Gas Tap Button Tactile Feedback for Precise Flow Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas taps on cooking appliances lack effective sensory feedback for gas flow adjustments, making it difficult for users to accurately control gas flow levels during cooking.
Innovation Solution
A modular system where guide depressions on the button or sleeve provide tactile feedback through a follower mechanism, allowing users to feel graduated adjustments as they rotate the button, enhancing the sensory perception of gas flow levels without altering the existing gas tap structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a gas tap with rotating shaft is used for gas flow adjustment, then gas flow control is enabled, but sensory feedback for graduation perception is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A follower mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the button and the gas tap shaft. The follower includes a cylindrical element that travels over guide depressions formed on the button periphery, converting rotational motion into tactile feedback through sequential contact with the depressions. This mediator provides sensory graduation perception without requiring complex internal modifications to the gas tap structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical feedback mechanisms with a simpler tactile feedback system. Instead of using intricate mechanical linkages or spring-loaded indicators, the invention uses a follower with a cylindrical element that simply rolls over guide depressions on the button surface, providing tactile feedback through the user's fingers during rotation.
2Measurement precision
If tactile feedback elements are integrated into the gas tap structure, then sensory feedback is provided, but modification of existing gas tap structure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism is segmented into separate, modular components: the button with guide depressions, the follower with cylindrical element, and the elastic element. These can be manufactured independently and assembled together, allowing the feedback system to be added to existing gas taps without requiring modification of the gas tap's core structure. The guide depressions are formed on the button periphery, which is a separate component from the tap body.
Solution Approach 2:
The button serves multiple functions: it acts as the operational interface for gas flow control and simultaneously provides tactile feedback through its guide depressions. The follower mechanism is designed to work with standard button dimensions and can be adapted to various gas tap models, making the solution universally applicable without requiring custom modifications to each tap structure.
3Ease of operation
If guide depressions are formed on button periphery, then tactile feedback is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide depressions can be formed with varying parameters such as depth, width, and spacing to optimize tactile feedback quality. The depth of depressions can be adjusted to provide different levels of tactile sensation, and the spacing can be modified to indicate different gas flow graduations. These parameter variations allow for customized feedback characteristics without fundamentally changing the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide depressions provide tactile feedback through partial contact during button rotation. The cylindrical element of the follower contacts only specific portions of the button periphery at different rotation angles, providing sufficient tactile information without requiring precision across the entire button surface. This partial action approach reduces overall manufacturing precision requirements.
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 system provides effective sensory perception of gas flow graduations, allowing users to accurately control gas flow levels, with adjustable feedback depth to indicate changes in gas quantity, improving user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the follower includes an elastic element which permits the cylindrical element to compress and extend, and thereby move back and forth
Implementation Method 2
the follower travels by entering and leaving the grooves... provides tactile feedback through a follower mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A cooking appliance (1) which includes a carcass, a front panel (11) on the carcass, a button protrusion which extends through an opening (110) of the front panel (11) into the interior of the front panel (11), and a button (2) which adjusts the flow of gas passing through a gas tap by means of a shaft (60) of a gas tap attached to the button protrusion (23). The cooking appliance (1) includes a guide which has a series of depressions formed sequentially on a periphery of the button extension (23) and a follower (3) fitted to the rear face of the front panel (11) which follows the guide depressions with the rotation of the button (2) and which extends radially toward the guide in order to provide tactile sensory adjustment of the gas flow adjustment graduations with the rotation of a button (2).