GAS BURNER ASSEMBLY FOR A GAS HOB, GAS HOB AND GAS OVEN

Abstract

A gas burner assembly for a gas hob includes a gas burner fed with gas via a gas line. Attached to the gas line is a gas control valve which is infinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner, and downstream of the gas control valve a gas switching valve having a constantly open fluid duct and a closable fluid duct. The gas switching valve is selectively switchable between a first switching state in which the closable fluid duct is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct of the gas switching valve, and a second switching state in which the closable fluid duct is open and the maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.

Description

The present invention relates to a gas burner assembly for a gas hob, a gas hob and a gas oven.

A gas burner assembly of a gas hob can comprise a gas burner, a first gas valve and a first gas line. The preferably controllable first gas valve can be connected to the gas burner with the help of the first gas line. To increase a maximum heat output of the gas burner, for example in order to bring water to the boil fast, the gas burner assembly can comprise a second gas valve connected in parallel to the first gas valve, which with the help of a second gas line is connected to the gas burner. Both gas valves can in this case be connected to a main gas line of the gas hob. For example, in its normal operating state the first gas valve is associated with the gas burner, enabling the flow of gas to the gas burner to be controlled. In the normal operating state the second gas valve is preferably closed. In a second operating state of the known gas burner assembly, in particular in a so-called booster operating state, the second gas valve is open and gas is also supplied to the gas burner via the second gas line in addition to the gas supplied via the first gas line. This means the maximum heat output of the gas burner in the booster operating state is increased in comparison with its maximum heat output in the normal operating state.

Against this background one task of the present invention is to make available an improved gas burner assembly.

Accordingly proposed is a gas burner assembly for a gas hob having a gas burner, a gas line which is designed to supply gas to the gas burner, a gas control valve which is attached to the gas line and is designed infinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner, and a gas switching valve attached to the gas line downstream of the gas control valve. The gas switching valve can optionally be switched between two different switching states, wherein the gas switching valve has a constantly open fluid duct and a closable fluid duct, wherein in a first switching state of the gas switching valve the closable fluid duct is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct of the gas switching valve, and wherein in a second switching state of the gas switching valve the closable fluid duct is open and the maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.

The gas control valve is preferably connected to a main gas line of the gas hob. The cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct is preferably a cross-section surface of the constantly open fluid duct. This can also be referred to as a bypass duct. The cross-section of the burner nozzle is preferably a cross-section surface of the burner nozzle. The burner nozzle in this case means the smallest cross-section or the largest constriction in the flow path between the gas switching valve and the outlet openings of the gas burner. The burner nozzle can for example be a mixer nozzle of the gas burner. The gas switching valve can have a valve housing, in which both the fluid ducts are provided. The constantly open or first fluid duct of the gas switching valve is in particular designed as a so-called bypass duct of the gas switching valve. This means gas can flow constantly through the first fluid duct of the gas switching valve regardless of the switching state of the gas switching valve. Only if the upstream gas control valve is closed does no gas flow through the first fluid duct. The first fluid duct has a predetermined, invariable cross-section, through which in the first switching state of the gas switching valve a defined gas volume flow flows. The first fluid duct thus forms a first, invariable constriction point of the gas switching valve. In the first switching state of the gas switching valve the nominal maximum heat output of the gas burner is restricted by the cross-section of the first fluid duct. To this end the cross-section of the first fluid duct is in particular smaller than the cross-section of the burner nozzle.

The closable or second fluid duct can optionally be open or closed. The gas switching valve, in particular the second fluid duct, is preferably designed as an open-close valve. This means that the second fluid duct is optionally either completely closed or completely open. The second fluid duct thus forms a second, variable constriction point of the gas switching valve. In the second switching state the nominal maximum heat output of the gas burner is restricted by the cross-section of the burner nozzle. The cross-sections of the second fluid duct and of the first fluid duct together are preferably larger than the cross-section of the burner nozzle.

With the help of the gas control valve and the gas switching valve two different operating stages of the gas burner can in particular be achieved. The first switching state of the gas switching valve, in which the valve flow through the gas switching valve takes place only through the first fluid duct, corresponds to a normal mode of the gas burner. The second switching state of the gas switching valve, in which the valve flow through the gas switching valve takes place through the first and simultaneously through the second fluid duct, corresponds to a so-called booster mode of the gas burner.

