Gas appliance

Abstract

A gas appliance (100) includes a gas burner (200) for generating heat by combustion, a gas conduit (210) connected to the gas burner for supplying gas to the gas burner along a gas supply path, and a gas valve (500) connected in the gas supply path for controlling a flow rate of gas supplied to the gas burner. The gas valve includes a valve body (510) and a movable valve member (530) for adjusting the size of the passage of gas flowing along the gas supply path through an internal opening of the valve body. The gas appliance comprises a gas flow detector (700) comprising a position detector (710) adapted to detect the position of the valve member, thereby detecting the size of the opening and thus the flow of gas supplied to the gas burner, and to provide a parameter corresponding to the detected flow of gas supplied to the gas burner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a gas appliance, the operation of which involves the use of a gas valve. Background Art

[0002] Gas appliances, such as stoves and cookers, are fueled by gas and often require the use of a manual gas valve. Besides ignition, the gas valve also controls cooking power, specifically the size of the flame. Traditionally, when adjusting cooking power, people bend over and observe the flame to determine the desired cooking power (as measured by flame size). This seems fine, but to enhance the cooking experience, a more direct and / or convenient indicator is needed. However, most gas stoves and cookers on the market lack this, with the exception of high-end models that may utilize complex electronics and gas flow sensors.

[0003] The present invention aims to alleviate or at least mitigate such problems or disadvantages by providing a new or improved gas appliance. Utility Model Content

[0004] According to the present invention, a gas appliance is provided, comprising a main body, a gas burner for generating heat through combustion, a gas pipe connected to the gas burner for supplying gas to the gas burner along a gas supply path, and a gas valve connected in the gas supply path for controlling the flow of gas supplied to the gas burner. The gas valve comprises a valve body and a movable valve member for adjusting the size of an internal opening, the internal opening being configured to allow gas flowing along the gas supply path to pass through the valve body. The gas appliance comprises a gas flow detector, the gas flow detector including a position detector adapted to detect the position of the valve member, thereby detecting the size of the opening and, therefore, the flow of gas supplied to the gas burner, and providing a parameter corresponding to the detected flow of gas supplied to the gas burner. The position detector is secured to the valve body of the gas valve by a fastener.

[0005] Preferably, the fastener comprises a bracket clip.

[0006] Preferably, the fastener has a first portion fixed around the valve body, a second portion fixed around the position detector, and an intermediate portion extending between the first portion and the second portion and connected to the first portion and the second portion to form a fastening ring with each of the first portion and the second portion on opposite sides.

[0007] Preferably, the position detector comprises an operator drivingly engaged with an operating member of the gas valve for movement therewith, the operating member being operable to move the valve member.

[0008] More preferably, the driving engagement is provided by a motion transmission system comprising a driving member associated with the operating member of the gas valve and a driven member associated with the operator of the position detector.

[0009] Still more preferably, the motion transmission system comprises a gear train, the driving member comprises a driving gear, and the driven member comprises a driven gear.

[0010] Preferably, a gear ratio of the driving gear to the driven gear is in the range of 2.0:1 to 5.9:1.

[0011] Preferably, the gear ratio is 2.67:1.

[0012] Preferably, the operating member of the gas valve includes an operating shaft having a rear end, and the driving member is coupled to the rear end to rotate simultaneously.

[0013] Preferably, the operator of the position detector includes an operating shaft having an exposed end, and the driven member is coupled to the exposed end to rotate simultaneously.

[0014] Preferably, the gas valve includes a manually operated lever or knob connected to the operating member on a first side of the valve body, for rotating the operating member and thereby rotating the valve member, and the motion transmission system is arranged on a second side of the valve body opposite to the first side.

[0015] Further preferably, the position detector is arranged on the second side surface of the valve body.

[0016] Preferably, the operator of the position detector and the operating member of the gas valve are rotatable about respective parallel axes for operation.

[0017] Advantageously, the position detector is arranged outside the gas valve and mounted on the gas valve.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the position detector comprises a circuit element capable of providing a variable value as the parameter depending on the position of its operator.

[0019] More preferably, the operator is rotatable so that the circuit element provides a variable value as the parameter according to the angular position of the operator.

[0020] More preferably, the position detector includes a variable resistor capable of providing a variable value of resistance according to the position of its operator.

[0021] Even more preferably, the variable resistor is capable of providing a variable resistance of up to 2M ohms.

[0022] Even more preferably, the operator is rotatable within an angle of 300°±5°.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the gas flow detector comprises an indicator, which is adapted to indicate the flow of gas supplied to the gas burner according to the parameter.

