A movable handle mechanism for ovens

Abstract

The invention relates to a movable handle mechanism (1) for ovens, wherein, during the operation of ovens, children's access to the handle (30) is prevented, and, in non-use situations, since the handle (30) does not create a protrusion on the door, in addition to providing the user with an aesthetic flat outer surface appearance of the oven, it also prevents accidents such as snagging on the aforementioned handle (30) and thereby increases mobility within the kitchen.

Description

[0001] A MOVABLE HANDLE MECHANISM FOR OVENS

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a movable handle mechanism for use in ovens, which opens and closes upon a user's command.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to an active oven door handle mechanism in ovens, wherein the access of children is prevented by closing the handle during the operation of the oven, and which also provides a flat surface on the oven face when the handle is in closed position.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] Ovens are kitchen appliances used for heating and cooking food. Ovens are generally configured to be integrated into a kitchen countertop or kitchen cabinet. Ovens basically consist of a cooking chamber where food is cooked, a door that provides access to the cooking chamber, a control panel where temperature and time settings are made, a heating element that heats the cooking chamber via electricity or gas, and a fan that ensures the even distribution of hot air.

[0007] In some modern designs, the door movement in ovens is performed automatically by a command given via voice or a button, whereas in conventional designs, it is done by means of a handle or a lever. The aforementioned handle design is used in many ovens due to its longer life and lower cost. For ease of movement, the handles are generally positioned as a protrusion near the upper part of the oven door. There are also handle-type oven handles configured to provide a flatter appearance to the oven surface. Another type of oven handle is the foldable door handle. Foldable door handles are handles that are mounted on the oven door and move inwards and outwards to be flush with the oven door surface when not in use. This type of handle, by folding inwards, provides a more aesthetic appearance on the front surface of the door, prevents accidental snagging on the oven handle by not protruding, increases ease of movement within the kitchen, and facilitates the cleaning of the oven's front surface. There is an opening located at the upper part of the door, which allows some hot air to exit the cooking chamber in ovens. The opening is configured to prevent the cooking chamber and various electronic assemblies from overheating. The hot air outlet also ensures an even distribution of temperature, thus offering homogeneous cooking. In parallel with hot air extraction, there are also door intermediate glass applications that function to prevent the oven door from overheating. Various child lock applications are available in ovens to ensure the safety of children by preventing them from accidentally opening, operating, or changing the settings of the oven. To provide this function, there are electronic and mechanical lock models that prevent the oven door from being opened and / or the settings from being changed. Electronic locking mechanisms are generally operated via a button on the oven control panels or through touch screens. Mechanical locking mechanisms, on the other hand, prevent the oven door from being opened or the oven settings from being changed by means of a latch, timer, or control knob lock assembly.

[0008] The present invention brings the door handle to a position where the user easily access and open the door via a command given by the user with a button or an electronic switch on the control panel, provides a more aesthetic appearance on the oven surface by providing a flat surface in the closed position, and also prevents accidents by preventing snagging on the oven door and increases mobility within the kitchen. In the invention, children are prevented from opening the oven as the handle is in the closed position during the operation of the oven.

[0009] EP3126745B1 discloses a folding handle configuration, which opens with the help of a set of push rods after the user applies pressure to the handle and is closed back manually. In the patent, the hot air discharge efficiency inside the oven decreases when the handle is in the closed position.

[0010] EP2182145 discloses a handle configuration, which is opened with the help of a spring after the user applies pressure to the handle and is closed back manually.

[0011] DE102008043364 discloses a handle configuration, which moves on a bearing and opens and closes back manually.

[0012] DE102010001587 discloses a handle configuration, which opens and closes by means of a lever.

[0013] In conclusion, the need for an electrically controllable active door handle has become apparent, which prevents children's access to the handle during the operation of the oven, offers the user an aesthetic flat surface appearance on the oven's outer surface by not creating a protrusion on the door when not in use, and also prevents accidents such as snagging, collision, etc. within the kitchen and increases mobility.

[0014] Object and Brief Description of the Invention

[0015] An object of the invention is to develop a movable handle mechanism that acts as a lock during operation in ovens, preventing children's access to the handle. Another object of the invention is to provide a more aesthetic appearance for the oven by creating a flat look on the oven surface when the handle is in the closed position.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to develop a movable handle mechanism that prevents accidents that may occur in the kitchen by preventing snagging, collision, etc. on the oven door handle, and increases mobility in the kitchen.

