U.S. patent application number 15/888395 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-07 for thermal management system and method for a connected oven.
The applicant listed for this patent is June Life, Inc.. Invention is credited to Drew Atkinson, Nikhil Bhogal, Gabriel Risk, Mathais Watson Schmidt, Matthew Van Horn.
Application Number | 20180156467 15/888395 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57398243 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180156467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bhogal; Nikhil ; et
al. |
June 7, 2018 |
THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A CONNECTED OVEN
Abstract
The connected oven includes a cooking cavity defined by a back,
a door opposing the bottom, a top adjacent the back and door, a
bottom opposing the top, and opposing sidewalls adjacent the
remainder of the walls, a user interface unit configured to receive
instructions from the user, a sensor, and a thermal management
system for minimizing or preventing thermal damage to
heat-sensitive components arranged on the oven.
Inventors: |
Bhogal; Nikhil; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Van Horn; Matthew; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Schmidt; Mathais Watson; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Atkinson; Drew; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Risk; Gabriel; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
June Life, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57398243 |
Appl. No.: |
15/888395 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15170678 |
Jun 1, 2016 |
9927129 |
|
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15888395 |
|
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62169323 |
Jun 1, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 7/086 20130101;
F24C 15/006 20130101; F24C 15/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/00 20060101
F24C015/00; F24C 7/08 20060101 F24C007/08; F24C 15/04 20060101
F24C015/04 |
Claims
1. A connected oven, comprising: a heating element; an oven body
comprising an oven bottom, an oven back, and a dual-panel oven top,
wherein the dual-panel oven top comprises: an exterior panel; an
interior panel arranged inferior the exterior panel, wherein the
oven bottom, oven back, and interior panel cooperatively define a
cooking cavity; a cooling channel cooperatively defined between the
exterior panel and the interior panel, the cooling channel
defining: a fluid inlet arranged in the exterior panel proximal the
oven door, wherein the interior panel comprises a solid segment
coextensive with the fluid inlet; a fluid outlet arranged in the
oven back; a fluid path between the fluid inlet and the fluid
outlet; a camera assembly comprising: a camera mounted to the
interior panel and directed toward the oven bottom, wherein the
camera is arranged substantially in the center of the interior
panel; a lighting system mounted to the interior panel, proximal
the camera; and a heatsink thermally connected to the cooling
channel.
2. The connected oven of claim 1, wherein an inferior surface of
the interior panel comprises a low-reflectance coating.
3. The connected oven of claim 2, wherein the low-reflectance
coating is black.
4. The connected oven of claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet comprises
a first set of perforations in the exterior panel, and wherein the
fluid outlet comprises a second set of perforations in the oven
back.
5. The connected oven of claim 1, wherein a plane of the fluid
outlet is aligned with the fluid path, and a plane of the fluid
inlet is aligned parallel the fluid path.
6. The connected oven of claim 1, further comprising a convection
element mounted to the oven back and fluidly connected to the fluid
outlet, wherein the convection element is configured to draw
cooling fluid from an ambient environment into the cooling channel
through the fluid inlet.
7. The connected oven of claim 1, wherein the lighting system
comprises a set of light-emitting diodes.
8. A connected oven, comprising: an oven body comprising an oven
bottom, an oven back, and a dual-panel oven top, wherein the
dual-panel oven top comprises: an exterior panel comprising a
cooling channel inlet; an interior panel arranged inferior the
exterior panel, wherein the oven bottom, oven back, and interior
panel cooperatively define a cooking cavity, the interior panel
comprising a segment coextensive with the cooling channel inlet; a
heating element arranged within the cooking cavity; a camera
assembly mounted to the interior panel, the camera assembly
comprising a camera directed toward the oven bottom; a cooling
channel arranged in the dual-panel oven top and thermally connected
to the camera, the cooling channel fluidly connected to the cooling
channel inlet and a cooling channel outlet defined by the oven
body.
9. The connected oven of claim 8, wherein the cooling channel is
cooperatively defined by the exterior panel and the interior
panel.
10. The connected oven of claim 8, wherein the camera assembly
further comprises a lighting system mounted to the interior panel
proximal the camera.
11. The connected oven of claim 10, wherein the lighting system
comprises a set of light-emitting diodes.
12. The connected oven of claim 10, wherein an interior face of the
interior panel comprises a low-reflectance coating.
13. The connected oven of claim 8, further comprising a printed
circuit board (PCB) mounted to a superior face of the interior
panel, wherein the PCB is electrically connected to the camera.
14. The connected oven of claim 8, wherein the cooling channel
outlet is defined by the oven back.
15. The connected oven of claim 14, wherein the cooling channel
inlet comprises a first set of perforations in the exterior panel,
and wherein the cooling channel outlet comprises a second set of
perforations in the oven back.
16. The connected oven of claim 8, wherein a length of the cooling
channel is less than a length of the exterior panel.
17. The connected oven of claim 8, wherein the cooling channel
outlet is aligned perpendicular a flow axis of the cooling channel,
and wherein the cooling channel inlet is aligned parallel the flow
axis.
18. The connected oven of claim 8, further comprising a convection
element mounted to the oven back and fluidly connected to the
cooling channel, wherein the convection element is configured to
draw cooling fluid from the ambient environment into the cooling
channel through the cooling channel inlet.
19. The connected oven of claim 8, wherein camera assembly further
comprises a set of light-emitting diodes.
20. The connected oven of claim 19, further comprising a heatsink
connected to the camera assembly.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/170,678, filed 1 Jun. 2016, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/169,323, filed 1
Jun. 2015, both of which are incorporated in their entireties by
this reference. This application is related to U.S. application
Ser. No. 15/147,597 filed 5 May 2016, which is incorporated in its
entirety by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to the cooking apparatus
field, and more specifically to a new and useful thermal management
system and method in the cooking apparatus field.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the fluid paths
within the oven.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a variation of the oven.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the variation of the oven
with the door in an open configuration.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a back of the variation of
the oven.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the top of the variation of the
oven.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a bottom of the variation of the
oven.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of fluid flow through
the fluid channels.
[0010] FIGS. 8 to 18 are schematic representations of various fluid
flow patterns through the oven.
[0011] FIG. 19 is a top-down perspective view of a variation of the
oven.
[0012] FIG. 20 is a schematic representation of a fluid flow
pattern through the oven.
[0013] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a variation of a user
interface unit of the oven.
[0014] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a variation of the oven
with a wall offset.
[0015] FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of a specific example
of the oven including a cooling path thermally insulating the
display and control system from the cooking cavity and cooling
heat-generating components.
[0016] FIGS. 24 to 27 are schematic representations of a first,
second, third, and fourth top cooling channel configuration.
[0017] FIGS. 28-30 are perspective views of variations of a
specific example of the oven.
[0018] FIG. 31 is a schematic representation of a specific example
of a first and a second flow path through the oven.
[0019] FIG. 32 is a schematic representation of an example of a
heat dissipation element.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The following description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these
preferred embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in
the art to make and use this invention.
1. Overview--Connected Oven
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the connected oven 100 can include a set
of panels cooperatively defining a cooking cavity 105, a user
interface unit 200 configured to receive instructions from the
user, a control system 300, and a thermal management system 400 for
minimizing or preventing thermal damage to heat-sensitive
components arranged on the oven.
[0022] The inventors have discovered that an oven with a smaller
footprint and/or increased control opportunities can be achieved by
replacing a conventional control panel for an oven with a
touchscreen, such as the system disclosed in U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/147,597 filed 5 May 2016 titled "Connected Food Preparation
System and Method of Use," incorporated herein in its entirety by
this reference. However, this replacement has created new problems.
In particular, the touchscreen components are heat-sensitive, and
the inventors have effectively replaced a heat-tolerant component
(conventional control panels) with a heat-sensitive component (the
touchscreen). Furthermore, in some variants, the inventors have
further reduced the oven footprint by arranging the touchscreen
along an oven panel defining the cooking cavity 105, instead of
arranging the touchscreen adjacent (e.g., offset) from the cooking
cavity 105. This arrangement directly exposes the touchscreen to
thermal radiation from the cooking cavity 105. Thus, there is a
need in the oven field to create a new and useful thermal
management system 400 to accommodate the issues created by
incorporating a touchscreen into an oven.
[0023] The inventors have further discovered that new control
opportunities can be achieved by incorporating control systems 300
into the oven. In particular, the control systems 300 can include
wireless communication systems, data processing systems 320, or
other high-computational powered components. While these components
can confer increased processing power and functionality, these
components are heat sensitive and generate a substantial amount of
heat during operation, making these components non-ideal for
inclusion within a high-heat application, such as an oven.
Furthermore, the control system 300 can be arranged along an oven
panel defining the cooking cavity 105 in some variations to reduce
the oven footprint, effectively exposing the control system 300
components to radiant heat or placing the control system 300
components within the cooking cavity heat removal pathway. Thus,
there is a further need in the oven field to create a new and
useful thermal management system 400 to accommodate the issues
created by incorporating control system 300s into an oven.
[0024] In a first variation as shown in FIG. 2, the touchscreen is
overlaid over a portion of the oven door 110. More specifically,
the oven door 110 is a dual-panel door, including an exterior and
interior panel cooperatively defining an air gap therebetween,
wherein the touchscreen is mounted to the exterior panel. The
interior and exterior panels can be substantially permanently
coupled, or be removably coupled. The air gap can be open to the
ambient environment along a first and second end, such that ambient
air can flow from the first end, through the air gap, to the second
end. This air gap can function to thermally insulate the
touchscreen from the cooking cavity 105, and can additionally
function to cool the touchscreen.
[0025] In a second variation, the control system 300 is mounted to
a portion of the oven top 120 and enclosed by a secondary top panel
124. The secondary top panel 124 and primary top panel 122 (the
panel directly defining the cooking cavity 105) can cooperatively
define a top fluid channel 430 therebetween, wherein the control
system 300 is arranged within the top fluid channel 430. The
control system 300 can be directly mounted to the primary top panel
122 broad face, mounted to a set of cooling features 490 extending
from the primary top panel 122 broad face (e.g., such that a first
and second fluid channel is defined above and below the control
system 300), mounted to the secondary top panel 124, or mounted to
any other suitable component. The top fluid channel 430 can be open
to the ambient environment at a first and/or second end, fluidly
connected to a secondary fluid channel at a first and/or second
end, or be connected to any other suitable fluid source. The top
fluid channel 430 can function to thermally insulate the control
system 300 from the cooking cavity 105 and/or function to cool the
control system 300. However, the thermal management system 400 can
be incorporated in any other suitable configuration into any other
suitable oven variant.
