A drawer assembly with removable water reservoir for steam-supported oven

Abstract

The invention relates to a drawer assembly for a steam-supported oven that consists of an hollow slot (40) accessible from an aperture (4) provided on the front panel (2) of a casing (1); a water reservoir (10) extending in an inner chamber defined by the slot (40) by axially moving through the aperture (4) in an entry direction (g), and a valve (60) disposed on the water reservoir (10) to control fluid transmission from its outlet (17). The drawer assembly comprises a pushing mechanism (30) equipped with a pushing member (32) that, when activated in a discharge position, propels the water reservoir (10) disposed in the slot (40) from its rear end (14) outward for a predetermined stroke distance (L) against the entry direction (g) in an opposite exit direction (g) applying a discharge force (F).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A DRAWER ASSEMBLY WITH REMOVABLE WATER RESERVOIR FOR STEAM- SUPPORTED OVEN

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to a drawer assembly with a removable water reservoir for a steam- supported oven.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] During baking in an oven cooking space, the water inside the food evaporates. For some foods (such as bread and cake), it is undesirable for them to lose water and dry out during baking. In such cases, additional water is added to the oven to increase the humidity inside it, preventing the food from drying out. A steam cooking mode is activated in the oven, and with the help of a steam generator, steam is conveyed to a cooking chamber of the oven. The baking process is then carried out in this steam-enriched cooking chamber. In these types of ovens, referred to as steam-supported ovens, water is supplied to the oven from a container placed on it through a mechanism. As a result, baked goods cooked at high temperatures rise well. To provide steam to the baking chamber, the steam generator is equipped with a water tank that supplies water to the oven. A tank is required to convey water to the oven, and this tank should be removable by the user for easy filling.

[0007] EP2550902 relates to a water drawer for an oven, comprising a housing element and a drawer element, wherein the drawer element is movably guided within the housing element and wherein water can be filled into a water receiving space of the drawer element. The drawer element can be moved in a translational movement between a first inner position and a second outer position and the water drawer further comprises at least one driving element for providing a driving force for driving the drawer element to move into the second outer position.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a drawer that incorporates a readily removable water reservoir for supplying water to a steam-assisted oven. In order to achieve above objective, the invention comprises a drawer assembly for a steam- assisted oven comprising a hollow slot accessed through an aperture on the front panel of a body; a water reservoir extending in an internal chamber confined by the slot when moving axially in an entry direction from the aperture to an assembly position, and a valve disposed on the water reservoir to regulate fluid transmission. The drawer assembly further comprises a pushing mechanism having a pushing element that, when activated in a discharge position, applies a discharge force in a reverse exit direction from the entry direction, pushing the water reservoir from its rear end outward a predetermined stroke distance from the aperture. Thus, the axial rearward pushing of the water reservoir from the exit becomes feasible, facilitating its removal from the front panel for purposes such as refilling or maintenance. The pushing from the rear of the reservoir by the pushing mechanism ensures its discharge without deviation from its forward axis and without jamming. This eliminates the need for costly linear guide systems to assist the axial movement of the water reservoir within the slot.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a push-pushing mechanism activated by pushing the water reservoir from the aperture during transition from assembly to discharge position. Such a mechanism is known in the technical field to produce a counteractive force when a pushing force is applied. The pushing element acts as the force-applying component of the push-pushing mechanism, providing a counteractive force in the exit direction, when a user pushes the water reservoir towards the slot in the entry direction during its assembly position, pushing its front part out from the aperture. The push-pushing mechanism could be a simple spring-loaded telescopic arm or an electronically controlled motorized or differently driven piston.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, the pushing mechanism comprises a compression spring, in which the pushing element is telescopically positioned and adjusted to compress by the rear end in the assembly position, mounted within an assembly fitting fixed in a rear chamber of the slot. The assembly fitting ensures axial guidance of the telescopically positioned pushing element and the compression spring helps in pushing the rear end outward when compressed by the pushing element in the assembly position. Hence, when the water reservoir needs to be removed, it can be pushed out by the spring force of the pushing element.

[0012] A preferred configuration includes a locking apparatus that locks the pushing element in the assembly position by compressing the compression spring and releases it towards the water reservoir when activated. This locking apparatus preserves the energy of the compression spring in the assembly position without transferring its spring force to the water reservoir and releases it in the discharge position to push the water reservoir in the exit direction using the spring force.

