Patent Publication Number: US-10782724-B1

Title: Sliding ring for knob on home appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to home appliances. More particularly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a home appliance control knob. 
     An example of an application for the invention is a control knob with a sliding ring that centers the control knob in an opening in a control panel of the home appliance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Some modern domestic kitchens include appliances such as, for example, cooking appliances that have control knobs that are operable by a user of the appliance to control a function of the appliance. Some of such control knobs extend through openings in a control panel of the appliance. 
     Applicants recognized an improvement to the above arrangement and implement that improvement in embodiments of the invention. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention achieves the benefit of locating a control knob in an opening in a control panel such that the control knob operates smoothly and provides the esthetic benefit of being centered in the opening. In many modern kitchen cooking appliances, particularly gas cooking appliances, centering control knobs in openings in a control panel can be challenging. This is particularly the case when the control knob extends into the opening and does not cover an edge of the opening, thus leaving exposed a gap between an outer periphery of the control know and an edge of the opening. 
     Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a domestic appliance, having: a main housing; a control panel attached to the main housing; a knob opening in the control panel, the knob opening having an edge; a control knob partially located in the knob opening, the control knob having an outer periphery; and a sliding ring positioned between the outer periphery of the control knob and the edge of the knob opening. 
     In some embodiments, the sliding ring has an outer periphery and an inner surface, the outer periphery of the sliding ring contacts the edge of the knob opening around an entirety of the outer periphery of the sliding ring, and the outer periphery of the control knob contacts the inner surface of the sliding ring around an entirety of the outer periphery of the control knob. 
     Other embodiments of the invention are directed to a control element for controlling a function of a domestic appliance, the control element having: a control knob having a circular outer periphery, the control knob having a gripping portion configured to be gripped by a user of the domestic appliance, and a shaft receiving portion that is configured to receive a shaft of the domestic appliance; and a sliding ring positionally fixed to the control knob, the sliding ring having a circular outer periphery wall surrounding the outer periphery of the control knob, a base perpendicular to the outer periphery wall, and an opening in the base configured to receive the shaft of the domestic appliance. 
     Other embodiments of the invention are directed to a control unit for a domestic appliance, the control unit having: a control panel configured to be attached to a main housing of the domestic appliance; a knob opening in the control panel, the knob opening having an edge; a control knob partially located in the knob opening, the control knob having an outer periphery; and a sliding ring positioned between the outer periphery of the control knob and the edge of the knob opening. The sliding ring has an outer periphery and an inner surface, the outer periphery of the sliding ring contacts the edge of the knob opening around an entirety of the outer periphery of the sliding ring, and the outer periphery of the control knob contacts the inner surface of the sliding ring around an entirety of the outer periphery of the control knob. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an appliance in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a control knob in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the control knob shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the control knob shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a control panel with the control knob shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a control panel, control knob, and sliding ring in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the control knob and sliding ring shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a sliding ring in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the sliding ring shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view along section line X-X in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view along section line XI-XI in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a sliding ring in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view along section line XIII-XIII in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of a control panel, control knob, and sliding ring in accordance embodiments of the invention with the sliding ring emitting no light; 
         FIG. 15  is front view of the control panel, control knob, and sliding ring shown in  FIG. 13  with the sliding ring emitting constant light; and 
         FIG. 16  is front view of the control panel, control knob, and sliding ring shown in  FIG. 13  with the sliding ring emitting blinking light. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
     As explained above, embodiments of the invention provide an improvement to appliances that have a control knob that extends into an opening in a control panel such that the control knob does not cover an edge of the opening. Embodiments of the invention improve this configuration by providing a sliding ring between an outer periphery of the control knob and an edge of the opening. The sliding ring centers, or substantially centers, the control knob in the opening while also providing a smooth operation of the control knob, both of which improve the quality of the appearance and feel of the control knob and appliance. 
     Control knobs and knob housings of some ranges and range-tops are die casted parts, which are quite solid and heavy. The concentricity between these big, heavy knobs and the knob bezels is sometimes not easily adjustable and the operation of the knobs can seem to be imprecise. In some cases, during the assembly process, the knob bezels are driven forcefully, to a more or less concentric position. 
