ONE CHANNEL DESIGN TO AVOID STEAM LEAKAGE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to International Application No. PCT/CN2024/130416, filed on Nov. 7, 2024, entitled “ONE CHANNEL DESIGN TO AVOID STEAM LEAKAGE,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a vent assembly for a cooking appliance, the vent assembly is configured to remove at least some steam from air flowing through the vent assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A cooking appliance according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a cooking cavity and a steam generator that is configured to introduce steam into the cooking cavity when the steam generator is activated. The cooking appliance further includes a vent assembly, the vent assembly including at least one inlet in fluid communication with the cooking cavity, and at least one outlet in fluid communication with a space outside the cooking appliance. A first air passageway is coupled to the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, and a second air passageway is also coupled to the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet. A steam-absorbing filter is disposed in the first air passageway. The vent assembly further includes a valve defining first and second states. The valve is configured to direct air from the at least one inlet through the first passageway to the at least one outlet when the valve is in the first state, and the valve is configured to direct air from the at least one inlet through the second passageway to the at least one outlet when the valve is in the second state. The cooking appliance is configured to cause the valve to be in the first state when the steam generator is activated.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a cooking appliance having a cooking cavity and a steam generator that is configured to introduce steam into the cooking cavity when the steam generator is activated. The cooking appliance further includes a controller. The cooking appliance also includes a first air passageway that is configured to be in fluid communication with the cooking cavity and with a space outside the cooking appliance, and a second air passageway that is configured to be in fluid communication with the cooking cavity and with a space outside the cooking appliance. The cooking appliance further includes a high density filter disposed in the first air passageway. The high density filter is configured to absorb steam, whereby the high density filter removes at least some steam from air flowing through the first air passageway. The cooking appliance further includes a valve assembly that is configured to direct air from the cooking cavity through the first air passageway to a space outside the cooking appliance when the valve assembly is in a first configuration, and to direct air from the cooking cavity through the second air passageway to a space outside the cooking appliance when the valve assembly is in a second configuration. The controller is configured to cause the valve assembly to be in the first configuration when steam from the steam generator is present in the cooking cavity.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of controlling airflow from a cooking cavity of a cooking appliance to a space outside the cooking appliance. The method includes causing air to flow from the cooking cavity through a first air passageway and through a steam-absorbing filter to a space outside the cooking appliance when steam is present in air in the cooking cavity. The method includes causing air to flow from the cooking cavity through a second air passageway to a space outside the cooking appliance when steam is not present in air in the cooking cavity.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially fragmentary perspective view of a cooking appliance according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 taken along the line II-II;

FIG. 3 is a partially fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the cooking appliance of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vent assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vent assembly of FIG. 4.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to an apparatus component related to a cooking appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cooking arrangement according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include an upper cooking appliance 2 and a lower cooking appliance 3. Cooking appliances 2 and 3 may be positioned in upper and lower cabinets 4 and 5, respectively, adjacent a wall 6. The upper cooking appliance 2 may comprise an oven having a cooking space 7 that can be heated utilizing microwaves, or conventional gas or electric heating elements that provide for conventional baking, broiling, forced convection, or the like. Lower cooking appliance 3 may include a cooking space 8 and a range 9. Cooking space 8 may be heated by gas or electric heating elements, microwaves, or the like. Range 9 may comprise one or more electric or gas burners.

With reference to FIG. 2, upper cooking appliance 2 may optionally include an exhaust system 17 having an air inlet 10 that draws in air 11 from space 12 between upper and lower cooking appliances 2 and 3, whereby the air 11 may be exhausted through an exhaust duct 13 including a fan 14. Exhaust system 17 may be substantially similar conventional exhaust systems that are generally known in the art. Cooking appliance 2 further includes a vent assembly 15 that is configured to draw air 16 from cavity or cooking space 7.

With further reference to FIGS. 3-5, vent assembly 15 may comprise a vent structure 18 having a lower portion 19 that includes an inlet opening 20 that is fluidly connected (coupled) to cooking space 7 whereby air 16 from cooking space 7 can flow into opening 20. Vent structure 18 includes a tubular first portion 22 that is fluidly connected (coupled) to lower portion 19 at an opening 24, and first and second air passageways 25 and 26, respectively, that are fluidly connected (coupled) to the first portion 22. As discussed in more detail below, a filter 34 in first air passageway 25 is configured to absorb and/or remove at least some steam from air flowing through first air passageway 25. A valve assembly includes a valve 28 that is configured to be moved between first and second positions 28A and 28B. Specifically, a powered actuator 30 may be actuated to rotate the valve 28 about an axis 32 between first and second positions 28A and 28B, respectively. When the valve 28 is in the first position 28A, air 16 from cooking space 7 is directed into first air passageway 25 as shown by the arrow 16A. When valve 28 is in second position 28B, air 16 from cooking space 7 is directed into second air passageway 26 as shown by the arrow 16B.

