COOKING APPLIANCE AND RACK ASSEMBLY

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a household cooking appliance, and more specifically to a cooking appliance with a broiler element and an imaging device.

BACKGROUND

Cooking appliances such as ovens typically include a cooking chamber in which food is heated using various heat sources such as gas or electricity. Heat can be generated based on a flame, electric conduction, electric induction, microwaves, and the like. In some cases, a broiling element is used to brown or bake food items in the cooking chamber.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance including a chassis and an interior housing at least partially defining a cooking chamber having an access opening. Further, a first rack assembly is located within the cooking chamber, the first rack assembly comprising a rack frame defining an aperture and a first moveable portion. The first moveable portion can be moveable between a first position and a second position different from the first position, wherein the first moveable portion in the first position at least partially closes the aperture. A component includes a field of view defined within a portion of the cooking chamber and wherein the field of view extends through the aperture at least when the first moveable portion is in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary cooking appliance in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 including multiple rack assemblies in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary cooking chamber of FIG. 2 with a lower rack removed in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the exemplary cooking chamber of FIG. 3 with a portion of the exemplary first rack assembly removed in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 5A is a schematic exploded view of the exemplary first rack assembly of FIG. 4 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 5B is a schematic view of a portion of the exemplary first rack assembly of FIG. 5A and an insert with various aspects described herein.

FIGS. 6A-6D are schematic views of another exemplary first rack assembly that can be utilized in the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIGS. 7A-7B are schematic views of another exemplary first rack assembly that can be utilized on the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is contemplated that a cooking appliance, such as an oven, can include one or more imaging devices to image or video food items while they are being placed within the cooking chamber or heated. The imaging devices, such as a camera, may include a field of view. One or more components within the cooking chamber may also have a field of view within the cooking chamber. By way of non-limiting example, a broiler can be included in the cooking chamber and the broiler can include a field of view that defines a thermal pathway boundary for the broiler.

One or more racks within the cooking chamber may be located within the field of view of the camera, the field of view of the broiler, or a combination thereof. In certain cases, the field of view of the imaging device and/or the broiler element can be obstructed or otherwise blocked by the racks within the cooking chamber. Including, but not limited to, unused racks can block the field of view of the imaging device and/or the broiler. This can have undesirable broiling outcomes for the food item, such as inconsistent browning or melting. In addition, the lack of view or obstruction of the field of view of the imaging device can cause to undesirable outcomes for the food item, such as overbaking or excessive browning in certain regions, when the images are utilized in controlling the cooking process. Thus, it would be beneficial to have a rack assembly with a selectively closable aperture, where a moveable portion can move from a first position to a second position allowing for an unobstructed field of view to food items being cooked in lower racks of the cooking appliance.

As used herein, the term “set” or “a set” of elements can be any non-zero number of elements, including only one. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto can vary.

Additionally, as used herein, a “controller”, or “controller module” can include a component configured or adapted to provide instruction, control, operation, or any form of communication for operable components to affect the operation thereof. A processor or controller module can include any known processor, microcontroller, or logic device, including, but not limited to: Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated circuit (ASIC), a Proportional controller (P), a Proportional Integral controller (PI), a Proportional Derivative controller (PD), a Proportional Integral Derivative controller (PID controller), a hardware-accelerated logic controller (e.g. for encoding, decoding, transcoding, etc.), the like, or a combination thereof. Non-limiting examples of a controller module can be configured or adapted to run, operate, or otherwise execute program code to effect operational or functional outcomes, including carrying out various methods, functionality, processing tasks, calculations, comparisons, sensing or measuring of values, or the like, to enable or achieve the technical operations or operations described herein. The operation or functional outcomes can be based on one or more inputs, stored data values, sensed or measured values, true or false indications, or the like. While “program code” is described, non-limiting examples of operable or executable instruction sets can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, algorithms, etc., that have the technical effect of performing particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In another non-limiting example, a processor or controller module can also include a data storage component accessible by the processor, including memory, whether transient, volatile or non-transient, or non-volatile memory.

