Patent ID: 12241631

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the direction to which the fluid flows.

Turning now to the figures,FIGS.1through3provide views of an example oven appliance which may incorporate embodiments of the present subject matter. For instance,FIG.1provides a perspective view of an oven appliance10according to example embodiments of the present subject matter.FIG.2provides a section view of oven appliance10taken along the2-2line ofFIG.1.FIG.3provides a front view of oven appliance10with a door16omitted. Oven appliance10defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. As will be understood, oven appliance10is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable oven appliance. For example, the oven appliance may be a wall oven or a freestanding range that also includes a cooktop, as illustrated. As another example, the oven appliance may include multiple interior cavities that define multiple heating chambers in the oven appliance. Thus, the present subject matter may be used with other oven or range appliance configurations, e.g., that define multiple interior cavities for the receipt of food and/or having different configuration than what is shown inFIG.2.

Oven appliance10includes an insulated cabinet12with an interior cooking chamber14defined by an interior surface15of cabinet12. Cooking chamber14is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Oven appliance10includes a door16rotatably mounted to cabinet12, e.g., with a hinge (not shown). A door handle18is mounted to door16and assists a user with opening and closing door16in order to access opening20to cooking chamber14. For example, a user can pull on handle18to open or close door16and access cooking chamber14through front opening20.

Multiple parallel glass panes22provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamber14when door16is closed and assist with insulating cooking chamber14. A baking rack24is positioned in cooking chamber14for the receipt of food items or utensils containing food items. Baking rack24is slidably received onto embossed ribs26or sliding rails such that rack24may be conveniently moved into and out of cooking chamber14when door16is open.

As shown, various walls define the cooking chamber14. For example, cooking chamber14includes a top wall30and a bottom wall32which are spaced apart along the vertical direction V. Left sidewall34and right sidewall36(as defined according to a perspective front view as shown inFIG.1, e.g., from the perspective of a user facing the oven appliance10to access/use the oven appliance10and/or cooking chamber14) extend between the top wall30and bottom wall32, and are spaced apart along the lateral direction L. A rear wall38additionally extends between the top wall30and bottom wall32as well as between the left sidewall34and right sidewall36, and is spaced apart from the door16along the transverse direction T. Cooking chamber14is thus defined between the top wall30, bottom wall32, left sidewall34, right sidewall36, and rear wall38.

Optionally, a lower heating assembly42may be included in oven appliance10, e.g., for baking operations within cooking chamber14. Lower heating assembly42may include a discrete heating element (not pictured) which is disposed within the cooking chamber14, such as adjacent to the bottom wall32. In some embodiments, the lower heating assembly42includes a gas burner. Additional components, such as an igniter and a fuel line may be provided in some such embodiments. Alternatively, the lower heating assembly42may include an electric heating element or may be any other suitable bake assembly having any other suitable heating element.

An upper heating assembly, such as a broiler assembly44, may be included in oven appliance10. Broiler assembly44includes a convection heating element50and a radiant heating element52. The radiant heating element52may be an electric heating element, such as a resistive heating rod as illustrated inFIG.2. The convection components of broiler assembly44include one or more air handlers46,48, e.g., fans or blowers, and a convection heating element50. As illustrated, convection heating element50is generally positioned away from cooking chamber14such that convection heat (and not radiation heat) is received in cooking chamber14from convection heating element50. Convection heating element50may be an electric heating element, such as a resistive heating rod, or a gas burner configured to generate a heated gas for cooking operations. Air handler(s)46,48may be in fluid communication with convection heating element50to motivate heated gas from the convection heating element50and through a broil outlet132into the cooking chamber14. Broil outlet132may be provided at or proximate to a top portion of the cooking chamber14, e.g., at the top wall30, such as at or proximate to an intersection of the top wall30with the rear wall38. Moreover, during certain operations, broil outlet132may be downstream from air handler(s)46,48and convection heating element50to receive a heated gas therefrom.

Advantageously, the heating elements50and52may employ different heat sources, e.g., the convection heating element50may be a gas burner and the radiant heating element52may be an electric heating element, such that the combined system, e.g., broiler assembly44, provides advantages over broilers using a single energy source, such as only electric or only combustion. In such embodiments, the radiant heating element52may be a low-power heating element. Thus, the combined broiler assembly44may provide improved heat intensity as compared to a purely radiant or purely convective broil system. By bathing the electric element52in the hot air or exhaust from the convective heating element50, the relatively low powered (e.g., about 1500 W) electric element52can achieve temperatures that will allow it to radiate substantial energy to food items in the cooking chamber, and together with the convective heat element52gives superior broil results.

