Waterproof structure for gas cooktop knob switch and gas cooktop

Abstract

A waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch provided in embodiments of this application includes a panel, a valve rod, a knob, and a waterproof assembly. The valve rod extends through an installation hole formed on the panel and is connected to the knob. The waterproof assembly includes: a waterproof socket arranged on the panel, where the waterproof socket extends through the installation hole in an axial direction; a seal ring arranged between the waterproof socket and an upper surface of the panel; and a fastener located below the panel, where the fastener is constructed to limit axial displacement of the waterproof socket and maintain the seal ring in a compressed state. In this way, reliability and sealing performance of the waterproof socket are improved.

Description

[0001] WATERPROOF STRUCTURE FOR GAS COOKTOP KNOB SWITCH

[0002] AND GAS COOKTOP

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] This application relates to the field of cooktops, and in particular, to a waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch and a gas cooktop.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] At a knob switch of a gas cooktop, a large gap exists between a panel and a valve rod. To prevent oil stains, water, and the like from entering the interior of the gas cooktop through the gap, the gap needs to be sealed. An existing knob installation base of the gas cooktop is generally bonded to a knob hole of the panel through silicone adhesive to achieve an assembly relationship therebetween. This may result in two problems. One problem is that adhesive may overflow between the knob installation base and a panel knob hole during the pasting, the adhesive is difficult to clean, and the panel may be scratched if the adhesive is scraped using a blade after being dry. The other problem is that the knob installation base cannot be replaced after being damaged, and the entire glass panel assembly needs to be replaced. Therefore, the cost of replacement is extremely high.

[0007] Unless there is sufficient evidence as support, the prior art described herein does not mean that it is acknowledged that the prior art is known to ordinary technicians in the field involved in this application before the filing date of this application.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] An objective of implementations of this application is to provide an improved pot rack for at least one of the foregoing technical problems and / or another possible technical problem not mentioned in this application.

[0010] A waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch provided in embodiments of this application includes a panel, a valve rod, a knob, and a waterproof assembly. The valve rod extends through an installation hole formed on the panel and is connected to the knob. The waterproof assembly includes: a waterproof socket arranged on the panel, where the waterproof socket extends through the installation hole in an axial direction; a seal ring arranged between the waterproof socket and an upper surface of the panel; and a fastener located below the panel, where the fastener is constructed to limit axial displacement of the waterproof socket and maintain the seal ring in a compressed state.

[0011] Therefore, on the one hand, the waterproof socket can be stably fixed to the panel, and on the other hand, the seal ring is compressed to enhance sealing performance between the waterproof socket and the panel.

[0012] In one or some embodiments, the waterproof socket includes a sealing socket and a lower boss arranged from top to bottom along an axis. The sealing socket presses against the upper surface of the panel through the seal ring. The lower boss extends through the installation hole and protrudes from a lower surface of the panel. The fastener is constructed to be detachably installed on the lower boss and press against the lower surface of the panel.

[0013] In one or some embodiments, the fastener is a shaft retaining ring. A circumferential groove for fixing the shaft retaining ring is formed on an outer surface of the lower boss.

[0014] In one or some embodiments, the shaft retaining ring is constructed to be C-shaped, with both ends protruding outward to form lugs. Both of the lugs have a through hole formed therein. In this way, a caliper can change a shape of the shaft retaining ring through the through hole on the lug, so that the shaft retaining ring is easily installed on the lower boss.

[0015] In one or some embodiments, the shaft retaining ring is made of elastic metal.

[0016] In one or some embodiments, an annular seal groove is recessed on a lower end surface of the sealing socket, and the seal ring is arranged in the seal groove. When the fastener is installed on the lower boss, a distance between the upper surface of the panel and an upper wall of the seal groove is less than a thickness of the seal ring. Therefore, the seal ring is squeezed by the upper surface of the panel and the upper wall of the seal groove and is in a compressed state.

[0017] In one or some embodiments, the seal ring is made of elastic rubber.

[0018] In one or some embodiments, the fastener is a nut. An outer surface of the lower boss has threads for connecting the nut formed therein. In one or some embodiments, the waterproof socket is made of a hard material. The waterproof socket is integrally formed. A gas cooktop provided in the embodiments of this application includes the waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0019] It is to be noted herein that unless otherwise specified, expressions of orientations in this application are based on a usual usage state of the gas cooktop.

[0020] It is to be pointed out that terms "first" and "second" mentioned in this specification are only for descriptive purposes and are not intended to indicate relative importance, are not a definition of a quantity of features limited by the terms, and are not a definition of a logical relationship or a sequential relationship of the features limited by the terms.

[0021] The foregoing summary of this application is not intended to describe all possible implementations of this application. Throughout the entire application, guidance is provided in many places by enumerating examples, and these examples may be used in various feasible combinations.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The following accompanying drawings are only schematic descriptions and explanations of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. In the accompanying drawings:

[0024] FIG. l is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to this application.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic enlarged view of part A shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a partial schematic enlarged view of part B shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a waterproof socket of an embodiment of a waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to this application.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a shaft retaining ring of an embodiment of a waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to this application.

[0029] Reference Numerals:

[0030] 1-Panel, 11 -Installation hole, 2-Valve rod, 3-Knob, 4-Waterproof assembly, 41- Waterproof socket, 411-Sealing socket, 412-Lower boss, 413-Circumferential groove, 414- Seal groove, 42-Seal ring, 5-Fastener, 51-Shaft retaining ring, 511-Lug, 512-Through hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] To make the objective, solutions, and beneficial effects of this application clearer, this application is further described below with reference to accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of a waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch provided in this application includes a panel 1, a valve rod 2, a knob 3, and a waterproof assembly 4. The valve rod 2 extends through an installation hole 11 formed on the panel 1 and is connected to the knob 3. The waterproof assembly 4 includes: a waterproof socket 41 arranged on the panel 1, where the waterproof socket 41 extends through the installation hole 11 in an axial direction, the waterproof socket 41 is specifically cylindrical and allows the valve rod 2 to extend through and be connected to the knob 3, an outer wall of the waterproof socket 41 is close to an inner wall of the installation hole 11, and two ends of the waterproof socket 41 in the axial direction respectively protrude from an upper surface and a lower surface of the panel 1 ; and a seal ring 42 arranged between the waterproof socket 41 and the upper surface of the panel 1. The seal ring 42 is placed coaxially with the installation hole 11 and surrounds a periphery thereof, so as to prevent oil stains, water, and the like from entering the installation hole 11.

[0033] However, favorable sealing can hardly be achieved only by pressing the waterproof socket 41 and / or the knob 3 against the seal ring 42. Therefore, further, a fastener 5 is arranged below the panel 1, so as to limit axial displacement of waterproof socket 41 on the one hand, so that an installation structure of the waterproof socket 41 is more stable, and on the other hand, maintain the seal ring 42 in a compressed state, enhancing the sealing performance between the seal ring 42 and the panel 1.

[0034] Further, the waterproof socket 41 includes a sealing socket 411 and a lower boss 412 arranged from top to bottom along an axis. As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the sealing socket 411 and the lower boss 412 are arranged coaxially, a diameter of the sealing socket

[0035] 411 is greater than a diameter of the lower boss 412, and a diameter of the installation hole 11 is between the diameter of the sealing socket and the diameter of the lower boss. During the installation of the waterproof socket 41, the installation hole 11 allows the lower boss

[0036] 412 to extend through and protrude from the lower surface of the panel 1 from top to bottom. The sealing socket 411 is located above the panel 1, and a seal ring 42 is placed between the sealing socket 411 and the panel 1. The fastener 5 is detachably installed on a part of the lower boss 412 located below the panel 1, and presses against the lower surface of the panel 1, so as to play a limiting role and prevent axial movement of the waterproof assembly 4.

[0037] A. First implementation:

[0038] In one implementation, a fastener 5 is a shaft retaining ring 51, and an outer surface of a lower boss 412 has a circumferential groove 413 for fixing the shaft retaining ring 51 formed therein. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the shaft retaining ring 51 is C-shaped, with both ends protruding outward to form lugs 511. Both of the lugs 511 have a through hole 512 formed therein. The shaft retaining ring 51 is made of elastic metal. During installation or removal of the shaft retaining ring 51, a shape of the shaft retaining ring 5 may be changed only by inserting a tool into the two through holes 512, so that the shaft retaining ring is engaged with or separated from the circumferential groove 413. The operation is relatively convenient and saves time and labor.