[0013] Another preferred embodiment provides a heart-shaped guide track disposed on the assembly fitting and a wire-formed tracking arm, one end of which is rotatably mounted in a fixation hole on an external wall corresponding to the pushing element and the other end engages the guide track. This arrangement offers a compact pushing mechanism that locks in the assembly position and releases the pushing element with the force when the water reservoir is pushed in the entry direction while in assembly position.

[0014] In a preferred setup, the pushing element aligns coaxially with the compression spring in the assembly position, aiding direct axial advancement without jamming when applying pressure to the water reservoir.

[0015] Another embodiment incorporates a pin that triggers the valve into an open state upon entering the exit from the slot in the assembly position. This pin simply facilitates valve activation, allowing water transfer from the reservoir into the slot without needing a different mechanism.

[0016] In yet another embodiment, the pin is fixed inside the internal chamber of the slot, extending parallel to the pushing element. Thus, when the water reservoir is pushed axially by the pushing element during mounting into the slot, the pin also triggers the valve.

[0017] A preferred setup features a transfer chamber located at the lower part of the slot's rear chamber, housing the pin and the exit facing each other. The transfer chamber directs water during its removal from the reservoir when the valve is opened.

[0018] In another configuration, the exit is of a groove structure, and the valve possesses a pistonlike design with a seal that opens in the assembly position, one end enters the groove by pushing a pressure plate when the pin's free end is pressed, and the other end allows fluid transmission to the groove in the discharge position. This design results in a compact structure where water is easily released from the reservoir when the groove on it advances toward the pin and presses the pressure plate.

[0019] In another embodiment, both the pin and the valve are coaxially aligned within the aperture groove structure. Thus, during the axial movement of the water reservoir inside the slot, the pin successively pushes to open and close the valve in the groove. A preferred feature characterizes the water reservoir with a cylindrical elongated single-piece plastic body that slides linearly, fitting into the corresponding slot. In this case, the water reservoir, produced as a single piece using methods like plastic injection, can be easily mounted into the slot by the user through the aperture.

[0020] Another configuration includes a cover parallelly extending over the aperture on the front part of the water reservoir in the assembly position. This cover prevents external contaminants like dust or steam from entering the aperture.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a built-in oven with a representative embodiment of the water drawer of the subject invention.

[0023] Figure 2 presents a perspective view of the water reservoir shown in Figure 1 .

[0024] Figure 3 displays a perspective view of a pushing mechanism located at the rear part of the slot in a representative implementation of the water drawer.

[0025] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view in the assembly position of a representative embodiment of the water drawer mounted on the upper part of the oven body.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In this detailed description, the subject of the invention is explained with references to examples, aiming to better illustrate the topic without any constraints.

[0028] Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a built-in oven where a representative embodiment of the drawer assembly of the invention is incorporated. The oven consists of a casing (1 ) surrounding a baking chamber, a hinged lid (3) located on the casing (1 ), and a front panel (2) extending transversely on the top of the lid (3), which accommodates control elements related to the baking function. An aperture (4) in the shape of a circular hole has been created by cutting through the front panel (2) to access inside the casing (1). A hollow plastic slot (40) adjusted to the diameter of the circle is mounted from one end into the interior of the aperture (4). A water reservoir (10) extending linearly inside the casing (1) in depth is passed through the slot (40) in an entry direction (g). When the water reservoir (10) is desired to be removed, it is axially pulled out in an exit direction (g) from the casing (1 ). The water reservoir (10) is a hollow cylindrical form with a circular front cover (20) mounted on its front part (12). When the water reservoir (10) is fully seated in the aperture (4) in an assembly position, the front cover (20) extends on the same plane as the front panel (2) without protruding.

[0029] Figure 2 shows a closer perspective view of the water reservoir (10) alone. The water reservoir (10) is a leakproof extended cylindrical hollow body obtained by plastic injection, and its upper facing part is flattened to create an indicator (11 ). Sequential volume scales are present on the indicator (11 ), which is partially transparent to display the position of the water inside. A detachable, leakproof front cover (20) is fitted to the front section (12) of the water reservoir (10). Opposite the front part (12), a guide (15) in the form of an axial protrusion extends laterally on the rear end (14) wall. Below this are a cylindrical support extension (16) and a groove-like outlet (17).