Oven appliance10may further include a controller40, e.g., configured to control one or more operations of the oven appliance10. For example, controller40may control at least one operation of oven appliance10that includes broiler assembly44. Controller40may be in communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) with the heating elements50and52as well as other suitable components of the oven appliance10, as discussed herein. In general, controller40may be operable to configure the oven appliance10(and various components thereof) for cooking. Such configuration may be based, for instance, on a plurality of cooking factors of a selected operating cycle or mode.

By way of example, controller40may include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

Controller40may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout oven appliance10. As illustrated, controller40may be located within a user interface panel62of oven appliance10as shown inFIGS.1and2. In some such embodiments, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller40and various operational components of oven appliance10, such as convection heating element50, radiant heating element52, air handler(s)46,48, controls64, display component66, sensors, alarms, and/or other components as may be provided. For instance, signals may be directed along one or more wiring harnesses that may be routed through cabinet12. In some embodiments, controller40is in communication with user interface panel62and controls64through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of oven appliance10. In one embodiment, user interface panel62may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, user interface panel62may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface panel62may include a display component66, such as a digital or analog display configured to provide operational feedback to a user.

Although the described embodiment ofFIGS.1and2are directed to an oven appliance10in which the user interface panel62and controls64are aligned with the top of cabinet12, it should be recognized that the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, alternative oven appliance designs may also fall within the scope of the present disclosure, for example, wherein the user interface panel and controls are located behind and above the cooktop or wherein more, fewer, and different types and/or arrangements of heating elements are present.

Referring now toFIG.4, a rear perspective view of an exemplary first handle bracket200and an exemplary second handle bracket210is provided. First handle bracket200and second handle bracket210are mirror images of one another but are in all other respects identical. First handle bracket200and second handle bracket210include a first plate205and second plate206. First plate205and second plate206are substantially parallel to one another and spaced apart in the transverse direction. First plate205in nearer to the front side of the door16, whereas second plate206is nearer to the rear side of the door16. Each of first handle bracket200and second handle bracket210also includes connector plate207, which is oriented primarily in the transverse direction, connecting first plate205to second plate206.

Second plate206further includes an embossed connecting element208, such as a bolt hole, screw hole, rivet hole, or the like. Using the embossed connecting element208, first handle bracket200and second handle bracket210are attached to the door16. Specifically, bolts, screws, rivets, or other appropriate connection means are inserted into a rear surface of door18and through the embossed connecting element208of first handle bracket200and the embossed connections element208of second handle bracket210, thus securing the door16to first handle bracket200and second handle bracket210, respectively (FIG.3).

In the embodiment ofFIG.4, the first plate205of the first bracket handle200includes an outer opening202and an inner opening204for accommodating locator pins, as further described herein. Likewise, in the embodiment ofFIG.4, the first plate205of the second bracket handle210includes an outer opening212and an inner opening214for accommodating locator pins, as further described herein.

The combination of the first plate205, the second plate206, and the connector plate207of first handle bracket200and second handle bracket210establish a consistent, fixed depth in the transverse direction. As a result, connection of a door trim220and door handle18to the first handle bracket200and the second handle bracket210, as further discussed herein, provides a consistent, accurate, and repeatable spacing of the door trim220and the door handle18in the transverse direction with respect to the oven door16.

Referring now toFIG.5, a front view of the door trim220is provided. The door trim220is a critical appearance element of oven appliance10, providing an aesthetic cover for at least partially concealing gaps between the oven door16and the cabinet12, and specifically, gaps above the oven and around a portion of the side of cabinet12. In some oven appliances, such as shown in the embodiment ofFIG.1, the gap is between oven door16and, for example, user interface panel62and controls64. In other embodiments of oven appliance10, user interface panel62and controls64may be located elsewhere, such as behind the cooktop on the top surface of cabinet12. In such instances, the gap concealed by door trim220may be between the top of oven door16and the cooktop on the top surface of cabinet12.

Door trim200may include a first end222and a second end224. Door trim200comprises a vertical rectangular surface extending primarily in the lateral direction, a panel on the first end of door trim200extending primarily in the direction of the cabinet12, and a panel on the second end of door trim200extending primarily in the direction of cabinet12(seeFIG.3). The first end222of door trim200may further include an outer opening226and an inner opening228for accommodating locator pins, as further described herein. The second end224of door trim200may further include an outer opening232and an inner opening234for accommodating locator pins, as further described herein.

