EP0754920B1 - Device for opening and closing an access door for a cavity and cooking oven provided with such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The linkage consists of a frame to which the door is pivoted, and an articulated parallelogram linkage which allows the door and frame to move up or down relative to the opening. Each parallelogram comprises two arms (11, 14) pivoted at one end to the frame uprights (10). The upper arm (11) is straight and pivoted at one end to the top of an upright and at the other to the side of the oven, while the lower arm (14) is bent at a right angle and pivoted at one end to the middle of an upright and at the other to the output shaft of a drive and reduction gear (47) or to the oven wall.

Description

The present invention relates to a device opening and closing an access door to a any pregnant.

It also relates to a cooking oven equipped with this device.

We know that built-in ovens or those belonging to cookers are generally fitted with doors including opening or closing is obtained by pivoting around a horizontal axis located in the lower part of the device.

Thus, in the open position, the door forms a plane substantially horizontal constituting a surface allowing the removal of dishes from the oven and also facilitating the cleaning of the internal face of the door since it is well cleared.

However, tilting the door to open the oven requires relatively clear space important in front of the camera, which is often not not the case in small kitchens.

In addition, this constraint is strongly felt by users, especially for the doors of built-in stoves or ovens under the workplan.

Furthermore, reference may be made to document US-A-3,157,176 which describes an oven assembly corresponding to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the present invention is to remedy in particular to the above drawbacks by proposing a device door opening and closing which does not require no special clearance in front of the oven for open and close the door, while keeping the possibility of convenient access to the inside of the door to clean it.

To this end, the invention relates to a device opening and closing an access door to a enclosure, such as for example a baking oven, type including a chassis on which is mounted pivoting the door to allow tilting by relation to the enclosure, and which is itself mounted articulated on the enclosure by arms associated with frame to form an articulated parallelogram and allow the door to move relative to the plan of the enclosure access opening, which articulated parallelogram consists of two arms, of which the one or first arm is fixed by one end to a side of the enclosure and whose other or second arm is orthogonally angled, characterized in that the first arm is straight and is mounted articulated by its other end on the upper part of vertical uprights belonging to the chassis, and in that the second arm is mounted articulated by one end on the part middle of the vertical uprights of the chassis while the other end of this arm is either wedged on the shaft output of a geared motor group, either mounted articulated on one side of the enclosure.

So, in the first case, the door will be opened or closed automatically, while in the second case, opening and closing will be ordered manually.

The device according to this invention is still characterized by a spring mounted between the point articulation of the first arm on the side of the enclosure, and the second arm.

The second arm is orthogonally bent to both about a third of its length, which will prevent it advantageously to abut on this or that element of the oven or the cabinet in which the oven is built.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, there are provided bolts or the like spring loaded and mounted in the upper part and side of the door to allow it to be locked, on tilting, on the vertical uprights of the chassis.

Each bolt is likely to cooperate with a strike articulated mounting on the vertical uprights of the chassis to achieve locking security at door tilting when the latter works in translation mode.

According to a preferred embodiment, each bolt is provided with a groove capable of cooperating with a hole in the keeper which is requested from permanently by a spring resting against the first aforementioned arm.

We will specify here again that in case the other the aforementioned end of the second arm is not connected to the output shaft of the gearmotor, but is simply mounted hinged on one side of the enclosure, so the door will need to be opened or manually closed, this other end of the second arm is associated with a cam on which a pressure roller to cancel the action of the connecting spring the first arm to the second arm, when the door is open in translation mode.

But other features and advantages of the invention will appear better in the description detailed which follows and refers to the attached drawings given only by way of example, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top view, upper wall removed, from a baking oven fitted with a device door opening and closing according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view and partially exploded means according to the invention allowing the door to operate on both tilt and translate modes.

Figure 3 is an elevational and side view of the front part of the oven, shown in the closed position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to the previous one but showing the door in the partially open position by tilting.

Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are schematic views and side illustrating successively different positions of the door when opened according to the mode translation.

Figure 9 illustrates in partial view and from above the locking means for tilting the door, the left side of the figure illustrating the door in locked position, and the right side in position unlocked.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but illustrating the door seen from inside the oven, that is to say along arrow X in FIG. 1.

Figure 11 is a partial side view of the door, like figure 3, but illustrates, so enlarged security system door tilting when the latter operates in translation mode, the door being here shown in closed position.

FIG. 12 is a view identical to FIG. 11, that is to say showing enlarged and sideways, the upper part of the door, the latter being here represented at the start of opening according to the mode vertical translation.

Figure 13 is a partial schematic view of side of the joint of the two arms of a articulated parallelogram on the side of the enclosure, the lower arm being here equipped with a means susceptible cancel the action of the spring between the two arms, so as to allow the door to operate by travel with manual control.

Referring to Figure 1, we see an oven 1, enclosure 2 is schematically represented and has a bottom wall 3, an upper wall not shown in Figure 1 but marked at S on the Figures 5 to 8, two side walls 4 and a wall rear 5.

The enclosure 2 is surrounded by walls forming in sort of an envelope and defining the sides 6 of enclosure 2.

