ELECTRO-MECHANICAL ENERGY REGULATOR PROVIDING ENHANCED SIMMER PERFORMANCE

摘要

An electro-mechanical energy regulator for controlling an application of power supplied to a heating element of a cooking appliance that provides simmer operation is provided. The temperature and/or mode of operation is made via a user interface knob that is coupled to a switching control cam. This cam has an outer profile configured to drive a switching element via a power switch cam follower to close two power line contacts to power a heater. The heater drives a bimetal element whose deflection forces a temperature control switching element to close to enable power to flow to the heating element. The regulator also includes a cooking mode selector operable to open and close a pair of electrical contacts coupled in series with the heating element, and a diode coupled in parallel with the pair of electrical contacts.

主权项

1. An electro-mechanical energy regulator for controlling an application of power supplied to a heating element of a cooking appliance based on a user selection of a temperature and/or mode of operation via a user interface knob that is coupled to a switching control cam having an outer profile configured to drive a switching element via a power switch cam follower to close two power line contacts to power a heater to drive a bimetal element whose deflection resulting from heating thereof forces a temperature control switching element to close to enable power to flow to the heating element, comprising:
a cooking mode selector operable to open and close a pair of electrical contacts coupled in series with the heating element; and a diode coupled in parallel with the pair of electrical contacts.