Oven Door Airflow Structure for Cooling an Integrated Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oven designs face challenges in efficiently cooling the handle and door assembly, particularly when the handle is formed inside the door, which can lead to increased temperatures and reduced cleaning efficiency, as well as user safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The oven incorporates a door assembly with a concaved handle groove, an inner plate, a shielding member, an inlet, and an outlet to manage airflow, along with a cooling fan unit, creating specific flow paths to cool the handle and door assembly while maintaining the inner temperature, thereby enhancing cleaning efficiency and user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the handle is formed inside the door assembly, then aesthetics are improved, but the handle temperature increases and user safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is divided into multiple functional zones using an inner plate that separates the inner space into first and second spaces. The shielding member further segments the airflow path, directing cool air specifically to the handle area while maintaining thermal separation from the cooking chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner plate and shielding member act as intermediary elements that manage thermal and airflow separation. These components create dedicated cooling channels that allow external air to cool the handle without compromising the thermal integrity of the door assembly or allowing heat from the cooking chamber to reach the handle.
2Temperature
If air flows into the inner space of the door to cool the outer surface, then the outer surface temperature decreases, but the inner surface temperature also decreases reducing cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The inner plate divides the inner space into distinct first and second spaces, creating separate thermal zones. The shielding member positioned between the inner plate and rear side of the door assembly further segments the airflow, ensuring that cooling air flows only through the second space where the handle is located, while the first space near the cooking chamber maintains high temperature for cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the door assembly are given different thermal characteristics. The handle area and outer surface are designed to be cooled by external air flow, while the inner surface facing the cooking chamber is protected from cooling air to maintain high temperature for effective cleaning of contaminants.
3Ease of operation
If the handle is formed inside the door, then the grip portion is protected, but the handle becomes difficult to cool without additional cooling structures
Solution Approach 1:
The inner plate serves multiple functions: it divides the inner space into separate zones, provides structural support for the handle assembly, and acts as a thermal barrier. The shielding member simultaneously protects the handle area and directs airflow efficiently. These multi-functional components reduce the need for additional dedicated cooling structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The door assembly's own structure (inner plate, shielding member, and natural airflow paths) provides the cooling function for the handle. External air entering through the inlet automatically flows through the designated path to cool the handle without requiring active cooling mechanisms, making the system self-regulating.
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 cools the handle and door assembly, maintaining the inner temperature of the oven and improving cleaning efficiency, ensuring the handle remains at a safe temperature and allowing for efficient cleaning of the cooking chamber and door surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fan unit configured to cool the door assembly and the handle
Implementation Method 2
a shielding member located between the inner plate and a rear side of the door assembly and configured to shield an air flow
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An oven (1) and a door assembly (100) are provided. The oven (1) includes a casing (10), a cooking chamber (30) located inside the casing (10) and having a shape with an open front, and a door assembly (100) having an inner space therein and configured to close and open the open front of the cooking chamber (30). The door assembly (100) includes a handle member (110), a shielding member (123) located between an inner plate (121) and a rear side of the door assembly (100) and configured to shield an air flow, an inlet (106) formed in a bottom of the door assembly (100) and configured to allow an inflow of air from outside of the door into the inner space, and an outlet (108) located on top of the door assembly (100) at the rear of the handle member (110) and configured to provide a space to allow air to move outside the door assembly (100).