U.S. patent application number 15/158761 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for enclosure panel with ventilation section for domestic home appliance.
The applicant listed for this patent is BSH Hausgerate GmbH, BSH Home Appliances Corporation. Invention is credited to Ben Braden, William Bringe, Rose Marie Parker, Timothy Russell, Tyson White.
Application Number | 20170336079 15/158761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60330376 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170336079 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Braden; Ben ; et
al. |
November 23, 2017 |
ENCLOSURE PANEL WITH VENTILATION SECTION FOR DOMESTIC HOME
APPLIANCE
Abstract
A domestic appliance has an enclosure panel that has a
ventilation section that has solid portions and open portions. The
solid portions has first legs extending in a first direction, and
second legs extending in a second direction. Two of the first legs
and two of the second legs completely bound one of the open
portions. A third one of the second legs intersects the first one
of the first legs at a first intersecting location other than
either end of the first one of the first legs. A fourth one of the
second legs intersects the second one of the first legs at a second
intersecting location other than either end of the second one of
the first legs.
Inventors: |
Braden; Ben; (Lafollette,
TN) ; Parker; Rose Marie; (Caryville, TN) ;
Russell; Timothy; (Jacksboro, TN) ; White; Tyson;
(Anderson, TN) ; Bringe; William; (Powell,
TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BSH Home Appliances Corporation
BSH Hausgerate GmbH |
Irvine
Munich |
CA |
US
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
60330376 |
Appl. No.: |
15/158761 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/006 20130101;
F24C 15/20 20130101; F24C 15/2042 20130101; F24C 15/08
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/20 20060101
F24C015/20 |
Claims
1. A domestic home appliance, comprising: a housing; an enclosure
panel attached to the housing, the enclosure panel having a main
body; an operating section that performs an appliance operation of
the domestic home appliance that is usable by a user of the
domestic home appliance; and a heat source located inside the
housing, wherein the enclosure panel has a ventilation section
positioned within the main body, the ventilation section has solid
portions and open portions, and provides ventilation to the heat
source, the solid portions comprise a plurality of first legs
extending a first length in a first direction, and a plurality of
second legs extending a second length in a second direction, the
second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, each of
the first legs has a first end and a second end, the second end
being opposite the first end along the first direction, each of the
second legs has a first end and a second end, the second end being
opposite the first end along the second direction, a first one and
a second one of the first legs and a first one and a second one of
the second legs completely bound one of the open portions, a third
one of the second legs intersects the first one of the first legs
at a first intersecting location, the first intersecting location
being a location other than the first end of the first one of the
first legs, and the first intersecting location being a location
other than the second end of the first one of the first legs, and a
fourth one of the second legs intersects the second one of the
first legs at a second intersecting location, the second
intersecting location being a location other than the first end of
the second one of the first legs, and the second intersecting
location being a location other than the second end of the second
one of the first legs.
2. The domestic home appliance of claim 1, wherein the first
intersecting location is equidistant from the first end of the
first leg and the second end of the first leg.
3. The domestic home appliance of claim 2, wherein the first
intersecting location is opposite the second intersecting location
in the second direction.
4. The domestic home appliance of claim 3, wherein the first legs
and the second legs are integrally formed with the main body of the
enclosure panel.
5. The domestic home appliance of claim 4, wherein the enclosure
panel has a plurality of the ventilation section.
6. The domestic home appliance of claim 5, wherein the first length
is equal to the second length.
7. The domestic home appliance of claim 6, wherein the first length
is less than 0.10 inch.
8. The domestic home appliance of claim 1, wherein the first
intersecting location is opposite the second intersecting location
in the second direction.
9. The domestic home appliance of claim 8, wherein the first length
is equal to the second length.
10. The domestic home appliance of claim 2, wherein the first
length is equal to the second length.
11. An enclosure panel for a domestic home appliance having a
housing, an operating section that performs an appliance operation
of the domestic home appliance that is usable by a user of the
domestic home appliance, and a heat source located inside the
housing, the enclosure panel comprising: a main body; and a
ventilation section positioned within the main body, the
ventilation section having solid portions and open portions and
being configured to provide ventilation to the heat source, wherein
the enclosure panel is configured to attach to the housing of the
domestic home appliance, the solid portions comprise a plurality of
first legs extending a first length in a first direction, and a
plurality of second legs extending a second length in a second
direction, the second direction is perpendicular to the first
direction, each of the first legs has a first end and a second end,
the second end being opposite the first end along the first
direction, each of the second legs has a first end and a second
end, the second end being opposite the first end along the second
direction, a first one and a second one of the first legs and a
first one and a second one of the second legs completely bound one
of the open portions, a third one of the second legs intersects the
first one of the first legs at a first intersecting location, the
first intersecting location being a location other than the first
end of the first one of the first legs, and the first intersecting
location being a location other than the second end of the first
one of the first legs, and a fourth one of the second legs
intersects the second one of the first legs at a second
intersecting location, the second intersecting location being a
location other than the first end of the second one of the first
legs, and the second intersecting location being a location other
than the second end of the second one of the first legs.
