WO2016134758A1

WO2016134758A1 - Ignition switch assembly and gas cooking appliance having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2016134758A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/053922
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ihsan Arslantekin; Hakan Sarier
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2015-02-25
Filing date: 2015-02-25
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: TR201602391A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ignition switch assembly (1) for use in a gas cooking appliance (2) comprising an array of gas taps (3) each having an identical regulator shaft (4). The ignition switch assembly (1) comprises a housing (5) which accommodates an ignition switch (6) that is adapted to releasably engage with a regulator shaft (4) of interest and a fastening means (7) for immobilizing the housing (5) relative to the gas taps (3).

Description

IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND GAS COOKING APPLIANCE HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a gas cooking appliance. The present invention more particularly relates to the gas ignition switch of the gas cooking appliance.

Gas cooking appliances using flammable gases such as liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas are commonly known. A gas cooking appliance generally comprises a cook top, a plurality of gas burners which are disposed onto the cook top and an array of gas taps for supplying gas to the gas burners respectively. Each gas tap has a shaft for regulating the throughflow of the gas to the corresponding burner. The shafts protrude through the control panel and can be rotated by means of a corresponding knob. Each gas burner usually has an ignition spark plug (also known as igniter) for igniting the gas flowing out of the gas outlets. The igniter is generally built into the gas burner at a position close to the gas outlet. Igniters are commonly known. An igniter is generally connected to a high tension power supply and triggered through an ignition switch assembly which is usually engaged with the regulator shaft of the corresponding gas tap. Ignition switch assemblies are commonly known. An ignition switch assembly generally comprises a housing which accommodates an ignition switch which can be releasably engaged with a regulator shaft of interest and a fastening means for immobilizing the housing relative to the gas tap.

The ignition switch usually comprises a rotatable hub which has a tongue, a through bore for receiving the regulator shaft of interest, a pair of separate electrodes and a switch mechanism for establishing electrical contact between the electrodes by the rotary action of the tongue. The performance of the ignition switch assembly is of utmost importance. In particular, the ignition switch must be precise, reliable and durable.

Manufacturers of gas cooking appliances generally obtain the gas taps and the ignition switch assemblies from the same supplier. In general, the gas taps and the ignition switch assemblies from the same supplier have compatible fastening means which allow them to be interconnected during the assembly of the gas coking appliance. On the other hand, the gas taps are usually provided with different materials such as aluminum, brass, etc. Thus, the market prices of the gas taps may vary considerably over time. For economic and competitive reasons, the manufacturers of gas cooking appliances may opt from time to time for different gas taps. This makes the stock administration more complicated. For instance, the incompatible ignition switch assemblies in the stock cannot be used in combination with the currently preferred gas taps.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an ignition switch assembly for use in a gas cooking appliance which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables an improved production, assemblage and performance.

This objective has been achieved by the ignition switch assembly as defined in claim 1 and the gas cooking appliance as defined in claim 14. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the ignition switch assembly of the present invention, the fastening means is adapted for releasable and mutual engagement with both fastening means of two other identical ignition switch assemblies whose ignition switches are to be engaged with the regulator shafts in the array of the gas taps which immediately neighbor the regulator shaft of interest from the left and from the right respectively.

With the present invention, the need for fastening the housing of the ignition switch assembly directly to the body of the gas tap has been obviated. With the present invention, the installation of the ignition switch assemblies onto the gas taps has been expedited and can be accomplished in a few steps. According to the present invention, when installing the ignition switch assemblies, first the housings of the ignition switch assemblies are mutually fastened so as to prevent the later rotation thereof and then the ignition switches are respectively engaged with the regulator shafts in the array of the gas taps. With the present invention, particularly by virtue of the integrity established among the ignition switch assemblies, any mismatches in the control panel can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible during the installation. With the present invention, the liberty to obtain the gas taps from different suppliers or to obtain different gas taps from the same supplier has been improved. With the present invention, also the liberty to use different ignition switches in the ignition switch assembly of the present invention has been improved. Thereby, the cost-performance relation of the gas cooking appliance can be managed flexibly without compromising the quality of the individual parts. Thereby, the customer satisfaction can be further improved.