1.1 Potential Benefits
[0026] The connected oven can confer several benefits over
conventional ovens. First, the connected oven can include a thermal
management system for thermally protecting heat-sensitive
components (e.g., a user interface unit, a camera, a wireless
communication system, etc.) that can facilitate real-time foodstuff
identification (e.g., foodstuff analysis for determining the type
of foodstuff in the cooking cavity), automatic determination of
user preferences (e.g., determining oven operation parameters or
patterns that lead to a given cooking outcome), remote monitoring
(e.g., a user using a mobile smartphone to monitor the progress of
the cooking process at the cooking cavity), dynamic thermal
adjustment monitoring (e.g., adjusting cooking cavity temperature
based on identification of the cooking stage of the foodstuff),
and/or perform any other suitable activity. For example, a camera
assembly for real-time food stuff identification can be arranged
within an oven top fluid cooling channel that enables ambient air
to cool the camera assembly. Through thermal protection of
heat-sensitive components, the connected oven 100 can, for example,
extend the lifespan of connected ovens, reduce repair costs, and
maintain heat-sensitive component functionality.
[0027] Second, the connected oven can facilitate an aesthetically
pleasing user experience while satisfying thermal management
requirements of heat-sensitive components. For example, some oven
variations can include an edge to edge glass door that can enable a
larger, clearer cavity viewing area while thermally insulating user
interface components from the cooking cavity and a thermally
conductive metal door bezel. The connected oven can additionally
utilize fluid cooling channels defined by dual-panel oven walls
while maintaining an aesthetically favorable physical footprint.
External fluid connections (e.g., perforations, air gaps, etc.) for
connecting the environment to fluid cooling channels can be defined
at exterior oven panels, thereby adding unique contour and shape to
the oven body.
[0028] Third, the connected oven can leverage the thermal
management system to improve aspects of a user's experience with
different components of the connected oven. For example, sidewalls
140 constructed with molded insulation (e.g., molded fiberglass)
can enable cool-touch exterior sidewalls 140 for both safety and
user-experience. In another example, a dual-panel, glass oven door
can thermally insulate a touch screen user interface and display
from heating elements 500 at the cooking cavity. Similarly, the
dual-panel glass oven door, can thermally insulate a thermally
conductive user interface (e.g., metal knob) from the cooking
cavity.
[0029] Fourth, the connected oven can confer increased control over
thermal distribution and/or thermal gradients within the cavity. In
particular, the connected oven can be dynamically controlled by a
processing system (on-board or remote). The processing system can
dynamically adjust individual convection elements, heating elements
500, or other oven components to accommodate safety parameters for
heat-sensitive components, cooking parameter deviations from a
target value, create desired thermal profiles within the cavity
interior, or otherwise selectively control oven operation.
1.2 Cooking Cavity
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooking cavity 105 of the connected
oven 100 functions to receive and apply heat to foodstuffs. The
cooking cavity 105 is preferably cooperatively defined by a set of
oven walls, but can alternatively be otherwise defined. The oven
walls can additionally or alternatively include a back, a door
opposing the bottom, a top adjacent the back and door, a bottom
opposing the top, and/or opposing sidewalls 140 adjacent the
remainder of the walls. A given oven wall can be single panel,
multi-panel (e.g., dual panel), vacuum-insulated panels, or be any
other suitable panel. When the oven walls include a primary panel
(e.g., an interior panel; an inner panel) and secondary panel
(e.g., an exterior panel; an outer panel), the panels can be
substantially permanently together or removably coupled (e.g., by
grooves, clips, magnetic elements, etc.). The primary panel can be
the panel directly defining the cooking cavity, while the secondary
panel can be the panel defining the oven exterior. However, the
primary and secondary panels can be otherwise arranged or
configured. The oven walls can be transparent, opaque, or have any
other suitable translucency. The oven walls can be made from a
thermally conductive material, thermally insulative material, or
from any other suitable material. The oven panels can be made of
glass, metal, ceramic, plastic (e.g., thermoset), or any other
suitable material or combination thereof.
[0031] The back, top, and sidewall oven walls 140 are preferably
joined together (e.g., formed as a singular piece, joined together,
stamped, etc.). The door can actuate relative to the remainder of
the oven panels to transiently seal and unseal the cooking cavity
lumen. For example, the oven door 110 can be actuatable between an
open position and a closed position relative the oven body. The
door can actuate (e.g., rotate, slide, etc.) along a vector
perpendicular the door longitudinal axis, along a vector
perpendicular the door lateral axis, or actuate along any other
suitable axis. For example, the door can be hinged along an oven
side, hinged along the oven bottom, or be otherwise coupled to the
oven body. The oven panels are preferably substantially solid
(e.g., fluid impermeable), but can alternatively or additionally
include external fluid connections 470. In one example, the oven
panels can include perforations along the panel perimeter or body,
or air gaps cooperatively defined between the panel and an adjacent
panel, that function to fluidly connect the cooking cavity interior
with the panel exterior. However, the oven panels can include any
other suitable external fluid connection 470. As shown in FIG. 22,
in another example, the oven back 130 (e.g., an external back panel
of the oven back 130) can include one or more wall offsets 136
extending away from the cooking cavity 105. Alternatively, any
suitable oven panel can include a wall offset 136 in order to
separate the connected oven 100 from walls of a living space.
However, the oven panels can include any other suitable
feature.
[0032] The cooking cavity 105 and the oven walls can additionally
or alternatively be configured in any manner analogous to those
disclosed in related U.S. application Ser. No. 15/147,597 filed 5
May 2016 and titled, "CONNECTED FOOD PREPARATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
OF USE," which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by this
reference.
1.3 Heat-Sensitive Components
[0033] The heat-sensitive components of the system function to
interact with a user, user device, and/or remote system.
Heat-sensitive components can include a user interface unit 200 and
a control system 300, but the oven can include any other suitable
heat-sensitive component.
[0034] Heat-sensitive components can be welded, screwed, glued,
mechanically affixed, and/or mounted through any suitable coupling
means to components (e.g., oven panels) of the connected oven
100.
[0035] Heat-sensitive components can additionally or alternatively
be configured in any manner analogous to those disclosed in related
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/147,597.
1.3.1 User Interface Unit
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 21, the user interface unit 200
functions to receive input from a user. The user interface unit 200
can additionally function to present information to a user. The
user interface unit 200 can include a display 210 and a user input
device 220. The user interface unit 200 can additionally include a
second user input device 220', the processing system 320, computer
memory, the communication system 600, or any other suitable
component.
[0037] The user interface unit 200 is preferably mounted to a user
interface mounting region 116 defined by the oven door 110 (e.g.,
an exterior panel of the oven door 110. Additionally or
alternatively, the user interface unit 200 can be mounted to any
suitable oven panel, but different components of the user interface
unit 200 can be mounted to different suitable portions of the
connected oven 100. The user interface unit 200 is preferably
arranged with a normal vector intersecting the cooking cavity 105
when the oven door 110 is in the closed position, but can
alternatively be arranged with the normal vector offset from the
cooking cavity, or arranged in any suitable configuration. When the
oven door no is in a fully open position, the user interface unit
200 can be arranged with a normal vector parallel the normal vector
of the oven bottom 150, perpendicular the normal vector of the oven
bottom, or otherwise arranged. However, the user interface unit 200
can be arranged in any suitable manner.
[0038] In a first variation, the components of the user interface
unit 200 are each mounted to the same oven panel. For example, a
display 210, input device 220, and processors 320 of a user
interface unit 200 can each be mounted to an exterior door panel
114 of the oven door 110. Additionally or alternatively, each of
the components of the user interface unit 200 in the first
variation can be thermally connected to one or more components of
the connected oven 100 (e.g., a fluid channel 410 defined by a
dual-panel oven door 110). However, with respect to mounting
positions on the same oven panel, different components of the user
interface unit 200 can be adjacent, overlaid, and/or separated.
[0039] In a second variation, different components of the user
interface unit 200 can be mounted or physically connected to
different oven panels. For example, a first input device 220 and
display 210 can be mounted to the oven door 110, and a second input
device 220' can be mounted to an oven side wall 140. In another
example, an input device 220 can be mounted to an exterior door
panel 114, and a display 210 can be mounted to an interior door
panel 112. However, any suitable user interface unit 200 component
can be mounted to any suitable oven component.
[0040] The user interface unit 200 and/or components of the user
interface unit 200 (e.g., display 210, input device 220, etc.), can
additionally or alternatively be configured in any manner analogous
to those disclosed in related U.S. application Ser. No. 15/147,597
filed 5 May 2016 and titled, "CONNECTED FOOD PREPARATION SYSTEM AND
METHOD OF USE."
1.3.1.a Display
[0041] The user interface unit 200 can optionally include a display
210, which functions to display oven parameters, settings,
notifications, recipes, or other oven-related information. The
display 210 is preferably heat-sensitive (e.g., degrades at
temperatures above 100.degree. C., above 50.degree. C., above
200.degree. C., etc.), but can alternatively be substantially
heat-tolerant (e.g., be stable at the aforementioned temperatures).
Examples of the display 210 include an LED display, OLED display,
plasma display, projection display, or any other suitable display
210. The display 210 can be transparent, opaque, or have any other
suitable translucency.
[0042] The display 210 is preferably arranged along an exterior
surface of an oven component (e.g., opposing the cooking cavity 105
across a component thickness), but can alternatively or
additionally be arranged along an exterior surface of an oven panel
(e.g., a panel directly defining the cooking cavity 105), be
arranged along the interior surface of the oven component, be
arranged adjacent or offset the cooking cavity 105, or be arranged
in any other suitable location. The display 210 can extend across a
portion or across the entirety of the component broad face.
