Cooking device and method for operating

Abstract

Cooking device (1) with at least one device base body (2), wherein the appliance base body (2) comprises at least one cooking chamber (3) with at least one cooking chamber opening (4) for filling the cooking chamber (3) and at least one air outlet section (6) for discharging air and / or vapors from the appliance base body (2), and with at least one cooking chamber door (5) for closing the cooking chamber opening (4), wherein the air outlet section (6) is assigned at least one displaceable guide device (7) for guiding air and / or vapors, wherein the guide device (7) is in a rest position (8) when the cooking chamber door (5) is closed and wherein the guide device (7) is displaceable into a guide position (9) when the cooking chamber door (5) is opened, characterized in that at least one door opening device (10) with at least one opening element (11) is provided on the air outlet section (6), wherein the opening element (11) can be displaced from a closed position (12) into an open position (13) in order to slide open the cooking chamber door (5) at least in sections, and that at least one locking device (14) with at least one locking element (15) is provided, wherein the locking element (15) can be displaced from a release position (16) into a locking position (17) in order to fix the guide device (7) in the rest position (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking device with at least one appliance base body, wherein the appliance base body comprises at least one cooking chamber with at least one cooking chamber opening for filling the cooking chamber and at least one air outlet section for discharging air and / or vapors from the appliance base body. The cooking device also has at least one cooking chamber door for closing the cooking chamber opening. At least one displaceable guide device for directing air and / or vapors is assigned to the air outlet section, wherein the guide device is in a rest position when the cooking chamber door is closed and wherein the guide device can be displaced into a guide position when the cooking chamber door is opened.

[0002] Modern cooking appliances offer users many features that make using the appliance particularly convenient. For example, cooking appliances with a cooking chamber have become known that can create a so-called air flow in front of the cooking chamber opening to prevent a sudden cloud of vapor escaping toward the user when the cooking chamber door is opened, or at least to mitigate such a cloud. WO 2022 / 238100 A1 and EP 3 450 857 A2, among others, disclose movable guide elements that, when the door is opened, pivot into an air stream emerging above the cooking chamber and above the cooking chamber opening and redirect it downwards in front of the cooking chamber opening.

[0003] Furthermore, cooking appliances with a cooking chamber have also become known in which the cooking chamber door can be automatically opened slightly, for example, at the end of a cooking process, to release the hot air or vapors in the cooking chamber, thus providing a so-called rapid cooling function. WO 2005 078 352 A1 describes such a device.

[0004] However, the combination of an air curtain and an automatic door opening can be problematic, as the air curtain's guide element is displaced into the gap between the cooking chamber door and the cooking chamber opening created by the automatic door opening, and can at least partially cover it. This slows down or even prevents the desired rapid cooling.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a cooking appliance which can reliably offer both functions.

[0006] This object is achieved by a cooking device having the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating a cooking device having the features of claim 11. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments.

[0007] The cooking device according to the invention comprises at least one appliance base body, wherein the appliance base body comprises at least one cooking chamber with at least one cooking chamber opening for filling the cooking chamber and at least one air outlet section for discharging air and / or vapors from the appliance base body. Furthermore, the cooking device comprises at least one cooking chamber door for closing the cooking chamber opening. At least one displaceable guide device for guiding air and / or vapors is assigned to the air outlet section, wherein the guide device is in a rest position when the cooking chamber door is closed and wherein the guide device can be displaced into a guide position when the cooking chamber door is opened. Furthermore, at least one door opening device with at least one opening element is assigned to the air outlet section, wherein the opening element can be displaced from a closed position into an open position in order to slide the cooking chamber door open at least in sections.At least one locking device with at least one locking element is provided, wherein the locking element can be displaced from a release position into a locking position in order to fix the guide device in the rest position.

[0008] The air outlet section is located, in particular, above the cooking chamber or the cooking chamber opening. For example, vapors and / or hot air can be removed from the cooking chamber via the air outlet section, and / or air used for cooling the appliance can be removed through the air outlet section.

[0009] The door opening device serves, in particular, to automatically open or slide open the cooking chamber door, especially for rapid cooling. Such rapid cooling can be provided, in particular, according to an automatic program in order to reduce the cooking chamber temperature as quickly as possible after a specific processing step.

[0010] The door opening device comprises in particular at least one drive and / or a corresponding mechanism in order to automatically move the opening element.

