that prevents the plastic carrier (1.5) from turning to the right and left, a gasket bearing (1.1.6) for accommodating the gasket (1.8) intended for sealing, an adjustment screw housing (1.1.8), a thermostat system housing (1.1.9), a sealing element bearing (1.1.10), and a body hole (1.1.7).
The thermostat tap (1) of claim 4 characterised in that the plastic carrier (1.5) comprises a quadrangular bearing (1.5.4) for preventing the stop means (1.4) from turning to the right and left, lugs (1.5.3), and cylindrical (1.5.1) and longitudinal (1.5.2) bearings that allow the contact means (4) to be engaged and the contact means (4) to move away from the body (1.1).
The thermostat tap (1) of claim 4 characterised in that the body hole (1.1.7) allows the gas within the solenoid coil pool (1.1.3) to reach the adjustment screw housing (1.1.8) and the thermostat system housing (1.1.9).
The thermostat tap (1) of claim 4 characterised in that the cross-sectional hole (1.1.4) enables the gas to reach the gas outlet (1.1.2) from the adjustment screw housing (1.1.8), which allows minimum gas passage, when the system reaches the set temperature.