Abstract: A control knob assembly for a consumer appliance is provided. The control knob assembly provides a compact means for determining the angular position of the control knob and illuminating a plurality of indicators to communicate that angular position to a user of the appliance. More specifically, the control knob assembly includes an optical encoder disc that defines a plurality of teeth that are in operable communication with a plurality of optical sensors. The position of the sensors and the spacing of the plurality of teeth are configured to generate signals as the control knob is rotated that allow for the precise determination of the angular position of the control knob. Moreover, the optical encoder disc may fit inside a lighting assembly and may have a low profile, resulting in a compact control knob assembly that may easily fit within the area underneath the control knob and control panel.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and knob assembly are generally provided herein. The knob assembly may include a control panel and a control knob disposed thereon. The knob assembly may further include one or more of an attractor plate, a lighting assembly, and a repelling assembly that operably engage the control knob at a knob body.

Abstract: An appliance and illuminated knob assembly. The knob assembly may include a surface defining an aperture, a stationary shutter fixed relative to the surface, a light source, and a control knob. The light source may be positioned below the surface and directed toward the aperture. The control knob may define a light-transmissive portion above the surface. Moreover, the control knob may be disposed above the stationary shutter and independently rotatable relative to the aperture. The control knob may be rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position and a second position. The first position may include a light-transmissive portion circumferentially aligned with the shutter to restrict light therethrough. The second position may include the light-transmissive portion circumferentially offset from the shutter to permit light from the light source to pass through the light-transmissive portion.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and knob assembly are generally provided herein. The knob assembly may include a control panel, a control knob, an attractor plate, and an analog position sensor. The control knob may be selectively disposed on the control panel at a planar outer surface. The control knob may include a knob body and a first magnetic assembly rotatable about a central axis extending perpendicular to the control panel. The attractor plate may be mounted behind the control panel about the central axis. The attractor plate may include a second magnetic assembly in selective magnetic engagement with the first magnetic assembly. The analog position sensor may be mounted to the attractor plate to detect an angular position of the attractor plate about the central axis.

Abstract: Cooking appliances and methods for operating cooking appliances are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for operating a cooking appliance is provided. The method includes providing power to the heating source according to a first control mode; determining whether to transition from the first control mode to a second control mode and, if so, then providing power to the heating source according to the second control mode. The method further includes determining whether to transition from the second control mode to a third control mode and, if so, then providing power to the heating source according to the third control mode. The cooking appliances and methods include features for limiting cooking utensil temperatures using time-to-target criteria.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and knob assembly are generally provided herein. The knob assembly may include a control panel and a control knob disposed thereon. The knob assembly may further include one or more of an attractor plate, a lighting assembly, and a repelling assembly that operably engage the control knob at a knob body.

Abstract: A cooking appliance and knob assembly are generally provided herein. The knob assembly may include a control panel, a control knob, an attractor plate, and an analog position sensor. The control knob may be selectively disposed on the control panel at a planar outer surface. The control knob may include a knob body and a first magnetic assembly rotatable about a central axis extending perpendicular to the control panel. The attractor plate may be mounted behind the control panel about the central axis. The attractor plate may include a second magnetic assembly in selective magnetic engagement with the first magnetic assembly. The analog position sensor may be mounted to the attractor plate to detect an angular position of the attractor plate about the central axis.

Abstract: An appliance and illuminated knob assembly are generally provided herein. The knob assembly may include a surface defining an aperture, a stationary shutter fixed relative to the surface, a light source, and a control knob. The light source may be positioned below the surface and directed toward the aperture. The control knob may define a light-transmissive portion above the surface. Moreover, the control knob may be disposed above the stationary shutter and independently rotatable relative to the aperture. The control knob may be rotatable about a rotation axis between a first position and a second position. The first position may include a light-transmissive portion circumferentially aligned with the shutter to restrict light therethrough. The second position may include the light-transmissive portion circumferentially offset from the shutter to permit light from the light source to pass through the light-transmissive portion.

Abstract: Methods for operating appliances, as well as appliances such as cooktop appliances, are provided. A method includes locking the appliance such that user inputs to a user interface assembly of the appliance are prevented from altering operation of the appliance. The method further includes activating an indicator light when the appliance is locked, and deactivating the indicator light after a predetermined time period from activation of the indicator light when the appliance is locked.

Abstract: Cooking appliances and methods for operating cooking appliances are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for operating a cooking appliance is provided. The method includes providing power to the heating source according to a first control mode; determining whether to transition from the first control mode to a second control mode and, if so, then providing power to the heating source according to the second control mode. The method further includes determining whether to transition to the first control mode and, if so, then returning to providing power to the heating source according to the first control mode. The cooking appliances and methods include features for limiting cooking utensil temperatures using dual control modes.

Abstract: Cooking appliances and methods for operating cooking appliances are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for operating a cooking appliance is provided. The method includes providing power to the heating source according to a first control mode; determining whether to transition from the first control mode to a second control mode and, if so, then providing power to the heating source according to the second control mode. The method further includes determining whether to transition from the second control mode to a third control mode and, if so, then providing power to the heating source according to the third control mode. The cooking appliances and methods include features for limiting cooking utensil temperatures using time-to-target criteria.

