EP4189291A1

EP4189291A1 - Rotary knob for a cooking device

Info

Publication number: EP4189291A1
Application number: EP20957848.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ogun DUZGUN; Erdem EROGLU; Yahya AKKUS; Sema ISIK
Original assignee: Femas Metal Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Femas Metal Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2020-07-28
Filing date: 2020-07-28
Publication date: 2023-06-07
Also published as: WO2022081098A1; EP4189291A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary adjustment knob for a cooking device comprising a central core member (40) and a support body (30) secured from a proximal edge (41) to the front portion (31) of the core member (40) and radially surrounding the core member (40) to form a coaxial tube structure. The rotary knob further comprises an outer ring (20) is at least partially disposed at the outer periphery (32) of the support body (30) from an inner portion (27), an axial groove (25) and a guiding post (33) reciprocally engaged between the inner portion (27) and the outer periphery (32) in a radially interlocking manner.

Description

ROTARY KNOB FOR A COOKING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to multipart a rotary adjustment knob assembly utilized in cooking devices, particularly in ovens.

PRIOR ART

Domestic ovens generally have a front panel attached to upper side of the body defining a cooking chamber. Front panel is equipped with a control panel or adjustment knobs to set operation parameters. Temperature of the ovens with simple control assembly is adjusted by means of a mechanical thermostat, and the operation configuration of the electric heating elements are performed by a program switch, particularly a mechanic switch. Both thermostat and switch are controlled via shafts extending vertically towards the front panel. Knobs on the front panel are passed through the shafts, allowing the user to adjust the oven function and temperature separately by turning each knob. Rotary knobs comprise an elongated sleeve engaging the shaft and an outer ring to which the sleeve is mounted at a proximal end and adapted to the front thereof to facilitate gripping.

TR200501576U discloses a coupling element comprising at least one tab element, which connects the knob body, mounted inside a mounting hole of a display show the previously adjusted settings and with having a channel to be fixed on the channel and/or the hole to prevent retraction of the channel and inside the mounting hole to immobilize the display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Object of the invention is to provide a compact rotary adjustment knob for cooking devices.

In order to achieve the above objective, the invention comprises a central core member and a support body secured from a proximal edge to the front portion of the core member and radially surrounding the core member to form a coaxial tube structure. Rotary adjustment knob also comprises an outer ring at least partially disposed at the outer periphery of the support body from an inner portion, an axial groove and a guiding post reciprocally engaged between the inner portion and the outer periphery in a radially interlocking manner. Outer ring allows the rotation of the adjustment knob by the user by grabbing. Meanwhile, the axial groove and the guiding post engage each other, preventing the outer ring from sliding on the outer periphery of the support body. In a preferred embodiment, the guiding post extends, for example, in the form of a line so as to fill the entire axial groove. In a possible embodiment, the guiding post can partially fill the axial groove, for example in the form of a point. Axial groove can be parallel with the rotation axis directly, or can be configurated in the form of an inclined or curvilinear groove comprising an axial component.