Referring now toFIG.6, a top view of an exemplary door handle18is provided. Door handle18may include a first end242and a second end244. In the embodiment ofFIG.6, the first end242of door handle18may include a first outer locating pin252and a first inner locating pin254, both extending from door handle18in the direction of cabinet12. The first outer locating pin252and the first inner locating pin254may be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal or lateral direction. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments first outer locating pin252and first inner locating pin254may be spaced apart in the vertical direction. Likewise, in the embodiment ofFIG.6, the second end244of door handle18may include a second inner locating pin256and a second outer locating pin258, both extending from door handle18in the direction of cabinet12. The second outer locating pin258and the second inner locating pin256may be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal or lateral direction. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments second outer locating pin258and second inner locating pin2546may be spaced apart in the vertical direction.

FIG.7Aprovides a perspective view of the relationship between the door handle18, the door trim220, and each of the first handle bracket200and the second handle bracket210according to their exemplary embodiments as shown inFIGS.4-6. In this embodiment, the first outer locating pin252extends from the door handle18and through the outer opening226of the first end222of the door trim220. The first outer locating pin252further extends through the outer opening202of the first handle bracket200.

In addition, the first inner locating pin254extends from the door handle18and through the inner opening228of the first end222of the door trim220. The first inner locating pin254also extends through the inner opening204of the first handle bracket200. In this embodiment, the inner opening204of the first handle bracket200may be a slot, having a substantially oval-shaped opening to ease install of first inner locating pin254.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second inner locating pin256extends from the door handle18and through the inner opening234of the second end224of the door trim220. The second inner locating pin256also extends through the inner opening214of the second handle bracket210. In this embodiment, the inner opening214of the second handle bracket210may be a slot, having a substantially oval-shaped opening to ease installation of second inner locating pin256.

Finally, the second outer locating pin258extends from the door handle18and through the outer opening232of the second end224of the door trim220. The second outer locating pin258also extends through the outer opening212of the second handle bracket210. In this embodiment, the outer opening232of the second end224of the door trim220may be a slot, having a substantially oval-shaped opening to ease installation of second outer locator258.

In the embodiment ofFIG.7A, the extension of the first outer locating pin252through the outer opening226of the first end222of the door trim220fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the door trim220, ensuring a consistent location of door trim220on the front face of oven appliance10. Similarly, the extension of second outer locating pin258through the outer opening232of the second end224of door trim220fixes the angular position of door trim220, providing the ability to ensure that installation of door trim220consistently achieves parallelism with door handle18and the top of oven door16. Inner opening228on the first end222of door trim220and inner opening234on the second end224of door trim220serve as clearance holes to allow for passage of first inner locating pin254and second inner locating pin256, respectively.

Referring still to the embodiment ofFIG.7A, the extension of first outer locating pin252through the outer opening202of first handle bracket200fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the first handle bracket200, ensuring consistent location of first handle bracket200for alignment with the connecting means through oven door16. Similarly, the extension of first inner locating pin254through the inner opening204of first handle bracket200fixes the angular position of first handle bracket200, providing the ability to ensure that installation of the first handle bracket200consistently aligns embossed connection element208with the corresponding opening for the connection means through oven door16. Additionally, the extension of second outer locating pin258through the outer opening212of second handle bracket210fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the second handle bracket210, ensuring consistent location of second handle bracket210for alignment with the connecting means through oven door16. Similarly, the extension of second inner locating pin256through the inner opening214of second handle bracket210fixes the angular position of second handle bracket210, providing the ability to ensure that installation of the second handle bracket210consistently aligns embossed connection element208with the corresponding opening for the connection means through oven door16.

Although the preferred embodiment is set forth above and illustrated inFIG.7A, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the first outer locating pin252, the first inner locating pin254, the second inner locating pin256, and the second outer locating pin258need not extend from the door handle18to fall with the intended scope of the present disclosure. Rather, some or all of the locating pins may extend from the first handle bracket200and the second handle bracket210, extending through corresponding holes in the door handle18, some combinations of which are set forth below.

However, in each of these embodiments: (1) the first outer locating pin252extends through the outer opening226of the first end222of the door trim220and connects to the first end242of the door handle18, the first end222of the door trim220, and the first handle bracket200; (2) the first inner locating pin254extends through the inner opening228of the first end222of the door trim220and connects to the first end242of the door handle18, the first end222of the door trim220, and the first handle bracket200; (3) the second inner locating pin256extends through the inner opening234of the second end224of the door trim220and connects to the second end244of the door handle18, the second end224of the door trim220, and the second handle bracket210; and (4) the second outer locating pin258extends through the outer opening232on the second end224of the door trim220and connects to the second end244of the door handle18, the second end224of the door trim, and the second handle bracket210. Additionally, in each of these embodiments, the extension of the first outer locating pin252through the outer opening226of the first end222of the door trim220fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the door trim220, as previously mentioned. Further, the extension of the second outer locating pin258through the outer opening232of the second end224of the door trim220fixes the angular position of the door trim220.

