Equipment door synchronization mechanism

Abstract

A door synchronization assembly is provided having two doors for closing an opening in an enclosure, such as an oven cavity. Each door has a hinged edge and a fixed point and pivots relative to the housing of the enclosure at the hinged edge. A central link is provided adjacent a surface of the housing of the enclosure. The central link moves in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the opening in the enclosure. As such, the central link moves toward and away from the door opening. First and second elongated rigid parts are provided, each connecting the central link to a fixed point on a corresponding one of the two doors.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 145,115, filed February 3, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to mechanisms for synchronizing the opening and closing of appliance doors. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a French door synchronizing mechanism for an oven. [Background technology]

[0003] Kitchen appliances are provided with various types of doors. In the case of ovens, conventional doors open as a single door that pivots downwards on a horizontal axis; that is, in a typical oven, the oven door is pulled outward from the oven housing and lowered to a substantially horizontal position to allow access to the interior of the oven. When closed, the single oven door covers an opening in the housing. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This arrangement causes the door to extend a significant distance from the oven when open. This distance must be considered when designing a kitchen, as an open door can disrupt traffic patterns. This is especially true for island and galley style kitchens. Furthermore, during use, users must reach over the open oven door to load and unload items from the oven. Moving items over this threshold can be difficult if the items are heavy, and potentially dangerous if the items are hot.

[0005] Some ovens therefore incorporate doors that open horizontally, such as French doors. Such French door systems typically include two doors hinged to the outer edges of the opening in the oven housing, and may include a mechanism for synchronizing the opening of the two doors, such that both oven doors open when a user opens one door.

[0006] There is a need for an improved and simplified door synchronization assembly for French door fixtures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In some embodiments, a door synchronization assembly is provided having two doors for closing an opening in an enclosure, such as an oven cavity, each door having a hinged edge and a fixed point and pivoting at the hinged edge relative to a housing of the enclosure.

[0008] A central link is provided adjacent a surface of the housing of the enclosure, the central link moving substantially in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the opening in the enclosure such that the central link moves toward and away from the door opening.

[0009] First and second elongated rigid parts are provided, each connecting the central connector to the fixed point of a corresponding one of the two doors.

[0010] When one of the two doors moves, the center link moves to correspondingly move the other of the two doors.

[0011] In some embodiments, the enclosure is an oven and the two doors are oven doors.

[0012] In some embodiments, the central link is located at and fixed to a first end of a third elongated rigid part, which is fixed at a second end to or adjacent a side wall of the housing of the enclosure. Movement of the central link thus corresponds to a pivoting movement of the third elongated rigid part about the second end. Thus, the central link follows a circular arc while moving substantially in the vertical direction.

[0013] In some such embodiments, the central connector comprises two pivot points adjacent the first end of the third rigid elongate part, and each of the first and second rigid elongate parts pivots relative to the central connector.

[0014] In some such embodiments, when one of the two doors is moved, the first and second elongated rigid parts pivot in opposite directions relative to the central connector.

[0015] In some embodiments, movement of the central link generated by movement of one of the two doors describes an arc about the second end of the third elongated rigid part, such arc approximating movement perpendicular to the plane of the opening in the enclosure.

[0016] In some such embodiments, the central link includes two pivot points adjacent the first end of the third elongated rigid part, a first of the two pivot points being closer to the second end than a second of the two pivot points, and each of the first and second elongated rigid parts pivots relative to a corresponding one of the two pivot points. In some such embodiments, the two doors may open at different speeds due to different radial distances between each of the pivot points and the second end of the third elongated rigid part.

[0017] In some embodiments, the central link includes two pivot points adjacent the first end of the third elongated rigid part, a first of the two pivot points being closer to the second end than a second of the two pivot points, and each of the first and second elongated rigid parts pivots relative to a corresponding one of the two pivot points. In some such embodiments, a first distance between the fixed point of a first of the two doors and the hinged outer edge of the first door is different from a second distance between the fixed point of a second of the two doors and the hinged outer edge of the second door.

[0018] In some such embodiments, the fixed point of the second door is connected to the second pivot point by the second elongated rigid part, and the second distance is greater than the first distance.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fixing point of each door is adjacent the hinged edge of the corresponding door.

[0020] In some embodiments, such as in the case of an oven door, the central joint may be on the outside of the enclosure and adjacent to the top surface of the housing of the enclosure. In some embodiments, one of the two doors may further include a lip for sealing the one of the two doors to the other of the two doors. Such a lip may be located on the inside surface of the one of the two doors with the lip. In that case, the central joint may be configured to close the one of the two doors with the lip before closing the other of the two doors.

