WO2015180789A1

WO2015180789A1 - Knob with improved manufacturability and assemblage for use in a cooking appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2015180789A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/061256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Altan OZKOK; Fatih Ceylan; Metin Gozacar
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2014-05-30
Filing date: 2014-05-30
Publication date: 2015-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-30
Also published as: TR201506509A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a knob (1) for use in a cooking appliance, in particular an oven. The cooking appliance comprises one or more than one regulator shaft for regulating a heating level. The knob (1) comprises a body (2) for mounting to a regulator shaft of the cooking appliance. The knob (1) of the present invention comprises a partial cover (3) for partly covering the body (2) and for indicating a rotational position thereof. The body (2) has a fitting recess (4) which conforms with the shape of the partial cover (3). The partial cover (3) is detachably attachable to the body (2) exclusively by way of tight-fitting the partial cover (3) into the fitting recess (4) of the body (2).

Description

KNOB WITH IMPROVED MANUFACTURABILITY AND ASSEMBLAGE FOR USE IN A COOKING APPLIANCE

The present invention relates to a knob for use in a cooking appliance, in particular a domestic oven. The present invention more particularly relates to a knob with an indicator.

A conventional oven usually has a plurality of knobs each for regulating a heating level. The conventional oven knob is mounted on a regulator shaft of the gas valve or the regulator shaft of the electrical switch depending on the type of the conventional oven. A conventional oven knob generally has a body which has an opening into which a regulator shaft can be mounted by way of insertion. The regulator shaft typically has a D-shaped cross section and the opening of the body has a corresponding shape.

A conventional oven knob generally has a grip for rotating the body. It is generally important that the user can safely hold and precisely rotate the knob without any difficulties. Several techniques have been devised to improve a tactile feeling of the knob. In a commonly known technique the body of the knob has a protruding elongated portion which serves as a grip.

In addition, a conventional oven knob generally has an indicator for indicating a rotational position. It is generally important that the user can visually perceive an exact position of the indicator without any difficulties. Several techniques have been devised to make an indicator conspicuous. In a commonly known technique the above-mentioned grip is formed to have sharp lateral end which serves as an indicator.

CN201701056 (U) discloses a conventional oven which comprises a knob. The conventional oven knob has a body which serves as a grip and an indicator. The body also has an opening for mounting the same to a regulator shaft of the conventional oven.

A drawback of the conventional oven knob is that a differentiation of the indicator and the grip in tactile feeling and appearance is rather limited.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a knob for use in a cooking appliance and a cooking appliance having the same which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which has an improved manufacturability and assemblage in order to better meet the user requirements on tactile feeling and appearance of the knob. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a knob which enables a user to individualize the knob and which can be easily and reliably disassembled and reassembled even by a user with ordinary skill.

These objectives have been achieved by the knob as defined in claim 1, and the cooking appliance as defined in claim 15. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The knob of the present invention comprises a partial cover for partly covering the body and for indicating a rotational position thereof. The body has a fitting recess which conforms with the shape of the partial cover. The partial cover is detachably attachable to the body exclusively by way of tight-fitting the partial cover into the fitting recess of the body.

In an embodiment, the knob is configured by a four piece structure which comprises a partial cover, a body, a skirt, and a core. The core is detachably attachable to the body, and has an opening for receiving the regulator shaft. The partial cover serves for example as an indicator as well as a grip. The parts of the body which are not covered by the partial cover serve for example as a grip. The skirt serves as a radiant heat shield. In this embodiment, one or more than one of the three pieces, namely the partial cover, the body, and the skirt, can be coated with or produced from a same or a different material with a same or a different color so as to obtain different knobs having different tactile feeling and appearance. The materials and the coatings used for the pieces of the knob may be hard plastic, soft plastic or metal.

In another embodiment, the partial cover has a plurality of fitting pins and/or a plurality of fitting grooves whereas the body has a plurality of corresponding fitting holes and/or a plurality of fitting tongues. In a version of this embodiment, the partial cover has four fitting pins and four fitting grooves whereas the body has four corresponding fitting holes and four corresponding fitting tongues. Thereby, the tight-fitting is achieved by eight fold fitting.

In another embodiment, the body has a snap-fit portion and the core has a counterpart snap-fit portion. In a version of this embodiment, the core has a plurality of claws which engage with a cover plate of the cooking appliance. The skirt is sandwiched between the body and the cover plate as the core is engaged with the cover plate.