One such alternative embodiment is shown inFIG.7B. In this embodiment, the first outer locating pin252is attached to and extends from the first handle bracket200, extending through an outer opening262on the first end242of the door handle18. The first inner locating pin254is attached to and extends from the first end242of the door handle18, extending through the inner opening204of the first handle bracket200. The second inner locating pin256is attached to and extends from the second end244of the door handle18, extending through an inner opening214on the second handle bracket210. And the second outer locating pin258is attached to and extends from the second handle bracket210, extending through an outer opening268on the second end244of the door handle18.

In the embodiment ofFIG.7B, the extension of the first outer locating pin252through the outer opening262of the first end242of the door handle18fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the first handle bracket200, ensuring consistent location of first handle bracket200for alignment with the connecting means through oven door16. Similarly, the extension of the first inner locating pin254through the inner opening204of the first handle bracket200fixes the angular position of the first handle bracket200, providing the ability to ensure that installation of the first handle bracket200consistently aligns embossed connection element208with the corresponding opening for the connection means through oven door16.

Furthermore, the extension of the second outer locating pin258through the outer opening268of the second end244of the door handle18fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the second handle bracket210, ensuring consistent location of second handle bracket210for alignment with the connecting means through oven door16. Similarly, the extension of the second inner locating pin256through the inner opening214of the second handle bracket210fixes the angular position of the second handle bracket210, providing the ability to ensure that installation of the second handle bracket210consistently aligns embossed connection element208with the corresponding opening for the connection means through oven door16.

FIG.7Cprovides another alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, the first outer locating pin252is attached to and extends from the first end242of the door handle18, extending through an outer opening202of the first handle bracket200. The first inner locating pin254is attached to and extends from the first handle bracket200, extending through the inner opening264of the first end242of the door handle18. The second inner locating pin256is attached to and extends from the second handle bracket210, extending through an inner opening266of the second end244of the door handle18. And the second outer locating pin258is attached to and extends from the second end244of the door handle18, extending through an outer opening212on the second handle bracket210.

In the embodiment ofFIG.7C, the extension of the first outer locating pin252through the outer opening202of the first handle bracket200fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the first handle bracket200, ensuring consistent location of first handle bracket200for alignment with the connecting means through oven door16. Similarly, the extension of the first inner locating pin254through the inner opening264of the first end242of the door handle18fixes the angular position of the first handle bracket200, providing the ability to ensure that installation of the first handle bracket200consistently aligns embossed connection element208with the corresponding opening for the connection means through oven door16.

Furthermore, the extension of the second outer locating pin258through the outer opening212of the second handle bracket210fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the second handle bracket210, ensuring consistent location of second handle bracket210for alignment with the connecting means through oven door16. Similarly, the extension of the second inner locating pin256through the inner opening266of the second end244of the door handle18fixes the angular position of the second handle bracket210, providing the ability to ensure that installation of the second handle bracket210consistently aligns embossed connection element208with the corresponding opening for the connection means through oven door16.

FIG.7Dprovides still another alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, the first outer locating pin252is attached to and extends from the first handle bracket200, extending through an outer opening262of the first end242of the door handle18. The first inner locating pin254is attached to and extends from the first handle bracket200, extending through the inner opening264of the first end242of the door handle18. The second inner locating pin256is attached to and extends from the second handle bracket210, extending through an inner opening266of the second end244of the door handle18. And the second outer locating pin258is attached to and extends from the second handle bracket210, extending through an outer opening268on the second end244of the door handle18.

In the embodiment ofFIG.7D, the extension of the first outer locating pin252through the outer opening262of the first end242of the door handle18fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the first handle bracket200, ensuring consistent location of first handle bracket200for alignment with the connecting means through oven door16. Similarly, the extension of the first inner locating pin254through the inner opening264of the first end242of the door handle18fixes the angular position of the first handle bracket200, providing the ability to ensure that installation of the first handle bracket200consistently aligns embossed connection element208with the corresponding opening for the connection means through oven door16.

Furthermore, the extension of the second outer locating pin258through the outer opening268of the second end244of the door handle18fixes the horizontal and vertical position of the second handle bracket210, ensuring consistent location of second handle bracket210for alignment with the connecting means through oven door16. Similarly, the extension of the second inner locating pin256through the inner opening266of the second end244of the door handle18fixes the angular position of the second handle bracket210, providing the ability to ensure that installation of the second handle bracket210consistently aligns embossed connection element208with the corresponding opening for the connection means through oven door16.

The skilled artisan will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangement of locating pins in the embodiments ofFIGS.7A to7D. Rather any combination of the four locating pins extending from one or the other of the door handle18, the first handle bracket200, or the second handle bracket200, in accordance with the teachings herein, is intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.