[0021] In some embodiments, the one of the two doors with the lip may include such a lip located on an outer surface of the corresponding door, in such embodiments, the central coupling may be configured to close the one of the two doors with the lip later than the other of the two doors. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a French door oven incorporating a synchronizing mechanism. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the French door oven of FIG. 1 with the top lip of the front panel removed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the French door oven of FIG. 1 with one door removed. [Figure 4] 4A-D show top views of the French door oven of FIG. 1 while it is being opened. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The description of exemplary embodiments according to the principles of the present disclosure is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered as part of the entire written description. Any reference to direction or orientation in the description of the embodiments disclosed herein is intended merely for convenience of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Relative terms such as "lower", "top", "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "up", "down", "top" and "bottom", as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "downwards", "upwards", etc.) should be construed as referring to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are merely for convenience of description and do not require that the device be configured or operated in a particular orientation unless expressly indicated as such. Similarly, "mounted", "fixed", "connected", "coupled", "interconnected" and similar terms refer to a relationship in which structures are fixed or attached to other structures, directly or indirectly, through intervening structures or movable or fixed attachment members or connections, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the present disclosure are illustrated by reference to the illustrated embodiments, and therefore the present disclosure should not be expressly limited to the embodiments illustrating some possible and non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in combination with other features, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0024] This disclosure describes the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure currently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides examples of the present disclosure presented merely for illustrative purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings, to advise those skilled in the art of the advantages and configurations of the present disclosure. In the various figures of the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like or similar parts.

[0025] It is important to note that the disclosed embodiments are only a few of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of this application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed disclosures. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to other features. In general, singular elements may refer to plurals and vice versa without loss of generality, unless otherwise specified.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a French door oven 100 incorporating a synchronization mechanism. Figure 2 shows a top view of the French door oven 100 of Figure 1 with the top lip of the front panel 110 removed. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the French door oven 100 of Figure 1 with the door 120b removed. Figures 4A-D show top views of the French door oven 100 of Figure 1 while it is open.

[0027] As shown, the French door oven 100 includes a door synchronization assembly configured such that when either one of the oven's two doors 120a,b is opened, the mechanism causes both doors to open simultaneously. Thus, the oven 100 has an oven enclosure 140 with an opening 130 that is closed by the two doors 120a,b. Each door 120a,b is attached to the front panel 110 of the oven 100 and has a hinged edge 150a,b at which the corresponding door pivots relative to a housing 160 of the enclosure 140.

[0028] The French door oven 100 further includes a central coupling 170 adjacent a surface 180 of the housing 160 of the enclosure 140. The central coupling 170 is substantially movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the opening 130 in the oven enclosure 140. As described below, this movement may describe an arc 255 that generally approximates a linear movement perpendicular to the plane of the opening 130.

[0029] Each of the two elongated rigid parts 190a,b connects the central link 170 to a corresponding fixed point 200a,b on the corresponding oven door 120a,b. As shown, the fixed point 200a,b is typically located on the corresponding door 120a,b adjacent the corresponding hinged edge 150a,b. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the fixed point 200a,b may extend from an inner surface of the corresponding door 120a,b, and thereby through a corresponding opening 155 in the front panel 110 of the housing 140 when the corresponding door is closed.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4A-4B, when one of the doors 120a, b moves, the central connector 170 moves via the first elongated rigid part 190a. This movement of the central connector 170 causes a corresponding movement of the second elongated rigid part 190b, which in turn moves the second oven door 120b. Thus, when the first door 120a is moved by a user from the closed position of Figure 4A to the fully open position of Figure 4B, the central connector 170 moves towards the opening 130 of the oven housing 140, and the second door 120b is moved substantially simultaneously by the synchronization mechanism. It is understood that in some embodiments, the doors may be synchronized without moving simultaneously. For example, the doors 120a, b may be opened simultaneously by the central connector 170, but may move at different speeds during the opening or closing process.

