U.S. patent application number 13/486558 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for oven hinge damper cooling system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Richard ROBERTSON, William Byron WIGGINS, John Adam YANTIS. Invention is credited to Richard ROBERTSON, William Byron WIGGINS, John Adam YANTIS.
Application Number | 20130319394 13/486558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49668724 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130319394 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YANTIS; John Adam ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
OVEN HINGE DAMPER COOLING SYSTEM
Abstract
An oven includes an oven cavity, an oven door providing access
to the oven cavity, and a dampening hinge member pivotably coupling
the oven door to the oven. A channel encloses the dampening hinge
member and provides a flow of air to the dampening hinge
member.
Inventors: |
YANTIS; John Adam;
(Prospect, KY) ; ROBERTSON; Richard; (Ringgold,
GA) ; WIGGINS; William Byron; (Marietta, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
YANTIS; John Adam
ROBERTSON; Richard
WIGGINS; William Byron |
Prospect
Ringgold
Marietta |
KY
GA
GA |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49668724 |
Appl. No.: |
13/486558 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/194 ;
165/104.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/006 20130101;
F24C 15/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/194 ;
165/104.11 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/02 20060101
F24C015/02; F28D 15/00 20060101 F28D015/00 |
Claims
1. An oven comprising: an oven cavity; an oven door providing
access to the oven cavity; a dampening hinge member pivotably
coupling the oven door to the oven; and a channel enclosing the
dampening hinge member, the channel being configured to provide a
flow of air to the dampening hinge member.
2. The oven of claim 1, further comprising an outer side panel and
wherein the outer side panel comprises an end portion, the end
portion of the outer side panel defining the channel between the
outer side panel and the oven cavity, and providing the flow of air
over and around the dampening hinge member.
3. The oven of claim 2, wherein the end portion of the outer side
panel includes an opening, the opening configured to draw air into
the channel.
4. The oven of claim 3, wherein the opening in the end portion is
disposed below a location of the dampening hinge member in the
channel.
5. The oven of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises an open upper
end and an open lower end, the channel configured to draw air in
from the open lower end and expel the air out the open upper
end.
6. The oven of claim 1, further comprising an outer side panel with
an end portion, and a channel wall member disposed between the oven
cavity and the end portion of the outer side panel defining the
channel therebetween, the dampening hinge member being disposed
between the end portion of the outer side panel and the channel
wall member.
7. The oven of claim 6, further comprising an insulation member
disposed between the oven cavity and the channel wall member.
8. The oven of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink in thermal
communication with the dampening hinge member.
9. The oven of claim 1, further comprising a fan communicatively
coupled to the channel and configured to force the airflow over and
around the dampening hinge member.
10. The oven of claim 1, wherein the channel extends from a lower
portion of the oven to an upper portion of the oven.
11. The oven of claim 1, further comprising an outer side panel and
wherein the channel is disposed on an external surface of the outer
side panel.
12. The oven of claim 1, further comprising an outer side panel and
wherein a wall of the channel is formed by the outer side
panel.
13. A cooling system for a dampening hinge member of a door of an
oven, the oven comprising an oven cavity and an enclosure
surrounding the oven cavity, the enclosure comprising an outer side
panel, the cooling system comprising: a channel member disposed
adjacent to the outer side panel; the channel member and outer side
panel defining therebetween a substantially sealed air channel, the
dampening hinge member being disposed within the air channel; and
each end portion of the channel member including an opening, the
opening being configured to allow air to flow through the air
channel and around the dampening hinge member.
14. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein the channel member is
disposed between the oven cavity and the outer side panel, an end
portion of the outer side panel and the channel member defining the
substantially sealed air channel, the dampening hinge member being
disposed within the air channel; and the end portion of the outer
side panel including an opening, the opening configured to allow
air to be drawn into the air channel.
15. The cooling system of claim 14, wherein a top of the air
channel includes an opening to allow air to exit the air
channel.
16. The cooling system of claim 15, wherein the dampening hinge
member is positioned in the air channel above the opening.
17. The cooling system of claim 15, wherein an inner surface of the
end portion of the side panel engages the channel member to form
the substantially sealed air channel.
