TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to a plug valve for a gas cooktop and a gas cooktop appliance.

BACKGROUND

The existing housings of plug valves for gas cooktops are generally formed by diecasting aluminum. Support holes are formed in the housing, and shafts of lever assemblies for opening solenoid valves in the plug valves are rotatably supported in the support holes. When the lever assembly is in operation, the rotation of the shaft in the support hole can produce debris due to the relatively soft aluminum housing. If the debris adheres to the rubber sealing pad of the solenoid valve, gas leakage may occur. In addition, the existing lever assemblies have relatively complex shapes, and often formed by die-casting zinc alloy. However, the hardness and strength of zinc alloy at temperatures above 60°C will decrease significantly compared to those at room temperature. As a result, the contact friction with push stems, solenoid valve copper stems, and plug valve bodies will be increased. This will increase the roughness of contact surfaces of the lever assemblies. Excessive friction may cause the lever assembly to be locked into a position of pushing the solenoid valve on and unable to reset, making the solenoid valve unable to work properly. Moreover, the debris generated by the zinc alloy lever assembly due to friction is easy to adhere to the rubber sealing pad of the solenoid valve as well, thus causing gas leakage.

SUMMARY

In view of the above shortcomings, embodiments of this application intend to provide an improved plug valve for a gas cooktop.

According to a first aspect of this application, an embodiment of this application provides a plug valve for a gas cooktop. The plug valve includes: a housing; a valve, configured to open and close a gas channel of the gas cooktop; a lever assembly, configured to press the valve based on rotation to open the valve; and a support portion, disposed in the housing and made of a material different from that of the housing, where the lever assembly can be rotatably supported by the support portion.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the lever assembly is configured as a torsion spring formed by rolling sheet metal.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, a valve contact end of the lever assembly for contacting the valve is rounded.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the support portion is configured as a support shaft.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the support portion is fixed relative to the housing.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the torsion spring includes a middle portion that forms a rotating sleeve supported on the support portion, the torsion spring includes a first leg and a second leg respectively connected to circumferential ends of the middle portion, and the torsion spring has a notch configured to allow the first leg to extend through the notch in a direction away from the second leg.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the torsion spring is configured to rigidly transmit motion when subjected to a force below a predetermined force, and to non-rigidly transmit motion based on elastic deformation when subjected to a force above the predetermined force.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, an angle between the first leg and the second leg is obtuse.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, an end of the first leg has a bent portion forming the rounded valve contact end.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the first leg is configured to press the valve, and the second leg is configured to be driven by an external force.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, in a direction of a rotation axis of the lever assembly, the first leg has a width smaller than that of the middle portion and is centrally connected to the middle portion, and the notch is centrally disposed on the torsion spring.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, in a direction of a rotation axis of the lever assembly, the middle portion has a width equal to that of the second leg.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the notch is at least partially disposed on the middle portion.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the notch is rectangular.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the notch extends to the second leg.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the lever assembly is configured as a torsion spring formed by rolling a steel plate.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the support portion is configured as a steel support shaft.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the plug valve includes a motion transmission path for transmitting the pressing operation on the plug valve to the valve, a spring portion is disposed on the motion transmission path, and the spring portion is configured to rigidly transmit motion when subjected to a force below a predetermined force, and to non-rigidly transmit motion based on elastic deformation when subjected to a force above the predetermined force.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the spring portion includes independent spring elements and/or integrated spring plates.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the plug valve includes a valve stem, a valve core, and a push stem, the valve stem is configured to drive the lever assembly to rotate via the push stem by translation and to drive the valve core to adjust an opening state of the gas channel of the plug valve by rotation, the push stem passes through the valve core in an assembled state, and the plug valve includes a valve stem spring configured to reset the valve stem and a push stem spring configured to reset the push stem.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the valve is configured as a solenoid valve.

According to an optional embodiment of this application, the support portion is configured to be more wear-resistant than the housing. According to a second aspect of this application, an embodiment of this application provides a gas cooktop appliance. The gas cooktop appliance includes a gas cooktop, and the gas cooktop includes the plug valve for the gas cooktop above mentioned. The gas cooktop appliance mentioned herein can be only a gas cooktop, and it can be an integrated cooktop that includes a cooker hood and the gas cooktop as well.

