Cooking appliance and method of reducing cooking appliance console temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliance consoles are directly heated by flue gases, leading to high temperatures, which is a challenge that existing designs have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a deflector and diffuser system that redirects and mixes air flows to reduce heat transfer between the console and the flue gases, using a back panel with strategically placed holes to create airflow paths that disperse and cool the air before it reaches the console.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the console is directly heated by flue gases, then heat transfer between flue gases and console is maximized, but the console temperature becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
A deflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the flue gases and the console. The deflector redirects the flue gases to travel along the back panel and exit through holes, preventing direct contact with the console while still allowing heat transfer to occur in a controlled manner that does not overheat the console
Solution Approach 2:
The back panel is segmented with multiple holes distributed across its surface. This segmentation allows the flue gases to be divided into multiple smaller streams that exit through different locations, distributing the heat transfer across a larger area and preventing concentration of heat in one spot that would cause excessive temperature rise
2Temperature
If a deflector is used to re-direct flue gases, then direct heating of the console is reduced, but indirect heating still occurs and console temperature remains elevated
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is designed with specific geometric features including an upper surface, lower surface, and side surfaces that create localized flow patterns. The holes in the back panel are strategically positioned to create local zones of heat transfer that avoid the console area while maintaining overall heat dissipation efficiency
3Temperature
If air flows are mixed along the back panel, then heat distribution is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the flue gas flow path with the back panel air flow path. The deflector directs flue gases to travel along the back panel where they mix with ambient air, and both flows exit through the same holes. This merging achieves temperature equalization and improved heat distribution without requiring separate complex cooling systems
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 solution effectively reduces the temperature of the console, preventing overheating and allowing for the use of electronic interfaces like touchscreen displays without excessive heat buildup.
Implementation Method 1
reducing heat transfer between this air and the console
Implementation Method 2
the diffuser is configured to disperse air traveling along the first airflow path along the width of the cooking appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance comprises a cooktop, an oven cavity and a console. The console includes a user interface for the cooking appliance. Air exiting the oven cavity passes through a flue, and a deflector reduces heat transfer between this air and the console. The cooking appliance further comprises a back panel including a first hole. Air traveling along a first airflow path defined by the cooking appliance exits the flue and is deflected rearward through the first hole by the deflector.