U.S. patent application number 13/930002 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for oven appliance.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Justin Tyler Brown, Jonathan Michael Cepress, Patrick Ryan Cox, William C. Herweh, III, Eric Xavier Meusburger, Shawn Michael Stover.
Application Number | 20150001203 13/930002 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52114586 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150001203 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Justin Tyler ; et
al. |
January 1, 2015 |
OVEN APPLIANCE
Abstract
An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a
light emitting device with a plurality of light emitters. Light
emitters of the plurality of light emitters can be selectively
activated and deactivated in order to provide visual information
regarding various operations of the oven appliance to a user of the
oven appliance.
Inventors: |
Brown; Justin Tyler;
(Louisville, KY) ; Cepress; Jonathan Michael;
(Louisville, KY) ; Herweh, III; William C.;
(Louisville, KY) ; Stover; Shawn Michael;
(Prospect, KY) ; Cox; Patrick Ryan; (River Bluff,
SC) ; Meusburger; Eric Xavier; (Louisville,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52114586 |
Appl. No.: |
13/930002 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/391 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 7/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/391 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/00 20060101
F24C015/00 |
Claims
1. An oven appliance defining a lateral direction, the oven
appliance comprising: a cabinet defining a cooking chamber for
receipt of articles for cooking; a heating element for heating the
cooking chamber of the cabinet; a control panel having a plurality
of user inputs; a light emitting device mounted to the cabinet, the
light emitting device extending between a first end portion and a
second end portion, the first and second end portions of the light
emitting device spaced apart from each other along the lateral
direction, the light emitting device having a plurality of light
emitters, the plurality of light emitters spaced apart from one
another between the first and second end portions of the light
emitting device; and a controller in communication with the heating
element, the control panel, and the light emitting device, the
controller configured for receiving a preheat activation input from
the control panel; activating the heating element in order to
increase a temperature of the cooking chamber of the cabinet from a
first temperature to a second temperature based at least in part on
the preheat activation input of said step of receiving; operating
the plurality of light emitters of the light emitting device
intermittently during said step of activating such that the
plurality of light emitters of the light emitting device pulsate;
and working the plurality of light emitters of the light emitting
device continuously after said step of activating such that the
plurality of light emitters of the light emitting device emit light
constantly.
2. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet extends
between a first side portion and a second side portion along the
lateral direction, the first end portion of the light emitting
device positioned at the first side portion of the cabinet, the
second end portion of the light emitting device positioned at the
second side portion of the cabinet.
3. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet defines a
width along the lateral direction, the light emitting device also
defining a width along the lateral direction, the width of the
cabinet being substantially equal to the width of the light
emitting device.
4. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light
emitters of the light emitting device pulsates with a predetermined
frequency during said step of operating.
5. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured for deactivating the light emitting device based at
least in part on a self-clean activation input received from the
control panel.
6. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured for dimming the light emitting device based at least in
part on a self-clean activation input received from the control
panel.
7. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured for: deactivating the heating element based at least in
part on a deactivation input received from the control panel;
monitoring the temperature of the cooking chamber of the cabinet;
working the plurality of light emitters of the light emitting
device intermittently during said step of monitoring such that the
plurality of light emitters of the light emitting device pulsate;
and deactivating the plurality of light emitters of the light
emitting device when the temperature of the cooking chamber drops
below a predetermined temperature.
8. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured for working the plurality of light emitters of the light
emitting device intermittently during a fault code mode of the oven
appliance.
9. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further
configured for dimming the light emitting device after a time
interval elapses.
10. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light
emitters comprise light emitting diodes.
11. An oven appliance defining a lateral direction, the oven
appliance comprising: a cabinet defining a cooking chamber for
receipt of articles for cooking; a heating element for heating the
cooking chamber of the cabinet; a control panel having a plurality
of user inputs and a display; a light emitting device mounted to
the cabinet, the light emitting device extending between a first
end portion and a second end portion, the first and second end
portions of the light emitting device spaced apart from each other
along the lateral direction, the light emitting device having a
plurality of light emitters, the plurality of light emitters spaced
apart from one another between the first and second end portions of
the light emitting device; and a controller in communication with
the heating element, the control panel, and the light emitting
device, the controller configured for receiving a timer activation
input from the control panel; activating a timer function on the
display of the control panel based at least in part on the timer
activation input of said step of receiving, the timer function
counting down a time interval; and operating the plurality of light
emitters of the light emitting device during said step of
activating such that a number of active light emitters of the
plurality of light emitters corresponds to an elapsed proportion of
the time interval.
12. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the cabinet extends
between a first side portion and a second side portion along the
lateral direction, the first end portion of the light emitting
device positioned at the first side portion of the cabinet, the
second end portion of the light emitting device positioned at the
second side portion of the cabinet.
13. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the cabinet defines a
width along the lateral direction, the light emitting device also
defining a width along the lateral direction, the width of the
cabinet being substantially equal to the width of the light
emitting device.
14. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein a minimum number of
light emitters of the plurality of light emitters are activated at
a start of the time interval and a maximum number of light emitters
of the plurality of light emitters are activated at an end of the
time interval during said step of operating.
15. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein said step of operating
comprises operating the plurality of light emitters of the light
emitting device such that at least one light emitter at a first end
portion of the light emitting device is activated at a start of the
time interval and light emitters between the first end portion of
the light emitting device and a second end portion of the light
emitting device are sequentially activated during the time
interval.
16. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured for deactivating the light emitting device based
at least in part on a self-clean activation input received from the
control panel.
17. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured for dimming the light emitting device based at
least in part on a self-clean activation input received from the
control panel.
18. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured for: deactivating the heating element based at
least in part on a deactivation input received from the control
panel; monitoring the temperature of the cooking chamber of the
cabinet; working the plurality of light emitters of the light
emitting device intermittently during said step of monitoring such
that the plurality of light emitters of the light emitting device
pulsate; and deactivating the plurality of light emitters of the
light emitting device when the temperature of the cooking chamber
drops below a predetermined temperature.
19. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured for working the plurality of light emitters of
the light emitting device intermittently during a fault code mode
of the oven appliance.
20. The oven appliance of claim 11, wherein the controller is
further configured for dimming the light emitting device after the
time interval elapses.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to oven
appliances, such as oven appliance with light emitting devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Oven appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a
cooking chamber for receiving food for cooking. A heating element,
such as an electric resistance heating element or a gas burner,
provides heat to the cooking chamber in order to cook food items
within the cooking chamber. Certain oven appliances also include a
control panel having user inputs, such as buttons, a touch screen,
switches, etc. A user can utilize the user inputs on the control
panel in order to operate the oven appliance. In particular, the
user can activate the oven appliance's heating element with the
user inputs.
[0003] Certain oven appliances also include a display on the
control panel. The display can provide visual information to a user
of the oven appliance. For example, the display can include
seven-segment displays or dot matrix displays for presenting
information to the user, such as a current temperature within the
cooking chamber or a current time. However, such displays generally
present information in Arabic numerals and can be small. Thus,
viewing information on such displays from a distance can be
difficult. For example, certain buildings have open floor plans
that can permit the user to see the oven appliance from adjoining
rooms, but the user may need to be in close proximity to the oven
appliance in order to view the display and its associated
information.
[0004] Accordingly, an oven appliance with features for assisting a
user with viewing information regarding operating of the oven
appliance would be useful. In particular, an oven appliance with
features for assisting a user with viewing information regarding
operating of the oven appliance from a distance or an adjacent room
would be useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present subject matter provides an oven appliance. The
oven appliance includes a light emitting device with a plurality of
light emitters. Light emitters of the plurality of light emitters
can be selectively activated and deactivated in order to provide
visual information regarding various operations of the oven
appliance to a user of the oven appliance. Additional aspects and
advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the
following description, or may be apparent from the description, or
may be learned through practice of the invention.
[0006] In a first exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is
provided. The oven appliance defines a lateral direction. The oven
appliance includes a cabinet that defines a cooking chamber for
receipt of articles for cooking and a heating element for heating
the cooking chamber of the cabinet. The oven appliance also
includes a control panel having a plurality of user inputs and a
light emitting device mounted to the cabinet. The light emitting
device extends between a first end portion and a second end
portion. The first and second end portions of the light emitting
device are spaced apart from each other along the lateral
direction. The light emitting device has a plurality of light
emitters. The light emitters are spaced apart from one another
between the first and second end portions of the light emitting
device. A controller is in communication with the heating element,
the control panel, and the light emitting device. The controller is
configured for receiving a preheat activation input from the
control panel, activating the heating element in order to increase
a temperature of the cooking chamber of the cabinet from a first
temperature to a second temperature based at least in part on the
preheat activation input of the step of receiving, operating the
plurality of light emitters of the light emitting device
intermittently during the step of activating such that the
plurality of light emitters of the light emitting device pulsate,
and working the plurality of light emitters of the light emitting
device continuously after the step of activating such that the
plurality of light emitters of the light emitting device emit light
constantly.
