Abstract:
A gas valve control device, including at least: a timing controller, and a valve, including at least a rotating button, a contact plate, an electromagnetic valve, a pressing spring, a valve cover, a valve pole, a fixing pin, a plug bar, and a valve body having a cavity. Advantages of the gas valve control device include: integration of a timing controller and a control valve; timing control can be implemented mechanically or electrically; compact structure and good appearance; easy operation; safe and reliable; and accurate timing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a gas valve control device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, a pressure regulating valve of a gas stove is used to turn on or off gas source, and there is no gas source control device between the gas stove and the pressure regulating valve. As a result, if a user forgets to turn off the gas, accidents such as suffocation, fire or explosion may take place. 
     To overcome the above-mentioned problems, China Patent Application No. 200420102387.3 discloses a home-use gas control valve consisting of a valve having a valve pole, a housing connected to the valve, a timer disposed in the housing, a dial disposed at the top of the housing, and a hand wheel. A lower end of an axis of the timer is connected to the valve pole, and hand wheel is fit to an upper end of the axis of the timer. However, the home-use gas control valve has severe problems, such as a large timing error and deadlocking, and therefore gas cannot be accurately turned off. 
     China Patent Application No. 02206546.6 discloses a time control gas stove and a timing valve therefore. The timing valve consists of an electronic timing switch, a thermoelectric couple, an electromagnetic valve and a wire, and the electronic timing switch is serially connected to the thermoelectric couple and the electromagnetic valve. In operation, when a time preset by the electronic timing switch is up, the electromagnetic valve turns off the gas and the stove and thus time control is facilitated. However, the timing valve has single structure, rough appearance, and short life. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above-described problems, it is an objective of the invention to provide a gas valve control device that is capable of accurately turning off gas electrically or mechanically, features compact structure, long life and esthetic appearance, and integrates functions of a control valve and a timing controller. 
     To achieve the above objective, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a gas valve control device, comprising: a timing controller, and a valve, comprising a rotating button, a contact plate, an electromagnetic valve, a pressing spring, a valve cover, a valve pole, a fixing pin, a plug bar, and a valve body having a cavity. The upper portion of the valve body is connected to the valve pole. The upper portion of the valve pole protrudes from the valve body. The lower portion of the valve pole is received in the cavity of the valve body whereby enabling the valve pole to move upwards and downwards therein. The plug bar and the pressing spring are disposed at the bottom of the valve pole. The pressing spring is disposed outside the plug bar. The rotating button is disposed at the top of the valve pole. The contact plate is disposed below the rotating button and is connected to the top of the valve pole. The fixing pin is disposed on the valve pole. The valve pole is capable of sliding in a groove in the valve cover via the fixing pin. The rotating button is capable of rotating left and right and moving upwards and downwards in the groove. And, the timing controller is fixedly connected to the valve and to the electromagnetic valve. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, the valve body comprises an inlet port, an outlet port and a vent line; the inlet port and the outlet port are disposed on the valve body; the vent line is disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port; and the vent line is controlled by the timing controller. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, an inlet port joint is connected to the inlet port; and a sleeve ring is connected to the outlet port. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, an electromagnetic valve lead is disposed on one end of the electromagnetic valve; the electromagnetic valve is connected to the timing controller via the electromagnetic valve lead; a valve sheet is disposed on the other end of the electromagnetic valve and operates to control the vent line; and a sealing gasket and an ejecting block are disposed on the valve sheet. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, the timing controller comprises an electronic circuit board, an upper shell, and a lower shell; a first contact head, a second contact head, and a third contact head are disposed on the upper shell and are connected to the electronic circuit board via a contact head wire; and the electronic circuit board is disposed in the timing controller and connected to a power supply via a power wire. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, the electronic circuit board comprises a microprocessor, an electronic switching circuit, a fault detection circuit, and a low-voltage detection circuit. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, the electronic switching circuit comprises multiple triodes. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, the fault detection circuit comprises a pair of resistors. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, the low-voltage detection circuit comprises a single chip, a pair of resistors, a diode, a triode, and an indicator light. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, a lampshade is disposed on the upper shell. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, a stop ring, a first gasket, an annular ring, and a second gasket are disposed on the plug bar. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, the electromagnetic valve is disposed in the valve body and fixedly connected to the valve body via a connecting sleeve. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, a reset spring is disposed below the contact plate. 