Additional non-limiting examples of the memory can include Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, or one or more different types of portable electronic memory, such as discs, DVDs, CD-ROMs, flash drives, universal serial bus (USB) drives, the like, or any suitable combination of these types of memory. In one example, the program code can be stored within the memory in a machine-readable format accessible by the processor. Additionally, the memory can store various data, data types, sensed or measured data values, inputs, generated or processed data, or the like, accessible by the processor in providing instruction, control, or operation to affect a functional or operable outcome, as described herein. In another non-limiting example, a control module can include comparing a first value with a second value and operating or controlling operations of additional components based on the satisfying of that comparison. For example, when a sensed, measured, or provided value is compared with another value, including a stored or predetermined value, the satisfaction of that comparison can result in actions, functions, or operations controllable by the controller module.

In describing aspects illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the aspects be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the words “connected,” “attached,” “coupled,” and “supported” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, attachments, couplings, and supports. In addition, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” etc. and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections, couplings, etc. as all such types of connections should be recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary household cooking appliance 1 is shown in the form of an oven 10 and can be used for cooking one or more food items. The oven 10 includes a chassis or cabinet 12. An interior housing 19 can be included and may at least partially define a cooking chamber 18 having an access opening (not shown) closed by a closure member. The interior housing 19 includes a first side panel 13 spaced from a second side panel 14. A top panel 15 (FIG. 2), a bottom panel 16, and a rear panel 17 span between the first side panel 13 and the second side panel 14.

The closure member can be operably coupled to the cabinet 12. In the illustrated example, the closure member includes a door 21 pivotable about a hinge and selectively closing the access opening 20. When the door 21 is in an opened position, a user can access the cooking chamber 18. When the door 21 in a closed position, the door 21 prevents access to the cooking chamber 18 and seals the cooking chamber 18 from the external environment. One or more sensors can optionally be provided to sense or detect a position of the door 21.

A user interface 30 for inputting desired cooking parameters, such as a cooking temperature or time, or for selecting an automated cooking cycle can be included on a portion of the oven 10. The user interface 30 can include a push button, a rotatable knob, a touch pad, a touch screen, or a voice command unit, in some non-limiting examples.

A heating system 40 can be included in the oven and may include at least one heating element for generating heat within the cooking chamber 18. For instance, the heating system 40 can include any or all of a gas heater, an electric heater, a quartz tube heater, a microwave generator, or the like, or combinations thereof. The heating system 40 can include any number of heating elements, including only one, or two or more.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates additional details of the oven 10. A lower rack 22, a middle rack 24, and an upper rack 26 are illustrated. Any of the lower rack 22, the middle rack 24, and the upper rack 26 can support food items or cookware (e.g., a baking sheet or pan) within the cooking chamber 18. Any number of racks can be provided, including only one, or three or more.

A first component can be provided at the top panel 15 of the cooking chamber 18. In a non-limiting example, the first component can include an imaging device 56. The imaging device 56 can be located outside of the cooking chamber 18 and an imaging lens, such as for a camera, can be located at the top panel 15 in the cooking chamber 18 and include a field of view that extends into the cooking chamber. Alternatively, all or a portion of the imaging device 56 can be included within the cooking chamber 18. The imaging device 56 has been illustrated inside the cooking chamber 18 although it will be understood from the above that this need not be the case. The imaging device 56 can include any suitable device or sensor including but not limited to a light sensor, a visual light sensor, a camera, an infrared camera or infrared sensor. In one example, the imaging device 56 can be a visible light image sensor, configured to capture light in the visible range wavelength spectrum. In another example, the imaging device 56 can be a two-dimensional (2D) camera sensor configured to capture frames at a predetermined interval. In another example, the imaging device 56 can be a three-dimensional (3D) camera capable of stereoscopic reconstruction. In yet another example, there can be more than one imaging device 56, such as two 2D cameras where an image processor or software can compute a depth based upon a comparison of the images from the separate 2D cameras. Regardless, the imaging device 56 can be capable of either or both image capture as well as video capture.

