A cooking appliance with a control panel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance which comprises at least one cooking appliance body; at least one heater; and a control panel (K) comprising a first panel (1) comprising a first wall (1b) with a first opening (1a) thereon, a second panel (2) connected with the first panel (1) and comprising a second wall (2b) with a second opening (2a) thereon, a control interface (3) located inside the first panel (1), a first connecting piece (4), one side of which is connected with the control interface (3) and the other side of which is passed through the first opening (1a), a second connecting piece (5), one side of which is passed through the second opening (2a), and which is connected with the first connecting piece (4), a control button (6) which is connected with the second connecting piece (5). Said cooking appliance also comprises an coupling piece (7) which is connected with a surface of the first wall (1b) facing the second wall (2b) so as to be between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b), and which strengthens the connection between the first connecting piece (4) and the second connecting piece (5) to prevent the first connecting piece (4) from flexing / wobbling relative to the shaft axis (E).

Description

[0001] A COOKING APPLIANCE WITH A CONTROL PANEL

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance with a control panel that prevents a first connecting piece (shaft) from making a flexing / wobbling movement relative to a shaft axis, the first connecting piece providing connection between control buttons and control interfaces such as gas taps, switches, thermostats. of the Invention

[0004] Gas and electric heaters are widely used in cooking appliances, burners and / or oven interiors. In order to control operation of the heaters, at least one control interface such as a gas tap, a switch, a thermostat etc. located in the body of the cooking appliance, is used. In order for said control interface to be controlled by a user, said cooking appliance comprises at least one control button connected to the control interface by at least a second connecting piece and at least a first connecting piece, also called a shaft. The control interface, second connecting piece, first connecting piece and control button mentioned herein are located in at least one control panel provided in the cooking appliance. The control panel comprises at least a first panel, preferably in the form of a chamber, comprising at least a first wall with at least a first opening thereon, wherein the first connecting piece connected on one side to the control interface can be passed through the first opening; at least a second panel comprising at least a second wall with at least a second opening thereon, wherein the second connecting piece can be passed through the second opening so that the second connecting piece, which is connected on one side with the control button, is connected to the other side of the first connecting piece, wherein the second control panel is connected with the first panel so that at least a part of the second panel is visible from the outside of the cooking appliance. In the state of the art, connection of the second connecting piece and the first connecting piece, which provides connection between the control button and the control interface, may loosen over time due to usage. This causes the first connecting piece to flex / wobble and the connection between the control interface and the control button to break over time. Disconnection between the control interface and the control button causes the cooking appliance and / or at least one heater in the cooking appliance to be unavailable. This results in additional repair, maintenance and spare parts costs.

[0005] Brief Description of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance which comprises at least one cooking appliance body; at least one gas and / or electric heater located in the cooking appliance body; and at least one control panel comprising:

[0007] • at least a first panel comprising at least a first wall with at least a first opening thereon,

[0008] • at least a second panel comprising at least a second wall with at least a second opening thereon, wherein at least a part of the second panel is connected with the first panel so as to be visible from the outside of the cooking appliance,

[0009] • at least one control interface located inside first panel for controlling operation of the heater,

[0010] • at least a first connecting piece, also called a shaft, one side of which is connected with the control interface and the other side of which is passed through the first opening, so that at least a part thereof remains between the first wall and the second wall,

[0011] • at least a second connecting piece, one side of which is inserted between the first wall and the second wall through the second opening, and which is connected on said side with the first connecting piece,

[0012] • at least one control button for controlling the control interface, which is connected with another side of the second connecting piece outside the second panel.

[0013] Said cooking appliance also comprises an coupling piece which is connected with a surface of the first wall facing the second wall so as to be between the first wall and the second wall, and which strengthens the connection between the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece to prevent the first connecting piece from flexing / wobbling relative to the shaft axis, wherein the coupling piece comprises: at least one body comprising at least one hole with at least a first diameter, at least a first surface and at least a second surface, wherein the hole has a center passing through the shaft axis and concentric with the center of the first opening, wherein the first connecting piece is passed through the hole, at least a first protrusion extending outwardly away from the first surface and comprising at least a first cavity with at least a second diameter, wherein the first cavity has a center passing through the shaft axis and concentric with the center of said hole, wherein the first connecting piece is passed through the first cavity, at least a second protrusion extending outwardly away from the second surface and comprising at least a second cavity with at least a third diameter, wherein the second cavity has a center passing through the shaft axis and concentric with the center of said hole, wherein the first connecting piece extends from the second cavity and the second connecting piece is attached thereto while connecting the second connecting piece with the first connecting piece, at least one outer wall supporting first protrusion and second protrusion, located at a side of the body away from the hole, and extending away from the first surface and the second surface.