Because the gas control valve and the gas switching valve are arranged in series, it is possible to dispense with a parallel arrangement of both the gas valves with two gas lines and a complex coordination and actuation of the gas valves in order to achieve sufficient control of the heat output of the gas burner. The above-described gas burner assembly is thus less complex and less prone to faults than known gas burner assemblies with two gas valves connected in parallel. The normal mode with a constricted flow of the gas control valve and only of the bypass duct defines the nominal heat output levels for the connected gas burner. In booster mode no constriction of the gas flow between gas control valve and gas burner takes place.

According to one embodiment the closable fluid duct can be closed with the help of a displaceable closure element.

The closure element is preferably accommodated in the valve housing of the gas switching valve. The closure element can be a so-called plug valve or a sealing cone. Furthermore the closure element can be a throttle valve or a throttle ball. The closure element can be moved from an open state, which corresponds to the second switching state of the gas switching valve, to a closed state, which corresponds to the first switching state of the gas switching valve. The closure element can be coupled to an actuation element, which projects out of the valve housing. With the help of the closure element the gas switching valve can be quickly switched back and forth between both its switching states. This makes it possible to switch quickly from normal mode to booster mode or vice versa.

According to another embodiment the gas switching valve is a solenoid valve, which with the help of a magnet can be optionally switched between the first switching state and the second switching state.

This makes a simple actuation of the gas switching valve possible, since the latter can be actuated remotely with the help of the magnet.

According to another embodiment the magnet is an electromagnet.

The electromagnet can preferably be switched by means of a switch provided on the hob. This ensures convenient operation of the gas switching valve. Alternatively the magnet can be a permanent magnet.

According to another embodiment the magnet is designed to move the closure element of the gas switching valve.

The magnet can for example be a linear or a rotary electromagnet. A magnetic force of the magnet preferably acts on the closure element.

According to another embodiment the gas burner assembly has a connecting piece of the gas line, which fluidically connects the gas control valve to the gas switching valve.

The connecting piece is preferably an aluminum pipe. The connecting piece in particular connects a gas outlet of the gas control valve to a gas inlet of the gas switching valve. The connecting piece can be bolted to the gas control valve and to the gas switching valve with the help of union nuts. This ensures a secure and fluidically tight connection of the gas valves.

According to another embodiment the connecting piece has a connection element, which is designed to be complementary to a connection flange of the gas switching valve.

The connection element is preferably bolted to the connecting piece. The connection element can be bolted to the connection flange of the gas switching valve. The gas switching valve is preferably a standard component. The connection flange of the gas switching valve is in particular designed to be connected to the main gas line of the gas hob. With the help of the connection element the gas switching valve can be connected without further modifications to the connecting piece. This means the gas burner assembly can be manufactured economically.

According to another embodiment the gas burner assembly has a sealing facility which is arranged between the connection element and the connection flange.

The sealing facility is preferably flexible. With the help of the sealing facility a fluidically tight connection between the connection element and the connection flange is ensured.

Furthermore, a gas hob with such a gas burner assembly is proposed.

The gas hob can have a hob baseplate, in or on which the gas burner is mounted. Furthermore, the gas hob can have a hotplate.

Furthermore, a gas oven with such a gas burner assembly and/or such a gas hob is proposed.

The gas oven is preferably a household device.

Further possible implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features or embodiments described above or below in respect of the exemplary embodiments. In this case the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention form the subject matter of the subclaims and of the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. In what follows the invention is explained in greater detail on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a gas burner assembly for a gas hob;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a gas switching valve of the gas burner assembly according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial section view of the gas switching valve according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a connection element of the gas burner assembly according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the connection element according to FIG. 4.

In the figures equivalent or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference characters, unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a gas burner assembly 1 for a gas hob 2. The gas burner assembly 1 has a gas burner 3 and a gas line 4, which is designed to supply gas to the gas burner 3. The gas can for example be natural gas, propane gas, town gas or similar. The gas burner assembly 1 can furthermore have a gas control valve 5 which is attached to the gas line 4 and which is designed infinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner 3. The gas control valve 5 comprises a valve housing 6 with a gas outlet 7 and a gas inlet 8. The gas inlet 8 has a connection flange 9, with which the gas control valve 5 can be connected to a main gas line of the gas hob 2. Furthermore, the gas control valve 5 has an actuation element 10. A rotary knob can be attached to the actuation element 10.

