FR2756038A1 - GAS BURNER DEVICE WITH VARIABLE CONTAINER SUPPORT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device forming a gas burner with a variable heating surface. The device is characterized in that the elements forming the support arm (3) of a container are radially movable in a controlled manner by an assembly (7, 9, 10) with an electric motor (7) and arms (9) and links ( 10) at a chosen relative position defining an opening in the support of the container corresponding to a heating surface of the burner (2) adapted to the size of the container used. The invention finds application for cooking appliances.

Description

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  The present invention relates to a device forming

gas burner.

  Such a device is known comprising, to increase the range of operation of the burner, a number of concentric and independent flame crowns with a supply independent of the air-gas mixture associated with

each of these crowns.

  The burner device with variable heating surface as conceived above makes it possible to use containers of variable dimensions. However, if, inadvertently, the user selects several flame crowns to heat the contents of a container of a diameter significantly smaller than the heating surface provided by the flame crowns lit, the handle or handles of the container , see even the user, can

to be burned.

  It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above disadvantage by providing a gas burner device comprising a container holder above the burner consisting of at least two radial support arm members of the container and characterized in that the support arm members are radially movable in a controlled manner to a selected relative position defining an opening of the container support corresponding to a burner heating surface adapted to

  the size of the container used.

  The burner comprises at least two independent and concentric flame crowns each defining a heating surface and the support arm members are radially displaceable at a selected relative opening position of the container support corresponding to one of the

wreaths of flame.

  Advantageously, the device comprises detection means, such as electrical contactors, of the radial position of at least one of the support arm elements corresponding to one of the flame crowns and supplying an electrical control signal. 'food

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  in gas of at least the flame ring to which are

  positioned the support arm members.

  The detection means also provide one or more electrical control signals for supplying gas to the flame crown (s) internal to the external flame ring to which the arm members are positioned.

of support.

  The flame crowns are respectively connected to gas supply pipes on which are respectively mounted solenoid valves, one of which is controlled in the open position by the electrical signal from the means for detecting the chosen position of the arm members. to support the corresponding flame ring and, where appropriate, the other solenoid or supply of the inner ring (s) of said powered flame ring is or are controlled in the open position by the electrical signal or signals from detecting means or means having been actuated by the passage of the support arm elements towards their

external position chosen.

  The means for controlling the displacement of the support arm members comprises an electric motor and a mechanism connecting the motor shaft of the electric motor to the support arm members to move them.

  simultaneously in the same radial direction.

  The device also comprises a selection means, such as a rotary knob, of the position of the support arm elements and adapted to supply the electric motor so as to move the elements to their chosen position.

by this means of selection.

  The selection means closes, at each of its positions of movement control of the support arm forming elements, an electrical contact allowing the passage of the electrical opening control signal of each

  solenoid valve from the corresponding detection means.

  Advantageously, the container, when placed on the elements forming a support arm, makes contact

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  electrical device allowing the passage of the electrical opening control signal of each solenoid valve and controls the opening of an electrical contact supply of the electric motor for controlling the displacement of the elements forming the support arm. Preferably, the support arm elements are electrically conductive and constitute with the container of an electrically conductive material placed thereon a closed electrical circuit permitting the passage of the aforementioned electrical control signal and controlling the opening of at least a power contact of the electric motor. The mechanism of the displacement control means of the support arm elements comprises at least two rigid arms diametrically opposed to the driving shaft of the electric motor and two rods articulated respectively on the one hand to the two opposite ends of the two rigid arms. and on the other hand to the two diametrically opposite support arm members each slidably mounted on a slideway so that rotation of the electric motor in either direction causes concomitant radial displacements in one direction or in the other. other support arm elements, which are four in number being two to two diametrically opposite

  and forming between them a right angle.

  The invention will be better understood and other purposes, features, details and advantages thereof

  will appear more clearly in the explanatory description

  which will follow with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating an embodiment of the invention and in which: - Figure 1 is a top view of the gas burner device according to the invention; ;

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line II-

  II of the device of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a partial sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 2;

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  - Figure 4 is a bottom view along arrow IV of Figure 2; - Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic top views of the burner device of the invention and respectively showing three different positions of container support arm members; and FIG. 6 schematically represents a circuit for supplying air-gas mixture of the flame crowns of the

  burner device of the invention.

  The gas burner device as shown in the figures is of the type comprising a container support 1 above a burner 2 and constituted in the present case of four radial support arm elements 3 two by two

  diametrically opposite, forming a right angle between them.

  The burner 2 comprises a certain number of concentric and independent flame crowns 4, in this case three in number, and to each of them is associated

  a supply independent of the air-gas mixture.

  Such a known device allows a user to choose via a selection means, such as a rotary knob present for example on the control panel of a cooking appliance, the flame crown (s) to be used. depending on the diameter of the container whose content is to be heated. Thus, if the container used has a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the flame crown intermediate with two crowns respectively internal and external flame, the user selects the position of the selection means so as to allow the ignition of the two crowns of intermediate and internal flame. In the maximum position of the selection means, all

  the flame crowns are lit.

  However, as already explained above, such a known device has the disadvantage that when a container is placed on the support 1 with arm 3 and has a diameter corresponding, for example, to the diameter of the intermediate flame crown, the user can, by inadvertently, operate the selection means so as to also

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  light the outer diameter ring of larger diameter so that the handle or handles of the container,

  see even the user, can be burned.

  To overcome the above disadvantage, according to the invention, the elements forming radial arms 3 are movable radially, that is to say along their longitudinal axes, in a controlled manner to a chosen relative position defining an opening of the support of container 1 with a diameter corresponding to a heating surface of the burner 2

  adapted to the diameter of the container used.

  More precisely, when the burner comprises the three flame crowns 4 each defining a heating surface, the support arm elements 3 are radially displaceable relative to the frame 5 of the cooking appliance at a relative position chosen to define a diameter opening of the container support 1 somewhat larger than the diameter of the corresponding one

flame crowns 4.

  For this, each support arm member 3 is slidably mounted in a radial slide 6 secured to the frame 5 and having a groove 6a, for example in the form of a dovetail, in which a part

  forming conjugate tenon 3a of the arm member 3.

  The means for controlling the displacement of each support arm member 3 in its corresponding slideway 6 comprise an electric motor 7 whose driving shaft 8 rotates, integral with it, four rigid arms 9 situated in the same plane. below the slides 6 and the burner 2 parallel to these slides. The rigid arms 9 are two-to-two diametrically opposite and form between them a right angle as best shown in Figure 4. Each rigid arm 9 has its end opposite to that integral with the shaft 8 connected to a hinged parallel link to the arm 9 above it and itself connected hinged at its opposite end to the vicinity of the front end of the element 3a portion of the element

forming a movable arm 3.

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  The simultaneous or concomitant movement control means of the support arm elements 3 is as follows. When the support arm elements 3 occupies the position shown in particular in Figure 2 to which they define between them a minimum opening diameter of the container support 1 corresponding to the heating surface provided by the internal flame ring 4, in suitably supplying the electric motor 7 so as to rotate the motor shaft 8 and thus the rigid arms 9 in the direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 4, the arms 9 cause, via the rods 10, the simultaneous movements of the elements forming the support arm 3 of the central flame ring 4 towards the outer flame ring 4 until reaching the desired position relative to one of these flame crowns

  external to the selected position of the selection means.

  Preferably, as the support arm members 3 deviate from one another, they retract in part into vertically shaped conjugate openings in the frame 5 of the housing unit. cooking. To bring back the elements forming the support arm 3 towards the central flame crown, it is sufficient to control, via the selection means, the electric motor 7 in the opposite direction of rotation to that of the arrow F. FIGS. 5A at 5C show the three different positions of the support arm members 3 respectively corresponding to the container heating positions by the central, intermediate and

external 4.

  These figures show that the flame rings 4 are successively lit as the support arm members 3 are spaced from each other to a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the container used so as to adapt the heating surface provided. by the

  4 flame crowns to this container.

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  FIG. 6 schematically shows the gas supply circuit, in fact of the air-gas mixture, of each of the flame crowns 4 as well as its electrical control circuit. According to FIG. 6, the gas supply tube 11 is connected to three parallel tubes 12 connected respectively to the three flame crowns 4 and each comprising a

  solenoid valve 13 whose opening is controlled as follows.

  Each selected position of a support arm member 3 is detected by a detecting means 14, such as for example an electric contactor, associated with the support arm member 3 and actuated by it when it is in operation. at the corresponding chosen position. Preferably, in the case of three flame rings 4 of the burner, three detection means 14 are associated with one of the support arm elements 3 to detect the positions of the elements 3 respectively corresponding to the three flame crowns 4. Of course, it is possible to associate a first detection means 14 with an element 3 to detect the position of these elements corresponding to the central flame crown 4, a second detection means associated with a second element 3 to detect the position of these elements corresponding to the intermediate flame crown 4 and a third detection means 14 associated with a third element 3 to detect the position of these

  elements corresponding to the external flame ring 14.

  When the support arm elements 3 occupy the position shown in FIG. 4 corresponding to the central flame ring 4, the first detection means 14 is actuated so as to close the corresponding electrical contact 14a and provide an opening control current. of the corresponding solenoid valve 13 in order to

  allow ignition of the central flame crown 4.

  Of course, the application of the control current of the corresponding solenoid valve 13 takes place only if the selection means is operated at the control position of the displacement of the support arm members 3

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  closing a corresponding electrical contact 15 connected in series with the associated electrical contact 14a. Thus, when the support arm elements 3 occupy the position shown in FIG. 4, the contacts 14a and 15 forming part of the control circuit of the corresponding solenoid valve 13 located in the upper part of FIG. 6 are closed. Preferably, the control of the opening of this solenoid valve 13, thus the ignition of the central flame crown, occurs only if a container is placed on the elements 3 so as to close an electrical contact

  16 connected in series with the electrical contacts 14a and 15.

  Advantageously, the detection of the presence of a container on the elements forming the support arm 3 is effected by the elements themselves which are made of an electrically conductive material so that by placing the electrically conductive material part of the container. on these elements, a circuit closure equivalent to that of an electrical contact 16 can be made. However, it is also possible to make the electrical contact 16 by providing a pressure sensor associated with at least one of the support arm members 3 which is actuated when a

  container is placed on these elements.

  The ignition of each of the other flame rings 4 is carried out in the same manner as that of the central flame crown by providing the electrical contacts 14a, 15 and 16 in series in the control circuit of the corresponding solenoid valve 13. Since the internal flame crowns 4 must also light up with the external flame crown 4 to which the support arm elements 3 are positioned, the electrical contacts 14a, 15 and 16 of the solenoid valves 13 respectively associated with the internal flame crowns are kept closed in a manner known per se after having been actuated by the movable element 3. Of course, at each position of the selection means, the electric motor 7 is activated for a determined period of time making it possible to move the support arm elements 3 to their desired positions of a flame crown 4. A

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  this effect, it is possible to use an electric motor 7

of the step-by-step type.

  When the support arm elements 3 are in a position corresponding to the outermost flame ring and it is necessary to move them towards an internal flame ring, the user actuates the selection means at the corresponding position. so as to control the electric motor 7 to move the elements 3 to the selected position and the electrical contact 14a corresponding to the outer flame ring opens as well as the electrical contact 15 since the selection means is moved to a control position of the movement of

  elements 3 to one of the internal flame crowns.

  In order to prevent displacement of the support arm members 3 when they support a container whose contents are being heated, electrical contacts 17 are opened to prevent control of the electric motor 7. These contacts can be constituted by relay contacts activated in the open position by a relay itself controlled by the electrical contact made during the installation of the container on the elements forming the support arm 3. Relay contacts 18 are also provided in series with the relay contacts 17 to allow the supply of the electric motor 7 each time the selection means is moved to a control position of the movement of the

  support arm elements 3.

  As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4, the central flame crown 4 is supplied with an air-gas mixture by a central duct schematically represented at 19 in FIG. 2 while each flame ring outside the central flame crown is supplied with air-gas mixture by a radial duct 20, only one of which is shown in FIG. 4, and opening into a corresponding chamber 21 of the

  burner 2 associated with a flame ring 4.

  The burner device of the invention described above provides high yields since the support arm members 3 placed under the periphery

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  the container absorbs only the minimum amount of heat energy. This device is also advantageous from the point of view of user safety since it avoids any risk of burn by positioning the support arm members 3 to an opening diameter corresponding to the diameter of the container used. Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the support 1 may comprise three or two elements forming a support arm instead of four being respectively arranged at 120 of each other or so

diametrically opposite.

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Claims (12)

  A gas burner device comprising a container support (1) above the burner (2) consisting of at least two radial support arm support members (3), characterized in that the support arm members support (3) are radially movable in a controlled manner to a selected relative position defining an opening of the container support corresponding to a heating surface   the burner (2) adapted to the size of the container used.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the burner (2) comprises at least two independent and concentric flame crowns (4) each defining a heating surface and in that the support arm elements (3) are radially movable to a selected relative opening position of the container support   corresponding to one of the flame crowns (4).   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises detection means (14), such as electrical contactors, the radial position of at least one of the corresponding support arm members (3). at one of the flame crowns (4) and supplying an electrical gas supply control signal of at least the flame ring (4) to which the   support arm elements (3).   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the detection means (14) also provide one or more electrical control signals for supplying gas to the internal flame crown (s) (4) to the external flame ring. (4) to which are positioned the   support arm elements (3).   5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4,   characterized in that the flame crowns (4) are respectively connected to gas supply pipes on which solenoid valves (13) are respectively mounted, one of which is controlled in the open position by the 12 2756038   electrical signal from the detecting means (14) of the selected position of the support arm members (3) to the corresponding flame ring (4) and, if appropriate, the other one or more solenoid valves (13) of the inner ring (s) (4) to said powered flame ring (4) is or are controlled in the open position by the electrical signal or signals from the one or more detection means (14) having already been actuated by the passage of the supporting arm members (3) to their position selected external.   6. Device according to one of the claims   Previous, characterized in that the means for controlling the movement of the support arm members (3) comprise an electric motor (7) and a mechanism (9, 10) connecting the motor shaft (8) of the electric motor (7). to the support arm members (3) for moving them   simultaneously in the same radial direction.   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a selection means, such as a rotary knob, the position of the support arm members (3) and adapted to supply the electric motor (7) of   to move the elements (3) to their chosen position.   8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the selection means closes, at each of its control positions of the displacement of the support arm elements, an electrical contact (15) allowing the passage of the electrical control signal of opening a solenoid valve (13) coming from the detection means corresponding (14).   9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8,   characterized in that the container, when resting on the support arm members (3), makes an electrical contact (16) for passage of the electrical opening control signal of each solenoid valve (13) and controls the opening of at least one electrical contact (17)   power supply of the electric motor (7). 13 2756038   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the elements forming the support arm (3) are electrically conductive and constitute with the container of an electrically conductive material placed thereon a closed electrical circuit for the passage of the electrical signal of aforementioned order and order the opening of the   contact (17) for supplying the electric motor (7).   11. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the aforementioned mechanism comprises at least two rigid arms (9) integral diametrically opposite the motor shaft (8) of the electric motor (7) and two links (10) hinged respectively on the one hand at the two opposite ends of the two rigid arms (9) and on the other hand to the two diametrically opposite support arm members (3) each slidably mounted on a slide (6) so that a rotation of the electric motor (7) in one direction or the other causes the concomitant radial displacements in one direction or the other of the elements. forming support arm (3).   Device according to one of the claims   preceding, characterized in that it comprises four elements forming support arm (3) two to two diametrically   opposite, forming a right angle between them.