WO2023096593A1

WO2023096593A1 - An electric testing device for a cooking appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2023096593A1
Application number: PCT/TR2021/050448
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hazal Nur BEKTAS; Ahmet TASKIRAN; Yahya AKKUS; Erdem EROGLU
Original assignee: Femas Metal San. Ve Tic. A. S.
Priority date: 2021-05-08
Filing date: 2021-05-08
Publication date: 2023-06-01

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric test device for a cooking appliance comprising an electrical functional element (28) and a housing (20) having a plug (29) electrically connected to the functional element (28). The test device further comprising a holding member (24) is provided on the housing (20) arranged to be accessible from the outside and a casing (10) comprising an attachment member (16) engaging the holding member (24) in a test position, a socket (14) in which the plug (29) is removably inserted and a line connector (12) connected to the socket (14) to provide electricity from the grid.

Description

AN ELECTRIC TESTING DEVICE FOR A COOKING APPLIANCE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an electric testing device to conduct electricity tests for household appliances, particularly for cooking appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Electrical appliances generally go through a series of tests to ensure they are of good quality to be used by consumers before manufacturers dispatch them to market. Electric testing in production is one of the most important points, as it ensures product reliability and helps prevent future accidents. In the traditional testing procedure, an operator at each test station manually connects the contacts of an electrical device to the contacts of a tester or, for an item, a measuring device, and the test requires significant time. The more test items, the more operators are needed.

US5627463A discloses an automatic multi-function testing machine for electric appliances includes an oval annular testing table, carriers moving around on the table for carrying electrical appliances to be tested, various testers and meters fixed on a gauge panel located on an oval support base located inside the table, a first electric rail annularly located near the peripheral edge of the oval support base and insulatingly separated into five stages. Each stage is electrically connected with one of the testers and the meters on the gauge panel. Each carrier has two brushes contacting and sliding under the first rail and a socket to connect with a plug of an appliance thereon. So the appliances are tested separately by all the testers and measured by the meters in a flowing system, when moved around with the carrier on the table for one round.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to ensure that the electric tests of the cooking device are carried out in a promptly and safely manner.

In order to achieve above objective, the invention relates to an electric test device for a cooking appliance comprising an electrical functional element and a housing having a plug electrically connected to the functional element. The testing device further comprising a holding member is provided on the housing arranged to be accessible from the outside and a casing comprising an attachment member engaging the holding member in a test position, a socket in which the plug is removably inserted and a line connector connected to the socket to provide electricity from the grid. Electrical tests are carried out for the cooking appliance by inserting the plug into the socket on the casing in the test position and providing the electricity from the grid. Since electrical tests are carried out without the need for manpower by means of an electronic control device, the process is carried out quickly and the margin of error of electrical tests is significantly reduced. Additionally, since the need for manpower is reduced, electrical tests are carried out safely in terms of occupational safety.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an electric feeder engages with the line connector in a way that transmit electricity from the grid in the test position on the casing. In this way, current transfer is ensured through the casing and electric tests are carried out on the cooking device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electric feeder is in the form of a bar inserted into the line connector from a free end thereof. Thus, inserting the electric feeder in the feeding slot is facilitated, and thus, the insert process is completed quickly.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electric feeder is adapted to move in the vertical direction aligned with the line connector. In this way, the electric feeder is prevented from being adjusted to an incorrect position on the casing, thus preventing the electric feeder from being damaged.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding member is in a slot structure formed on an upper part of a rear wall of the housing. In this way, the assembly process of the casing on the housing is facilitated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing is in a hollow prismatic form. The prismatic form facilitates coupling of the casing to the housing from a flat wall. Moreover, a cell is confined where terminals or cables will be stored for electrical connection. In an alternative embodiment, the casing may be designed in a hollow cylindrical form.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment member is in an extension provided on a front wall of the casing and engaged with the holding member disposed on the rear wall of the housing. Thus, the attachment of the casing on the housing in the test position is firm preventing the problems that may occur due to the casing to remove from the housing during the test position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the socket and the line connector are provided on the upper wall of the casing. In this way, the plug and electric feeder into the socket and line connector are easily inserted on the casing and thus the cycle time of the operation to be performed in the test position becomes shorter.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing is made of an electric insulating material. In this way, problems that may occur due to electrical leakage in the test position are prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a front view of the casing of the electric test device according to the subject matter invention.

Figure 2 is a drawing of the casing before attachment on the cooking appliance.

Figure 3 is a drawing of the casing after attachment on the cooking appliance.

Figure 4 is a representative view of the casing after the assembly process on the cooking device and the electric feeder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed explanation, the invention is explained without any limitation and only with reference to examples to better explain the subject matter invention.

In Figure 1 , a casing (10) of the electric test device according to the invention is shown from the front. The casing (10) is made of an electric insulating material and is in a hollow prismatic form. The casing (10) is comprising two opposing lateral walls (15), an upper wall (11) and a lower wall (18) connecting the two lateral walls (15) from the lower and upper front and rear edges and a front wall (13) and a rear wall (17) connects them from the front and rear edges. There is an annular socket (14) on the upper wall (11 ) of the casing (10). On the upper wall (11 ) of the casing (10), there is a line connector (12) located at a distance from the socket (14) and connected to the socket (14) in a way that ensures the electric transmission from the grid. The line connector (12) is in the form of a semicircle. At least one attachment member (16), preferably includes two attachment member (16) is disposed on the front wall

(13) of the casing (10). The attachment member (16) is circular and in the form of a protrusion.