[0014] Thanks to the coupling piece of the cooking appliance according to the present invention, which is provided between the first wall and the second wall and supports the connection between the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece, the first connecting piece, which provides the connection between the control interface and the control button, is prevented from making a flexing / wobbling movement relative to the shaft axis. This extends the service life of the cooking appliance and especially the control panel, and minimizes the repair, maintenance and spare parts costs.

[0015] Object of the Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance with a control panel that prevents first connecting piece from making a flexing / wobbling movement relative to a shaft axis, the first connecting piece providing connection between control buttons and control interfaces such as gas taps, switches, thermostats.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance with a control panel that strengthens the connection between the second connecting piece and the first connecting piece providing connection between the control interfaces and the control buttons. A further object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance with a low cost and reliable control panel.

[0018] Description of the Invention

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the cooking appliance according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a side sectional view of the control panel of the cooking appliance according to the invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connection between inner panel and coupling piece of the cooking appliance according to the invention.

[0022] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the coupling piece of the cooking appliance according to the invention.

[0023] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the coupling piece of the cooking appliance according to the invention.

[0024] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

[0025] Control panel (K)

[0026] First panel (1)

[0027] First opening (1a)

[0028] First wall (1b)

[0029] Second panel (2)

[0030] Second opening (2a)

[0031] Second wall (2b)

[0032] Control interface (3)

[0033] First connecting piece (4)

[0034] Second connecting piece (5)

[0035] Control button (6)

[0036] Coupling piece (7)

[0037] Body (7a)

[0038] Hole (7b) First surface (7c)

[0039] Second surface (7d)

[0040] First cavity (7e)

[0041] First protrusion (7f)

[0042] Second cavity (7g)

[0043] Second protrusion (7h)

[0044] Outer wall (7j)

[0045] Connection hole (7k)

[0046] Rib (7m)

[0047] Shaft axis (E)

[0048] Description of the Invention

[0049] Gas and electric heaters are widely used in cooking appliances, burners and / or oven interiors. In order to control operation of the heaters, at least one control interface such as a gas tap, a switch, a thermostat located in the body of the cooking device, is used. In order for said control interface to be controlled by a user, said cooking appliance comprises at least one control button connected to the control interface by at least a second connecting piece and at least a first connecting piece, also called a shaft. In the state of the art, connection of the second connecting piece and the first connecting piece, which provides connection between the control button and the control interface, may loosen over time due to usage, and therefore, the first connecting piece may make a flexing / wobbling movement. This causes the connection between the control interface and the control button to be broken over time, and thus the cooking appliance and / or at least one heater in the cooking appliance cannot be used. Therefore, the present invention provides a cooking appliance for solving said problems.

[0050] The cooking appliance according to the present invention, as illustrated in Figures 1-4, comprises at least one cooking appliance body; at least one gas and / or electric heater located in the cooking appliance body; and at least one control panel (K) comprising:

[0051] • at least a first panel (1) comprising at least a first wall (1b) with at least a first opening (1a) thereon,

[0052] • at least a second panel (2) comprising at least a second wall (2b) with at least a second opening (2a) thereon, wherein at least a part of the second panel (2) is connected with the first panel (1) so as to be visible from the outside of the cooking appliance,

[0053] • at least one control interface (3) located inside the first panel (1) (i.e. , on one side of the first wall (1 b)) for controlling operation of the heater,

[0054] • at least a first connecting piece (4), preferably in the form of a rod and also called a shaft, one side of which is connected with the control interface (3) and the other side of which is passed through the first opening (1a), so that at least a part thereof remains between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b),

[0055] • at least a second connecting piece (5), preferably a core, one side of which is inserted between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b) through the second opening (2a), and which is connected on said side with the first connecting piece (4),

[0056] • at least one control button (6) for controlling the control interface (3), which is connected with another side of the second connecting piece (5) outside the second panel (2), that is, connected with said control interface (3) by means of the second connecting piece (5) and the first connecting piece (4).

