WO2021216011A1

WO2021216011A1 - Rotary control knob for a cooking appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2021216011A1
Application number: PCT/TR2020/050340
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nafiz CELIK; Tuncay CIHAN
Original assignee: Femas Metal San. Ve Tic. A.S.
Priority date: 2020-04-22
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2021-10-28

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary control knob for an oven comprising a hollow cover (10) having an upper wall (18) and a skirt part (11) extending downward from the peripheral edge (13) of the upper wall (18) to form a flat opening (19) at its lower end. The rotary control knob further comprises a hub (12) protruding from the upper wall (18) and an indicating element (20) having a retaining part (21) directly hold at least partially circumferentially around the hub (12) and an indicator extension (26) bended from a shoulder part (25) of the retaining part (21) to extend toward the opening (19) in the skirt part (11).

Description

ROTARY CONTROL KNOB FOR A COOKING APPLIANCE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the control knobs, particularly to multi-component rotary control knobs for cooking appliances.

PRIOR ART

Rotary knobs have a rigid housing with an externally accessible grip and a shaft receiving hole extending from the housing to the gas tap. The shaft receiving hole extends into the body of the oven from an opening. The shaft receiving hole is mounted to a control shaft of the gas tap that extends outwardly, and transfers the torque applied to the grip to the control shaft. When the body is rotated, the form of the body itself or by added indicator line on an outer face points out the mode selected on the panel onto which the control knob is mounted.

In rotary knobs with a cover structure, an indicator line is obtained by means of a mark printed with a serigraphy on the front wall of the door. In this case, the user determines the button position by looking at the cover from the front and following the position of the indicator line. Due to the limited area of the front wall, visual access to the indicator on the cover structure is difficult, particularly in hobs or oven layouts that are observed from above.

WO2015180789A1 relates to a knob 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 comprises a body for mounting to a regulator shaft of the cooking appliance. 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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to facilitate the assembly of the indicating element in skirt part of the control knob for the a cooking device. In order to achieve abovementioned objects, the invention relates to a rotary knob for an oven, comprising a hollow cover having an upper wall and a skirt part that extends downward from the peripheral edge of the upper wall to form a flat opening at its lower end. The rotary knob comprises also a hub protruding from the upper wall; a retaining part located at least partially circumferentially around the hub so as to directly hold on thereto; and an indicating element having an indicator extension that extends from the shoulder part of the retaining part toward the opening in the skirt part with being bended. The indicating element can be easily attached to the cover from the front as it is placed on the skirt by holding onto the hub. The knob can be in the form of a hollow cutout cylindrical shape, or it can have a cover of different hollow geometries. In a possible embodiment, the upper wall is planar and the hub rises axially on the upper wall. The shoulder part can be bent directly from the retaining part, or it can extend to the skirt part by bending in a curvilinear or perpendicular way in the continuation of a radially extending part.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the retaining part is in the form of a ring that completely surrounds the hub. The retaining part is aligned with the hub and is pushed towards the upper wall.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a first barrier and a second barrier which are formed by bending radially outward in the skirt part and are spaced apart delimiting a passage of a suitable structure for the placement of the indicator extension there between. By means of the bending of the skirt part, it is possible to form the channel on the skirt part in an integrated way. In this case, the indicator extension can be placed on the cover without the need for an additional connection part. Also, by forming the passage with the skirt extending outward, the indicator extension is prevented from extending into the cover and is kept fixed outside the skirt.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first barrier and the second barrier are in mirror symmetry and are arranged mutually to extend from the shoulder to the mouth. In this case, the passage can run along the skirt, and the indicator extension is extended along the skirt to be placed as far as possible. This increases the visibility of the indicator extension on the cover by the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the indicator extension comprises a first support wall and a second support wall, respectively, abutting the first barrier and the second barrier internally. In this case, the radial movement of the indicator extension that fits in the passage is blocked by the engagement of the retaining part to the hub. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a strip that connects the first support wall of the indicator extension and the upper edge of the second support wall with the first barrier and the outer edge of the second barrier. The strip provides structural integrity on the outside of the skirt, preventing the formation of a recessed form and facilitates the cleaning of the cover.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer edges of the first barrier and the second barrier extend obliquely towards each other so as to approach each other. Thus, the passage width becomes narrower upwards and the structural strength of the first and second barriers increases. Further, the indicator extension is mounted only from the front, making the access to the passage difficult from above. This prevents erroneous assembly. In a possible embodiment, the first barrier and the second barrier can be formed parallel to each other so that the passage width is kept constant throughout its height. Alternatively, it is possible to form a V-like passage section diverging from their free ends.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first support wall and the second support wall have a V-like cross-section profile. In this case, it has increased resistance to a torque applied from the support walls to the cover from the skirt, preventing breakage. Further, the first support wall and the second support wall prevent the indicating element from moving or extending radially in the passage.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first barrier and the second barrier are manufactured by injection, with being integrated into the skirt part. This increases the structural strength of the first and second barriers and the service life of the cover and enables mass production. The first and second barriers can be formed on the cover by injection of plastic or aluminum.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a tab fitting into a corresponding hole in the upper wall by extending from the retaining part. The tab allows the indicating element to be snap-fit to the cover by simply pushing it against the front wall.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a channel into which the retaining part provided around the hub is completely placed. The channel prevents the retaining part from moving axially on the front wall and facilitates mounting thereof. Also, the channel provides a barrier that protects the outer edge of the retaining part from corrosive chemicals during cleaning of the cover. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a peripheral edge which is provided on the upper wall delimiting the channel from the outside and has a throat in which the shoulder part is located. The throat ensures correct radial alignment of the shoulder part during the mounting of the indicating element to the front wall and facilitates the placement of the indicator extension into the passage with a single movement towards the front wall.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hub, retaining part and peripheral edge are aligned and coaxial. Thus, it creates a tight and integrated structure having a structural integrity without creating a space where foreign substance will accumulate from the outside of the cover.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is in the form of a hollow semi -cylinder. It is possible to place such cover on a lower cover in the form of an opposite ring located on the control panel of the cooking appliance. The lower cover fitted in the opening covers the corresponding gap in the control panel of the oven without blocking the rotational movement of the door.