Abstract: Cooking appliances and methods for operating cooking appliances are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for operating a cooking appliance is provided. The method includes providing power to the heating source according to a first control mode; determining whether to transition from the first control mode to a second control mode and, if so, then providing power to the heating source according to the second control mode. The method further includes determining whether to transition to the first control mode and, if so, then returning to providing power to the heating source according to the first control mode. The cooking appliances and methods include features for limiting cooking utensil temperatures using dual control modes.

Abstract: A control knob assembly for a consumer appliance is provided. The control knob assembly provides a compact means for determining the angular position of the control knob and illuminating a plurality of indicators to communicate that angular position to a user of the appliance. More specifically, the control knob assembly includes an optical encoder disc that defines a plurality of teeth that are in operable communication with a plurality of optical sensors. The position of the sensors and the spacing of the plurality of teeth are configured to generate signals as the control knob is rotated that allow for the precise determination of the angular position of the control knob. Moreover, the optical encoder disc may fit inside a lighting assembly and may have a low profile, resulting in a compact control knob assembly that may easily fit within the area underneath the control knob and control panel.

Abstract: Heating assemblies for cooktop appliances are provided. In one embodiment, the heating assemblies include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a heat generating component and a first sheath surrounding the heat generating component. The first sheath defines a first support surface. The second portion includes a temperature sensing component and a second sheath surrounding the temperature sensing component. The second sheath defines a second support surface. The first support surface and the second support surface contact a cooking utensil when the cooking utensil is positioned on the heating assembly. The heat generating component may be configured to provide heat to the cooking utensil positioned on the heating assembly, and the temperature sensing component may be configured to sense the temperature of the cooking utensil in order to assist in regulating the temperature of the cooking utensil.

Abstract: A cooking appliance having a cooktop that is regulated by a fire prevention module is provided. In addition to its fire prevention and safety features, the fire prevention module includes a communication module that enables communication between the cooktop appliance and a remote device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Using this communication link, the fire prevention module can be used to expand the ability of a user to monitor and/or control operation of the cooktop appliance from a remote location. For example, using a software application on their smartphone, a user may monitor the temperature of a cooking utensil and initiate a particular cooking profile, or be notified when an unsafe cooking condition might be present and that the cooktop unit has been automatically deactivated to remedy the situation.

Abstract: A user interface for an appliance is provided for displaying information about multiple operating states of a feature of the appliance within an area for selecting the operative state of the feature. More particularly, a portion of the user interface may be configured both to display a feature's current state and to allow a user to change the state of the feature in the same physical location. A cooktop appliance with features for displaying a selected size, heating element, and/or power density of a cooking zone of the cooktop appliance co-located within an area for selecting the size, heating element, and/or power density of the cooking zone also is provided.

Abstract: A variable resistance flexure sensor, and a system and method of controlling an appliance using a variable resistance flexure sensor are provided. The sensor can include a substrate having a flexible portion and a non-flexible portion. A plurality of electrically resistive elements, such as a first resistive element and a second resistive element, can be disposed on the substrate where at least one resistive element is exclusively within the non-flexible portion of the substrate and at least one resistive element is within the flexible portion of the substrate. The resistive element within the non-flexible portion of the substrate can act as a reference resistance for the flexure sensor and can be used as, or as part of, a biasing network for the electrically resistive element within the flexible portion of the substrate. The flexure sensor can be used within an appliance to detect various conditions such as temperature, moisture, etc.

Abstract: Methods for operating appliances, as well as appliances such as cooktop appliances, are provided. A method includes locking the appliance such that user inputs to a user interface assembly of the appliance are prevented from altering operation of the appliance. The method further includes activating an indicator light when the appliance is locked, and deactivating the indicator light after a predetermined time period from activation of the indicator light when the appliance is locked.

Abstract: A cooking appliance with features for locking a surface heating element of the cooking appliance such that a power level of the heating element cannot be adjusted through unintended inputs by a user of the cooking appliance is provided. A method for operating a cooking appliance with a surface heating element also is provided. More particularly, a method is provided that includes features for locking a surface heating element of the cooking appliance such that a power level of the heating element cannot be adjusted through inadvertent inputs by a user of the cooktop appliance. Further, a method for operating an appliance is provided; the method includes features for locking a functionality of the appliance such that a setting of the functionality cannot be adjusted through unintentional inputs by a user of the appliance.

Abstract: An independent monitoring system and method for measuring the airflow rate in an appliance and determining its sufficiency is provided. An airflow detection system that monitors airflow rate (velocity) in an appliance is separate from the primary appliance control system and can determine whether a sufficient flow of air through air passageways occurs during operation of the appliance. An appliance component or subsystem can be controlled (e.g. activated or deactivated) by the airflow monitoring system based on the detected airflow rate.