Rotating Plate Gas Fitting for Precise Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas fittings for cooking appliances require multiple components and dedicated on-off valves, leading to increased manufacturing costs, installation space, and complexity, while also necessitating visual assessment of flame size for output adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A gas fitting with rotating plates forming on-off valves, eliminating dedicated valves and using a handle shaft to transmit torque, allowing for precise adjustment of gas flow through a stepped mechanism with defined detent positions, enabling reproducible gas volume control without visual flame assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated on-off valves are used in conventional gas fittings, then reliable gas flow control is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple on-off valves into a single integrated valve body with multiple valve seats arranged circumferentially. Instead of using separate dedicated valves for each gas flow stage, the invention integrates all valve functions into one component that can be rotated to align different valve seats with a single throttle opening, thereby reducing component count while maintaining reliable gas flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The single valve body performs multiple functions by providing several valve seats that can be selectively positioned. One valve body replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate valves, allowing the same component to control different gas flow stages through rotational positioning rather than requiring dedicated valves for each function.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple dedicated on-off valves are used, then precise gas volume adjustment is achieved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple valve functions are merged into a single compact valve body with circumferentially arranged valve seats. This integration dramatically reduces the space required for gas volume adjustment mechanisms while maintaining precise control through the selective positioning of valve seats relative to a single throttle opening.
3Extent of automation
If conventional electromagnetically actuated on-off valves are used, then automated gas flow control is achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electromagnetic actuation systems with a simple mechanical rotation mechanism. Instead of using multiple electromagnets and electronic control units to actuate separate valves, the invention uses a single mechanical rotation of the valve body to selectively position valve seats, achieving automated gas flow control through mechanical means that are simpler and more cost-effective.
4Device complexity
If visual flame assessment is required for output adjustment, then simple mechanical adjustment mechanism is used, but ease of operation decreases for people with disabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates tactile and auditory feedback mechanisms that provide users with clear signals about the current gas flow setting. As the valve body is rotated, users can feel detent positions and hear corresponding clicks, providing intuitive feedback about the selected output level without requiring visual assessment of the flame. This makes the device accessible to people with visual or mobility impairments.
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
This design reduces component count and space requirements, simplifies manufacturing, and allows users to set output through tactile and auditory cues, enhancing usability for people with disabilities by eliminating the need for visual flame assessment.
Implementation Method 1
A spring ring (13) is arranged between the control plate (7) and the driver plate (6). The spring ring (13) is set up to press the control plate (7) against the composite sealing plate (9) for sealing purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gas fitting (1) for adjusting a gas volume flow supplied to a gas burner of a cooking appliance (4), in particular a gas cooking appliance, said gas fitting (1) comprising a plurality of parallel plates (6-12), including a throttle plate (10) that has a plurality N of serially arranged throttle points (18), and two plates (7, 9) that can be rotationally adjusted in relation to one another so as to form a plurality N of shut-off valves.