Patent Description:
Gas hob controls are often exposed to liquids that non-intentionally trickle into the controls. Thus, there is a need for fast and reliable drainage within the respective control arrangements.

<FIG> shows a prior art rotor device <NUM> having a hub <NUM> for receiving a shaft (not shown) and a ring body <NUM>. The hub <NUM> is connected to the ring body <NUM> via beams <NUM> thereby forming drainage passages <NUM>. A return spring (not shown) abuts a lower face of the hub <NUM> for urging the rotor device <NUM> upwards. In order to make the gas hub controls more compact, the return spring is to be accommodated partly in the hub <NUM>. This would increase a diameter of the hub <NUM> which in return would reduce a size of the drainage passage <NUM>. However, as smaller drainage passages <NUM> would deteriorate a drainage behavior, a different approach is sought for.

<CIT> describes a stove having a gas valve with an actuation stem for actuating the gas valve. An actuation knob actuates the actuation stem, and a connection element couples the knob to the stem. The knob is connected to the connection element in a form-locking manner, so that the knob is removable from the stove for maintenance purposes.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a rotor device for a smaller gas hub control arrangement but with improved drainage behavior.

Accordingly, a rotor device for a gas hob control arrangement is proposed. The rotor device has a collar, a ring body, and at least on arm. The collar forms an opening. The collar is configured to transfer a rotating and/or translating movement between the rotor device and a shaft device, which is receivable in the opening. The ring body has a larger inner diameter than a width of the opening. The at least one arm comprises an outer arm section, an inner arm section, and a central arm section. The outer arm section extends from the ring body radially inwards. The inner arm section extends from the collar radially outwards. The central arm section extends from a radially inner end of the outer arm section axially to a radially outer end of the inner arm section.

In other words, a shaft device is receivable in the opening of the collar, and when a shaft device is received in the opening of the collar, then a rotating and/or translating movement is transferable between the collar and the received shaft device.

In other words, the outer arm section protrudes radially inwards from an inner peripheral surface of the ring body.

In other words, the inner arm section protrudes radially outwards from an outer peripheral surface of the collar.

The one or more arms are forming a loop to the collar, which is placed at a different level along a central axis than the ring body. This loop allows for a more compact configuration of a resulting gas hob control arrangement. Further, as the collar is held to the ring body only by means of the one or more arms, there are formed one or more drainage passages in between. Thus, a satisfying drainage behavior is achieved.

The terms inner arm section and outer arm section are names meant for easier discrimination. As the collar preferably is smaller than the ring body, the arm section, which protrudes from the collar is referred to as the inner arm section. Corresponding thereto, the arm section, which protrudes from the preferably larger ring body is the outer arm section. However, an inner end of the outer arm section will in most case be closer to a central axis than an outer end of the inner arm section.

Although the number and placement of arms is not restricted in general, a symmetrical arrangement is preferred. For example, two arms with a relative spacing of <NUM>° around the central axis, or three arms with a relative spacing of <NUM>° around the central axis are preferred variants.

If the rotor device has two or more arms, these arms preferable are shaped identical for endurance reasons.

The three arm sections may consecutively follow a path. Thus, the number of arm sections per arm can be limited to an easy-to-manufacture configuration.

The arm sections may extend linearly. Thus, a bending behavior of the arm sections can easily be predetermined. However, at least one arm section may extend along a curve when viewed in a side view, in order to provide an adjustable bending behavior.

According to one option, the arm sections are connected by sharp intersections. That is, the arm sections may follow a z-path. This option allows for fast drainage. According to another option, the arm sections merge with rounded edges. That is, the arm sections may follow a s-path. This option minimizes residue adherence.

According to one option, each arm section has a constant width along its path. This option provides a constant stiffness of the respective arm.

According to another option, at least one of the three arm sections has a varying width along its path. This option allows for increased damping behavior.

It is preferred if the outer arm section has a declined surface on a collar-side. That is, a side oriented towards the collar instead of away from the collar preferably has a roof-shaped top surface. In other words, a prism-shaped cross section is suggested. This option facilitates running off of any liquids from the arm section top side.