[0017] A movable handle mechanism for ovens, comprising a handle that allows a user to open and close an oven door, which is configured to automatically enter and exit a slot formed in the oven door, it comprises:

[0018] • at least one body mounted on an upper part of the door, allowing the handle to be positioned on the door,

[0019] • at least one rack gear and at least one pinion gear connected thereto, which provides for linear forward and backward movement of the handle in a space created by the body conforming to dimensions of the handle,

[0020] • at least one electric motor from which the pinion gear receives its drive.

[0021] Brief Description of the Figures

[0022] Figure 1 provides a front, angled, perspective view of the movable handle mechanism in the closed position.

[0023] Figure 2 provides a side, angled, perspective view of the movable handle mechanism and the oven door in the open position.

[0024] Figure 3 provides a side, perspective view of the movable handle mechanism in the open position.

[0025] Figure 4 provides an exploded view of the components of the movable handle mechanism.

[0026] Figure 5 provides a front, angled, perspective view of the position pin bearing.

[0027] Figure 6 provides a bottom, angled, sectional view of the body of the movable handle mechanism.

[0028] Figure 7 provides a front, angled, perspective view of the handle and the body cover when the movable handle mechanism is in the closed position.

[0029] Figure 8 provides a bottom, angled view of the handle, rack gear, and pinion gear. Figure 9 provides a side, sectional view of the handle, rack gear, and pinion gear when the movable handle mechanism is in the closed and open positions.

[0030] Figure 10 provides a front, angled, perspective view of the movable handle mechanism body, air inlets-outlets, and mounting assembly.

[0031] Figure 11 provides a side, sectional view showing the position pin and switches when the movable handle mechanism is in the open and closed positions.

[0032] Reference Numerals

[0033] I. Movable handle mechanism

[0034] 10. Door

[0035] II. Control panel

[0036] 12. Fastening element

[0037] 20. Body

[0038] 21. Door mounting seat

[0039] 22. Mounting hole

[0040] 23. Air inlet

[0041] 24. Air outlet

[0042] 25. Door intermediate glass

[0043] 26. Door intermediate glass seat

[0044] 27. Body cover

[0045] 30. Handle

[0046] 40. Electric motor

[0047] 41. Rack gear

[0048] 42. Pinion gear

[0049] 50. First switch

[0050] 51. Second switch

[0051] 52. Position pin

[0052] 53. Position pin bearing

[0053] 54. First trigger

[0054] 55. Second trigger

[0055] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0056] The invention relates to a movable handle mechanism (1) that acts as a lock during operation in ovens to prevent children's access to the handle (30), provides a more aesthetic appearance by creating a flat look on the oven surface when in the closed position, and also prevents accidents that may occur in the kitchen by preventing snagging on the handle (30), thereby increasing mobility in the kitchen.

[0057] The invention comprises; at least one control panel (11), at least one air inlet (23), at least one air outlet (24), at least one door intermediate glass (pane) (25) to provide for the discharge of hot air and to prevent overheating of the oven door (10), at least one door intermediate glass (pane) seat (26), at least one handle (30); to provide movement, at least one electric motor (40), at least one rack gear (41), at least one pinion gear (42); to provide position detection, at least one first switch (50), at least one first trigger (54) positioned under the first switch (50), at least one second switch (51), at least one second trigger (55) positioned on the second switch (51), and at least one position pin (52).

[0058] The movable handle mechanism (1) of the invention comprises at least one handle (30) for opening and closing the door (10), and at least one body (20) into which the handle (30) is placed, and which is mounted into a slot formed on the upper part of the door (10). The body (20) has at least one door mounting seat (21) that enables the mounting of the body (20) to the door (10) (Figure 10). The door mounting seat (21) comprises at least one mounting hole (22) that ensures the connection of the body (20) with the door (10) via a fastening element (12). On the front face of the body (20), there is at least one body cover (27) to conceal the internal working mechanisms (Figure 4, Figure 7). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (20) is mounted to the oven door (10) from two sides by connecting a screw-type fastening element (12) to the mounting hole (22) (Figure 3).

