Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F24C7/00—Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
  • F24C7/06—Arrangement or mounting of electric heating elements

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of household appliances, and more specifically to that of cooking appliances. It relates more particularly to an electric cooking oven, the heating elements of which can be reconfigured inside the oven to modify the heating characteristics.
• Electric cooking ovens generally include heating elements made up of electric resistances which, when traversed by a current, dissipate an energy which is used to heat food.
• This energy can be dissipated in the form of radiation with or without the use of reflective zones.
• This energy can also be dissipated by conduction and come to heat an element such as a plate or a grid on which the food to be cooked rests.
• An electric cooking oven can be used in different modes to heat food of various sizes.
• small electric baking ovens can be used in particular as a toaster. It is then necessary that the heating elements are relatively close to the slices of bread to be heated.
• Small electric ovens can also be used to heat larger food, and then operate like traditional electric ovens.
• the heating elements must be relatively spaced to allow the introduction of the food to be heated inside the oven.
• the heating element can pass from an operating position in which it is located near the roof of the oven, to a retracted position in which it is arranged vertically, near the vertical wall of the bottom. of the oven, when the latter is not in operation.
• Such an oven has the major drawback of not allowing the position of the heating element to be adapted to different types of food to be cooked.
• an electric oven equipped with a heating element which can take two positions inside the interior volume of the oven. More specifically, this oven comprises a first heating element located near the roof of the oven and a second element which can be connected inside the oven in two positions.
• this second heating element is equipped with a plug which comes to plug into a complementary plug located in the wall of the bottom of the oven.
• This socket can be plugged in in two directions. According to a first orientation, the heating element is located near the bottom wall or bottom of the oven. When the plug of the heating element is inserted in the opposite orientation, the heating element is located near the middle of the oven.
• This oven has multiple drawbacks and in particular the fact that the connection of the heating element at a single wall of the oven requires the use of a particularly solid connection plug and therefore expensive.
• the reconfiguration of the oven can only be done when the heating element is completely cooled.
• a first problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of the easy reconfiguration and at any time of the oven.
• Another problem solved by the present invention is that of the mechanical complexity of the movement mechanism of the heating element, which must be simple for reasons of cost price, while being reliable.
• the invention therefore relates to an electric cooking oven.
• a furnace comprises in known manner an interior volume of generally parallelepiped shape which has side walls and upper and lower horizontal walls generally called respectively "vault” and "sole”.
• Such an oven also comprises, in a known manner, at least one heating element consisting of one or more substantially coplanar heating zones, this heating element being capable of adopting several positions inside the interior volume of the oven.
• this oven is characterized in that the heating element is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the side walls, and in that this heating element is able to be moved between the two heating positions, know : a first position in which it is located near the lower horizontal wall of the oven, a second position in which the heating element is substantially horizontal, located at a determined distance from the upper horizontal wall.
• the heating element of the oven according to the invention has a substantially planar geometry and it is arranged so as to be able to turn inside the oven to pass from a heating position in which it is located. near the hearth or the roof of the oven, to another heating position in which it is located at a distance from said hearth and vault walls. In this second position, the heating element is preferably located between 1/3 and 2/3 of the height of the interior volume of the oven.
• This second working position is used in particular for the rapid reheating of dishes, even frozen meals, as well as for the rapid toasting of slices of bread.
• the heating element passes from one heating position to another.
• This rotation without having to connect / disconnect the heating element to position it in one or the other working position, avoids premature aging of the heating element.
• the heating element is pivotally mounted relative to the two side walls. In this way, it ensures good rigidity of the assembly and resistance to possible shocks. It also limits the deformation of the heating element inevitably observed during its aging.
• the heating element includes an alternation of zones capable of generating, in operation, different powers. It may indeed seem opportune, either for reasons of limited available power, or for an optimization of the energy distribution, but also in order to avoid excessive heating of the walls, and in particular of the walls side, limit the power emitted from the heating element in certain areas of the oven.
• One of the possible embodiments of the heating element according to the present invention consists of straight zones extending over substantially the width of the oven, connected together by curved zones. Such a configuration allows good heat distribution over the width of the oven.
• the heating element is of the shielded type and the curved zones have a power density lower than the straight zones.
• the straight areas are preferably arranged perpendicular to the side walls of the oven.
• the heating element can also consist of a single resistor which has a wavy or serpentine shape while remaining on the main plane of the heating element.
• the zone of the heating element connecting it to the pivot axis has a power density lower than the straight zones.
• the orthogonal projection of the pivot axis on the plane defined by the straight areas is located inside the surface delimited by said straight areas.
• the pivot axis is not only offset from the main plane of the heating element, but it is also offset from the mediating plane of the heating element.
• the projection of the pivot axis on the heating element is therefore closer to one end of the latter than to the other.
• the heating element is therefore offset inside the volume of the oven.
• the offset of the pivot axis with respect to the overall dimensions of the heating element is determined to allow the heating element to be turned inside the oven, and to optimize the heating performance.
• the heating element comprises two straight areas, the pivot axis then being located at a different distance from the two straight areas as previously explained.
• the heating element when the pivot axis is situated substantially at mid-depth of the oven, the heating element extends, not only towards one of the front or rear parts of the oven, but also extends substantially towards the complementary part, respectively rear or front of said oven.
• Such a configuration makes it possible, in particular in traditional cooking mode, where the mobile heating element is in its first heating position, close to the bottom of the oven, to limit the inhomogeneities of heat distribution in the oven.
