Pop-Out Gas Valve Knob Assembly With Two-Step Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pop-out control knobs are not suitable for operating conventional gas valves in cooking appliances due to the need for sequential bidirectional movement, which existing designs fail to adequately address, particularly in terms of preventing unintentional disengagement during rotation.
Innovation Solution
A pop-out control knob assembly with a guiding body featuring a central ridge with oppositely located notches and a protrusion that prevents unintentional disengagement, allowing for two-step locking and secure operation of gas valves by engaging the guiding element into specific notches and recesses, ensuring reliable activation and deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a classical pop-out knob with a single detent is used, then the knob assembly can be kept retracted in passive mode, but it cannot provide the additional locking step required for starting up the flame in gas cooking appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding body is divided into multiple segments with distinct functions: a heart-shaped guiding body for retraction locking and a cylindrical extension for extension locking. Each segment provides a specific detent mechanism, allowing the knob to achieve both retracted and extended locking positions required for gas valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical extension is nested within the housing and works in conjunction with the heart-shaped guiding body. The guiding element travels through both structures, with the heart-shaped body providing the first detent for retraction and the cylindrical extension providing the second detent for extension, creating a nested locking system.
2Reliability
If multiple tracks and serrated edges are added to prevent disengagement, then robust knob engagement is achieved, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding element is designed as a single integrated component that combines multiple functions: it guides the knob through track grooves, engages with the detent in the heart-shaped guiding body for retraction locking, and engages with the notch in the cylindrical extension for extension locking. This merging of functions into one component avoids the need for multiple separate tracks and serrated edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding element serves multiple purposes: it acts as a follower in the track grooves, a locking element in the detent, and an engaging element in the notch. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional components like separate locking mechanisms or multiple tracks, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining engagement stability.
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 robust and reliable two-step locking mechanism that prevents unintentional disengagement, enabling secure operation of gas valves with improved engagement quality, reducing the need for additional components like multiple tracks and serrated edges.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (not shown) located in between the guiding body and the knob
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5b
Figure 6~7b
AI summary
The present invention provides a cooking appliance comprising at least one gas valve and a pop-out type control knob assembly (1). Said cooking appliance is characterized by a having a knob assembly (1) comprising a guiding body (30) wherein said guiding body (30) is comprising a frontal notch (37) having a recession adapted to engage with a guiding element (24), and further comprising a protrusion (38) for applying a perpendicular detention when the guiding element (24) abuts to the bordering side of said protrusion (38).