According to another option, the rotor device may be integrally formed for increased strength. Preferred materials comprise metal alloys and plastic materials.

Optionally, at least one arm section may have a declined top surface, when the collar is positioned above the ring body in a mounted position. That is, the relative position of the collar relative to the ring body defines an upwards direction. By providing that the at least one arm section has a downwards inclined top surface, liquids easier run down from this arm section.

A radius from a rotation axis of the rotor device to an inner end of the outer arm section or to every inner end of the outer arm sections may be larger than the width of the opening of the collar. This allows for an installation space for a spring device, which encompasses a shaft device.

The collar may have a front face facing towards the ring body. The front face is a preferred bearing surface for a spring device.

According to a preferred option, the rotor device has a hollow-cylindrical space in an empty space, that is defined by an axially parallel projection of the opening in the collar, inner faces and/or edges of the arm sections, a front face of the collar facing towards the ring body, and a front face of the ring body facing away from the collar. Thus, a ring-shaped spring device like a coils spring or a bellows-shaped arrangement of disc springs can reliably be accommodated.

The inner arm section may extend both radially outwards from the collar and axially away from the ring body. That is, it may be inclined such that it extends both radially outwards from the collar and axially away from the ring body. This results in an elastic behavior of the arm(s), which is desired for some applications.

Elasticity, flexibility and/or bending of the arm(s) has the advantage that small misalignments between the shaft device and other parts of the gas hub control arrangement can be self-compensated by the arm behavior.

Alternatively, the inner arm section may extend both radially outwards from the collar and axially towards the ring body, wherein an angle between the rotation axis of the rotor device and the inner arm section is larger than an angle between the rotation axis and the central arm section. That is, the inner arm section may be inclined such that it extends both radially outwards from the collar and axially towards the ring body.

To increase flexibility, the central arm section may extend both axially away from the ring body and radially outwards. That is, the central arm section may be inclined outwards / declined inwards.

The rotor device according to any of the above variants may be provided as a backfitting part for improving a drainage of an existing gas hob control arrangement.

According to another aspect of the invention, a gas hob control arrangement for controlling a gas hob is proposed. The gas hob control arrangement has a shaft device, the above rotor device, a spring device, and an ignition switch device. The shaft device defines a rotation axis of the gas hob control arrangement. The opening of the collar receives the shaft device to be rotatable by a rotation of the shaft device. The rotor device is movable along the rotation axis between an idle position and a deflected position of the ring body. The spring device is arranged radially between the shaft device and the outer arm section or outer arm sections of the rotor device. The spring device preloads the rotor device from the deflected position towards the idle position. The ignition switch device is configured to supply electricity to an ignition device in a state where the ring body is in the deflected position. The embodiments and features described with reference to the rotor device apply mutatis mutandis to the control arrangement having this rotor device.

The control arrangement may comprise an angle sensor that is configured to detect a rotation angle of the rotor device and to transmit a control signal indicative of the rotation angle electronically to a valve device to open or close a gas passage. Thus, an electronic simmering control can be implemented.

The control arrangement may comprise a valve device, that is configured to be actuated by a rotation of the shaft device to open or close a gas passage. Thus, the valve device is directly controllable for increased reliability.

The control arrangement may comprise a protective cap and an electronics device. The protective cap has a through hole and a recess. The electronics device is housed in the recess. The rotor device is arranged such that the collar and/or the at least one arm reaches into the through hole at least when the ring body is in the idle position. The rotor device is arranged such that the recess opens towards the ring body. The rotor device is arranged such that the ring body is located adjacent to the electronics device when the ring body is in the idle position. Thus, the protective cap protects the electronics from liquids trickling into the control arrangement, while the electronics device is arranged close to the rotor to precisely detect user commands. Further, rotor device may be arranged such that the ring body is separated from the electronics device when the ring body is in the deflected position. This option combines an easy deflection detection with a break-up of any capillary effects between the electronics and the ring body.

The control arrangement may include a handle for user inputs. The handle may be formed integrally with the shaft device for endurance.