[0024] More preferably, the indicator comprises a display adapted to provide a visual indication corresponding to the gas supply flow rate.

[0025] Still more preferably, the display comprises a set of light elements to provide the visual indication.

[0026] Still more preferably, the light elements are in the form of aligned bars.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the indicator comprises an encoder circuit adapted to convert the parameter into a visual indication.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the gas appliance is a gas stove. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a gas appliance according to the present invention, wherein the gas appliance is in the form of a gas stove;

[0031] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Left side view of the gas stove;

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional right side view of the gas furnace of FIG1 , showing the internal arrangement of the gas burners and the associated gas supply and exhaust;

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the internal arrangement of Figure 3, also showing the gas valve, spark electrode, flame probe and control unit;

[0034] Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the main gas valve of the gas furnace of FIG1 , which includes a gas flow detector;

[0035] Figure 6 is a similar front perspective view of the main gas valve of FIG. 5 , exploded to show how the gas flow detector is mounted thereon;

[0036] Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the main gas valve of FIG5 ;

[0037] Figure 8 is a similar rear perspective view of the main gas valve of FIG7 , exploded to show how the gas flow detector is mounted thereon;

[0038] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the main gas valve and gas flow detector of FIG5;

[0039] Figure 10 5 is a front view of a gas flow indicator of the gas flow detector; and

[0040] Figure 11 FIG10 is an operational flow chart of the gas flow indicator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] See attached Figure 1 Figures 11 to 12 illustrate a gas appliance embodying the present invention in the form of a gas stove 100 having a housing 110 with an upwardly open combustion area or chamber 120, above which a cooking utensil (e.g., a Chinese wok 90) is placed to heat and cook food. Housing 110 is generally rectangular and stands on four legs 114. It has a flat cooktop 111 within which combustion chamber 120 is located. Combustion chamber 120 is generally cylindrical in shape with an upper opening surrounded by an annular support 121 for positioning wok 90.

[0042] The gas stove 100 includes, as part of its combustion system, a gas burner 200 located in a combustion chamber 120 for burning gas to generate heat; a pilot burner 300 located near the gas burner 200 for maintaining a pilot flame; and a flue 130 communicating with the combustion chamber 120 for exhausting exhaust gases generated by the combustion of gas at the burners 200 and 300. A cylindrical structure 140 within the combustion chamber 120 positions and surrounds the main burner 200 and pilot burner 300, as well as respective horizontal main and pilot gas pipes 210 and 310 (i.e., gas pathways) for supplying gas from a gas supply port 900 to the burners 200 and 300, respectively. A vertical air duct 141 passes through the structure 140 to supply fresh air to the burners 200 and 300 to support combustion.

[0043] The flue 130, driven by an electric blower 139, carries the exhaust gases through a horizontal channel 131 in the housing 110. The horizontal channel 131 is located directly below the cooktop 111, extends from one side of the combustion chamber 120, then turns upward and terminates at an elevated outlet 132 at the back of the housing 110. A basin 133 can be installed partially through the cooktop 111 in the channel 131 to recover some of the heat from the exhaust gases, for example, to conveniently store some hot water.

[0044] Ignition of the gas furnace 100 is performed using a piezoelectric spark generator or electrode 201 located near the pilot burner 300. The spark electrode 201 is used to ignite the pilot burner 300 to produce a pilot flame, which in turn ignites the main burner 200. A flame ionization detector in the form of a flame probe 301 is located near the pilot burner 300 to detect the presence of the pilot flame.

[0045] The gas stove 100 includes an electromagnetic gas valve assembly 600, which is disposed between the gas supply port 900 and the main gas pipe 210 and the pilot gas pipe 310. The electromagnetic gas valve assembly 600 is used to control the gas supply to the main gas pipe 210 and the pilot gas pipe 310. The gas valve assembly 600 includes a first gas valve 610 for controlling the gas supply to the pilot gas pipe 310 and, depending on the valve position, also controlling the gas supply to the main gas pipe 210. It also includes a second gas valve 620 for controlling the gas supply to the main gas pipe 210. The gas valve assembly 600 further includes a manual operator in the form of a button 630 for opening the first gas valve 610 to supply gas to the pilot burner 300 and closing the second gas valve 620 when manually operated, i.e., pressed, and then, when released, if a pilot flame is detected at the pilot burner 300, also opening the second gas valve 620 to supply gas to the main burner 200, and a solenoid 640 for holding the first gas valve 610 open to maintain the pilot flame thereat.

[0046] The gas furnace 100 includes an electronic control unit 800 designed to control the operation of various components, including the spark electrode 201 , the flame probe 301 and the electromagnetic gas valve assembly 600 .