18. The cooling system of claim 13, wherein the channel member is
disposed on an external surface of the outer side panel.
19. A cooling system for a dampening hinge member of a door of an
oven, the oven comprising an oven cavity, the cooling system
comprising: an enclosure defining a substantially sealed air
channel, the dampening hinge member being disposed within the air
channel; and the enclosure including at least one inlet opening and
at least one outlet opening configured to allow cooling air to flow
through the air channel and around the dampening hinge member.
20. The cooling system of claim 19, wherein the at least one inlet
opening is disposed beneath the hinge member and the at least one
outlet opening is disposed above the hinge member.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to appliances, and
more particularly to a cooling system for a hinge damper of an
oven.
[0002] Damped hinge assemblies for appliance doors, such as ovens,
are known. A damped hinge assembly generally includes a body
defining a bore and a piston slidably received in the bore. A rod
is connected to the piston and projects outward from the bore. The
damper is a fluid (i.e., liquid or gas) damper such as a hydraulic
oil or gas spring or pneumatic spring. A damping fluid, such as
such as air, gas, hydraulic oil or other liquid, is contained in
the bore and acts on the piston to dampen sliding movement of the
piston in at least one direction in the bore. A spring is located
in the bore and acts on the piston to bias the piston toward one
end of the bore.
[0003] Most dampers are sensitive to high temperatures. If the
temperatures are not cool enough, the damper cannot be used or it
will fail. When a damper is used in conjunction with a door of an
oven cavity, the damper is typically mounted in close proximity to
the walls Of the oven cavity. This area of the oven is typically
completely enclosed, with little or no air flow through it. The
only means for cooling the damper is to try and minimize radiation
and conduction from the hot walls of the oven cavity to the damper
using insulation. Due to the sensitivity of dampers to high
temperatures, the use of insulation may not be sufficient to keep
the temperatures low enough to prevent degradation or complete loss
of the performance of the damper.
[0004] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system that
addresses the problem's identified above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] As described herein, the exemplary embodiments overcome one
or more of the above or other disadvantages known in the art.
[0006] One aspect of the exemplary embodiments relates to an oven.
In one embodiment, the oven includes an oven cavity, an oven door
providing access to the oven cavity, and a dampening hinge member
pivotably coupling the oven door to the oven. A channel is
configured to enclose the dampening hinge member and provide a flow
of air to the dampening hinge member.
[0007] Another aspect of the exemplary embodiments relates to a
cooling system for a dampening hinge member of a door of an oven,
the oven including an oven cavity and an enclosure surrounding the
oven cavity, the enclosure including an outer side panel. In one
embodiment, a channel member is disposed adjacent to the outer side
panel. The channel member and the outer side panel define a
substantially sealed air channel therebetween. The dampening hinge
member is disposed within the air channel. Each end portion of the
channel member includes an opening that is configured to allow air
to flow through the air channel and around the dampening hinge
member.
[0008] A further aspect of the exemplary embodiments relates to a
cooling system for a dampening hinge member of a door of an oven
for an oven cavity. In one embodiment, the cooling system includes
an enclosure defining a substantially sealed air channel, the
dampening hinge member being disposed within the air channel. The
enclosure includes at least one inlet opening and at least one
outlet opening configured to allow cooling air to flow through the
air channel and around the dampening hinge member.
[0009] These and other aspects and advantages of the exemplary
embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed
description considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are
designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a
definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference
should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, the drawings are
not necessarily drawn to scale and unless otherwise indicated, they
are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and
procedures described herein. In addition, any suitable size, shape
or type of elements or materials could be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary oven
incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of the oven shown in FIG.
1, with the outer side panel removed.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the oven shown in FIG. 1 with the
outer side panel in place.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side view of the oven shown in FIG. 1 with the
outer side panel removed, illustrating the air flowpath around the
dampening hinge member.
[0015] FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of oven shown in FIG. 3 taken
along the line A-A to illustrate the dampening hinge member in the
air channel according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of the oven shown in FIG. 1
illustrating an embodiment with the air channel external to the
outer side panel.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view cross-section of an embodiment of FIG.
