Oven Glide Rack Release Mechanism for Secure Removal Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Oven racks often face issues with inadvertent movement and removal from the oven cavity, especially when auxiliary sections are extended, which can lead to instability and potential tipping or falling out of the appliance.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a main section with pivotally coupled arms that engage with stop portions on the oven walls to inhibit removal, and a release mechanism with convex cam surfaces and link members to allow controlled disengagement for easy removal, ensuring the rack remains secure within the oven.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If arms are resiliently biased towards engagement with stop portions, then the rack is secured against inadvertent removal, but the rack becomes difficult to remove intentionally
Solution Approach 1:
A release member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the resiliently biased arms. The release member, when actuated, provides controlled force to overcome the resilient bias and disengage the arms from stop portions, enabling intentional removal while maintaining security during normal use
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic release state through actuation of the release member. The resilient bias provides continuous dynamic force to maintain engagement, while the release member introduces controlled dynamic movement to disengage when needed
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rack is designed to be securely locked, then stability is improved, but the complexity of the locking mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resiliently biased arms automatically engage with the stop portions when the rack is inserted, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The system uses the insertion motion itself to trigger the locking action
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted into a separate, simple release member mechanism that operates independently from the main rack structure. This allows the locking function to be added without significantly increasing the complexity of the overall rack design
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 provides secure positioning of the main section within the oven, preventing inadvertent movement and allowing for easy removal when needed, enhancing safety and usability by maintaining the rack's stability during use and cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
each arm being resiliently biased away from the main section
Implementation Method 2
the arms each include convex cam surfaces, and wherein the release member includes a pair of link members having convex-shaped end portions configured to engage the convex cam surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A rack for an appliance includes a main section having a support frame, and at least one arm coupled to the support frame. The arm is movable relative to the support frame between a first position and a second position. The rack further includes a release member operatively connected to the at least one arm, actuation of the release member causing the at least one arm to move from the first position to the second position. In one example, the rack includes pair of arms coupled to the support frame. In another example, actuation of the release member causes both of the arms to move to the second position.