[0047] The gas stove 100 also includes a manual main gas valve 500 connected to the gas supply path of the main gas pipe 210, located between the solenoid gas valve assembly 600 and the main burner 200. The (main) gas valve 500 has a valve body 510 and includes a manually operable operating lever 501 mounted at the front end of an operating shaft 502. The operating lever 501 is configured to pivotally rotate or turn the operating shaft 502, thereby opening and closing or adjusting the gas valve 500. In various embodiments, the lever 501 can be replaced by a knob. In either case, the lever 501 or knob is disposed on a first side surface of the valve body 510.

[0048] The gas valve 500 internally includes a valve seat 520 and a movable valve member 530. The valve member 530 is movable relative to the valve seat 520, or more generally, the valve body 510, via an operating shaft 502 by operating a lever 501. The valve member 530 is provided as an integral portion of the operating shaft 502, which is formed with a hole. The valve member 530 is movable relative to the valve seat 520. The valve seat 520 is hollow and surrounds the valve member 530, and is used to adjust the size of the internal opening of the gas path X through the hole of the valve member 530, thereby allowing gas to flow along the gas supply path, i.e., the main gas pipe 210, and thereby pass through the valve body 510.

[0049] The primary function of the gas valve 500 is to manually control the flow of gas supplied to the main burner 200 along the main gas pipe 210, thereby determining the gas flow rate or flame size (i.e., combustion intensity) of the main burner 200 during operation. Providing the gas valve 500 with a gas flow detector 700 facilitates controlled adjustment of the gas flow rate (i.e., flame size) of the main burner 200.

[0050] The gas flow rate detector 700 includes a position detector 710 adapted to detect the position of the valve member 530, thereby detecting the size of the opening and, therefore, the flow rate of gas supplied to the gas burner 500. The position detector 710 also provides a parameter corresponding to the detected flow rate of gas supplied to the gas burner 500. Such a parameter may be, for example, in the form of an explicit or implicit value, or in the form of any other form of output signal.

[0051] The position detector 710 includes an operator 711, which is "drivingly engaged" with the operating member (i.e., operating lever 501) of the gas valve 500 via an operating shaft 502, so as to move along with and be moved by the operating lever 501. As described above, the operating lever 501 is used to move the valve member 530. The operator 711 can take the form of a rotary variable resistor 712 having a rotatable operating shaft 713. The operating shaft 713 extends from a resistor body 714 and couples with a sliding contact within the variable resistor 712 to move the resistor. Alternatively, in short, the operator 711 can be provided by or simply represented by such an operating shaft 713.

[0052] Variable resistor 712 is an electrical / electronic circuit element capable of providing a variable value as the aforementioned parameter in the form of (electrical) resistance, depending on or dependent on the position of its operating shaft 713, or generally, the position of operator 711. In other words, operator 711 is rotatable, allowing the circuit element to provide a variable value as the parameter depending on the angular position of operator 711. In this embodiment, variable resistor 712 is preferably selected to provide a variable resistance from 0 ohms to 2 M ohms, and its operating shaft 713, or generally, operator 711, is rotatable through an angle of 300° ± 5°.

[0053] The aforementioned "driving engagement" is provided by a motion transmission system 720, which includes a driving member 721 associated with the operating lever 501 of the gas valve 500 (via the operating shaft 502), and includes a driven member 722 associated with the operator 711 of the position detector 710. The motion transmission system 720 can take the form of a gear train 720, wherein the driving member 721 is a relatively large driving gear / gearwheel 721, and the driven member 722 is a relatively small driven gear / gearwheel 722. Specifically, the driving gear 721 can have 40 to 59 teeth, while the driven gear 722 can have 10 to 20 teeth. The driving and driven gears 721 and 722 can have a gear ratio ranging from 2.0:1 to 5.9:1, and preferably 2.67:1.

[0054] The drive gear 721 and the driven gear 722 are assembled as described herein. In addition to the operating lever 501, the operating member of the gas valve 500 includes an operating shaft 502 having a rear end with which the drive gear 721 is coaxially coupled for simultaneous rotation, specifically rotation thereof. The operator 711 of the position detector 710 includes an operating shaft 713 having an exposed end with which the driven gear 722 is coaxially coupled for simultaneous rotation, specifically rotation thereof. The drive gear 721 and the driven gear 722 are arranged to mesh with each other, such that during operation, the drive gear 721 rotates the driven gear 722.