6 where the outer side panel forms a wall of the air channel.
[0018] FIG. 8 is top view cross-section of an embodiment of FIG. 6
where the air channel comprises a separate member from the outer
side panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE
DISCLOSURE
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary cooking appliance
incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments, in the form of
an oven, is generally designated by reference numeral 100. The
aspects of the disclosed embodiments are directed to an enclosure
or channel enclosing a door hinge damper mechanism used in an oven.
The enclosure includes openings at the top and bottom that allow
cool air to be drawn in and pass over and around the door hinge
damper mechanism. The air flow over the hinge damper mechanism
cools the damper. Although the aspects of the disclosed embodiments
will generally be described herein with respect to a cooking
appliance, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments can also be
applied to other types of ovens that include a door hinge damper
mechanism.
[0020] The oven 100 shown in FIG. 1 generally includes an outer
body 2, which includes a top panel 11, a bottom panel (not shown)
and left and right side panels 12. For purposes of this
illustration, only the left side of the oven is shown, but it will
be understood that the right side of the oven 100 will include a
corresponding side panel 12 and structures. An oven cavity 20 (not
shown) is generally disposed within the boxlike structure formed by
the top panel 11, bottom panel and side panels 12 in combination
with the front-opening access door 8. The front-opening access door
8 enables access to the oven cavity 20.
[0021] The oven 100 can also include one or more control devices,
such as knobs 4 and/or a control panel 6 mounted on or in the
backsplash assembly 10 to adjust the oven temperature or operate
the oven. Although the control devices are generally described
herein as knobs and/or control panel in alternate embodiments, the
control device can comprise any suitable control mechanism, such as
a slidable switch or electronic control.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the oven 100 of FIG. 1,
with the top and side portions of the outer body 2 removed to show
the outer top wall 21 and outer side wall 22 of the oven cavity 20,
the outer side wall 22 also being referred to generally as the oven
cavity wall. Also shown in FIG. 2 is the left side hinge mechanism
23 for the door 8. The hinge mechanism 23 couples to the door 8 in
a manner that is generally know. In this embodiment, the hinge
mechanism 23 includes a door hinge damper, or dampening hinge
mechanism 24.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the air channel or
enclosure 30 that is formed around the damper mechanism 24. In this
embodiment, the air channel 30 is disposed on an internal side 36
the outer side panel 12 of the outer body 2. The air channel 30 is
configured to substantially enclose the damper mechanism 24 and
allow for the passage of air from one end 33 to the other end 34 of
the air channel 30. In this example, an end portion 31 of the side
panel 12 closest to the door 8 is formed to extend over and around
at least a portion of the damper mechanism 24. As shown in FIG. 3,
in this embodiment, the end portion 31 is a two piece member, one
piece formed by the side panel 12, and another piece formed by a
front member 25 of the outer body 2 of the oven 100. The side panel
12 and the front member 25 are configured to be joined together to
form the end portion 31. Although the example in FIG. 3 shows the
end portion 31 as a two piece member, in alternate embodiments, the
end portion 31 is a single piece channel member. For example, the
end portion 31 can extend as part of the side panel 12 and be
formed into an enclosure that extends substantially completely over
and around the damper mechanism 24. Alternatively, the front member
25 can be formed into an enclosure that extends substantially
completely around and over the damper mechanism 24 and then mates
with the side panel 12 to form a substantially contiguous sidewall.
The air channel 30 is generally made of metal or other heat
reflective material, which shields the damper mechanism 24 from
radiated heat emanating from the oven wall 22 and oven cavity
20.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the air channel 30
includes at least one primary cool air intake opening 32. The
primary cool air intake opening 32 is disposed below the position
of the damper 24 in the air channel 30. In one embodiment, a size
of the opening 32 is approximately 0.625 inches wide by 0.875
inches tall. In alternate embodiments, the opening 32 can be any
suitable size that can be accommodated on the air channel 30. In
one embodiment the air channel 30 is open on each end 33, 34.
