WO2018007155A1

WO2018007155A1 - Household appliance comprising a stepped rotary control member

Info

Publication number: WO2018007155A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/065338
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hakan Sarier; Yalcin Yaman; Fatih Ceylan
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-07-04
Filing date: 2017-06-22
Publication date: 2018-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-04

Abstract

The present invention is a household appliance, in particular a cooking device, comprising a shaft (12) that can be accessed through a hole (11) provided on a front panel (2); a rotary control knob (3) that is fitted over the shaft (12) from one free end (121), and a collar (34) that is fixed to the shaft (12) behind the control knob (3) so as to radially extend outwards.

Description

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING A STEPPED ROTARY CONTROL MEMBER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to household appliances, in particular cooking devices, rotary control members in the form of a positioning member having stepped stops so as to allow selection among various predetermined functions.

State of the Art

In household appliances, for example in ovens, rotary control members, in particular rotary knobs are used to shift among various functions pre-assigned to the oven as per the user preference. The rotary knobs shift to the stops defined between the predetermined positions as the handle mounted to a shaft is rotated. Onto the household appliance panel whereon the rotary knob is disposed, functions corresponding to the positions of the knob are inscribed by methods such as serigraphy, etc. Thus, the user adjusts the rotary knob by rotating the same to align an indicator on the rotary knob with the function desired to be selected. In order to enable the indicator to be stopped at the desired radial position, an equal force transition positioning mechanism is used. The positioning mechanism is composed of a collar that surrounds the shaft, that extends outwards in the radial direction and that has equal steps at the periphery thereof, and a following means corresponding to the collar. The following means follows the steps by applying pressure to the periphery of the positioning mechanism by means of a pair such as spring and ball. Thus, increase is provided in turning torque with equal periods.

The Patent Publication No. TR201315141 discloses a cooking device comprising a body; a front panel that is provided on the body, and a knob that has a knob extension passed through an opening of the front panel so as to extend into the front panel and that adjusts the gas flowing through a gas tap by means of a shaft of the gas tap in connection with the knob extension. The cooking device comprises a guide that has a series of depressions formed sequentially on a periphery of the knob protrusion, and a follower that is provided on the rear face of the front panel and that follows the guide depressions with the rotation of the knob and that extends radially toward the guide in order to provide tactile sensory adjustment of the gas flow adjustment graduations with the rotation of the knob.

Brief Description of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a force feedback compatible with the intervals while shifting among the predetermined functions by means of the rotary knob in the household appliances.

The present invention realized in order to attain the said aim is a household appliance, in particular a cooking device, comprising a shaft that can be accessed through a hole provided on a front panel; a rotary control knob that is fitted over the shaft from one free end, and a collar that is positioned behind the control knob so as to radially extend outwards from the axis of the rear extension of the shaft. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first array of housings that are peripherally arranged on the collar and that are configured to provide a first rotation step; at least one second array of housings that are peripherally arranged on the collar so as to provide a second rotation step different from the first array of housings, and a following member that provides force feedback at the period corresponding to the control knob when the control knob passes from the first array of housings to the second array of housings while being rotated. The following member applies counterforce at different periods in case of change in rotation steps, thus providing a tactile feeling changing according to the step distance of the rotary control knob. Moreover, the steps act as a stopper and enable the control knob to pass to the closest step to the point where the rotation process is stopped without remaining at an intermediate position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first array of housings and the second array of housings are formed so as to follow each other. A stepped form prevents the occurrence of a gap feeling while the control knob is being rotated. While the first array of housings and the second array of housings may follow each other more than once, the first array of housings can be disposed up to a pre-adjusted radial rotation angle followed by the second array of housings.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first array of housings and the second array of housings are connected to each other from opposite ends. On a circle-like axis of arrangement, the end of the first array of housings is adjusted as the beginning of the second array of housings. Thus, the first array of housings starts at the end of the second array of housings. As the control knob is rotated, the following member passes over the first array of housings and the second array of housings in that order.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first array of housings are in the form of a plurality of adjacent and successive grooves with a first radial diameter. This structure provides a form that the following member can easily bear against and apply pressure on while passing over.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second array of housings are in the form of a plurality of adjacent and successive grooves with a second radial diameter that is wider than the first radial diameter of the first array of housings. Thus, the collar is produced by being easily formed so as to provide different steps. The form is suitable for plastic injection moulding.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pivot that extends at the radial center of the collar so as to be mounted to the shaft and that is integrated with the collar. The integrated pivot provides a structure resistant against the torque generated by the control knob due to the counterforce created by the following member while the first and second arrays of housings are being followed by the following member.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a casing that circumferentially surrounds the collar by housing the same in a rotating manner. The casing enables the collar to provide a modular positioning mechanism wherein the collar is protected against factors that may prevent the same from rotating.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a front plate that covers the casing from the front so as to allow the passage of the shaft and an encoder card that is disposed in the opposite direction. In this case, the casing forms a box-like structure and enables the collar to be completely protected against external factors. Moreover, the encoder card enables the positioning mechanism to serve a modular switch.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pin that temporarily locks the shaft so as to prevent the collar from rotating at a predetermined starting position and that provides ease of rotation by axially pushing the shaft. The pin prevents the shaft from being accidentally rotated at the starting position. Such a pin that may serve as a child lock opens only if the knob is axially pushed and allows the rotation of the shaft.