The scope of the invention is defined by claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined by the depending claims.

A first embodiment of the invention is described, which is illustrated in <FIG>.

A gas hob control arrangement <NUM> for controlling a gas hob (not shown) has a shaft device <NUM>, a rotor device <NUM>, a protective cap <NUM>, a spring device <NUM>, a valve device <NUM>, a case <NUM>, and an electronics device <NUM> having an ignition switch device <NUM>. The case <NUM> supports the valve device <NUM> and the protective cap <NUM>, for example.

The shaft device <NUM> defines a rotation axis A, that may also be referred to as central axis A. Indications like a radial direction or an axial direction refer to this rotation axis A, which also is a rotation axis of the rotor device <NUM>.

Preferably, the shaft device <NUM> is integrally formed to be a single shaft. For torque transfer, the shaft device <NUM> may have a chamfer <NUM>.

The rotor device <NUM> has a collar <NUM>, in which an opening <NUM> is formed. The opening <NUM> is a through hole that fits the shaft device <NUM> having the chamfer <NUM>. For example, the opening <NUM> and the shaft device <NUM> form a tight fit. In other words, a cross section of the opening <NUM> is a negative of one cross section of the shaft device <NUM>. The collar <NUM> forms a ring surrounding the shaft device <NUM>.

The collar <NUM> acts as a hub for the shaft device <NUM>. In other words, the collar <NUM> and the shaft device <NUM> form a shaft-hub-joint, by means of which a rotation and/or movement is transferable between the shaft device <NUM> and the collar <NUM>.

The rotor device <NUM> has a ring body <NUM>. In a simple configuration, the ring body <NUM> solely serves as an actuator or to-be-detected body for a detection function of the ignition switch device <NUM>. The ring body <NUM> preferably has a shape of a flat hollow cylinder.

An inner diameter D of the ring body <NUM> is larger than a width W of the opening <NUM>. The width W of the opening <NUM> corresponds to a diameter of the shaft device <NUM> at the location of the collar <NUM>.

The rotor device <NUM> may serve further functions for the electronics device <NUM>, such as an entry device for entering a simmering level into an electronic valve control.

The ring body <NUM> and the collar <NUM> are axially offset to accommodate the long spring device <NUM> between the rotor device <NUM> and the valve device <NUM>. That is, the spring device <NUM> is interposed between the collar <NUM> and the valve device <NUM>. Thus, the rotor device <NUM> according to the invention can be arranged closer to valve device <NUM>, which results in the desired smaller gas hob control arrangement <NUM>. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the spring device <NUM> might be interposed between the collar <NUM> and a part of the case <NUM>.

In the embodiments, the spring device <NUM> is shown as a coil spring, which is the preferred type of spring device <NUM>. However, in alternative embodiments, the spring device <NUM> might be of a different type, such as an elastomer tube and/or one or more disc springs.

The spring device <NUM> abuts a front face <NUM> of the collar <NUM>. The front face <NUM> is oriented axially towards the valve device <NUM> and/or the ring body <NUM>.

The collar <NUM> and the ring body <NUM> are connected by two arms <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, there might be one, three or more arms <NUM>. Preferably, the arms <NUM> are symmetrically arranged around the rotation axis A, wherein symmetrically preferably means that a (virtual) axial displacement of the ring body <NUM> relative to the collar <NUM> keeps an alignment between the ring body <NUM> and the collar <NUM>. It is even more preferred to have the arms <NUM> evenly, equidistantly and/or equiangularly arranged.

Circumferentially between the arms <NUM> are drainage passages P. These drainage passages P ensure a desired drainage behavior.

Each of the arms <NUM> has three arm sections: an inner arm section <NUM>, a central arm section <NUM>, and an outer arm section <NUM>. Preferably, the three arm sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are consecutive. The inner arm section <NUM> and the central arm section <NUM> are preferably connected by a first joint <NUM>. The outer arm section <NUM> and the central arm section <NUM> are preferably connected by a second joint <NUM>. The joints <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed by intersections of two respective arm sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The inner arm section <NUM> protrudes radially outwards from the collar <NUM>. That is, the collar <NUM> forms a radially inner end of the inner arm section <NUM>, and the first joint <NUM> forms a radially outer end of the inner arm section <NUM>.