In order to achieve abovementioned object, the invention includes a cooking device comprising a control knob as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1a is an exploded view of a representative embodiment of the rotary knob of the subject matter invention.

Figure 1b is a perspective view of the knob body and indicating element as shown in Figure 1a in mounted position.

Figure 2a is an internal view of the body mounted to the indicating element of the rotary knob.

Figure 2b is a perspective view of the rotary knob disposed on the lower cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this detailed description, the development of the invention has been described without any limitation and only with reference to the examples for a better explanation of the subject.

In Figure 1a there is shown a perspective view of the rotary knob in disassembled condition, which is pulled into the rod of a control switch in a control panel (not shown) of the oven.

The rotary knob has a cover (10) in a hollow semi-cylindrical form. The cover (10) comprises a planar upper wall (18) and a curvilinear skirt part (11) extending downwardly from a circular peripheral edge (13) thereof. It forms a circular opening (19) under the skirt (11). The cover (10) is produced in one piece by plastic injection. A channel (14) in radial depression is formed adjacent to the peripheral edge (13) on the upper wall (18). The channel (14) delimits a circular hub (12) in its center. The circular hub (12) is concentric with the upper wall (18) and is equal in height with the peripheral edge (13), defining a support wall (121) on its lateral edge. Holes (15) extending longitudinally on the upper wall (18) are drilled on the channel (14) at an equal angle to each other. The holes (15) extend axially within the channel (14) with a short rectangular form. On the cover (10), an engagement part (16) located in the skirt part (11 ) is accessed over a throat (163) that is opened by evacuating a part of the peripheral edge (13). The engagement part (16) comprises a first barrier (161) extending radially outward from the skirt part (11) and a second barrier (162) parallel therewith. The first barrier (161) and the second barrier (162) delimit a passage (164) extending from the throat (163) to the opening (19) along the skirt part (11) integrally with the skirt part (11).

