DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a timing Based control mechanism for the burners in household Gas hobs and cooktops More particularly, the present invention discloses modified gas cooking hob and cooktop with a number of gas burners, each of which is connected to a main gas pipe via a gas pipe section, and a retrofit timing-based control mechanism, which, on actuation, interrupts a gas supply to the gas burners.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently all available modern gas hobs/Tablet hobs/Gas cooktops are having manual operation with Knobs to control the flames and Switching ON/OFF the burners. While cooking in progress, a user must monitor the cooking so that there is no over cooking or burning of food or spillage of food like milk etc. Spillage of milk and other liquid products are a common problem in household, which also makes the hobs dirty and user needs to clean it immediately. There was a need for a feature in the Gas hob/cooktops so that user can switch OFF the burner after a predefined time without being physically present in front of the HOB when the cooking is nearing the End.

In the prior art an US specification US8669501B2 discloses a cooking appliance control system includes a timer is in communication with the oven heater element programmed to provide for scheduled activations and deactivations of the element. The switch selectively activates and deactivates the ignition circuits of the burners. This invention relates to a control system for a cooking appliance, such as an oven, cooktop stove, warming drawer, heating unit that includes an electrical, electro-mechanical, electronic or digital, timed switching device (timer) that permits various functions of the cooking appliance to be automatically controlled. The system can control a plurality of cooking appliance elements, for example, the stove top gas, electric or radiant burners, the oven gas igniter or electric heater and the warming drawer and provide independent control of each. The control systems may be incorporated, internally or externally, during the initial production of the cooking appliance or purchased as an external, after-market, retrofitted system.

In another prior art, an US specification US20080276923A1 discloses a timer for a Gas Cooking Hob. The gas cooking hob comprising a number of gas burners, each of which is connected to a main gas pipe via a gas pipe section, and a main switch. The main gas pipe or the gas pipe section is open to supply gas to the gas burners when the main switch is actuated while a gas supply to the gas burners is interrupted when the main switch is actuated once again. In order to be able to jointly interrupt gas supply to all gas burners even without the user acting directly upon the main switch, a timing member is assigned to the main switch in order to adjust an interval after which the main switch closes automatically.

In yet another prior art, an US specification US20110126823A1 discloses a smart gas burner system for cooking appliance. The said cooking appliance having a gas burner operable to generate a quantity of heat is disclosed. The cooking appliance also includes a pressure sensor operable to measure the pressure of gas supplied to the gas burner from a gas valve. The gas valve is programmed to adjust the supply of gas to the gas burner based on the measured pressure of the gas.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Present invention pertains to the house hold Hybrid gas hobs/Tablets/gas cooktops etc, which uses PNG or LPG as fuel.

This invention relates to an apparatus used for domestic/commercial Cooking, mainly comprising of-
a. Burners
b. Mixing tubes
c. Pan supports
d. Valves for controlling gas
e. Knobs/buttons for Controlling flame in burners.
f. Legs.
g. Main body.

This invention covers-
1. Hybrid Gas Hob with Glass top/Ceramic top/any other material.
2. Tablet type Gas Hob with Glass top/Ceramic top/any other material.
3. Conventional gas Hob with Full Metal body.
4. Conventional Glass top Gas stoves.

Currently all gas hobs are operated manually with the knobs and user needs to manually switch OFF the Hob, once cooking is done. We have introduced a Timing based control mechanism for burners in the hob so that user can set the ON duration for burner. This duration can be seen either in the digital or analogue type of display. The control mechanism can either be electronic or mechanical. Once the mechanism time becomes zero, the smart valve in Hob will switch OFF the gas supply to the burner and burner will go OFF. In our invention we have used the combination of electro-mechanical system.

Therefore such as herein described there is provided a timing based control mechanism for the burners in gas hobs and cooktops comprising of an Inlet nozzle-1 is connected to Main gas pipes manifold-2, a plurality of Gas valves- 3 connected with said main gas pipes manifold -2; wherein the said gas valves -3 operably connected plurality of Gas Burners-8 which are primarily controlled by manual Knobs-4 and secondarily controlled by Control mechanism-5; wherein the said Control mechanism-5 is includes an integrated Printed Circuit Board (PCB)-6; and wherein said Gas valve-3 and PCB-6 are interconnected with Flame Failure device (FFD)- 9 which is a transducer which generates emf in presence of a heat source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Fig 1(a) illustrates the conventional household Gas hob/cooktop;

