초록 ▼

In an appliance such as an oven for cooking food, the invention contemplates a user rotatable, single knob oven control device which provides both discrete and continuous control signals to the appliance controller. The discrete outputs indicate selection of oven features, and the continuous output

In an appliance such as an oven for cooking food, the invention contemplates a user rotatable, single knob oven control device which provides both discrete and continuous control signals to the appliance controller. The discrete outputs indicate selection of oven features, and the continuous output the desired baking temperature. These inputs are selected by a user in response to rotation of a user interface knob mounted on a control panel. The control panel provides visual indication of oven cooking temperature selections through a first arc around the knob, and user selectable oven features (such as, e.g., OFF/CANCEL, BROIL, and CLEAN) in a second arc around the knob. The control device comprises a hub having a portion adapted to be drivably coupled to the user interface knob. The hub also includes a flange which has at least one cam. The device also includes a variable resistance element having a rotatable shaft in driving engagement with the hub. This element provides a variable resistance output in response to rotation of the shaft through the first arc. Additionally, the device includes a push button switch which is located external to the variable resistance element. The switch is also located in proximity with the flange such that rotation of the hub will bring the cam in contact with the switch to actuate it. This switch provides a discrete output when actuated by the cam to indicate a selection of one of the oven features.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An oven control apparatus providing control inputs to an oven controller, the control inputs including temperature and oven feature selections, comprising:a potentiometer having a shaft and at least a first and a second output terminal, said potentiometer providing a vari

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An oven control apparatus providing control inputs to an oven controller, the control inputs including temperature and oven feature selections, comprising:a potentiometer having a shaft and at least a first and a second output terminal, said potentiometer providing a variable resistance between said first and said second output terminal in response to a rotation of said shaft through a first arc, said variable resistance forming the temperature selection control input;at least one push button switch positioned radially external to said potentiometer and outside said first arc; anda hub having a flange and a first portion in driving engagement with said shaft, said flange having at least one cam positioned thereon to actuate said at least one switch upon rotation of said shaft at an angular position outside said first arc, said at least one push button switch forming the oven feature control input.