[0011] The guide device is designed to be movable, which in particular means foldable and / or pivotable and / or similar. The guide device can be automatically moved, pivoted, or folded, for which purpose it can be pivoted from the rest position to the guide position, for example, under spring preload.

[0012] The cooking device according to the invention offers many advantages. A significant advantage is that the provision of the locking device allows for optimal functionality of the cooking device in conjunction with the movable guide device and the door opening device.

[0013] The guide device is usually automatically moved into the guide position as soon as the door or cooking chamber door is opened. In conjunction with an automatic door opening device, this can lead to unwanted malfunctions, as such a door opening device is often used, for example, by the automatic program for rapid cooling. During such rapid cooling, the cooking chamber door is usually automatically opened just a little way, for example by a corresponding opening element. This should allow steam or hot air to at least partially escape from the cooking chamber quickly in order to reduce the cooking chamber temperature as quickly as possible. However, depending on the design, the guide device can already be released and moved by simply opening the door slightly. However, the guide device can then close the gap opened by the cooking chamber door to quickly cool the cooking chamber.Thus, the rapid cooling function would not be available or would not be sufficiently effective. This is prevented by the locking device or locking element, which secures the guide device at least when the door opening device opens or moves the cooking chamber door.

[0014] Preferably, the movements of the opening element and the locking element are coupled. This ensures that the guide device is fixed, secured, or blocked when the door opening device pushes or opens the cooking chamber door using the opening element.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the movements of the opening element and the locking element are synchronized. This allows for reliable functionality and reliable blocking or fixing of the guide device.

[0016] In expedient embodiments, the locking element is displaced into the locking position by at least one preloading device. In this case, the locking element can be preloaded, in particular, whereby the locking element is released upon displacement of the opening element.

[0017] In advantageous embodiments, the displacement and / or design of the opening element and locking element are coordinated such that the locking element is in the locking position before the opening element hits the cooking chamber door to be pushed open. In particular, the displacement path or distance of the opening element until it reaches or contacts the cooking chamber door can be longer or greater than the distance the locking element must travel before it is in the locking position. For example, the opening element can have an idle stroke of 5 mm, whereby the locking element already comes into contact with the guide device after 3 mm and locks or fixes it. Suitable sizes or travel paths or idle strokes can be advantageously used.

[0018] The locking element preferably comprises at least one stop. Such a stop can be provided, in particular, at the rear or on the side facing away from the air outlet. Such a stop can, in particular, fulfill the function of a driver and can preferably be used to automatically move the locking element into the release position when the opening element is returned.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the locking element is connected to the opening element. "Connected" also means, in particular, that the locking element is guided by the opening element or in the opening element. A reverse configuration is also preferably possible, so that the opening element can also be guided by the locking element or in the locking element.

[0020] In expedient embodiments, the locking element and the opening element are movable independently of one another. It is particularly preferred that the locking element can be moved independently of the opening element, at least depending on the situation or position. Thus, in particular, the locking element can be moved back or otherwise displaced independently of the door opening element to release the guide device when the cooking chamber door is opened sufficiently wide to use the guide device.

[0021] Preferably, the door opening device and the locking device are designed as a common assembly. It is particularly preferred that the opening element and the locking element are designed as a common assembly.

[0022] The method according to the invention is suitable for operating a cooking device as described above. The locking element is displaced, and the locking element secures the guide device in the rest position before the opening element reaches the cooking chamber door and slides it open.

[0023] The method according to the invention also offers the advantages already described above for the cooking device according to the invention.

[0024] Preferably, the locking element and the opening element are displaced in parallel at least temporarily. In particular, an at least temporarily parallel or simultaneous displacement is provided, with a coupled or synchronized movement being particularly preferred. For this purpose, for example, a stop can be provided at the rear of the locking element, via which the movement of the locking element is coupled to the movement of an opening element.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the opening element is retracted, and the locking element is retracted as soon as the cooking chamber door is closed again and has been closed far enough. In this case, the opening element is retracted, particularly by the automatic or manual closing of the door. A synchronized or coupled retraction of the locking element can also be achieved, for example, by a stop on the locking element.

[0026] In expedient embodiments, the locking element is moved back to the release position when the cooking chamber door has reached a predetermined opening width, so that the guide device is released and moved to the guide position. The door is opened wide enough, in particular, when the cooking chamber door is moved beyond the opening position caused by the door opening device. This can be done manually or automatically, depending on the design of the cooking device.