Alternatively, the display 210 can replace a portion of the
component. Examples of components that can support the display 210
include the oven door 110, sidewall 140, back 150, top 120, bottom
150, along the wall parallel to and adjacent the oven door 110
(e.g., wherein the oven door 110 is shorter than the back wall
130), or along any other suitable oven surface.
[0043] In a specific variation, the display 210 is arranged along
the oven door 110, wherein the display 210 opposes the cooking
cavity 105 (e.g., wherein a normal vector from the display 210
active face intersects the cooking cavity volume). The display 210
is preferably arranged along a secondary door panel 114 arranged a
predetermined distance external the primary door panel 112, wherein
the primary door panel 112 directly defines the cooking cavity 105.
The display 210 is preferably arranged along the interior of the
secondary door panel 114, but can alternatively be arranged along
an exterior of the secondary door panel 114 (e.g., an exterior door
panel 114) or replace a portion of the secondary door panel 114.
The display 210 is preferably contiguous with a bezel 160 or edge
of the display 210 (e.g., such that any wires connecting the
display 210 to the control system 300 can be hidden by the bezel
160), but can alternatively be offset from the bezel 160, centered
along the door or be otherwise arranged.
[0044] 1.3.1.b Input Device
[0045] The user interface unit 200 can optionally include an input
device 220, which functions to receive user inputs for oven
control. The input device 220 can be heat-sensitive (e.g., degrades
at temperatures above 100.degree. C., above 50.degree. C., above
200.degree. C., etc.), or can be substantially heat-tolerant (e.g.,
be stable at the aforementioned temperatures). Examples of the
input device 220 include a touch sensor or touch screen, knob 222
(e.g., metal or plastic knob), buttons, or any other suitable input
device 220. Examples of touchscreens include resistive touch
screens, surface acoustic wave touch screens, infrared grid touch
screens, optical image touch screens, dispersive signal touch
screens, acoustic pulse touch screens, capacitive touch screens
(surface capacitance, projected capacitance, mutual capacitance),
ITO touch screens, or any other suitable touch screens. The input
device 220 can be transparent, opaque, or have any other suitable
translucency. The input device 220 can be electrically connected to
the display 210, electrically connected to the control system 300,
and/or electrically connected to any other suitable component. The
knob 222, buttons, or other user input are preferably made of
thermally-conductive material (e.g., metal, such as stainless
steel), but can alternatively be plastic, ceramic, or made of any
other suitable material. In one example, the user interface unit
200 can include a rotary knob 222, the rotary knob 222 actuatable
about a rotary axis and arranged with the rotary axis intersecting
the cooking cavity 105. The user inputs are preferably constantly
defined, but can alternatively be dynamic (e.g., buttons
dynamically created by fluid channels 410). However, any other
suitable input device 220 can be used.
[0046] The input device 220 is preferably arranged along an
exterior surface of an oven component (e.g., opposing the cooking
cavity 105 across a component thickness, such that a normal vector
from the input device broad face intersects the cooking cavity
volume), but can alternatively or additionally be arranged along an
exterior surface of an oven panel (e.g., a panel directly defining
the cooking cavity 105), be arranged along the interior surface of
the oven component, be arranged adjacent or offset the cooking
cavity 105, or be arranged in any other suitable location. The
input device 220 can extend across a portion or across the entirety
of the component broad face. Alternatively, the input device 220
can replace a portion of the component. Examples of components that
can support the input device 220 include the oven door 110,
sidewall 140, back 150, top 120, bottom 150, along the wall
parallel to and adjacent the oven door 110 (e.g., wherein the oven
door 110 is shorter than the back wall), or along any other
suitable oven surface. In one variation, the input device 220 is
arranged over all or a portion of the display 210, wherein the
input device 220 can be directly mounted to the display 210 (e.g.,
the active face of the display 210), mounted to the oven wall
opposing the display 210 across the wall thickness, or be otherwise
mounted relative to the display 210. In one example of this
variation, the user interface unit 200 can include a touch screen
input device 220 overlaying a display 210 mounted to the oven door
110 (e.g., an exterior panel of the oven door 110). Alternatively,
the input device 220 can be separate and distinct from the display
210. However, the input device 220 can be otherwise arranged.
1.3.2 Control System
[0047] The control system 300 of the connected oven 100 functions
to control oven operations, oven communications, the display 210,
and/or receive control instructions from the input device 220. The
control system 300 can include a processor 320 (e.g., a CPU, GPU,
microcontroller, etc.), sensors 310 (e.g., cameras, temperature
sensors, etc.), emitters, communication systems (e.g., a wireless
communication system), and/or any other suitable component. The
control system 300 can include a communication module that
functions to communicate with a remote system (e.g., WiFi, Zigbee,
Z-wave, etc.); a processing system 320 that functions to control
oven operations based on oven sensor 310 readouts, instructions
received from the remote system, and/or user inputs from the input
device 220; memory (e.g., volatile or non-volatile); and/or any
other suitable component. The board can additionally function to
mount the control system 300 to the oven wall, and can function as
the intermediary panel in some oven variants. In one example, the
connected oven 100 can include a processing system 320 connected to
a user interface unit 200 and a camera assembly sensor 310, where
the processing system 320 can be mounted to the user interface unit
200, and the processing system 320 can be thermally connected to a
door fluid channel 420 defined by interior and exterior door panels
114 of a dual-panel oven door 110.
[0048] The oven can include one or more control systems. In one
variation, the oven includes a single control system 300
electrically connected to and configured to control the input
device 220, the display 210, and the oven components. In a second
variation, the oven can include a first and a second control system
300, wherein the first control system 300 can be configured to
control display 210 and/or input device 220 operation, and the
second control system 300 can be configured to control oven
operation based on instructions received (through a wired or
wireless connection) from the first control system 300 and/or
communicate with a remote system. In this variation, the first
control system 300 can be arranged adjacent the display 210 and/or
input device 220 (e.g., behind the display 210, within the input
device 220, etc.), while the second control system 300 can be
arranged along a portion of the oven with little to no EMF
interference (e.g., along the top of the oven). However, the oven
can include any suitable number of control systems 300, configured
in any suitable hierarchy and arranged in any other suitable
location.
[0049] The control system 300 is preferably enclosed within the
oven, but can alternatively be open to ambient or otherwise
arranged. The control system 300 can be physically connected to the
cooking cavity 105 (e.g., fluidly connected through an aperture in
the cavity wall), fluidly isolated and thermally connected to the
cooking cavity 105, fluidly and thermally isolated from the cooking
cavity 105, or otherwise arranged. The control system 300 can
additionally include a board or substrate that functions to
physically and/or electrically connect the control system
components. The control system 300 is preferably arranged along an
exterior surface of an oven component (e.g., opposing the cooking
cavity 105 across a component thickness, such that a normal vector
from the control system board intersects the cooking cavity
volume), but can alternatively or additionally be arranged along an
exterior surface of an oven panel (e.g., a panel directly defining
the cooking cavity 105), be arranged along the interior surface of
the oven component, be arranged adjacent or offset the cooking
cavity 105, or be arranged in any other suitable location. The
control system 300 can extend across a portion or across the
entirety of the component broad face. Alternatively, the control
system 300 can replace a portion of the component. Examples of
components that can support the control system 300 include the oven
door 110, sidewall 140, back 150, top 120, bottom 150, along the
wall parallel to and adjacent the oven door 110 (e.g., wherein the
oven door 110 is shorter than the back wall), or along any other
suitable oven surface. In one variation, the control system 300 can
be arranged along the waste heat path of the cooking cavity 105
(e.g., along the top of the cooking cavity 105, along a portion of
the oven having low or minimal EMF interference). In this
variation, the oven top 120 can include dual panels that
cooperatively define a cooling channel encapsulating the control
system 300, wherein the cooling channel can direct fluid to flow
perpendicular to the rising heat from the cooking cavity 105. In a
second variation, the control system 300 can be arranged along the
top of the oven and thermally insulated from the cooking cavity 105
by thermally insulative material, such as foam or ceramic. In a
third variation, the control system 300 can be arranged behind the
display 210. In a fourth variation, the control system 300 can be
arranged offset the cooking cavity 105. However, the control system
300 can be otherwise arranged.
[0050] The control system 300 and/or components of the control
system 300 (e.g., sensor 310, processing system 320, emitter, etc.)
can additionally or alternatively be configured in any manner
analogous to those disclosed in related U.S. application Ser. No.
15/147,597 filed 5 May 2016 and titled, "CONNECTED FOOD PREPARATION
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE."
1.3.2.a Sensor
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 19-20 and 23, the sensor 310 functions to
record cooking parameters. The sensors 310 can include an optical
sensor (e.g., camera assembly, image sensors, light sensors, etc.),
audio sensors, temperature sensors, volatile compound sensors,
weight sensors, humidity sensors, depth sensors, location sensors,
inertial sensors (e.g., accelerators, gyroscope, magnetometer,
etc.), impedance sensors (e.g., to measure bio-impedance of
foodstuff), hygrometers, insertion temperature sensors (e.g.,
probes), cooking cavity temperature sensors, timers, gas analyzers,
pressure sensors, flow sensors, door sensors (e.g., a switch
coupled to the door, etc.), power sensors (e.g., Hall effect
sensors), or any other suitable sensor 310.
[0052] In one variation, the sensor 310 can be a camera assembly.
The camera assembly preferably includes a camera electrically
connected to (e.g., mounted to) a PCB, but can additionally or
alternatively include any suitable component. The camera assembly
is preferably arranged within a top fluid channel 430 defined by
the exterior and interior panels of a dual-panel oven top 120. In a
first variation, the camera assembly can be mounted to the exterior
top panel 124. For example, the PCB can be mechanically mounted to
the side of the exterior top panel 124 facing the top fluid channel
430, such that the camera can be arranged within the top fluid
channel and directed towards the oven bottom 150. In a second
variation, the camera assembly can be mounted to the interior top
panel 122 with the camera proximal the cooking cavity 105. For
example, the PCB can be mounted to the side of the interior top
panel 122 facing the top fluid channel 430, and the PCB-mounted
camera can extend into the cooking cavity 105. The camera can be
recessed away from the cooking cavity 105, flush with the cooking
cavity 105, extending into the cooking cavity 105, and/or possess
any suitable arrangement with respect to the cooking cavity 105.