[0007] In a second exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is
provided. The oven appliance defines a lateral direction. The oven
appliance includes a cabinet defining a cooking chamber for receipt
of articles for cooking and a heating element for heating the
cooking chamber of the cabinet. The oven appliance also includes a
control panel having a plurality of user inputs and a display. The
oven appliance further includes a light emitting device mounted to
the cabinet. The light emitting device extends between a first end
portion and a second end portion. The first and second end portions
of the light emitting device are spaced apart from each other along
the lateral direction. The light emitting device has a plurality of
light emitters. The light emitters are spaced apart from one
another between the first and second end portions of the light
emitting device. A controller is in communication with the heating
element, the control panel, and the light emitting device. The
controller is configured for receiving a timer activation input
from the control panel and activating a timer function on the
display of the control panel based at least in part on the timer
activation input of the step of receiving. The timer function
counts down a time interval. The controller is also configured for
operating the plurality of light emitters of the light emitting
device during the step of activating such that a number of active
light emitters of the plurality of light emitters corresponds to an
elapsed proportion of the time interval.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures.
[0010] FIG. 1 provides front, perspective view of an oven range
appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0011] FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of certain elements of the
exemplary oven range appliance of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 provide partial, elevation views of a
control panel and a light emitting device of the exemplary oven
range appliance of FIG. 1 with light emitters of the light emitting
device shown in various states.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for operating an oven appliance
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates a method for operating an oven appliance
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0016] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an oven range
appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter. FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of certain
components of oven range appliance 100. Oven range appliance 100
includes an insulated cabinet 110 that extends between a first side
portion 102 and a second side portion 104, e.g., along a lateral
direction L. Cabinet 110 defines an upper cooking chamber 112 and a
lower cooking chamber 114. Thus, oven range appliance 100 is
generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. As will be
understood by those skilled in the art, oven range appliance 100 is
provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may
be used in any suitable oven appliance, e.g., a single or double
wall oven appliance or a single oven range appliance. Thus, the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is not intended to limit the
present subject matter in any aspect.
[0017] Upper and lower cooking chambers 112 and 114 are configured
for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Oven range
appliance 100 includes an upper door 116 and a lower door 118
rotatably attached to cabinet 110 in order to permit selective
access to upper cooking chamber 112 and lower cooking chamber 114,
respectively. Handles 120 are mounted to upper and lower doors 116
and 118 to assist a user with opening and closing doors 116 and 118
in order to access cooking chambers 112 and 114. As an example, a
user can pull on handle 120 mounted to upper door 116 to open or
close upper door 116 and access upper cooking chamber 112. Glass
window panes 122 provide for viewing the contents of upper and
lower cooking chambers 112 and 114 when doors 116 and 118 are
closed and also assist with insulating upper and lower cooking
chambers 112 and 114.
[0018] An upper heating element 146 (FIG. 2) and a lower heating
element 148 (FIG. 2) are positioned within or adjacent upper
cooking chamber 112 and lower heating chamber 114 of cabinet 110,
respectively. Upper and lower heating elements 146 and 148 are used
to heat upper cooking chamber 112 and lower heating chamber 114,
respectively, for both cooking and cleaning of oven range appliance
100. The size and heat output of upper and lower heating elements
146 and 148 can be selected based on the e.g., the size of oven
range appliance 100. Upper and lower heating elements 146 and 148
can include any suitable mechanism for heating oven range appliance
100. For example, upper and lower heating elements 146 and 148 may
include electric resistance heating elements, gas burners,
microwave heating elements, halogen heating elements, or suitable
combinations thereof
[0019] Operation of the oven range appliance 100 is regulated by a
controller 150 that is operatively coupled to various components of
oven range appliance 100, including a control panel 160. Control
panel 160 includes a plurality of user inputs 162 and a display
164. Control panel 160 may be in communication with controller 150
via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
Control panel 160 provides selections for user manipulation of the
operation of oven range appliance 100. For example, a user can
actuate user inputs 162 and signal controller 150. In response to
user manipulation of user inputs 162, controller 150 operates
various components of the oven range appliance 100. For example,
controller 150 is operatively coupled or in communication with
upper and lower heating elements 146 and 148. User inputs 162 of
control panel 160 can be any suitable user input. For example, user
inputs 162 may include various input components, such as one or
more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or
electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push
buttons, and touch pad.
