Gas safety valves adapted for domestic appliances

Abstract

A safety valve for gas appliances comprising: an electromagnet (2) including a coil (9) having a phase wire (9a) and a ground wire (9b) and a protrusion (11) having a phase contact area (12) in contact with the phase wire (9a), a valve seat (30) connected to the ground wire (9b), a phase closing body (20) in contact with the phase contact area (12), a printed circuit board (40) in contact with the phase closing body (20), and an electrical connector (60) having a phase terminal (62) and a ground terminal (63) connected to the phase wire (9a) and the ground wire (9b) through the printed circuit board (40). The printed circuit board (40) is accommodated in the valve seat (30) in an elastically deformed and curved state, ensuring a constant contact pressure with the phase closing body (20) and the valve seat (30).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas safety valve adapted for domestic appliances. [Background technology]

[0002] A gas safety valve adapted for domestic appliances is known, which comprises an electromagnet having a fixed core, a support for the electromagnet, and a movable armature coupled to a plug and movable relative to the electromagnet between an open position in which the electromagnet is energized and the movable armature is in contact with the electromagnet, and a closed position in which the electromagnet is not energized.

[0003] Current safety valves have limitations in terms of electrical connection systems due to their structural shape and the fact that their components must perform many functions despite their small size. The valve seat has the functions of supporting the assembly of the remaining parts of the safety valve, acting as a support for anchoring the safety valve, which is part of the gas valve, within the gas valve, ensuring airtightness inside the safety valve to prevent gas leakage, and acting as a support for the system for electrical connection and insulation of the phase terminal and / or ground terminal.

[0004] Due to the fact that the area below the support of the gas safety valve is responsible for the functions of sealing and electrical connection, and because the available space is limited and it is difficult to weld the electrical connections inside the support, the safety valve makes the electrical connections on the outside by welding the phase and ground wires of the coil to the corresponding terminals. Another solution would be to make the electrical connections in the area of ​​the electromagnet core and coil of the gas safety valve, but this would take up space for the coil and would not allow for a shorter distance between the terminals.

[0005] EP3521702A1 discloses a gas safety valve adapted for domestic appliances, comprising an electromagnet with a phase wire and a ground wire, a support for the electromagnet with a housing, and a phase closure. A portion of the phase wire and a portion of the ground wire are electrically connected to the phase closure and the support, and the phase closure is disposed within the support housing. The valve also comprises a connector inserted into the support housing, the connector having a first end of a phase terminal electrically connected to the phase closure and a first end of a ground terminal electrically connected to the interior area of ​​the support, and a second end in contact with the outside. The electrical connection between the ground wire and the valve seat and the electrical connection between the phase wire and the phase closure are each effected by pressure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a gas safety valve adapted to domestic appliances, as defined in the claims.

[0007] The gas safety valve according to the present invention comprises an electromagnet including a core and a reel having a coil including a phase wire and a ground wire, the reel including protrusions with phase electrical contact areas in electrical contact with the phase wire, a conductive valve seat electrically connected to the ground wire, a phase closure body in electrical contact with the phase electrical contact areas, a printed circuit board, the phase closure body in electrical contact with the printed circuit board, and an electrical connector including phase terminals and ground terminals electrically connected to the phase wire and the ground wire through the printed circuit board.

[0008] The printed circuit board is accommodated inside the valve seat in an elastically deformed and curved state, ensuring a constant contact pressure with the phase closure body and with the valve seat. By utilizing the elastic properties of the printed circuit board, it is possible to fix the electrical contacts inside the safety valve, without the need for a spring to perform this function.