A household appliance realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the partial cross-sectional perspective view of an oven front panel having the rotary control member.

Figure 2 - is the exploded perspective view of the rotary control member having the positioning mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the front view of the positioning mechanism shown in Fig. 2.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1 Oven

2 Front panel

3 Control knob

4 Sheath

5 Opening

10 Rotation mechanism

11 Hole

12 Shaft

121 Free end

13 Pin

14 Cap

15 Fixing screw

16 Spring

17 Cylinder

20 Front cover

22 Front plate

23 Neck

25 Connection hole

30 Positioning mechanism

32 Casing

33 Following member

332 Ball

334 Pushing spring

336 Channel

34 Collar

342 First housing array

344 Second housing array

35 Pivot

36 Retaining claw

37 Mounting protrusion

38 Bearing

40 Encoder card

42 Circuit board

44 Mounting hole

46 Screw

48 Passage channel

a Wide region angle

Figure 1 shows the cross-sectional perspective of a control knob (3) that is mounted to a rotation mechanism (10) on a front panel (2) of an oven (1). The front panel (2) is in the form of a sheet metal bent inwards from the top and the bottom. From each of the circular openings (5) arranged at a middle section of the front panel (2), one shaft (12) extends outwards for mounting the control knobs (3). The control knob (3) has a circular plastic body with a gripping protrusion that stands upright at the starting position. Under the control knob (3) a sheath is provided, that covers the opening (5) towards the front panel (2). The sheath (4) is circular and extends radially so as to surround the opening (5) around the periphery thereof. From an outer free end (121) the shaft (12) engages with a sleeve (not shown in the figures) on the inside of the control knob (121). The shaft (12) passes through the center of a cap (14) that gradually widens at the rear side thereof. The cap (14) is fixed by means of a fixing screw (15) from an extension bearing against the front panel (2). A hole (11) is formed on the flat section of the cap (14) that faces the front.

Figure 2 shows the exploded perspective view of the rotation mechanism (10) and a positioning mechanism (30). A matching cylinder (17) that engages with the cap (14) is provided behind the cap (14). The rear end of the shaft (12) is connected to the cylinder (17). A pin (13) suitable for the hole (11) is provided at the lateral upper part of the cylinder (17). The pin (13) is fitted into the hole (11). A spiral compression spring (16) pushes the cylinder (17) towards the cap (14) from the rear side of the cylinder (17), thus enabling the pin (13) to be kept in the hole (11). The pin (13) is aligned at the central upper part of the cylinder (17). A front cover (20) comprising a planar front plate (22) supports the compression spring (16) from behind. A neck (23) is formed outwards from the periphery of a hole at the center of the front plate (22). Moreover, connection holes (25) are arranged around the neck (23) of the front panel (22). A pivot (35) passes through the hole surrounded by the neck (23) so as to connected to the shaft (12). The pivot (35) is a part of the positioning mechanism (30). A bearing (38) is provided at the center of a frame-shaped casing (32). A collar (34) is rotatably housed in the bearing (38). A mounting protrusion (37) extends in the casing (32) outside the bearing (38). An encoder card (40) is connected from the rear side of the casing (32). The encoder card (40) performs the switching function as the pivot (35) is rotated. The encoder card (40) is fixed to the casing (32) by means of screws (46) passing through the mounting holes (44) provided on a flat circuit board (42). A passage channel (48) is bored at the center of the circuit board (42).