A gas switching valve 11 is attached to the gas line 4 downstream in respect of the gas control valve 5. The gas switching valve 11 shown in a schematic perspective view in FIG. 2 has a valve housing 12 with a gas inlet 13 and a gas outlet 14. The gas switching valve 11 is preferably a solenoid valve, which with the help of a magnet 15 can optionally be switched between a first switching state and a second switching state. The magnet 15 is preferably an electromagnet. The magnet 15 can alternatively be a permanent magnet. The magnet 15 can preferably be activated or deactivated with the help of a switch provided on the gas hob 2. The gas inlet 13 preferably has a connection flange 16 which is designed to be connected to the main gas line.

FIG. 3 shows the valve housing 12 of the gas switching valve 11 in a schematic partial section view. The gas switching valve 11 has a first or constantly open fluid duct 17 and a second or closable fluid duct 18. The first fluid duct 17 is a first, invariable constriction point of the gas switching valve 11. Gas only ever flows through the first fluid duct 17 if the gas control valve 5 is completely closed. The second fluid duct 18 is a second, variable constriction point of the gas switching valve 11. Preferably the closable fluid duct 18 can be closed with the help of a displaceable closure element 19. The closure element 19 can be rotatably mounted in the valve housing 12. The closure element 19 can be a throttle valve, a throttle ball, a valve cone, a plug valve or similar. The closable fluid duct 18 is in particular an open-close valve. The magnet 15 is designed to displace the closure element 19.

In the first switching state of the gas switching valve 11 the closable fluid duct 18 is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner 3 is restricted by a cross-section, in particular a cross-section surface, of the constantly open fluid duct 17 of the gas switching valve 11. This corresponds to the normal mode of the gas burner 3 or the gas hob 2. Preferably the cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct 17 is smaller than a cross-section, in particular a cross-section surface, of a burner nozzle 20 of the gas burner 3. The burner nozzle 20 in this case means the smallest cross-section or the largest constriction in the flow path between the gas switching valve 11 and the outlet openings of the gas burner 3. The burner nozzle 20 can be a mixer nozzle of the gas burner 3. The heat output of the gas burner 3 can be controlled with the help of the gas control valve 5. In the first switching state the gas flows through the gas switching valve 11 only in the first fluid duct 17.

In the second switching state of the gas switching valve 11 the closable fluid duct 18 is open, in particular completely open. The maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner 3 is restricted by the cross-section of the burner nozzle 20. Preferably the cross-section of the burner nozzle 20 is smaller than the cross-section surfaces of the fluid ducts 17, 18 together. The heat output of the gas burner 3 can be controlled in the second switching state with the help of the gas control valve 5. In the second switching state the gas flows through the gas switching valve 11 in the first fluid duct 17 and in the second fluid duct 18 simultaneously. This corresponds to the booster mode of the gas burner 3 or the gas hob 2.

The gas line 4 has a first connecting piece 21 which fluidically connects the gas valves 5, 11 to one another, and a second connecting piece 22 which connects the gas switching valve 11 fluidically to the gas burner 3. The second connecting piece 22 can be designed as a developed pipe section. The second connecting piece 22 can be connected using a union nut 23, 24 in each case to the gas outlet 14 of the gas switching valve 11 and a connection flange 25 of the gas burner 3.

The first connecting piece 21 is preferably a straight pipe section. The first connecting piece 21 can be an aluminum pipe. With the help of a union nut 26 the first connecting piece 21 can be connected to the gas outlet 7 of the gas control valve 5. At an end section 27 of the first connecting piece 21 facing away from the gas outlet 7 said connecting piece 21 has a connection element 28, which is designed to be complementary to the connection flange 16 of the gas switching valve 11.

FIG. 4 shows the connection element 28 in a schematic perspective view. FIG. 5 shows the connection element 28 in a schematic view. The first connecting piece 21 is connected to the connection element 28 with the help of a union nut 29. Preferably the end section 27 projects through the connecting piece 28 into the gas inlet 13 of the gas switching valve 11. For this purpose a cut-out 30 is provided in the connection element 28. The connection element 28 has an attachment section 31, to which the first connecting piece 21 is attached, and an arc-shaped sealing section 32, which is designed to correspond to the connection flange 16 of the gas switching valve 11.

A sealing facility 33 can be provided between the sealing section 32 and the connection flange 16. A recess 34 which penetrates the connection element 28 is provided between the sealing section 32 and the attachment section 31. The connection element 28 can have two lateral mounting sections 35, 36, which each comprise a through-hole 37, 38. The connection flange 16 can have tapped holes 39, 40 corresponding to the through-holes 37, 38. Attachment elements, such as screws for example, can be screwed into the connection flange 16 through the through-holes 37, 38, in order to attach the connection element 28 to the gas switching valve 11.