[0020] Controller 150 is also in communication with a thermal
sensor 152, e.g., a thermocouple or thermistor. Thermal sensor 152
may be positioned in one of upper and lower heating chambers 112
and 114. Controller 150 may receive a signal from thermal sensor
152 that corresponds to a temperature of upper heating chamber 112
and/or lower heating chamber 114.
[0021] Controller 150 includes memory and one or more processing
devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general
or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming
instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of
oven range appliance 100. The memory can represent random access
memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The
processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory.
The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be
included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller
150 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using
a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry
(such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators,
flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control
functionality instead of relying upon software. Controller 150 may
be positioned in a variety of locations throughout oven range
appliance 100. Input/output ("I/O") signals may be routed between
controller 150 and various operational components of oven range
appliance 100, e.g., via one or more signal lines or shared
communication busses.
[0022] Oven range appliance 100 also includes various features for
providing a user with information regarding operation of oven range
appliance 100. For example, display 164 can present information to
an appliance user. In particular, display 164 can show the current
time or the operating temperature of upper and/or lower cooking
chambers 112 and 114, e.g., in Arabic numerals. Display 164 can be
a liquid crystal display, a dot matrix display, a series of
seven-segment displays, etc.
[0023] Oven range appliance 100 also includes a light emitting
device 170 mounted to cabinet 110, e.g., below control panel 160.
Light emitting device 170 extends, e.g., linearly, between a first
end portion 174 and a second end portion 176. First and second end
portions 174 and 176 of light emitting device 170 are spaced apart
from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L. In
particular, first end portion 174 of light emitting device 170 may
be positioned at or adjacent first side portion 102 of cabinet 110.
Conversely, second end portion 176 of light emitting device 170 may
be positioned at or adjacent second side portion 104 of cabinet
110. Thus, light emitting device 170 can extend across cabinet 110,
e.g., along the lateral direction L, between first and second side
portions 102 and 104 of cabinet 110. In particular, cabinet 110
defines a width W.sub.c, e.g., along the lateral direction L,
between first and second end portions 102 and 104 of cabinet 110.
Light emitting device 170 also defines a width W.sub.I, e.g., along
the lateral direction L, between first and second end portions 174
and 176 of light emitting device 170. Width W.sub.c of cabinet 110
may be substantially equal to width W.sub.I of light emitting
device 170 such that light emitting device 170 extends across
cabinet 110.
[0024] Light emitting device 170 includes a plurality of light
emitters 172. Light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 are
spaced apart from one another, e.g., along the lateral direction L,
between first and second end portions 174 and 176 of light emitting
device 170. Thus, light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170
are distributed or dispersed, e.g., consecutively or linearly,
between first and second end portions 174 and 176 of light emitting
device 170 in order to form a series of light emitters 172 that
extends across cabinet 110. Light emitters 172 of light emitting
device 170 can be any suitable light emitter. For example, light
emitters 172 may be light emitting diodes, incandescent bulbs,
combinations thereof, etc. As discussed in greater detail below,
controller 150 is in operative communication with light emitting
device 170 and can selectively operate light emitters 172 of light
emitting device 170 in order to provide information to a user of
oven range appliance 100.
[0025] FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 provide partial, elevation views of
control panel 160 and light emitting device 170 of oven range
appliance 100 with light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170
shown in various operation states. In FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, light
emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 are shown in one of three
states: (1) deactivated or off; (2) activated or on; or (3) dimmed
or reduced. In FIG. 3, all light emitters 172 of light emitting
device 170 are deactivated or turned off Thus, when one of light
emitters 172 is shown as a dashed circle, the one of light emitters
172 is deactivated or off In FIG. 4, all light emitters 172 of
light emitting device 170 are dimmed or operating with a reduced
light output. Thus, when one of light emitters 172 is shown as a
solid circle, the one of light emitters 172 is dimmed or reduced.
