Oven Door Cooling Duct Snap-Fit Assembly for Cleaner Glass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern household cooking ovens face issues with the outermost glass pane reaching excessive temperatures, leading to safety concerns, and existing cooling systems are costly, require manual welding, and result in greasy air fouling the panes, making cleaning difficult.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system for cooking ovens featuring a tangential fan-driven delivery duct made of plastic with snap-coupling fixing means, which is economical to produce, easy to assemble and disassemble, and maintains effective thermal insulation and visibility, with separate air flows to prevent fouling and enhance cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a metallic delivery duct is used in the cooling system, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and manual welding is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive metallic delivery ducts with inexpensive plastic alternatives that can be manufactured through injection molding. The plastic duct is designed as a single-use or replaceable component that eliminates the need for costly metal fabrication and welding operations, while still maintaining adequate cooling functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical welding process with a snap-fit or clips-based assembly mechanism. The plastic delivery duct incorporates integrated fixing elements that mechanically engage with mounting points on the oven structure, eliminating the need for thermal welding processes and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If air is taken from the oven muffle for cooling, then the cooling system is simplified, but the panes become fouled with grease and oil

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling system complexityVSAvoidpane fouling
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the air flow paths into separate segments: one path draws ambient air from the oven cavity for cooling the door panes, while another path handles the extraction of greasy air from the muffle interior. This segmentation prevents contaminated muffle air from contacting the panes, eliminating fouling while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary cleaning element or filter in the air path that separates clean cooling air from the greasy muffle environment. This intermediary component allows the cooling function to be performed using clean air while the greasy air is routed separately for extraction, preventing direct contact between contaminants and the panes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the panes are secured to the door, then the door structure is simplified, but cleaning operations become complex and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor structure complexityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the door assembly into separable components: the panes remain permanently mounted to the door frame for structural simplicity, while the delivery duct and associated cooling components are designed as removable modules. This allows maintenance personnel to access and clean the panes by removing the duct assembly without disassembling the entire door structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic accessibility to the door structure through removable or detachable components. The delivery duct is designed with quick-release mechanisms that allow it to be easily removed for pane cleaning operations, providing temporary structural change that facilitates maintenance while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system provides efficient thermal insulation and cooling of the outer surface, reduces the risk of accidental contact, and simplifies maintenance by eliminating the need for manual welding and complex cleaning operations.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling system comprising a fan and a delivery duct adapted to blow air into said interspace

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

at least a first and a second panes adapted to define an interspace, so as to reduce the transfer of heat from the oven to the outermost pane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2627951B1Improved cooking oven, in particular for household use
Publication Date: 2016.06.22 WHIRLPOOL EMEA SPA
  • EP2627951B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2627951B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2627951B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooking oven (1), in particular for household use, of the type comprising:a cabinet (2) comprising a muffle (3) adapted to be closed by a door (4), a first (5A) and a second (5B) panes adapted to create at least a first interspace (6A) in said door (4), a cooling system (10) comprising a fan (11) and a delivery duct (12) adapted to blow a forced air flow into said first interspace (6A). The invention is characterized in that said cooking oven (1) comprises fixing means (100) for snap-coupling the delivery duct (12) to a plate (50), the latter being in particular adapted to be coupled to the bottom of said delivery duct (12).