Oven Flame Arrester with Non-Parallel Apertures for Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Oven appliances face pressure increases in the cooking chamber due to food or residue ignition, which can force the door open, allowing heat, gases, and flames to escape, and existing designs lack effective mechanisms to dissipate pressure and quench flames.

Innovation Solution

A flame arrester system comprising multiple members with non-parallel apertures and fluid passages is integrated into the oven appliance, allowing fluid communication between the cooking chamber and external environment to dissipate pressure and prevent flame propagation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the door forms a seal against the cabinet to contain cooking fumes and insulate the cooking chamber, then the sealing performance is improved, but pressure increases during combustion cannot be dissipated and may force the door open

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidpressure increase in cooking chamber

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The flame arrester introduces localized openings at specific positions (bottom and side walls of the cooking chamber) with controlled characteristics (size, orientation, placement) to allow pressure relief while maintaining overall door sealing. The openings are strategically positioned to dissipate pressure without compromising the door's ability to contain fumes and insulate the chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If openings are provided to permit air entry for combustion and moisture escape, then the combustion efficiency is improved, but heat and flames may escape through these openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidheat and flame escape

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flame arrester provides localized openings with specific characteristics (size, orientation, placement) that allow adequate air entry for combustion while limiting heat and flame escape. The openings are positioned and dimensioned to permit necessary airflow for efficient combustion while preventing harmful factors from escaping into the kitchen environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flame arrester acts as an intermediary component between the combustion chamber and the external environment. It mediates the airflow, allowing necessary air entry and moisture escape while filtering out harmful heat and flames, thus enabling combustion efficiency without the associated harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a flame arrester with multiple members and non-parallel apertures is used to dissipate pressure and quench flames, then the pressure dissipation and flame quenching effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure dissipation and flame quenching effectivenessVSAvoidflame arrester structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flame arrester is divided into multiple members (first member with chamber aperture, second member with intake aperture, third and fourth members extending vertically) with non-parallel apertures and fluid passages. This segmentation allows pressure dissipation and flame quenching through multiple pathways and orientations, improving effectiveness while distributing the functional requirements across separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 flame arrester effectively dissipates pressure increases and prevents flames from escaping, maintaining chamber integrity and ensuring safe operation by allowing controlled fluid flow and quenching flames.

Implementation Method 1

A fluid passage may be defined between the first member and the second member in fluid communication between the intake aperture and the chamber aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a flame arrester that dissipates pressure increases in the cooking chamber of an oven appliance would be useful. Additionally, a flame arrester with features for halting or quenching flames from the cooking chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10688327B2Oven appliance and a flame arrester for an oven appliance

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An oven appliance and flame arrester therefore are provided herein. The flame arrester may include a first member and a second member. The first member may extend in a lateral direction along a portion of the opening. The first member may define a chamber aperture extending along an arrest axis in fluid communication with the cooking chamber. The second member may extend from the first member and away from the cooking chamber. The second member may define an intake aperture extending non-parallel to the arrest axis. A fluid passage may be defined between the first member and the second member in fluid communication between the intake aperture and the chamber aperture.