[0055] like Figure 5 As best shown, the operating lever 501 is disposed on the first (front) side of the valve body 510 as described above, while the motion transmission system 720, namely the driving gear 721 and the driven gear 722, are disposed on the second (rear) side of the valve body 510 opposite to the first side. The position detector 710, namely the operator 711 or the variable resistor 712 (or its operating shaft 713), is also disposed on the second side of the valve body 510. Figure 6 As best shown, the operator 711 of the gas valve 500 (which corresponds to the operating shaft 713 of the variable resistor 712) and the operating lever 501 (together with the operating shaft 502) are rotatably operable about respective axes Y and Z that are parallel to each other.

[0056] The position detector 710 is arranged on the outside of the gas valve 500 and is installed on the gas valve 500 as an additional component, so that the gas valve to which the present invention is applicable can be a basic purely mechanical design, as is the case with the embodiment, without modification. In terms of specific structure, the position detector 710 is fixed to the gas valve body 510 by fasteners, and the fasteners preferably include a bracket clamp 730. The bracket clamp 730 has a first part, a second part and a middle plane channel part 733, the first part is a circular U-shaped bracket 731 fixed around the valve body 510, and the second part is a flat rectangular U-shaped bracket 732 fixed around the position detector 710. The flat part 733 extends between the first bracket 731 and the second bracket 732 and is connected to the first bracket 731 and the second bracket 732 to form a fastening ring with each of the first bracket 731 and the second bracket 732 on the opposite side (such as Figures 5 to 8 shown).

[0057] With this arrangement, rotation of the operating lever 501, and therefore rotation of the operating shaft 502 of the gas valve 500, is transmitted via the gear train 720 (i.e., the driving gear 721 and the driven gear 722) to the operating shaft 713 of the variable resistor 712. As the operating shaft 713 rotates, the resistance between the movable terminal and one fixed terminal of the variable resistor 712 changes depending on the angle at which the operating lever 501 is rotated by a user (e.g., a chef) who wishes to adjust the gas supply flow rate to the main burner 200, thereby adjusting the size of the burner flame.

[0058] It is advantageous if the user can easily or conveniently determine the flow rate of gas supplied to the gas valve 500 (i.e., the gas flow rate), which depends on the angular position (or the angular position of the steering) of the operating lever 501. To this end, the gas flow rate detector 700 includes an indicator (hereinafter referred to as the gas flow rate indicator 740) adapted to indicate the supply flow rate of gas to the gas burner 200 based on the aforementioned parameters provided by the position detector 710.

[0059] The gas flow indicator 740 is located on the back of the housing 110 of the gas stove 100, approximately at eye level, behind the combustion chamber 120, where the wok 90 is placed for cooking. This allows the chef to easily notice the indication provided by the gas flow indicator 740 while cooking. The gas flow indicator 740 includes a display 741 adapted to provide a visual indication corresponding to the gas supply flow rate or gas flow level. The display 741 includes a set of four light elements for providing a visual indication of the gas flow level. The display 741 may be in the form of a linear arrangement of four aligned bars 742. Each bar 742 may be formed by a series of three orange LEDs. The gas flow rate supplied to the gas burner 200 is indicated by the number of illuminated bars 742, which increase or decrease as the gas flow rate increases or decreases, respectively. The display 741 includes a green LED 744 for indicating the presence of a pilot flame based on an electrical signal received from the control unit 800 based on detection by the flame probe 301.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the gas flow indicator 740 includes an encoder circuit (not shown) adapted to convert a value (i.e., a variable value of a parameter provided by the position detector 710) into a visual indication. The encoder circuit can employ any suitable known circuit design, such as a microcontroller-based circuit design provided by an encoder chip. A variable resistor 712 is connected to an input port of the microcontroller as part of a voltage divider (potentiometer), which applies an input voltage that depends on the angle of the variable resistor's operating shaft 713 (which determines the gas flow level). Therefore, the output signal of the microcontroller, as well as the output signal of the encoder circuit, corresponds to the magnitude of the input voltage. The encoder circuit's output is connected to a corresponding NPN transistor 743, which turns the light bar 742 on and off as needed to indicate the gas flow level.

[0061] The operation of the gas flow indicator 740 is best illustrated by the operational flow chart in Figure 11 . The microcontroller outputs a 3.3V voltage to the variable resistor 712 (step 801). When the gas valve 500 rotates (step 802), the operating shaft 713 and the sliding contact of the variable resistor 712 simultaneously rotate at a speed 2.67 times that of the gas valve 500 (step 803). The voltage at the microcontroller input port varies depending on the angular position of the variable resistor operating shaft 713 or the sliding contact (step 804). The microcontroller expresses the input port voltage as a measured value from 0 to 4095 units, where 0 units corresponds to 0V and 4095 units corresponds to 3.3V (step 805). The maximum angle that the operating lever 501 of the gas valve 500 can rotate is approximately 90°, equivalent to 2800 units. The gas flow level depends on the angle of the gas valve 500 (i.e., its operating lever 501), which is detected by the position detector 710 and measured by the encoder circuit in conjunction with the variable resistor 712, as described above. The gas flow level is determined based on the angle and measurement of the gas valve 500 according to a predetermined table shown below (step 806).

