Oven Temperature Sensor Holder Design for Secure Fixation and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oven designs face challenges with the fixation and sealing of temperature sensors, particularly due to issues with the holding mechanisms and sealing between the baking space and the surroundings, as described in documents DE 102021101699 B3 and DE 19834643 C1.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor is arranged in the oven with a hollow cylindrical holder that protrudes through a round through hole in the back walls, featuring a flange for form-locking attachment and a notch for wiring, allowing for secure fastening and sealing, with a flexible means to accommodate the sensor's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a holding plate or elongated holder is used to accommodate the sensor in the oven wall, then the sensor can be securely fixed, but sealing between the baking space and surroundings becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sealing element (grommet) made of elastomeric material that is inserted into the hollow holder body. This flexible film/shell structure allows the holder to maintain structural strength for secure sensor fixation while the flexible sealing element conforms to the sensor cable and holder interface to create an effective seal, preventing heat and moisture penetration into the wall structure.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor protrudes through the back wall to be accessible from outside, then the sensor can be easily connected and replaced, but the sealing and structural integrity of the wall is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the sensor cable passes through the hollow holder body, and the sensor itself is received within the holder. The holder is then inserted into the wall opening and secured with a flange that nests against the outer wall surface. This nested arrangement allows the sensor to be accessible from outside while the entire assembly is contained within the wall structure, maintaining integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow holder acts as an intermediary element between the sensor and the wall structure. It provides a transition zone that allows the sensor cable to pass through while maintaining the wall's sealing and structural properties. The holder's flange provides a mounting interface that secures the assembly without compromising the wall integrity.
3Strength
If a through hole is created in the wall for sensor installation, then the sensor can be mounted securely, but the wall structure is weakened and heat insulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wall structure by creating a controlled opening that is immediately sealed by the holder assembly. The holder itself is segmented into a hollow body that receives the sensor and a flange that mounts to the wall. This segmentation allows secure mounting while minimizing the actual opening size in the wall, thus reducing heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sealing element (grommet) inserted into the hollow holder creates a tight seal around the sensor cable and at the interface between the holder and wall. This flexible film prevents heat and moisture penetration through the mounting opening, compensating for the structural interruption caused by the through hole and maintaining the wall's thermal insulation properties.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to the arrangement of a sensor in an oven, in particular a temperature sensor in a household oven. According to the present invention, it is envisaged that the sensor (2) is held in the sensor holder (7), which is inserted through the through hole (6) designed in the walls (1) of the oven and which is fixed to the said walls (1), whereby the said walls (1) comprise at least an outer wall (3), at least an inner wall (4), and optionally an additional wall (5), which at least partly covers the inner wall (4).