A second component can also be provided at the top panel 15. For example, the second component can include a portion of the heating system 40. In a non-limiting example, the second component can include a broiling element 58. In a non-limiting example, the broiling element 58 can include but is not limited to a coil broiler, a gas or burner broiler, or a combination thereof.

An energy source or power source 41 is also provided and operably coupled to the heating system 40. The power source 41 can be any suitable source of energy for generating heat, such as an electric power supply, a gas heat source, or the like including a combination thereof.

It will be understood that the heating system 40 can also include other heating elements. For instance, in the non-limiting example shown, a lower heating element 42 is disposed at the bottom panel 16 and operably coupled to the power source 41. The lower heating element 42 is shown as being outside the cooking chamber 18, in such a case, heat generated by the lower heating element 42 can be conducted through the bottom panel 16 and into the cooking chamber 18. Alternatively, the lower heating element 42 could be located within the cooking chamber 18.

Additionally or alternatively, one or more heating elements can be coupled to one or more of the first side panel 13, second side panel 14, top panel 15, bottom panel 16, or rear panel 17 of the cooking chamber 18. Such heating elements can be disposed within a heating element housing outside of the cooking chamber 18 in some implementations, or mounted directly to a panel within the cooking chamber 18 in some implementations. In other implementations, the lower heating element 42 can be activated, whether alone or in combination with the heating element 52, for heating of the cooking chamber 18.

A controller 65 can be provided and communicatively coupled to components of the oven 10, including the user interface 30, the heating system 40, the broiling element 58,and the imaging device 56. The controller 65 can be, for example, a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller or any other suitable controller. The controller 65 can store data (e.g., in a memory), such as default cooking parameters, user-input cooking parameters, programs for the automated cooking cycles, or the like. The controller 65 can also send output to the user interface 30 or receive input from the user interface 30, such as for displaying a status of the oven 10 or otherwise communicating with a user.

In some implementations, a remote device such as a remote server, a database, a mobile device, a tablet, or the like can be communicatively coupled with the oven 10. In the illustrated example, the oven 10 includes a communication module 67 configured to send or receive signals from a remote device. The controller 65 can be communicatively coupled to the communication module 67, such as for implementing remote instructions for operation of the oven 10, or for transmitting data or control signals to a remote device, in non-limiting examples.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4 is a schematic view of the cooking chamber with the lower rack removed for visual clarity and only the middle rack 24 and upper rack 26 present. The upper rack 26 is more clearly illustrated as including a first rack assembly 64 having a rack frame 66. The rack frame 66 can include wires or other portions of the first rack assembly 64 going in horizontal or vertical directions. Further, the rack frame 66 can include both a periphery of the first rack assembly 64 as well as inner portions of the first rack assembly 64. Furthermore, the rack frame 66 can form both an uppermost portion, a lowermost portion, as well as distal most portions of the first rack assembly 64 although this need not be the case.

It is contemplated that the rack frame 66 can be mounted within the interior housing 19. The rack frame 66 can be mounted inside the cooking chamber 18. In one non-limiting example, the rack frame 66 can be mounted on a grooved or protruding ledge of the interior housing 19. It is further contemplated that the rack frame 66 can be permanently mounted within the cooking chamber but can include moveably mounted portions. For example, the rack frame 66 can be operably coupled to the interior housing 19 while another portion of the first rack assembly can be moveable out of the cooking chamber 18 via the access opening. By way of non-limiting example, the portion of the first rack assembly can be slideable. Portions of the rack frame 66 can also be fastened by a bolt, screw, or any suitable fastener to the interior housing 19. Alternatively

An aperture 68 (more easily seen in FIG. 4) is defined by the rack frame 66. The aperture 68 has a first end 71 and second end 72. A width 73 of the aperture 68 extends between the first end 71 and the second end 72. Optionally, a crossbar 74 extends at least through the width 73 of the aperture 68 from the first end 71 to the second end 72. The crossbar 74 is configured to support the first moveable portion 70 in the first position (FIG. 3).

