Oven Door Vent Blocking Mechanism to Prevent Spill Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vents in the inner surface of oven doors allow solid food or liquids to enter the oven door during opening, causing stains and unpleasant odors, and are difficult to clean, requiring disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A movable blocking element is integrated into the oven door that automatically closes the vents when the door is open, preventing entry of solids or liquids and opens when the door is closed to allow airflow, using a bias spring and pin mechanism for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vents are provided in the inner surface of the oven door to allow airflow for cooling, then cooling performance is improved, but solid food or liquids can enter through the vents causing stains and odors
Solution Approach 1:
A movable blocking element is positioned to automatically cover the vents when the door is in the open position, preventing spills before they can enter through the vents. The blocking element is biased by a spring mechanism to engage with the vent openings when the door transitions to the open state.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed to move dynamically between covering and uncovered positions based on door state. When the door is open, the blocking element covers the vents; when the door is closed, the blocking element retracts to allow airflow through the vents for cooling.
2Temperature
If vents are opened to allow airflow for cooling the door, then cooling performance is improved, but cleaning becomes difficult requiring disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element automatically returns to the uncovered position when the door is closed, ensuring vents are open for cooling before cleaning is needed. This preliminary opening action maintains cooling functionality while allowing easy access for cleaning without disassembly.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable blocking element is added to close vents when door is open, then spill prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is connected to the door via a bias spring mechanism that automatically actuates the blocking element based on door position. The spring provides the necessary force to engage/disengage the blocking element without requiring additional motors, sensors, or complex control systems, achieving spill prevention through passive mechanical self-service.
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
Prevents spills and stains by ensuring vents are closed when the door is open, simplifying cleaning and maintaining airflow when the door is closed, thus enhancing user convenience and oven performance.
Implementation Method 1
A movable blocking element is biased against the vent when the door is open, thereby closing the vent when the door is open
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus comprises a housing forming an oven cavity within the housing. A door is attached to the housing for selectively opening and closing the oven cavity. The door comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes a vent in fluid communication with an air channel within the door. A movable blocking element for selectively opens and closes the vent. The movable blocking element is biased against the vent when the door is open, thereby closing the vent when the door is open. The movable blocking element is configured to translate linearly within the door, toward the vent and away from the outer surface of the door to close the vent, and toward the outer surface of the door and away from the vent to open the vent.