Cooking device lamp for cooking devices with microwave cooking function

Abstract

Described and illustrated is a cooking appliance light for cooking appliances with a microwave cooking function, in particular for a combination cooking appliance, - with a mounting sleeve by means of which the cooking appliance light is held in a recess of a cooking appliance wall, - with an LED light source which is arranged on the mounting sleeve and whose light is fed through a cylindrical space of the mounting sleeve into a cooking chamber of the cooking appliance, - with a microwave trap in the form of a grid-like barrier element which prevents the passage of microwave radiation from the cooking chamber through the cylindrical space of the mounting sleeve into an exterior area of ​​the cooking appliance, and - with a translucent cover which is arranged at an axial end on the mounting sleeve and which prevents the entry of cooking vapors into the cylindrical space of the mounting sleeve.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooking appliance light for cooking appliances with microwave cooking function, in particular for so-called combination cooking appliances.

[0002] Combination ovens with a microwave cooking function allow food to be prepared not only using microwave energy but also in other ways, such as baking or steaming. These combination appliances are therefore available as combined oven-microwave ovens or as combination appliances that include a steam cooking function in addition to the oven and microwave cooking functions. Furthermore, there are ovens that can increase the humidity in the cooking chamber by adding small amounts of steam to support certain baking and cooking functions.

[0003] The particular challenge with appliances that have a microwave cooking function lies in reliably preventing microwave radiation from escaping the cooking chamber. Since oven lights require an opening in the cooking chamber wall through which light enters the chamber, special attention must be paid to making these openings microwave-tight.

[0004] From US patent 4,559,585 A, it is known to arrange a sleeve component behind the opening in the oven wall, within which a filament lamp is located. The diameter of the sleeve component is dimensioned such that microwaves can enter the sleeve component, but their exit at the end facing away from the oven is reliably prevented. A microwave trap in the form of a grid-like barrier element is not used.

[0005] A grid-like microwave trap as a blocking element in front of a lighting device of a microwave cooking appliance is disclosed in US 4 367 388 A.

[0006] DE 29 37 499 B discloses an oven light for microwave ovens. In this design, a mounting sleeve is inserted into a cutout in the oven wall. This mounting sleeve is provided with an internal thread. The light consists of a metal sleeve with a translucent cover and a locking element located behind the cover. The metal sleeve has an external thread that engages with the internal thread of the mounting sleeve to secure the light to the oven wall.

[0007] US 7,267,450 B2 discloses a generic oven light in which a pot-shaped housing part holding the light source is inserted into an opening in an oven wall. A translucent cover, which is provided with a locking element on the inside, is snapped into the pot-shaped housing part.

[0008] DE 36 06 421 C1 shows that a sleeve surrounding the lamp of the luminaire can be perforated in a sieve-like manner so that it serves as a barrier element for microwave radiation.

[0009] DE 36 41 420 C2 shows a cooking appliance light with a classic incandescent bulb. It illustrates that shielding of microwave radiation is possible by enclosing the bulb in a perforated sleeve.

[0010] In EP 4 033 861 A1 of the applicant a cooking appliance light is shown which uses an LED as a light source.

[0011] Conventional light sources, such as gas discharge lamps and incandescent lamps, are increasingly being replaced by LEDs in cooking appliances. LEDs offer the significant advantage of considerably lower power consumption, thus positively impacting and reducing the overall energy consumption of a cooking appliance. Furthermore, their compact size allows for a reduction in the space required for lighting. Overall, LEDs open up new possibilities in the design of cooking appliances.

[0012] The smaller form factor of LED light sources generally allows for a significant reduction in the number of wall penetrations required to introduce light into the cooking chamber, which also helps to prevent heat loss and thus reduce the energy consumption of cooking appliances. Since the energy efficiency of cooking appliances is a key marketing argument, these factors are of considerable importance for their economic success.

[0013] However, this is offset by a significant investment if certain parts of cooking appliances need to be redesigned for the use of LED lighting. This is particularly true for the cooking chamber walls, as these are manufactured from sheet metal using specially designed presses. During the forming process, the wall openings for the cooking chamber lighting, among other things, are also created. For many manufacturers, the use of LED lighting therefore typically requires new forming tools, resulting in a considerable investment.

[0014] The object of the invention is to create a cooking appliance light for cooking appliances with microwave cooking function, which can be used in wall cutouts for conventional light sources and yet meets the requirements for LED light sources.

[0015] The invention is solved by a cooking appliance light with the features of claim 1.