In the non-limiting example shown, a first moveable portion 70 of the first rack assembly 64 is included and can be moveable between a first position (FIG. 3) and a second position (FIG. 4). The first moveable portion 70 in the first position overlies the aperture 68, is located within the aperture 68, or a combination thereof. The first moveable portion 70 is illustrated as being sized such that it is relatively the same size as the entire aperture 68. It will be understood that this need not be the case. For example, in other non-limiting examples, the first moveable portion 70 can at least partially close the aperture 68 in the first position. In the non-limiting illustrated example, the aperture 68 and the first moveable portion 70 are substantially rectangular; however, that need not be the case, and other shapes are contemplated. Further still, while the aperture 68 is illustrated as extending entirely or substantially from the first end 71 to the second end 72, this need not be the case. It will be understood that other dimensions and sizes are also contemplated for both the aperture 68 and the first moveable portion 70.

The first component can include a first field of view defined within cooking chamber 18. In a non-limiting example, the first field of view is an image field of view 60 of the imaging device 56. A second component can include a second field of view defined within cooking chamber 18. In a non-limiting example, the second field of view is a thermal pathway 62 of the broiling element 58. In the non-limiting example shown, the image field of view 60 and the thermal pathway 62 are at least partially obstructed or blocked by the first moveable portion 70.

FIG. 4 illustrates the first moveable portion 70 in a second position. In the second position, the aperture 68 is at least partially opened. With the first moveable portion 70 no longer positioned in or over the aperture 68, the image field of view 60 and the thermal pathway 62 can extend through the aperture 68 unobstructed by the first moveable portion 70. Subsequently, the image field of view 60 and the thermal pathway 62 can then extend to the middle rack 24. In a non-limiting example, the image field of view 60 and the thermal pathway 62 overlap, however, that need not be the case. Further, while the image field of view 60 and the thermal pathway 62 are illustrated as having specific view profiles and sizes this also need not be the case. For example, the thermal pathway 62 may have a wider field of view than the image field of view 60.

FIG. 5A illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary first rack assembly 64 in the second position. The first rack assembly 64 includes the first moveable portion 70 which can be fully removeable from the rack frame 66. That is, in the second position the first moveable portion 70 does not overlap or overlie the rack frame 66. Similar to FIGS. 3-4 the width 73 of the aperture 68 extends between the first end 71 and the second end 72. Optionally, the crossbar 74 extends at least through the width 73 of the aperture 68 from the first end 71 to the second end 72. The crossbar 74 is configured to support the first moveable portion 70 in the first position (FIG. 3).

FIG. 5B illustrates that at least one insert 76 is receivable within the aperture 68 when the first moveable portion 70 is in the second position. It will be understood that the first moveable portion 70 can be removed from the cooking chamber 18. The at least one insert 76 is substantially rectangular, however, other shapes are contemplated. The at least one insert 76 can include but is not limited to, a cookie sheet, a grilling tray, a frying basket, a rotisserie roller, a pizza tray, or any combination thereof. The at least one insert 76 can partially close the aperture 68. In the non-limiting example shown, the at least one insert 76 is a cookie sheet that fully closes the aperture 68. Further, the at least one insert 76 overlies the rack frame 66 such that the at least one insert 76 is supported by the rack frame 66. Alternatively or additionally the at least one insert 76 can hang from at least a portion of the rack frame 66.

During operation, a user can remove the first moveable portion 70 from the first rack assembly 64 by lifting the first moveable portion 70 out of the rack frame 66. Thus moving the first moveable portion 70 from the first position to the second position. In the second position, the aperture 68 is open and the image field of view 60 and the thermal pathway 62 can extend through the aperture 68 to food items in racks below the first rack assembly 64 (FIG. 4).

