Oven Cavity Connector Layout for Multi-Position Powered Trays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliances lack an efficient system for powering and managing accessory trays within the heating cavity, limiting the flexibility and functionality of cooking processes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an oven cavity connector system that allows powered accessory trays to be selectively engaged with tray sliding structures, providing electrical power through a connecting plug and enabling multiple tray positions and accessory functions within the cooking appliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If powered accessory trays are selectively engaged with tray sliding structures, then the flexibility and functionality of cooking processes is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple sliding structures and electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The oven cavity connector is designed to work with multiple types of powered accessory trays (e.g., pizza stones, steamers, rotisseries) through a universal connecting plug interface. This allows a single connector design to support diverse cooking functions and accessories, enhancing versatility without requiring separate specialized connectors for each tray type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the accessory tray support functionality into separate modular components: tray sliding structures positioned at different vertical locations, each with its own connecting plug. This segmentation allows independent engagement and disengagement of different trays at different positions, enabling flexible configuration while keeping each individual component relatively simple.
2Ease of operation
If multiple tray sliding structures are positioned at different vertical locations, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing selective engagement, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The tray sliding structures are designed to be dynamically engageable and disengageable at different vertical positions within the heating cavity. This dynamic configuration allows users to selectively engage only the tray positions needed for specific cooking tasks, simplifying operation for simple tasks while providing full complexity only when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting plugs are pre-positioned on the powered accessory trays before insertion into the oven cavity. This preliminary positioning ensures proper alignment and engagement with the corresponding oven cavity connector, simplifying the user operation to a simple insert motion without requiring complex alignment procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connecting plugs are in selective communication with the oven cavity connector, then the adaptability is improved by allowing different tray configurations, but the reliability may worsen due to potential connection issues
Solution Approach 1:
The oven cavity connector acts as an intermediary component between the heating cavity and the powered accessory trays. It provides a standardized interface that mediates the electrical and mechanical connection, ensuring reliable power and signal transmission while accommodating different tray types through the universal plug design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting plug is designed to nest within the oven cavity connector housing, with electrical contacts nested within the connector body. This nested arrangement protects the electrical connections from thermal and mechanical stress while ensuring secure engagement, thereby maintaining reliability despite the selective and removable nature of the connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance includes sidewalls and a rear wall defining a heating cavity. At least one heat source is in thermal communication with the heating cavity. An oven cavity connector is disposed within an interior surface of the heating cavity. The oven cavity connector is in communication with the heating cavity. A first tray sliding structure is disposed proximate opposing vertical sidewalls of the heating cavity. A second tray sliding structure is disposed proximate the opposing vertical sidewalls and is vertically offset relative to the first tray sliding structure. A powered accessory tray has a connecting plug, the powered accessory tray being alternatively and selectively engaged with one of the first and second sliding tray structures, and the connecting plug is in selective communication with oven cavity connector when the powered accessory tray is engaged with any one of the first and second tray sliding structures.