[0016] By using a mounting sleeve that fits into the existing cutout in the oven wall, all the advantages of modern and proven installation procedures can be utilized. In particular, the mounting sleeve can have a closed wall and a mounting flange at its axial end near the cover. The closed wall of the sleeve has the advantage of reliably dissipating incoming microwave radiation. Because the sleeve wall is closed, i.e., without any openings, no microwave radiation can escape the mounting sleeve in the radial direction.

[0017] The mounting flange is designed for screw attachment to the oven wall and features through-holes for screw bolts. The mounting is electrically conductive, ensuring an electrical connection between the mounting flange and the oven wall, particularly via the screw bolts. For this purpose, the through-holes in the mounting flange are at least partially exposed. Similarly, at least the threads on the oven wall side are exposed, allowing the screw bolts to establish the electrical connection between the mounting flange and the oven wall.

[0018] Alternatively, the mounting sleeve can be provided with locking tabs extending from its perimeter wall for securing it to the oven wall. In this way, the oven light can be firmly anchored to the oven wall simply by inserting it into the recess.

[0019] The use of an LED light source arranged on the mounting sleeve combines the advantages of the mounting sleeve with the use of a modern light source, especially when the LED light source is mounted on a retaining part, the retaining part is arranged at the axial end of the mounting sleeve facing away from the cover, and the LED light source is positioned upstream of the axial end of the mounting sleeve facing away from the cover in the direction of light supply.

[0020] The chosen arrangement of the LED light source at the axial end of the mounting sleeve facing away from the cover, with the LED light source positioned upstream of the mounting sleeve in the direction of light feed, results in the LED light source being located outside the mounting sleeve. In this way, the LED light source is sufficiently far and safely separated from the cooking chamber and thus exposed to cooking temperatures only to a technically acceptable degree. This ensures a long service life for the LED light source. Furthermore, it allows for a cooling airflow past the LED light source without any problems, eliminating the need for sleeve ventilation. Such sleeve ventilation, which would be necessary with an LED located inside the sleeve, would be very difficult to implement, as the required ventilation openings would have to be properly sealed to prevent the escape of microwave radiation.

[0021] The mounting sleeve provides a mounting stop for the locking element, and the retaining part holds the locking element at the mounting stop.

[0022] This offers significant manufacturing advantages, as the locking element is ultimately held in place by clamping between the LED light source's retaining part and the mounting stop, eliminating the need for separate fastening. The locking element is designed to be positioned within the mounting sleeve and electrically connected to it, so that microwave radiation striking the locking element is absorbed via this electrical connection to the mounting sleeve and the oven wall.

[0023] To ensure the locking element is positioned correctly within the mounting sleeve, it is recommended that the locking element has centering means that align the locking element centrally within the mounting sleeve.

[0024] The centering of the locking element ensures that the unavoidable manufacturing tolerances and the clearance required for inserting the locking element into the mounting sleeve do not result in gaps between the locking element and the mounting sleeve that prevent absorption of microwave radiation by the locking element and the mounting sleeve.

[0025] It is advantageously provided that the centering means establish an electrically conductive connection between the locking element and the mounting sleeve.

[0026] Specifically, it is planned that the centering means are designed as centering springs arranged around the outside of the locking element and integrally bonded to the locking element.

[0027] A further assembly advantage can be achieved if the retaining part of the LED light source carries the locking element, with the locking element preferably being snapped into place. In this way, the locking element and the retaining part of the LED light source form a pre-assembled unit that can be easily inserted into or attached to the mounting sleeve.

[0028] A secure electrically conductive connection between the mounting sleeve and the cooking chamber wall is ensured if the mounting sleeve has a plug connector for attaching an electrical conductor for an electrical connection with a cooking chamber wall.

[0029] Furthermore, the mounting sleeve is designed to have threaded sections into which mating threads of the cover engage for detachable fastening. This allows the cover to be easily attached to the mounting sleeve.

[0030] Further advantages of the invention, as well as a better understanding of it, will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1a: an exploded view of a first embodiment of a cooking appliance light according to the invention, Fig. 1b: a perspective overall view of the cooking appliance light according to Fig. 1a , Fig. 2: a top view of the cooking appliance light according to Fig. 1 without cover glass, Fig. 3: the illustration of the cooking appliance light according to Fig. 1 In a first side view, Fig. 4: a sectional view of the cooking appliance light according to section line IV-IV in Fig. 3 , Fig.5: the cooking appliance light according to Fig. 1 In a second side view, Fig. 6: a sectional view of the cooking appliance light along section line VI-VI in Fig. 5 ,

[0031] Two embodiments of the invention are described below using two oven light bulbs as examples. For clarity, different number ranges are used for the different embodiments. Components of the first embodiment are provided with reference numbers from the range 100 to 199, and components of the second embodiment with reference numbers from the range 200 to 299. Identical or functionally equivalent components in the tens range bear identical digits and, if there is any doubt, are also named identically. Unless otherwise stated, what is said about one embodiment also applies to the other. The first embodiment is described in the Figures 1 to 6The image shows a cooking appliance light, designated with the reference number 100, intended for use in a microwave oven, particularly a combination oven with a microwave cooking function. The cooking appliance itself is not shown. Figures 7 to 13 show a second embodiment, which, however, is not part of this invention.

