Rotary encoder suitable for a use with a gas valve on a range

摘要

A valve stem position sensor for a gas range provides a slotted housing, wiper assembly, and printed circuit board that may be aligned to allow the sensor to be installed on the valve stem from the side of the valve stem rather than over the end of the valve stem permitting the valves to be partially installed in the gas range with the valve stems extending through the console for mechanical support during the remainder of the assembly process.

主权项

1. A rotary encoder for use with a gas valve on a range, the gas valve having a valve stem, the rotary encoder comprising:
a housing having a slot extending from one edge of the housing to a central portion so that the housing may be installed around the valve stem along an axis perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the valve stem, the housing sized to fit between a valve body and a control knob attachable on an end of the valve stem; a printed circuit board fitting within the housing and having a corresponding slot aligned with the slot of the housing, the printed circuit board having electrical conductors on at least a first surface; and a wiper assembly fitting within the housing against the first surface of the printed circuit board to contact the electrical conductors on the first surface with rotation of the wiper assembly, the wiper assembly further having a slot corresponding to the slot of the housing and the slot of the printed circuit board and aligned therewith at a predetermined rotational orientation wherein in the valve stem provides a key surface received by a corresponding key surface at the end of the slot of the wiper assembly to cause the valve stem and wiper assembly to rotate together when the wiper assembly is installed on the valve stem.