Oven Rack Assembly With Spring-Assisted Hot Rack Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ovens require users to manually and frequently handle hot racks, causing inconvenience and strain, especially when removing or introducing them, as they often need to grip and operate the racks directly, exposing their hands to high temperatures for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
An oven design that allows for automatic or semi-automatic removal and introduction of the rack using a spring device and coupling mechanism, where the rack can be removed or introduced by operating the door, minimizing direct contact with the hot rack and reducing exposure time, with components like a spring device and coupling device positioned to enhance reliability and user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rack is fixed in the chamber, then the rack structure is simple and stable, but the user suffers great inconvenience and body strain when placing or removing heavy cooking objects
Solution Approach 1:
The rack assembly is divided into two main parts: the rack body (supporting the cooking object) and the operating member (handled by the user). This segmentation allows the heavy rack body to remain stationary while only the lightweight operating member is moved in and out, eliminating body strain while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating member acts as an intermediary between the user and the rack body. The user grips and moves only the operating member, which is connected to the rack body through guides and springs, thereby avoiding direct handling of the heavy rack body and cooking objects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the rack is made removable and slidable, then the user can remove the rack, but the user must directly grip and operate the rack, exposing hands to high temperatures for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the rack into a stationary rack body and a movable operating member, the user only needs to handle the small operating member for a brief period during insertion and removal, dramatically reducing exposure time to high temperatures compared to handling the entire rack.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring device automatically pushes the operating member outward when the door opens, and the guides automatically guide it back in when the door closes. This self-service mechanism minimizes the duration and effort required for user intervention, reducing thermal exposure.
3Extent of automation
If automatic rack removal is implemented using spring device, then user safety is enhanced by minimizing contact with hot rack, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic removal function is isolated to a specific segment (the operating member) rather than requiring automation of the entire rack system. The spring device only needs to move this small component, keeping the automation mechanism simple while achieving the safety benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating member serves as an intermediary that carries the automation mechanism (spring device). This allows automatic removal functionality to be added without complicating the main rack structure or requiring complex automation systems for the entire assembly.
4Ease of operation
If the operating member is designed to be removable outward from chamber, then usability is enhanced, but friction between operating member and guides may prevent smooth removal
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device provides a dynamic, oscillating pushing force rather than static friction-based sliding. This elastic propulsion reduces the effect of static friction and allows smooth movement through the guides with minimal force requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The guides act as intermediaries that provide a controlled path for the operating member. By constraining movement to a specific trajectory, the guides reduce lateral friction and wear, enabling smooth removal and retraction driven by the spring force.
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
Enables easy and safe removal and introduction of racks without direct user interaction with the hot rack, reducing exposure time to high temperatures and enhancing user convenience and safety by automating the process, while maintaining reliability and preventing contamination of components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device including a first fixing piece located at the operating member, a second fixing piece located at the support member, and an elastic member having one side connected to the first fixing piece and the other side connected to the second fixing piece, the elastic member being located in a vertical gap between the operating member and the support member and being elastically restored by a distance between the first fixing piece and the second fixing piece to remove the operating member from the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an oven which provides convenient removal of a rack, achieving enhanced usability. The oven includes a cabinet having a chamber, a door to open or close the cabinet, a rack assembly including an operating member to support a cooking object seated thereon, the operating member being removable from the chamber, and a support member fixed inside the chamber to support the operating member, and a spring device including a first fixing piece located at the operating member, a second fixing piece located at the support member, and an elastic member having one side connected to the first fixing piece and the other side connected to the second fixing piece and located in a vertical gap between the operating member and the support member so as to be elastically restored by a distance between the first and second fixing pieces to remove the operating member from the chamber.