[0032] The exploded view according to Fig. 1a First, it shows the essential individual parts of the cooking appliance light 100.

[0033] The central component of the cooking appliance light 100 is a mounting sleeve 101.

[0034] This has a mounting flange 102, which is provided with through holes 103.

[0035] The mounting sleeve 101 serves to anchor the oven light 100 in the cutout of an oven wall. For this purpose, the mounting flange 102 rests on the inside of the oven wall. The through-holes 103 align with threaded holes and, if applicable, threaded bosses on the oven wall. Screw bolts (not shown) extend through the through-hole 103 to reach the threads on the oven wall and hold the mounting sleeve 101, and with it the oven light 100, to the oven wall.

[0036] The inner chamber 104 of the mounting sleeve 101 is closed on the oven wall side by a cover glass 105. A ring element 106 is arranged between the mounting flange 102 and the cover glass 105. This ring element has a sealing effect and can also apply a longitudinal axial preload to the sleeve in order to secure the cover glass 105, which is screwed into the mounting sleeve 101, against unintentional unscrewing.

[0037] For screw fastening of the cover glass 105 in the mounting sleeve 101, the cover glass 105 has a threaded neck 108 provided with an external thread 107. The external thread 107 engages in thread sections 109 which are embossed into the circumferential wall 110 of the mounting sleeve 101.

[0038] The mounting sleeve 101 then forms retaining tabs 111 at its end facing away from the cover glass 105 or the mounting flange 102. The retaining tabs 111 are longitudinally oriented and their free ends are set radially inwards.

[0039] The light source 112 of the cooking appliance light 100 is an LED light source, which is designed in the form of a circuit board 113, which contains an unspecified LED It carries and is also equipped with terminal blocks 114 for connecting conductors 115. The conductors 115 primarily serve to supply power to the LED. ,However, they can also be used to transmit control signals if needed.

[0040] The circuit board 113 is mounted on a counter support 116, here in the form of a heat sink. The heat sink 116 serves to dissipate the heat generated during operation of the LED The resulting waste heat. Pins 117 are provided for attaching the circuit board 113 to the heat sink 116.

[0041] A retaining element 118 receives the heat sink 116 with the circuit board 113 mounted on it at its end facing away from the mounting sleeve 101 via a retaining arm 119. The heat sink 116 is preferably snapped onto the retaining arms 119. It can also be secured to the retaining element 118 by a locking element 120, for example in the form of a screw.

[0042] In the embodiment shown here, the retaining part 118 also carries an optical element 121, for example a lens, which is positioned in the beam path of the light-emitting LEDThe optical element 121 is arranged on the circuit board 113 and directs the emitted light into the cooking chamber for optimal light supply. The optical element 121 is arranged in a retaining ring 122. This retaining ring 122 ensures the correct distance between the optical element 121 and the LED. Furthermore, the retaining ring 122 can also serve as a reflector to direct the light from the LED to supply emitted scattered light to the optical element 121 and thus make it usable for illuminating the cooking chamber.

[0043] The retaining element 118 is formed by several ring discs 123 spaced longitudinally along the sleeve. These ring discs 123 each form a heat shield to dampen radiant heat radiating from the cooking chamber through the mounting sleeve 101 towards the light source 112. Furthermore, the radial gaps 124 between the ring discs 123 allow an airflow to pass through, which serves to dissipate heat and thus cool and protect the LED light source 112.

[0044] Finally, the oven light 100 includes a microwave trap in the form of a grid-like locking element 125. This element is designed as an essentially circular, perforated disc. Centering means 126, in the form of axially oriented spring ribs projecting radially outwards, extend from the edges of the disc. During installation of the locking element 125 in the mounting sleeve 101, these ribs bear against the circumferential wall 110 on the inside and center the locking element 125 within the mounting sleeve 101.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the retaining part 118 forms plug-in receptacles 127 which are provided for receiving the retaining tabs 111, each plug-in receptacle 127 having a locking lug 128 which engages securely in a locking opening of the retaining tab 111 (not shown).