A preferred embodiment of the invention a radial groove and corresponding protrusion provided between the inner portion and the outer periphery and engage each other in an axial locking manner on the outer ring on the support body. Radial groove aggravates the removal of the outer ring from the outer periphery of the support body by pulling the outer ring in the axial direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the radial groove is provided on the outer periphery of the support body, and the corresponding protrusion is provided on the inner portion of the outer ring. Outer ring can be stretched more than the support body due to its wider diameter, allowing the protrusion to be on the inner portion of the outer ring, facililates the assembly thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, outer periphery comprises the outer periphery is having a radially outwardly extending rear portion stepped at its rear end, and the outer ring is arranged circumferentially along a rear edge to fit into the rear portion step. This particularly facilitate the mounting of the outer ring to support body by front-pushing. Inner diameter of the outer ring is preferably smaller than the rear portion provided with notch, allowing the reclining of the ring by pushing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guiding post and radial groove are provided adjacent to the rear portion of the outer periphery with a certain distance between each another. Therefore, the outer ring can be mounted to the support body from its rear edge with a close proximity to the notched portion. Therefore, the radial groove is fully seated on the axial groove guiding post and passes through the rear edge, allowing a safe fixing thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guiding post and radial groove extend perpendicular to each other. Thus, the guiding post directly resists radial and axial stresses with the radial groove. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the core member is in the form of an elongated tube-like structure that completely surrounds the outer periphery of the supporting body coaxially with the outer ring. In this way, by rotating the outer ring, maximum torque transmission can be transferred to a gas adjustment valve or switch shaft that can be mounted from the rear end of the core member or to a pop-out mechanism mounted on.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention comprises a retaining extension extending inwardly from the front of the support body and engaging a corresponding hole in the proximal edge of a core member arranged abutting the front wall. Thus, the core member is moved forward in the support body and the retaining extension passes through the hole, preventing the core member from slipping in the support body in the case of rotational movement. Retaining extension supports the core member for torque transmission. In a possible embodiment, retaining extension is a radially distributed multiple arm structure concentric with the core.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a flexible inner sleeve extending from the front inwardly enclosing the retaining extension at a distance and coupled to the outer periphery of the proximal edge of the core member. The inner sleeve provides coaxial guidance of the core member with the support body and blocks its radial movement.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a tab and a retaining slot provided opposite each other in such a way that allows the inner face of the inner sleeve and the outer part of the core member to be coupled to one another. In this way, the core member is prevented from coming out of the support body by pulling.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, tab and the retaining slot are aligned concentrically with the radial groove. In this way, when the outer ring and the support body and the core member extend coaxially, the protrusion and radial groove in the tensile direction, as well as the tab and the retainer slot, form resistance against.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer ring comprises a front wall mounted to hold a cover that extends and leans over the front portion of the support body. The front wall both protects the front portion of the support body and can be in different colors for decorative use as a separate piece.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support body and the outer ring are made of plastic material. This allows the stretch of the flexible plastic outer ring in the distance of the guiding post when the axial groove and the corresponding guiding posts engage each other when threaded onto the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a disassembled perspective view on the same axis of a representative application of the rotary adjustment knob in the pop-out structure.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the core member in a representative embodiment of the rotary adjustment knob according to the invention before its assembly into the support body.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a representative embodiment of the rotary knob mounted on the shaft.

Figure 4 is an inner perspective view of an outer ring on the rotary adjustment knob shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is the front perspective view of the support body that is adjusted to fit the outer ring shown in the Figure 4.

Figure 6 is the cross-sectional view of a representative embodiment of the rotary adjustment knob according to the invention in the assembly stage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, development according to the invention has been described without any limitations and only with references to the examples to better explain the subject.

Figure 1 demonstrates a perspective view of the representative embodiment of a rotary adjustment knob bearing a stem (60) engaging a shaft (70) extending from a slot in the front panel of an oven (not shown). A helical spring (50) is disposed in front of the stem (60). The helical spring (50) pushes against a front portion (31 ) of a support body (30) abutting from a proximal edge (41) by pressing against a core member (40) from behind with the stem (60) placed on a pop-out mechanism (not shown). The core member (40) has a hollow cylindrical outer portion (42) and is made of plastic material. A retaining slot (44) in the form of an annular groove is mounted on the outer portion (42). A flat lower extension (43) is located below the outer portion (42) towards the proximal edge (41 ). A support body (30) in the form of a cylindrical cover positioned against the core member (40) from a circular inlet portion (36) so as to grip the core member (40). The diameter of the inlet portion (36) is adjusted larger than the diameter of the outer portion (42). Support body (30) comprises a cylindirical outer periphery (32) with two notches. The diameter of the front portion extending in a close proximity to the circular front portion (31) is narrow, and the diameter of the rear portion positioned against the inlet portion (36) is wide. A guiding post (33) extending axially forward from the transition stage is located on the front portion of the outer periphery (32). Other adjacent guiding posts (33) are distributed equiangularly through the outer periphery (32) in an angle of 120°. Front end of the guiding post (33) has a distance between the front portion (31). On the other hand, one radial groove (34) extending radially is provided between each guiding post (33) couple. The radial groove (34) is in the upset form but can be alternatively formed in cut-out structure. The radial groove (34) extends parallel, and adjacent to the front notch of the rear portion (35). An annular flat outer ring (20) is provided coaxially with the support body (30) facing the front portion (31 ). The circular inner diameter of the outer ring (20) is adjusted in close proximity to the outer periphery diameter (42) of the part of the support body (30) that is also in close proximity to the front portion (31). In this way, the outer ring (20) is coaxially fit on the outer periphery (32) up to the notched portion from the front. This allows the fastening of the rear edge (24) to the notch. The outer ring (20) is of a caplike structure with a planar front wall (22) that can be inserted from the front portion (31 ) to the outer periphery (32), and a circular flat plate (12) is placed on the front wall (22) throughout its peripheral edge (11 ).

In Figure 2, the support body (30) is shown in perspective from the rear portion. There are three equal-angled retaining extensions (37) surrounding an opening in the center of the circle on the rear wall of the front portion (31 ) accessed from the circular inlet portion (36) of the support body (30). The retaining extensions (37) are in the form of equidistant segmented springs of an empty cylinder of equal diameter. An inner sleeve (39) is in the form of a concentric ring surrounding the retaining extensions (37) at a radial distance. Inner diameter of the inner sleeve (39) is adjusted equal to the outer diameter of the corresponding proximal edge (41) of the core member (40). Furthermore, a planar part in the form of a slot is formed at the bottom of the inner sleeve (39). Here, the lower extension (43) is locked with an inwardly extending protrusion(38). There is a ring-shaped tab (391) in the middle of the inner sleeve (39) facing inward. The dimensional properties of the tab (391) are enough to fit into the retaining slot (44) when the core member (40) is mounted to the support body (30). Figure 3 perspectively demonstrates the rotary adjustment knob from the outer periphery. The outer ring (20) is inserted into the outer periphery (32) of the support body (30) in alignment with the front portion (31) and is fixed thereof. Meanwhile, the plate (12) is placed on the front wall (22). The stem (60) which is adapted to the spring (50) concentrically with the support body (30) and attached to the furnace shaft (70) extends from the inlet portion (36) outward.

Figure 4 pespectively demonstrates the outer ring (20) from a distance facing the support body (30). The outer ring (20) is passed concentrically from an inner portion (27) of the cylindrical lateral wall (21 ) to the outer periphery (32) of the appropriate diameter from the front portion (31). The axial groove (25) in the form of a cavity extending from the circular rear edge (24) of the outer ring (20) to the inner portion (27) is flat and is at a distance from the front wall (22). Three axial grooves (25) with equal angular spacing are formed, each of which is adjusted to engage the corresponding guiding post (33). Between each pair of axial grooves (25), there is a protrusion (26) extending radially, and which has dimensional properties enough to pass into the radial groove (34). Inner portion (27) has notches, allowing diameter increase towards front wall (22). Both protrusion (26) and axial grooves (25) are located in the narrow notch near the rear edge (24) in the inner portion (27). Figure 5 perspectively demonstrates the support body (30) from the outer periphery. The support body (30) is in the form of a two-stage cover that expands along a step boundary towards the rear portion (35). The diameter of the outer periphery (32) extending towards the rear portion (35), which is gradually wider, is equal to the diameter of the lateral wall (21 ). Therefore, when the inner portion (27) passes into the outer periphery (32) of the outer ring (20), it only settles on the front part and abuts on the notch from its rear edge (24). Meanwhile, the guiding posts (33) pass into the corresponding axial groove (25) and twitch the outer ring (20) on the outer periphery (32) of the support body (30) as radial locks. When the rear wall (24) settles on the notch, the protrusions (26) fit into the corresponding radial groove (34) and lock it axially. Therefore, the outer ring (20) is mounted on the support body (30).