12. The enclosure panel of claim 11, wherein the first intersecting
location is equidistant from the first end of the first leg and the
second end of the first leg.
13. The enclosure panel of claim 12, wherein the first intersecting
location is opposite the second intersecting location in the second
direction.
14. The enclosure panel of claim 13, wherein the first legs and the
second legs are integrally formed with the main body of the
enclosure panel.
15. The enclosure panel of claim 14, wherein the enclosure panel
has a plurality of the ventilation section.
16. The enclosure panel of claim 15, wherein the first length is
equal to the second length.
17. The enclosure panel of claim 16, wherein the first length is
less than 0.10 inch.
18. The enclosure panel of claim 11, wherein the first intersecting
location is opposite the second intersecting location in the second
direction.
19. The enclosure panel of claim 18, wherein the first length is
equal to the second length.
20. The enclosure panel of claim 12, wherein the first length is
equal to the second length.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention is directed to an enclosure panel having a
ventilation section for a domestic home appliance.
[0002] An example of an application for the invention is cooling
air intake panel for a domestic kitchen cooking range.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Some modern domestic kitchens include an appliance, such as
a cooking range, that has an internal heat source or other feature
that requires ventilation. Often this ventilation is achieved
through openings in a rear panel of the appliance that supplies air
to a cooling fan.
[0004] Some appliances have a mesh screen that is attached over an
opening in a panel of the appliance in order to allow air to enter
the appliance. These mesh screens can be attached to the panel by,
for example, welding or threaded fasteners. These mesh screens can
be of a woven construction that results in rows and columns of
aligned square openings.
[0005] A standard Underwriters Laboratory test exists for testing
the penetrability of openings in particular domestic home
appliances. Parts of UL 858 require that particular openings in
particular domestic home appliances must resist a defined
articulated finger-shaped probe such that the probe cannot
penetrate the opening. The above-described mesh screens often do
not sufficiently resist penetration by the UL required probe and/or
require a large amount of material to provide sufficient resistance
to penetration. This large amount of material can add expense to
the appliance and can also result in a smaller than ideal
open-to-blocked ratio of the ventilation opening. The UL standard
and the associated test is designed to simulate a user's finger
entering the appliance housing by way of the ventilation
opening.
[0006] Applicants recognized these problems and developed a
solution as described herein.
SUMMARY
[0007] The invention achieves the benefit of a low cost ventilation
panel that passes the above-described UL penetration test by
providing a particular panel design for a domestic home appliance.
The particular panel design resists penetration by the UL required
probe under the conditions prescribed in the UL testing
procedure.
[0008] The invention achieves this benefit by providing a
ventilation panel that has integrally formed ventilation holes that
are bounded by panel material of a particular layout.
[0009] By aligning, for example, horizontal elements (or
"horizontal legs") of the panel structure such that ends of the
horizontal legs intersect vertical legs at a point other than the
ends of the vertical legs, a stronger opening (formed by the legs)
results. In contrast to a woven mesh screen, the inventive
structure provides support for the legs in a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the legs.
[0010] Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a
domestic home appliance, having a housing; an enclosure panel
attached to the housing, the enclosure panel having a main body; an
operating section that performs an appliance operation of the
domestic home appliance that is usable by a user of the domestic
home appliance; and a heat source located inside the housing. The
enclosure panel has a ventilation section positioned within the
main body, the ventilation section has solid portions and open
portions, and provides ventilation to the heat source, the solid
portions comprise a plurality of first legs extending a first
length in a first direction, and a plurality of second legs
extending a second length in a second direction, the second
direction is perpendicular to the first direction, each of the
first legs has a first end and a second end, the second end being
opposite the first end along the first direction, each of the
second legs has a first end and a second end, the second end being
opposite the first end along the second direction, a first one and
a second one of the first legs and a first one and a second one of
the second legs completely bound one of the open portions, a third
one of the second legs intersects the first one of the first legs
at a first intersecting location, the first intersecting location
being a location other than the first end of the first one of the
first legs, and the first intersecting location being a location
other than the second end of the first one of the first legs, and a
fourth one of the second legs intersects the second one of the
first legs at a second intersecting location, the second
intersecting location being a location other than the first end of
the second one of the first legs, and the second intersecting
location being a location other than the second end of the second
one of the first legs.