In an embodiment, the fastening means comprises an attachment member and a counterpart attachment member. The attachment member of one ignition switch assembly can be releasably engaged either directly or through another intermediate element with the counterpart attachment member of a neighboring ignition switch assembly. The intermediate element may be provided in different lengths or have an adjustable length so as to allow the installation of the ignition switch assemblies into different gas cooking appliances, in particular into gas cooking appliances in which the regulators shafts are separated by a different amount. In an alternative version of this embodiment, the attachment member and/or the counterpart attachment member are movably disposed onto the housing so as to allow adjusting the distance between the ignition switches of the two neighboring ignition switch assemblies to the distance between the corresponding neighboring regulator shafts. In another alternative version of this embodiment, the fastening means has a plurality of counterpart attachment members which are spaced apart in conformity with the gas cooking appliances in which the regulators shafts are separated by different amounts. In this embodiment, the attachment member can be selectively and releasably engaged with one of the counterpart attachment members of another identical neighboring ignition switch assembly so as to selectively allow adjusting the distance between the ignition switches of the two neighboring ignition switch assemblies to the distance between the corresponding neighboring regulator shafts. In other alternative versions of this embodiment, the attachment member and the counterpart attachment members comprise a snap-fit connection, a threaded connection or an interlocking connection. Other type of connections known to those skilled in the art can be alternatively used.

In another embodiment, the switch mechanism of the ignition switch comprises an electrically conductive coil spring which comprises a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is arranged to permanently contact the first electrode. The free end is arranged as to be transiently dislocated by the passing tongue, upon rotation of the hub in the anticlockwise direction, out of a rest position where it does not contact the second electrode towards a dislocated position where it contacts the second electrode. Thereby, the ignition performance of the ignition switch has been improved. In this embodiment, the stiffness, mass, size and shape of the coil spring is adjusted such that its motion is damped rapidly and the free end does not contact the second electrode after being stroked by the passing tongue, upon rotation of the hub in the clockwise direction. Thereby, the ignition switch can be prevented from triggering the igniter when the user rotates the knob to the closed position. In another version of this embodiment, the coil spring, in particular its free end has a tapered shape.

Additional advantages of the ignition switch assembly of the present invention and the gas cooking appliance of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic partial perspective view of a gas cooking appliance which has four identical ignition switch assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein one of the knobs has been removed for illustrative purposes and the gas taps are in the closed position;

Figure 2 – is a schematic partial perspective inner view of the gas cooking appliance of Fig. 1, wherein the cook top and the knobs have been removed for illustrative purposes;

Figure 3 – is a schematic partial perspective inner view of the gas cooking appliance of Fig. 2, wherein three of the ignition switch assemblies have been removed and only a single ignition switch assembly has been left for illustrative purposes;

Figure 4 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail A of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 – is a schematic perspective view of an ignition switch assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior to engaging its ignition switch with a regulator shaft of interest in the gas cooking appliance of Fig. 1;

Figure 6 – is a schematic top view of the ignition switch assembly of Fig. 5;

Figure 7 – is a schematic perspective exploded view of the ignition switch assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 – is a schematic partial perspective inner view of the ignition switch assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the ignition switch of the ignition switch assembly of Fig. 8, wherein the coil spring is in the rest position;

Figure 10 – is another schematic partial perspective view of the ignition switch of the ignition switch assembly of Fig. 8, wherein the coil spring is in the rest position;

Figure 11 – is a schematic top view of the gas cooking appliance of Fig. 1;

Figure 12 – is a schematic sectional view of the gas cooking appliance of Fig. 11, taken along the line B-B;

Figure 13 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail C of Fig. 12.

