Stove Safety Knob Assembly with Automatic Spring-Biased Locking

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stove safety knob assemblies are cumbersome, inconvenient, and prone to mechanical failures, lacking a comprehensive solution for automatic locking and unlocking that allows free rotation when needed.

Innovation Solution

An automatically locking, releasable safety knob assembly with a base, adapter, and knob housing that includes a slidable button and automatic locking arm, utilizing a spring bias to engage and disengage with a locking notch, allowing the knob to freely rotate when unlocked, and preventing rotation when locked.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual locking mechanisms are used, then safety is provided, but the mechanism becomes cumbersome and inconvenient for users

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidconvenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism automatically engages and disengages without user intervention. The spring-loaded locking arm automatically locks the knob in the off position and automatically releases when the valve stem is actuated, eliminating the need for manual locking operations while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electronic automatic locking mechanisms with a simple mechanical system using a spring-loaded locking arm and valve stem actuation. This mechanical substitution provides automatic locking functionality without electronic components, reducing complexity while maintaining both safety and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If complex electronic automatic locking mechanisms are used, then automatic locking is achieved, but the system becomes overly complicated and expensive to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic lockingVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electronic automatic locking mechanisms with a simple mechanical system using a spring-loaded locking arm and valve stem actuation. This mechanical substitution provides automatic locking functionality without electronic components, reducing complexity while maintaining both safety and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism automatically engages and disengages without user intervention. The spring-loaded locking arm automatically locks the knob in the off position and automatically releases when the valve stem is actuated, eliminating the need for manual locking operations while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If manual locking mechanisms with additional components are used, then locking functionality is provided, but the device becomes more complex and prone to mechanical failures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the locking mechanism, release mechanism, and actuation system into an integrated assembly. The locking arm, spring, and valve stem interaction are merged into a single cohesive unit that provides both locking and release functionality without requiring separate manual operation components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates unnecessary manual locking components such as separate pins, levers, or buttons by extracting only the essential elements needed for automatic locking and release. The design uses only the valve stem and spring-loaded locking arm, removing extraneous parts that would increase complexity and failure points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Provides a convenient and reliable solution that reduces the risk of accidental stove activation, enhancing safety by preventing unintentional knob movement from the 'off' position, suitable for gas and electric stoves.

Implementation Method 1

an automatic locking arm resiliently biased with the slidable button

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring bias: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12504776B2Safety knob assembly systems

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 RANGESAFE LLC

AI summary

The present technology relates to an automatically locking, releasable, safety knob assembly for a stove. The assembly includes a base with a locking notch. An adapter mates with the stove's valve stem and has a head, a tubular middle section, and an adapter base with a central aperture for receiving the valve stem. The knob includes a housing with a housing disk covering the base, an arm movement channel aligned with the locking notch in the locked configuration, and a central aperture for receiving the adapter head. The assembly further includes a sub-assembly with a slidable button allowing free rotation of the knob in the unlocked configuration, an automatic locking arm biased with the slidable button, and engagement with the button causing the arm to disengage from the locking notch and move in the arm movement channel, enabling the knob to freely rotate and rotate the valve stem.