Oven Door Frame and Locking Profile for Stiffness and Easy Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking ovens have structural stiffness issues with their doors, which can lead to instability and complexity in assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A cooking oven design featuring a door with a frame made of plastic, comprising interposed plates and retaining means such as hooks, a locking profile, and a condensation collection channel, along with a hollow space for airflow, to enhance structural stiffness and simplify assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a door with multiple quadrilateral panels and locking elements is used, then the structural stiffness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stiffnessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door is divided into multiple quadrilateral panels that are inserted parallel to each other within a frame. Each panel is supported by guides and secured by locking elements at the ends of the frame, creating a segmented structure that enhances stiffness while maintaining modularity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door combines multiple materials including glass or transparent material for panels, plastic for the frame, and metallic or rigid components for guides and locking elements. This composite construction provides enhanced structural stiffness while distributing complexity across different material functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a door with multiple panels and locking elements is used, then the structural stiffness is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stiffnessVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The door is divided into multiple quadrilateral panels that are inserted parallel to each other within a frame. Each panel is supported by guides and secured by locking elements at the ends of the frame, creating a segmented structure that enhances stiffness while maintaining modularity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The quadrilateral panels are nested within the frame structure, with each panel fitting into the space between the first end and second end of the inverted U-shaped frame. The panels are contained within the frame while maintaining their individual structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If locking elements are used to secure panels, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements are extracted as separate, discrete components that are positioned only at the two ends of the frame. This extraction allows the locking function to be isolated and simplified, with each locking element independently securing the panels at specific locations rather than requiring a continuous locking mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having locking elements distributed along the entire length of the frame, the locking function is inverted to be concentrated only at the two ends of the frame. This inversion reduces the number of locking elements needed while maintaining stability through strategic positioning at critical support points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design improves the structural stiffness of the oven door while maintaining a simple and easy assembly process, ensuring user safety and efficient airflow.

Implementation Method 1

The door 3 comprises a hollow space 37 for the passage of a fluid (normally having a slight overpressure). The fluid is usually air. It has a cooling action on the door 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The oven 1 comprises a condensation collection channel 344 below the second plate 32 when the door 3 is in the second position. The condensation collection channel 344 is designed to collect the condensation which forms on the second plate 32

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP2553344B1Cooking oven
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 WHIRLPOOL EMEA SPA
  • EP2553344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2553344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2553344B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An oven for cooking food comprises a cooking compartment (2) and a door (3) providing access to the cooking compartment (2), the door (3) being able to move between a first position in which it allows access to the cooking compartment (2) and a second position in which it prevents access to the cooking compartment (2), the door (3) comprising: - a first plate (31); - a second plate (32) which is substantially parallel with the first plate (31); - a frame (33) connected to the first plate (31), at least partly interposed between the first and second plates (31, 32) and comprising retaining means (330) for the second plate (32); - a locking profile (34) for the second plate (32) which is in contact with the second plate (32) and which, operating in conjunction with the retaining means (330), allows positioning of the second plate (32); - means (35) for connecting the profile (34) to the frame (33). The profile (34) has a main direction of extension and following said main direction of extension it extends along a stretch of a perimetric edge (36) of the door (3).