In FIG. 6, all light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 are
activated or turned on. Thus, when one of light emitters 172 is
shown as a filled in circle, the one of light emitters 172 is
activated or on. In FIG. 5, some of light emitters 172 are
activated or turned on and others of light emitters 172 are
deactivated or turned off
[0026] When one of light emitters 172 is in the deactivated or off
state, a user of light emitting device 170 cannot perceive or see
light from the one of light emitters 172. Conversely, a user of
light emitting device 170 can perceive or see light emitted from
one of light emitters 172 when the one of light emitters 172 is in
the activated or on state. Similarly, a user of light emitting
device 170 can also perceive or see light emitted from one of light
emitters 172 when the one of light emitters 172 is in the dimmed or
reduced state. However, in the dimmed or reduced state, light
emitters 172 emit light with an intensity that is less than an
intensity of light emitted by light emitters 172 when light
emitters 172 operate in the activated or on state. As discussed in
greater detail below, controller 150 can provide information
regarding operation of oven range appliance 100 to a user of oven
range appliance 100 by selectively switching or changing light
emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 between the deactivated,
activated, and dimmed states.
[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for operating an oven
appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter. Method 700 can be used to operate any suitable oven
appliance. For example, method 700 may be used to operate oven
range appliance 100 (FIG. 1). Controller 150 (FIG. 2) may be
programmed to implement method 700. Utilizing method 700,
controller 150 can provide information to a user of oven range
appliance 100 regarding operation of oven range appliance 100.
[0028] At step 710, controller 150 receives a preheat activation
input from control panel 160. As an example, a user can actuate one
of user inputs 162 on control panel 160 in order to signal
controller 150 at step 710. The preheat activation input can
correspond the user actuating one of user inputs 162 in order to
initiate a bake or broil cooking operation in upper cooking chamber
112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114 of oven range appliance
100.
[0029] At step 720, controller 150 activates upper heating element
146 and/or lower heating element 148 in order to increase a
temperature of upper cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking
chamber 114, respectively. As an example, controller 150 can
activate upper heating element 146 in order to increase the
temperature of upper cooking chamber 112 from a first temperature
to a second, e.g., higher, temperature. Controller 150 activates
upper heating element 146 and/or lower heating element 148 at step
720 based at least in part on the preheat activation input from
step 710. Thus, when a user of oven range appliance 100 actuates
one of user inputs 162, controller 150 can activate at least one of
upper heating element 146 and lower heating element 148. In
particular, if the user selects a bake operation in upper cooking
chamber 112 with user inputs 162 of control panel 160, controller
150 can activate upper heating element 146 in order to heat upper
cooking chamber 112.
[0030] At step 730, controller 150 operates light emitters 172 of
light emitting device 170 intermittently. In particular, controller
150 can operate light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170
intermittently during step 720 such that the light emitters 172 of
light emitting device 170 pulsate, e.g., with a predetermined
frequency. As an example, controller 150 can operate light emitters
172 of light emitting device 170 such that light emitters 172 of
light emitting device 170 alternate between two of the three states
described above. Thus, at step 730, light emitters 172 of light
emitting device 170 can alternate between: (1) the deactivated or
off state shown in FIG. 3 and the activated or on state shown in
FIG. 6; (2) the deactivated or off state shown in FIG. 3 and the
dimmed or reduced state shown in FIG. 4; or the dimmed or reduced
state shown in FIG. 4 and the activated or on state shown in FIG.
6.
[0031] By operating light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170
intermittently at step 730, light emitting device 170 can indicate
to a user of oven range appliance 100 that oven range appliance 100
is preheating one of upper and lower cooking chambers 112 and 114
from the first temperature to the second temperature. Thus, while
oven range appliance 100 is preheating, light emitters 172 of light
emitting device 170 can pulsate in order to inform the user of oven
range appliance 100 that oven range appliance 100 is still
preheating.
[0032] At step 740, controller 150 works light emitters 172 of
light emitting device 170 continuously. In particular, controller
150 can work light emitter 172 of light emitting device 170
continuously after step 720 such that light emitters 172 of light
emitting device 170 emit light constantly. As an example, at step
740, controller 150 can work light emitters 172 of light emitting
device 170 such that light emitters 172 of light emitting device
170 emit light in the dimmed or reduced state shown in FIG. 4 or
the activated or on state shown in FIG. 6.
[0033] By operating light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170
constantly at step 740, light emitting device 170 can indicate to a
user of oven range appliance 100 that oven range appliance 100 is
finished preheating at least one of upper and lower cooking
chambers 112 and 114 from the first temperature to the second
temperature. Thus, after oven range appliance 100 is finished
preheating, light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 can
emit light constantly or continuously in order to inform the user
of oven range appliance 100 that oven range appliance 100 is
finished preheating.