Fig 1(b) illustrates the household Gas hob/cooktop including time-based control mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

Fig 2 illustrates the timing based control mechanism for the burners in household Gas hobs in accordance with the present invention;

Fig 3 illustrates the block diagram of control mechanism in gas hobs or cooktops in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To overcome the conventional problems as discussed in the background art, the applicant intend to introduce a Time-Based control mechanism with a display in the Gas hob/ cooktop as illustrated in Fig 2. In this invention we are using electronic Time-based mechanism to control the burner and a three digit digital display for the user to set and see the time. The display system is ha mving 3 buttons Time +, Time – and Power off button. (Fig 1b). While cooking in progress, the user can set the time with the help of Time + & - buttons given on digital display and the burner will be ON continuously for the said time. During this period, user can focus on other works without any worry of overcooking or spillage. Nearing the end of timer, a beep sound starts sounding for the last few seconds to alert the user that the cooking is nearing to end.

This time based mechanism is may be used in variety of systems and appliances like, ovens, induction cooker, grinder etc. We are using this mechanism in Built -in Gas hobs and cooktops which will make it easier for the User to operate the apparatus. This feature is novel for Gas hobs and cooktops.

As shown in Fig 2, the conventional household Gas hob/cooktop is modified with time-based control mechanism, wherein the Inlet nozzle-1 is connected to Main gas pipes manifold-2, 2 is connected to the Gas valves- 3 which are primarily controlled by manual Knobs-4 and secondarily controlled by Control mechanism-5. Control mechanism -5 is having digital display for user interface and suitably placed in the gas hob or Cooktop for user to operate conveniently. Control mechanism 5 is having an integrated PCB 6. PCB 6 is getting power supply either from power cord 7a, or DC battery 7b. Gas valve 3 and PCB 6 are interconnected with FFD- 9. FFD 9 is a transducer which generates emf in presence of a heat source. Connection diagram & working logic is illustrated in Fig 3 and its description.

The user can control the burners either by manual knobs-4 or can set the ON timer with the help of control mechanism -5. The apparatus is equipped with smart gas valves-3, which are connected to PCB-6 and FFD-9. Once user sets the duration in control mechanism-5, PCB starts counting the duration and at the end of the duration, PCB will send the signal to smart gas valves- 3 to shut off the gas supply to the said burners- 8. In another scenario, if the Flames in the gas burner 8 are blown away due to wind or spillage, FFD 9 will send signal to Gas valves 3 and will shut the gas supply to the burners 8, irrespective of timer counts in Control mechanism 5.

Figure 3 is a block diagram for Timer function operation in Cooktop/Gas hobs which comprises Control Mechanism 5, valve control system 11(or integrated control PCB 6), Gas valve 3, and FFD 9.
The System generates the signal to perform the following tasks.
1. Start the Timer
2. Maintain the Valve position.
3. Provides user interface
4. Gives audio and visual alerts.
5. Keeps the count.
6. Shuts off the valve when the time is over.
Description of Block diagram-
As shown in Fig 3, Control mechanism 5 consist of following main parts-
1. Valve control system 11
2. Timer Ckt (with display and time on off buttons)
3. Battery 7(b) (Power source)
4. AC adaptor socket 6
5. Battery terminals 12.
6. Gas valve 3
7. FFD 9 (flame failure device)

Gas Valve 3 is connected with FFD 9 via 3.1 and 9.1 respectively which directly controls the valve. When the flame is “ON” in Burner 8, FFD 9 produces emf from heat source (Flames in Burner 8) and transfers the generated emf into Gas Valve 3. The smart Gas valve 3 after receiving the emf from FFD 9, keeps the gas flow open from Main gas pipes 2. In case of Flame blown away by wind, FFD 9 does not generate emf, and hence the Gas Valve 3 shuts off the gas supply from Main gas pipe 2. FFD 9 is parallelly connected with Valve control system (VCS) 11 via 9.2 and 11.2. Gas valve 3 is connected with VCS 11 via 3.2 & 11.1 respectively. In case of Flame “ON” in Burner 8, FFD 9 sends emf to Gas valve 3 and parallelly sends signal to VCS 11, to keep VCS 11 informed about the Flame “ON” condition of Gas hob/cooktop, which in turn sends signal to Control mechanism 5 to be ready to operate. In this condition only Control mechanism 5 can be operated to set the desired Flame “ON” time with the use of timer buttons given in Display area. In case of Flame “OFF” condition, no signals will be sent to VCS 11 and hence it will not be operational, at the same time gas supply from Gas valve 3 will also be in shut off condition.
Hence for timer to be operational, Flame “ON” condition is mandatory.

