WO2014195067A1

WO2014195067A1 - Gas cooktop and gas stove

Info

Publication number: WO2014195067A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/058968
Authority: WO
Inventors: Filippo Tisselli; Filippo Zanetti
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2013-06-05
Filing date: 2014-05-02
Publication date: 2014-12-11
Also published as: EP2811230A1

Abstract

The present application in particular is directed to a gas cooktop (1) comprising at least one gas burner (3M) with a gas input. The gas hob (3M is moveable between different cooking positions within and relative to a cooking face (2) of the gas cooktop (1). The gas cooktop (1) further comprises a gas supply source with a gas output, and it comprises a gas feeding unit (8, 12, 13, 14) connecting the gas input which is stationary relative to the gas burner (3M) with the output that is stationary relative to the cooking face (2). The gas feeding unit (8,12, 13, 14) is adapted and configured to compensate changes in the relative position and orientation between the input and output during a movement of the at least one gas burner (3M).

Description

Gas cooktop and gas stove

The present application is directed to a gas cooktop and gas stove.

Recently, gas cooktops with increased flexibility, in particular with regard to cooking performance have been developed. It is an object of the invention to provide improvements related to the above mentioned developments and challenges. In particu^¬ lar, improvements related to the mechanical construction and gas feed of gas cooktops shall be provided. This object in particular is obtained through the features of claims 1 and 13. Embodiments in particular result from respec^¬ tive dependent claims.

According to claim 1, a gas cooktop is provided which comprises at least one gas hob. The gas hob comprises a gas input or inlet adapted to supply gas to the gas hob for operating the same.

The gas hob is adapted and configured to be moveable between different cooking positions within and relative to a cooking face of the gas cooktop.

Respective movements may comprise at least one of a linear and circular or pivoting movement. Linear movements of the gas hob may comprise movements in a direction parallel to the cooking face and/or in a direction perpendicular to the cooking face.

During movements perpendicular to the cooking face, the gas hob may be raised and lowered relative to the cooking face. Circular or curved movements of the gas hob relative to and/or within the cooking face may be provided to place and/or transfer the gas hob between different cooking locations. Respective cooking locations may either be single cooking loca^¬ tions in which each cooking hob of the gas cooktop makes up a single cooking zone; or be a combined cooking location or cook- ing zone in which two or more gas hobs are combined to make up a unique and enlarged cooking zone.

The gas cooktop further comprises a gas supply source with a gas output, i.e. a gas outlet, and a gas feeding unit which is adapted to supply gas from the gas supply source to the gas hob. The gas feeding unit is adapted and provided to connect the gas output of the gas supply source to a gas input of the gas hob.

With the proposed gas hob, the gas input to the gas hob is ar- ranged stationary relative to the gas hob. This in particular means that the gas input moves in concert with movements of the moveable gas hob, and in particular moves relative to the gas output of the gas supply source, which gas output is provided and arranged stationary relative to the cooking face. It shall be re-emphasized, that the gas output of the gas supply source is stationary relative to the cooking face, and that the gas hob and gas input of the gas hob are moveable relative to the cook^¬ ing face. Hence any movement of the gas hob will result in a relative movement between the input and output.

According to claim 1, the gas feeding unit is adapted and configured to balance or compensate any changes in the relative po^¬ sition and orientation between the gas input of the gas hob and the gas output of the gas supply source during a movement of the at least one gas hob.