Of course, the walls of the enclosure, with the sides 6, define an opening 7 for access to the enclosure 2, this opening being closable by a door 8.

According to the invention, door 8 can be open and closed in two modes, namely by tilting of the door 8 relative to the enclosure 2 or by translation of this door 8 along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the opening 7, at using the means which will be described below.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 to 8, we see that the door 8 is mounted on a frame 9 essentially comprising two vertical uprights 10 each having a U shape in section transverse and connected to arms so as to form two parallelograms articulated on the sides 6 of the oven 1.

As it appears clearly on figure 2, the door 8 is mounted articulated in the lower part on the uprights vertical 10, so that it can be tilted or rotated around the axis XX ', following the arrow F.

Each articulated parallelogram consists of a first straight arm 11 of which one end 12 is articulated on the upper part of the vertical uprights 10, and of which the other end is mounted articulated at 13 on the sides 6 of the enclosure 2, while a second arm 14 is articulated by one 15 of its ends on the middle part of the vertical uprights 10, while the other end 16 of the arm 14 can either be connected to the output shaft of a gear motor group 47 (see Figures 5 to 8), in which case door 8 will be actuated automatically as described below, either articulated on the sides 6 of the enclosure 2, in which case the door 8 will be operated manually.

Returning to Figure 2, and as we also see on Figures 5 to 8, the axes of articulation of ends 12 and 15 of the first arm 11 and of the second arm 14 on the vertical uprights 10, are positioned vertically with respect to each other, as well as for the articulation axes of the ends 13 and 16 belonging respectively to arms 11 and 14. In addition, the lengths between axes 12 and 15 and the lengths between axes 13 and 16 are equal, so that the four axes 12, 15, 16, 13 form a parallelogram articulated and deformable from axes 13 and 16 which are fixed on the device.

Thus, not only the door 8 can tilt according to the X-X 'axis, as explained above, but it can be opened or closed in translation vertical and substantially parallel to the plane of the access opening 7 to the oven 1, since, during the door 8 opening and closing operation, axes 12 and 15 will describe arcs of a circle in now said door 8 vertically, as we will explain this in detail later.

We have shown in 17 in the figures a spring which, according to the embodiment shown, is mounted between the hinge pin 13 of the first arm 11 on the side 6 of enclosure 2, and the second arm 14 in one point marked at 18 in the figures, and this so to keep the door 8 in the equilibrium position.

The second arm 14, as can be seen in 19 on the figures is bent orthogonally, the elbow in question preferably being two-thirds located about the length of the arm 14.

The bent part 19 of the second arm 14 has several reasons for being, namely in particular the size of the motor-reduction unit 47 on which obviously must not abut arm 14, the location of the drawer (no usually shown) at the bottom of the stove and on which the arm 14 should not either abut, or again the passage slots (not shown) of the arms 11, 14 at the level of the oven floor and beyond which said arms should not go.

But, for a better understanding of the invention, we will explain now and below the operation of the system which has just been described, in referring more particularly to FIGS. 5 to 8.

Starting from Figure 5 which shows door 8 in closed position, we see that after command of the gear motor 47, door 8 performs a first phase of descent, moving away from the bearing face of enclosure 2, that is to say by deviating somewhat from opening 7 of said enclosure, as can be seen in figure 6.

As illustrated by the kinematics of Figures 6, 7 and 8, it can be seen that when the position of the axes 12, 13, 16 and 15 is such that each articulated parallelogram is approximates to the shape of a rectangle, door 8 performs a vertical translational movement and parallel to the opening 7 of the enclosure 2, up to completely clear this opening, as we can see well on figure 8. Of course, door 8 will close enclosure 2 under the action of the gear motor group 47 by performing the reverse sequence of operations described above.

It should be noted that the geared motor 47 driving axis 16 can be controlled from a pulse given to a control keyboard (not shown), two switches marked at 20 in Figures 5 and 8 being provided to control the end positions of door 8 stroke closed and open.

As previously explained, the gear motor group 47 could be omitted, in which case end 16 of arm 14 can be articulated on the side 6 of the enclosure 2, as is the end 13 of the straight arm 11, so that door 8, in this case can operate manually and by translation substantially vertical, to open or close the enclosure. In such a case, as can be seen on the Figure 13, it is necessary to provide a cam 20 integral of the arm 14 and provided with two notches or notches 21 able to cooperate with a pressure roller identified at 22. Thus, in the position visible in FIG. 13, which is the door open position, the effect of the springs 17 door 8 balancing will be canceled, so that the door will remain in the open position, as shown in figure 8. Once door 8 has been reassembled manually to close enclosure 2, cam 20 performing an arc with the arm 14, the roller presser 22 will fall into the other notch 21 of the cam 20, so that door 8 will be held in position closed.

It should be reiterated here that, if desired, the door 8 can be opened by tilting around the axis XX 'on the vertical uprights 10 of the chassis 9, in order to perform a cleaning operation of inside this door or when you want simply use this opening mode.