[0046] The perspective view according to Fig. 1bThe figure shows the cooking appliance light 100 described above in its assembled form. It clearly shows how the cover glass 105 is fixed to the mounting sleeve 101. The ring element 106 is positioned between the cover glass 105 and the mounting flange 102.

[0047] The retaining part 118 carries on its side facing away from the cover glass 105 the heat sink 116, which is equipped with the circuit board 113 and has its retaining arms 119.

[0048] The retaining tabs 111 are inserted into the plug receptacle 127 of the retaining part 118 and thus secure the retaining part 118 to the mounting sleeve 101.

[0049] The pre-assembled cooking appliance light 100 can then be fully assembled in the cooking appliance by the cooking appliance manufacturer.

[0050] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a top view of the oven light 100, with the cover glass 105 obscured. The ring-shaped locking element 125, in the form of a perforated disc, is visible, positioned centrally within the sleeve 104. It is also evident that this centering ensures that the required clearance for assembly, in the form of circumferential gap sections 129, is approximately uniform all around. The radial depth of each circumferential gap section 129 between the circumferential wall 110 of the mounting sleeve 101 and the locking element 125 is no greater than the diameter of the perforation holes in the locking element 125. This ensures that no microwave radiation can escape through the mounting sleeve 101 in the axial direction.

[0051] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows another side view of the cooking appliance light 100. This shows again how the thread sections 109 are embossed into the circumferential wall 110 of the mounting sleeve 101. It is also visible that the retaining tabs 111 of the mounting sleeve 101 are inserted into the plug-in receptacles 127 of the retaining part 118.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the cooking appliance light 100 along the section line IV-IV in Fig. 3This illustration initially shows the interaction of the threaded sections 109 on the side of the mounting sleeve 101 and the external thread 107 of the cover glass 105. However, particular attention should be paid to the locking element 125. This drawing shows that the locking element 125 rests on the retaining part 118, in such a way that the centering means 126 also serve to hold the locking element 125 on the retaining part 118, preferably snapping it into place. This offers initial assembly advantages. The locking element 125, resting on the retaining part 118, can thus be secured to the mounting sleeve 101 together with the retaining part 118. The retaining part 118, with its end section near the cover glass 105, extends at least minimally into the interior of the sleeve 104. In this way, the locking element 125 is inserted strictly horizontally or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve into the interior of the sleeve 104, so that a correct mounting position is ensured.

[0053] It is also visible here how the heat sink 116 is secured in the retaining part 118 by the locking element 120. The retaining part 118 forms a locking boss 130 for this purpose, which extends in the opposite direction to the cover glass 105. It is also evident how the heat sink 116 is engaged from behind by a detent projection 131 of a retaining arm 119.

[0054] It is also visible that the locking lugs 128 of the plug receptacles 127 engage securely in the retaining tabs 111 of the mounting sleeve 101.

[0055] Finally, it can be seen how the optical element 121 is seated in the retaining ring 122 and how the retaining ring 122 positions the optical element 121 at the correct distance from the circuit board 113 and the light source 112. This illustration also clearly shows that, with appropriate mirroring of the inner surfaces 132, the retaining ring 122 can serve as a reflector.

[0056] Fig. 5This shows another side view of the cooking appliance light 100. This differs from the illustration shown in the previous image. Fig. 3 rotated approximately 90 degrees.

[0057] The Figures 5 and 6 show the to the Figures 3 and 4 The facts already described are viewed from a correspondingly altered perspective. In particular, one can... Fig. 6 Remove the mounting of the circuit board 113 by means of the locking pins 117 on the heat sink 116.

[0058] In summary, a cooking appliance light 100 was presented, which offers the following essential advantages for cooking appliance manufacturers.

[0059] Manufacturers of cooking appliances can use the 100 series lights for microwave ovens or combination ovens with a microwave cooking function, as an effective locking element and a clever light design reliably prevent microwave radiation from escaping the cooking chamber. In every case, a secure and centered mounting of the locking element 125 within the 100 series light is guaranteed.

[0060] The Oven Light 100 is designed for installation in oven wall cutouts for conventional light sources, but it itself uses an LED light source 112. In this respect, the Oven Light 100 adapts existing component structures to modern LED light sources. Advantageous fastening techniques are used for anchoring the Oven Light 100, techniques previously only employed in Oven Lights with conventional light sources 112.

[0061] Nevertheless, the oven light 100 also manages to meet the requirements of LED light sources, in particular to reliably protect them from the potentially harmful heat radiation from the oven cavity. For this purpose, the LED light source 112 is positioned outside the mounting sleeve 101, specifically at the end furthest from the cover glass 105. This not only distances the LED light source 112 from the oven cavity but also places it outside the sleeve body, where heat could potentially build up. The use of a retaining element 118 enables the light source 112 to be positioned outside the mounting sleeve 101.