In particular, the gas feeding unit may be adapted to compensate changes in position and orientation of the input relative to the output, caused or induced by a movement of the moveable gas hob relative to the cooking face. As can be seen, the proposed gas cooktop, in particular gas feeding unit is adapted to cope with gas hobs moveable relative to the cooking face. In embodiments, the at least one gas hob is moveable in at least one of a linear movement and pivotal movement. Linear movements may be provided in planes parallel to the cooktop or cooking face or perpendicular to the cooktop and cooking face. Pivotal movements may be provided relative to a pivot axis running per- pendicular to the cooktop and cooking face. In order to obtain pivoting movements of the gas hob, the pivotal axis is offset from an axis of symmetry, in particular a vertical axis of symmetry, of the gas hob. Moveable gas hobs are advantageous for obtaining more flexibil^¬ ity in the size and shape of cooking areas or zones within the cooking face. For example, a pivotable gas hob may be adapted to implement in one pivotal position and in combination with a further gas hob of the gas cooktop a combined unique cooking zone; whereas in another pivotal position the same gas hob may be adapted to implement a stand-alone hob and cooking zone.

In particular in the embodiments allowing linear and/or pivoting movements of the at least one moveable gas hob, may it either be a single gas hob or a group of at least two gas hobs, the gas feeding unit may be adapted to balance or compensate changes in the relative position and orientation between the input of the gas hob and output of the gas supply source arising from a line^¬ ar and/or pivoting movement of the gas hob/s .

It shall be mentioned, that either one or a group of two or more moveable gas hobs may be provided. If more than one moveable gas hob is provided, the gas hobs may be adapted to be moveable one- by-one, i.e. independently from each other; or they may be adapted to be jointly moveable, i.e. en bloc. A respective move^¬ able gas hob or a group of moveable gas hobs may be positioned on a moveable platform, in particular a turntable, which may for example be adapted to be moveable, in particular in linear and/or pivotable movements, within the cooking face. By moving the platform, the at least one gas hob may execute corresponding movements.

Linear and/or pivoting movements of the gas hob relative to the cooking face result in movements of the gas input of the gas hob relative to the gas output of the gas supply source. Relative movements between the input and output may be bridged and com^¬ pensated by the gas feeding unit in particular to provide gas hobs that can easily and in a user friendly way be moved along the given trajectories of linear and/or curved shape. In embodiments, the gas feeding unit comprises a gas hose or gas supply line that comprises at least one flexible and bendable section. The flexible and bendable section is adapted and con^¬ figured in such a way that changes in position and orientation between the input of the gas hob/s and output of a corresponding gas supply are compensated during movements of the at least one moveable gas hob.

The term "at least one flexible and bendable section" shall com^¬ prise embodiments in which the hose is flexible and bendable over essentially the whole axial length, except for possible end sections or end connectors, in particular fittings or end termi^¬ nals. "Flexible" and "bendable" in particular shall mean that the hose is able to change its course or path by changing or al^¬ tering the curvature and/or inflection.

The hose may be adapted to allow a continuous variation of cur^¬ vature. This in particular shall mean that the hose may be adapted to allow a variety of different curve shapes, may it be left-handed bends, right-handed bends and/or straight sections. As to the bendability of the hose, the hose may be adapted to allow bending radii as low as approximately 2 cm.

In order to obtain sufficient flexibility and bendability, the gas hose may be made from a gas-tight material allowing respec^¬ tive bendings, in particular repeated bendings . In one implemen^¬ tation, the gas hose may comprise a corrugated outer shell providing sufficient flexibility.

In embodiments, the gas hose may comprise at least one stiff and non-bendable section. A respective stiff and non-bendable sec^¬ tion may be advantageous for obtaining or implementing more favourable bending radii of the bendable hose sections during movements of the gas hob. Or in other words, the stiff and non- bendable sections may be favourable to restrict the lower limit of the bending radii of the flexible sections of the gas hose.

The stiff and non-bendable section may be implemented as a sin^¬ gle straight and/or bent section, or as a combination of several straight and/or bent sections.

In variants, the at least one stiff and non-bendable section, implemented either a straight or bent section, may be provided in or at an end section of the gas hose. In particular, the hose may comprise, at both end sections, stiff and non-bendable sec^¬ tions. The stiff and non-bendable sections at the hose ends may be interconnected by a flexible and bendable hose section.