Components of the camera assembly can be thermally connected to the
top fluid channel 430, the cooking cavity 105, and/or any other
suitable component of the connected oven 100 (e.g., through the
oven panels, directly thermally connected, etc.). Additionally or
alternatively, a camera assembly can be arranged within the oven
door 110 (e.g., directed with a field of view outward away from the
cooking cavity, directed with a field of view inward toward the
cooking cavity, etc.), but can otherwise be arranged at any
suitable portion of the connected oven 100. The camera assembly
preferably defines a field of view directed toward the oven bottom
150 (e.g., if the camera assembly is arranged at the oven top 120),
but can additionally or alternatively define a field of view
directed towards the oven back 130 (e.g., if the camera is arranged
at the oven door no), towards the oven door 110 (e.g., if the
camera is arranged at the oven back 130), and/or any other suitable
reference point. However, the camera assembly can be otherwise
configured.
1.4 Thermal Management System
[0053] The thermal management system 400 functions to manage the
heat transmission from the cooking cavity 105 to the display 210 or
other heat-sensitive component. The thermal management system 400
can additionally function to cool the heat-sensitive component,
electrical connections between heat-sensitive components, or other
components thermally connected to the heat-sensitive component. The
oven preferably includes one or more thermal management systems
400, wherein each thermal management system 400 can manage the
thermal exposure of one or more heat-sensitive components. The
thermal management system 400 can include fluid channels 410
thermally separating the component from the cooking cavity 105
and/or guiding cooling fluid over the component, thermally
insulative materials (e.g., foam, ceramic, etc.) encapsulating or
thermally separating the component from the cooking cavity 105. The
thermal management system 400 can additionally or alternatively
include fluid movement mechanisms and/or include any other suitable
thermal management system 400 components. The cooling fluid can be:
ambient environment fluid (e.g., air), dedicated cooling fluid
(e.g., coolant, supplied from a fluidly connected fluid reservoir),
or be otherwise supplied. The cooling fluid can be gas, liquid, or
have any other suitable physical state.
1.4.1 Fluid Channel
[0054] In a first variation of the thermal management system 400,
the thermal management system 400 can include a fluid channel 410,
which functions to cool heat-sensitive components (e.g., a user
interface unit 200, a control system 300), associated electrical
connections, or any other suitable component (e.g., an oven
sidewall, thereby facilitating a cool-touch exterior) of the
connected oven 100. A fluid channel 410 can be cooperatively
defined between the heat-sensitive component and the oven panel.
The oven panel can be the primary oven panel, a secondary oven
panel, or any other suitable oven panel. In this variation, the
oven panel cooperatively defining the fluid channel 410 can include
standoffs or cooling features 490 extending from the panel broad
face. The cooling features 490 can include fins, grooves, pins,
divots, or any other suitable cooling feature 490.
[0055] The cooling features 490 preferably extend from the external
broad face of the primary oven panel (e.g., face distal the cooking
cavity 105) or the internal broad face of the secondary oven panel
(e.g., face proximal the cooking cavity 105), but can alternatively
extend from any other suitable panel surface. The heat-sensitive
component can be mounted to the cooling features 490 (e.g., screwed
into, adhered, welded, clipped, etc. to the cooling features 490),
mounted directly to the panel, or otherwise affixed to the oven
panel.
[0056] In this variation, the thermal management system 400 can
include a secondary oven panel arranged a predetermined distance
away from the primary oven panel, wherein the secondary and primary
oven panels cooperatively define a lumen (e.g., a fluid channel
410, fluid manifold) therebetween. The oven door 110, oven back
130, oven top 120, oven bottom 150, sidewalls 140, and/or any other
suitable oven component can include a primary and secondary oven
panel cooperatively defining a fluid channel 410. The secondary
oven panel is preferably arranged external the primary oven panel
(e.g., distal the cooking cavity 105), but can alternatively be
arranged internal the primary oven panel or be arranged in any
other suitable configuration. The secondary oven panel is
preferably parallel to the primary oven panel, but can
alternatively be arranged at an angle to the primary oven panel
(e.g., to facilitate fluid flow in a predetermined direction,
similar to a diffuser), or be arranged in any other suitable
configuration relative to the primary oven panel. The secondary
oven panel is preferably substantially identical to the primary
oven panel, but can alternatively be substantially different. The
secondary oven panel can be substantially planar, include waves or
folds, or have any other suitable configuration. Any suitable
region of a secondary or primary panel pair can define a fluid
channel 410, fluid inlet, and/or fluid outlet. However, primary and
secondary oven panels can have any suitable surface area, volume,
and/or other configuration for cooperatively defining a fluid
channel 410.
[0057] The secondary oven panel can be formed from thermally
conductive material, thermally insulative material, or from any
other suitable material. The primary and secondary oven panels can
be constructed using similar materials, different materials, and/or
any other material configuration. The secondary oven panel can
include cooling features 490 along the internal face (e.g., the
face proximal the primary oven panel) or the external face (e.g.,
the face distal the primary oven panel). The secondary oven panel
can be coextensive with the primary oven panel, extend beyond the
primary oven panel, or be smaller than the primary oven panel.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 19, the secondary oven panel can
additionally define external fluid connections 470 (e.g., a fluid
inlet into a fluid channel 410, a fluid outlet, an external fluid
connection 470 acting as both a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet,
etc.). For example, the secondary oven panel can define
perforations through the panel thickness (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5
and 6), define air gaps through the panel thickness (e.g., as shown
in FIG. 3), cooperatively define air gaps with adjacent secondary
oven panels, or include any other suitable external fluid
connection 470 fluidly connecting a secondary oven panel exterior
with the fluid channel 410.
[0059] In this variation, heat-sensitive components can be arranged
within the fluid channel 410, but can alternatively be mounted
outside the fluid channel 410. The heat sensitive component can be
mounted to or form a portion of the secondary oven panel, primary
oven panel, an intermediary panel arranged between the primary and
secondary wall panels, or to any other suitable mounting point. The
heat sensitive component can be mounted to the broad face of the
oven panel, a cooling feature 490 extending from the oven panel
broad face, or be mounted to any other suitable portion of the oven
panel. Specific examples of heat sensitive component mounting
configurations include: heat sensitive component mounting to the
exterior of the secondary panel (e.g., to the face of the secondary
oven panel distal the cooking cavity 105), forming a portion of the
secondary oven panel, mounting to the interior of the secondary
oven panel (e.g., wherein the secondary oven panel is transparent),
mounting to the exterior of the primary oven panel (e.g., to the
face of the primary oven panel distal the cooking cavity 105),
mounting to the interior of the primary oven panel, forming a
portion of the primary oven panel, or mounting to any other
suitable oven wall.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 7-18, in this variation, a fluid channel
410 can define a fluid vector 460 (e.g., extending along a fluid
path; flow axis, etc.) describing directionality and magnitude of
fluid moving through a fluid channel 410. Fluid vectors 460 can
possess any suitable velocity, acceleration, directionality, and/or
other suitable fluid vector characteristic. Further, a fluid
channel 410 can define multiple fluid vectors 460, each having
similar or different fluid vector 460 characteristics from other
fluid vectors 460 defined by a same or different fluid channel 410.
Fluid vector characteristics can be affected by the configuration
of associated: fluid channels 410, cooling features 490, oven
panels, temperature, pressure, fluid movement mechanisms, and/or
other oven components. In one example, a processing system 320 of
the connected oven 100 can be leveraged to control fluid movement
mechanisms (e.g., by controlling operation of convection elements,
by controlling temperature of the cooking cavity, etc.), thereby
affecting fluid vectors characteristics. However, fluid vectors 460
and flow axes can have any suitable characteristic.
[0061] In a first embodiment of the first variation, the lumen can
be fluidly sealed, wherein the lumen can retain a thermally
insulative material (e.g., foam, air, ceramic, etc.).
Alternatively, the lumen can be a vacuum chamber, wherein the
primary and secondary panels cooperatively form a vacuum panel. In
this variation, the heat-sensitive component can be mounted to the
exterior of the oven wall (e.g., to the secondary oven panel,
distal the cooking cavity 105), but can alternatively form a
portion of the secondary oven panel, be mounted to the interior of
the secondary oven panel (e.g., wherein the secondary oven panel is
transparent), or be mounted to any other suitable position.
[0062] In a second embodiment of the first variation, the lumen can
form the body of a fluid channel 410, wherein the first and/or
second oven panel can additionally define one or more channel
openings. The channel opening plane can be perpendicular to the
fluid channel 410, parallel the fluid channel 410, or arranged at
any other suitable angle to fluid channel 410. The channel openings
can be defined by the primary and secondary panel ends, be defined
through the thickness of the primary and/or secondary panel (e.g.,
by the external fluid connections 470), be defined by a secondary
or primary panel end and an adjacent wall panel, be defined along
the body of a panel (e.g., the secondary oven panel), or be
otherwise defined.
[0063] In a third embodiment of the first variation, the thermal
management system 400 can include multiple fluid channels 410
fluidly isolated from one another. For example, a door fluid
channel 420 (e.g., defined by a dual-panel oven door no) can be
fluidly isolated from a top fluid channel 450 (e.g., defined by a
dual-panel oven top 120), such that fluid traveling through the
door fluid channel 420 is isolated from fluid traveling through the
top fluid channel 430. Fluid isolation between fluid channels 410
is preferably achieved through physical walls separating the fluid
channels 410. However, fluid channels 410 can otherwise be fluidly
isolated from each other.
[0064] In a fourth embodiment of the first variation, the thermal
management system 400 can include multiple fluid channels 410
fluidly connected with one another. For example, a door fluid
channel 420 can be fluidly connected with a top fluid channel 430,
such that fluid traveling through the door fluid channel 420 can be
redirected into the top fluid channel 430. However, fluid channels
410 can be otherwise fluidly connected.