[0062]

[0063] The gas flow detector 700 of the present gas appliance / stove provides useful information regarding the current gas flow or the desired gas flow, which is often required by the chef or user for optimal cooking. In particular, the gas flow detector 700 as described or in other embodiments of the present invention can be used with conventionally designed and / or purely mechanical gas valves, thereby improving the functionality of such valves.

[0064] The present invention is given by way of example only, and those skilled in the art may make various other modifications and / or changes to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention specified in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas appliance, characterized in that: The gas appliance comprises: main body; A gas burner for burning to generate heat; a gas pipeline connected to the gas burner and configured to supply gas to the gas burner along a gas supply path; a gas valve connected to the gas supply path for controlling the flow of gas supplied to the gas burner, the gas valve comprising a valve body and a movable valve member for adjusting a size of an internal opening for allowing gas flowing along the gas supply path to pass through the valve body; and a gas flow detector comprising a position detector adapted to detect a position of the valve member, thereby detecting a size of the opening and thus a flow rate of gas supplied to the gas burner, and providing a parameter corresponding to the detected flow rate of gas supplied to the gas burner; The position detector is fixed to the valve body of the gas valve through a fastener.

2. The gas appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that The fastener includes a bracket clip.

3. The gas appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that The fastener has a first portion fixed around the valve body, a second portion fixed around the position detector, and an intermediate portion extending between and connected to the first and second portions to form a fastening ring with each of the first and second portions on opposite sides.

4. The gas appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The position detector includes an operator drivingly engaged with an operating member of the gas valve for movement therewith, the operating member being for moving the valve member.

5. The gas appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that The driving engagement is provided by a motion transmission system comprising a driving member associated with the operating member of the gas valve and a driven member associated with the operator of the position detector.

6. The gas appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that The motion transmission system includes a gear train, the driving member includes a driving gear, and the driven member includes a driven gear.

7. The gas appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that A gear ratio of the driving gear to the driven gear is in a range of 2.0:1 to 5.9:

1.

8. The gas appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that: The gear ratio is 2.67:

1.

9. The gas appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that The operating member of the gas valve includes an operating shaft having a rear end, and the driving member is coupled to the rear end to rotate simultaneously.

10. The gas appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that The operator of the position detector includes an operating shaft having an exposed end, and the driven member is coupled to the exposed end to rotate simultaneously.

11. The gas appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that The gas valve includes a manually operated lever or knob connected to the operating member on a first side of the valve body for rotating the operating member and thereby rotating the valve member, and the motion transmission system is provided on a second side of the valve body opposite to the first side.

12. The gas appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that The position detector is provided on the second side surface of the valve body.

13. The gas appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that The operator of the position detector and the operating member of the gas valve are rotatable about respective parallel axes to operate.

14. The gas appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The position detector is disposed outside the gas valve and mounted on the gas valve.

15. The gas appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The position detector includes a circuit element capable of providing a variable value as the parameter depending on the position of its operator.

16. The gas appliance according to claim 15, characterized in that The operator is rotatable so that the circuit element provides a variable value as the parameter according to the angular position of the operator.

17. The gas appliance according to claim 15, characterized in that The position detector includes a variable resistor capable of providing a variable value of resistance according to the position of its operator.

18. The gas appliance according to claim 17, characterized in that The variable resistor is capable of providing a variable resistance of up to 2M ohms.

19. The gas appliance according to claim 17, characterized in that The operator can rotate at an angle of 300°±5°.

20. The gas appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The gas flow detector includes an indicator, which is adapted to indicate the flow of gas supplied to the gas burner according to the parameter.

21. The gas appliance according to claim 20, characterized in that The indicator includes a display adapted to provide a visual indication corresponding to a gas supply flow rate.

22. The gas appliance according to claim 21, characterized in that The display includes a set of light elements to provide visual indication.

23. The gas appliance according to claim 22, characterized in that The light elements are in the shape of aligned bars.

24. The gas appliance according to claim 20, characterized in that The indicator includes an encoder circuit adapted to convert the parameter into a visual indication.

25. The gas appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The gas appliance is a gas stove.

Images