With the present invention, a knob has been provided in which the body, the partial cover, and the skirt can be easily differentiated in tactile feeling and appearance by using different materials, different coatings, and different colors. Thereby, the customer requirements on safe gripping and easy perception of a rotational state of the knob can be better met. With the present invention, the manufacturability and both the assemblage and disassemblage of the knob has been improved. In particular, by virtue of the tight-fitting technique, the partial cover can be easily disassembled from the body by a user who desires to individualize the knob for example by using a partial cover which has a different tactile feeling and appearance. The user can easily reassemble a different partial cover with the same knob by tight-fitting these to each other. With the present invention, also the body and the skirt can be separately individualized. In addition, during a manufacturing process, the partial cover and the body can be easily and reliably assembled by tight-fitting. In particular, by virtue of the tight-fitting technique, the manufacturing process has been expedited and manufacturing waste/error has been reduced. With the present invention, a knob has been provided in which the body has a detachable core. Thereby, the body can be produced from a high-quality material with improved tactile feeling and appearance whereas the core can be produced from a solely robust material, however, which is not necessarily expensive. With the present invention, a cost-effective knob has been provided without compromising the user requirements. Thereby, a consumer satisfaction can be further increased.

Additional advantages of the knob according to the present invention and the cooking appliance according to the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a knob according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 – is a schematic exploded perspective view of the knob of Fig. 1,

Figure 3 – is another schematic exploded perspective view of the knob of Fig. 1,

Figure 4 – is a schematic perspective view of the knob of Fig. 1 wherein a core and a skirt of the knob have been omitted,

Figure 5 – is a schematic side view of the knob of Fig. 1, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 6 – is a schematic perspective bottom view of the knob of Fig. 1, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 7 – is a schematic bottom view of the knob of Fig. 1, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 8 – is a schematic exploded perspective view of the knob of Fig. 4, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 9 – is another schematic exploded perspective view of the knob of Fig. 4, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 10 – is a sectional view of the knob of Fig. 5, taken along the line A-A wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 11 – is a sectional view of the knob of Fig. 7, taken along the line B-B, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 12 – is a sectional view of the knob of Fig. 7, taken along the line C-C, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 13 – is a sectional view of the knob of Fig. 7, taken along the line D-D, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted,

Figure 14 – is a sectional view of the knob of Fig. 7, taken along the line E-E, wherein the core and the skirt have been omitted.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Knob
Body
Partial cover
Fitting recess

4a. Front portion

4b. First lateral portion
4c. Second lateral portion
5a. Front side

5b. Lateral side

5c. Lateral side

6a. Front segment
6b. First lateral segment

6c. Second lateral segment
7a. Fitting pin
7b. Fitting hole

8a. Fitting groove
8b. Fitting tongue
9. Side wall

10a. Reinforcement projection

10b. Slot
11. Core
12. Opening
13. Hollow portion

14a. Snap-fit portion

14b. Counterpart snap-fit portion
15. Claw
16. Skirt
17. Through-hole
18. Indent

The knob (1) is suitable for use in a cooking appliance (not shown), in particular an oven (Figs. 1 to 14).

The cooking appliance comprises one or more than one regulator shaft (not shown) for regulating a heating level.

The knob (1) comprises a body (2) for mounting on a regulator shaft of the cooking appliance.

The knob (1) of the present invention comprises a partial cover (3) for partly covering the body (2) and for indicating a rotational position thereof. In the knob (1) of the present invention, the body (2) has a fitting recess (4) which conforms with the shape of the partial cover (3). The partial cover (3) is detachably attachable to the body (2) exclusively by way of tight-fitting the partial cover (3) into the fitting recess (4) of the body (2).

The cooking appliance of the present invention comprises one or more than one knob (1) of the present invention. Each knob (1) is mounted to a corresponding regulator shaft of the cooking appliance.

In an embodiment, the fitting recess (4) comprises a front portion (4a), a first lateral portion (4b), and a second lateral portion (4c) (Figs. 2 to 3, Fig. 8 to 9). The front portion (4a) is formed into a front side (5a) of the body (2). The first lateral portion (4b) and the second lateral portion (4c) are formed into diametrically opposed lateral sides (5b,5c) of the body (2) respectively. In this embodiment, the partial cover (3) comprises a front segment (6a), a first lateral segment (6b) and a second lateral segment (6c) (Figs. 2 to 3, Fig. 8 to 9). The front segment (6a) fits when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2), into the front portion (4a) of the fitting recess (4) (Figs. 4 to 7, Figs. 10 to 14). The first lateral segment (6b) and the second lateral segment (6c) respectively fit when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2), into the first lateral portion (4b) and the second lateral portion (4c) of the fitting recess (4) (Figs. 4 to 7, Figs. 10 to 14). In a version of this embodiment, the partial cover (3) has a ribbon like shape which divides the body (2) into two diametrically opposed D-shaped segments which are not covered the ribbon shaped partial cover (3) (Fig. 1). In another version of this embodiment, the D-shaped segments have one or more than indent (18) which serve as a grip (Fig. 1).