[0059] In the invention, there is at least one door intermediate glass (25) that prevents the surface of the door (10) facing the user from overheating, and at least one door intermediate glass seat (26) that enables the mounting of the door intermediate glass (25) to the body (20) (Figure 10, Figure 11). The invention comprises an air discharge assembly configured to assist in controlling the temperature in the cooking chamber of the oven and to discharge the hot air located between the door intermediate glass (25) and the outer glass of the door (10) from the upper part of the body (20); which consists of at least one air inlet (23) that allows the hot air to be discharged to enter the body (20) and at least one air outlet (24) from where the hot air is discharged.

[0060] In the invention, to enable the handle (30) to exit the slot within the body (20) for the user's access according to the door (10) plane when the user gives a command, or to return to its slot and assume a position that does not create a protrusion on the door (10) surface; there are the following components: at least one pinion gear (42) positioned in connection with the handle (30), at least one electric motor (40) that drives the pinion gear (42) to provide its movement, and at least one rack gear (41) connected with the pinion gear (42), which serves as a bearing that provides for the axial movement of the pinion gear (42) and the handle (30). The electric motor (40), the rack gear (41), and the pinion gear (42) together form a movement assembly (Figure 6).

[0061] In the movable handle mechanism (1), there is at least one control panel (11) including at least one button with mechanical or electronic switching, through which the user gives a command to activate the invention. The invention comprises at least one first switch (50) that sends the electrical signal that the handle (30) is in the closed position, and at least one second switch (51) that sends the signal that it is in the open position. The switches (50, 51) perform these signal-sending functions with at least one first trigger (54) located on the first switch (50) and at least one second trigger (55) located on the second switch (51), which trigger them (Figure 11). The closed and open position signals both stop the opening or closing operations and determine that the opening or closing operations will be performed when the user gives a command from the control panel (11). The invention comprises a position pin bearing (53) fixed within the body (20) and at least one position pin (52) mounted on the handle (30), which moves in the position pin bearing (53) and triggers the triggers (54, 55) on the switches (50, 51). The position pin (52) and the position pin bearing (53) are configured to include forms that ensure their centering with each other during the operation of the invention. The switches (50, 51), together with the triggers (54, 55), the position pin (52), and the position pin bearing (53), constitute a position information detection assembly. During operation, when the position pin (52) comes under the first switch (50), the first trigger (54) is triggered and becomes active, and when it moves away, the first trigger (54) drops and becomes passive. When the position pin (52) comes over the second switch (51), the second trigger (55) is triggered and becomes active, and when it moves away, the second trigger (55) drops and becomes passive.

[0062] In the invention, there is at least one control unit equipped with an electronic board and a processor thereon, which processes the signals coming from the control panel (11) or the position information detection assembly and gives commands to the movement assembly, in other words, controls the opening and closing of the handle (30). This control unit includes the necessary circuit elements and software to process the incoming signals and generate the relevant commands.

[0063] During the operation of the movable handle mechanism (1), the first step is the user giving the command to open or close the handle (30) via an electronic or mechanical switch on the control panel (11). The button that gives the open-close command is configured as a single button or two separate buttons in alternative embodiments. The given command is transmitted to a control unit. The control unit that receives the command, when the handle (30) is inside the body (20) (in the closed position) (Figure 1), in other words, when the position pin (52) activates the first switch (50) (Figure 11), drives the electric motor (40) to cause the handle (30) to move out from the door (10) plane. Thus, the door (10) is opened using the handle (30). When the handle (30) is in the open position (Figure 2) and thus the position pin (52) activates the second switch (51) (Figure 11), with the command given by the user, the control unit drives the electric motor (40) to move axially in the opposite direction of the opening movement, causing the handle (30) to enter the body (20).

[0064] The movable handle mechanism (1) performs the opening-closing movement of the handle (30) with the help of a drive assembly consisting of an electric motor (40), a pinion gear (42), and a rack gear (41) (Figure 6) and a position information detection assembly consisting of a first switch (50), a second switch (51), and a position pin (52) (Figure 11).

[0065] The position information detection assembly consists of a first switch (50), a first trigger (54), a second switch (51), a second trigger (55), a position pin (52), and a position pin bearing (53) located inside the body (20). The first switch (50) communicates that a drive must be applied to the electric motor (40) in the direction of opening the handle (30) if the user gives a command from the control panel (11) when the handle (30) is in the closed position. The first switch (50) also transmits the signal to the control unit that the closed position has been reached during the closing of the handle (30), thereby stopping the closing operation. The second switch (51), on the other hand, informs the control unit that the handle (30) is in the open position, and if the invention is performing the opening function, it stops the electric motor (40). The second switch (51) also communicates, via the control unit, that a drive must be applied to the electric motor (40) in the closing direction if the user gives a command from the control panel (11) when the handle (30) is in the open position. The reciprocal activationdeactivation of the first switch (50) and the second switch (51) is provided by a position pin (52) positioned on the handle (30), which moves in the position pin bearing (53) between the first trigger (54) on the first switch (50) and the second trigger (55) on the second switch (51) during the opening or closing movement of the handle (30), thereby activating and deactivating the switches (50, 51).