In the positioning mechanism (30) a collar (34) radially extending outwards is formed at the center of the pivot (35). The pivot (35) is integrated with the collar (34). A following member (33) radially bears against the periphery of the collar (34). The following member (33) is composed of a pushing spring (334), a ball (332) attached to the end thereof and a channel (336) that guides the pushing spring (334) and the ball (332).

Figure 3 shows the positioning mechanism (30) from the front. Inside the casing (32) there are the circular bearing (38) centered in a gap and the collar (34) that is disposed into the same. The collar (34) extends close to the bearing (38) so that a gap remains at the periphery thereof. The collar (34) has grooves radially extending inwards at the circular outer periphery thereof. The periphery of the collar (34) is surrounded by a first array of housings (342) and then by a second array of housings (344). The grooves of the first array of housings (342) are wider than the grooves of the second array of housings (344). The first array of housings (342) sweep a wide region angle (a) so as to form the quarter of the collar (34). The wide region angle (a) is 90°. The remaining region angle of 270° forms the part containing the second array of housings (344).

As the pin (13) is fitted into the hole (11), the rotary control knob (3) cannot be rotated in the initial position. However, the spring (16) is compressed by axially pushing the rotary control knob (3), and the pin (13) leaves the hole (11). Afterwards, by rotating the control knob (3), the shaft (12) and the pivot (35) connected thereto are rotated. During the rotation, the ball (332) on which the pushing spring (334) applies pressure first moves in the first array of housings (342) making wide angles by passing through the grooves. At the same time, since the radial distance between the grooves is much, the control knob (3) moves in the steps with long distances therebetween. After a rotation of 90°, the following member (33) passes to the second array of housings (344) and moves in short steps with short radial movements. When the control knob (3) is rotated a full turn, the pin (13) is once again fitted into the hole (11) and stops the control knob (3).

By assigning various cooking functions to the first array of housings (342) and the second array of housings (344), it becomes possible to adjust input parameters of more than different function. For example, by means of the control knob (3) the first array of housings (342) can be used for adjusting the resistance of the oven (1) and the subsequent second array of housings (344) can be used for adjusting time.

Claims

A household appliance, in particular a cooking device, comprising a shaft (12) that can be accessed through a hole (11) provided on a front panel (2); a rotary control knob (3) that is fitted over the shaft (12) from one free end (121), and a collar (34) that is positioned behind the control knob (3) so as to radially extend outwards from the axis of the rear extension of the shaft (12), characterized by a first array of housings (342) that are peripherally arranged on the collar (34) and that are configured to provide a first rotation step; at least one second array of housings (344) that are peripherally arranged on the collar (34) so as to provide a second rotation step different from the first array of housings (342), and a following member (33) that provides force feedback at the period corresponding to the control knob (3) when the control knob (3) passes from the first array of housings (342) to the second array of housings (344) while being rotated.
A household appliance as in Claim 1, wherein the first array of housings (342) and the second array of housings (344) follow each other.
A household appliance as in any one of the above claims, wherein the first array of housings (342) and the second array of housings (344) are connected to each other from the opposite ends.
A household appliance as in any one of the above claims, wherein the first array of housings (342) are in the form of a plurality of adjacent and successive grooves with a first radial diameter (R1).
A household appliance as in Claim 4, wherein the second array of housings (344) are in the form of a plurality of adjacent and successive grooves with a second radial diameter (R2) that is wider than the first radial diameter (R1) of the first array of housings (342).
A household appliance as in any one of the above claims, comprising a pivot (35) that extends at the radial center of the collar (34) so as to be mounted to the shaft (12) and that is integrated with the collar (34).
A household appliance as in any one of the above claims, comprising a casing (32) that circumferentially surrounds the collar (34) by rotatably housing the same.
A household appliance as in Claim 7, comprising a front plate (22) that covers the casing (32) from the front so as to allow the passage of the shaft (12) and a circuit board (42) that is disposed in the opposite direction.
A household appliance as in any one of the above claims, comprising a pin (13) that temporarily locks the shaft (12) so as to prevent the collar (34) from rotating at a predetermined starting position and that provides ease of rotation by axially pushing the shaft (12).