[0030] Figure 3 demonstrates a push assembly (30), a push-pushing mechanism, when the water reservoir (10) is installed inside the casing (1 ) in an assembly position, supported by the rear end (14) with the support extension (16). The push assembly (30) includes an external mounting collar (34) and a cylindrical pushing element (32) telescopically mounted within it. The pushing element (32) is linearly adjustable within the mounting collar (34) for a limited stroke distance (L). In the push assembly (30), a locking mechanism (5) is adapted to the planar areas mutually formed on the top parts of the mounting collar (34) and internal collar (32). The locking mechanism (5) secures the pushing element (32) in its assembly position by axial pushing from a front wall (33) of the pushing element against the support extension (16), entering through an entrance (35) of the mounting collar (34). When further pushing force is applied to the pushing element (32) in its assembly position, the locking mechanism (5) releases the pushing element (32), allowing it to advance to its initial position. The locking mechanism (5) comprises a tracking arm (37) made of a bent metal wire, which engages from one end into a hole (31 ) on top of the pushing element (32) and from the other end into a heart-shaped guide on the upper edge of the mounting collar (34). To prevent the tracking arm (37) from dislocating radially, a bent omega-like wire clamp (38) passes over it, not restricting its advance movement, and attaches to the side wall of the mounting collar (34).

[0031] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the drawer assembly with the water reservoir (10) in its assembly position. The rear chamber (42) surrounded by the rear part of the slot (40) houses the locking mechanism (5). Inside the chamber of the mounting collar (34), a compression spring (50) has been installed. One end of the compression spring (50) leans against the rear wall in the rear chamber (42), and the other end applies a spring compression force to the rear of the pushing element (32), defining a discharge force (F). The push assembly (30) extends coaxially with the support extension (16), parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slot (40). The compression spring (50) is coaxial with the push assembly (30). The pushing element (32) has a flange (39) formed at its rear end. This flange (39) stops by getting caught to a protrusion at the entrance (35) of the mounting collar (34) when the pushing element (32) advances in the exit direction (g). Thus, the pushing element (32) can move over a predetermined stroke distance (L) within the internal space of the mounting collar (34).

[0032] A transfer chamber (44) is provided freely within the groove-shaped outlet (17) at the bottom part of the rear chamber (42). A pin (46) has been formed on the rear wall of the transfer chamber (44), extending concentrically to the cylindrical opening. The pin (46) has a truncated cone structure that narrows towards its free end. In the assembly position, the pin (46) enters from the front end of the outlet (17) and pushes a pressure plate (64) at the front part of a valve (60) seated in the outlet (17). With axial advancement, the valve (60) facilitates the transfer of water from an internal chamber (18) of the water reservoir (10) to the outlet (17) and into the transfer chamber (44). To accomplish this, the valve (60) is of a piston structure. On the exit side (17), the pressure plate (64) facing the pin (46) connects to a seal (62) snugly seated in a throat (19) at the opposite end of the outlet (17) via a lever. Thus, in the assembly position, by the pin (46) pushing the pressure plate (64), the seal (62) opens the throat (19), allowing water in the internal chamber (18) to flow from the outlet (17) to the transfer chamber (44) via hydrostatic pressure.

[0033] In this way, the user fills the water reservoir (10) by removing the cover (3) and checking the fill level from the indicator (11). Then, with the rear end (14) first, it's telescopically and linearly guided into the slot (40) through the opening (4) and pushed in the direction of entry (g). At this time, the front cover (3) of the water reservoir (10) is located on the front panel (2) in the plane of the opening (4) without protruding. During the transition to the assembly position, the support extension (14) at the rear end of the water reservoir (10) pushes against the front wall (33) of the pushing element (32) and compresses the compression spring (50). The pushing force of the support extension (16) overcomes the spring compression force, pushing the pushing element (32) into the mounting collar (34). At this moment, a guide track (36), which is freely rotatable from one end and placed in the hole (31 ) of the pushing element (32), advances in a heart shape from the opposite end and gets caught in the guide track (36). Thus, when the pushing force in the direction of entry (g) applied to the pushing element (32) is removed, the pushing element (32) resists against the force of the compression spring (50) in the direction of exit (g) and gets locked. During this, while the pushing element (32) progresses within the mounting collar (34) by a stroke distance (L), the pin (46) pushes the corresponding pressure plate (64), and the seal (62) moves forward into the internal chamber (18), opening the throat (19). The water in the internal chamber (18) reaches the transfer chamber (44) first through the throat (19) and then through the outlet (17) under hydrostatic pressure, from where it's transferred to the transfer elements (not shown) towards the oven baking chamber.