     In certain classes of this embodiment, a connecting plate is disposed on the valve, and the timing controller is fixed to the connecting plate via a first self-tapping screw. 
     Advantages of the invention include:
         1) integration of a timing controller and a control valve;   2) timing control can be implemented mechanically or electrically;   3) compact structure and good appearance;   4) easy operation;   5) safe and reliable; and   6) accurate timing.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Detailed description will be given below with reference to accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a gas valve control device of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the gas valve control device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a contact plate and contact heads when the rotating button is in a 0 degree position; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a contact plate and contact heads when a rotating button is in a 60 degree position; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a contact plate and contact heads when a rotating button is in a 120 degree position; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of multiple contact heads of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an unfolded cross-sectional view of a valve cover and a positioning ring according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a gas valve control device with the vent line disconnected; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a gas valve control device when the vent line is connected; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a gas valve control device of an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of a gas valve control device of an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , a gas valve control device comprises a valve  1  and a timing controller  7 . 
     The valve  1  comprises a reset spring  4 , a rotating button  5 , a contact plate  6 , an electromagnetic valve  11 , an outlet port  15 , an stop ring  16 , a gasket  17 , an annular ring  18 , a gasket  20 , a pressing spring  19 , a valve cover  21 , a fixing pin  24 , an inlet port  38 , a valve pole  22 , a plug bar  34 , and a valve body  35  having a cavity. 
     A vent line is disposed between the inlet port  38  and the outlet port  15 , and the vent line is controlled by the timing controller  7 . 
     An upper portion of the valve body  35  is connected to the valve pole  22 . 
     An upper portion of the valve pole  22  protrudes from the valve body  35 , and a lower portion thereof is received in the cavity of the valve body  35 , whereby enabling the valve pole  22  to move upwards and downwards therein. 
     The plug bar  34  and the pressing spring  19  are disposed at the bottom of the valve pole  22 . The pressing spring  19  is disposed outside the plug bar  34 . 
     The rotating button  5  is disposed at the top of the valve pole  22 . 
     The contact plate  6  is disposed below the rotating button  5  and is connected to the top of the valve pole  22 . 
     The fixing pin  24  is disposed on the valve pole  22 , and the valve pole  22  is capable of sliding in a groove in the valve cover  21  via the fixing pin  24 . 
     The rotating button  5  is adapted for being rotated left and right and for moving upwards and downwards in the groove in the valve cover  21 . The rotating angle of the rotating button  5  is 120 degrees. 
     The steel ball  39  and the spring  40  are disposed on the valve cover  21  via multiple bolts  41 . The steel ball  39  from an upper edge of the groove (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
     A stop ring  16 , a first gasket  17 , an annular ring  18 , and a second gasket  20  are disposed on the plug bar  34 . 
     A reset spring  4  is disposed below the contact plate  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the timing controller is fixedly connected to the valve  1  and to the electromagnetic valve  11 . 
     The electromagnetic valve  11  is disposed in the valve body  35  and is connected to the valve body  35  via a connecting sleeve  10 . 
     An electromagnetic valve lead  9  is disposed on one end of the electromagnetic valve  11 , and the electromagnetic valve  11  is connected to the timing controller  7  via the electromagnetic valve lead  9 . 
     A valve sheet  12  is disposed on the other end of the electromagnetic valve  11  and operates to control the vent line between the inlet port  38  and the outlet port  15 , and a sealing gasket  13  and an ejecting block  14  are disposed on the valve sheet  12 . 
     An inlet port joint  37  is connected to the inlet port  38 , and a sleeve ring  2  is connected to the outlet port  15 . 
     A connecting plate  3  is disposed on the valve  1 , and the timing controller  7  is fixed to the connecting plate  3  via a first self-tapping screw  8 . 
     The timing controller  7  comprises an electronic circuit board  26 , an upper shell  28 , and a lower shell  30 . The electronic circuit board  26  is disposed in the timing controller  7  and connected to a power supply via a power wire. 