A gas oven 41 can have such a gas burner assembly 1 and/or such a gas hob 2. The gas oven 41 is preferably a household device.

Although the present invention has been described on the basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in diverse ways.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED

1 Gas burner assembly

2 Gas hob

3 Gas burner

4 Gas line

5 Gas control valve

6 Valve housing

7 Gas outlet

8 Gas inlet

9 Connection flange

10 Actuation element

11 Gas switching valve

12 Valve housing

13 Gas inlet

14 Gas outlet

15 Magnet

16 Connection flange

17 Fluid duct

18 Fluid duct

19 Closure element

20 Burner nozzle

21 Connecting piece

22 Connecting piece

23 Union nut

24 Union nut

25 Connection flange

26 Union nut

27 End section

28 Connection element

29 Union nut

30 Cut-out

31 Attachment section

32 Sealing section

33 Sealing facility

34 Recess

35 Mounting section

36 Mounting section

37 Through-hole

38 Through-hole

39 Tapped hole

40 Tapped hole

41 Gas oven

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A gas burner assembly for a gas hob, comprising:

a gas burner,

a gas line configured to feed gas to the gas burner,

a gas control valve attached to the gas line and configured infinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner, and

a gas switching valve attached to the gas line downstream of the gas control valve and including a constantly open fluid duct and a closable fluid duct, said gas switching valve selectively switchable between a first switching state in which the closable fluid duct is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct of the gas switching valve, and a second switching state in which the closable fluid duct is open and the maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.

12. The gas burner assembly of claim 11, further comprising a displaceable closure element configured to close the closable fluid duct.

13. The gas burner assembly of claim 11, wherein the gas switching valve is a solenoid valve having a magnet via which the gas switching valve is selectively switchable between the first switching state and the second switching state.

14. The gas burner assembly of claim 13, wherein the magnet is an electromagnet.

15. The gas burner assembly of claim 13, further comprising a displaceable closure element configured to close the closable fluid duct, said magnet being configured to displace the closure element of the gas switching valve.

16. The gas burner assembly of claim 11, wherein the gas line has a connecting piece, which fluidically connects the gas control valve to the gas switching valve.

17. The gas burner assembly of claim 16, wherein the gas switching valve has a connection flange, said connecting piece having a connection element configured to complement the connection flange of the gas switching valve.

18. The gas burner assembly of claim 17, further comprising a sealing facility, arranged between the connection element and the connection flange.

19. A gas hob, comprising a gas burner assembly which includes a gas burner, a gas line configured to feed gas to the gas burner, a gas control valve attached to the gas line and configured infinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner, and a gas switching valve attached to the gas line downstream of the gas control valve and including a constantly open fluid duct and a closable fluid duct, said gas switching valve selectively switchable between a first switching state in which the closable fluid duct is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct of the gas switching valve, and a second switching state in which the closable fluid duct is open and the maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.

20. The gas hob of claim 19, wherein the gas burner assembly includes a displaceable closure element configured to close the closable fluid duct.

21. The gas hob of claim 19, wherein the gas switching valve is a solenoid valve having a magnet via which the gas switching valve is selectively switchable between the first switching state and the second switching state.

22. The gas hob of claim 21, wherein the magnet is an electromagnet.

23. The gas hob of claim 21, wherein the gas burner assembly includes a displaceable closure element configured to close the closable fluid duct, said magnet being configured to displace the closure element of the gas switching valve.

24. The gas hob of claim 19, wherein the gas line has a connecting piece, which fluidically connects the gas control valve to the gas switching valve.

25. The gas hob of claim 24, wherein the gas switching valve has a connection flange, said connecting piece having a connection element configured to complement the connection flange of the gas switching valve.

26. The gas hob of claim 25, wherein the gas burner assembly includes a sealing facility, arranged between the connection element and the connection flange.

27. A gas oven, comprising a gas hob comprising a gas burner assembly which includes a gas burner, a gas line configured to feed gas to the gas burner, a gas control valve attached to the gas line and configured infinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner, and a gas switching valve attached to the gas line downstream of the gas control valve and including a constantly open fluid duct and a closable fluid duct, said gas switching valve selectively switchable between a first switching state in which the closable fluid duct is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct of the gas switching valve, and a second switching state in which the closable fluid duct is open and the maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.