     Sliding rings in accordance with embodiments of the invention keep the knob in a concentric position relative to its bezel and/or opening in the control panel. The manual operation (turning the knob) gives a better feeling because the knob is guided around the outer diameter and there is less force on the knob&#39;s shaft while turning the knob. The sliding ring can be made of a material with a very low coefficient of friction, e.g. PTFE. The sliding ring can have a chamfer on the outer diameter for easy insertion into the bezel and/or opening in the control panel. The sliding ring can easily be assembled on the rear edge of the knob and inserted into the bezel while pushing the knob onto its shaft. 
       FIG. 1  shows an appliance  100  in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. In this example, appliance  100  has a door  120  that provides access to a cooking compartment, a control panel  130 , a top sheet  140 , and a plurality of heating elements (in this example, gas burners)  150 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  are a plurality of control knobs  200  used to control various functions of appliance  100 . For example, each control knob  200  can control the amount of gas sent to a particular burner  150 . In embodiments, one or more control knob  200  controls other features. In this example, an outer periphery of each control knob  200  extends into an opening in control panel  130  such that control knob  200  does not cover an edge of the opening. 
       FIGS. 2-4  show an example of control knob  200  in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In this example, control knob  200  has a base  210  and a grip portion  230 . Base  210  has, in this example, a circular outer periphery  220  that is perpendicular to a top surface of base  210 . Other embodiments of the invention include knob configurations that have outer peripheries  220  that are not perpendicular to the top surface of base  210  and/or are curved or some other shape. 
       FIG. 5  shows a problem that can result from a control knob that extends into an opening in a control panel without overlapping the edge of the opening. In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , control knob  200  is not centrally located in the opening in control panel  130 . This situation creates a non-uniform gap between an edge  132  of the opening and an outer periphery of control knob  200 . The non-uniform gap can cause a frictional force between control knob  200  and edge  132  that results in more effort being required on the part of a user to turn control knob  200 . This is an undesirable situation for at least the reasons that it portrays poor quality and can cause undesirable wear of control knob  200  and/or edge  132 . The non-uniform gap also is esthetically undesirable. 
     The example shown in  FIG. 5  includes a bezel  400  that surrounds the opening in control panel  130 . In some embodiments, an inner surface of bezel  400  aligns with edge  132  of the opening. In other embodiments, the inner surface of bezel  400  extends over the opening beyond edge  132 . In other embodiments, edge  132  extends toward the center of the opening beyond the inner surface of bezel  400 . In the example shown, the inner surface of bezel  400  aligns with edge  132  of the opening. For simplicity, the reference number  132  will be used to represent the edge of the opening and an inner surface of bezel  400  in that the description regarding edge  132  applies to the inner surface of bezel  400  if bezel  400  overlaps edge  132 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show an example of an embodiment of the invention that includes a sliding ring  300 . Sliding ring  300  is positioned around a portion of control knob  200  such that sliding ring  300  is between outer periphery  220  of control knob  200  and edge  132  of the opening in control panel  130 . Sliding ring  300  is, in this example, positionally fixed to control knob  200  such that sliding ring  300  rotates with control knob  200 . In this example. an outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300  contacts edge  132  to center control knob  200  in the opening in control panel  130 . In other embodiments, a small gap exists between outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300  and edge  132 . In the case where a small gap exists between outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300  and edge  132 , control knob may not be precisely centered in the opening. 
     In embodiments, sliding ring  300  is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction in order to promote sliding between outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300  and edge  132 . Non-limiting examples of materials that can be used for sliding ring  300  are nylon, various other polymers, and materials coated with a low friction coating. In the examples shown, sliding ring  300  is one piece of a homogenous material. Other embodiments use multiple parts of the same or different materials. 
       FIG. 7  shows sliding ring  300  having a rim  360  that extends radially beyond control knob  200 . Rim  360  can be seen in  FIG. 6  between edge  132  and outer periphery  220  of control knob  200 . 