     A lampshade  27 , a first contact head  23 , a second contact head  251 , and a third contact head  252  are disposed at the upper shell  28 . The first contact head  23 , the second contact head  251 , and the third contact head  252  are disposed on the upper shell  28  and are connected to the electronic circuit board  26  via a contact head wire  32 . 
     The electronic circuit board  26  comprises a microprocessor, an electronic switching circuit, a fault detection circuit, and a low-voltage detection circuit. 
     The electronic switching circuit comprises triodes Q 1 , Q 2 , Q 3 , and Q 4 . 
     The fault detection circuit comprises a pair of resistors R 13  and R 15 . 
     The low-voltage detection circuit comprises a single chip IC 2 , a pair of resistors R 19  and R 20 , a diode D 2 , a triode Q 5 , and an indicator light LED 2 . 
     In this embodiment, the microprocessor is a PIC 16F630 single chip, and the single chip IC 2  uses an IMP809R chip. 
     The fault detection circuit operates to protect the timing controller  7  in operation. If electronic components in the electronic circuit board  26  fail, the microprocessor sends a power off signal to disconnect the electronic switching circuit and to release the electromagnetic valve  11 . At this time the gas valve control device of the invention is closed whereby preventing accidents caused by a timing error. 
     The low-voltage detection circuit operates to detect the voltage of the timing controller  7  in operation. If the voltage detected is below 2.63 V, the indicator light LED 2  lights up whereby reminding the user of changing a battery and guaranteeing normal operation of the circuit. 
     The electromagnetic valve  11  is a micro-current electromagnetic valve and features low power consumption, micro-current, low-voltage, and good sealing effect. 
     Operation of the gas valve control device of the invention is as follow: 
     The gas valve control device of the invention is installed between a pressure regulating valve and a gas stove, and a negative outside wire and a positive outside wire of the gas valve control device are connected to a battery box. At this time the electric circuit is in a standby state. As the pressure regulating valve is opened, gas enters the inlet port  38  via the inlet port joint  37 . 
     The electromagnetic valve  11  is a non-self-absorption valve, and can only be opened by the valve pole  22  applying pressure thereon while voltage is applied to the electromagnetic valve  11 . If no pressure is applied, the electromagnetic valve  11  is closed whereby connecting the air circuit. 
     The gas valve control device is changed from a non-timing and open state to a timing and open state when the rotating button  5  clockwise rotates from a 0 degree position to a 60 degree position. It should be noted that the air circuit must not be disconnected during rotation, this is implemented by applying pressure on the electromagnetic valve  11  by the valve pole  22  after the electromagnetic valve  11  is powered. Due to manufacturing errors of the valve pole  22 , the plug bar  34  and the valve body  35 , a holding position of the electromagnetic valve  11  may be affected. To solve this problem, an axial compensation structure formed by the spring  40  and the steel ball  39  on the valve cover  21  effectively ensures that the air circuit is not disconnected during rotation. 