[0027] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0028] The figures show: Fig. 1 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking device according to the invention in a sectional view from the side, with an opening element in the starting position; Fig. 2 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking device according to the invention in a sectional view from the side, with a slightly displaced opening element; Fig. 3 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking device according to the invention in a sectional view from the side, with an opening element in the open position; and Fig. 4 a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a cooking device according to the invention in a sectional view from the side, with a guide device in the guide position.

[0029] In Fig. 1 shows a purely schematic side view of a cooking device 1 according to the invention, wherein the cooking device 1 is designed here as a cooking appliance 100 or oven 100 with a steam function.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the cooking device 1 comprises a device base body 2, in which a cooking chamber 3 with a cooking chamber opening 4 is formed. Furthermore, the cooking device 1 comprises a cooking chamber door 5, which in the illustrated embodiment is hinged in the lower area and can close or open the cooking chamber opening 4.

[0031] Additionally, an electronics unit 19 is provided, with an air outlet section 6 located between the cooking chamber 3 and the electronics unit 19. This air outlet section 6 can be used to remove steam or hot air from the cooking chamber 5. Furthermore, air used to cool the electronics unit 19 can also be discharged to the front via the air outlet section 6, allowing the cooling air and the hot air from the cooking chamber to be intermixed.

[0032] In the front area of ​​the air outlet section 6, above the cooking chamber opening 4, a guide device 7 is provided, which in the illustrated embodiment can be pivoted between a rest position 8 and a guide position 9. For this purpose, a preloading device, or in this case a spring mechanism, is provided in the illustrated embodiment, which is not illustrated in detail in the figures. This preloading device automatically moves the guide device 7 from the rest position 8 to the guide position 9 as soon as the cooking chamber door 5 is opened.

[0033] By means of this guide device 7, a so-called air curtain can be created in front of the exposed cooking chamber opening 4. For this purpose, the air exiting the air outlet section 6 is directed downwards in front of the cooking chamber 3 or in front of the cooking chamber opening 4 via the guide device 7 located in the guide position 9. Depending on the design, the guide device 7 can also provide a type of air curtain in another way.

[0034] Furthermore, a door opening device 10 is provided, which in the embodiment shown here comprises an opening element 11 that can be displaced between a closed position 12 and an open position 13. As soon as the opening element 11 is displaced or shifted from the closed position 12 to the open position 13, the opening element 11 in the embodiment shown at some point contacts the cooking chamber door 5 and pushes it open at least a gap. This can, for example, provide a so-called rapid cooling function.

[0035] In the embodiment shown here, the door opening device 10 comprises a drive or mechanism (not shown) so that the opening element can be moved automatically.

[0036] In order to be able to install a so-called air curtain or an analogous functionality and an automatic door opening in combination in one device, the invention provides a locking device 14, which here comprises a locking element 15. The locking element 15 can be moved from a release position 16 to a locking position 17.

[0037] The locking element 15 is operatively connected to the guide device 7 in the locking position 17. The locking element 15 is intended to fix or secure the guide device 7 in the rest position 8 when the door opening device 10 is activated or when the opening element 11 is moved or is to be moved into the opening position 13. This prevents the guide device 7 from being moved into the guide position 9 when the cooking chamber door 5 is moved or only slightly opened by means of the automatic door opening device 10.

[0038] In Fig. 2 is purely schematically the embodiment according to Fig. 1, wherein the door opening device 10 has been activated and the opening element 11 has already been moved slightly toward the cooking chamber door 5. The opening element 11 is not yet in the open position 13, but has only just reached the cooking chamber door 5.

[0039] In this position of the opening element 11, the locking element 15 is already in the locking position 17, in which the guide device 7 is fixed or secured, due to a synchronized movement of the opening element 11 and the locking element 15.

[0040] For this purpose, in the embodiment shown here, a locking counterpart 20 is attached to the guide device 7, which comes into contact with the locking element 15. Depending on the design, however, the locking element 15 can also simply move under the guide device 7 and thus secure it.

[0041] The coordinated or synchronized movement of locking element 15 and opening element 11 is achieved in the embodiment shown here in that the opening element 11 is automatically moved forward and the locking element 15 is pushed forward by a preloading device 21.

[0042] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown here, a stop 18 ensures that the locking element 15 can only be displaced in the direction of the guide device 7 or the locking position 17 when the opening element 11 has also been displaced in the direction of the opening position 13.

