Gas Appliance Control Device with Integrated Ignition and Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas appliance control devices require users to perform multiple synchronized actions for ignition, such as adjusting gas flow and engaging an electrode, which can be tedious and attention-demanding, often resulting in insufficient gas flow or failure to ignite.
Innovation Solution
A control device with an opening and adjustment member that moves through distinct zones for ignition and combustion indication, allowing a single component to handle gas flow emission, ignition, and flame adjustment, featuring an ignition switch, combustion indication switch, and a cam mechanism to define these zones, enabling easy identification and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user manually adjusts gas flow and engages the ignition electrode separately, then the control device can provide precise gas flow adjustment and ignition function, but the user must perform multiple synchronized actions which increases operation complexity and attention requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas flow control function and ignition function into a single rotary member operation. The rotary member simultaneously controls the gas flow valve and activates the ignition electrode through its rotation, merging two separate control actions into one unified operation. This resolves the technical contradiction by improving ease of operation while maintaining functional precision through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary member serves multiple functions: it acts as both a gas flow control mechanism and an ignition activation mechanism. By designing a single component that can perform both gas flow regulation and electrode engagement, the system achieves multi-functionality that reduces the number of separate control actions required from the user.
2Reliability
If the rotary member requires pressing before turning to enable gas flow, then safety is improved by preventing accidental gas release, but the number of操作步骤 increases making ignition more tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary member requires a preliminary pressing action before rotation can occur. This preliminary action ensures that the user intentionally initiates the gas flow process, preventing accidental activation. The pressing action activates a mechanism that enables subsequent rotation, creating a deliberate two-stage initiation process that prioritizes safety while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
Enables reliable and easy ignition and gas flow control with a single-hand operation, ensuring proper gas flow for ignition and providing visual confirmation of flame presence, reducing the risk of misoperation and gas leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the opening and adjustment member comprises a movement transformation element arranged to engage the ignition switch and/or the combustion indication switch by contact when the opening and adjustment is in the ignition zone and/or respectively when the opening and adjustment member is in the combustion indication zone
Implementation Method 2
Ignition can be achieved by means of an electrode generating a spark allowing the gas-air mixture to ignite at the outlet of the burner
Implementation Method 3
an indicator arranged to provide a visual indication when the combustion indication switch is engaged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~6c
AI summary
Control device (9) for igniting and regulating the gas flow of a gas appliance (1) such as a barbecue (3), comprising a basic assembly, a gas flow opening and regulating member (23) movable between the closed position and the end-of-travel position in the control-only configuration, and capable of being arranged alternately in the control configuration and in the closed-lock configuration in the closed-only position. The opening and regulating member (23) is arranged to pass through an ignition zone (ZA) and a combustion indicator zone (ZI).