Additionally, the inner arm section <NUM> is optionally inclined. In other word, the inner arm section <NUM> extends radially and axially at the same time. Preferably, the inner arm section <NUM> extends away from the ring body <NUM> as it extends from the collar <NUM> to the first joint <NUM>.

The outer arm section <NUM> protrudes radially inwards from an inner peripheral surface <NUM> of the ring body <NUM>. That is, the ring body <NUM> forms a radially outer end of the outer arm section <NUM>, and the second joint <NUM> forms a radially inner end of the outer arm section <NUM>.

The central arm section <NUM> connects both joints <NUM>, <NUM>. That is, the central arm section <NUM> extends between the radially inner end of the outer arm section <NUM> and the radially outer end of the inner arm section <NUM>. As these joints <NUM>, <NUM> have an axial offset, the central arm section <NUM> extends axially to bridge this offset.

In this embodiments, the central arm section <NUM> is inclined. That is, it extends both radially and axially. In the case of the first embodiment, the central arm section <NUM> extends radially outwards while extending from the radially inner end of the outer arm section <NUM>, being the second joint <NUM>, to the radially outer end of the inner arm section <NUM>, being the first joint <NUM>.

A circle, which is concentric with the central axis <NUM> of the rotor device <NUM>, and which is tangential to the innermost edge and/or surface of the outer arm section <NUM>, has a radius R. The radius R is larger than an outer diameter of the shaft device <NUM> to provide a radial gap for the spring device <NUM>. The width W of the opening <NUM> usually corresponds to the diameter of the shaft device <NUM>. Thus, it is preferred if the radius R is larger than half the width W.

The rotor device <NUM> defines a hollow-cylindrical space <NUM>, which is an installation space for the spring device <NUM>. The hollow-cylindrical space <NUM> is designed into the rotor device <NUM>. In other words, the hollow-cylindrical space <NUM> is a virtual space that is present in the empty space between the collar <NUM>, ring body <NUM> and arms <NUM>. The hollow-cylindrical space <NUM> is radially outside of a projection of the opening <NUM>, that is projected parallel to the central axis <NUM>. The hollow-cylindrical space <NUM> is radially inside inner faces and/or edges of the arms <NUM>. In the embodiments, the hollow-cylindrical space <NUM> is radially inside an inner face of the second joints <NUM>. The hollow-cylindrical space <NUM> extends axially between the front face <NUM> of the collar <NUM> facing towards the ring body <NUM> and a front face <NUM> of the ring body <NUM> facing away from the collar <NUM>.

In the gas hob control arrangement <NUM>, the hollow-cylindrical space <NUM> is radially outside of the shaft device <NUM>.

The arms <NUM> of the embodiments may have inclined arm sections for increased flexibility to be self-balancing. Thus, a potential misalignment of the shaft device <NUM> to the electronics device <NUM> can be auto-compensated.

In this embodiment, the central arm section <NUM> is inclined outwards. That is, the central arm section <NUM> extends radially outwards while extending axially from the radial inner end <NUM> of the outer arm section <NUM> to the radial outer end <NUM> of the inner arm section <NUM>. When mounted, the inner arm section <NUM> is inclined upwards. That is, the inner arm section <NUM> extends axially away from the ring body <NUM> while extending radially outwards from the collar <NUM> to the radial outer end <NUM> of the inner arm section <NUM>. Since the inner arm section <NUM> is inclined, all liquids that may land on the inner arm section <NUM> run down towards the collar <NUM>. At this point, chamfers from both sides of the inner arm section <NUM> meet in the middle, such that liquids do not rest upon the inner arm section <NUM>. That is, the inner arm section <NUM> has a declined top surface <NUM> to improve drainage.