[0062] The applicant uses a special holding part which, in addition to the advantageous arrangement of the light sources 112 outside the mounting sleeve 101, also ensures advantageous ventilation through spaces 124 and protection against heat radiation via ring discs 123. REFERENCE MARK LIST 100 Cooking appliance light 128 Rastnose 101 Mounting sleeve 129 Circumferential gap section 102 Mounting flange 130 Security Dome 103 Through-holes 131 Rast ledge 104 The inside of the casing 132 Inner surface 105 Cover glass 106 Ring element 107 external thread 108 threaded neck 109 Thread section 110 Perimeter wall v. 101 111 Retaining tab 112 light bulbs 113 Circuit board 114 Terminal block 115 Connection conductor 116 Counter bearing / heat sink 117 Locking pins 118 Retaining part 119 Support arm 120 Safety element 121 Optical element 122 retaining ring 123 ring disc 124 space 125 Locking element 126 Centering device 127 Plug socket REFERENCE MARK LIST 200 Cooking appliance light 228 Rastnose 201 Mounting sleeve 229 Circumferential gap section 202 Mounting flange 230 Security Dome 204 The inside of the casing 231 Rast ledge 205 Cover glass 232 Inner surface 207 external thread 233 Resting opening v. 211 208 threaded neck 234 Mounting tab 209 Thread section 235 Flat connectors 210 Perimeter wall v. 201 236 Rastflügel v. 201 211 Retaining tab 237 Coding bridge 212 light bulbs 238 Inner sleeve 213 Circuit board 239 Sleeve wall 214 Terminal block 240 Mounting flange 215 Connection conductor 241 Locking flap 216 Counter bearing / heat sink 242 Breakthrough 217 Locking pins 243 Inner sleeve space 218 Retaining part 244 annular space 219 Support arm 220 Safety element 221 Optical element 222 retaining ring 223 ring disc 224 space 225 Locking element 226 Centering device 227 Plug socket

Claims

1. Cooking appliance light (100) for cooking appliances having a microwave cooking function, in particular for a combination cooking appliance, - having a mounting sleeve (101) by means of which the cooking appliance light (100) is held in a cavity of a cooking appliance wall, - having an LED light source (112), which is arranged on the mounting sleeve (101) and the light of which is supplied through a cylinder chamber of the mounting sleeve (101) into a cooking compartment of the cooking appliance, - having a microwave trap in the form of a grid-shaped blocking element (125), which prevents passage of microwave radiation from the cooking compartment through the cylinder chamber of the mounting sleeve (101) into an external area of the cooking appliance, - having a translucent cover (105), which is arranged at an axial end on the mounting sleeve (101) and which prevents the entry of cooking steam into the cylinder chamber of the mounting sleeve (101), wherein - the LED light source (112) is mounted on a holding part (118), - the holding part (118) is arranged on the axial end of the mounting sleeve (101) facing away from the cover (105), - the LED light source (112) is arranged upstream in the light supply direction of the axial end of the mounting sleeve (101) facing away from the translucent cover (105), characterised in that the mounting sleeve (101) provides an aligning tab for the blocking element (125) and the holding part (118) holds the blocking element (125) on the aligning tab.

2. Cooking appliance light (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the blocking element (125) is arranged inside the mounting sleeve (101) and is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the mounting sleeve (101).

3. Cooking appliance light (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the blocking element (125,) has centring means (126,) which centrally align the blocking element (125,) inside the mounting sleeve (101,).

4. Cooking appliance light (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the centring means (126,) are designed as centring springs, arranged externally circumferentially on the blocking element (125,), connected in an integrally bonded manner to the blocking element (125,).

5. Cooking appliance light (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the holding part (118) of the LED light source (112) latch-supports the blocking element (125).

6. Cooking appliance light (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting sleeve (101) has a plugging connection to connect an electrical conductor for an electrical connection to a cooking compartment wall.

7. Cooking appliance light (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting sleeve (101) forms threaded sections (109), with which counter threads of the translucent cover (105) engage for releasable setting on the mounting sleeve (101).

8. Cooking appliance light (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the mounting sleeve (101) has a closed sleeve wall and a mounting flange (102) on its axial end close to the translucent cover (105).

9. Cooking appliance light (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that the mounting flange (102) is provided with passage bores (103) for screw bolts for electrically conductive screw fastening with the cooking compartment wall.

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