In another embodiment, the front segment (6a) of the partial cover (3) has one or more than one fitting pin (7a) (Figs. 2 to 3, Figs. 8 to 9). In this embodiment, a bottom of the front portion (4a) of the fitting recess (4) has one or more than one corresponding fitting hole (7b) (Figs. 2 to 3, Figs. 8 to 9). Each fitting pin (7a) engages with the corresponding fitting hole (7b) by way of tight-fitting (Figs. 6 to 7, Figs. 11 and 13).

In version of this embodiment, the front segment (6a) of the partial cover (3) has four fitting pins (7a) and the bottom of the front portion (4a) of the fitting recess (4) has four corresponding fitting holes (7b) (Figs. 6 to 7).

In another embodiment, the first lateral segment (6b) of the partial cover (3) and the second lateral segment (6c) of the partial cover (3) each has one or more than one fitting groove (8a) (Figs. 2 to 3, Figs. 8 to 9). In this embodiment, two opposing side walls (9) of the first lateral portion (4b) of the fitting recess (4) and two opposing side walls (9) of the second lateral portion (4c) of the fitting recess (4) each has one or more than one corresponding fitting tongue (8b) (Figs. 2 to 3, Figs. 8 to 9). Each fitting groove (8a) engages with the corresponding fitting tongue (8b) by way of tight-fitting (Figs. 6 to 7, Fig. 10).

In another embodiment, the first lateral segment (6b) of the partial cover (3) and the second lateral segment (6c) of the partial cover (3) each has two fitting grooves (8a) (Figs. 6 to 7). In this embodiment, the two opposing side walls (9) of the first lateral portion (4b) of the fitting recess (4) each has one corresponding fitting tongue (8b), and the two opposing side walls (9) of the second lateral portion (4c) of the fitting recess (4) each has one corresponding fitting tongue (8b) (Figs. 6 to 7).

In another embodiment, the first lateral segment (6b) of the partial cover (3) and the second lateral segment (6c) of the partial cover (3) are flush with the diametrically opposed lateral sides (5b,5c) of the body (2) when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2) (Fig. 10).

In another embodiment, the front segment (6a) of the partial cover (3) is raised with respect to the front side (5a) of the body (2) when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2) (Fig. 1, Figs. 4 to 5, Figs. 11 to 12).

In another embodiment, the partial cover (3) has a reinforcement projection (10a) (Figs. 8 to 9). In this embodiment, the body (2) has a corresponding slot (10b) (Figs. 8 to 9). The reinforcement projection (10a) penetrates into the slot (10b) when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2) (Figs. 6 to 7, Figs. 12 and 14).

In another embodiment, the knob (1) comprises a core (11) which is detachably attachable to the body (2) (Figs. 1 to 3). The core (11) has an opening (12) for mounting the body (2) to the regulator shaft of the cooking appliance (Figs. 1 to 3).

In another embodiment, the body (2) comprises a hollow portion (13) (Figs. 6 to 7). In this embodiment a snap-fit portion (14a) is formed inside the hollow portion (13) (Figs. 6 to 7). In this embodiment, the core (11) comprises a counterpart snap-fit portion (14b) (Figs. 2 to 3). The counterpart snap-fit portion (14b) engages with the snap-fit portion (14a) when the core (11) is inserted into the hollow portion (13) of the body (2) (Figs. 6 to 7).

In another embodiment, the core (11) comprises two diametrically opposed claws (15) for engaging with a cover plate (not shown) of the cooking appliance (Figs. 2 to 3).

In another embodiment, the knob (1) comprises an annular shaped skirt (16) which has a through-hole (17) for receiving the core (11) (Figs. 2 and 3). The skirt (16) is configured to be sandwiched between the cover plate and the body (2) (Fig. 1).

In another embodiment, one or more than one of the body (2), the partial cover (3), and the skirt (15) are coated with or made from a same or a different material with a same or a different color. The materials and the coatings used for the knob may be hard plastic, soft plastic or metal.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is provided in form of a domestic oven.

In the present invention, a tactile feeling and appearance of the knob (1) can be easily and cost effectively differentiated by using different materials, different coatings, and different colors for each one of the body (2), the partial cover (3), and the skirt (16).

