Shut-off mechanism

Abstract

A shut-off mechanism (10) for a cooktop (1) of a recreational vehicle is presented. The shut-off mechanism (10) comprises at least one electromechanical switch S configured to shut off a supply of a combustion fluid to at least one burner (2) of the cooktop (1) and at least one magnet M being moveable relative to the at least one switch S. The at least one switch S is operated by movement of the at least one magnet M relative to the at least one switch S.

Description

[0001] New PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB W^GSKH 215143 PWO November 20, 2025

[0002] 1 / 10

[0003] SHUT-OFF MECHANISM

[0004] The present invention relates to a shut-off mechanism for a cooktop of a recreational vehicle. More particular, the present invention relates to a shut-off mechanism to shut off a supply of combustion fluid to at least one burner of the cooktop.

[0005] Cooktops in recreational vehicles, such as campers, caravans or mobile homes, are commonly provided with ignition means for igniting a combustion fluid. Further, a lid provides protection for the internal combustion space of the cooktop and serves as additional working space when closed.

[0006] However, it may happen that when the lid is closed, combustion fluid may fill a space covered by the lid. Thus, without a shut-off mechanism for the combustion fluid, accidental closing of the lid may cause fire and explosion hazard.

[0007] In the prior art, an automatic shut-off mechanism is realized by integrating a metal-oxide- semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) into an interrupted thermocouple to shut-off a supply of combustion fluid, such as a gas or a liquid, to the cooktop when the lid is closed. However, this shut-off solution is expensive and requires a permanent external power source.

[0008] In view of the above, it is the scope of the present invention to provide an automatic shut-off mechanism for cooktops of recreational vehicles which is cheaper, less sensitive to failure, more reliable, more user-friendly and more energy-efficient.

[0009] This scope is achieved by the shut-off mechanism according to claim 1 . Preferable modifications of the shut-off mechanism according to the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a shut-off mechanism for a cooktop of a recreational vehicle, such as a camper, a caravan and a mobile home, is provided. A cooktop may be a stovetop, a hob, a grill, a griddle or a cooker. A cooktop may be used for cooking by applying heat to the base of cookware, for example pans and pots. A cooktop may be integrated or built-in into, for example, a kitchen range of the recreational vehicle or may be an independent, freestanding device.

[0011] According to the present invention the shut-off mechanism comprises at least one electromechanical switch. The electromechanical switch is configured to shut off a supply of a combustion fluid to a least one burner of the cooktop. An electromechanical switch may consist of at least one set of movable electrical contacts connected to at least one external electrical circuit. The at least one New PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB W^GSKH 215143 PWO November 20, 2025

[0012] 2 / 10 electromechanical switch may be any type of electromechanical switch used to disconnect or connect a conductive path in an electrical circuit, thus any device breaking or changing the route of an electrical and electronic current flow in an electrical circuit. Shut off may mean to stop, interrupt or block a flow, supply or feed of combustion fluid from a source to a burner for example by means of closing a valve. A burner may be any device that provides controlled flames for heating cookware, for example pans and pots, placed on or above the cooktop. A combustion fluid may be supplied to the at least one burner and may flow out of the at least one burner. A combustion fluid may be any substance capable of being ignited when exposed to a heat source, burning and sustaining a flame in air or any atmosphere including oxygen. A combustion fluid may be a gas or liquefied gas, for example propane, butane, methane, hydrogen and petroleum gas.

[0013] According to the present invention the shut-off mechanism further comprises at least one magnet being moveable relative to the at least one switch. The at least one magnet may be made from a material that is magnetized. The magnet may create a persistent magnetic field to attract metals like iron, nickel and cobalt. The at least one magnet may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, for example an electromagnetic coil. Relative movement of the magnet may be any form of movement by the at least one magnet towards and away from the at least one switch, but none in which the at least one magnet comes into direct contact with the at least one switch.

[0014] According to the present invention the at least one switch is operated by movement of the at least one magnet relative to the at least one switch. In other words, when the at least one magnet is located physically close to the at least one electromechanical switch, a conducting path of an electrical circuit is connected, and when the at least one magnet is located physically away from the at least one switch, the conducting path of the electrical circuit is interrupted. As the electromechanical switch automatically shuts off the flow of the combustion fluid to the at least one burner of the cooktop, the safety of the cooktop is highly increased. Due to the automatic shut-off, no manual operation by a user is required, thus highly increasing the user-friendliness of the cooktop. The use of a low-cost switch also reduces production costs.