An indicating element (20) having a retaining part (21) in the form of a hollow ring-shaped strip and an indicator extension (26) extending perpendicularly thereto, fits on the cover (10). The indicating element (20) has a different color from the cover (10) to provide contrast. The ring of the retaining part (21) is sized to fit the channel (14) perfectly. On the lower face of the retaining part (21), there are integrated tabs (21) extending perpendicular to the retaining part (21). The indicator extension (26), radially spaced from the tabs (21), extends vertically from a circular outer edge (24) of the retaining part (21) to a distal end (27) by means of a curved shoulder part (25). The length of the indicator extension (26) is equal to the length of the skirt part (11). A circular inner space (23) is provided in the center of the retaining part (21). The diameter of the inner space (23) is equal to the diameter of the hub (12).

A lower cover (30) is placed on the cover (10) from the opening (19) in the form of an inverted hat. The lower cover (30) comprises a closing disc (35) with an outer diameter of the opening (19) and an outer ring (35) rising on the inside diameter of the opening (19). A central hole (36) is drilled in the middle of the closing disc (35). An inner ring (38) surrounds the central hole (36) on the sealing disc (35) at a distance from the outer ring (36). An upper edge (32) of the closing disc (35) remains inside the cover (10). In this case, the opening (19) is placed circumferentially on the closing disc (35) and the outer ring (34) passes through the skirt (11).

In Figure 1b, the indicating element (20) is shown in perspective, with being engaged with the cover (10). In this case, the retaining part (21) is placed in the channel (14) in the upper wall (18) and the tabs (22) are fitted in the corresponding holes (15). Thus, the retaining part (21) is engaged to the hub (12) so that the inner space (23) surrounds the hub (12). Also, the outer edge (24) of the indicating element (20) is placed on the peripheral edge (13) of the cover (10) from the inner wall, thereby ensuring that the retaining part (21) is directly placed tightly in the channel (14). The shoulder part (25) is in the form of a curved bend and is placed in the throat (163). The indicator extension (26) fits on the engagement part (16) visibly from the outside.

In Figure 2a, the rotary button is shown in perspective from the bottom. In the inner chamber surrounded by the opening (19) of the cover (10), a casing (17) extends from one end to the lower face of the upper wall (18) in an integrated way. The casing (17) is long enough to accommodate the control rod of a valve through the free end of the central hole (36) and is in the form of a D-section to ensure torque transmission.

The engagement part (16) has a U-like cross section with free ends inclined inward. The passage (164) is delimited by the first barrier (161) and the second barrier (162) rising on the line of the skirt (11), so that the inner wall of the opening (19) is completely circular. On the contrary, the ends of the indicator extension (26) of the indicating element (20) are in the form of an inverted U-like section with an outward inclination and is placed in the engagement part (16) by axial advance. In the assembly state, a distal end (27) below the indicator extension (26) is aligned with the opening (19). The first barrier (161) and the second barrier (162) extend from the corresponding part of the skirt part (11) inclined towards each other in the radial outward direction and are formed in an integrated structure at a distance. The lower ends of the first and second barriers (161 , 162) are in the same plane as the opening (19). Its upper ends follow the contour of the shoulder part (25) in a curvilinear way and reach the front wall (18). On the other hand, the strip (262) on the outer part of the indicator extension (26) that is placed on the engagement part (16) through the front wall (18), and the first and second barriers (161 , 162) are planarly connected to each other without forming a gap. Thus, the engagement part (16) and the indicating element (20) become structurally integrated with each other. Meanwhile, the outer walls of the first support wall (261) and the second support wall (263) abut against the inner walls of the corresponding first and second barrier (161 , 162) in a supporting way. The strip (262) has a different color from the first and second barriers (161 , 162) that are the extension of the cover (10). Thereby, the visibility is increased by creating a contrast along the skirt part (11 ).