[0057] Said cooking appliance also comprises an coupling piece (7) which is connected with a surface of the first wall (1b) facing the second wall (2b) so as to be between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b), and which strengthens the connection between the first connecting piece (4) and the second connecting piece (5) to prevent the first connecting piece (4) from flexing / wobbling relative to the shaft axis (E), wherein the coupling piece (7) comprises: at least one body (7a), preferably circular, which comprises at least one hole (7b) with at least a first diameter, at least a first surface (7c) and at least a second surface (7d), wherein the hole (7b) has a center passing through the shaft axis (E) and concentric with the center of the first opening (1a), wherein the first connecting piece (4) is passed through the hole (7b), at least a first protrusion (7f) extending outwardly away from the first surface (7c) and comprising at least a first cavity (7e) with at least a second diameter, wherein the first cavity (7e) has a center passing through the shaft axis (E) and concentric with the center of said hole (7b), wherein the first connecting piece (4) is passed through the first cavity (7e), wherein a part of the first protrusion (7f) engages with the first opening (1a), at least a second protrusion (7h) extending outwardly away from the second surface (7c) (i.e. extending in an opposite direction to the first protrusion (7f)) and comprising at least a second cavity (7g) with at least a third diameter, wherein the second cavity (7g) has a center passing through the shaft axis (E) and concentric with the center of said hole (7b), wherein the first connecting piece (4) extends from the second cavity (7g) and the second connecting piece (5) is attached thereto while connecting the second connecting piece (5) with the first connecting piece (4), at least one outer wall (7j) supporting first protrusion (7f) and second protrusion (7h), located at a side of the body (7a) away from the hole (7b), and extending away from the first surface (7c) and the second surface (7d), preferably aligned with tips of the first protrusion (7f) and the second protrusion (7h).

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, while producing the cooking appliance, the control interface (3), such as gas tap, a switch, a thermostat which is located in the body of the cooking appliance, is placed inside the first panel (1) in order to control operation of the heater. Said control interface (1) is then connected to one side of the first connecting piece (4), also called a shaft. The other side of the first connecting piece (4) is passed through the first opening (1a) in the first wall (1b), and the first surface (7c) of the coupling piece (7) is passed through the first cavity (7e) and the hole (7b) so as to face the first wall (1b). The first connecting piece (4) passes through the hole (7b) to extend from the second cavity (7g). Then, the second connecting piece (5), one side of which is passed through the second opening (2a) in the second wall (2b), is attached to the first connecting piece (4) extending from the second cavity (7g). Meanwhile, the second panel (2) is mounted in connection with the first panel (1) so that the coupling piece (7) remains between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b). The control button (6) is attached to a side of the second connecting piece (5) that is outside the second wall (2b). Said coupling piece (7) supports the connection between the first connecting piece (4) and the second connecting piece (5) and thus prevents the first connecting piece (4) from making a flexing / wobbling movement relative to the shaft axis (E). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second panel (2) can be a part of the cooking appliance body.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling piece (7) is mounted on the first wall (1b). Said coupling piece (7) preferably comprises at least one connection hole (7k) for mounting the coupling piece (7) on the first wall (1b) by means of at least one forcedependent connecting element such as a screw, a nut, or a bolt.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said coupling piece (7) is made of a plastic or metal material.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said coupling piece (7) is mounted on the first wall (1b) so as to be aligned with the control interface (3). In this way, the control interface (3) can be mounted with the force-dependent connecting elements used to mount the coupling piece (7) to the first wall (1b).

[0062] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said coupling piece (7) has a form such that it can be mounted on the first wall (1b) with at least one shape-dependent connection element such as a rivet, pin, safety ring, or wedge.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said coupling piece (7) comprises at least one rib (7m) located between the second protrusion (7h) and the outer wall (7j), and supporting the second protrusion (7h) and the outer wall (7j). Therefore, the second protrusion (7h) and the outer wall (7j) have a more rigid structure.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first diameter is equal to the second diameter. The first diameter is preferably greater than the second diameter. The third diameter is preferably greater than the first diameter. The third diameter is preferably equal to or greater than the second diameter.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the first opening (1a) is greater than the diameter of the first connecting piece (4) so as not to prevent the rotational movement of the first connecting piece (4) (i.e., the rotational movement transferred from the control button (6) to the first connecting piece (4)). Likewise, the diameter of the second opening (2a) is preferably greater than the diameter of the second connecting piece (5) so as not to prevent the rotational movement of the second connecting piece (5) (i.e., the rotational movement transferred from the control button (6) to the second connecting piece (5)). Thanks to the placement of a part of the first protrusion (7f) through the first opening (1a), the coupling piece (7) can be centered.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the second protrusion (7h) is greater than the length of the outer wall (7j) such that a part of the second protrusion (7h) passes through the second opening (2a).

[0067] Thanks to the coupling piece (7) of the cooking appliance according to the present invention, which is provided between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b) and supports the connection between the first connecting piece (4) and the second connecting piece (5), the first connecting piece (4), which provides the connection between the control interface (3) and the control button (6), is prevented from making a flexing / wobbling movement relative to the shaft axis (E). This extends the service life of the cooking appliance and especially the control panel (K), and minimizes the repair, maintenance and spare parts costs.

Claims

CLAIMS A cooking appliance comprising at least one cooking appliance body; at least one gas and / or electric heater located in the cooking appliance body; and at least one control panel (K) comprising:• at least a first panel (1) comprising at least a first wall (1b) with at least a first opening (1a) thereon,• at least a second panel (2) comprising at least a second wall (2b) with at least a second opening (2a) thereon, wherein at least a part of the second panel (2) is connected with the first panel (1) so as to be visible from the outside of the cooking appliance,• at least one control interface (3) located inside the first panel (1) for controlling operation of the heater,• at least a first connecting piece (4), also called a shaft, one side of which is connected with the control interface (3) and the other side of which is passed through the first opening (1a), so that at least a part thereof remains between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b),• at least a second connecting piece (5), one side of which is inserted between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b) through the second opening (2a), and which is connected on said side with the first connecting piece (4),• at least one control button (6) for controlling the control interface (3), which is connected with another side of the second connecting piece (5) outside the second panel (2), the cooking appliance characterized by comprising an coupling piece (7) which is connected with a surface of the first wall (1b) facing the second wall (2b) so as to be between the first wall (1b) and the second wall (2b), and which strengthens the connection between the first connecting piece (4) and the second connecting piece (5) to prevent the first connecting piece (4) from flexing / wobbling relative to the shaft axis (E), wherein the coupling piece (7) comprises: at least one body (7a) comprising at least one hole (7b) with at least a first diameter, at least a first surface (7c) and at least a second surface (7d), wherein the hole (7b) has a center passing through the shaft axis (E) andconcentric with the center of the first opening (1a), wherein the first connecting piece (4) is passed through the hole (7b), at least a first protrusion (7f) extending outwardly away from the first surface (7c) and comprising at least a first cavity (7e) with at least a second diameter, wherein the first cavity (7e) has a center passing through the shaft axis (E) and concentric with the center of said hole (7b), wherein the first connecting piece (4) is passed through the first cavity (7e), at least a second protrusion (7h) extending outwardly away from the second surface (7c) and comprising at least a second cavity (7g) with at least a third diameter, wherein the second cavity (7g) has a center passing through the shaft axis (E) and concentric with the center of said hole (7b), wherein the first connecting piece (4) extends from the second cavity (7g) and the second connecting piece (5) is attached thereto while connecting the second connecting piece (5) with the first connecting piece (4), at least one outer wall (7j) supporting first protrusion (7f) and second protrusion (7h), located at a side of the body (7a) away from the hole (7b), and extending away from the first surface (7c) and the second surface (7d). A cooking appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the body (7a) is circular. A cooking appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the coupling piece (7) comprises at least one connection hole (7k) for mounting the coupling piece (7) on the first wall (1b) by means of at least one force-dependent connecting element. A cooking appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that said coupling piece (7) has a form such that it can be mounted on the first wall (1b) with at least one shape-dependent connection element. A cooking appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that said coupling piece (7) comprises at least one rib (7m) located between the second protrusion (7h) and the outer wall (7j), and supporting the second protrusion (7h) and the outer wall (7j).

6. A cooking appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first diameter is equal to the second diameter.

7. A cooking appliance according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

8. A cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the third diameter is greater than the first diameter.

9. A cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the third diameter is equal to the second diameter.

10. A cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the third diameter is greater than the second diameter.

11. A cooking appliance according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling piece (7) is made of a plastic material.

12. A cooking appliance according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling piece (7) is made of a metal material.

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