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

Ignition switch assembly
Appliance
Tap
Shaft
Housing
Switch
Fastening means
Attachment member
Attachment member
Elongated member
Snap-fit
Snap-fit
Hub
Tongue
Bore
Electrode
Electrode
Hole
Switch mechanism
Lower cover
Base
Opening
Upper cover
Opening
Hole
Pin
Grooves
Slot
Cable
Slot
Cable
Spring
End
End
Gap
Plug
Top
Burner
Igniter
Knob
Pipe
Pipe
Panel

The ignition switch assembly (1) is suitable for use in a gas cooking appliance (2).

The gas cooking appliance (2) comprises a cook top (37), a plurality of gas burners (38) which are disposed onto the cook top (37), an array of gas taps (3) for supplying gas to the gas burners (38) via gas distribution pipes (42) respectively and a plurality of igniters (39) for igniting the gas flowing out of the gas burners (38) respectively. The gas taps (3) receive the gas through a main pipe (41). The gas taps (3) have identical regulator shafts (4) which protrude from a panel (43) and have releasable knobs (40) for rotatably adjusting the gas throughflow respectively (Fig. 1 to 13).

The ignition switch assembly (1) comprises: a housing (5) which accommodates an ignition switch (6) that is adapted to releasably engage with a regulator shaft (4) of interest and a fastening means (7) for immobilizing the housing (5) relative to the gas taps (3).

In the ignition switch assembly (1) of the present invention, the fastening means (7) is adapted for releasable and mutual engagement with both fastening means (7) of two other identical ignition switch assemblies (1) whose ignition switches (6) are to be engaged with the regulator shafts (4) in the array of the gas taps (3) which immediately neighbor the regulator shaft (4) of interest from the left and from the right respectively.

The gas cooking appliance (2) of the present invention comprises a plurality of ignition switch assemblies (1), each configured to trigger a corresponding igniter (39), wherein each ignition switch (6) is engaged with the regulator shaft (4) of the corresponding gas tap (3) and wherein the neighboring fastening means (7) are mutually engaged.

In an embodiment, the fastening means (7) comprises an attachment member (8) and one or more than one counterpart attachment member (9) which are located parallel along the direction of the array of the gas taps (3) and are respectively disposed onto the opposing sides of the housing (5). The attachment member (8) is configured to selectively and releasably engage with one counterpart attachment member (9) of another identical neighboring ignition switch assembly (1). The counterpart attachment members (9) are separated from one another by a predetermined distance along the direction of the array of the gas taps (3) so as to selectively allow adjusting the distance between the ignition switches (6) of the two neighboring ignition switch assemblies (1) to the distance between the corresponding neighboring regulator shafts (4).

In another embodiment, the fastening means (7) comprises an elongated member (10) which extends parallel to the direction of the array of gas taps (3). In this embodiment, the attachment member (8) comprises a male snap-fit (11) which is disposed onto one tip of the elongated member (10). And each counterpart attachment member (9) comprises a female snap-fit (12). The female snap-fits (12) are disposed in succession onto the opposing tip of the elongated member (10).

In another embodiment, the ignition switch (6) comprises: a rotatable hub (13) which has a tongue (14) and a through bore (15) for receiving the shaft (4) and a pair of separate electrodes (16, 17) and a switch mechanism (19) for establishing electrical contact between the first electrode (16) and the second electrode (17) by the rotary action of the tongue (14). The housing (5) accommodates the hub (13) and the electrodes (16, 17). In addition, the housing (5) has a through hole (18) for receiving the shaft (4).

In another embodiment, the regulator shaft (4) has a D-shaped cross section. In this embodiment, the through bore (15) of the hub (13) has a cross section which matches the cross section of the regulator shaft (4).

In another embodiment, the housing (5) comprises a lower cover (20) and an upper cover (23). The upper cover (23) is detachably attached to the lower cover (20). The lower cover (20) has a base (21) for rotatably supporting the hub (13). In addition, the lower cover (20) has an opening (22) which is aligned with the through bore (15) of the hub (13) for receiving the regulator shaft (4). The upper cover (23) retains the hub (13). In addition, the upper cover (23) has an opening (24) which is aligned with the through bore (15) of the hub (13) for receiving the regulator shaft (4).