     The complete process is as follows:
         1) When the rotating button  5  rotates anticlockwise to a 0 degree position, the fixing pin  24  disposed on the valve pole  22  is located at a 0 degree position of the groove (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), the contact plate  6  is located at a 0 degree position (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), and the rotating button  5  and the valve pole  22  are pushed down (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). In this way, the valve pole  22  pushes the plug bar  34  and the ejecting block  14  disposed on the electromagnetic valve  11  and thus the valve is opened, the air circuit is connected, and the gas valve control device is in a non-timing and open state (as shown in  FIG. 9 ). As the rotating button  5  rotates anticlockwise, the contact plate  6  is contacted with the third contact head  252  (the sequence is: disconnect-instant contact-disconnect, as shown in  FIG. 4 ). After a two-second delay, the microprocessor sends a power off signal to disconnect the electronic switching circuit, at this time the indicator light LED 1  is off, the electromagnetic valve lead  9  connected to the electromagnetic valve  11  has no output voltage and the timing control circuit is in a hibernating state.   2) When the rotating button  5  is rotates clockwise to a 120 degree position, the fixing pin  24  disposed on the valve pole  22  is located at a 120 degree position of the groove (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), the contact plate  6  is located at a 120 degree position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), and the rotating button  5  and the valve pole  22  are pushed up (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). During rotation, the contact plate  6  is contacted with the first contact head  23  (the sequence is disconnected-instant contact-disconnected, as shown in  FIG. 5 ), at this time the microprocessor sends a power off signal to disconnect the electronic switching circuit, the indicator light LED 1  is off, the electromagnetic valve lead  9  connected to the electromagnetic valve  11  has no output voltage, the electromagnetic valve  11  is released, the sealing gasket  13  is lifted up by a spring force, the vent line and the air circuit are disconnected, the gas valve control device is closed. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the timing control circuit is in a hibernating state.   3) When the rotating button  5  rotates clockwise to a 60 degree position from a 0 degree position, the fixing pin  24  disposed on the valve pole  22  is located at a 60 degree position of the groove (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), the contact plate  6  is located at a 60 degree position (as shown in  FIG. 4 ), and the rotating button  5  and the valve pole  22  are capable of moving upwards and downwards freely (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). During rotation, the air circuit must not be disconnected, and the contact plate  6  is instantly contacted with a prestart/delay third contact head  252 , at this time the microprocessor sends a power on signal to connect the electronic switching circuit, and the electromagnetic valve  11  is closed. Then the fixing pin  24  is contacted with the steel ball  39  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), and pressure is applied to the fixing pin  24  and the valve pole  22  via the compensation structure formed by the spring  40  and the steel ball  39 , whereby ensuring the electromagnetic valve  11  is reliably closed. Then, the contact plate  6  is contacted with the second contact head  251  (the sequence is disconnected-instant contact-the valve pole  22  moves upwards-disconnected, as shown in  FIG. 4 ), at this time the microprocessor sends a power on signal, the indicator light LED 1  lights up, the electromagnetic valve lead  9  outputs operating voltage to the electromagnetic valve  11 , the electromagnetic valve  11  is still closed, the vent line is connected, and the gas valve control device is in an operating state, as shown in  FIG. 9 .   When a preset timing is up, the microprocessor sends a power off signal, the electronic switching circuit is disconnected, the indicator light LED 1  is off, the circuit returns to a standby state, the electromagnetic valve lead  9  has no output voltage, the electromagnetic valve  11  is released, the sealing gasket  13  is lifted up by a spring force, the vent line and the air circuit are disconnected, and the gas valve control device is closed, as shown in  FIG. 8 .   4) When the rotating button  5  rotates anticlockwise to a 60 degree position from a 120 degree position, the fixing pin  24  disposed on the valve pole  22  is located at a 60 degree position of the groove (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), the contact plate  6  is located at a 60 degree position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), and the rotating button  5  and the valve pole  22  are capable of moving upwards and downwards freely (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). During rotation, the contact plate  6  is contacted with the first contact head  23  (the sequence is: disconnected-instant contact-disconnected, as shown in  FIG. 4 ). Since the timing control circuit is in a hibernating state, it does not response to the contact process. If the rotating button  5  is not pressed, the gas valve control device is still closed. If the rotating button  5  is pressed, the contact plate  6  is contacted with the second contact head  251 , the valve pole  22  drives the plug bar  34  to contact with the ejecting block  14  on the electromagnetic valve  11 , so that the contact plate  6 , the valve pole  22  and the plug bar  34  are sequentially connected. At this time the microprocessor sends a power on signal, the electronic switching circuit is connected, the indicator light LED 1  lights up, the electromagnetic valve lead  9  outputs operating voltage to the electromagnetic valve  11 , the electromagnetic valve  11  is still closed, the vent line is connected, and the gas valve control device is in an operating state, as shown in  FIG. 9 .   When a preset timing is up, the microprocessor sends a power off signal, the electronic switching circuit is disconnected, the indicator light LED 1  is off, the circuit returns to a standby state, the electromagnetic valve lead  9  has no output voltage, the electromagnetic valve  11  is released, the sealing gasket  13  is lifted up by a spring force, the vent line is disconnected, and the gas valve control device is closed, as shown in  FIG. 8 .       

     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.