Cooking Appliance Air Guide Design to Suppress Hot Air Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances face challenges in properly discharging hot air from the electric component chamber and door, leading to inefficient cooling and potential backflow of air, which complicates the installation of cooling guides and weakens the appliance's structure.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an air guide that divides the space between the door and control panel into upper and lower sections, facilitating the discharge of air through a frame-shaped structure that aligns with the exhaust ports, reducing the risk of backflow and enhancing the appliance's aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If hot air is discharged from the electric component chamber towards the front, then the electric components are cooled, but the hot air may flow backward into the door instead of exiting, heating up the door and interfering with door cooling
Solution Approach 1:
An air guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the electric component chamber and the door. The air guide includes a guide portion that extends from the electric component chamber toward the door, and an outlet portion that directs air flow away from the door. This intermediary structure modifies the air flow path, ensuring that cooled air does not backflow into the door while maintaining effective cooling of the electric components.
Solution Approach 2:
The air discharge function is segmented into distinct zones: a cooling zone near the electric component chamber where air is discharged to cool components, and a protected zone near the door where the air guide prevents hot air intrusion. The air guide itself is segmented into a guide portion and an outlet portion, each performing specific functions in the air flow management system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cooling guide is installed to prevent hot air backflow, then door heating is reduced, but the installation becomes complex and structural strength is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is merged with the existing front panel structure. The guide portion is integrated into the front panel, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or complex attachment mechanisms. This integration reduces installation complexity while maintaining the air flow guidance function. The outlet portion is positioned to align with existing exhaust ports, further simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The front panel serves multiple functions: it acts as the exterior surface of the appliance, provides structural support, and incorporates the air guide function to manage hot air flow. By combining the air guide with the front panel, the patent eliminates the need for additional dedicated cooling guide components, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired air flow control.
3Productivity
If the air guide outlet is positioned to align with exhaust ports, then air discharge efficiency is improved, but the structural integrity of the front panel is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is designed with localized variations in thickness and reinforcement. Areas around the exhaust ports and air guide outlets have increased thickness or internal reinforcement structures to maintain structural integrity. The air guide outlet portion is positioned to utilize these locally strengthened zones, allowing efficient air discharge without compromising overall panel strength. The guide portion is integrated into non-critical structural areas of the front panel.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively suppresses the backflow of hot air into the door, improves cooling efficiency, simplifies the installation of air guides, and enhances the appliance's aesthetic appeal while maintaining efficient air discharge.
Implementation Method 1
an air guide configured to divide the gap space into an upper gap space and a lower gap space
Implementation Method 2
a cooling fan configured to introduce outside air into the electric component chamber through at least one opening installed in a rear plate of the casing and then discharge the air introduced into the electric component chamber back to the outside
Implementation Method 3
Hot air may be exhausted/leaked from the cooking chamber and/or the electric component chamber towards a front of the cooking appliance
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance includes a cover protrusion coupled to an air guide to fix the air guide to a gap between a door and a control panel, and a position at which the air guide is coupled to the cover protrusion is guided by a guide protrusion portion provided at the cover protrusion.