Gas Burner Ignition Position Indicator for Reliable Flame Start
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in properly igniting gas burners due to insufficient gas flow and lack of clear indications, leading to repeated attempts and unawareness of flame loss or re-ignition in both manual and automatic ignition systems.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit in a gas cooking appliance generates audible and/or visual indications to the user when the igniter is active and sufficient gas flow is supplied for ignition, assisting in positioning the burner control correctly and providing alerts for flame loss or re-ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the igniter is activated before sufficient gas flow is available, then the igniter can be ready for ignition, but the user cannot successfully ignite the burner due to insufficient gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual feedback mechanism (LED indicator) that provides real-time information to the user about the ignition status and gas flow availability. The indicator shows when the igniter is active and when sufficient gas flow is present, enabling the user to understand the system state and make informed decisions about knob positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between ignition reliability and operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The LED indicator serves as an intermediary between the complex ignition system (igniter, gas valve, flow sensors) and the user. It translates internal system states into simple visual signals that the user can understand, bridging the information gap that causes ignition failures and making the system both reliable and easy to operate
2Loss of information
If the user turns the control knob to activate the igniter, then the igniter becomes active, but the user lacks information about whether the valve position provides sufficient gas flow for ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The LED indicator provides immediate visual feedback about the ignition status and gas flow conditions. When the indicator shows that both the igniter is active and sufficient gas flow is available, the user knows ignition can proceed successfully, eliminating the need for repeated trial-and-error attempts and reducing the time to achieve successful ignition
3Reliability
If automatic ignition systems re-ignite the burner after flame loss, then the burner can be restored, but the user remains unaware that re-ignition occurred
Solution Approach 1:
The LED indicator continues to provide visual feedback during automatic re-ignition operations. When the system detects flame loss and initiates re-ignition, the indicator shows the status of the igniter and gas flow, enabling the user to see when re-ignition is occurring and when it has succeeded, maintaining both reliability and information awareness
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance and method generate an audible and/or visual indication to a user when a user control for a gas burner is in a position within which an igniter is active and a gas valve is supplying sufficient gas flow to the gas burner to support ignition and thereby assist a user in properly positioning the user control during ignition of the burner.