[0031] As shown, a third elongated rigid part 210 is provided to support a central connector 170. In the illustrated embodiment, the central connector 170 is fixed or located at a first end 220 of the third elongated rigid part 210. For example, the central connector 170 may be a part of the first end 220 of the third elongated rigid part 210. The second end 230 of the third elongated rigid part 210 is then fixed to the housing 160 of the housing 140 such that the central connector 170 is approximately centered with respect to the doors 120a,b in a front view and the fixing point is spaced from the central connector 170 by the length of the third elongated rigid part 210. In some embodiments, the second end 230 of the third elongated rigid part 210 is fixed to or near a side wall 240 of the housing 160 of the housing 140 to maximize the length of the part. Movement of the central connector 170 thereby corresponds to a pivoting movement of the third elongated rigid part 210 about the second end 230 .

[0032] It should be noted that while the central connector 170 is shown and described as being approximately centrally located with respect to the doors 120a,b, it is understood that in some embodiments the central connector may be offset from such a central location. For example, in some embodiments the third elongated rigid part 210 may be longer, thereby causing the central connector 170 to be offset from that shown.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the central connector 170 comprises two pivot points 250a,b adjacent the first end 220 of the third elongated rigid part 210, such that each of the first and second elongated rigid parts 190a,b pivots relative to the central connector 170 when either of the doors 120a,b is opened or closed. Typically, the central connector 170 is located in a central position between the hinged edges 150a,b when viewed from the front of the opening 130. Thus, when one of the two doors 120a,b is opened or closed, the first and second elongated rigid parts 190a,b pivot in opposite directions relative to the central connector 170.

[0034] Although two distinct pivot points 250a,b are shown, it will be understood that in some embodiments a single pivot point is shared by the first and second rigid elongated parts 190a,b.

[0035] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, where the central connector 170 is attached to or comprises the first end 220 of the third elongated rigid part 210, movement of the central connector 170 during opening or closing of the door 120a,b follows an arc 255 centered about the second end 230 of the elongated rigid part. Although the arc 255 is curved, it will approximate a movement perpendicular to the plane of the opening 130 in the housing 140.

[0036] Because the arcuate path of the central connector 170 is intended to approximate a linear motion perpendicular to the plane of the opening 130, the third elongated rigid part 210 may be as long as is feasible within the structure, and thus typically terminates at a second end 230 at or near the side wall 240 of the housing 160. By providing a longer rigid part 210, the arc traversed by the first end 220 corresponds to a larger circumference, thereby more closely approximating a linear motion. However, the second end 230 of the elongated rigid part 210 need only be fixed relative to the housing and may be located elsewhere.

[0037] In embodiments where two different pivot points 250a,b are provided at the central connection 170, the distance between the second end 230 of the third elongated rigid part 210 and each pivot point may be different. These different distances result in different radial distances for the pivot points 250a,b through which the first end 220 of the third elongated rigid part travels an arc 255 as the third elongated rigid part 210 pivots about its second end 230. Thus, the third elongated rigid part 2 During the ten rotations, each of the pivot points 250a,b moves a different distance that is a function of the difference in their radial distance from one another.

[0038] Without further adjustment, these different distances result in different travel distances and different speeds of the pivot points 250a,b, such that in some embodiments, each of the two doors 120a,b may open or close at different speeds. Furthermore, because the doors are in symmetrical positions in the fully closed state, in some embodiments, the doors may become asymmetrical as their opening speeds differ from one another, resulting in different fully open positions for the two doors.

[0039] In another embodiment, the locations of the fixed points 200a,b on the doors 120a,b may be adjusted to account for this difference in distance. Thus, the fixed point 200a on the first door 120a may be set at a first distance from the hinged edge 150a of that door, and the fixed point 200b on the second door 120b may be set at a second distance from the hinged edge 150b of that door. The first door 120a may then be connected to the first pivot point 250a via the first elongated rigid part 190a, with the first pivot point 250a being closer to the second end 230 of the third elongated rigid part 210 than the second pivot point 250b, as shown.

[0040] The second door 120b may then be coupled to the second pivot point 250b via a second elongated rigid part 190b. As mentioned above, the second pivot point 250b covers a longer distance during any movement than the first pivot point 250a, so that the second door 120b is connected to the fixed point 200b of the second door 120b and the hinged outer edge of that door. 1 The second distance between the fixed point 200a of the first door 120a and the hinged outer edge 50b of that door is 1 50a.

[0041] A hinged outer edge corresponding to each of the fixing points 200a, b 1 50a,b as well as the difference between the first and second distances may be optimized based on the distance between the pivot points 250a,b and the length of the third elongated rigid part 210.

