EP4702283A1

EP4702283A1 - A gas cooker with a knob assembly

Info

Publication number: EP4702283A1
Application number: EP23935558.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yahya AKKUS; Halit AKDOGAN; Ethem TEKE; Tuncay CIHAN
Original assignee: Femas Metal Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Femas Metal Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2023-04-24
Filing date: 2023-04-24
Publication date: 2026-03-04
Also published as: WO2024225988A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a knob assembly for a gas cooker comprising a front panel (10), a hole (16) provided on the front panel (10), a gas valve (40) on an inner wall (18) of the front panel (10) concentric with the hole (16) having a rod (42), and a cap-shaped cover (21) on an outer wall (12) of the front panel (10) surrounding the hole (16) with a knob (20) having a sleeve (28) that extends from an inner part of the cover (21) to the rod (42) of the gas valve (40) and couples to the rod (42). The knob assembly has a collar (22) having a barrier portion (25) extending adjacent to a lateral wall (23) surrounding the hole (16) from outside and a support portion (24) fixed to the hole (16).

Description

A GAS COOKER WITH A KNOB ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a knob assembly designed to facilitate the mounting of a knob to a domestic appliance, particularly a gas cooker.

STATE OF THE ART

Gas ovens, favored in kitchens for their exceptional baking and roasting capabilities, include gas burner units. These gas burners provide high heat and consistent temperatures, allowing for precise temperature control and the ability to instantly turn on and off with minimal residual heat. Main gas pipes are in place to supply the necessary gas for the operation of gas burners within gas ovens. In these systems, which operate with fuels such as natural gas, butane, propane, etc., gas tightness and efficiency are critical issues. After the fuel enters the oven, it is conveyed to the gas valve through the main gas pipe. It is essential for the tightness of the knob assemblies, which are designed in conjunction with the gas valve, to be high.

EP2659499B1 relates to a knob assembly used in household appliances. The publication discloses a household appliance comprising a control panel made from a glass material, a circular opening on the control panel, a knob positioned within the opening, a housing attached to the back of the control panel extending inward from the control panel to protect the knob, LED structures placed on the back wall of the housing to activate a light source, and a light guide placed within the housing to illuminate the area around the knob.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a knob assembly for gas cookers with high structural integrity.

In order to achieve the above objective, the invention relates to a knob assembly for a gas cooker comprising a front panel, a hole provided on the front panel, a gas valve on an inner wall of the front panel concentric with the hole having a shaft, and a cap-like cover on an outer wall of the front panel surrounding the hole, where the cover extends from an inner part of the cover to the shaft of the gas valve and is coupled to the shaft with a sleeve. The feature of the knob assembly further comprises a ring having a barrier portion extending adjacent to a lateral wall surrounding the hole from the outside and a support portion fixed to the hole, thereby ensuring the gas valve shaft is securely sealed. Furthermore, an ergonomic and high-strength knob assembly structure is provided by achieving a one-piece knob assembly structure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring includes a flange resting against the inner wall of the front panel along the hole. This provides a leak-proof structure and prevents the cooker's interior from being visible to the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flange is in a ring-like form, thereby increasing the resting area and strengthening the leak-proof structure. Alternatively, the flange's central hole could be square or rectangular in shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support part extends perpendicularly from an inner edge of the flange, resulting in a compact structure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ring is made from a single piece of plastic injection molding, thus achieving a high-strength structure and ease of manufacturing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is in a truncated cylindrical shape concentric with the shaft extension axis. This facilitates the transmission of the rotational movement applied by the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it includes a gas pipe adapted to feed gas to a gas valve and extending perpendicularly to the gas valve, thus ensuring the supply of gas needed for the gas cooker to burn.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is provided at a distance from the outer wall of the front panel, making it easy for the user to rotate the cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the gas cooker.

Figure 2 schematically shows the knob assembly according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a representative front view of the knob assembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the invention is explained with references to examples, without any limitation, solely for the purpose of better understanding the subject matter.

In Figure 1 , the gas cooker is shown in perspective. The gas cooker preferably includes a front panel (10) for a gas oven. The front panel (10) is designed to be flat and straight in a rectangular-like form. On an outer wall (12) of the front panel (10), there is at least one knob (20), with two knobs (20) being preferred in the depicted configuration. Opposite the outer environment faced by the outer wall (12) of the front panel (10), there is a leak-proof housing (30) provided behind the front panel (10). The housing (30) is positioned leaning against the front panel (10). On the front panel (10), there is a display (14) positioned to align with the center between the two provided knobs (20). The display (14) is in a rectangular-like form and allows the user to read data such as oven temperature and time.