The casing (10) before mounting on the cooking device is shown in Figure 2. The casing (10) is mounted on a housing (20) by means of the attachment member (16) on the front wall (13). The housing (20) preferably includes at least one externally accessible attachment member (24) located on a rear wall (26) and two attachment members (24). The holding elements (24) are in a circular form and slot structure and are disposed on an upper part (262) of the rear wall (26) of the housing (20) which is joined with an upper wall (22). In the upper part (262), there is an electrical functional element (28) located at a distance from the attachment members (24). The functional element (28) supplies the electricity from the grid necessary for the operation of the cooking device.

Figure 3 shows the casing (10) after mounted on the cooking device. The mounting process is completed by engaging the holding elements (24) on the upper part (262) of the rear wall (26) of the housing (20) with the attachment member (16) located on the front wall (13) of the casing (10). After the assembly process is completed, a plug (29) is inserted into the socket

(14) on the casing (10), which is electrically connected to the functional element (28). In this way, the electric from the grid is required for the operation of the cooking device is provided when electricity is transmitted through the feeding slot (12) into the casing (10).

Figure 4 shows the casing after the assembly process on the cooking device and the electric feeder. After the assembly of the casing (10) on the housing (20) is completed, the electricity from the grid required for the operation of the cooking device is provided by an electric feeder (30). The electric feeder (30) is in the form of a bar and from one of its free ends (32) it is inserted into the socket (14) disposed on the upper wall (31 ) of the casing (10) and provides electricity transmission over the casing (10). With the insertion of the electric feeder (30) in the line connector (12), the necessary mains electricity for the socket (14) is provided and the necessary electrical tests for the cooking appliance are initiated.

The casing (10) is mounted on the housing (20) in a test station. Attachment of the casing (10) on the housing (20) is defined as a test position, and the detachment of the casing (10) on the housing (20) is defined as a free position. In the test position, the plug (29) connected with a cable to the the functional element (262) located on the upper part (262) of the rear wall (26) of the housing (20) is inserted into the socket (14) located on the upper wall (11 ) of the housing (10). An automated system located in the test station operates the insertion of the plug (29) into the socket (14). Thus, problems may caused by electric shock that may occur during the insertion process are prevented and the process is carried out quickly thanks to the automated system. After the plug (29) is inserted into the socket (14), the electric feeder (30) is put into the line connector (12) in the test station. The electric feeder (30) is put into the line connector (12) with a drive unit (not shown). When the drive unit is in the same vertical axis with the feed slot (12) of the electric feeder (30), it moves the electric feeder (30) in the vertical direction and insert it inside the line connector (12). Thus, the insertion process carried out promptly and there is no occupational safety risk as there is no need for manpower. After the electric feeder (30) is inserted, electrical transmission starts inside the casing (10) and is directed to the cooking device via the socket (14). Any electrical fault condition on the cooking device, for example the oven, is determined by electric tests, e.g., high voltage, grounding, leakage current tests, are carried out by transmitting an electric current through. In this way, product safety is ensured for the end user. Determined test results are recorded in a report format as electrical test is positive or electrical is test negative. After the electricity tests are completed, the test position is switched to the free position. The electric feeder (30) is separated from the line connector (12) by means of the drive unit. After the separation process is completed, the plug (29) on the casing (10) is removed from the socket (14) and the casing (10) is disassembled over the housing (20) and stored for the next use.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Casing 28 Functional element

11 Upper wall 29 Plug

12 Line connector 30 Electric feeder

13 Front wall 32 Free End

14 Socket

15 Lateral wall

16 Attachment member

18 Bottom wall

20 Housing

22 Upper wall

24 Holding element

26 Back wall

Claims

1- An electric test device for a cooking appliance comprising an electrical functional element (28) and a housing (20) having a plug (29) electrically connected to the functional element (28) characterized in that a holding member (24) is provided on the housing (20) arranged to be accessible from the outside and a casing (10) comprising an attachment member (16) engaging the holding member (24) in a test position, a socket (14) in which the plug (29) is removably inserted and a line connector (12) connected to the socket (14) to provide electricity from the grid.

2- A test device in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein an electric feeder (30) engages with the line connector (12) in a way that transmit electricity from the grid in the test position on the casing (10).

3- A test device according to claim 2, wherein the electric feeder (30) is in the form of a bar inserted into the line connector (12) from a free end (32) thereof.

4- A test device in accordance with claims 2-3, wherein the electric feeder (30) is adapted to move in the vertical direction aligned with the line connector (12).

5- A test device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the holding member (24) is in a slot structure formed on an upper part (262) of a rear wall (26) of the housing (20).

6- A test device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the casing (10) is in a hollow prismatic form.

7- A test device according to claims 5-6, wherein the attachment member (16) is in an extension provided on a front wall (13) of the casing (10) and engaged with the holding member (24) disposed on the rear wall (26) of the housing (20).

8- A test device according to claims 6-7, wherein the socket (14) and the line connector (12) are provided on the upper wall (11 ) of the casing (10).

9- A test device in accordance with claims 6-8, wherein the casing (10) is made of an electric insulating material.