In case of Flame “ON” condition, control mechanism 5 gets activated and at this time user can set the desired Flame “ON” timer using timer keys. Once the timer is set, VCS 11 starts counting till the time is “0” in the timer. Once the time becomes “0”, VCS will interrupt the emf from FFD 9, to Gas valve 3, there by closing the supply of gas to the Burner 8.
In case of battery drain, an additional socket for AC power (AC adaptor) is provided within the Control mechanism
As per above description, the valve can be turned off by two ways.
1. When FFD 9 observes the absence of flame in Burner 9, emf is not generated and the gas valve 3 shuts off the gas supply to the Burner 9.
2. When FFD 9 observes the presence of flame in Burner 9, emf generated is being fed to gas valve and at the same time it provides Flame “ON” information to the VCS 11. User sets the timer using “Plus+” “Minus-“ keys on display, and when the timer becomes zero, it interrupts the supply of emf to the Gas valve 3, which inturn closes the supply of gas to the burners 8.

Key features of the Idea:-
1. Idea to use the time based cooking is itself innovative in the “Cooktop category”.
2. The system has a safety feature FFD 9, which drives the valve OFF in case of emergency. The timer system is designed in such a way that safety feature has the highest priority to function and the same valve is turned off by the timer once the final count on timer is reached.
3. It works both on AC power supply and DC power supply.
4. While on battery, display shows the battery power status.
5. The system can show the battery status of an additional battery being used in the assembly.
6. It is also equipped with a toggle switch to completely turn off the timer system, when it is not going to be used for long time.
7. It can be used with or without FFD 9 component.
8. It works on very low power mode and always on sleep mode. It wakes up only when user input is received or desired operation is required.

Many modifications may readily be contemplated by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Many further modifications may readily be contemplated. The description set out above is particularly applicable to high rate clarification applications. However, in conventional clarification where the upstream or downstream processes herein described are not used, the teachings according to the invention may have considerable merit and are also applicable. The specific embodiments described, therefore, should be taken as illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting its scope as defined herein.

,CLAIMS:
1. A timing based control mechanism for the burners in gas hobs and cooktops comprising of:
an Inlet nozzle-1 is connected to Main gas pipes manifold-2,
a plurality of Gas valves- 3 connected with said main gas pipes manifold -2
wherein the said gas valves -3 operably connected plurality of Gas Burners-8 which are primarily controlled by manual Knobs-4 and secondarily controlled by Control mechanism-5;
wherein the said Control mechanism-5 is includes an integrated Printed Circuit Board (PCB)-6; and
wherein said Gas valve-3 and PCB-6 are interconnected with Flame Failure device (FFD)- 9 which is a transducer which generates emf in presence of a heat source.

2. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said Control mechanism -5 includes digital display for user interface and suitably placed in the gas hob or Cooktop for user to operate.

3. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said PCB 6 is configured for receiving power supply either from AC power cord 7a, or DC battery 7b.

4. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control the said Gas burners-8 is carried out either by manual knobs-4 or can set the ON timer with the help of control mechanism -5.

5. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said gas valves-3, are connected to PCB-6 and FFD-9 and under condition that user sets the duration in control mechanism-5, the said PCB-6 starts counting the duration and at the end of the duration and send the signal to said gas valves- 3 to shut off the gas supply to the said gas burners- 8.

6. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein under condition that the Flames in the gas burner- 8 are blown away due to wind or spillage, the said FFD 9 is configured to send signal to said plurality of Gas valves-3 and thereby shut the gas supply to the Gas burners-8, irrespective of timer counts in Control mechanism 5.

7. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said Control mechanism- 5 further includes a Valve control system- 11 and a Timer circuit (with display and time on off buttons) in PCB-6.

8. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein under condition that the flame is “ON” in Gas Burner- 8, the FFD 9 produces emf from heat source (Flames in Burner 8) and transfers the generated emf into Gas Valve 3; and
wherein the said Gas valve-3 after receiving the emf from FFD 9, keeps the gas flow open from Main gas pipes 2.

9. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said FFD 9 is parallelly connected with Valve control system (VCS)-11 and the said Gas valve-3 is connected with VCS-11.respectively.

10. The timing based control mechanism for the burners as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said Control mechanism-5 includes an additional socket for AC power (AC adaptor) for input power in case of battery drain failure.