[0015] Preferably, the shut-off mechanism comprises a first pivot member and the at least one magnet is attached to the first pivot member. The first pivot member may be pivotable, rotatable or movable about at least one axis, having at least one rotational degree of freedom. The pivot member may be produced from a non-metallic material, for example a plastic, a fiber composite or synthetic material or from a metallic material, for example, aluminum or steel. The first pivot member may be a part of a hinge. The first pivot member may be a leaf of a hinge. The at least one magnet may be joined, fastened, or connected to the first pivot member. The at least one magnet may be attached to the first pivot member by means of a magnet holder. Attachment of the at least one magnet to the first pivot member simplifies usability and increases the reliability of the shut-off mechanism. New PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB W^GSKH 215143 PWO November 20, 2025 3 / 10

[0016] Preferably, the first pivot member is rotatably coupled to a second pivot member by a connecting member. The first pivot member and the second pivot member are rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the connecting member. The second pivot member and the connecting member may be produced from a non-metallic material, for example a plastic, a fiber composite or synthetic material or from a metallic material, for example, aluminum or steel. The second pivot member and the connecting member may be part of a hinge. The second pivot member may be a leaf of a hinge. The connecting member may be a pin of a hinge. The first pivot member, the second pivot member and the connecting member may define a hinge. The rotation of the first pivot member and the second pivot member is limited to the rotation about the longitudinal axis. In other words, the movement of the first and second pivot member is limited to one rotational degree of freedom. The first and second pivot member may rotate relative to each other.

[0017] Preferably the at least one switch is attached to the second pivot member. By attaching the at least one switch to the second pivot member, the relative movement of the switch is simplified and less susceptible to interference. Thus, the safety of the cooktop and the user-friendliness are further increased.

[0018] Preferably, the at least one switch is an electromechanical reed switch. A reed switch is an electromechanical switch operated by an applied magnetic field of a magnet. A reed switch consists of at least a pair of ferromagnetic flexible metal contacts in a hermetically sealed glass envelope. Implementation of a low-cost electromechanical reed switch lowers production costs of the shut-off mechanism. As the reed switch does not require an external power source, energy efficiency and reliability of the shut-off mechanism are further increased.

[0019] Preferably, the at least one switch is implemented into at least one circuit of at least one thermocouple. A thermocouple is a temperature measuring device, used for measuring the temperature at one particular point. In other words, a thermocouple is a sensor used for measuring the temperature in form of an electric current or an electromagnetic field. The thermocouple may be located close to a flame of the burner. The thermocouple may consist of two wires of different metals which are welded together at the ends. The thermocouple may be any type of thermocouple, wherein the type refers to a specific metal combination. The thermocouple ensures that the burner is only supplied with combustion fluid when a flame is detected and the temperature is above a threshold value, respectively. The additional use of at least one thermocouple and the implementation of the at least one switch into the circuit of the at least one thermocouple further reduces the risk of hazardous gas buildup and thus enhances safety. New PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB W^GSKH 215143 PWO November 20, 2025

[0020] 4 / 10

[0021] Preferably, one of the first pivot member or the second pivot member is connected to a lid. The lid is configured to cover the cooktop. The first pivot member and the second pivot member define an opening angle relative to a horizontal plane of the cooktop. The lid may be removable or hinged by at least one hinge. The lid may be produced from a non-metallic material, for example, glass or plastic, or a metallic material, for example, aluminum or steel. The lid may be biased such that a movement speed of the lid is limited. Connecting one of the first and the second pivot member to the lid enables a rotational movement of the lid and thus highly increases user-friendliness of the cooktop and reliability of the shut-off mechanism.

[0022] Preferably, the lid is movable about the longitudinal axis of the connecting member. The lid being moveable about the longitudinal axis of the connecting member further increases functional reliability and thus safety and user-friendliness of the shut-off mechanism. The mechanism is further simplified, as no manual operation is required.

[0023] Preferably, the other one of the first pivot member or the second pivot member is attached to a housing of the cooktop. The housing may be produced from a non-metallic material, for example, a plastic or a fiber composite, or a metallic material, for example, aluminum or steel. Attachment of the first or the second pivot member to the housing further simplifies the relative rotation of the first pivot member and the lid, thus increasing functional reliability and user-friendliness of the shut-off mechanism.

[0024] Preferably, the lid and the housing form a combustion space. The at least one burner is located inside the combustion space. Forming of a combustion space and arrangement of the at least one burner inside the combustion space prevents the sensible components of the cooktop and further increases user-friendliness.

[0025] Preferably, the supply of combustion fluid to the at least one burner is shut off when the opening angle is lower than 75°, preferably lower than 60°, more preferably lower than 45°. Linking the shut-off of the supply of combustion fluid to the opening angle further increases safety and user-friendliness of the shut-off mechanism.

[0026] The above and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 is a schematic top-side view of a cooktop for a recreational vehicle comprising the shut-off mechanism according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; New PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB W^GSKH 215143 PWO November 20, 2025 5 / 10

[0028] Fig. 2A is a side view of the shut-off mechanism, in a state where the lid is closed;

[0029] Fig. 2B is a side view of the shut-off mechanism, in a state where the lid is open;

[0030] Fig 3A shows a schematic view of an electrical circuit of the cooktop, including an electromechanical switch, in a state where at least one magnet is located away from the electromechanical switch;

[0031] Fig 3B shows a schematic view of the electrical circuit of Fig. 3A, in a state where at least one magnet is located close to the electromechanical switch.