[0065] In a fifth embodiment of the first variation, the thermal
management system 400 can include a third, or intermediary, oven
panel (e.g., in addition to the secondary panel). The third oven
panel can function to separate the lumen defined by the primary and
secondary oven panels into a first and second lumen (e.g., a first
and second fluid channel). The first and second lumens can function
to increase heat-sensitive component cooling, enable cross-current
flow (e.g., wherein fluid flows in a first direction through the
first lumen and in an opposing or different direction through the
second lumen), or enable any other fluid flow. The third oven panel
can additionally function as a mounting point for the
heat-sensitive components, and can additionally include cooling
features 490 and/or external fluid connections 470, similar to
those discussed above. The third oven panel can be substantially
similar to the primary and/or secondary panels, or be different.
For example, the third oven panel can be a portion of the
heat-sensitive component. The third oven panel can be coextensive
with the primary and/or secondary panels, but can alternatively be
longer, shorter, or have any other configuration. However, the
thermal management system 400 can include any suitable number of
oven panels, dividing a fluid channel 410 into any number of fluid
sub-channels possessing any suitable fluid channel
characteristic.
1.4.1.a Fluid Channel--Oven Door
[0066] In a sixth embodiment of the first variation, the door can
be a dual-panel door including an interior door panel 112 and an
exterior door panel 114 cooperatively defining a door fluid channel
420 therebetween. The door fluid channel 420 is preferably defined
by a gap extending along the door longitudinal axis (e.g.,
extending from the bottom to the top), but can include a gap
extending along the door lateral axis, along an axis normal to the
door broad face, or extending along any other suitable portion of
the oven door 110. The door fluid channel 420 preferably fluidly
separates the user interface unit 200 and control system 300 (e.g.,
processing system 320) from the cavity interior and/or inner door
panel, but can fluidly separate any suitable oven components.
[0067] In this embodiment, the interior door panel 112 can
cooperatively define the cooking cavity 105 with the oven body. The
interior and the exterior door panel 114 each preferably include a
transparent window coextensive with the cooking cavity, where the
transparent windows preferably have substantially similar visual
transmittance. However, the interior and exterior door panels 114
can have include any suitable materials with any suitable optical
characteristics.
[0068] The exterior door panel 114 can additionally or
alternatively define a user interface mounting region 116 (e.g.,
where components of the user interface unit 200 can be mounted)
thermally connected to the door fluid channel 420. As shown in FIG.
21, for example, the user interface unit 200 can be mounted to a
mounting region 116 of the transparent window of the exterior door
panel 114, where the mounting region 116 can be offset from an edge
of the exterior door panel 114. In this example, a transparent
region 118 of the transparent window can be arranged between the
mounting region 116 and the edge of the exterior door panel 114,
where the transparent region 118 can thermally insulate the user
interface unit 200 from the door panel edge (e.g., which can
include a thermally conductive metal bezel 160). In one specific
example, the transparent window of the exterior door panel 114 can
include glass, and the transparent region 118 of the transparent
window can thermally insulate the user interface unit 200 from a
metal bezel 160 of the oven door 110. However, the interior door
panel 112 and/or other oven panel can additionally or alternatively
define user interface mounting regions 116. Further, user interface
mounting regions 116 can be otherwise configured.
[0069] The interior and/or exterior door panels 114 can
additionally or alternatively include one or more bezels 160
coextensive with, defining, supporting, or otherwise associated
with the edges of the door panel. The bezel 160 is preferably
metal, but can additionally or alternatively include any other
suitable material. Electrical wiring connecting components of the
connected oven 100 (e.g., connecting a processing system 320 with a
camera assembly and a wireless communication system) can run along
regions of the bezel 160. In a specific example, a processing
system 320 is mounted to the user interface unit 200 arranged at
the exterior door panel 114, and electrical wiring can run from the
processing system 320, along the bezel 160 to the oven top 120, and
to a camera assembly arranged at the oven top 120. However, bezels
160 of the oven door no can be otherwise configured.
[0070] The door fluid channel 420 can include a door fluid channel
inlet 422 and a door fluid channel outlet 424. The door fluid
channel inlet 422 can facilitate fluid access from the ambient
environment to the door fluid channel 420, and the door fluid
channel inlet 422 can enable fluid to access the ambient
environment from the door fluid channel 420. The door fluid channel
420 preferably includes at least one door fluid channel inlet 422
proximal the oven bottom 150, and at least one door fluid channel
outlet 424 proximal the oven top 120, but door fluid channel inlets
422 and/or outlets 424 can be otherwise located. In examples where
the oven door 110 includes a metal bezel 160, the metal bezel 160
can extend about edges of the exterior door panel 114, where the
metal bezel 160 cooperatively defines an inlet 422 of the fluid
channel and an outlet 424 of the fluid channel. Alternatively, the
metal bezel 160 can define either a door fluid channel inlet 422 or
a door fluid channel outlet 424, but can be otherwise related to
any suitable inlet or outlet. The fluid channel 420 preferably
defines a flow axis substantially parallel a normal vector of the
oven base when the oven door 110 is in the closed position.
Further, a plane of the door fluid channel inlet 422 and/or outlet
can be perpendicular a door flow axis defined by the door fluid
channel 420, parallel the door flow axis, or otherwise
oriented.
[0071] The door fluid channel 420 can be open along a first and a
second opposing side (e.g., the sides parallel the longitudinal
axis of the door, or the sides aligned along a gravity vector), but
can additionally or alternatively be open along a third and fourth
opposing side (e.g., the sides orthogonal to the first and second
sides), be open along adjacent sides, or be open along any other
suitable portion. Additionally or alternatively, the sides can be
sealed, include perforations, or include any other suitable
feature.
[0072] In a first example of the sixth embodiment, the inlet of the
door cooling channel can be fluidly connected to fluid inlets
and/or outlets in the oven bottom 150, wherein the air inlets can
be perforations formed through the oven bottom panel 150 and be
substantially aligned with the door longitudinal axis. The oven
bottom 150 can extend beyond the interior door panel 112, such that
the cooling channel inlet is arranged within the boundaries of the
oven bottom panel 150. In a specific example, the oven bottom 150
defines a front edge nested under the oven door 110 when the oven
door 110 is in the closed position, where the front edge defines an
external fluid connection (e.g., perforations, channels, inlets,
outlets, etc.) aligned with a door fluid channel inlet 422. The
external fluid connection can extend through the entirety of the
thickness of the oven bottom, through a portion of the oven bottom
thickness (e.g., and terminate along a face perpendicular to the
oven bottom broad face), or extend along any suitable axis. The
external fluid connection can define an external opening, fluidly
connecting the external fluid connection to the ambient
environment, and a fluid channel opening, fluidly connecting the
external fluid connection to the door fluid channel (e.g., the door
fluid channel inlet). The external opening and/or fluid channel
opening can be arranged: perpendicular the oven broad face,
parallel the oven broad face (e.g., defined by the oven broad
face), or otherwise defined. However, the oven bottom 150 can be
fluidly connected with the door fluid channel 420 in any suitable
manner. The outlet(s) of the door fluid channel 420 can be defined
by external fluid connections (e.g., similar to those described for
the oven bottom external fluid connections, alternatively
different) located in a region of the oven top 120 extending over
the top of the oven door 110 when the door is in a closed position
(e.g., such that the oven door nests under the oven top overhang).
Additionally or alternatively, the door fluid channel 420 can be
fluidly connected to top fluid channel inlets 432 in the oven top
120, wherein the air inlets can be air manifolds, apertures, or
other inlets formed through an interior oven top 120 panel. The air
inlets can be substantially aligned with the door longitudinal
axis. In this example, the oven top 120 preferably extends beyond
the interior door panel 112, such that a door fluid channel outlet
424 is arranged within the boundaries of the oven top panel 120.
Additionally or alternatively, the door fluid channel outlet can be
open to the ambient environment when the door is sealed (e.g., in a
closed position).
[0073] In a second example of the sixth embodiment, the door fluid
channel 420 is open to the ambient environment when the door is
sealed (e.g., in a closed position). In this example, the primary
door panel 112 can seal to the ends of the top 120, bottom 150, and
sidewall panels 140. The secondary and primary door panels 112 are
preferably coextensive, but the secondary or primary door panel 112
can alternatively be shorter than the other.
[0074] In a third example of the sixth embodiment, the door fluid
channel 420 can be fluidly connected to a second fluid channel when
the door is sealed, such that the secondary door panel 114 seals to
a secondary panel of the top, bottom, and/or sidewalls 140, and the
primary door panel 112 seals to a primary panel of the top, bottom,
and/or sidewalls 140. In this example, the secondary door panel 114
can extend beyond the primary door panel 112 to form the fluid
connection. Alternatively, the secondary and primary door panels
112 can be coextensive, wherein the primary door panel 112 can
include external fluid connections 470 (e.g., perforations) that
fluidly connects the door fluid channel 420 (defined between the
door panels) to the second fluid channel. However, the door fluid
channel 420 can be otherwise connected to the second fluid
channel.
1.4.1.b Fluid Channel--Oven Top
[0075] In a seventh embodiment of the first variation, the oven top
120 can be dual-panel, including an interior top panel 122 and an
exterior top panel 124 cooperatively defining a top fluid channel
430 therebetween. In this embodiment, the interior top panel 122
can cooperatively define a cooking cavity 105 with an oven back
130, oven bottom 150, and/or any other suitable component.
Additionally or alternatively, the interior and/or exterior top
panel 124 can include a set of cooling features 490 extending from
the broad face distal the cooking cavity 105 into the fluid channel
430.
[0076] Additionally or alternatively, the interior and/or exterior
top panel 124 can include a set of cooling features 490 extending
from the broad face distal the cooking cavity 105 into the fluid
channel 430.
[0077] In this embodiment, a control system 300 (e.g., a camera
assembly) is preferably arranged within the top fluid channel 430.
In a specific example, a camera assembly can be arranged within the
top fluid channel 430, and the camera assembly can be thermally
connected to the top fluid channel 430. In this specific example,
the camera assembly can be mounted to the interior top panel 122,
such as if the camera assembly is mounted to a cooling feature 490
of the interior top panel 122 extending from a broad face of the
interior top panel 122. Additionally or alternatively, the camera
assembly can be directly mounted to the interior top panel 122, to
the exterior top panel 124, and/or any other suitable component of
the connected oven 100.