Optionally, the user can install the at least one insert 76 to accommodate different types of food items or cooking operations, such as for example, a pizza tray, a frying basket, a grilling tray, or combinations thereof. For example, the user can mount a cookie sheet on the rack frame 66 such that the aperture 68 is overlapped by the at least one insert 76. Once the at least one insert 76 is installed, a cycle of operation of cooking can commence.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate another exemplary first rack assembly 64 for use in the oven 10 of FIG. 1. Similar parts will include the same numbering from the previous example. In the additional non-limiting illustration, the first moveable portion 70 includes multiple selectively foldable sections. That is, sub-portions of the first moveable portion 70 are selectively moveable to selectively open and close portions of the aperture 68. For example, a first sub-portion 78 and a second sub-portion 79 are selectively foldable sections that can be included in the first moveable portion 70 in a non-limiting example. The first moveable portion 70 can include any suitable portions and mechanism for opening and closing all or a portion of the aperture 68. In the non-limiting example, the multiple sections are selectively foldable. The first sub-portion 78 can pivot or rotate at a pivot coupling 80. In a non-limiting example, the pivot coupling 80 can, for example, include a hinge. The pivot coupling 80 can couple the first sub-portion 78 to the second sub-portion 79 such that the first sub-portion 78 can fold onto the second sub-portion 79. That is, the first sub-portion 78 can rotate about a first rotational axis 82 via the pivot coupling 80, onto another portion of the first rack assembly 64, or the rack frame 66. In the non-limiting example shown, the first rack assembly 64 is in the intermediate position and the aperture 68 is partially open.

Now referring to FIGS. 6C-6D, both the first sub-portion 78 and the second sub-portion 79 can pivot or rotate at another pivot coupling 80. In a non-limiting example, the pivot coupling 80 can, for example, include a hinge. The pivot coupling 80 can couple the first sub-portion 78 and the second sub-portion 79 to the rack frame 66 such that the first sub-portion 78 and the second sub-portion 79 can fold onto the rack frame 66. That is, the first sub-portion 78 and the second sub-portion 79 can rotate about a second rotational axis 84 via the pivot coupling 80, onto another portion of the first rack assembly 64, or the rack frame 66. In the non-limiting example shown, the first rack assembly 64 is in the second position and the aperture 68 is fully open.

A user can fold the first moveable portion 70 from the first position to one or more intermediate positions. That is, the user can rotate first sub-portion 78 onto the second sub-portion 79 via the pivot coupling 80 about the first rotational axis 82, defined by a first aperture length L1 shown in FIG. 6B. FIG. 6C shows first sub-portion 78 and second sub-portion 79 moved to create another intermediate position having a second aperture length L2. Next, the user can fold the first moveable portion 70 from the one or more intermediate positions to the second position. That is, when the first sub-portion 78 at least partially overlaps the second sub-portion 79 and the rack frame 66, both the first sub-portion 78 and the second sub-portion 79 can be folded onto the rack frame 66 via the other pivot coupling 80 about the second rotation axis 84 defining an aperture 68 having a third aperture length L3. Once the first moveable portion 70 is in the second position and the aperture 68 is open, the thermal pathway 62 and the image field of view 60 can extend through the aperture 68, and a cycle of operation of cooking can commence.

FIG. 7A illustrates another exemplary first rack assembly 64 for use in the oven 10 of FIG. 1. Similar parts will include the same numbering from the previous example. In the additional non-limiting illustration, the first moveable portion 70 can slidably couple to the rack frame 66. For example, the first moveable portion 70 can include rollers that are slidable along the rack frame 66 from the first position (FIG. 7A) to the second position(FIG. 7B). A second moveable portion 88 can be moveable between the first position, where the second moveable portion 88 at least partially closes the aperture 68, to the second position (FIG. 7B). Similar to the first moveable portion 70, the second moveable portion 88 can slidably couple to the rack frame 66. For example, the second moveable portion 88 can include rollers that are slidable along the rack frame 66 from the first position to the second position (FIG. 7B).

