Kitchen Appliance Corner-Flange Airflow for Side Panel Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern kitchen appliances, such as ranges and stoves, often produce excessive heat that can exceed temperature limits in surrounding environments, necessitating effective cooling solutions for side panels to prevent overheating.
Innovation Solution
A sidewall cooling system that directs cooling air from the front of the appliance through strategically placed openings and flange configurations over the side panels, utilizing air movers to enhance airflow and reduce heat buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cooking appliances are installed in cabinets with limited space, then installation flexibility is improved, but side panel temperature exceeds acceptable limits due to heat accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the main appliance body by introducing separate cooling air inlets and dedicated cooling airflow paths. Cooling air is drawn from the front and directed specifically to the side panels through flange openings, separating the cooling function from the cooking function and enabling effective heat dissipation in confined cabinet spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling air as an intermediary substance to transfer heat from the side panels. The cooling air acts as a heat carrier, absorbing thermal energy from the side panels and transporting it away, thereby reducing side panel temperature without requiring direct thermal contact with external cooling systems.
2Temperature
If cooling air flow is increased over side panels, then side panel temperature is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional openings and air movers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the air movers multi-functional by using them for both cooking chamber ventilation and side panel cooling. The same air movers that maintain proper air circulation in the cooking chamber also drive cooling air through the flange openings onto the side panels, eliminating the need for dedicated cooling fans and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling airflow path with the existing appliance structure by integrating flange openings into the side panels and using the appliance's existing air movers. The cooling function is combined with the ventilation system, sharing common components such as air movers and housing structures, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
3Temperature
If flange openings are added to direct cooling air, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into modular components including front panels, side panels, and flanges with integrated openings. The flange with cooling openings is designed as a separate manufacturable component that can be produced independently and then assembled to the housing, allowing the openings to be created using standard manufacturing processes without complicating the overall housing fabrication.
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
Effectively cools side panels of kitchen appliances, reducing temperature and addressing regulatory limitations on heat emissions, particularly beneficial in installations where appliances are installed side-by-side.
Implementation Method 1
an air mover that draws air into the upper opening; and an air mover that draws air into the rear opening
Implementation Method 2
direct cooling air over the side panels in order to remove some of this undesirable heat
Implementation Method 3
cooling air is directed over the side panel before it is drawn in to the holes
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic kitchen appliance is provided that has a housing having a side panel and a rear panel; a cooking chamber inside the housing; a door that is operable to access the cooking chamber; a corner flange located at a corner of the housing between an area in front of the housing and an area adjacent to the side panel; and a plurality of flange openings in the corner flange, the flange openings fluidly connecting the area in front of the housing to the area adjacent to the side panel.