Function control unit with timer for microwave oven

Claim 1

A function control unit with a timer in a microwave oven, comprising: a knob for selecting a time for performing one of a defrosting function and a cooking function; a shaft having opposed first and second ends, the first end of said shaft being fixed to said knob; a joint having an axially reciprocating member, said joint being fixed to the second end of said shaft for axially reciprocating said shaft from a first axial position corresponding to the cooking function to a second axial position corresponding to the defrosting function; a round drum shaped wheel coaxially assembled in unison with said shaft at a first axial location thereon for being simultaneously rotated with said shaft; a lobed wheel assembled in unison with said shaft at a second axial location thereon for being simultaneously rotated with said shaft, said lobed wheel having a non-round peripheral surface; a switch for selectively turning the microwave oven on mounted proximate to said shaft for being contacted by said round drum shaped wheel when said shaft is in said first axial position and for being contacted by said peripheral surface of said lobed wheel when said first shaft is in said second axial position; and a timer fixed to the joint for rotating the joint and the shaft during the time selected with said knob, whereby the rotation of the shaft causes the round drum shaped wheel to contact the switch for performing a cooking function in the first axial position of the shaft and alternatively causing the lobed wheel to contact the switch for performing a defrosting function in the second axial position of the shaft.