[0011] Other embodiments of the invention are directed to an
enclosure panel for a domestic home appliance having a housing, an
operating section that performs an appliance operation of the
domestic home appliance that is usable by a user of the domestic
home appliance, and a heat source located inside the housing. The
enclosure panel has a main body; and a ventilation section
positioned within the main body, the ventilation section having
solid portions and open portions and being configured to provide
ventilation to the heat source. The enclosure panel is configured
to attach to the housing of the domestic home appliance, the solid
portions comprise a plurality of first legs extending a first
length in a first direction, and a plurality of second legs
extending a second length in a second direction, the second
direction is perpendicular to the first direction, each of the
first legs has a first end and a second end, the second end being
opposite the first end along the first direction, each of the
second legs has a first end and a second end, the second end being
opposite the first end along the second direction, a first one and
a second one of the first legs and a first one and a second one of
the second legs completely bound one of the open portions, a third
one of the second legs intersects the first one of the first legs
at a first intersecting location, the first intersecting location
being a location other than the first end of the first one of the
first legs, and the first intersecting location being a location
other than the second end of the first one of the first legs, and a
fourth one of the second legs intersects the second one of the
first legs at a second intersecting location, the second
intersecting location being a location other than the first end of
the second one of the first legs, and the second intersecting
location being a location other than the second end of the second
one of the first legs.
[0012] Particular embodiments of the invention include the feature
of the first intersecting location being equidistant from the first
end of the first leg and the second end of the first leg.
[0013] Particular embodiments of the invention include the feature
of the first intersecting location being opposite the second
intersecting location in the second direction.
[0014] Particular embodiments of the invention include the feature
of the first legs and the second legs being integrally formed with
the main body of the enclosure panel.
[0015] Particular embodiments of the invention include the feature
of the enclosure panel having a plurality of the ventilation
section.
[0016] Particular embodiments of the invention include the feature
of the first length being equal to the second length.
[0017] Particular embodiments of the invention include the feature
of the first length being less than 0.10 inch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The following figures form part of the present specification
and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the
disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit
or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a
more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and
further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by
referring to the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a cooking range having
a mesh cooling grille;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a view of a mesh cooling grille in accordance with
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a cooking range in
accordance with embodiments of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a view of an enclosure panel in accordance with
embodiments of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a partial view of an enclosure panel in accordance
with embodiments of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a finger probe being
inserted into the cooling mesh grille of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a finger probe being
inserted into the cooling mesh grille of FIGS. 1, 2 and 6;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a finger probe being stopped
by an enclosure panel in accordance with embodiments of the
invention; and
[0027] FIG. 9 is a detail view of a finger probe being stopped by
an enclosure panel in accordance with embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The invention is described herein with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the
invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein.
[0029] In the description of embodiments disclosed herein, any
reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for
convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit
the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower,"
"upper," "horizontal," "vertical,", "above," "below," "up," "down,"
"top" and "bottom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g.,
"horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed
to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the
drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience
of description only and do not require that the apparatus be
constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms such as
"attached," "connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar
refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached
to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
[0030] As explained above, embodiments of the invention provide a
solution to the problems associated with a mesh type cooling grille
on a domestic home appliance.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows an example of an appliance 100 having an upper
cooking area 110, side panels 140 and a back panel 150. Upper
cooking area 110 has, in this example, three grates 120 that cover
six burners 130. Back panel 150 has, in this example, two openings
190, each of which is covered by a separate mesh screen 195.