This application has following advantages: firstly, debris can be reduced, and thus gas leakage can be prevented; secondly, the structure and manufacturing cost of the lever assembly of the plug valve can be simplified; thirdly, an interaction force between components can be limited by the lever assembly configured as a torsion spring, and thus damage can be prevented; and fourthly, scratching an end face of a copper stem of a solenoid valve can be prevented due to a rounded valve contact end of the lever assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description provides a more detailed explanation of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings, which can help better understand the principles, features, and advantages of this application. The drawings include the following:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional diagram of a plug valve for a gas cooktop provided in an example according to this application.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded diagram of a valve stem, a push stem, a lever assembly, a support portion, and a valve of the plug valve shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional diagram of the lever assembly and the support portion shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional diagram of the lever assembly shown in FIG. 3 from another perspective.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of sheet metal rolled into plate springs provided in an example.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of sheet metal rolled into plate springs provided in an alternative example.

Reference numerals:

1, housing;

2, valve; 3, lever assembly; 31, first leg; 311, valve contact end; 32, second leg; 33, middle portion; 350, notch;

4, support portion;

5, valve stem;

6, valve core; and

7, push stem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial technical effects to be solved in this application more clear, the following will be further described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings and multiple exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that specific embodiments described herein are only intended to explain this application, rather than limiting the scope of protection of this application.

The existing housings of plug valves for gas cooktops are generally formed by diecasting aluminum. Support holes are formed in the housing, and shafts of lever assemblies for opening solenoid valves in the plug valves are rotatably supported in the support holes. When the lever assembly is in operation, the rotation of the shaft in the support hole can produce debris due to the relatively soft aluminum housing. If the debris adheres to the rubber sealing pad of the solenoid valve, gas leakage may occur. In addition, the existing lever assemblies have relatively complex shapes, and often formed by die-casting zinc alloy. However, the hardness and strength of zinc alloy at temperatures above 60°C will decrease significantly compared to those at room temperature. As a result, the contact friction with push stems, solenoid valve copper stems, and plug valve bodies will be increased. This will increase the roughness of contact surfaces of the lever assemblies. Excessive friction may cause the lever assembly to be locked into a position of pushing the solenoid valve on and unable to reset, making the solenoid valve unable to work properly. Moreover, the debris generated by the zinc alloy lever assembly due to friction is easy to adhere to the rubber sealing pad of the solenoid valve as well, thus causing gas leakage. In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, this application provides an improved plug valve for a gas cooktop.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional diagram of a plug valve for a gas cooktop provided in an example according to this application. The plug valve includes: a housing 1 ; a valve 2, specially a solenoid valve, configured to open and close a gas channel of the gas cooktop; a lever assembly 3, configured to press the valve 2 based on rotation to open the valve 2; and a support portion 4, disposed in the housing 1 and made of a material different from that of the housing 1, where the lever assembly 3 can be rotatably supported on the support portion 4.

A material different from that of the housing 1 for manufacturing the supporting portion 4 may make the support portion 4 more wear-resistant than the housing 1, thus reducing the amount of debris generated when the lever assembly 3 rotates relative to the support portion 4.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded diagram of a valve stem 5, a push stem 7, a lever assembly 3, a support portion 4, and a valve 2 of the plug valve shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve stem 5 is configured to drive the lever assembly 3 to rotate via the push stem 7 by translation and to drive the valve core 6 to adjust an opening state of the gas channel of the plug valve by rotation. The push stem 7 passes through the valve core 6 in an assembled state. As shown in FIG. 1, the plug valve includes a valve stem spring configured to reset the valve stem 5 and a push stem spring configured to reset the push stem 7. A driving mechanism for driving the lever assembly 3, including the valve stem 5, the valve core 6, and the push stem 7, is only exemplary, and those skilled in the art can conceive various driving mechanisms different from this.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional diagram of the lever assembly 3 and the support portion 4 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional diagram of the lever assembly 3 shown in FIG. 3 from another perspective.

According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lever assembly 3 is configured as a torsion spring formed by rolling sheet metal. Compared with die-casting, the manufacture of the lever assembly 3 becomes very simple and cost-effective by rolling the sheet metal. The sheet metal is particularly corrosionresistant, such as steel sheet, especially stainless steel sheet. The torsion spring is particularly configured to rigidly transmit motion when subjected to a force below a predetermined force, and to non-rigidly transmit motion based on elastic deformation when subjected to a force above the predetermined force. With this design, the lever assembly 3 presses the valve 2 in response to an operating force sensitively when a force applied to the lever assembly 3 is within the predetermined range. If the force applied to the lever assembly 3 is too large, the lever assembly 3 will absorb some of the force based on elastic deformation, and thus the lever assembly 3 will not crush the valve 2 due to excessive pressing force. The predetermined force is, for example, 3 N.