[0039] Further, an annular seal groove 414 is recessed on a lower end surface of the sealing socket 411. The seal ring 42 is arranged in the seal groove 414. The lower end surface of the sealing socket 411 herein refers to an end surface of the sealing socket 411 located on a periphery of the installation hole 11 and close to the panel 1 or in contact with the panel 1 when being installed on the panel 1. The seal ring 42 is placed between an upper wall of the seal groove 414 and an upper surface of the panel 1 in an axial direction. When the fastener 5 is installed on the lower boss 412, a distance between the upper surface of the panel 1 and the upper wall of the seal groove 414 is less than a thickness of the seal ring 42. An example in which the fastener 5 is the shaft retaining ring 51 is used. As shown in FIG. 2, when the shaft retaining ring 51 is installed in the circumferential groove 413, the shaft retaining ring 51 presses upward against the lower surface of the panel 1, so that the distance between the upper surface of the panel 1 and the upper wall of the seal groove 414 is less than the thickness of the seal ring 42. The seal ring 42 is in a compressed state, and the sealing performance between the seal ring and the panel 1 is significantly improved.

[0040] Preferably, the seal ring 42 is made of elastic rubber.

[0041] B. Second implementation: In one implementation, a fastener 5 is a nut (not shown). An outer surface of the lower boss 412 has threads for connecting the nut formed therein. Axial limiting of the waterproof socket 41 may be realized by screwing the nut, and the seal ring 42 is maintained in a compressed state. The operation is relatively convenient and saves time and labor.

[0042] In an optional implementation, the waterproof socket 41 is made of a hard material, which is less prone to deformation and wrinkles and is convenient to assemble and clean. The waterproof socket 41 may be made of hard plastic or a metal material, which has a strong texture and high temperature resistance and is convenient to process and assemble. Certainly, in a practical application, the waterproof socket 41 may also be made of a material such as acrylic or hard rubber, which is not limited thereto.

[0043] In an optional implementation, the waterproof socket 41 is integrally formed. To be specific, the sealing socket 411 and the lower boss 412 are integrally formed.

[0044] This application further provides an embodiment of a gas cooktop. The gas cooktop includes the above pot rack, and the pot rack is arranged on a cooktop body around a burner.

[0045] The members of different embodiments may be combined with each other in any feasible manner, to achieve the objective of this application.

[0046] It is to be additionally noted that this application should not be understood as being limited to the implementations described above, but should be understood as covering all possible implementation situations determined by the claims of this application in combination with the content disclosed in the specification. Therefore, any simple change, equivalent variation, or modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of this application without departing from the content of the technical solution of this application shall fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch, comprising a panel, a valve rod, a knob, and a waterproof assembly, wherein the valve rod extends through an installation hole formed on the panel and is connected to the knob, characterized in that the waterproof assembly comprises: a waterproof socket arranged on the panel, wherein the waterproof socket extends through the installation hole in an axial direction; a seal ring arranged between the waterproof socket and an upper surface of the panel; and a fastener located below the panel, wherein the fastener is constructed to limit axial displacement of the waterproof socket and maintain the seal ring in a compressed state.

2. The waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the waterproof socket comprises a sealing socket and a lower boss arranged from top to bottom along an axis, wherein the sealing socket presses against the upper surface of the panel through the seal ring; the lower boss extends through the installation hole and protrudes from a lower surface of the panel; and the fastener is constructed to be detachably installed on the lower boss and press against the lower surface of the panel.

3. The waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to claim 2, characterized in that the fastener is a shaft retaining ring, wherein a circumferential groove for fixing the shaft retaining ring is formed on an outer surface of the lower boss.

4. The waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe shaft retaining ring is constructed to be C-shaped, with both ends protruding outward to form lugs, wherein both of the lugs have a through hole formed therein.

5. The waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the shaft retaining ring is made of elastic metal.

6. The waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to claim 2, characterized in that an annular seal groove is recessed on a lower end surface of the sealing socket, and the seal ring is arranged in the seal groove; and when the fastener is installed on the lower boss, a distance between the upper surface of the panel and an upper wall of the seal groove is less than a thickness of the seal ring.

7. The waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the seal ring is made of elastic rubber.

8. The waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to claim 7, characterized in that the fastener is a nut; and an outer surface of the lower boss has threads for connecting the nut formed therein.

9. The waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the waterproof socket is made of a hard material; and the waterproof socket is integrally formed.

10. A gas cooktop, characterized by comprising the waterproof structure for a gas cooktop knob switch according to any of claims 1 to 9.

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