[0032] With reference to Fig. 1 a cooktop 1 may comprise at least one burner 2, a lid 3, a housing 4 and at least one hinge 6 connecting the lid 3 and the housing 4. In a closed state (not shown), the lid 3 covers the housing 4. A combustion space 5 is formed inside the housing 4. The at least one burner 2 is located inside the combustion space 5. A shut-off mechanism 10 according to the present invention is incorporated into one of the hinges 6. Each burner 2 may be supplied with combustion fluid from a source through at least one opening in a base of the housing 4. In other words, each burner 2 has a separate supply of combustion fluid. There is the risk that, when the lid 3 is closed, combustion fluid may accumulate in the combustion space 5. Hence, a shut-off mechanism for preventing said accumulation is required and explained in the following.

[0033] Figs. 2A and 2B show a shut-off mechanism 10 according to the present invention. The shut-off mechanism 10 is incorporated into a hinge 6 of the cooktop 1 . In Fig. 2A the shut-off mechanism 10 according to the present invention is shown in a state where at least one magnet M is located close to at least one electromechanical switch S in a state where the lid 3 is closed. In Fig. 2B the shut-off mechanism 10 is shown in a state where the at least one magnet M is located away from the at least one electromechanical switch S in a state where the lid 3 is opened.

[0034] With reference to Figs. 2A and 2B, the shut-off mechanism 10 comprises a first pivot member 11 , a second pivot member 12 and a connecting member 13. The connecting member 13 has a longitudinal axis X. At least one magnet M is attached to the first pivot member 11 . At least one electromechanical switch S is attached to the second pivot member 12. The at least one magnet M is attached to the first pivot member 11 by means of at least one magnet holder 15. The at least one electromechanical switch S is attached to the second pivot member 12 by means of at least one switch holder 14.

[0035] When opening or closing the lid 3, the first pivot member 11 including the at least one magnet M rotates relative to the second pivot member 12 including the at least one switch S. In other words, a relative rotation of the first pivot member 11 and the second pivot member 12 moves the at least one New PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB W^GSKH 215143 PWO November 20, 2025

[0036] 6 / 10 magnet M towards and away from the at least one switch S. The relative rotation does not lead to direct contact of the at least one magnet with the at least one switch in any case.

[0037] The operation of the switch S via the magnet M is shown in Figs. 3A and 3B.

[0038] In Fig. 3A the electrical circuit of a thermocouple of the cooktop 1 is shown in a state where the at least one magnet M is located physically away from the at least one electromechanical switch S. Thus, the electrical circuit of the supply of combustion fluid is interrupted. In Fig. 3B the circuit of the thermocouple is shown in a state where the at least one magnet M is located physically close to the at least one electromechanical switch S. Thus, the electrical circuit of the supply of combustion fluid is closed. Consequently, when the lid 5 is closed, the combustion fluid cannot accumulate in the combustion space 5.

[0039] New PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB

[0040] 215143 PWO

[0041] November 20, 2025

[0042] 7 / 10

[0043] REFERENCE SIGNS

[0044] 1 Cooktop

[0045] 2 Burner

[0046] 3 Lid

[0047] 4 Housing

[0048] 5 Combustion space

[0049] 6 Hinge

[0050] 10 Shut-off mechanism

[0051] 11 First pivot member

[0052] 12 Second pivot member

[0053] 13 Connecting member

[0054] 14 Switch holder

[0055] 15 Magnet holder

[0056] M Magnet

[0057] S Switch

[0058] X Longitudinal axis

Claims

New PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB WAGSKH 215143 PWO November 20, 20258 / 10CLAIMS1 . A shut-off mechanism (10) for a cooktop (1) of a recreational vehicle, the shut-off mechanism(10) comprising: at least one electromechanical switch (S) configured to shut off a supply of a combustion fluid to at least one burner (2) of the cooktop (1); and at least one magnet (M) being moveable relative to the at least one switch (S); characterized in that the at least one switch (S) is operated by movement of the at least one magnet (M) relative to the at least one switch (S).

2. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shut-off mechanism (1) further comprises a first pivot member (11), the at least one magnet (M) being attached to the first pivot member (11).

3. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first pivot member (11) is rotatably coupled to a second pivot member (12) by a connecting member (13), the first pivot member (11) and the second pivot member (12) being rotatable about a longitudinal axis (X) of the connecting member (13).

4. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one switch (S) is attached to the second pivot member (12).

5. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one switch (S) is an electromechanical reed switch.

6. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the at least one switch (S) is implemented into at least one circuit of at least one thermocouple.

7. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that one of the first pivot member (11) or the second pivot member (12) is connected to a lid (3), the lid (3) being configured to cover the cooktop (1), such that the first pivot member (11) and theNew PCT Application Dometic Sweden AB WAGSKH 215143 PWO November 20, 20259 / 10 second pivot member (12) define an opening angle (a) relative to a horizontal plane of the cooktop (1).

8. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the lid (3) is movable about the longitudinal axis (X) of the connecting member (13).

9. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the other one of the first pivot member (11) or the second pivot member (12) is attached to a housing (4) of the cooktop.

10. The shut-off mechanism (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the lid (3) and the housing (4) form a combustion space (5), and the at least one burner (2) is located inside the combustion space (5).11 . The shut-off mechanism (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the supply of combustion fluid to the at least one burner (2) is shut-off when the opening angle (a) is lower than 75°, preferably lower than 60°, more preferably lower than 45°.

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