Figure 6 cross-sectionally demonstrates the adjustment knob in the assembly stage. In the present case, the front wall (22) of the outer ring (20) abuts against the plate (12) from behind. The flat front portion (31) of the support body (30) also abuts against the front wall (22) from inside as support element. The core member (40) is placed from the inner portion (41) to the front portion (31) from its proximal edge (41 ). Meanwhile, the retaining extensions (37) passing through the holes (45) prevent the core member (40) from rotating in the inner sleeve (39) of the support body (30). On the other hand, the tab (391 ) is placed in the annular retaining slot (44) and hinders the axial movement of the core member (40) in the inner sleeve (39). In this way, an integrated adjustment knob is obtained, which includes the concentric cover (10), the outer ring (20), the support body (30) and the core member (40) that are interlocked to each other both radially and axially. The adjustment knob is attached to the core member (40) by means of the stem (60) placed from the inside or directly to the shaft (70), and other such elements. The user rotates the outer ring (20) by grasping. Meanwhile, the axial grooves (25) safely transmit torque to the guiding posts (33) radially, and the torque transmitted from the outer ring (20) to the support body (30) is transferred to the core member (40) with the help of the retaining extensions (37) and the tab (391 ). In the next step, the torque is transmitted to the stem (60) adapted to transmit torque to the core member (40). The stem (60) rotates the circled shaft (70).

LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Cover 35 Rear portion

11 Peripheral edge 36 Inlet portion

12 Plate 37 Retaining extension

20 Outer ring 38 Protrusion

21 Lateral wall 39 Inner sleeve

22 Front wall 391 Tab

24 Rear edge 40 Core member

25 Axial groove 41 Proximal edge

26 Protrusion 42 Outer portion

27 Inner portion 43 Lower extension

30 Support body 44 Retaining slot

31 Front portion 45 Hole

32 Outer periphery 50 Spring

33 Guiding post 60 Stem

34 Radial groove 70 Shaft

Claims

1- A rotary adjustment knob for a cooking device comprising a central core member (40) and a support body (30) secured from a proximal edge (41 ) to the front portion (31) of the core member (40) and radially surrounding the core member (40) to form a coaxial tube structure characterized in that an outer ring (20) is at least partially disposed at the outer periphery (32) of the support body (30) from an inner portion (27), an axial groove (25) and a guiding post (33) reciprocally engaged between the inner portion (27) and the outer periphery (32) in a radially interlocking manner.

2- A rotary adjustment knob according to Claim 1 , wherein a radial groove (34) and corresponding protrusion (26) provided between the inner portion (27) and the outer periphery (32) and engage each other in an axial locking manner on the outer ring (20) on the support body (30).

3- A rotary adjustment knob according to Claim 2, wherein the radial groove (34) is provided on the outer periphery (32) of the support body (30), and the corresponding protrusion (26) is provided on the inner portion (27) of the outer ring (20).

4- A rotary adjustment knob according to Claim 2-3, wherein the outer periphery (32) is having a radially outwardly extending rear portion (35) stepped at its rear end, and the outer ring (20) is arranged circumferentially along a rear edge (24) to fit into the rear portion (35) step.

5- A rotary adjustment knob according to the Claim 4, wherein the guiding post (33) and the radial groove (34) are provided at the outer periphery (32) at a vicinity to the rear portion (35) at a distance from each other.

6- A rotary adjustment knob according to claim 5, wherein the guiding post (33) and the radial groove (34) extend diagonal to each other.

7- A rotary adjustment knob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the core element (40) is in an elongated tube-like form, completely surrounding the outer periphery (32) of the support body (30) coaxially with the outer ring (20).

8- A rotary adjustment knob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support body (30) is having a retaining extension (37) extending from its front portion (31) and engaging the corresponding hole (45) in the proximal edge (41) of a core member (40) adjusted to abut against the front wall (22). - A rotary adjustment knob according to Claim 8, wherein a flexible inner sheet (39) inwardly extending from the front portion (31) in a distance surrounding the retaining extension (37) and coupled to the outer periphery of the proximal edge (41 ) of the core member (40). 0- A rotary adjustment knob according to Claim 9, wherein the inner face of the inner sleeve (39) and the outer portion of the core member (40) comprise a tab (391 ) and a retainer slot (44) that are reciprocally coupled to each other. 1- A rotary adjustment knob according to Claim 10, wherein the tab (391 ) and retaining slot (44) are aligned concentrically with the radial groove (34) 2-A rotary adjustment knob according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer ring (20) comprises an extending front wall (22) that covers the front portion (31 ) of the support body (30) and is adjusted to hold a cover (10) abutted thereof. 3- A rotary adjustment knob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support body (30) and outer ring (20) are made of plastic material.