Alternatively, it’s conceived that the plug valve includes other spring portions disposed on a motion transmission path for transmitting the pressing operation on the plug valve to the valve 2, and the spring portion is configured to rigidly transmit motion when subjected to a force below a predetermined force, and to non-rigidly transmit motion based on elastic deformation when subjected to a force above the predetermined force. Through such a spring portion, the pressing force of the lever assembly 3 on the valve 2 can also be limited. The spring portion, for example, includes independent spring elements and/or integrated spring plates. The integrated spring plates may be formed, for example, by cutting a C-shaped or U-shaped slit in sheet metal, and then lifting the resulting protrusion to form the spring plate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the torsion spring includes a middle portion 33 that forms a rotating sleeve supported on the support portion 4, and a first leg 31 and a second leg 32 respectively connected to circumferential ends of the middle portion 33. The torsion spring has a notch 350 configured to allow the first leg 31 to extend through the notch 350 in a direction away from the second leg 32. In order to form the torsion spring by rolling the sheet metal, it is necessary to provide the notch 350 on the sheet metal, and thus after the middle portion 33 is rolled into a rotating sleeve, the first leg 31 can extend through the notch 350 in a direction away from the second leg 32. When the torsion spring includes the rotating sleeve, the support portion 4 is particularly configured as a support shaft. Thus, the rotating sleeve of the lever assembly 3 configured as a torsion spring can be rotatably sleeved over the support shaft. Clearance fit of 0.2-1 millimeter may be formed between the rotating sleeve and the support shaft, for example. The support shaft is particularly fixed relative to the housing 1. Therefore, even if the torsion spring rotates around the support shaft, the support shaft does not rotate relative to the housing 1 and thus does not generate debris. The support portion 4 is particularly configured as a steel support shaft. Therefore, the rotation of the rotating sleeve of the lever assembly 3 configured as a torsion spring relative to the support shaft does not generate debris.

According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIG. 2, the first leg 31 is configured to press the valve 2, and the second leg 32 is configured to be driven by an external force. However, it can be set in reverse as well. According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an angle between the first leg 31 and the second leg 32 is obtuse. This obtuse angle, particularly when selected appropriately, can easily convert the downward movement of the push stem 7 acting on the lever assembly 3 into the leftward movement of the second leg 32 of the lever assembly 3.

According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in a direction of a rotation axis of the lever assembly 3, the first leg 31 has a width smaller than that of the middle portion 33 and is centrally connected to the middle portion 33, and the notch 350 is centrally disposed on the torsion spring; This advantageously ensures that the forces acting on the first leg 31 and the second leg 32 are approximately in the same plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the lever assembly 3.

According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second leg 32 has a width equal to that of the middle portion 33. This results in a large width for the second leg 32, allowing the push stem 7 to reliably act on the second leg 32.

According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the notch 350 is at least partially disposed on the middle portion 33. The notch 350 can particularly extend to the second leg 32, making it easier for the first leg 31 to pass through the notch 350.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of sheet metal rolled into plate springs provided in an example. Here, the middle portion 33, the first leg 31, and the second leg 32 are exemplarily separated by dashed lines.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of sheet metal rolled into plate springs provided in an alternative example.

In FIG. 6, the first leg 31 is connected to an upper right end of the middle portion 33, and the second leg 32 is connected to a lower left end of the middle portion 33. The notch 350 on the upper of the second leg 32 is available for the first leg 31 to pass through.

According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a valve contact end 311 of the lever assembly 3 for contacting the valve 2 is rounded. Thus, scratching an end face of a copper stem of a solenoid valve can be prevented.

According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an end of the first leg 31 has a bent portion forming the rounded valve contact end 311.

In the description of this embodiment, orientation or position relationships indicated by the terms such as "up", "down", "left", and "right" are based on orientation or position relationships illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and are only intended to facilitate the description and simplification of the operation, rather than indicating or implying that the mentioned apparatus or component must have a particular orientation or must be constructed and operated in a particular orientation. Therefore, such terms should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope disclosed by this application, even when describing a single embodiment with respect to specific features. The exemplary features provided in this application are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, unless otherwise stated. In specific implementations, if technically feasible, multiple features may be combined with each other as needed. Various substitutions, changes, and modifications may be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the this application as well.