[0078] The oven top 120 can additionally or alternatively include
an intermediary panel, mounted within the top fluid channel, to the
cooling features 490. The control system 300 can be mounted to the
intermediary panel within the fluid channel 430, along a broad face
of the intermediary panel distal the primary top panel 122. The
fluid channel 430 can include a first and second opposing end. The
control system 300 can be mounted to along the center of the fluid
channel 430, along the fluid channel end proximal the ambient
environment, along the fluid channel end distal the ambient
environment, or along any other suitable portion of the fluid
channel 430.
[0079] The top cooling channel 430 preferably includes a top fluid
channel inlet 432 (e.g., facilitating fluid access from the ambient
environment to the top fluid channel) and an outlet (e.g.,
facilitating fluid flow from top fluid channel to the ambient
environment). The top cooling channel inlet 430 can be defined by
perforations, air gaps, and/or other external fluid connections 470
in the exterior top panel 124 and/or the interior top panel 122.
Additionally or alternatively, a top fluid channel inlet 432 can be
fluidly connected to the door fluid channel outlet 424 (e.g., when
the door is in the closed position), wherein fluid from the door
fluid channel 420 preferably enters through the interior oven top
120 panel and is entirely or partially redirected by the exterior
oven top 120 panel into the top cooling channel 430. Alternatively,
the door fluid channel 420 can be fluidly isolated from the top
fluid channel inlet 432. As shown in FIG. 31, in specific examples,
the oven top 120 can define inlets and/or outlets (e.g.,
perforations, air gaps, etc.) for channels directing fluid through
a flow path beginning proximal an oven side wall 140'. For example,
the exterior top panel 124 can define fluid inlet perforations
arranged proximal an oven side wall 140. Fluid entering in through
such perforations can enter a flow path directing the fluid through
the outlets proximal an opposing oven side wall 140'', through the
top cooling channel 430, and/or through channel outlets defined at
any portion of the oven top 124 (e.g., at a central region of the
exterior top panel 124) and/or the connected oven 100. As shown in
FIG. 31, the flow paths of the specific examples are preferably
perpendicular and/or coplanar with flow paths for fluid entering
the top cooling channel 430 at a top fluid channel inlet 432
arranged proximal the oven door no, and moving towards the oven
back 130. However, the flow paths of the specific examples can be
parallel, non-coplanar, co-axial, non-coaxial, angled, and/or have
any suitable orientation with respect to other fluid flow paths
and/or components of the connected oven 100. However, fluid paths
through the oven top 120 can be otherwise configured.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 4, the top cooling channel 430 outlet can
fluidly connect to the ambient environment through an air outlet
arranged proximal the oven back 130 (e.g., defined by the oven back
130 panel, wherein the air outlets can be perforations formed
through the oven back 130 panel). Additionally or alternatively,
the top fluid channel outlet 434 can be defined by external fluid
connections 470 (e.g., perforations, air gaps, etc.) at the
exterior top panel 124 and/or interior top panel 122, where the
external fluid connections 470 are arranged proximal the oven back
130. The top cooling channel 430 preferably defines a substantially
linear flow path having a longitudinal axis. In examples where the
air outlets are defined by the oven back 130, the air outlets can
be substantially aligned with the top cooling channel 430
longitudinal axis (e.g., have a normal vector arranged
perpendicular the door longitudinal axis). A control system 300
(e.g., a camera assembly) is preferably arranged at the top fluid
channel 430 between a top fluid channel inlet 432 and a top fluid
channel outlet 434. Additionally or alternatively, a user interface
unit 200 component and/or any other suitable component can be
arranged between a top fluid channel inlet 432 and outlet. However,
the top cooling channel 430 outlets can be otherwise
configured.
[0081] A flow axis of the top fluid channel 430 is preferably
substantially parallel a normal vector of the oven back 130.
Further, a plane of the top channel inlet 432 is preferably
parallel a top flow axis defined by the top fluid channel 430.
Additionally or alternatively, the top fluid channel 430 and the
door fluid channel 420 can be fluidly isolated (e.g., by an
isolation wall connecting the interior top panel 122 with the
exterior top panel 124. A plane of the isolation wall (e.g., a
broad face) can be oriented parallel a cooking cavity opening
plane, perpendicular the cooking cavity opening plane, at an angle
to the cooking cavity opening plane, and/or oriented in any
suitable fashion. However, fluid flow through the top fluid channel
430 can be otherwise configured.
[0082] As shown in FIGS. 23-27, the top cooling channel 430 can be
shaped and vary along the longitudinal axis and/or flow path, or be
substantially straight with a constant cross section. For example,
the top cooling channel 430 can converge (e.g., decrease in cross
section) toward an intermediate region, then diverge (e.g.,
increase in cross section) toward the top cooling channel 430
outlet. Alternatively, the top cooling channel 430 can converge
(e.g., decrease in cross section) toward an intermediate region,
then split into multiple streams from the intermediate region
toward the top cooling channel 430 outlet. However, the top cooling
channel 430 can include any other suitable set of features (e.g.,
flow shaping features, cooling features 490, etc.) along the flow
path. The sensors 310, emitters, or other heat-sensitive components
(or components requiring cooling) are preferably arranged in the
intermediate region, but can be otherwise arranged. The flow from
the oven bottom 150, through the oven door 110, along the oven top
120, and out the oven back 130 is preferably driven by convection
fans arranged proximal the oven back 130 and directed to blow air
out the air outlets in the back panel (e.g., wherein the fans can
be arranged along the oven exterior or arranged within the lumen
formed by the exterior oven panels), but can be supplemented or
entirely driven by natural convection or by any other suitable
force.
[0083] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in a first example of the
seventh embodiment, the first top fluid channel end (e.g., a front
end proximal the oven door 110) can be fluidly isolated from direct
fluid connection with the door fluid channel 420, and include a
substantially solid end. As shown in FIG. 5, in this example, the
first fluid channel end can be defined by perforations or air gaps
through the exterior top panel (e.g., along the top panel
perimeter). Additionally or alternatively, in this example, the
oven door 110 can be nested under an overhang defined by the oven
top 120, where a top interior panel region coextensive with the
overhang can include both perforated and solid portions. The
perforated portion of the top interior panel region can be aligned
with the door fluid channel 420, where a top exterior panel region
coextensive with the overhang can be perforated. In this example,
an isolation wall fluidly isolating the door fluid channel 420 from
the top fluid channel 430 can be aligned with a transition region
between the perforated and the solid portions of the top interior
panel region.
[0084] In a first variation of the first example, the exterior top
panel 124 can be perforated along the entire length of the exterior
top panel 124 coextensive with the overhang. The region of the
interior top panel 122 coextensive with the overhang can include
fluid-permeable (e.g., perforated) and/or fluid-impermeable (e.g.,
solid) sections. Fluid permeable sections are preferably aligned
with door fluid channel openings (e.g., inlets or outlets), such
that the fluid-permeable region between the interior top panel 122
and the exterior top panel 124 defines (e.g., cooperatively forms)
a first fluid manifold connecting the door fluid channel 420 to the
ambient environment. However, the door fluid channel 420 can be
otherwise connected to the ambient environment. The first fluid
manifold can be further cooperatively defined by a wall (e.g., a
front wall, isolation wall) extending between the interior top
panel 122 and exterior top panel 124, where a plane of the wall is
preferably parallel to a plane of the opening to the cooking cavity
105. However, the wall can be otherwise oriented, and any suitable
oven component can cooperatively define the first fluid
manifold.
[0085] In this first variation, a fluid impermeable section of the
interior top panel (e.g., impermeable to fluid from the door fluid
channel 420) is preferably aligned with top fluid channel
opening(s), wherein the region between the interior and exterior
top panels 122, 124 at the fluid impermeable section define (e.g.,
cooperatively form) a second fluid manifold fluidly connecting the
top fluid channel 430 to the ambient environment (e.g., through the
perforations in the exterior top panel). However, any suitable oven
component can cooperatively define the second fluid manifold. The
first and second fluid manifolds are preferably fluidly isolated by
a manifold wall extending along the interface between the first and
the second fluid manifolds. The manifold wall can be oriented with
a plane perpendicular a cavity opening plane, at an angle to the
cavity opening plane, or oriented in any suitable fashion. The
manifold wall(s) can be a continuation of the front wall (isolation
wall), contiguous with the front wall, separate from the front
wall, or otherwise arranged relative to the front wall. Fluid
permeable sections can be arranged along the overhang in any
suitable configuration. For example, the fluid permeable and
impermeable sections can alternate along the overhang, such as
where the interior panel cooperatively defines a configuration of
permeable-impermeable-permeable sections along the overhang from
one side wall 140' to another other side wall 140'' (specific
example shown in FIG. 19). In another example, permeability along
the overhang is biased toward a single side of the connected oven
100 (e.g., the interior top panel 122 is permeable along the
connected oven side that is proximal the user interface unit 200 if
the user interface unit 200 is mounted more proximal a given oven
side wall 140' relative the other oven side 140''). However, the
permeable and impermeable sections can be otherwise arranged and/or
configured.
[0086] In a second variation of the first example, the external top
panel is blind (solid) along regions of the overhang aligned with a
door fluid channel outlet 424, such that the door fluid channel
exhaust is redirected towards an interior of the cooking cavity
105, to the oven sidewalls 140, and/or any other suitable oven
component.
[0087] In a second example of the seventh embodiment, the first
fluid channel end can be fluidly connected to the door fluid
channel 420.
[0088] In a third example of the seventh embodiment, the door fluid
channel opening can be directly fluidly connected to the ambient
environment, wherein the door terminates short of the secondary or
primary top panel 122. In this example, the first end can include
perforations, other external fluid connections 470, or be
unobstructed.
[0089] In a fourth example of the seventh embodiment, the second
end can be fluidly connected to the ambient environment by an air
gap or perforations defined by the back panel.
[0090] In a fifth example of the seventh embodiment, the second end
can be fluidly connected to the ambient environment by perforations
or air gaps defined along the second top panel perimeter.
[0091] In a sixth example of the seventh embodiment, the second end
can be fluidly connected to a back fluid channel 440 defined by a
primary and secondary panel of the back wall. However, the top
fluid channel 430 can be fluidly connected to the ambient
environment along the second top panel perimeter or be fluidly
connected to the ambient environment in any other suitable manner.