The cooking appliance 2 may include a steam-producing device 36 (FIG. 5) that introduces steam into cooking space 7 whereby the air 16 entering vent assembly 15 may have steam disposed or mixed with the air 16. The powered actuator 30 and steam-producing device 36 may be operably connected to a controller 40. Controller 40 may be configured to cause powered actuator 30 to position valve 28 in first position 28A when steam-producing device 36 is ON (i.e., is introducing steam into cooking space 7), and controller 40 may be configured to cause power actuator 30 to position valve 28 in second position 28B if steam-producing device 36 is OFF (i.e., not introducing steam into cooking space 7). The cooking appliance 2 may optionally include a sensor 38 that is configured to detect steam and/or conditions that are likely to result in steam in cooking space 7.

Controller 40 may be configured to position valve 28 in first position 28A if steam is likely to be present in cooking space 7, and controller 40 may be configured to position valve 28 in second position 28B if steam is unlikely to be present in cooking space 7. Controller 40 may optionally control the position of valve 28 based, at least in part, on whether or not steam-producing device 36 is introducing steam into cooking cavity 7 utilizing a time delay or time advance. For example, if valve 28 is in second position 28B at the time steam-producing device 36 is actuated to introduce steam into cooking space 7, controller 40 may delay movement of valve 28 from second position 28B to first position 28A to account for delay that may occur between actuation of steam-producing device 36 and the presence of a significant amount of steam in cooking cavity 7. Similarly, if steam-producing device 36 is deactivated to stop producing steam, controller 40 may cause valve 28 to remain in first position 28A for some time to permit air 16 having steam to exit through first air passage 25 until significant amounts of steam are no longer present in cooking cavity 7.

In general, vent assembly 15 may be configured to prevent exit of air that includes at least some steam. However, causing air without steam to flow through filter 34 is not necessarily problematic. Thus, controller 40 may be configured to cause valve 28 to be in the first position 28A during at least some operating conditions even if little or no steam is present in air 16 exiting cooking space 7.

Referring again to FIG. 5, when vale 28 is in first position 28A, air 16A having steam mixed therewith flows through first air passageway 25, through filter 34 and through an opening 35 into an end portion 48 of vent structure 18. Filter 34 may comprise a high density filter that causes at least some water “W” to be removed from air 16A. The water W removed by filter 34 may be in liquid form, and may flow along a lower sidewall 37 of vent structure 18 back towards opening 20 whereby the water W returns to cooking space 7. Alternatively, vent structure 18 may include an opening 49 on lower sidewall 37 that is fluidly connected (coupled) to a drain line 50 whereby liquid water W that is removed from air 16A by filter 34 exits through opening 49 into drain line 50. Drain line 50 may route the water W to a reservoir or other location (not shown) whereby the water W is not returned to the cooking space 7. The filter 34 may comprise a high density filter, and the vent 15 may be configured such that filter 34 is at a somewhat lower temperature than air 16A whereby steam tends to condense on filter 34 to form liquid water W.

After at least some steam is removed from the air 16A, the “dry” air 16C exits vent structure 18 through one or more openings 42 in sidewalls 51-54 (FIG. 4) of vent structure 18 and/or through opening 43 of vent structure 18. The dry air 16C then flows into one or more spaces 44-46 (FIG. 3) of cooking appliance 3, and the “dry” air 16C may then be vented out of cooking appliance 2 through one or more vent openings (not shown). It will be understood that “dry” air 16C typically includes at least some water. However, any remaining water is preferably in the form of water vapor, not steam. Nevertheless, it will be understood that, although filter 34 preferably removes at least some steam from air 16C before the air exits cooking appliance 2, some steam may still be present in the air.

As discussed above, when valve 28 is in second position 28B, air 16B flows through second air passageway 26 as shown in FIG. 5. The air 16B then exits one or more openings 42 and 43 into one or more vent spaces 44-46 as described above.