[0034] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a user of
oven range appliance 100 can perceive light emitted by light
emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 as constant when light
emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 emit pulsate at high
frequencies. Thus, controller 150 can work light emitter 172 of
light emitting device 170 intermittently at step 740 such that the
user of oven range appliance 100 perceives light from light
emitters 172 as constant or continuous, and the present subject
matter is intended to include working light emitters 172 of light
emitting device 170 such that light from light emitters 172 appears
constant or continuous to the user of oven range appliance 100 at
step 740. Conversely, at step 730, the present subject matter is
intended to include operating light emitters 172 of light emitting
device 170 such that light from light emitters 172 appears
intermittent or discontinuous to the user of oven range appliance
100.
[0035] Utilizing method 700, light emitting device 170 can inform a
user of oven range appliance 100 regarding operation of oven range
appliance 100. In particular, light emitting device 170 can flash
while oven range appliance 100 is preheating, and light emitting
device 170 can emit light constantly after oven range appliance 100
has finished preheating. During preheating, the temperature of
upper cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114 can be
also be displayed on display 164 (FIG. 1) of oven range appliance
100, e.g., in Arabic numerals. As will be understood by those
skilled in the art, display 164 can be difficult to read from a
distance or an adjacent room. By operating oven range appliance 100
according to method 700, a user of oven appliance 100 can more
easily perceive or monitor the progress of oven range appliance 100
during the preheating of oven range appliance 100.
[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for operating an oven
appliance according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter. Method 800 can be used to operate any suitable oven
appliance. For example, method 800 may be used to operate oven
range appliance 100 (FIG. 1). Controller 150 (FIG. 2) may be
programmed to implement method 800. Utilizing method 800,
controller 150 can provide information to a user of oven range
appliance 100 regarding operation of oven range appliance 100.
[0037] At step 810, controller 150 receives a timer activation
input from control panel 160. As an example, a user can actuate one
of user inputs 162 on control panel 160 in order to signal
controller 150 at step 810. The timer activation input can
correspond to the user actuating one of user inputs 162 in order to
initiate a timer function of oven range appliance 100.
[0038] At step 820, controller 150 activates the timer function on
display 164 of control panel 160. In particular, the timer function
can be presented to a user of oven range appliance 100 on display
164 at step 820. The timer function counts down a time interval on
display 164, e.g., in Arabic numerals. As an example, if a food
item requires one hour to cook, the user can input a one hour time
interval on the timer function and the timer function can count
down the one hour time interval on display 164. In such a manner,
the user of oven range appliance 100 can monitor the progress of
the time interval on display 164.
[0039] At step 830, controller 150 operates light emitters 172 of
light emitting device 170 during step 820 such that a number of
active light emitters of light emitters 172 corresponds, e.g.,
directly or inversely, to an elapsed proportion of the time
interval. As an example, during step 830, a minimum number of light
emitters of light emitters 172 may be activated at a start of the
time interval, and a maximum number of light emitters of light
emitters 172 may be activated at an end of the time interval. Thus,
at the start of the time interval, all light emitters 172 of light
emitting device 170 may be in the deactivated or off state as shown
in FIG. 3. Conversely, at the end of the time interval, all light
emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 may be in the activated
or on state as shown in FIG. 6. Between the beginning and end of
the time interval, the number of active light emitters of light
emitters 172 corresponds to the elapsed proportion of the time
interval, e.g., as shown in FIG. 4.
[0040] As another example, during the time interval, controller 150
operates light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 such that
at least one light emitter at first end portion 174 of light
emitting device 170 is activated at the start of the time interval
. As the time interval elapses, light emitters 172 between first
end portion 174 of light emitting device 170 and second end portion
176 of light emitting device 170 are sequentially activated during
the time interval. Thus, all light emitters of light emitters 172
may be in the deactivated or off state as shown in FIG. 3 prior to
step 820. During step 830, light emitters 172 are sequentially
activated during the time interval. With a sixth of the time
interval elapsed, some of light emitters 172 are in the activated
or on state, e.g., about a sixth of the light emitters 172, and
others of light emitters 172, e.g., about five sixths of the light
emitters 172, are in the deactivated or off state as shown in FIG.