Additionally or alternatively, the oven top 120 can include any
other suitable thermal insulation or cooling feature 490 in any
other suitable configuration.
1.4.1.c Fluid Channel--Sidewalls
[0092] In an eighth embodiment of the first variation, one or more
sidewalls 140 of the oven can be dual-panel, including an interior
side panel 142 and an exterior side panel 144 cooperatively
defining a side fluid channel 450 therebetween. In this embodiment,
the interior side panel 142 can cooperatively define a cooking
cavity 105 with an oven back 130, oven bottom 150, and/or any other
suitable component.
[0093] The exterior and/or interior side panels 142 preferably
include molded insulation. Molded materials for thermal insulation
can include: molded fiberglass, molded foam, low density materials,
high density materials, skinned materials, and/or any other
suitable material. However, any suitable oven component can include
molded insulation possessing any suitable properties.
[0094] The side fluid channel 450 preferably includes a side fluid
channel inlet 452 and a side fluid channel outlet 454. The side
fluid channel inlet 452 is preferably arranged proximal the oven
bottom 150, where the inlet can be cooperatively defined by the
interior and exterior side panels 144 (e.g., an air gap defined by
the side panels), by external fluid connections 470 (e.g.,
perforations, air gaps, etc.) defined by edges of the oven bottom
150 extending below an oven side wall 140 (e.g., as shown in FIG.
6), by external fluid connections 470 defined by the exterior side
panel 144, and/or by any other suitable region of an oven
component. However, the side fluid channel inlets 452 can be
otherwise configured.
[0095] The side fluid channel outlet 454 is preferably arranged
proximal the oven top 120, where the outlet can be defined by the
interior and/or exterior side panels 144, by external fluid
connections 470 defined by a panel of the oven top 120 (e.g.,
perforations defined by an exterior top panel 124 bezel 160
arranged along the edges of the exterior top panel 124), and/or by
any suitable region of any suitable oven component. However, the
side fluid channel inlets 452 can be otherwise configured.
[0096] A flow axis of the side fluid channel 450 is preferably
parallel a flow axis of the door fluid channel 420 when the door is
in a closed position. For example, fluid flowing through the side
fluid channel 450 can enter the channel through a side fluid
channel inlet 452 proximal the oven bottom 150, and exit the
channel through a side fluid channel outlet 454 proximal the oven
top 120. However, flow of the side fluid channel 450 can be
otherwise configured.
[0097] A heat-sensitive component (e.g., an antenna of a wireless
communication system) can be thermally connected to, fluidly
connected to, and/or arranged within the side fluid channel 450 in
between a side fluid channel inlet 452 and a side fluid channel
outlet 454. However, any suitable heat-sensitive component can have
any suitable relationship with the side fluid channel 450.
[0098] In a first example of the eighth embodiment, the side fluid
channel 450 can be fluidly connected with other fluid channels
(e.g., a top fluid channel 430, a door fluid channel 420, etc.). In
one specific example, a side fluid channel outlet 454 can be
fluidly connected to a top fluid channel inlet 432, such that fluid
exiting the side fluid channel 450 can enter the top fluid channel
430. In a second example of the eighth embodiment, the side fluid
channel 450 can be fluidly isolated from one or more fluid
channels.
[0099] However, side fluid channels 450 can be otherwise
configured.
1.4.2 Fluid Movement Mechanism
[0100] In a second variation of the thermal management system 400,
the thermal management system 400 can additionally include a fluid
movement mechanism that functions to move cooling fluid through the
fluid channels 410. The cooling fluid can be gas, liquid, a phase
change material, or be any other suitable cooling fluid. The
cooling fluid can be supplied from a fluid source. The fluid source
can be the ambient environment, a fluid container, or be any other
suitable fluid source.
[0101] In a first embodiment of the second variation, fluid is
passively moved through the fluid channels 410 through natural
convection. For example, heat rise can drive fluid flow through the
door fluid channel 420, thereby cooling a user interface unit 200
mounted to an exterior door panel 114 and thermally connected to
the door fluid channel 420. The rising heated air can additionally
drive fluid flow through a connected fluid channel (e.g., top fluid
channel). Alternatively, the configuration of the fluid channels
410 can facilitate fluid movement therethrough. For example, the
top fluid channel 430 can expand from the first end (proximal the
door) to the second end (proximal the back), which can function to
drive fluid flow from the first to the second end. However, the
thermal management system 400 can otherwise facilitate passive
fluid flow.
[0102] In a second embodiment of the second variation, fluid can be
actively moved through a fluid channel 410 (e.g., via forced
convection) and/or a cooking cavity 105. The fluid is preferably
driven by a convection element 480 fluidly connected to the fluid
channel 410 and/or cooking cavity 105 along at least one convection
element end, but can alternatively be driven by a pressurized fluid
source or be driven by any other suitable fluid movement mechanism.
The connected oven 100 can include any number of convection
elements 480. A set of convection elements 480 can include fans,
sensors 310, indicators (e.g., lights), vents, or include any other
suitable component.
[0103] The convection element(s) 480 (e.g., the cooking convection
element 482, cooling convection element 484) can define a first end
and a second end, wherein the first and/or second ends can define
the convection element inlet and/or outlet. The first and second
ends are preferably fluidly connected to each other through the
convection element body, but can alternatively be otherwise
related. However, the convection element 480 can be otherwise
configured. In one variation, an end of the convection element 480
can be fluidly connected to the ambient environment through
fluid-permeable openings in the oven back 130 (e.g., the exterior
panel). In a second variation, an end of the convection element 480
can be fluidly connected to the cavity through fluid-permeable
openings in the oven back 130 (e.g., the interior panel). In a
third variation, an end of the convection element 480 can be
fluidly connected to the back channel (e.g., defined by the
interior and exterior panel of the oven back). However, the
convection element 480 can be fluidly and/or thermally connected to
any other suitable space.
[0104] The thermal management system 400 can include any number of
convection elements 480. The convection elements 480 are preferably
individually indexed and controlled (e.g., by a processing system
320 of the connected oven 100), but can alternatively be indexed or
controlled in aggregate. Individual convection elements 480 of a
set of convection elements 480 can rotate in a same direction
(e.g., a first and a second cooking convection element rotating
clockwise), opposite directions (e.g., a first cooking convection
element 482' rotating clockwise, and a second cooking convection
element 482'' rotating counter-clockwise), and/or any suitable
direction.
[0105] In a first example of the second embodiment, the convection
element 480 can be a cooking convection element 482, used to move
fluid through the cooking cavity 105. The cooking convection
element 482 can additionally be fluidly connected to the oven
exterior, and can function to fluidly connect the cooking cavity
105 to the ambient environment. In one variation of the cooking
convection element 482, the element includes a fan (e.g., a cone
fan with the apex proximal the cooking cavity 105), wherein the fan
can be fluidly connected to the cooking cavity 105 at one end and
directly or indirectly fluidly connected to the ambient environment
(e.g., through a fluid channel 410). The cooking convection element
482 can be mounted to the oven back (e.g., the external panel
and/or the internal panel), or mounted to any other suitable
component.
[0106] The cooking convection element 482 can be a separate
convection element 480 from that used to move fluid within the
cooking cavity 105, but can alternatively be the same convection
element 480 as that used to move fluid within the cooking cavity
105. When the cooling convection element 484 is a separate
convection element 480, the convection element 480 can be directly
fluidly connected to the fluid channel 410 (or set of fluidly
connected fluid channels 410), arranged in series within the fluid
channel, or otherwise connected to the fluid channel. In one
example, a convection element 480 can force air from the fluid
source into the fluid channels 410. In a second example, the
convection element 480 can force air out of the fluid channels 410.
However, the convection element 480 can otherwise control fluid
flow therein.
[0107] In one variation of the cooking convection element 482, the
convection element 480 sucks air from the ambient environment, in
through the distal end of the fluid channel 410, and into the
cooking cavity 105. The cooling fluid can entrain waste heat from
the heat-sensitive or heat-generating components within the fluid
channel 410, which can additionally function to pre-heat the air
introduced into the cooking cavity 105. This can function to
decrease the thermal variation within the cooking cavity 105 due to
cool air introduction and/or minimize the amount of energy required
to heat the newly introduced air. In a second variation of the
cooking convection element 482, the fan can suck air from the
cooking cavity 105, through the fluid channel 410, and out the
fluid channel end.
[0108] Alternatively, the fluid channel 410 can be fluidly
connected to the cooking cavity 105, wherein the convection element
480 is directly fluidly connected to the ambient environment and
the cooking cavity 105. In this variation, the convection element
480 can blow air from the ambient environment into the cooking
cavity 105, wherein the positive pressure from the cooking cavity
105 (due to the convection element 480 blowing air into the cooking
cavity 105 from the ambient environment) forces air from the
cooking cavity 105 into the fluid channel 410. Alternatively, the
convection element 480 can suck air from the cooking cavity 105 out
into the ambient environment, wherein the negative pressure caused
by the convection element 480 sucks air through the fluid channel
410 and into the cooking cavity 105.
[0109] In a second example of the second embodiment, the convection
element 480 can be a fluid channel convection element (cooling
convection element 484), used to move fluid through a fluid channel
410 (e.g., a top fluid channel 430, a door fluid channel 420,
etc.). In specific examples, the thermal management system 400 can
include a cooking convection element 482 and a fluid channel
convection element. As shown in FIG. 20, in one specific example, a
cooling convection element 484 can be mounted to the oven back 130
at a region proximal the oven top 120, where the cooling convection
element 484 can be fluidly connected to the top fluid channel 430,
and the cooling convection element 484 can be configured to draw
cooling fluid from an ambient environment into the top fluid
channel 430 through a top fluid channel inlet 432. Additionally or
alternatively, the cooling convection element 484 can be connected
to the top fluid channel outlet 434. In this specific example, a
cooking convection element 482 (e.g., distinct from the cooling
convection element 484) can be mounted to the oven back 130 and
fluidly connected to the cooking cavity 105. In this specific
example, the oven back 130 can be dual-panel, where the interior
back panel 132 can include perforations fluidly connecting a back
fluid channel 440 to the cooking cavity 105, and where the cooking
convection element 482 is configured to draw fluid into the back
fluid channel 440 from the cooking cavity 105. The back fluid
channel 440 is preferably fluidly isolated from the top fluid
channel 430, but can be fluidly connected or have any suitable
relationship.
