Gas Cooktop Knob Lock Ring Mechanism Against Accidental Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Knobs in gas cooktops are prone to accidental actuation, leading to unintended gas release, as they lack sufficient resistance to prevent unintentional rotation.
Innovation Solution
A knob assembly with a projection flap and inner lock ring mechanism that provides frictional resistance through an inclined portion, ensuring deliberate actuation by requiring a user to intentionally rotate the knob past an intermediate position to initiate gas flow, utilizing a spring to return the knob to its resting position if actuation is accidental.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple knob mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to accidental actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the inner lock ring inside the hollow interior of the knob, and the projection flap within the support cylinder. The inner lock ring is arranged at least partially within the hollow interior of the knob, creating a compact nested structure that prevents accidental actuation without significantly increasing external dimensions or visual complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The knob mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the knob body, support cylinder with projection flap, inner lock ring with chamfered region, and inclined portion. Each segment performs a specific function in the actuation sequence, allowing the system to achieve reliable controlled operation through modular design.
2Reliability
If a lock ring mechanism with inclined portion is added, then the reliability is improved by preventing unintentional rotation, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional actuation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined portion of the inner lock ring creates preliminary resistance that must be overcome before the projection flap can fully engage and initiate gas flow. This preliminary anti-action requires deliberate user intent while maintaining a straightforward rotational motion, balancing safety with usability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents unintended gas release by ensuring that gas flow is only initiated with deliberate user action, enhancing safety by requiring intentional rotation and maintaining the knob in its initial position unless intentionally adjusted.
Implementation Method 1
the inclined portion imparting frictional resistance on the projection flap to prevent against unintentional rotation of the knob
Data Source
AI summary
A knob assembly for a gas cooktop may include a knob configured to control a flow of gas from a burner of a cooktop starting at a resting position, the knob defining a hollow interior and having a support cylinder extending vertically through the hollow interior, wherein the support cylinder includes a projection flap protruding therefrom, an inner lock ring arranged at least partially within the hollow interior of the knob and having a chamfered region defining a ring opening adjacent an inclined portion, where the opening is configured to selectively receive the projection flap in response to depression of the knob and where the projection flap slides along the inclined portion in response to subsequent rotation of the knob, the inclined portion imparting frictional resistance on the projection flap to prevent against unintentional rotation of the knob.