Patent Application
20120019112
The present disclosure generally relates to appliances, and more particularly to locking multiple doors of a multiple-cavity oven with a single manual latch.
Self-cleaning or pyrolitic ovens operate in the self-cleaning mode at temperatures that can in some cases exceed 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Safety regulations and standards require that the doors to a self-cleaning oven be securely locked when the temperature of the oven reaches approximately 600 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, as the temperature of the oven approaches 600 degrees Fahrenheit, a bi-metal, hydraulic, or other temperature based mechanical locking system engages a locking pin that prevents the mechanical mechanism from being unlocked. The oven doors cannot be opened until the oven temperature drops below a pre-determined temperature or set point.
Existing door locking systems for self-cleaning ovens generally fall into two groups, mechanical and electronic. Mechanical systems will incorporate an actuating mechanism that locks the door when manually activated. Typically, these manual systems are configured so that the locking position cannot be achieved unless the door is fully closed. If the locking position is not achieved, the self-cleaning cycle of the oven will not activate. A switch or other position sensing mechanism is generally used to verify that the oven door is in the fully closed position and locked.
Electronic systems will typically sense oven temperature using a resistance temperature detector (RTD) device. The electronic control system will generally have a single digit RPM motor or solenoid that will lock the oven door with an eccentrically driven locking mechanism, also referred to herein as a “latch pawl.”
When multiple ovens are in use, in a multi-cavity oven appliance, it is common to allow only one of the ovens to be in the self-clean mode or state at any one time, due to the extreme heat that is generated and the high power requirements of the oven while in the self-clean mode. However, because the adjacent oven in a multiple oven configuration can also become quite hot while the other oven is in the self-clean mode, typically all of the oven doors must be closed and locked when any one of the ovens is in the self-clean mode. In the typical double oven configuration, electronic locking systems are used because the oven that is not in the self-clean mode does not get hot enough to engage the thermally activated locking pin or switch of the mechanical system.
Electronic locking systems for multiple oven configurations will require an electronic control system that must monitor the open and closed positions of the oven door(s), verify that the door(s) are in the closed and locked positions, and drive the motor or solenoid. These electronic systems also require software and multiple position switches and sensors, and are more costly than simple mechanical systems.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system that addresses at least some of the problems identified above.
As described herein, the exemplary embodiments overcome one or more of the above or other disadvantages known in the art.
One aspect of the exemplary embodiments relates to a latching system for an appliance. The appliance includes at least a first oven, a first door for the first oven, a second oven and a second door for the second oven. The latching system includes a master latch assembly for locking the first door when the first door is fully closed; a slave latch assembly for locking the second door when the second door is fully closed; a cable operatively coupling the master latch assembly and the slave latch assembly so that a movement of the master latch assembly between an unlocking position where the first door is unlocked and a locking position where the first door is locked generates a corresponding movement of the slave latch assembly between an unlocking position where the second door is unlocked and a locking position where the second door is locked; a position switch associated with one of the master latch assembly and the slave latch assembly and configured to detect when the one of the master latch assembly and the slave latch assembly is in its locking position; and a controller coupled to the position switch and configured to enable an operational mode of at least one of the first oven and the second oven when the position switch detects the one of the master latch assembly and the slave latch assembly is in its locking position in conjunction with a request for the operational mode.
Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments relates to an appliance including a first oven; a first door for the first oven; a second oven; a second door for the second oven; a master latch assembly for locking the first door when the first door is fully closed; a slave latch assembly for locking the second door when the second door is fully closed; a cable operatively coupling the master latch assembly and the slave latch assembly so that a movement of the master latch assembly between an unlocking position where the first door is unlocked and a locking position where the first door is locked generates a corresponding movement of the slave latch assembly between an unlocking position where the second door is unlocked and a locking position where the second door is locked; a position switch associated with one of the master latch assembly and the slave latch assembly and configured to detect when the one of the master latch assembly and the slave latch assembly is in its locking position; and a controller coupled to the position switch and configured to enable an operational mode of at least one of the first oven and the second oven when the position switch detects the one of the master latch assembly and the slave latch assembly is in its locking position in conjunction with a request for the operational mode.
Yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiments relates to a method of operating an appliance having at least a first oven, a first door for the first oven, a second oven and a second door for the second oven. The method includes locking the first door and the second door after the first door and the second door are fully closed, the first door being locked by a first latch assembly, the second door being locked by a second latch assembly, the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly being linked together by a cable so that a movement of the first latch assembly between an unlocking position where the first door is unlocked and a locking position where the first door is locked generates a corresponding movement of the second latch assembly between an unlocking position where the second door is unlocked and a locking position where the second door is locked; detecting a locking position of one of the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly; and enabling an operational mode of at least one of the first oven and the second oven when the one of the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly is in its locking position in conjunction with a request for the operational mode.
These and other aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.
In the drawings:
Referring to
In
An upper, first oven unit 60 is disposed or positioned in the first cavity 30. The first oven unit 60 includes a first oven chamber 60a having a first frontal opening 60b. The first oven unit 60 also includes a first oven 60c disposed in the first oven chamber 60a, and a first oven door 62 for selectively closing the first frontal opening 60b of the first oven chamber 60a. The first oven door 62 can be rotatably attached to the first oven chamber 60a or the housing 22 at the hinge point 62a.
Similarly, a lower, second oven unit 70 is positioned in the second cavity 34. The second oven unit 70 includes a second oven chamber 70a having a second frontal opening 70b. The second oven unit 70 also includes a second oven 70c disposed in the second oven chamber 70a, and a second oven door 72 for selectively closing the second frontal opening 70b of the second oven chamber 70a. The second oven door 72 can be rotatably attached to the second oven chamber 70a or the housing 22 at the hinge point 72a.
The oven 10 includes a latch or latching system 300 that includes a master latch assembly 310 and a slave latch assembly 320. The master latch assembly 310 and the slave latch assembly 320 are coupled together by a cable 330, also referred to as a throttle cable. In alternate embodiments, any suitable mechanical coupling mechanism can be used to translate articulation of the master latch assembly 310 to the slave latch assembly 320. Movement of the master latch assembly 310 between the open and locked position will cause a corresponding movement of the slave latch assembly 320 between an opened and locked position by reason of the cable 330.
The latch assemblies 310 and 320 are generally configured to mechanically lock doors 62 and 72, respectively, using a single mechanical control. The doors 62 and 72 will not unlock unless both ovens 60 and 70 meet certain pre-determined temperature set points after a cleaning operation, such as for example a pyrolitic self-cleaning operation or cycle.
In the example shown in
The master latch assembly 310 generally includes the handle member 311, a master link member 312 and a latch pawl 313. In one embodiment, the handle member 311 and master link member 312 comprises a single, integrated member. The latch pawl 313 is configured to engage a portion of the door liner 66 of the oven 10 when the handle member 311 is moved in direction A, into the locked position.
The slave latch assembly 320 is generally configured in a manner similar to that of the master latch assembly 310. In one embodiment, the slave latch assembly 320 includes a slave link member 322 and a latch pawl 323. In accordance with the aspects of the disclosed embodiments, when the handle member 311 is moved in the direction A towards the locked position, the cable 330 causes the slave latch 320 to move a distance corresponding to the movement of the handle member 311. As the master latch assembly 310 drives the latch pawl 313 into the locked position, as shown in
In one embodiment, the master latch assembly 310 also includes a base plate 314, return spring 315, a temperature-based locking mechanism 316, and a switch 317. The slave latch assembly 320 includes similar components. The base plates 314, 324 generally serve as the mounting structure for the components of the master latch assembly 310 and slave latch assembly 320, and are also used to secure the master latch assembly 310 and slave latch assembly 320 to the respective portions of the housing 22 or other frame member of the oven 10 in a suitable manner.