[0009] These and other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent in view of the drawings and detailed description of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a gas safety valve according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printed circuit board of the gas safety valve shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a gas safety valve according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the printed circuit board of the gas safety valve shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connector of one of the gas safety valves shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. [Figure 6] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of axial and radial deformations of a printed circuit board configured within a gas safety valve according to any of the illustrated embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 1 to 3 show cross-sectional views of a first and a second embodiment of an electromagnetic gas safety valve 1;1' according to the present invention. The gas safety valve 1;1' allows or prevents the passage of gas to a burner of a domestic appliance (not shown). The gas safety valve 1;1' is connected to an electronic board that supplies power to a thermocouple through an electrical connector 60 (neither the electronic board nor the thermocouple is shown). The electrical connector 60 is a standard connector present on the market.

[0012] The gas safety valve 1;1' comprises an electromagnet 2 supported in a valve seat 30, a phase closure body 20, a plug 3, a moveable armature 4 coupled to the plug 3 and movable between positions corresponding to an open valve and a closed valve, and a spring 6 adapted to return the plug 3 together with the moveable armature 4 to a closed valve position. The gas safety valve 1;1 further comprises a casing 7 enclosing the electromagnet 2, the moveable armature 5 and partially the valve seat 3 therein.

[0013] The safety valve 1; 1' is configured to be connected to an electronics board (not shown) through an electrical connector 60. When the electromagnet 2 remains energized by the electronics board, the moving armature 4 is attracted by the electromagnet 2, and the plug 3 together with the moving armature 4 is moved to the open position, allowing the passage of gas to the burner. When the electromagnet 2 is no longer energized, the spring 6 acts on the plug 3, moving it together with the moving armature 4 to the closed position, closing the gas passage.

[0014] The electromagnet 2 includes a core 5 supported within the valve seat 30, a reel 10 inserted within the core 5, and a coil 9 wound around the reel 10 and including a phase wire 9a and a ground wire 9b. The core 5 has a U-shaped geometry defined by two arms attached through a base. The reel 10 is inserted within one of the arms of the core 5. The core 5 and the movable armature 4 are made of a ferromagnetic material. The valve seat 30 is made of an electrically conductive material, preferably a metallic material, and the reel 10 is made of an electrically insulating material, preferably a plastic material.

[0015] The reel 10 has an axially extending projection 11 with a phase electrical contact area 12 in which a portion of the phase wire 9a is wound. The electrical contact between the phase wire 9a of the reel 9 and the phase closure body 20 is by pressure.

[0016] 1 and 3, the protrusion 11 further comprises a ground electrical contact area 13 in which a portion of the ground wire 9b is wound. In these embodiments, electrical contact between the ground wire 9b of the reel 10 and the valve seat 30 is achieved by pressure through the ground contact area 13. Both electrical contact areas 12 and 13 exert a certain elastic force on the phase closure body 20 and the valve seat 30, respectively, thereby ensuring electrical connection between the phase wire 12 and the phase closure body 20 and between the ground wire 13 and the valve seat 30.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the ground contact area 13 and the mating contact area 12 are arranged coaxially relative to each other.

[0018] In another embodiment not depicted, the protrusion 11 only comprises a phase electrical contact area 12 around which a portion of the phase wire 9a is wound, exerting a constant pressure on the phase closure body 20, while the connection between the ground wire 9b and the valve seat 30 is made anywhere on the valve seat 30. Preferably, the ground wire 9b of the reel 10 is welded to the valve seat 30.

[0019] The reel 10 further comprises a base 14 and a hollow tubular body 15 extending continuously and perpendicularly from the base 14, with one of the arms of the core 5 traversing the base 14. The projection 11 extends from the base 14 in the longitudinal direction of the gas safety valve 1;1' and traverses the base of the core 5 and the valve seat 30.

[0020] The gas safety valve 1;1' according to the present invention further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 40;50, with the phase closure body 20 in electrical contact with the printed circuit board 40;50, and an electrical connector 60 comprising a phase terminal 62 and a ground terminal 63 electrically connected to the phase wire 9a and the ground wire 9b through the printed circuit board 40;50.

[0021] The valve seat 30 is a substantially cylindrical component having a base 31 at its upper portion in which the electromagnet 2 is supported, and an internal housing 32 that accommodates the printed circuit boards 40, 50, the phase closure body 20, the projections 11 of the reel 10 that traverse the base 31, and the phase terminals 62 and ground terminals 63 of the electrical connector 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the printed circuit boards 40, 50 are curved and held inside the housing 32 by a flange 34 at the inlet of the valve seat 30. In the illustrated embodiment, only the phase terminals 62 and ground terminals 63 of the electrical connector 60 are accommodated inside the housing 32; the main body 61 of the electrical connector 60 is not accommodated inside the housing 32, which is located outside the valve seat 30. The main body 61 partially accommodates the phase terminals 62 and ground terminals 63.

[0022] In other embodiments not depicted, the valve seat 30 does not include flanges at its ends, and the printed circuit board 40; 50 is held by a flange arranged on a support 8 fixed to the valve seat 30, by which the solenoid valve is fixed to the domestic appliance.

[0023] In the gas safety valve 1; 1' according to the invention, the printed circuit board 40; 50 is accommodated in a curved manner inside the valve seat 30 to ensure a constant contact pressure with the phase closing body 20 and with the valve seat 30. That is, starting from a flat printed circuit board 40; 50, said board is elastically deformed by a certain distance X in the axial direction and another distance Y in the radial direction, so that, while maintaining said elastic deformation, it is accommodated inside the housing 32 of the valve seat 30 to ensure a constant contact pressure with the phase closing body 20 and with the valve seat 30. The maximum curvature of the printed circuit board 40; 50 inside the valve seat 30 is such that the elastic deformation of the printed circuit board 40; 50 is maintained without causing plastic deformation thereof.

[0024] Furthermore, the phase closure body 20 comprises a first cylindrical portion 21 into which the protrusion 11 of the reel 10 is inserted by pressure, and a second cylindrical portion 22 whose ends are in contact with the printed circuit boards 40; 50 and in which the phase terminal 62 and the ground terminal 63 of the electrical connector 60 are partially housed.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the thermoelectric safety valve 1; 1' comprises elastic means 16 arranged in the housing 32 between the valve seat 30 and the phase closure body 20, the elastic means 16 being adapted to axially press the phase closure body 20 against the printed circuit board 40; 50. The elastic means 16 comprises an annular element made of an electrically insulating elastic material.

[0026] In a first embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the thermoelectric safety valve 1 comprises electrical contact means 17 which are arranged in the housing 32 and which are adapted to bring the valve seat 30 into electrical contact with at least one ground conductor track 43 on the face 41 of the printed circuit board 40. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the electrical contact means 17 comprises a metal spring which ensures electrical contact between the valve seat and the ground conductor track 43 of the printed circuit board 40.

[0027] In this first embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the printed circuit board 40 has, on its side 41 facing the phase closure body 20, a phase conductor track 42 and a ground conductor track 43. The printed circuit board 40 has holes 45 and 46 through which the phase terminal 62 and the ground terminal 63 of the electrical connector 60 pass, bringing the phase terminal 62 into contact with the phase conductor track 44 and the phase terminal 62 into contact with the ground conductor track 43. Figure 2 shows the printed circuit board 40 with a welding mask (right side of Figure 2) or before applying the welding mask (left side of Figure 2). Welding masks are known in the prior art and prevent short circuits, i.e., electrical contact between the valve seat and the phase conductor tracks or between the phase closure body 20 and the ground conductor track.

[0028] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, a printed circuit board 50 has two faces 51 and 52, with at least one phase conductor track 54 on one face 51 connected to the phase closure body 20 and a ground conductor track 53 on the other face 52 in electrical contact with the valve seat 30. The printed circuit board 50 has holes 55 and 56 through which a phase terminal 62 and a ground terminal 63 of an electrical connector 60 pass, bringing the phase terminal 62 into contact with the phase conductor track 54 and the phase terminal 62 into contact with the ground conductor track 53. Figure 4 shows a bottom view (left view) of the printed circuit board 50 showing the lower face 52 without a welding mask, a top view (center view) of the printed circuit board 50 showing the upper face 51 before application of the welding mask, and a top view (right view) of the printed circuit board 50 showing the upper face 51 after application of the welding mask.