The protective cap <NUM> has a cylindrical section <NUM>, which defines a through hole <NUM> to encompass the arms <NUM> and/or the collar <NUM>. At one end of the cylindrical section <NUM>, there is a ring section <NUM>. In the ring section <NUM> there is a ring-shaped recess <NUM>. The electronics device <NUM> is accommodated in the recess <NUM>.

The recess <NUM> houses the electronics device <NUM> radially inside, radially outside, and at one axial side. That is, the recess <NUM> is open at the other axial side. The ring body <NUM> is axially movable between an idle position and an activated position. In the idle position, the ring body <NUM> is located adjacent to the open side of the recess <NUM>. Thus, the ring body <NUM> is arranged adjacent to the electronics device <NUM>, when the ring body <NUM> is in the idle position. The idle position is depicted in <FIG>. The ignition switch device <NUM>, which is connected to the electronics deice <NUM>, detects the ring body <NUM>, when the ring body <NUM> is in the idle position.

Preferably, there is a handle (not shown) affixed to an upper end of the shaft device <NUM> in <FIG>. When a user presses the handle towards the valve device <NUM>, the ring body <NUM> is moved from the idle position towards the activated position. When the ignition switch device <NUM> detects that the ring body <NUM> is not in the idle position and/or is in the activated position, the ignition switch device <NUM> supplies an electric signal to an ignition device (not shown) to ignite a gas flowing from a burner. When the user releases a pressure on the handle, the spring device <NUM> pushes the rotor device <NUM> back into the idle position.

The spring device <NUM> preferably is configured to exert a preload onto the collar <NUM>, when the rotor device <NUM> is in the idle position. That configuration ensures that the ring body <NUM> is reliably positioned in the idle device.

When a user rotates the handle to adjust a gas flow from the valve device <NUM>, the ring body <NUM> rotates around the rotation axis <NUM>. As the ring body <NUM> is symmetrical to the rotation axis <NUM>, the ignition switch device <NUM> is operatable by the ring body <NUM> at every angular position.

As can be appreciated best from the side view of <FIG> and the top view of <FIG>, the central arm section <NUM> and the inner arm section <NUM> have a varying section width B. As to the inner arm section <NUM>, its section width B decreased linearly from the first joint <NUM> to the collar <NUM>. As to the central arm section <NUM>, its section width B decreases linearly from the first joint <NUM> to the second joint <NUM>. This variation in section width B provides a variation in bending strength, which increases a flexibility of the arms <NUM> without weakening the joints <NUM>, <NUM>.

Next, a second embodiment of the invention is described with respect to <FIG>. The rotor device <NUM> of the second embodiment corresponds to the rotor device <NUM> of the first embodiment except for a shape of the outer arm sections <NUM>. Thus, reference is made to the description of the first embodiment in all other regards.

The outer arm sections <NUM> of the first embodiment have a rectangular cross section when cut tangentially. Thus, they have an increased strength but also a flat top surface <NUM> on which liquids may rest upon without completely draining. See <FIG> for example.

The outer arm sections <NUM> of the second embodiment have a nearly triangular cross section, when cut tangentially. The triangular cross section is an example for a prism-shaped cross section. Thus, the outer arm sections <NUM> according to the second embodiment have declined top surfaces <NUM>. Due thereto, any liquid runs down from the outer arm sections <NUM>, which is why a drainage behavior is improved.

Claim 1:
A rotor device (<NUM>) for a gas hob control arrangement (<NUM>), comprising:
a collar (<NUM>), that forms an opening (<NUM>) and is configured to transfer a rotating and/or translating movement between the rotor device (<NUM>) and a shaft device (<NUM>) receivable in the opening (<NUM>),
a ring body (<NUM>), that has a larger inner diameter (D) than a width (W) of the opening (<NUM>), and
at least one arm (<NUM>) comprising:
an outer arm section (<NUM>), which extends radially inwards from the ring body (<NUM>),
an inner arm section (<NUM>), which extends radially outwards from the collar (<NUM>), and
a central arm section (<NUM>), which extends axially from a radially inner end (<NUM>) of the outer arm section (<NUM>) to a radially outer end (<NUM>) of the inner arm section (<NUM>).