As already mentioned above, providing one or several stiff and non-bendable sections may be advantageous for obtaining favoura^¬ ble bending radii with or for the flexible and bendable sections of the gas hose.

In further variants, the gas hose may at each end comprise a connection head, in particular screw-head, made from aluminium or stainless steel and a sealing cone made from a copper alloy, in particular a brass material. Respective terminal ends may be provided and adapted to allow easy, simple and safe connections of the gas hose to the output of the gas supply and input of the gas hob. It shall be noted that the sealing cone may also be im- plemented at respective terminations of the output of the gas supply and input of the gas hob.

In variants, the gas hose at least in sections comprises a clad^¬ ding, implemented as at least one of a coating and braid. The cladding is adapted and configured to avoid or at least greatly reduce at least one of contact wear and movement noise of the gas hose.

Contact wear and movement noise may occur during a movement of the moveable gas hob. During a movement of the moveable gas hob, the gas hose compensates or balances changes in the position and orientation of the gas output of the gas supply and gas input of the gas hob. A respective compensation and balance requires the hose to change its path, in particular curvature. At the same time, the hose may drag along a support face and thereby gener^¬ ate noise and/or be exposed to contact wear. The proposed clad^¬ ding, which may be provided either over the whole length of the gas hose or be provided at least in predefined sections of the gas hose, is intended to overcome movement nose and contact wear.

An alternative or in addition, spacers may be used to prevent, or at least greatly avoid, movement noise and/or contact wear. In an embodiment, the cladding is made of or comprises at least one of the following materials: plastic, silicone rubber, PTFE (polytetrafluorethene) , and fiber glass. The proposed materials may be provided as a coating and/or as a braid. Using the pro^¬ posed claddings is favourable in particular with respect to ser- vice life of the gas hose. In embodiments of the gas cooktop, the gas feeding unit may com^¬ prise a gas distributor. The gas distributor is stationarily implemented, in particular is stationarily attached, relative to the at least one moveable gas hob, which may be a single gas hob or a group of several gas hobs .

The term stationary in particular shall mean that the gas distributor is attached to move in concert with the moveable gas hob .

Providing a gas distributor in particular is of advantage if several gas hobs are placed on a moveable platform and can be jointly moved by moving the platform, which in particular may be a turntable. The gas distributor in this case can be simultane- ously connected to several gas hobs, or in other words can sup^¬ ply several gas hobs with gas. If the moveable gas hobs are mounted to or on a turntable or rotatable platform, the gas dis^¬ tributor may be positioned in the center of rotation with supply ducts leading to off-center gas hobs.

The gas distributor in general may be implemented to comprise one or several outputs, in particular output ducts, respectively connected to an input of a moveable gas hob. In this way, a com^¬ paratively easy and stationary gas supply on and within a movea- ble platform can be obtained.

With the proposed gas distributor, a gas input of the gas dis^¬ tributor is connected to the output of the gas supply source. Hence, gas can be supplied from the gas supply source to the moveable gas hob/s via the gas distributor.

In embodiments of the gas distributor, the input of the gas dis^¬ tributor is connected to the output of the gas supply source via a gas hose, which may at least in sections be flexible and bend- able, configured to compensate changes in the relative position and orientation between the input of the gas distributor and the output of the gas supply source during movements of the gas hob.

If a flexible gas hose is used in the connection between the gas distributor and the gas outlet of the gas supply source, refer^¬ ence is made to the various embodiments and variants of the gas hose as described further above, which shall apply in the pre^¬ sent case mutatis mutandis. In particular, the gas hose may com^¬ prise one or more stiff and non-bendable sections, may comprise a cladding as set out above, and may comprise respective termi^¬ nal end connections. Other features and characteristics may be readily adapted.