In addition, with the detachable core (11) of the present invention, it has become possible to use a different material for the core (11) such that the overall manufacturing cost of the knob (1) can be reduced. With the four-piece structure of the knob (1), namely the body (2), the partial cover (3), the core (11), and the skirt (16), a manufacturability and assemblage have been improved. Thus, a large number of knobs (1) with different tactile feeling and appearance can be attained in a cost effective way. The knob (1) of the present invention enables safe gripping and easy perception of a rotational state. With the present invention, in particular, by virtue of the tight-fitting technique the assemblage and disassemblage of the knob (1) have been improved. Thus, a user with ordinary skill can quickly and reliably individualize the knob (1) by simply replacing the partial cover (3) and/or the body (2) and/or the skirt (16) with another one which has a different tactile feeling and appearance. Thereby, a consumer satisfaction can be further increased.

Claims

A knob (1) for use in a cooking appliance, in particular an oven, the knob (1) comprising a body (2) for mounting to a regulator shaft of the cooking appliance, characterized in that a partial cover (3) for partly covering the body (2) and for indicating a rotational position thereof, wherein the body (2) has a fitting recess (4) which conforms with the shape of the partial cover (3), wherein the partial cover (3) is detachably attachable to the body (2) exclusively by way of tight-fitting the partial cover (3) into the fitting recess (4) of the body (2).
The knob (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fitting recess (4) comprises a front portion (4a) which is formed into a front side (5a) of the body (2), a first lateral portion (4b) and a second lateral portion (4c) which are formed into diametrically opposed lateral sides (5b,5c) of the body (2) respectively and the partial cover (3) comprises a front segment (6a) which fits when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2), into the front portion (4a) of the fitting recess (4), and a first lateral segment (6b) and a second lateral segment (6c) which respectively fit when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2), into the first lateral portion (4b) and the second lateral portion (4c) of the fitting recess (4).
The knob (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the front segment (6a) of the partial cover (3) has one or more than one fitting pin (7a), and a bottom of the front portion (4a) of the fitting recess (4) has one or more than one corresponding fitting hole (7b), wherein each fitting pin (7a) engages with the corresponding fitting hole (7b) by way of tight-fitting.
The knob (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the front segment (6a) of the partial cover (3) has four fitting pins (7a), and the bottom of the front portion (4a) of the fitting recess (4) has four corresponding fitting holes (7b).
The knob (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the first lateral segment (6b) of the partial cover (3) and the second lateral segment (6c) of the partial cover (3) each has one or more than one fitting groove (8a), two opposing side walls (9) of the first lateral portion (4b) of the fitting recess (4), and two opposing side walls (9) of the second lateral portion (4c) of the fitting recess (4) each has one or more than one corresponding fitting tongue (8b), wherein each fitting groove (8a) engages with the corresponding fitting tongue (8b) by way of tight-fitting.
The knob (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first lateral segment (6b) and the second lateral segment (6c) of the partial cover (3) each has two fitting grooves (8a), and the two opposing side walls (9) of the first lateral portion (4b) of the fitting recess (4) each has one corresponding fitting tongue (8b), and the two opposing side walls (9) of the second lateral portion (4c) of the fitting recess (4) each has one corresponding fitting tongue (8b).
The knob (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the first lateral segment (6b) and the second lateral segment (6c) of the partial cover (3) are flush with the diametrically opposed lateral sides (5b,5c) of the body (2) when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2).
The knob (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the front segment (6a) of the partial cover (3) is raised with respect to the front side (5a) of the body (2) when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2).
The knob (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the partial cover (3) has a reinforcement projection (10a), and the body (2) has a corresponding slot (10b), wherein the reinforcement projection (10a) penetrates into the slot (10b) when the partial cover (3) is attached to the body (2).
The knob (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a core (11) which is detachably attachable to the body (2), wherein the core (11) has an opening (12) for mounting the body (2) to the regulator shaft of the cooking appliance.
The knob (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the body (2) comprises a hollow portion (13), and a snap-fit portion (14a) which is formed inside the hollow portion (13), and the core (11) comprises a counterpart snap-fit portion (14b) which engages with the snap-fit portion (14a) when the core (11) is inserted into the hollow portion (13) of the body (2).
The knob (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the core (11) comprises two diametrically opposed claws (15) for engaging with a cover plate of the cooking appliance.
The knob (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that an annular shaped skirt (16) which has a through-hole (17) for receiving the core (11), wherein the skirt (16) is configured to be sandwiched between a cover plate of the cooking appliance and the body (2).
The knob (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that one or more than one of the body (2), the partial cover (3), and the skirt (15) are coated with or made from a same or a different t material with a same or a different color.
A cooking appliance, in particular an oven comprising one or more than one regulator shaft for regulating a heating level, characterized in that one or more than one knob (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein each knob (1) is mounted to a corresponding regulator shaft.