[0066] The movement assembly consists of an electric motor (40), a pinion gear (42), and a rack gear (41) on each of the two sides inside the body (20) (Figure 6). As mentioned in the position assembly, when the user gives a command via the control panel (11) while the handle (30) is in the open or closed position, the drive operation is performed based on whether the position pin (52) is on the first trigger (54) or the second trigger (55). The electric motor (40) drives a pinion gear (42) which is positioned on the handle (30) and moves in an axial direction on a rack gear (41). When the command to open the handle (30) is received, the electric motors (40) rotate the pinion gears (42) on the rack gears (41), causing the handle (30), which is connected to the pinion gears (42), to move in an axial direction, that is, out of the body (20) and the door (10) plane, until the position pin (52) on the handle (30) activates the second trigger (55). In the closing operation of the movable handle mechanism (1), the electric motor (40) drives the pinion gear (42) in a direction to pull the handle (30) back into the body (20), and this process continues until the position pin (52) triggers the first trigger (54).

[0067] The door intermediate glasses (25), used to prevent the surface of the door (10) facing the user from overheating, are mounted to the body (20) of the movable handle mechanism (1) using the door intermediate glass seats (26) located on the surface where the body (20) is mounted to the door. The hot air in the cooking chamber rises between the door intermediate glass (25) and the door (10), enters the body (20) through the air inlet (23) located at the lower part of the body (20), and is discharged out of the oven through the air outlet (24) located at the upper part of the body (20) (Figure 10, Figure 11).

[0068] In the description, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the figures, and is solely for the clarity and ease of description of the technical solution. It does not imply or indicate that the specified device or element requires a specific orientation, is constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A movable handle mechanism (1) for ovens, comprising a handle (30) that allows a user to open and close an oven door (10), which is configured to automatically enter and exit a slot formed in the oven door (10), characterised in that it comprises:• at least one body (20) mounted on an upper part of the door (10), allowing the handle (30) to be positioned on the door (10),• at least one rack gear (41) and at least one pinion gear (42) connected thereto, which provides for linear forward and backward movement of the handle (30) in a space created by the body (20) conforming to dimensions of the handle (30),• at least one electric motor (40) from which the pinion gear (42) receives its drive.

2. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises at least one handle (30) configured to be outside the plane of the front face of the door (10) for comfortable user access when in the open position, and to enter a slot such that it does not create a protrusion on the door (10) when in the closed position.

3. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , characterised in that the oven door (10) comprises at least one slot in which the handle (30) is positioned within the body (20) when in the closed position.

4. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises at least one control panel (11) including at least one button with mechanical or electronic switching, configured to enable the user to activate the movable handle mechanism (1).

5. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises: at least one first switch (50) that gives an electrical signal indicating that the handle (30) is in the closed position, and at least one first trigger (54) that activates or deactivates the first switch (50); at least one second switch (51) that gives an electrical signal indicating that the handle (30) is in the open position, and at least one second trigger (55) that activates or deactivates the second switch (51).

6. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, characterised in that it comprises at least one control unit that transmits commands from the control panel (11), the first switch (50), and the second switch (51) to the electric motor (40).

7. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 5, characterised in that it comprises at least one position pin (52) positioned on the handle (30) to activate the first switch (50) and the second switch (51) by moving in a position pin bearing (53) between the switches (50, 51) during the opening and closing of the handle (30).

8. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , characterised in that it comprises at least one air inlet (23) positioned at a lower part of the body (20) and at least one air outlet (24) positioned at an upper part of the body (20) to provide hot air discharge from the door (10) during the operation of the oven.

9. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 8, characterised in that it comprises at least one door intermediate glass (25) to prevent the surface of the door (10) facing the user from overheating.

10. The movable handle mechanism (1) according to Claim 9, characterised in that it comprises at least one door intermediate glass seat (26) to enable the mounting of the door intermediate glass (25) to the body (20).

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