It will be understood that a vent assembly according to the present disclosure does not necessarily need to include a single inlet/opening 20 or 24. For example, the vent assembly 15 may include two separate openings or inlets to cooking space 7, and valve 28 may be configured to control/direct air into a selected one of the two inlets. Also, the vent assembly does not necessarily need to utilize a single valve to control air flow through the first and second air passageways. For example, a first valve could control air flow through the first passageway, and a second valve could be utilized to control air flow through the second air passageway. Also, the outlet to the space outside of the cooking appliance could comprise two outlets. For example, the air 16C (FIG. 5) could be routed through a separate outlet (not shown) whereby the air 16C that has flowed through filter 34 exits the cooking appliance 2 through a separate outlet. Still further, the first and second air passageways could comprise completely separate air passageways with two separate inlets and two separate outlets, with one, two or more valves controlling flow of air through the first and second air passageways.

The vent assembly 15 of the present disclosure permits at least some steam to be removed from air exiting cooking space 7 whereby the steam forms liquid water that can be directed back into cooking space 7 or into a drain for other water-receiving feature. Thus, the air exiting vent 15 may be substantially free of steam.

A cooking appliance according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a cooking cavity and a steam generator that is configured to introduce steam into the cooking cavity when the steam generator is activated. The cooking appliance further includes a vent assembly, the vent assembly including at least one inlet in fluid communication with the cooking cavity, and at least one outlet in fluid communication with a space outside the cooking appliance. A first air passageway is coupled to the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, and a second air passageway is also coupled to the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet. A steam-absorbing filter is disposed in the first air passageway. The vent assembly further includes a valve defining first and second states. The valve is configured to direct air from the at least one inlet through the first passageway to the at least one outlet when the valve is in the first state, and the valve is configured to direct air from the at least one inlet through the second passageway to the at least one outlet when the valve is in the second state. The cooking appliance is configured to cause the valve to be in the first state when the steam generator is activated.

The cooking appliance may include a controller that is configured to cause the valve to be in the first state when the steam generator is activated.

The controller may be configured to cause the valve to be in the first state for a period of time after the steam generator is deactivated.

The controller may be configured to delay causing the valve to change from the second state to the first state after the steam generator is activated.

The controller may be configured to cause the valve to be in the second state only when the steam generator is deactivated.

The cooking appliance may include a controller that is configured to cause the valve to be in the first state if a sufficient amount of steam is present in the cooking cavity according to predefined criteria.

The filter may comprise a high density filter.

The inlet may comprise a first inlet, and the second air passageway may include a second inlet that is coupled to the first air passageway at a location that is downstream from the first inlet. The valve may close off the second inlet when the valve is in the second state whereby air from the first inlet cannot enter the second inlet.

The valve may close off the first air passageway adjacent to the second inlet when the valve is in the first state whereby air from the first inlet enters the second inlet.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a cooking appliance having a cooking cavity and a steam generator that is configured to introduce steam into the cooking cavity when the steam generator is activated. The cooking appliance further includes a controller. The cooking appliance also includes a first air passageway that is configured to be in fluid communication with the cooking cavity and with a space outside the cooking appliance, and a second air passageway that is configured to be in fluid communication with the cooking cavity and with a space outside the cooking appliance. The cooking appliance further includes a high density filter disposed in the first air passageway. The high density filter is configured to absorb steam, whereby the high density filter removes at least some steam from air flowing through the first air passageway. The cooking appliance further includes a valve assembly that is configured to direct air from the cooking cavity through the first air passageway to a space outside the cooking appliance when the valve assembly is in a first configuration, and to direct air from the cooking cavity through the second air passageway to a space outside the cooking appliance when the valve assembly is in a second configuration. The controller is configured to cause the valve assembly to be in the first configuration when steam from the steam generator is present in the cooking cavity.

The cooking appliance may include an inlet in fluid communication with the cooking cavity, and an outlet in fluid communication with a space outside the cooking appliance. At least one of the first air passageways may be fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet.

The valve assembly may comprise a valve defining first and second positions, wherein the valve: 1) directs air from the inlet through the first air passageway when the valve is in the first position, and: 2) directs air from the inlet through the second air passageway when the valve is in the second position.

The controller may be configured to cause the valve assembly to be in the first configuration when the steam generator is actuated.

The controller may be configured to cause the valve assembly to be in the first configuration for a period of time after the steam generator is deactivated.

The controller may be configured to cause the valve assembly to change from the second configuration to the first configuration based, at least in part, on actuation of the steam generator.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of controlling airflow from a cooking cavity of a cooking appliance to a space outside the cooking appliance. The method includes causing air to flow from the cooking cavity through a first air passageway and through a steam-absorbing filter to a space outside the cooking appliance when steam is present in air in the cooking cavity. The method includes causing air to flow from the cooking cavity through a second air passageway to a space outside the cooking appliance when steam is not present in air in the cooking cavity.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.