In Figure 2, the knob assembly subject of the invention is shown schematically. A hole (16) is provided on the outer wall (12) of the front panel (10), into which the knob (20) is inserted. The hole (16) is circular in form and is provided concentrically with the knob (20). The knob (20) includes a rotatable cap-shaped head (21) provided at a distance from the front panel (10). The diameter value of the head (21 ) is preferably chosen to be larger than the diameter value of the hole (16), and the head (21) is in the form of a truncated cylinder. The knob (20) includes a ring (22) that is concentric with the head (21 ) and leans against the hole (16). The ring (22) is circular in form and its diameter value is selected to be equal to that of the hole (16). The ring (22) is made in a single-piece structure from plastic injection molding. A flange (26), extending perpendicularly from a support part (24) of the ring (22) that leans against the outer wall (12) and disposed in a sealing manner, is present. The flange (26) is ring-like in form and leans against an inner wall (18) opposite the outer wall (12) of the front panel (10). The knob (20) includes an extended sleeve (28) provided to pass through the ring (22) and the flange (26). The sleeve (28) is cylindrical in form and extends from the center of the knob (10). The sleeve (28) extends up to an extended shaft (42) of a gas valve (40) that couples with the knob (20). The shaft (42) is wrapped by the sleeve (28) at a Proximal End (44) and is connected to the gas valve (40) at a distal end (46). The gas valve (40) is connected to an extended gas pipe (50) that supplies the necessary gas flow for operation. The gas pipe (50) extends perpendicularly to the gas valve (40) and is placed adjacent to a bottom wall (32) of the housing (30) shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 3, the knob assembly according to the invention is shown schematically from the front. The knob (20) is positioned to be coaxial with a shaft extension axis (a) possessed by the shaft (42) of the gas valve (40) shown in Figure 2. The knob (20) includes a lateral wall (23) that completely surrounds and leans against the hole (16). Adjacent to an inner surface of the lateral wall (23), there is a barrier part (25). The barrier part (25) enhances sealing and is circular in form. The support part (22) of the ring (22) that leans against the hole (16) extends perpendicularly to an inner edge (262) of the flange (26). The support part (22) and the flange (26) are provided in the shaft extension axis (a). The flange (26) is positioned on the inner wall (18) of the front panel (10) to be larger than the diameter value of the hole (16). The flange (26) is in a leak-proof structure.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Front Panel 28 Sleeve

12 Outer Wall 30 Housing

14 Display 32 Bottom Wall

16 Hole 40 Gas Valve

18 Inner Wall 42 Shaft

20 Knob 44 Proximal End

21 Head 46 Distal end

22 Ring 50 Gas Pipe

23 Lateral Wall

24 Support Part

25 Barrier Part

26 Flange

262 Inner Edge

Claims

1- A knob assembly for a gas cooker comprising a front panel (10), a hole (16) provided on the front panel (10), a gas valve (40) on an inner wall (18) of the front panel (10) concentric with the hole (16) having a rod (42), and a cap-shaped cover (21) on an outer wall (12) of the front panel (10) surrounding the hole (16) with a knob (20) having a sleeve (28) that extends from an inner part of the cover (21 ) to the rod (42) of the gas valve (40) and couples to the rod (42), characterized in that a collar (22) having a barrier portion (25) is extending adjacent to a lateral wall (23) surrounding the hole (16) from outside and a support portion (24) fixed to the hole (16).

2- A knob assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a flange (26) rests against the inner wall (18) of the front panel (10) along the hole (16).

3- A knob assembly according to claim 2, wherein the flange (26) is in a ring-like form.

4- A knob assembly according to claims 2-3, wherein the support portion (24) extends perpendicularly to an inner edge (262) of the flange (26).

5- A knob assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the collar (22) is made from a single-piece plastic injection molding.

6- A knob assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (21) has a truncated cylindrical structure concentric with a rod extension axis (a).

7- A knob assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a gas pipe (50) adapted to feed gas to the gas valve (40) and extending perpendicularly to the gas valve (40).

8- A gas oven according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (21 ) is provided at a distance from the outer wall (12) of the front panel (10).