[0034] When the user wants to check how much water is left in the water reservoir (10) or wants to refill it, they apply pressure to the lid (3) in the direction of entry (g). The guide track (36) moves out from the middle, freeing the tracking arm (37) to advance by a stroke distance (L). Thus, the compression force applied by the compression spring (50) is transmitted as an evacuation force (F) on the pushing element (32), causing the pushing element (32) to push from its front wall (33) onto the support extension (16). The pushing element (32) pushes the support extension (16) to extract the linearly guided water reservoir (10) in the slot (40) forward by a stroke distance (L). This creates a distance for grasping. The user grasps the water reservoir (10) from the front and pulls it out in the direction of exit (g) and takes it out from the opening (4).

[0035] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0036] 1 Casing 35 Inlet

[0037] 2 Front panel 36 Guide track

[0038] 3 Lid 37 Tracking arm

[0039] 4 Aperture 38 Wire clamp

[0040] 5 Locking mechanism 39 Flange

[0041] 10 Water reservoir 40 Slot

[0042] 11 Indicator 42 Rear chamber

[0043] 12 Front part 44 Transfer chamber

[0044] 14 Rear end 46 Pin

[0045] 15 Guide 50 Compression spring

[0046] 16 Support extension 60 Valve

[0047] 17 Outlet 62 Seal

[0048] 18 Internal chamber 64 Pressure plate Throat L Stroke distance Front cover F Discharge force Push assembly g Entry direction Hole Q Exit direction Pushing element Front wall Mounting collar Entrance

Claims

CLAIMS - A drawer assembly for a steam-supported oven comprising: a hollow slot (40) accessed from an aperture (4) provided on the front panel (2) of a casing (1); a water reservoir (10) that extends in an inner chamber confined by the slot (40) by axially advancing in an entry direction (g) from the aperture (4), and a valve (60) disposed on the water reservoir (10) to control fluid transmission from its outlet (17); characterized in that a pushing mechanism (30) having a pushing member (32) is when activated in a discharge position, pushes the water reservoir (10) positioned in the slot (40) from its rear end (14) outwardly for a predetermined stroke distance (L) against the entry direction (g) in a reverse exit direction (g) applying a discharge force (F). - A drawer assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a push-pushing mechanism is activated by the pushing of the water reservoir (10) from the aperture (4) during the transition from the mounting position to the discharge position of the pushing mechanism (30). - A drawer assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pushing mechanism (30) comprises a mounting assembly (34) wherein the pushing member (32) is telescopically placed inside a compression spring (50) which is fixed in the rear chamber (42) of the slot (40) and is compressed by the rear end (14) in the mounting position. - A drawer assembly according to claim 3, wherein a locking mechanism (5) locks the pushing member (32) in the mounting position compressing the compression spring (50) and releases it to move towards the water reservoir when activated. - A drawer assembly according to claims 3-4, wherein the locking mechanism (5) includes a heart-shaped guide track (36) provided on the mounting assembly (34) and a wire-shaped tracking arm (37) which is pivotally mounted at one end to the pushing member (32) and engages with the guide track (36) at the other end through a fixation hole (31 ) located on its outer wall. - A drawer assembly according to claims 3-5, wherein in the mounting position, the pushing member (32) is coaxially aligned with the compression spring (50).7- A drawer assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a pin (46) that triggers the valve (60) to the open state by entering the outlet (17) of the slot (40) in the mounting position.8- A drawer assembly according to claim 7, wherein the pin (46) is fixed inside the inner chamber of the slot (40) extending parallel to the pushing member (32).9- A drawer assembly according to claims 7-8, wherein a transfer chamber (44) provided in the lower part of the rear chamber (42) of the slot (40) wherein the pin (46) and the outlet (17) face each other.10- A drawer assembly according to claim 9, wherein the outlet (17) has a groove structure, and the valve (60) is of a piston-like structure comprising a seal (62) that opens in the mounting position, wherein one end enters the groove pressed by the free end of the pin (46) and the other end allows fluid transmission to the groove in the discharge position due to the movement of a pressure plate (64) fitting into a throat (19).11- A drawer assembly according to claim 10, wherein the pin (46) and the valve (60) are coaxially aligned inside the groove structure of the outlet (17).12- A drawer assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water reservoir (10) has an extended cylindrical single-piece plastic body structure which linearly slides and fits snugly into the corresponding slot (40).13- A drawer assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water reservoir (10) includes a cover (3) provided on its front side that extends parallelly and covers the aperture (4) of the front panel (2) in the mounting position.

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