In Figure 2b, the rotary control knob is shown in top perspective when the lower cover (30) is mounted. In this case, when the casing (17) passing through the central hole (36) is attached to the control valve rod, the lower cover (30) seals a control panel hole (not shown) surrounding the rod. During assembly, the indicating element (20) is simply pushed to the cover (10) by aligning it from its front wall (18). Meanwhile, radial alignment is made by inserting the distal end (27) into the passage (164). While the indicating element (20) is pushed towards the upper wall (18), the indicator extension (26) passes to the engagement part (16) in a guided way due to the cross-sectional shape conformity. When the distal end (27) reaches the opening (19), the hub (12) passes into the inner space (23) of the retaining part (21) and the axial alignment in the upper wall (18) is completed. Meanwhile, the tabs (22) fit into the holes (15) and prevent the indicating element (20) from retract. Then, the cover (10) and the lower cover (30) are assembled. The cover (10) rotates coaxially guided on the outer face of the outer ring (34). Meanwhile, the indicator extension (26) of the indicating element (20) moves radially and when the rotary knob is rotated to a new position, the radial position of the new position can be determined in three dimensions by means of the visual accessibility of both the shoulder part (25) and the indicator extension (26). By extending the shoulder part (25) on the neck (163) and the strip (262) on the engagement part (16), the position of the indicating element (20) can be determined easily both from the opposite and from the side.

REFERANCE NUMBERS

10 Cover 20 Indicating element

11 Skirt part 21 Retaining part

12 Hub 22 Tab

121 Support wall 23 Inner space

13 Peripheral edge 24 Outer edge

14 Channel 25 Shoulder part

15 Hole 26 indicator extension Engagement part 261 First support wall First barrier 262 Strip Second barrier 263 Second support wall Throat 27 Distal end Passage 30 Lower cover Casing 32 Upper edge Upper wall 34 Outer ring Opening 35 Closing disc

36 Central hole 38 Inner ring

Claims

1- A rotary control knob for an oven comprising a hollow cover (10) having an upper wall (18) and a skirt part (11) extending downward from the peripheral edge (13) of the upper wall (18) to form a flat opening (19) at its lower end characterized by a hub (12) protruding from the upper wall (18) and an indicating element (20) having a retaining part (21) directly hold at least partially circumferentially around the hub (12) and an indicator extension (26) bended from a shoulder part (25) of the retaining part (21) to extend toward the opening (19) in the skirt part (11).

2- A rotary control knob according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining part (21) is in the form of a ring completely surrounding the hub (12).

3- A rotary control knob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first barrier (161) and a second barrier (162) are formed by bending radially outward in the skirt part (11) and are spaced apart delimiting a passage (164) of a suitable for receiving the indicator extension (26) there between.

4- A rotary control knob according to claim 3, wherein the first barrier (161) and the second barrier (162) are mirror symmetrical and are arranged mutually extending from the shoulder part (25) to the opening (16).

5- A rotary control knob according to claim 3-4, wherein the indicator extension (16) comprises a first support wall (261) and a second support wall (263), respectively, abutting the first barrier (161) and the second barrier (162) internally.

6- A rotary control knob according to claim 5, wherein the indicator extension (26) comprises a strip (262) connecting the upper edge of the first support wall (261) and the upper edge of the second support wall (263) with the outer edge of the first barrier (161 ) and the second barrier (162).

7- A rotary control knob according to claim 3-6, wherein the first barrier (161) and the second barrier (162) extend inclined towards each other such that outer edges converge to each other.

8- A rotary control knob according to claim 7, wherein the first support wall (261 ) and the second support wall (263) have a V-like cross-sectional profile. 9- A rotary control knob according to claim 3-8, wherein the first barrier (161) and the second barrier (162) are made by an injection molding so that together integrated into the skirt part (11). 10- A rotary control knob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a tab (22) snap-fit into a corresponding hole (15) in the upper wall (18) by extending from the retaining part (21).

11 - A rotary control knob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a channel (14) fits completely into the retaining part (21 ) provided around the hub (12).

12- A rotary control knob according to claim 11 , wherein a peripheral edge (13) is provided on the upper wall (18) delimiting the channel (14) from the outside and has a throat (163) in which the shoulder part (25) is disposed.

13- A rotary control knob according to claim 12, wherein the hub (12), the retaining part (21) and the peripheral edge (13) are coaxially aligned.

14- A rotary control knob according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (10) is in the form of a hollow semi-cylinder.

15- A cooking appliance comprising a rotary control knob according to any one of the preceding claims.