Openings 190 can be, for example, openings that provide ventilation
to an internal space of appliance 100.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of mesh screen 195. In this
example, each mesh screen 195 is attached to back panel 150 by
eight spot welds 200. Other attachment methods such as, for
example, screws or bolts can be used. Mesh screens 195 are separate
pieces that are attached to back panel 150 either before or after
back panel 150 is attached to appliance 100. The operation of
attaching mesh screens 195 to back panel 150 can be time consuming
and/or require specialized equipment.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows an example of an embodiment of the invention
using an example of the inventive ventilation panel. FIG. 3 shows
an appliance 300 having an upper cooking area 310 that has, in this
example, three grates 320 that cover six burners 330. Appliance 300
has side panels 340 and a back panel 350. In addition to back panel
350, appliance 300 has a ventilation panel 370 that partially
encloses the back side of appliance 300. Ventilation panel 370
includes, in this example, three ventilation openings 380. Fewer or
more ventilation openings can be included. In this example,
ventilation panel 370 is separate from back panel 350. In other
examples, ventilation panel 370 can be the entire back panel of
appliance 100. However, making ventilation panel 370 smaller than
the entire back panel of the appliance can facilitate manufacturing
of ventilation openings 380.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows an example of ventilation panel 370 having
three ventilation openings 380. In this example, a plurality of
holes 410 are provided for attaching ventilation panel 370 to
appliance 100. FIG. 4 also shows a plurality of holes 420 they can
be used to further secure ventilation panel 370 to appliance 100.
Holes 420 can be for attaching ventilation panel 370 to a specific
piece of equipment (such as a fan) inside appliance 100 such that a
particular ventilation opening 380 aligns properly with that piece
of equipment. More or fewer holes 410, 420 can be used.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a more detailed view of ventilation opening
380. Holes 420 are shown positioned over attachment points 421 of
appliance 100. In this example, ventilation opening 380 is formed
by a plurality of vertical and horizontal structural components
that will be referred to as "legs". In this example, each opening
is defined by two horizontal legs 520 and two vertical legs 510.
The opening bounded by two horizontal legs 520 and two vertical
legs 510 is made more structurally sound and penetration resistant
because horizontal legs 520 outside of the opening intersect
vertical legs 510 at a point other than the ends of vertical legs
510. This is in contrast to a woven mesh screen in which the ends
of the horizontal pieces intersect the ends of the vertical pieces.
In such a woven mesh screen (or any other structure where the ends
of the horizontal pieces intersect the ends of the vertical pieces)
a horizontal force imposed on a vertical piece is not opposed by
any structure on the opposite side of the vertical piece. This
results in a relatively week resistance to lateral forces.
[0036] FIGS. 6 and 7 show mesh screen 195 being subjected to a
probe 600 such as, for example, the UL specified probe discussed
above. FIG. 6 shows probe 600 being moved toward mesh screen 195
and coming in contact with mesh screen 195. The size of the
openings in mesh screen 195 may be smaller than the diameter of
probe 600, but as probe 600 is pressed against mesh screen 195
sections 895 of mesh screen 195 deflect and allow probe 600 to
penetrate mesh screen 195, as shown in FIG. 7. This penetration
happens because each deflected section 895 is not supported on a
side opposite to the probe. In other words, the lateral force
exerted on deflected section 895 is not met with an opposite force
from any structure other than deflected section 895.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows probe 600 being moved toward and contacting
ventilation opening 380. FIG. 9 shows a larger scale view of what
happens as probe 600 contacts and is pressed against ventilation
opening 380. In FIG. 9, as probe 600 is pressed against ventilation
opening 380 is comes into contact with the left vertical leg 510
and the upper horizontal leg 520. Often in this situation, the
right and bottom edges of probe 600 will move past the front edge
of ventilation opening 380 and press laterally against the right
vertical leg 510 (shown by Arrow A) and press vertically down
against the bottom horizontal leg 520. As illustrated by Arrow A,
this lateral force is opposed by the structure of the horizontal
leg 520 that is opposite to arrow A. The horizontal leg opposite to
Arrow A in this example prevents the right vertical leg 510 from
bending to the right and allowing probe 600 to penetrate
ventilation opening 380. By providing a horizontal leg on each side
of the opening bounded by four legs, probe 600 is prevented from
bending either vertical leg in a direction that would make the
opening larger. As long as this condition exists for either the
vertical direction or the horizontal direction, probe 600 cannot
penetrate ventilation opening 380.
[0038] Ventilation openings 380 can be cut out of a piece of sheet
material from which ventilation panel 370 is made. Non-exclusive
examples of devices for cutting ventilation openings 380 are laser
cutters, plasma cutters, and water jets.
[0039] The above described structure provide protection against
penetration by probe 600 while simultaneously providing a maximum
open-to-blocked ratio for ventilation opening 380 for a given
ventilation panel thickness. Embodiments of the invention provide a
significant improvement over a louvered opening in that the
invention provides 180 degrees of open air access to the
ventilation opening, whereas a louver provides about 90 degrees of
open air access.
[0040] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
combined into many other different systems or applications. Various
presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,
variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by
those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed
by the invention. In addition, all combinations of any and all of
the features described in the disclosure, in any combination, are
part of the invention.
* * * * *