The invention is directed to an apparatus for automating testing of an appliance, and, more particularly to an apparatus for automatically opening and closing an oven door during testing of the oven.
Appliances such as, for example, ovens require testing that includes heating the oven to a predetermined temperature and then opening a door of the oven for a predetermined time to allow the oven to cool down. Currently, a worker needs to attend to the oven being tested in order to manually open and close the door at the predetermined times. This procedure is costly in terms of labor and can be inconsistent due to the worker not opening or closing the door at exactly the predetermined times.
The invention recognizes that it is desirable to provide a testing apparatus that automatically opens and closes a door, or doors, of an appliance in accordance with a predetermined program to ensure uniformity of testing and to reduce the amount of labor required. These properties are provided by an apparatus and method of the invention.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a framework for positioning an actuator relative to an appliance being tested such that a door, or doors, of the appliance can be opened and closed automatically.
Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a testing apparatus for opening and closing a first door of an appliance being tested. The apparatus includes a framework; a first actuator attached to the framework, the first actuator having a retracted position and an extended position; a first attaching bar attached to the first actuator, the attaching bar for attaching the first actuator to the first door of the appliance; and a controller for controlling the first actuator such that the first actuator causes the first door of the appliance to move to an open position when the actuator moves from a first one of the extended position and the retracted position to the other of the extended position and the retracted position, and the first actuator causes the first door of the appliance to move to a closed position when the actuator moves from the other of the extended position and the retracted position to the first one of the extended position and the retracted position.
Other embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of testing an appliance having a first door. The method includes positioning the appliance in a space in a framework; attaching a first attaching bar to the first door, the first attaching bar being attached to a first actuator, the first actuator being attached to the framework and having a retracted position and an extended position; and controlling the first actuator with a controller such that the first actuator causes the first door of the appliance to move to an open position when the actuator moves from a first one of the extended position and the retracted position to the other of the extended position and the retracted position, and the first actuator causes the first door of the appliance to move to a closed position when the actuator moves from the other of the extended position and the retracted position to the first one of the extended position and the retracted position.
The invention has proven to reduce the amount of labor needed and to improve uniformity of testing from one test appliance to the next.
The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
Lower horizontal rod 400 and upper horizontal rod 410 are attached to framework 200 by way of actuators. In this example, two lower actuators 300 attach lower horizontal rod 400 to framework 200 and two upper actuators 310 attach upper horizontal rod 410 to framework 200. Other additional members or levers (not shown) can be provided to guide the actuators along the desired paths. Lower actuators 300 and upper actuators 310 are, in this example, pneumatic. Lower actuators 300 are connected by air lines 320 to an air solenoid 330 and upper actuators 310 are connected by separate air lines 320 to a separate air solenoid 330. This setup allows lower actuators 300 to be controlled independently from upper actuators 310. Both air solenoids 330 are connected to an air supply by air lines 340. Although pneumatic actuators are shown in this example, hydraulic, electric or other actuators can also be used.
Also shown in
The controller can be any type of mechanical, electrical, or electro-mechanical controller. For example, the controller can be a computer that can be reprogrammed by an operator to adapt the apparatus to specific testing requirements and/or specific ovens or other appliances.
While the example shown includes two upper actuators 310 and two lower actuators 300, a single upper actuator and/or a single lower actuator can be used as long as sufficient structure is provided to properly and securely control the motion of the oven doors. Alternatively, three or more actuators can be used.
While the example shown uses attachment bands 420 to attach the horizontal rods to the oven door handles, other attachment methods can be used. For example, clamps or other rigid connections can be used.
It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the invention.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3119000 | Loch et al. | Jan 1964 | A |
4072846 | Christen et al. | Feb 1978 | A |
4136667 | Lewis | Jan 1979 | A |
4230532 | Harris | Oct 1980 | A |
4302660 | Swanson et al. | Nov 1981 | A |
4450335 | Shimizu et al. | May 1984 | A |
4924763 | Bingham | May 1990 | A |
7282674 | Hansen et al. | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7331298 | Barkdoll et al. | Feb 2008 | B2 |
20040036698 | Thurner et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20050121918 | Smock et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050284494 | Lee | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20070214725 | Miyashita | Sep 2007 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20110320041 A1 | Dec 2011 | US |