[0025] In one embodiment, the air channel 30 is configured to draw
cool air in through the primary cool air intake opening 32 and over
the damper mechanism 24. The air travels in an upwards direction in
the air channel 30 and out the open end 34. In one embodiment, cool
air can also be drawn in through the open end 33 of the air channel
30.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side view of the oven 100 with the left outer
side panel 12 removed to illustrate the airflow path 40 through the
air channel 30. The cool air 41 enters the air channel 30 shown in
FIG. 3 through one or more of the primary cool air intake opening
32 or open end 33. The air travels upwards, over the damper member
24. The hot air is expelled out from the top opening 34 of the air
channel 30. The air entering the air channel 30 is heated and
rises, and then passively expelled due to the natural buoyancy of
the hot air. In one embodiment, air can also be pulled through the
air channel 30 in a forced airstream created by a fan 42.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view looking down at the damper
mechanism 24 in the air channel 30 of FIG. 3 along the line A-A. In
this example, an inner channel wall or inner channel member 52 is
disposed between the sidewall 22 of the oven cavity 20 and the
internal or inner side 36 of outer sidewall 12. As shown in FIG. 5,
the outer sidewall 12 and the front member 25 are connected or
otherwise joined together to form the end portion 31. In the
example of FIG. 5, the channel member 52 is bent or angled at one
end 54 to substantially close off or seal the channel member 30
with respect to the side panel 12. In the example of FIG. 5, the
channel member 52 is bent in a substantially "L" shape. In
alternate embodiments, the channel member 52 can be formed in any
suitable configuration to substantially define and/or seal off the
air channel 30 as well as provide thermal protection from the heat
of the oven cavity 20. In one embodiment, the outer side panel 12
could include members that extend away from the outer side panel 12
and engage the channel member 52 to define the air channel 30
around the hinge damper device 24.
[0028] A heat resistant gasket (not shown) could be included on
each of the ends of the channel member 52 that are in proximity to
the outer side panel 12 to form a substantially airtight seal and
constrain the airflow 40 to and within the air channel 30. In one
embodiment, an insulation member 56 can be disposed between the
oven cavity sidewall 22 and the inner channel wall member 52. In
the example shown in FIG. 5, a heat sink 58 is also disposed around
the hinge damper mechanism 24. One or both of the insulation member
56 and the heat sink 58 can be used to further reduce the radiation
heat transfer from the oven wall 22 to the hinge damper mechanism
24.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the present disclosure
where the damper 24 is disposed in an air duct or channel 60 that
is disposed on an external side 38 of the outer side panel 12. In
this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the air is drawn up and
around the damper 24 as illustrated by airflow 61.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the air channel 60
is a three-sided member or channel, where the external side 38 of
the outer side panel 12 forms a wall 62 of the air channel 60.
Alternatively, referring to FIG. 8, the air channel can be a
four-sided or completely enclosed member, with a wall 64 of the air
channel 60 being disposed adjacent to, and/or in contact with, the
external side of the outer side panel 12.
[0031] A pneumatic or hydraulic damper is used as a "soft-close" or
"soft-open" feature of an oven door and hinge. However, the heat
from the oven can cause the damper to become too hot, which leads
to degradation or complete loss of performance of the damper. The
aspects of the disclosed embodiments provide an enclosure around a
hinge damper mounted near a wall of an oven cavity. The enclosure
guides cooling air over the damper. The cooling air, heated by the
damper rises up and away from the damper, and reduces the radiation
heat transfer from the oven to the damper. A heat sink can also be
thermally coupled to one or more of the enclosure or damper to
further reduce the radiation heat transfer. The aspects of the
disclosed embodiments reduce costs of the damper by enabling the
use of lower cost dampers that have not been fortified to work on
high temperature environments. Additionally, the quality and
reliability of these lower cost dampers can be improved by
providing a lower temperature working environment.
[0032] Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed
out, fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the
exemplary embodiments thereof, it will, be understood that various
omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of
devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the
invention. Moreover, it is expressly intended that all combinations
of those elements and/or method steps, which perform substantially
the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same
results, are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should
be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps
shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or
embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other
disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general
matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be
limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *