Gas Tap Ring Nut Timer Display for Compact Burner Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas tap control systems for appliances with multiple burners face challenges in compact and cost-effective design, particularly in displaying timing information for multiple devices, leading to complex control and increased product dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A compact gas appliance control device with a timer function that integrates a ring nut serving as both a light guide and manual control element, housed within the tap's casing, allowing for setting and detection of gas supply time intervals and eliminating the need for external display panels, using a circuit arrangement with LED emitters and a rotary potentiometer for angular position sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a separate external display panel is used for timing information, then information display capability is improved, but device complexity and product dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display function with the existing ring nut component by making the ring nut transparent or translucent and integrating LED emitters within the casing. This merging eliminates the need for a separate external display panel, reducing device complexity while maintaining timing information display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring nut is given multiple functions: it serves as both the manual control element for gas flow adjustment and as the display element for timing information. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall control system.
2Loss of information
If a separate external display panel is used for timing information, then information display capability is improved, but product dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display function is merged into the existing ring nut structure, utilizing the space already occupied by the control element. This eliminates the need for additional external display space, keeping the product dimensions compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The display information is presented in the same spatial dimension as the control element (the ring nut), rather than adding a separate display plane. The LED emitters are positioned within the casing to illuminate the ring nut from behind or within, utilizing the existing three-dimensional space efficiently.
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
The solution provides a compact, cost-effective, and user-friendly control system that simplifies the display of timing information for multiple burners, reducing product size and complexity while maintaining high reliability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The opposite end of the thermocouple, i.e., its sensitive part or hot junction, is installed in the proximity of the burner controlled by the tap. When the burner is lit, the sensitive part of the thermocouple generates an electromotive force (e.m.f.) in response to the heat generated by the flame to the burner, which determines a current that supplies the electromagnet of the safety valve
Implementation Method 2
The electromagnet is supplied via a thermo-electric generator, typically constituted by a thermocouple connected to a corresponding attachment or electrical connector of the tap body. The current supplies the electromagnet of the safety valve, such as to keep the open/close element of the latter (associated to a movable core attracted by the electromagnet) in the respective open condition
Implementation Method 3
The circuit arrangement (25) includes light-emitting means, comprising a plurality of LED emitters (43), arranged at intervals apart around the head portion (10a) of the tap
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A control device for gas appliances (1) comprises: - manual-control means (12, 22); - a circuit arrangement (25a) that includes control means, electrical- interconnection means, detection means for detecting actuation of the manual- control means (12, 22) and supplying corresponding signals to the control means; and - a supporting structure (21 ), which can be associated in a stationary way with respect to a gas tap, wherein the supporting structure (21) includes at least one first part of stationary structure (40, 41 ) that defines a housing for at least part of the circuit arrangement (25a), the first part of structure (40, 41) being in particular designed for being housed within a body of a gas appliance. The control means are designed for counting the time, and the device includes optical warning means (43', LG).