[0043] In the embodiment shown here, the stop 18 also functions as a driver 22, so that the opening element 11 automatically retracts the locking element 15 from the locking position 17 to the release position 16 when the opening element 11 is moved from the open position 13 to the closed position 12. This can be done, for example, by motorization or by a user manually closing the cooking chamber door 5.

[0044] In Fig. 3 shows the previously shown embodiment purely schematically, wherein the opening element 11 is in the open position 13 and the locking element 15 is arranged in the locking position 17.

[0045] In this situation, the cooking chamber opening 4 is left open by a gap so that vapors or hot air can escape from the cooking chamber 3 or the outside cooking chamber opening 4, for example to enable a so-called rapid cooling of the cooking chamber 3, particularly in an automatic program.

[0046] As in Fig. 3, by fixing the guide device 7 in the rest position 8 when using the door opening device 10, the released gap is available without the guide device 7 pivoting in and unnecessarily restricting it.

[0047] In Fig.4 illustrates purely schematically that a mechanism (not shown) can also be provided to move or return the locking element 15 independently of the door opening device 10 or the opening element 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the cooking chamber door 5 was opened further manually by a user, i.e., it is provided in the open position 13 of the opening element 11, whereby it is possible and expedient to release the guide device 7 again and move it into the guide position 9. List of reference symbols 1 cooking device 2 device base bodies 3 Cooking chamber 4 Cooking chamber opening 5 Cooking chamber door 6 Air outlet section 7 Guidance device 8 Rest position 9 Control position 10 Door opening device 11 Opening element 12 Closed position 13 Opening position 14 locking device 15 locking element 16 Release position 17 Locking position 18 stop 19 Electronics unit 20 locking counterpart 21 Preload device 22 drivers 100 Cooking appliance / oven

Claims

[1] Cooking device (1) with at least one device body (2), wherein the appliance base body (2) comprises at least one cooking chamber (3) with at least one cooking chamber opening (4) for filling the cooking chamber (3) and at least one air outlet section (6) for discharging air and / or vapors from the appliance base body (2), and with at least one cooking chamber door (5) for closing the cooking chamber opening (4), wherein the air outlet section (6) is assigned at least one displaceable guide device (7) for guiding air and / or vapors, wherein the guide device (7) is in a rest position (8) when the cooking chamber door (5) is closed and wherein the guide device (7) is displaceable into a guide position (9) when the cooking chamber door (5) is opened, characterized by , that at least one door opening device (10) with at least one opening element (11) is provided on the air outlet section (6), wherein the opening element (11) can be displaced from a closed position (12) into an open position (13) in order to slide open the cooking chamber door (5) at least in sections, and that at least one locking device (14) with at least one locking element (15) is provided, wherein the locking element (15) can be displaced from a release position (16) into a locking position (17) in order to fix the guide device (7) in the rest position (8). [2] Cooking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the movements of the opening element (11) and the locking element (15) are coupled. [3] Cooking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the movements of the opening element (11) and the locking element (15) are synchronized. [4] Cooking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the locking element (15) is displaced into the locking position (17) by at least one preloading device. [5] Cooking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the displacement and / or the design of the opening element (11) and the locking element (15) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the locking element (15) is in the locking position (17) before the opening element (11) pushes open the cooking chamber door (5). [6] Cooking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (15) comprises at least one stop (18). [7] Cooking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (15) is guided by the opening element (11) and / or in the opening element (11) or that the opening element (11) is guided by the locking element (15) and / or in the locking element (15). [8] Cooking device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the locking element (15) is connected to the opening element (11). [9] Cooking device (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the locking element (15) and the opening element (11) can be moved independently of one another. [10] Cooking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the door opening device (10) and the locking device (14) are designed as a common assembly. [11] Method for operating a cooking device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking element (15) is displaced and the locking element (15) fixes the guide device (7) in the rest position (8) before the opening element (11) pushes open the cooking chamber door (5). [12] Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the locking element (15) and the opening element (11) are displaced parallel at least temporarily. [13] Method according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized by that the opening element (11) is moved back and that the locking element (15) is also moved back as soon as the cooking chamber door (5) is closed. [14] Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by that the locking element (15) is moved into the release position (16) when the cooking chamber door (5) has reached a predetermined opening width, so that the guide device (7) is released and moved into the guide position (9).

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