KR20040015094A - Improved user interface for cooking appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

The cooking controller assembly includes a heating member 510, a push-to-turn rotary switch 100, and an electric controller. The heating element is coupled to the push-to-turn rotary switch and the electrical controller 505. Push-to-turn rotary switch 100 is manually pushed and turned to selectively connect power to the heating element. An electrical controller is coupled to the push-to-turn rotary switch and the heating element, and electrically controls power to the heating element in connection with manual rotation of the push-to-turn rotary switch.

Description

IMPROVED USER INTERFACE FOR COOKING APPLIANCES}

In chillers, heaters such as glass-ceramic cooktops often have radiant heaters provided underneath the ceramic-glass, or in a continuous system, the heating elements are manufactured in direct contact with the cookware. The heater is usually controlled by a general electromechanical regulator and controlled by an electric control scheme that circulates the heater irregularly using time-controlled technology. The technology consists of one phase of stopping function and one phase of activating the function, and are not connected to the electrical controller. Another type of control modifies the shape of the power supply wave to change the power supplied to the heater.

One control that uses this approach is an infrared torch control that uses infrared light reflected from the user interface. Another method, known as the user interface for electrical control in glass-ceramic cooktops, is using field effective sensor technology. This technology uses static electricity emitted around the torch pad. If the user disturbs this area, the controller interprets this as human action.

Capacitive torch sensors are generally known as other input methods for the electrical control used in such devices. Another input that the user can adjust with the electrical controller is a membrane switch.

All of the above systems have their own problems and limitations. An electromechanical regulator refers to a controller that provides full power for a period of time to start a heater and then stops working after a period of time. The shortest cycle these machines can hold is anywhere from one to two minutes. This type of controller provides very poor thermal regulation capability, especially when set at low temperatures. Infrared torch control results in insensitivity, inaccuracy, and random switch behavior problems due to overflowing the cooktop surface or the perimeter of the pan or torch pad. Field effects and capacitive torch sensors suffer from incorrect or random switch behavior due to RF and e-field disturbances.

Moisture causes serious problems in conventional capacitive sensors. Plastic membrane switches are very heat sensitive and create a problem of changing the feel and feel. These often appear in the shape of wrinkles or waves, make them dull in use, and make it difficult to properly color match panels and substrates. Dirt adheres easily to the edges of the membrane, which can contaminate the signal and cause cleaning problems. Thus, the electrical controller achieves a satisfactory operation of one step of stopping operation by adding an extra circuit and of this step of starting operation.

The present invention relates to a general cooking apparatus, and more particularly to an interface for a cooking apparatus.

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, and 1G are cross-sectional views of one embodiment of a switch assembly,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the switch assembly of FIG. 1, wherein parts of the switch assembly are shown separately;

3 is a rotation diagram of one embodiment of the switch assembly,

4 is a flow chart of the switch assembly of FIG.

5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a cooking controller assembly.

One embodiment according to the present invention provides a cooking controller assembly comprising a heating element, a push-to-turn rotary switch and an electrical controller. The heating element is coupled to the push-to-turn rotary switch and the electrical controller. The push-to-turn rotary switch is manually pushed and turned to selectively connect power to the heating element. The electrical controller is coupled to the push-to-turn rotary switch and the heating element, and electrically regulates power at the heating element with respect to the manual rotation of the push-to-turn rotary switch.

In the drawings, parts similar to those of the embodiment of the present invention are used for the sake of description by using the same reference numerals.

One embodiment of the switch arrangement (Figs. 1 and 2, 100) allows a user to interface with an electrical controller, where it energizes the electric heater from crossing the current voltage source once. The switch 100 comprises two sets 125 which are in dry contact. The first set 125 stops the flow of current provided to the heater and / or other controlled device. The second set of contacts 125 energizes the alert light and / or other signaling device that provides feedback to the user. The contact 125 is activated by rotating the switch shaft 105. The switch shaft 105 is coupled to the cam shaft 110 through the cam 150 at an angle of rotation to open and close the contact 125 (FIG. 1B). Contact 125 may be formed in a set to open or close at a certain angle of rotation, or open or close at another angle of rotation of the shaft.

One end of the switch shaft 105 may be secured to the handle for ease of use. The other end of the switch shaft 105 is coupled to the cam shaft 110 via the switch housing 115. The switch shaft 105 slides into the cam shaft 110. The spring 120 is provided inside the cam shaft 110 and is disposed between the cam shaft 110 and the switch shaft 105. The spring 120 exerts a force on the switch shaft 105 to hold the shaft 105 at the extended point.

An appropriate stop is provided on the shaft to prevent it from being separated when the switch shaft 105 is provided at the extended point. A stop provided in the switch housing 115 allows rotation of the shaft 105 to occur after sufficient force is provided to the switch shaft 105. In order to operate the switch, the user first pushes the switch shaft 105 toward the inside a predetermined distance, and the shaft 105 is rotated by a predetermined amount by the force. To stop the switch operation, the user rotates the shaft 105 in the opposite direction out of its position. The inner spring 120 forces the switch shaft 105 to return to its original position. This is formed by one step of shutting down the operation so that the switch 100 operates stably and this step of starting the operation.

One end of the camshaft 110 is connected with the central contact of the potentiometer 130 (shown in FIG. 2). When the cam shaft 110 rotates, the resistance between the output pins of the potentiometer 130 is changed according to the angular position of the shaft. Analog potentiometer 130, which is incorporated in the switch, generates various outputs. The output is used to adjust the mechanical movement of the potentiometer with microcontroller. This allows selecting one of a predetermined number of power settings for the heater or other device from the power source (shown in FIG. 3).

The switch 100 comprises a temporary stop spring 135. The spring 135 rotates the camshaft 110 and limits the rotation of the camshaft 110 at a predetermined point. This stop point alerts the end user that sufficient force is applied to the controlled device after reaching the temporary stop. The second condition is achieved by applying an additional rotational force to the shaft 110 to overcome the spring tension of the temporary stop spring 135. This allows the center tap of potentiometer 130 to end its movement at the end stop point. When the applied force is removed, the axis returns to the temporary stop position. This action is done to signal the microcontroller for performing other operations and can be done by momentary switch action.

4 illustrates another embodiment of a switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a shaft, a first switch S1 and a second switch S2, a potentiometer 130 and a controller including first and second terminals. The first switch S1 may be coupled to the first device. The second switch can be coupled to the second device. The first device may comprise a heating element 510, and the second device may comprise, for example, a marker 515 such as light (shown in FIG. 5). The shaft is coupled to the first switch S1 and the second switch S2, and (i) is manually pushed and switched to the first point to be selectively connected to the power source via the first switch in the first device, and (ii) In the second device, through the second switch, the switch is manually pushed to the second point to be selectively connected to the power source.

Potentiometer 130 is coupled to the shaft and provides a variable resistor between the first and second terminals in connection with manual rotation of the shaft assembly. The controller is coupled to the potentiometer 130 and regulates the power supply of the first device and / or the second device in association with the variable resistor between the first and second terminals of the potentiometer. The controller includes an electrical controller 505 (eg, known as an electrical controller). The electrical controller 505 may electrically regulate power from the first device and / or the second device.

In sum, the power contacts cause motion to start or stop at different angles of the axis. This is the same principle as operating a cooling fan before starting a step such as energizing the heater. The potentiometer is executed by a first step of stopping operation and a second step of starting operation for safe relay operation. Potentiometers used for the on and off operation of the switch can withstand the high currents required to energize or remove energy from a load such as a heater. The potentiometer may comprise a temporary stop at the center contact or reciprocation of the wiper arm. The switch has the ability to adjust the power controller.

One embodiment uses a push to turn rotary switch as user control for an electric cooktop. The switch can be adjusted with an electrical controller that sequentially controls the electrical heating member. Therefore, the user can taste the advantages of electric cooking and at the same time can experience the convenience of the rotary switch.

5 illustrates one embodiment of a cooking controller assembly. The cooking system comprises a user interface connected to the electrical controller 505, which in turn supplies power to the heater 510. The interface may comprise a push two turn rotary switch 100, which may be used in an interface with an electric heater controller 505.

For example, by incorporating a push-to-turn rotary switch, a user can cook using a conventional electric controller while having a comfortable feel of the rotary switch. The first stage of stopping operation and the second stage of starting function (requiring satisfactory approval of the cooking apparatus) do not require any extra circuitry. The mechanical means of irregularly switching the heating element power becomes less sensitive to touch and can solve inaccurate or random operation problems caused by overflows on other items arranged around the torch pad or on the pan or cooktop surface. Will be. In addition, incorrect or random switch operation problems due to RF and two-field disturbances do not occur. And the moisture on the glass does not affect the switch operation.

The interface switch comprises a capability to supply an adjustable analog signal to the microcontroller 505. In turn, the microcontroller 505 may adjust the power supplied to the heating member 510. This allows, for example, the user to control the temperature of the heating element 510 very accurately at medium or low temperatures. The rotary switch 100 is mechanically very resistant in design and has a strong resistance to damage caused by mechanical abuse and exposure to chemicals in the house.

The cooking controller assembly includes a heating member 510, a shaft assembly, a switch, and an electric controller 505. The heating member 510 is coupled to the switch and the electrical controller 505. The shaft assembly is coupled to the switch and is moved in the first and second directions associated with the heating member 510 to selectively supply power to the heating member 510 through the switch. The shaft assembly can comprise a handle, which can be adjusted by the user. The switch is a push-to-turn switch. The electrical controller 505 is coupled to the switch and the heating member 510 and can adjust the power to the heating member 510 electrically in relation to the movement of the shaft assembly in the first and / or second directions.

Controller 505 comprises one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, or other logic elements. In addition, the electric controller 505 is configured to include EU-PPS control of Diehl's, ULCL control of Diehl's, and the like. The movement in the first direction and the movement in the second direction become the same direction. The power supplied to the heating element is provided by crossing the current voltage source once.

The foregoing invention of the described embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention. Modifications of various embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope of the claims set out below. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

Claims (12)

A heating member; A push-to-turn rotary switch; A cooking controller assembly comprising an electrical controller, The heating member is manufactured and disposed to couple with the push-to-turn rotary switch and the electrical controller, The push-to-turn rotary switch is manufactured and disposed to manually push and turn so as to selectively connect power to the heating member. The electrical controller is manufactured and arranged to be coupled with the push-to-turn rotary switch and the heating element, and adjusts the power provided to the heating element electrically in relation to the manual rotation of the push-to-turn rotary switch. Cooking controller assembly, characterized in that the manufacturing and placement. The cooking controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the push-to-turn rotary switch is manufactured and arranged to be manually turned in order not to selectively connect power to the heating member. The cooking controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical controller is manufactured and placed without including spare parts. The cooking controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the push-to-turn rotary switch performs a push and turn operation manually. The cooking controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the push-to-turn rotary switch is pushed to rotate. The cooking controller assembly of claim 1, wherein the power source of the heating member is selected by a user. The method of claim 1, The push-to-turn rotary switch includes a potentiometer including first and second terminals, The potentiometer provides a variable resistor between the first and second terminals with respect to the manual rotation of the push-to-turn rotary switch, And the variable resistor uses the electric controller to electrically control power provided to the heating member. A heating member; An axial assembly; A switch; In a cooking controller assembly comprising an electric controller, The heating member is manufactured and arranged to couple with the switch and the electrical controller, The shaft assembly is manufactured and disposed to engage with the switch, and is manufactured and arranged to move in a first direction and a second direction associated with the heating member to selectively connect power to the heating member through the switch, The electrical controller is manufactured and arranged to engage with the switch and the heating member, and is supplied to the heating member in relation to movement in one of the first and second directions of the shaft assembly. A cooking controller assembly, wherein the cooking controller is manufactured and arranged to electrically control a power supply. The cooking controller assembly of claim 8, wherein the movement in the first direction and the movement in the second direction are in the same direction. The cooking controller assembly of claim 8, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a handle, the handle being manually rotated. 9. The cooking controller assembly of claim 8 wherein said switch comprises a push-to-turn switch. 9. The cooking controller assembly according to claim 8, wherein the power at the heating member is supplied by crossing the current voltage source once.