The temperature-based locking mechanisms 316, 326 can comprise any suitable temperature-based locking mechanism, such as the bi-metal switch referred to earlier for example, or other mechanical thermostat. The temperature-based locking mechanisms 316, 326 are configured to engage a locking mode or position when a pre-determined temperature set point is reached. Generally, this is approximately 600 degrees Fahrenheit in conjunction with a self-cleaning mode, although any suitable temperature set point can be used.
The switches 317, 327 can comprise any suitable switch type, such as a normally open micro-switch for example, that are generally configured to detect when the respective master and slave latches 310, 320 are in a closed and locked position. In accordance with the aspects of the disclosed embodiments, if either switch 317 or 327 is not in a closed and locked position, the self-cleaning mode of the oven 10 cannot be activated.
The return springs 315, 325 are generally configured to retain or urge the respective latch assemblies 310, 320 into the open position when the latch assemblies 310, 320 are not in the closed and locked position.
Referring again to
When the latching assembly 300 is in the fully closed position, as is illustrated in
In the example shown in
As shown in the example of
Although the exemplary embodiments described herein show the use of a temperature-dependent locking mechanism with both the master and slave latching assemblies, in one embodiment, only one of the latching assemblies needs to have a temperature-dependent locking mechanism associated therewith. For example, in the embodiment shown in
A determination 704 is made as to whether each door in the multiple-cavity oven is closed and locked. In one embodiment, determination 704 comprises checking the status of each switch 317, 327. If each switch 317, 327 indicates that the respective door 62, 72 is closed and locked, the self-cleaning mode is enabled. If both doors 62, 72 are not closed and locked, the self-cleaning mode is disabled 706, or cannot be engaged. Once the oven doors 62, 72 are closed 708, the self-cleaning mode is activated 702. In one embodiment, if an oven door 62, 72 is not closed and locked, a suitable warning or indication can be provided. This can be in the form of a suitable aural or visual indication.
Once each of the oven doors is determined to be closed and locked, the self-cleaning cycle or mode is engaged 710. This results in the general increase in the selected oven's temperature, as is generally known in the art. A determination 712 is made as to the temperature of the oven cavity. As the temperature of the oven increases to approximately 600 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature dependent locking device for the oven is activated 714. As long as a temperature of any one of the ovens reaches is over 600 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature dependent locking device will remain activated 714. In this state, as long as one of the oven doors remains locked due to the temperature dependent locking device, the latches for each of the oven doors will not be enabled to be released or moved from the locked state. The cable connection between the master and slave latch will not enable one latch to be moved without corresponding movement of the other latch. Thus, if one latch is secured in place by the temperature dependent locking device, the other latch will not be able to be independently unlocked. Similarly, when one door is not in the fully closed position, the other door cannot be securely latched. When both latches are no longer secured by the temperature dependent locking device, each latch will be enabled to be unlocked 716.
In one embodiment, referring to
The aspects of the disclosed embodiments utilize a mechanical cable to operatively couple two separate mechanical latching systems in a double oven appliance. One manual latch is used to control the locking of multiple oven doors and enable a self-cleaning cycle, where each oven door remains locked as long as one oven does not meet a pre-determined temperature set point.
A driving or master latch is coupled to a similar sensing or slave latch. When the drive latch is activated, the cable will move the sensing latch a corresponding distance. Each latch cannot move to the fully locked position unless the respective door is in the fully closed position. The latch assemblies can include a position switch and a thermally driven locking mechanism that prevents either latch from being opened as long as the temperature of the corresponding oven is above a pre-determined temperature set point. When the sensed temperature drops below the predetermined temperature set point in each oven, both thermal-locking mechanisms will disengage and the master latch can be moved to the unlocked position. Movement of the master latch to the unlocked position will correspondingly move the slave latch to the unlocked position. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments allow a single latching mechanism to control the locking of both oven doors by verifying that both doors are in the fully closed position prior to locking and enabling the self clean cycle, and only allowing opening of either door as long as both thermal locks are no longer engaged. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments thus provide a lower cost mechanical control system that allows for remote activation of a mechanical latch system to lock multiple oven doors.
Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out, fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps, which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results, are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