For this purpose, a locking and locking system unlocking of door 8 on the vertical uprights 10, is provided on each side of the upper part of said door, as will now be described in referring more particularly to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9, 10. As seen in Figures 9 and 10, the door tilt lock system 8 consists of two side bolts 23 which are stressed each by a spring 24 and mounted in the upper part and side of door 8. Each bolt 23 is constantly biased by a spring 24 so as to engage in orifices 25 formed in the vertical uprights aforementioned 10, so that door 8 remains locked on these uprights.

With the fingers 23 is associated a linkage 26 allowing, under the effect of a traction, to release the bolts 23 of their respective holes 25, and this in operating a button or lever (not shown) integrated into the handle (also not shown) of the door 8.

The unlocking being carried out, one can then release the door from its vertical position and fold it down to its horizontal position by pivoting around of the X-X 'axis, as we can understand by referring to figure 4.

On the left side of Figures 9 and 10, door 8 is shown in the locked position by the bolts side 23, while on the right side of these Figures, door 8 is illustrated in position unlocked. In this regard, it should also be noted that the spring 24 associated with each bolt 23 abuts on a locking washer located at 27 in the figures.

To the door tilting locking system which has just been described, is associated, in accordance with the invention, a security system avoiding the door to unlock and therefore toggle during opening said door in translation mode vertical.

This security system, which locks the bolts 23 in locked position on the vertical uprights 10, will now be described with more reference particularly in Figures 11 and 12.

It basically consists of a 28 mounted strike articulated at 29 on the vertical uprights 10 of the chassis 9, said keeper being constantly stressed in support position against the arms 11, and this thanks to a spring 30 surrounding the joint 29.

The keeper 28 is provided with an orifice 31 capable of cooperate with a groove 32 provided on each lug 23, and that we can see on the right side of the figures 9 and 10. The functioning of this security system is the next.

When the door is closed, as seen on the Figure 11, the striker 28 is supported on the arm oscillating 11 thanks to the springs 30. Consequently, the orifice 31 of the striker 28 is located in the axis of the bolt 23 the through, so that the release of the bolt 23 by the linkage 26 is authorized. Therefore, the door 8 can operate by tilting around the axis XX ' (see figure 4).

By cons, from the start of the opening by translation vertical of door 8, swing arm 11 pivots around axis 12 in the direction of arrow G (Figure 12), so that the keeper 28 following the movement of the arm 11 thanks to the spring 30 will achieve the positioning of the edge of the orifice 31 in the groove 32 of the bolt 23. This is what is seen in FIG. 12, and also on the left side of figure 10. So, the bolt 23 is blocked in the strike 28 and it prevents any possibility of unlocking and therefore of door tilting when door is open in vertical translation mode.

Conversely, one could perfectly foresee, without departing from the scope of the invention, a system with switch preventing, when opening the door 8 by tilting, the group power supply gear motor 47 allowing the opening in translation vertical of said door, such a system with switch (not shown), which can act from the start of door 8 tilting.

We therefore produced according to the invention a device opening and closing of an enclosure such as a baking oven using a door that also works well by tilting than by vertical translation at using simple and reliable means and, moreover, with all the safety features required for locking and unlocking. In addition, such a door can advantageously be open or closed in a way automatic or manual.

This invention is in no way limited to the modes of described and illustrated realization which have not been given as an example.

Claims (7)

1. Device for opening and closing an access door (8) for a cavity (2), such as for instance a cooking oven, of the type comprising a frame (9) on which is pivotally mounted the door (8) for enabling it to tilt with respect to the cavity (2), and which is itself articulated on the cavity (2) by arms (11, 14) operatively associated to the frame (9) for forming an articulated parallelogram and enabling the translation of the door (8) with respect to the plane of the access opening (7) for the cavity, which articulated parallelogram is comprised of two arms (11, 14), one of which, or first arm, (11) is fixed at one end (13) on a side (6) of the cavity (2) and the other one of which, or second arm, (14) is orthogonally bent, characterized in that the first arm (11) is rectilinear and articulated at its other end (12) on the upper part of vertical uprights (10) belonging to the frame (9), and in that the second arm (14) is articulated at one end (13) on the median part of the vertical uprights (10) of the frame (9), whereas the other end (16) of this arm is either wedged on the output shaft of a gearing down motor unit (47), or articulated on a side (6) of the cavity (2).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a spring (17) that is mounted between the articulation point (13) of the first arm (11) on the side (6) of the cavity (2), and the second arm (14).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second arm is orthogonally bent (19) at about two thirds of its length.
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by bolts (23) urged by a spring (24) and mounted at the upper lateral part of the door (8) for enabling to tiltingly lock it on the vertical uprights (10) of the frame (9).
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that each bolt (23) is able to co-operate with a keeper (28) articulated on the vertical uprights (10) of the frame (9) for causing the door (8) to be tiltingly locked when the latter works in a translation mode.
6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each bolt (23) is provided with a groove (32) able to co-operate with a hole (31) made in the keeper (28) which is permanently urged by a spring (30) in abutment on the pre-mentioned first arm (11).
7. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in case the pre-mentioned other end (16) of the second arm (14) is articulated on a side (6) of the cavity (2), this other end is operatively associated with a cam member (20) on which a pressing roller (22) rotates for cancelling action of the pre-mentioned spring (17) when the door is opened in a translation mode.

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