[0042] Additionally, in some embodiments, different travel distances between pivot points 250a,b may be accounted for by selecting a location for second end 230 of third elongated rigid part 210 such that the different travel distances between pivot points 250a,b can be accounted for by a lateral offset between the start and end points of the arc traversed by central connector 170 during use. In such embodiments, the end point of central connector 170 is located at the first end of third elongated rigid part 210 in a front view of an oven utilizing the assembly. 2 The end point may be set on the side wall 240 of the housing 160 at or near the end 230. In the embodiment shown, the end point would be to the left of the start point. In this manner, the length of the elongated rigid parts 190a,b may be selected based on the resulting start and end points of the arc traced by the central connector 170.

[0043] By utilizing this strategy, the first and second doors 120a,b can move at different speeds while opening and closing, yet the fully open and fully closed positions can still be identical.

[0044] As shown, the housing 140 is an oven and the doors 120a,b are oven doors. To avoid exposure of the assembly to conditions within the oven, such as extreme temperatures, cooking fumes, grease, etc., and to avoid interference of the assembly with the airflow or interior space of the oven, the assembly may be located outside of the housing 160. Thus, the central coupling 170 may be located adjacent to the top surface 180 of the housing 160 on the outside of the housing 140.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first of the two doors 120a further comprises a lip 260 to minimize heat loss between the first and second doors 120b when closed. In such embodiments, the door synchronization assembly may have a center link 170 configured to close the first door 120a just before the second door 120b such that the lip 260 is in place before the second door 120b closes. In some embodiments, the lip 260 may be a gasket.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the lip 260 is secured to the first door 120a so as to extend from an inner surface of the first door and seal against an inner surface of the second door 120b. In some alternative embodiments, the lip may instead be secured to the first door 120a so as to extend from an outer surface of the first door 120a. In such embodiments, the lip may seal against the outer surface of the second door 120b, and the central coupling 170 may instead be configured to close the second door just before the first door 120a closes.

[0047] In some embodiments, the central connector 170 is located outside the housing 140, such that the central connector is located above the tops of the doors 120a,b in a front view. In such embodiments, the first and second elongated rigid parts 190a,b may further comprise ramps 270a,b, and the top surface 180 of the housing 160 may comprise a similar ramp 280. Such ramps 270a,b, 280 may couple the central connector 170 to the fixed points 200a,b, while still allowing the central connector 170 to move horizontally when the doors 120a,b are opened or closed.

[0048] Although the present disclosure has been described at some length and with certain particulars in terms of several illustrated embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to those particulars, embodiments, and particular embodiments, but rather should be construed with reference to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and thus effectively encompass the intended scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] All examples and conditional descriptions recited herein are for instructional purposes to help the reader understand the principles of the present disclosure and concepts contributed by the inventor to advance the art, and should be construed as not being limited to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all descriptions herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Moreover, such equivalents are intended to include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

Claims

1. two doors, each having a hinged edge and a fixing point, pivoting relative to the housing of the enclosure at said hinged edges to close an opening in the enclosure; a central link adjacent a surface of the housing of the housing and substantially movable in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the opening of the housing; first and second elongated rigid parts, each connecting the central connector to the fixed point of a corresponding one of the two doors; When one of the two doors moves, the central link moves to correspondingly move the other of the two doors; the central connector is located or secured to a first end of a third elongated rigid part; the third elongated rigid part is secured at a second end to or adjacent a side wall of the housing of the enclosure; movement of the central connector corresponds to pivoting of the third elongated rigid part about the second end; the central connector comprises two pivot points adjacent the first end of the third elongated rigid part; Each of the first and second elongated rigid parts pivots relative to the central connector. A door synchronization assembly comprising:

2. When one of the two doors is moved, the first and second elongated rigid parts pivot in opposite directions relative to the central connector.

2. The door synchronization assembly according to claim 1 .

3. movement of the central link generated by movement of one of the two doors describes an arc about the second end of the third elongated rigid part; The arc approximates a movement of the opening in the housing perpendicular to the plane.

2. The door synchronization assembly according to claim 1 .

4. the central connector comprises two pivot points adjacent the first end of the third elongated rigid part; a first one of the two pivot points is closer to the second end than a second one of the two pivot points; each of the first and second elongated rigid parts pivots about a corresponding one of the two pivot points; The two doors open at different rates due to different radial distances between each of the pivot points and the second end of the third elongated rigid part.