5. Further, with the time interval elapsed or almost elapsed, all
or about all of the light emitters 172 are in the activated or on
state as shown in FIG. 6.
[0041] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, light
emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 may be operated in
batches or groups rather than individually. Thus, during step 830,
controller 150 may sequentially activate groups or batches of light
emitters 172 rather than individual light emitters 172. The present
subject matter is intended to include operating light emitters 172
of light emitting device 170, either individually or in groups,
such that the number of active light emitters of light emitters 172
corresponds to an elapsed proportion of the time interval.
[0042] Utilizing method 800, light emitting device 170 can inform a
user of oven range appliance 100 regarding operation of oven range
appliance 100. In particular, light emitters 172 of light emitting
device 170 can be sequentially activated as the time interval
elapses in order to permit the user of oven range appliance 100 to
monitor the progress of the timer function with light emitting
device 170. During cooking operations, the timer function is also
displayed or presented on display 164, e.g., in Arabic numerals. As
will be understood by those skilled in the art, display 164 can be
difficult to read from a distance or an adjacent room. By operating
oven range appliance 100 according to method 800, a user of oven
appliance 100 can more easily perceive or monitor the progress of
the timer function during the operation of oven range appliance
100.
[0043] Methods 700 and 800 can also include additional features or
steps. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, controller
150 deactivates light emitting device 170 based at least in part on
a self-clean activation input received from control panel 160.
Similarly, controller 150 can dim light emitting device 170 based
at least in part on the self-clean activation input received from
control panel 160.
[0044] During self-cleaning operations, upper cooking chamber 112
and/or lower cooking chamber 114 reach high temperatures. Operating
light emitting device 170 can also generate additional heat. By
deactivating or dimming light emitting device 170, such additional
heat is not generated and/or is reduced. Further, deactivating or
dimming light emitting device 170 can assist with preventing or
hindering potential damage to oven range appliance 100, e.g., due
to oven range appliance 100 exceeding an allowed or permitted
current at a particular temperature rating.
[0045] As an example, a user can actuate one of user inputs 162 on
control panel 160 in order to signal controller 150 to initiate the
self-cleaning operation. Controller 150 can activate upper heating
element 146 and/or lower hearing element 148 in response to the
self-clean activation input. During the self-cleaning operation,
controller 150 can deactivate light emitting device 170, e.g., such
the light emitters 172 are in the deactivated or off state as shown
in FIG. 3. Alternatively, controller 150 can dim light emitting
device 170, e.g., such the light emitters 172 are in the dimmed or
reduced state as shown in FIG. 4.
[0046] As another example, in certain exemplary embodiments,
controller 150 monitors the temperature of upper cooking chamber
112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114 and utilizes light emitting
device 170 to signal a user of oven range appliance 100 when upper
cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114 has cooled. In
such exemplary embodiments, controller 150 deactivates upper
heating element 146 and/or lower hearing element 148 based at least
in part on a deactivation input received from control panel 160.
Controller 150 also monitors the temperature of upper cooking
chamber 112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114, e.g., with thermal
sensor 152 (FIG. 2). As controller 150 monitors the temperature of
upper cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114,
controller 150 also works light emitters 172 of light emitting
device 170 intermittently such that the light emitters 172 pulsate
or flash. Controller 150 deactivates light emitting device 170 when
the temperature of upper cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking
chamber 114 drops below a predetermined temperature. In such a
manner, a user of oven range appliance 100 can determine when upper
cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114 have cooled to
below the predetermined temperature by viewing light emitting
device 170. In particular, when light emitting device 170 stops
flashing, upper cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking chamber
114 may, e.g., be safely opened. In addition, rather than pulsating
or flashing, light emitting device 170 can, e.g., continuously,
shift from the activated or on state shown in FIG. 6 to the
deactivated or off state shown in FIG. 3 during cooling of upper
cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114. Thus, when
light emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 are deactivated,
the user of oven range appliance 100 can determine that upper
cooking chamber 112 and/or lower cooking chamber 114 have cooled to
below the predetermined temperature by viewing light emitting
device 170
[0047] As yet another example, in certain exemplary embodiments,
controller 150 works light emitters 172 of light emitting device
170 intermittently during a fault code mode of oven range appliance
100. Thus, if a component of oven range appliance 100 is
malfunctioning or improperly set, controller 150 can flash light
emitters 172 of light emitting device 170 to inform the user of
oven range appliance 100 of the malfunction.
[0048] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
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