In particular in embodiments in which the moveable gas hob, or a group of moveable gas hobs, is pivotable around a pivot axis, it is preferred that the gas distributor is attached to be pivot- able around the pivot axis in concert with the gas hob. In par^¬ ticular in this case, stiff and non-bendable ducts can be used for connecting the moveable gas hobs to the gas distributor. This may provide cost reductions, as the number of comparatively elaborate flexible hoses can be reduced.

As can be seen, the proposed gas cooktop is effective in provid^¬ ing improvements related to the mechanical construction and gas feed of gas cooktops with moveable gas hobs.

According to claim 13 a gas stove, i.e. gas cooker or gas oven, is provided which comprises a gas cooktop as described in one of the embodiments and/or variants further above. As to advantages, reference is made to the description above.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the annexed figures, in which: FIG. 1 shows a perspective broken up view of a first embodi^¬ ment of a gas cooktop in a first configuration; FIG. 2 shows a perspective broken up view of the gas cooktop of FIG. 1 in a second configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a detail of a flexible gas hose;

FIG. 4 shows a broken up top view of a second embodiment of the gas cooktop;

FIG. 5 shows a broken up top view of a third embodiment of the gas cooktop; and

FIG. 6 shows a broken up top view of a fourth embodiment of the gas cooktop.

Note that the figures are not necessarily to scale, and scales between the figures may alter.

Elements or parts that are equal or equal or similar in function will be designated with equal reference signs as far as not stated otherwise.

In the figures, the gas cooktop is shown and depicted as far as is considered necessary for understanding the invention. Ele- ments that are not absolutely necessary for understanding the invention, such as for example cover plates and the like, have been omitted for sake of clarity. However, the omitted elements may nonetheless belong to a respective cooktop. FIG. 1 shows a perspective, broken up view of a first embodiment of a gas cooktop 1 in a first configuration. The gas cooktop 1 comprises a cooking face 2 and four gas hobs 3 arranged within the cooking face 2. Two of the gas hobs 3 are stationary with respect to the cooking face 2 or support plate 4. The stationary gas hobs 3 are desig^¬ nated by additional reference sign "S" The other two of the gas hobs 3 are moveable relative to the cooking face 2 or support plate 4. The moveable gas hobs 3 are designated by additional reference sign "M" .

The moveable gas hobs 3M are placed on and mounted to a turnta- ble 5 which is rotatable around a pivot axis or center axis A. The moveable gas hobs 3M are placed on the turntable 5 at off- center locations, shifted by 180 degrees from each other.

By moving, i.e. rotating, the turntable 5, the moveable gas hobs 3M are displaced, i.e. rotated, relative to the cooking face 2, support plate 4 and stationary gas hobs 3S.

In the present embodiment, the turntable 5 is adapted to be ro^¬ tatable at least by 90 degrees such that the gas hobs 3 can be arranged in a row, as is the case in FIG. 1. In this configura^¬ tion respective two of the gas hobs 3 make up unique cooking zone. In more detail, a stationary gas hob 3S and a moveable gas hob 3M are respectively brought in close proximity to each other to make up a common cooking zone.

It shall be noted, that in the present case the turntable 5 is used as a moveable platform for moving the gas hobs. However, any other type of platforms, rails and the like may be used as well .

FIG. 2 shows a perspective, broken up view of the gas cooktop of FIG. 1 in a second configuration. In FIG. 2, the moveable gas hobs 3M, together with the turntable 5 are rotated by 90 degrees as compared to FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, each of the gas hobs 3 consti- tutes a single cooking zone. The stationary gas hobs 3S, in more detail gas inlets of the stationary gas hobs 3S, are connected via stiff and non-bendable gas ducts 6 to gas outputs or gas outlets of respective gas sup^¬ ply sources or gas feeds 7. The stiff gas ducts 6 may be made from aluminium or other suitable material.

The moveable gas hobs 3M, in more detail, gas inlets of the moveable gas hobs 3M, are connected via flexible and bendable gas hoses 8 to gas outputs or outlets of respective gas feeds 7.

As can in particular be seen from a comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the flexible gas hoses 8 are designed and implemented so as to balance and compensate the changes in the relative posi^¬ tion and orientation between the gas inputs of the moveable gas hobs 3M and the gas outputs of the corresponding gas feeds 7.

The flexible gas hoses 8 may be implemented in accordance with any embodiment as described further above. In particular, the flexible gas hoses 8 may comprise a cladding for preventing or at least minimizing contact wear and movement noise.

The flexible gas hoses 8 may be made from any suitable flexible material, being sufficient flexible and bendable so as to allow comparatively small bending radii.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of a flexible gas hose as used in the em^¬ bodiment according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The gas hose 8 in the flexible sections comprises a corrugated structure 9 which pro^¬ vides sufficiently bendability and flexibility to the gas hose 8. At each end section, the gas hose 8 comprises a connection head 10 made from aluminium or stainless steel and a sealing cone 11 for gas-tightly connecting the gas hose 8 to a respec^¬ tive gas input or gas output. The proposed design in particular allows easy and uncomplicated assembly and mounting of the gas hose 8. FIG. 4 shows a broken up top view of a second embodiment of the gas cooktop 1. The gas cooktop 1 according to the second embodi^¬ ment essentially has the same design and configuration as the first embodiment, except for the gas hoses connecting the movea- ble gas hobs 3M to respective gas feeds 7.

The gas hoses used in the second embodiment respectively com^¬ prise a stiff hose section 12 and a flexible and bendable hose section 13. With regard to the combination of flexible and bend- able sections, the gas hoses may be designated as a hybrid gas hose .

The stiff sections 12 may be made from aluminium or stainless steel, whereas the flexible sections 13 may be made from a flex- ible material, in particular as set out further above.

One advantage that may be obtained by using hybrid gas hoses, i.e. gas hoses with stiff sections 12 and flexible sections 13, is that more favourable bending radii and gas hose paths can be obtained.

Further advantages, in particular with regard to gas hose path and bending radii, may be obtained by refining the structure and constitution of the gas hose as described beforehand.

As can for example be seen in FIG. 5, showing a broken up top view of a third embodiment of the gas cooktop, the gas hoses used in connection with the moveable gas hobs 3M respectively comprise stiff and non-bendable sections 12 at both ends, re- spectively interconnected by a flexible and bendable section 13. From FIG. 5 it can be seen that stiff sections 12 of the gas hoses are provided both at the gas inputs of the gas burners 3M and at the gas outputs of the gas feeds 7. FIG. 6 shows a broken up top view of a fourth embodiment of the gas cooktop 1. Similar to the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to 5, the gas cooktop 1 comprises two stationary gas hobs 3S and two pivotable gas hobs 3M mounted to a turntable. Reference in par^¬ ticular is made to the description above. For connecting the gas input of the moveable gas hobs 3M to the corresponding gas outputs of the gas feeds 7 a gas distributor 14 is provided. The gas distributor 14 is adapted to connect the gas output of respective gas feeds 7 to gas inputs of corre^¬ sponding moveable gas hobs 3M placed on the turntable 5.

The gas distributor 14 is attached to the turntable 5, and therefore is moveable and moves in concert with the turntable 5 and therefore in concert with the moveable gas hobs 3M. In par^¬ ticular for this reason, stiff and non-bendable hose sections 12 may be and are used for connecting gas outputs of the gas dis^¬ tributor 14 to gas inputs of the moveable gas hobs 3M.

Further, stiff and non-bendable hose sections 12 are also used in sections between the gas distributor 14 and corresponding gas feeds 7.

The gas distributor 14 may be connected to the gas hose sections that are stationary relative to the cooking face 2 by suitable flexible connections or joints, in particular by flexible gas hose sections 13 as set out above and further above. Respective flexible connections or articulated joints at least shall be de^¬ signed and adapted for compensating movements, in particular ro^¬ tating movements, of the gas distributor 14 relative to the cooking face 2 during movements of the turntable 5.

In all it shall become clear that the proposed cooktop provides improvements in the mechanical construction and gas feed. List of reference numerals

1 gas cooktop

2 cooking face

3S stationary gas hob

3M moveable gas hob

4 support plate

5 turntable

6 stiff gas duct

7 gas feed

8 flexible gas hose

9 corrugated structure

10 connection head

11 sealing cone

12 stiff hose section

13 flexible hose section

14 gas distributor

A center axis

Claims

1. Gas cooktop (1) comprising at least one gas burner (3M) with a gas input, wherein the gas burner (3M) is moveable be^¬ tween different cooking positions within and relative to a cooking face (2) of the gas cooktop (1), and comprising a gas supply source (7) with a gas output, and comprising a gas feeding unit (8, 12, 13, 14) connecting the gas input which is stationary relative to the gas burner (3M) with the output that is stationary relative to the cooking face (7), wherein the gas feeding unit (8, 12, 13, 14) is

adapted and configured compensate changes in the relative position and orientation between the input and output during a movement of the at least one gas burner (3M) .

2. Gas cooktop (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gas burner (3M) is moveable in at least one of a linear movement and a pivotal movement, and wherein the gas feed^¬ ing unit (8, 12, 13, 14) is adapted to balance changes in the relative position and orientation between the input of the gas burner (3M) and output of the gas supply source arising from respective movement.

3. Gas cooktop (1) according to at least one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the gas feeding unit (8, 12, 13, 14) comprises a gas hose (8, 12, 13) that comprises at least one flexible and bendable section (8, 13) configured and adapted to com^¬ pensate changes in position and orientation between input and output during a movement of the at least one gas burner (3M) .

4. Gas cooktop (1) according to claim 3, wherein the gas hose comprises at least one stiff and non-bendable section (12), wherein at least one end section of the gas hose preferably comprises one of the stiff and non-bendable sections (12) . Gas cooktop (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the gas hose at each end section comprises a stiff and non-bendable section (12), which stiff and non-bendable sections (12) are interconnected by the flexible and bendable section (13) .

Gas cooktop (1) according to at least one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each end of the gas hose comprises a connection head (10) made from aluminium or stainless steel and a sealing cone (11) made from a copper alloy, in particular brass .

Gas cooktop (1) according to at least one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the gas hose at least in sections comprises a clad^¬ ding, implemented as at least one of a coating and braid, adapted and configured to avoid at least one contact wear and movement noise of the gas hose.

Gas cooktop (1) according to claim 7, wherein the cladding comprises at least one of plastic, silicone rubber, PTFE, fiber glass, implemented in at least one of a coating and braid .

Gas cooktop (1) according to at least one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the gas feeding unit (12, 13, 14) comprises a gas distributor (14) with at least one input/output which gas distributor (14) is stationary relative to the moveable gas burner (3M) , wherein an output of the gas distributor (14) is connected to an input of the gas burner (3M) , and where^¬ in a gas input of the gas distributor (14) is connected to the output of the gas supply source (7) .

Gas cooktop (1) according to claim 9, wherein the input of the gas distributor (14) is connected to the output of the gas supply source via a gas hose (13) which at least in sections is adapted to compensate changes in the relative position and orientation between the input of the gas distributor (14) and the output of the gas supply source (7) induced by movements of the gas burner (3M) .

11. Gas cooktop (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the gas burner (3M) is pivotably around a pivot axis (A) and the gas distributor (14) is attached to be pivotable around the pivot axis (A) in concert with the gas burner (3M) .

12. Gas cooktop (1) according to claim 11, wherein the output of the gas distributor (14) is connected to the input of a corresponding gas burner (3M) via a stiff and non-bendable gas hose ( 12 ) .

13. Gas stove comprising a gas cooktop (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12.