4. The door synchronization assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. the central connector comprises two pivot points adjacent the first end of the third elongated rigid part; a first one of the two pivot points is closer to the second end than a second one of the two pivot points; each of the first and second elongated rigid parts pivots about a corresponding one of the two pivot points; A first distance between the fixing point of a first door of the two doors and the hinged outer edge of the first door is different from a second distance between the fixing point of a second door of the two doors and the hinged outer edge of the second door.

4. The door synchronization assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that

6. the fixed point of the second door is connected to the second pivot point by the second elongated rigid part; The second distance is greater than the first distance.

6. A door synchronization assembly as claimed in claim 5.

7. The fixing point of each door is adjacent to the hinged edge of the corresponding door.

2. The door synchronization assembly according to claim 1 .

8. The housing is an oven and the two doors are oven doors.

2. The door synchronization assembly according to claim 1 .

9. The central joint is on the exterior of the housing and adjacent to a top surface of the housing of the housing.

9. A door synchronization assembly according to claim 8.

10. one of the two doors further comprising a lip for sealing the one of the two doors to the other of the two doors; The central connector is configured to close the one of the two doors with the lip prior to closing the other of the two doors.

9. A door synchronization assembly according to claim 8.

11. The lip is located on the inner surface of the one of the two doors that has the lip.

11. The door synchronization assembly according to claim 10,

12. one of the two doors further comprising a lip for sealing the one of the two doors to the other of the two doors; the central connector is configured to close the one of the two doors having the lip after closing the other of the two doors; The lip is located on the outer surface of the one of the two doors that has the lip.

9. A door synchronization assembly according to claim 8.

13. Two doors, each having a hinged edge and a fixing point and pivoting at said hinged edges relative to the housing of the enclosure for closing an opening in the enclosure; a central link adjacent a surface of the housing of the housing and substantially movable in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the opening of the housing; first and second elongated rigid parts, each connecting the central connector to the fixed point of a corresponding one of the two doors; When one of the two doors moves, the central link moves to correspondingly move the other of the two doors; the central connector is located or secured to a first end of a third elongated rigid part; the third elongated rigid part is secured at a second end to or adjacent a side wall of the housing of the enclosure; movement of the central connector corresponds to pivoting of the third elongated rigid part about the second end; movement of the central link generated by movement of one of the two doors describes an arc about the second end of the third elongated rigid part; the arc approximates a movement of the opening in the housing perpendicular to the plane; the central connector comprises two pivot points adjacent the first end of the third elongated rigid part; a first one of the two pivot points is closer to the second end than a second one of the two pivot points; each of the first and second elongated rigid parts pivots about a corresponding one of the two pivot points; The two doors open at different rates due to different radial distances between each of the pivot points and the second end of the third elongated rigid part. A door synchronization assembly comprising:

14. Two doors, each having a hinged edge and a fixing point and pivoting at said hinged edges relative to the housing of the enclosure for closing an opening in the enclosure; a central link adjacent a surface of the housing of the housing and substantially movable in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the opening of the housing; first and second elongated rigid parts, each connecting the central connector to the fixed point of a corresponding one of the two doors; When one of the two doors moves, the central link moves to correspondingly move the other of the two doors; the central connector is located or secured to a first end of a third elongated rigid part; the third elongated rigid part is secured at a second end to or adjacent a side wall of the housing of the enclosure; movement of the central connector corresponds to pivoting of the third elongated rigid part about the second end; movement of the central link generated by movement of one of the two doors describes an arc about the second end of the third elongated rigid part; the arc approximates a movement of the opening in the housing perpendicular to the plane; the central connector comprises two pivot points adjacent the first end of the third elongated rigid part; a first one of the two pivot points is closer to the second end than a second one of the two pivot points; each of the first and second elongated rigid parts pivots about a corresponding one of the two pivot points; A first distance between the fixing point of a first door of the two doors and the hinged outer edge of the first door is different from a second distance between the fixing point of a second door of the two doors and the hinged outer edge of the second door. A door synchronization assembly comprising:

15. Two doors, each having a hinged edge and a fixing point and pivoting at said hinged edges relative to the housing of the enclosure for closing an opening in the enclosure; a central link adjacent a surface of the housing of the housing and substantially movable in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the opening of the housing; first and second elongated rigid parts, each connecting the central connector to the fixed point of a corresponding one of the two doors; When one of the two doors moves, the central link moves to correspondingly move the other of the two doors; one of the two doors further comprising a lip for sealing the one of the two doors to the other of the two doors; The central joint is configured to close the one of the two doors with the lip later than the other of the two doors. A door synchronization assembly comprising:

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