[0110] However, convection elements 480 can be otherwise
configured.
1.5 Heating Elements
[0111] As shown in FIGS. 3, 19, and 24-26, the oven can
additionally include a set of heating elements 500 (e.g., arranged
along the sides, top, or bottom of the cooking cavity 105, etc.
However, heating elements 500 of the connected oven 100 can
otherwise be configured, where heating elements 500 can
additionally or alternatively be configured in any manner analogous
to those disclosed in related U.S. application Ser. No.
15/147,597.
1.6 Heat Dissipation Elements
[0112] As shown in FIG. 32, the connected oven 100 can additionally
or alternatively include one or more heat dissipation elements 510,
which function to dissipate heat associated with components of the
oven 100. Heat dissipation elements 510 preferably dissipate heat
generated by an active oven component (e.g., processing system,
camera system, etc.), but can additionally or alternatively
dissipate any heat associated with the oven 100. The connected oven
100 can include one or more heat dissipation elements 510: per
system, per heat-generating component (e.g., processor 320, camera
unit 300, user interface unit 200, etc.), and/or per any suitable
component of the connected oven 100. Additionally or alternatively,
a single heat dissipation element 510 can dissipate heat for
multiple components (e.g., a processor 320 and a user interface
unit 200) of the connected oven 100. However one or more heat
dissipation elements 510 can have any suitable relationship with
any suitable component of the connected oven 100. The heat
dissipation elements 510 can be arranged with the heat dissipation
features arranged within the cooling fluid channel, perpendicular
the cooling fluid flow vector, or at any other suitable angle
relative to the cooling fluid channel. The heat dissipation
features can be thermally connected, fluidly connected, thermally
isolated, fluidly isolated, or otherwise related to the cooling
fluid flow.
[0113] A heat dissipation element 510 can be configured to
thermally contact a surface of the connected oven 100 and/or active
component. In examples, a heat sink 510 can be thermally connected
to component surface directly, with thermal paste, and/or with
using any suitable thermal interface. Attachment mechanisms for
heat dissipation elements 510 to surfaces of the connected oven 100
can include plates (e.g., conductive thick plates between a heat
source and a heat sink), clips (e.g., for direct attachment of a
heat sink to a component), and/or any other suitable mechanism.
Heat dissipation elements 510 and/or associated attachment
mechanisms can include one or more materials such as metal, include
metals (e.g., aluminum alloys, copper, etc.), diamond, composite
materials, plastics, and/or any suitable material. However, a heat
dissipation element 510 can be otherwise configured.
[0114] Heat dissipation elements 510 can include heat sinks and/or
any other suitable type of heat dissipation element 510. Heat
dissipation elements 510 can extend from any suitable thermal
contact surface of the connected oven 100. For example, a heat
dissipation element 510 can extend from the surface opposing a
component-coupling interface (e.g., a mounting region 116 for a
user interface unit 200), a distal component, and/or any suitable
oven component. A heat dissipation element 510 can include fins,
pins, cavities and/or any suitable heat dissipation features. Fins
can be straight, curved, sinusoidal, and/or possess any suitable
orientation. Pins can be cylindrical, prismatic, polygonal, and/or
have any suitable shape. Heat dissipation features of a set of heat
dissipation features can be arranged adjacent one another (e.g.,
with distance between adjacent fins), parallel, perpendicular,
distal, proximal, touching, non-touching, with increasing and/or
decreasing separation as distance along an axis increases, form
columns, rows, and/or have any suitable orientation. However, heat
dissipation elements 510 can be otherwise oriented.
1.7 Examples
[0115] In a first variation of the oven, the display 210 and input
device(s) 220 are mounted to an exterior panel of a dual panel oven
door 110, wherein the dual-panel oven door 110 cooperatively
defines a door fluid channel 420 therebetween. The door fluid
channel 420 can be open along a top and bottom end, and/or be open
along the lateral sides. In this first variation, the display 210
and input device(s) 220 can be cooled and/or thermally insulated by
air passively driven upwards through the fluid channel 420 by heat
leaked from the oven. In this first variation, the bottom wall can
define an air gap aligned with the bottom door fluid channel end,
wherein ambient air flows through the bottom wall into the door
fluid channel 420. Alternatively, the bottom wall can terminate
before the fluid channel 420, such that the fluid channel 420 is
substantially unobstructed when the door is closed, thereby
facilitating ambient fluid to enter the door fluid channel 420
through a door fluid channel inlet 422 defined by the oven door
110. In one example, the fluid channel 420 can include an active
convection element 480 arranged in series with the door fluid
channel 420 that drives fluid flow therethrough. In another
example, the fluid channel 420 can be fluidly connected to a second
fluid channel defined by an adjacent wall (e.g., sidewalls 140,
bottom, top, etc.), wherein fluid flow through the second fluid
channel can be toward the door fluid channel 420 (secondary fluid
flow), and can terminate at the exterior door panel 114. The
secondary fluid flow can terminate proximal an end of the door,
wherein the fluid flow can be driven toward the opposing door end,
or terminate proximal the door center, wherein the fluid flow can
split and be driven toward opposing door ends.
[0116] In this first variation, a control system 300 (e.g., camera
assembly) can be mounted to the interior panel of a dual panel top,
wherein the dual panel top cooperatively defines a top fluid
channel 430 therebetween. The control system 300 can be directly
mounted to the interior panel, or be mounted to cooling features
490 extending into the cooling channel from the interior panel. In
this variation, the top fluid channel 430 is fluidly isolated from
the door fluid channel 420. Further, both the top fluid channel 430
and the door fluid channel 420 are fluidly isolated from a back
fluid channel 440 in this variation.
[0117] In a first variation, the top cooling channel 430 can be
open along the front and back, wherein fluid flows from the front
to the back or from the back to the front. The cooling features 490
and/or dual panels can be configured to facilitate active flow in
the desired cooling direction (e.g., through using a fluid channel
convection element 484 fluidly connected to the top channel 430 and
drawing ambient fluid from a top fluid channel inlet 432 proximal
the oven door 110 to a top fluid channel outlet 434 proximal the
oven back 130, but can alternatively be configured to be direction
agnostic. Alternatively, fluid from the door channel 420 can be
redirected into and/or drive fluid flow through the top channel
430. Alternatively, a passive convection element 480 can move air
through the top channel 430. In a specific example, the convection
element 482 of the cooking cavity 105 can pull air in through the
front opening (e.g., from ambient or the fluid channel 410),
through the top channel 430, through a back channel 440 defined in
the back panel 130, and into the cooking cavity 105. In a second
specific example, a convection element 480 can blow air through the
top channel 430 to the exterior door panel 114, through the door
channel 420, and out the fluid outlets in the door channel 420.
However, this variation can direct fluid along any other suitable
path.
[0118] In one specific example of fluid flow in the first
variation, the thermal management system 400 can facilitate:
passively moving first ambient fluid from a door fluid channel
inlet 422 proximal the oven bottom 150 to a door fluid channel
outlet 424 proximal the oven top 120, thereby thermally cooling a
user interface unit 200 mounted to an exterior door panel 114
mounting region 116 thermally connected to the door fluid channel
420; actively moving, using a first convection element 484 fluidly
connected to a top fluid channel 430, second ambient fluid from a
top fluid channel inlet 432 defined by an exterior top panel 124 to
a top fluid channel outlet 434 proximal the oven back 130; and
actively recycling, using a second convection element 482, cooking
cavity fluid through the convection element 482 into a back fluid
channel 440; and re-directing the cooking cavity fluid from the
back fluid channel 440 into the cooking cavity 105, wherein the
door fluid channel 420, the top fluid channel 430, and the back
fluid channel 440 are each fluidly isolated from one another.
However, fluid flow in the first variation can be otherwise
configured.
[0119] As shown in FIG. 18, in a second variation of the oven, a
door fluid channel 420, top fluid channel 430, and back fluid
channel 440 are fluidly connected. In this variation, outlets of a
fluid channel 410 can be fluidly connected to inlets of a separate
fluid channel 410, but fluid connections between fluid channels 410
can be otherwise configured. In one specific example of fluid flow
in the second variation, the thermal management system 400 can
facilitate: passively moving fluid from an ambient environment into
the door fluid channel 420 through a door fluid channel inlet 422
proximal the oven bottom 150; re-directing the fluid from the door
fluid channel 420 to a top fluid channel 430 at an open junction
cooperatively defined by the oven door 110 and the oven top 120;
drawing the fluid towards the oven back 130 using a first
convection element 480; redirecting the fluid from the top fluid
channel 430 to the back fluid channel 440 at an open junction
cooperatively defined by the oven top 120 and the oven back 130;
and drawing the fluid from the oven back 130 into the cooking
cavity 105 using a second convection element 482 mounted at the
oven back 130. However, fluid flow in the second variation can be
otherwise configured.
[0120] In a third variation of the oven, the cooling channel can be
sealed along the front, include fluid apertures along the exterior
panel (e.g., along the panel perimeter or body), and include a
fluid apertures along the back. In this variation, the convection
element 482 of the cooking cavity 105 can pull air in through the
fluid inlets, through the top channel 430, through a back channel
defined in the back panel, and into the cooking cavity 105.
Alternatively, the convection element 480 can pull air in from
ambient through the fluid inlet in the back panel, blow the air
through the top channel 430, and blow the air out through the fluid
outlets in the exterior top panel 124. However, the top channel 430
can receive fluid from any other suitable fluid channel 410, or be
otherwise configured.
[0121] In a fourth variation of the oven, of the oven, as shown in
FIG. 23, the oven includes a touchscreen including a display 210
and input device 220 arranged in the oven door 110, a control
system 300 collocated with the touchscreen (e.g., configured as a
singular unit with the touchscreen), and a set of sensors 310 and
emitters arranged along the oven top 120.
[0122] Although omitted for conciseness, the preferred embodiments
include every combination and permutation of the various system
components and the various method processes.
[0123] As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the
previous detailed description and from the figures and claims,
modifications and changes can be made to the preferred embodiments
of the invention without departing from the scope of this invention
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *