Gas Burner Igniter Activity Indicator for User Feedback and Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in properly igniting gas burners due to insufficient gas flow and lack of clear indication of igniter activity, especially in manual and automatic ignition systems, leading to repeated attempts and unawareness of flame loss or re-ignition.

Innovation Solution

A control circuit in a gas cooking appliance generates audible and/or visual indications to notify users when the igniter is active, ensuring proper positioning and awareness of gas flow and re-ignition status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the igniter is activated before gas flow to prevent unburned gas flow, then safety is improved, but the user cannot determine if sufficient gas flow is present for ignition

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidgas flow status information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a visual feedback mechanism (light emitting element) that provides real-time information to the user about the ignition system status. The light emits during the ignition sequence to indicate when the igniter is active and when sufficient gas flow is present, resolving the information asymmetry while maintaining the safety benefit of pre-ignition activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the igniter produces sparks at repeatable intervals, then the igniter activity is detectable, but the user still cannot determine if gas flow is sufficient for ignition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveigniter activity detectionVSAvoidgas flow sufficiency information

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting element provides additional visual feedback that complements the audible spark signals. It specifically indicates when both the igniter is active AND sufficient gas flow is present, giving the user complete information needed to determine proper ignition conditions without altering the spark ignition mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If hot surface igniters are used for gas oven burners, then ignition capability is improved, but the user has no auditory indication of igniter activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition capabilityVSAvoidigniter activity indication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a light emitting element that produces visible light (color change) to indicate igniter activity. This visual signal compensates for the lack of auditory feedback in hot surface igniter systems, allowing users to detect when the igniter is active and when ignition conditions are proper

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS11639796B2Gas cooking appliance with active igniter indicator

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 MIDEA GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

A cooking appliance and method generate an audible and/or visual indication to a user while an igniter is activated during ignition of a gas burner to notify the user that the igniter is active.