With reference to FIG. 7B, in the second position shown, the second moveable portion 88 and the first moveable portion 70 at least partially overlap the rack frame 66. In a non-limiting example, the first moveable portion 70 is slidable towards a first end 90 of the rack frame 66. Similarly, the second moveable portion 88 is slidable towards a second end 92 of the rack frame 66. It is contemplated that the first moveable portion 70 and the second moveable portion 88 can be slidable in any direction including the same direction. In another non-limiting example, the first rack assembly 64 can include any number of slidable portions including one slidable portion, three slidable portions, or more.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B during operation, the user can slide both the first moveable portion 70 and the second moveable portion 88 towards the first end 90 of the rack frame 66 and the second end 92 of the rack frame 66, respectively. That is the aperture 68 is closed or partially closed in the first position. Once the user slides the first moveable portion 70 and the second moveable portion 88 to the second position and the aperture 68 is open, the thermal pathway 62 and the image field of view 60 can extend through the aperture 68, and a cycle of operation of cooking can commence.

Aspects of the disclosure provide for several benefits. The one or more moveable portions allows a user to selectively open and close the aperture allowing for more unobstructed fields of view for components of the cooking appliance. For example, this can allow the thermal pathway and the image field of view to be unobstructed by the upper rack when cooking food in racks below the upper rack. This prevent undesirable cooking outcomes caused by the obstruction of the upper rack. This also prevents the user from having to remove the upper rack from the cooking chamber, which enhances user experience as the upper rack does not need to be stored outside of the cooking chamber.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments can be used in combination, or in substitution with each other as desired. That one feature is not illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be so illustrated, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. All combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this 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 have 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.

Further aspects of the disclosure are provided by the following clauses:

A cooking appliance comprising: a chassis; an interior housing at least partially defining a cooking chamber having an access opening; a first rack assembly located within the cooking chamber, the first rack assembly comprising a rack frame defining an aperture and a first moveable portion, the first moveable portion moveable between a first position and a second position different from the first position and wherein the first moveable portion in the first position at least partially closes the aperture; and a component having a field of view defined within a portion of the cooking chamber and wherein the field of view extends through the aperture at least when the first moveable portion is in the second position.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the component is an imaging device and the field of view is an image field of view.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the component is a broiling element and the field of view is a thermal pathway.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the interior housing includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least one side panel at least partially defining the cooking chamber.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the component is provided at the top panel.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause wherein the component comprises a first component having a first field of view and a second component having a second field of view.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first component is an imaging device and the second component is a broiling element.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first field of view and the second field of view overlap.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first moveable portion in the first position overlies the aperture, is located within the aperture, or a combination thereof.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first rack assembly further comprises a second moveable portion moveable between the first position wherein the second moveable portion at least partially closes the aperture and the second position wherein the second moveable portion at least partially overlaps the rack frame, wherein the first position and the second position are different.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion are slidable.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the rack frame is stationarily mounted within the interior housing.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first moveable portion is moveable between the first position and the second position by folding or rotating the first moveable portion onto another portion of the first rack assembly or the rack frame.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first moveable portion comprises multiple selectively foldable sections.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein sub-portions of the first moveable portion are selectively moveable to selectively close portions of the aperture.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first moveable portion is slidable.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the component is a broiling element and the field of view is a thermal pathway.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first moveable portion, in the second position, at least partially overlaps the rack frame or overlaps another portion of the first rack assembly.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, wherein the first moveable portion, in the second position, is removed from the rack frame.

The cooking appliance of any preceding clause, further comprising at least one insert receivable within the aperture when the first moveable portion is in the second position.