       FIGS. 8-11  shows an example of sliding ring  300  having tabs  340  that mate with slots in control knob  200  to positionally fix sliding ring  300  relative to control knob  200 . In embodiments, tabs  340  are a friction fit with the slots in control knob  200  in order to secure sliding ring  300  to control knob  200 . In this example, four tabs  340  are shown. Other examples have fewer or more tabs  340 . Still other examples use one or more other attachment features to positionally fix and secure sliding ring  300  to control knob  200 . Also shown in  FIGS. 8, 9, 10  is a hole  330  in a base portion  320  of sliding ring  300 . Hole  330  is provided to allow passage of a shaft  160  ( FIG. 13 ) of a gas valve through sliding ring  300 . Other examples provide a much larger hole  330  such that the majority of base portion  320  is open. In this example, sliding ring  300  has an inner surface  302  that contacts outer periphery  220  of control knob  200  when sliding ring  300  is installed on control knob  200 . In this example, a slight friction fit exists between inner surface  302  of sliding ring  300  and outer periphery  220  of control knob  200  in order to maintain a uniform and secure fit. A uniform and secure fit between inner surface  302  of sliding ring  300  and outer periphery  220  of control knob  200  helps maintain a true circular shape of outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300 . Without such a fit, outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300  can, in some cases, tend to not maintain a true circular shape if sliding ring  300  is made of a soft and/or pliable material. 
       FIG. 12  shows an alternate embodiment of sliding ring  300 . In this embodiment, notches  350  are provided instead of tabs  340 . In this embodiment, control knob  200  has tabs that extend from outer periphery  220  that engage notches  350 . In this embodiment, the tabs on control knob  200  do not extend beyond outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300  so as not to interfere with the smooth sliding of sliding ring  300  against edge  132 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a partial section view taken along section line XIII-XIII in  FIG. 6 . This view shows outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300  contacting edge  132  of the opening in control panel  130 . In other embodiments, outer periphery  304  of sliding ring  300  does not contact edge  132  of the opening in control panel  130 , or contacts edge  132  in less than an entire inner surface of edge  132 . This example shows an inner surface of bezel  400  extending farther in a radial direction away from shaft  160  than does edge  132 . As described above, in other examples the inner surface of bezel  400  overlaps edge  132  or aligns with edge  132 . 
     Some embodiments include a lighting feature.  FIG. 13  shows two light sources  500  (such as, for example, LEDs or some other form of light emitter) located behind sliding ring  300 . Also shown is a controller  600  that controls light sources  500 . In embodiments, sliding ring  300  is a translucent material such that when light sources  500  emit light, light is transmitted though sliding ring  300  such that a user can see the light. Although two light sources  500  are shown in  FIG. 13 , it is noted that fewer or more light sources can be used. The position of light sources  500  relative to sliding ring  300  in  FIG. 13  is just one example, and it is understood that light sources  500  can be located in other position. 
       FIGS. 14-16  show three states of embodiments of the invention. In  FIG. 14 , light sources  500  are not emitting light. In embodiments, this state corresponds to a burner on a gas stove being in the OFF position. The state shown in  FIG. 14  can also, or alternatively, correspond to other states and/or conditions of the appliance. In  FIG. 15 , light sources  500  are emitting a constant light (not flashing). In embodiments, this state corresponds to a burner on a gas stove being in a MAX ON position. The state shown in  FIG. 15  can also, or alternatively, correspond to other states and/or conditions of the appliance. In  FIG. 16 , light sources  500  are emitting an intermittent light (flashing). In embodiments, this state corresponds to a burner on a gas stove being in a LOW or SIMMER position. The state shown in  FIG. 16  can also, or alternatively, correspond to other states and/or conditions of the appliance. 
     In embodiments, light sources  500  are capable of emitting light having different colors. In some of these embodiments, a light of a first color corresponds to a first state of the appliance and a light of a second color corresponds to a second state of the appliance. In some of these embodiments, a light of a first color corresponds to a first control function (such as, for example, temperature) of the appliance and a light of a second color corresponds to a second control function (such as, for example, a timer) of the appliance. 
     In embodiments, bezel  400  is made of a material through which light can pass. In such embodiments, the light emitted from light sources  500  is visible through bezel  400 . In embodiments, one or both of bezel  400  and sliding ring  300  are made of a material through which light can pass. Further, in embodiments in which both bezel  400  and sliding ring  300  are made of a material through which light can pass, different light sources  500  can be provided for each of bezel  400  and sliding ring  300  such that they can be lighted differently (flashing/constant/colors). 
     It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Any of the features described above can be combined with any other feature described above as long as the combined features are not mutually exclusive. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the invention.