In another embodiment, the first electrode (16) and the second electrode (17) each has one or more than one pin hole (25) for snug fittingly receiving a corresponding pin (26) of the housing (5).

In another embodiment, the first electrode (16) and the second electrode (17) are arc-shaped. In this embodiment, the housing (5) comprises two circumferentially extending arc-shaped grooves (27) for accommodating the electrodes (16, 17) respectively.

In another embodiment, the forward end of the second electrode (17) has an integral V-shaped cutting slot (28) for holding an isolated electric cable (29). The rearward end of the first electrode (16) also has an integral V-shaped cutting slot (30) for holding another isolated electric cable (31). These cutting slots (28, 30) are configured to respectively contact the conducting wire (not shown) inside the isolated electric cables (29, 31) by way of cutting the isolation when the isolated electric cables (29, 31) are pushed thereinto.

In another embodiment, the switch mechanism (19) comprises an electrically conductive coil spring (32) which comprises a fixed end (33) and a free end (34). The fixed end (33) is arranged to permanently contact the first electrode (16). The free end (34) is arranged as to be transiently dislocated by the passing tongue (14), upon rotation of the hub (13) in the anticlockwise direction, out of a rest position where it does not contact the second electrode (17) towards a dislocated position where it contacts the second electrode (17).

In another embodiment, the regulator shaft (4) of each gas tap (3) is configured to allow a maximal gas throughflow at about 90 degrees in the anticlockwise direction away from its closed position. In this embodiment, the tongue (14) is arranged to start contacting the free end (34) of the spring (32) when the hub (13) is rotated about 60 degrees away in the anticlockwise direction from the closed position of the regulator shaft (4) and to dislocate the free end (34) of the spring (32) completely to the dislocated position when the hub (13) is rotated about 80 degrees away in the anticlockwise direction from the closed position of the regulator shaft (4).

In another embodiment, the rearward end of the second electrode (17) is separated by an air gap (35) in the vertical direction and in the circumferential direction from the forward end of the first electrode (16). In this embodiment, the spring (32) is aligned in the rest position along the vertical direction. The fixed end (33) of the spring (32) directly contacts the forward end of the first electrode (16). In addition, the free end (34) of the spring (32) protrudes a predetermined distance above the rearward end of the second electrode (17).

In another embodiment, the first electrode (16) has an integral plug (36) for snug fitting into the fixed end (33) of the spring (32).

Claims

An ignition switch assembly (1) for use in a gas cooking appliance (2) comprising an array of gas taps (3) each having an identical regulator shaft (4), the ignition switch assembly (1) comprising a housing (5) which accommodates an ignition switch (6) that is adapted to releasably engage with a regulator shaft (4) of interest and a fastening means (7) for immobilizing the housing (5) relative to the gas taps (3), the ignition switch assembly (1) being characterized in that the fastening means (7) is adapted for releasable and mutual engagement with both fastening means (7) of two other identical ignition switch assemblies (1) whose ignition switches (6) are to be engaged with the regulator shafts (4) in the array of the gas taps (3) which immediately neighbor the regulator shaft (4) of interest from the left and from the right respectively.
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means (7) comprising an attachment member (8) and one or more than one counterpart attachment member (9) which are located parallel along the direction of the array of the gas taps (3) and are respectively disposed onto the opposing sides of the housing (5), wherein the attachment member (8) is configured to selectively and releasably engage with one counterpart attachment member (9) of another identical neighboring ignition switch assembly (1) and wherein the counterpart attachment members (9) are separated from one another by a predetermined distance along the direction of the array of the gas taps (3) so as to selectively allow adjusting distance between the ignition switches (6) of the two neighboring ignition switch assemblies (1) to the distance between the corresponding neighboring regulator shafts (4).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastening means (7) comprising an elongated member (10) which extends parallel to the direction of the array of gas taps (3), wherein the attachment member (8) comprising a male snap-fit (11) which is disposed onto one tip of the elongated member (10), wherein each counterpart attachment member (9) comprises a female snap-fit (12) and wherein the female snap fits (12) are disposed onto the opposing tip of the elongated member (10).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ignition switch (6) comprises: a rotatable hub (13) which comprises a tongue (14) and a through bore (15) for receiving the shaft (4), a pair of separate electrodes (16, 17), wherein the housing (5) accommodates the hub (13) and the electrodes (16, 17) and wherein the housing (5) has a through hole (18) for receiving the shaft (4) and a switch mechanism (19) for establishing electrical contact between the first electrode (16) and the second electrode (17) by the rotary action of the tongue (14).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the regulator shaft (4) has a D-shaped cross section, the ignition switch assembly (1) being characterized in that the through bore (15) of the hub (13) has a cross section which matches the cross section of the regulator shaft (4).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the housing (5) comprises: a lower cover (20) which has a base (21) for rotatably supporting the hub (13), wherein the lower cover (20) has an opening (22) which is aligned with the through bore (15) of the hub (13) for receiving the regulator shaft (4) and an upper cover (23) for retaining the hub (13), wherein upper cover (23) has an opening (24) which is aligned with the through bore (15) of the hub (13) for receiving the regulator shaft (4) and wherein the upper cover (23) is detachably attached to the lower cover (20).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the first electrode (16) and the second electrode (17) each has one or more than one pin hole (25) for snug fittingly receiving a corresponding pin (26) of the housing (5).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the first electrode (16) and the second electrode (17) are arc-shaped and the housing (5) comprises two circumferentially extending arc-shaped grooves (27) for accommodating the electrodes (16, 17) respectively.
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the forward end of the second electrode (17) has an integral V-shaped cutting slot (28) for holding an isolated electric cable (29) and the rearward end of the first electrode (16) has an integral V-shaped cutting slot (30) for holding another isolated electric cable (31), wherein each cutting slot (28, 30) is configured to respectively contact the conducting wire inside the corresponding isolated electric cable (29, 31) by way of cutting the isolation as the isolated electric cable (29, 31) is pushed thereinto.
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the switch mechanism (19) comprising an electrically conductive coil spring (32) which comprising a fixed end (33) that is arranged to permanently contact the first electrode (16) and a free end (34) that is arranged as to be transiently dislocated by the passing tongue (14), upon rotation of the hub (13) in the anticlockwise direction, out of a rest position where it does not contact the second electrode (17) towards a dislocated position where it contacts the second electrode (17).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein the regulator shaft (4) of each gas tap (3) is configured to allow a maximal gas throughflow at about 90 degrees in the anticlockwise direction away from its closed position, characterized in that the tongue (14) is arranged to dislocate the free end (34) of the spring (32) towards the dislocated position when the hub (13) is rotated about 60 to 80 degrees away in the anticlockwise direction from the closed position of the regulator shaft (4).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the rearward end of the second electrode (17) is separated by an air gap (35) in the vertical direction and in the circumferential direction from the forward end of the first electrode (16), wherein the spring (32) is aligned in the rest position along the vertical direction and wherein the fixed end (33) of the spring (32) contacts the forward end of the first electrode (16) and the free end (34) of the spring (32) protrudes a predetermined distance above the rearward end of the second electrode (17).
The ignition switch assembly (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the first electrode (16) has an integral plug (36) for snug fitting into the fixed end (33) of the spring (32).
A gas cooking appliance (2) comprising a cook top (37), a plurality of gas burners (38) each disposed onto the cook top (37), wherein each gas burner (38) comprises an igniter (39) for igniting the gas and an array of gas taps (3) for supplying gas to the gas burners (38) respectively, wherein the gas taps (3) have corresponding regulator shafts (4), characterized in that a plurality of ignition switch assemblies (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, each configured to trigger a corresponding igniter (39), wherein each ignition switch (6) is engaged with the regulator shaft (4) of the corresponding gas tap (3) and wherein the neighboring fastening means (7) are mutually engaged.