[0029] Finally, in either embodiment, the safety valve 1;1' is provided with a sealing gasket 35 tightly arranged within the housing 32 of the valve seat 30, which surrounds the phase closure body 20 and exerts an elastic force against the inner surface of the housing 32, so that when the gas safety valve 1;1' is open, the gas therein cannot escape because it is blocked by the sealing gasket 35 and because the phase closure body 20 is closed, and airtightness within the valve seat 30 is maintained.

Claims

1. an electromagnet (2) comprising a core (5) and a reel (10) having a coil (9) including a phase wire (9a) and a ground wire (9b), the reel (10) including a protrusion (11) having a phase electrical contact area (12) in electrical contact with the phase wire (9a); a conductive valve seat (30) electrically connected to the ground wire (9b); a phase closure (20) in electrical contact with said phase electrical contact area (12); a printed circuit board (40; 50) in which the mating closure (20) is in electrical contact with the printed circuit board (40; 50); an electrical connector (60) having a phase terminal (62) and a ground terminal (63) electrically connected to the phase wire (9a) and the ground wire (9b) through the printed circuit board (40; 50), The gas safety valve is characterized in that the printed circuit board (40; 50) is elastically deformed and curved inside the valve seat (30), ensuring a constant contact pressure with the phase closing body (20) and the valve seat (30).

2. The valve seat (30) comprises a housing (32) in which a printed circuit board (40; 50) is housed; 2. The gas safety valve of claim 1, wherein the housing (32) is defined by a flange (34) at an inlet to the housing (32) adapted to retain the curved printed circuit board (40; 50) inside the housing (32).

3. 3. The gas safety valve according to claim 1, further comprising: elastic means (16) arranged in the housing (32) between the valve seat (30) and the phase closure body (20), the elastic means (16) being adapted to axially press the phase closure body (20) against the printed circuit board (40).

4. 4. A gas safety valve according to claim 1, further comprising electrical contact means (17) arranged in the housing (32) of the valve seat (30) and adapted to bring the valve seat (30) into electrical contact with at least one ground conductor track (43) on a face (41) of the printed circuit board (40) that is in contact with the phase closure body (20).

5. 5. A gas safety valve according to claim 4, wherein said electrical contact means (17) comprises a spring.

6. The printed circuit board (50) has two faces (51, 52), At least one phase conductor track (54) of one of said faces (51) is connected to said phase closure (20), 4. A gas safety valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a ground conductor track (53) on the other face (52) is in electrical contact with the valve seat (30).

7. 7. A gas safety valve according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrical contact between the phase wire (9a) of the reel (9) and the phase closure body (20) is by pressure.

8. 8. The gas safety valve according to claim 1, wherein the electrical contact between the ground wire (9b) of the reel (10) and the valve seat (30) is by pressure through a ground contact area (13) formed on the protrusion (11) of the reel (10) on which the ground wire (9b) is wound and arranged.

9. 9. The gas safety valve according to claim 8, wherein the ground contact area (13) and the phase contact area (12) are arranged coaxially relative to each other.

10. The gas safety valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ground wire (9b) of the reel (10) is welded to the valve seat (30).

11. The phase closure (20) is 11. The gas safety valve according to claim 1, comprising: a first cylindrical portion (21) into which the protrusion (11) of the reel (10) is inserted by pressure; and a second cylindrical portion (22) whose ends are in contact with the printed circuit board (40; 50) and in which the phase terminal (62) and the ground terminal (63) of the electrical connector (60) are partially housed.

12. The electrical connector (60) comprises a body (61) that partially accommodates the phase terminal (62) and the ground terminal (63), 12. A gas safety valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the body (61) is arranged outside the valve seat (30).

13. A gas appliance comprising: a burner; an electronic board; and the safety valve according to any one of claims 1 to 12 connected to the electronic board.

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