• the heating element when the heating element is near the bottom of the oven, that is to say in its first working position, it is situated essentially in the rear part of the oven. Conversely, when the heating element is at a distance from the bottom of the oven, that is to say in its second working position, it is situated essentially in the front part of the oven, that is to say rather near the oven entrance.
• the heating element when the heating element is at a distance from the bottom of the oven, that is to say in its second working position, it is situated essentially in the front part of the oven, that is to say rather near the oven entrance.
• the heating element then extends substantially in the complementary part of the oven (front or rear).
• the first case envisaged allows, when the heating element is in its second working position, which corresponds essentially a cooking method of the toasting of bread or rapid reheating of small preparations or frozen dishes, it is preferable to have heating zones towards the entrance of the oven in order to limit the risks of burns in particular, by better vision during handling of said food.
• the oven comprises a second heating element located near the horizontal wall opposite to that opposite which the pivoting heating element comes when it occupies the first operating position.
• the oven can be configured between two operating positions.
• the two heating elements are each located on a horizontal wall of the oven, which then operates according to a traditional oven.
• the second position when the pivoting heating element is near halfway up the oven, the latter therefore has two separate spaces allowing the simultaneous cooking of two foods.
• the food to be cooked is closer to each heating element, which increases the speed of cooking.
• the positioning of the pivoting heating element is determined so that the second fixed heating element is disposed substantially opposite the pivoting heating element, when the latter is located at a distance from the hearth and vault walls. , ie in its second working position.
• This configuration is therefore particularly suitable for baking or heating slices of bread or toast.
• the power of the pivotally mounted heating element is adjustable according to the desired cooking mode and or according to the position of said element, thus making it possible to adapt the energy supplied to the food according to the volumes delimited by the heating element or elements.
• one of the embodiments of the invention proposes to associate the pivoting of the heating element with at least one electrical switching linked to the supply of the heating elements present in the oven. It may indeed seem interesting to propose, automatically, when the pivoting heating element passes from one working position to another, either a different power distribution between the various heating elements, or a modulation in the supply of said pivoting element , generally that the various heating elements have a different operation depending on the position of the pivoting heating element.
• one of the embodiments associates the heating element pivotally mounted with a reflective element making it possible to orient the radiation.
• This accessory is important when the heating element is in its second working position, so that the radiation is preferably oriented towards the food to be heated. This situation is particularly present when the user wishes to toast slices of bread between a heating element located in a vault and the pivoting heating element in its second working position. The reflective element is then placed under the pivoting heating element.
• the reflective element comprises a crumb or cooking juice recuperator which generally facilitates the cleaning of the oven.
• the pivotally mounted heating element is associated with a radiation absorbing element attached to a hob.
• This baking plate is preferably placed above the pivoting heating element and allows the power delivered by the heating element to be distributed during cooking or reheating pie or pizza type dishes.
• the mobile heating element is pivotally mounted relative to the two side walls of the oven by a rotation towards the rear of the oven and can occupy a third position where the heating element is substantially perpendicular to the walls. horizontal.
• This third working position makes it possible to increase the different cooking modes available in the oven.
• the user can, for example, carry out cooking of the rotisserie type with said heating element. pivoting in a vertical position at the rear of the oven and a fixed heating element in the vault, thus freeing the floor for the recovery of juices.
• the oven may include a rotary button controlling the pivoting of the heating element.
• This button can be located either in the extension of the pivot axis, that is to say on a side face of the oven. There may also be located on the front face of the oven, an angle transmission mechanism by cable or bevel gear or other lever transforming the movement of the control member into pivoting of the heating element. This control button avoids the user any direct contact with the resistance, and therefore any risk of accident.
• the interior volume of the oven may include locations intended to receive grids located respectively substantially at one third and two thirds of the height of the interior volume.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 are summary perspective views of an oven according to the invention, shown in two different positions of the pivoting heating element.
• FIG. 3 is a view in median longitudinal section of the furnace of FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively.
• FIG. 4 is a side view of an oven according to the invention, illustrating an embodiment of the pivoting control member of the heating element.
• the invention relates to an electric cooking oven which comprises a heating element, the position of which can be adapted within the volume of the oven, according to the desired operating mode.
• the oven (1) illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises an external fairing (2) which defines an internal volume (3), as well as a lateral zone (4) used for controlling the operation.
• the interior volume (3) is defined by:. side walls (5, 6),
• a lower wall (7) also called “sole”,.
• an upper wall (8) also called “vault”,. and a bottom wall (9).
• the opening of the oven giving access to the interior volume can be closed by a door not shown. Some oven models may not have a door.
• the oven (1) shown in Figure 1 has a fixed heating element (10) located near the roof (8) of the oven.
• This heating element (10) consists of a U-shaped armored resistor, the end portions (11, 12) of which pass through the side wall (6) of the furnace.
• the fixed heating element (10) is held relative to the roof (8) by means of suitable securing means such as the hooks (13) illustrated in FIG. 1.
• the invention is not limited to this single form of geometry, but covers all forms of heating elements which could be declined as a function of the heating power requirements.
• the present invention also covers heating elements other than the shielded elements, such as quartz bars or ceramic hobs, etc.
• the oven (1) is equipped with a second element heater (20) which is capable of being pivoted inside the interior volume (3) of the oven.
• the pivoting heating element (20) comprises two heating bars (21, 22) which are connected by a bar with little or no heating (23).
• the pivoting heating element (20) is an armored type element, it comprises either stretched bar portions or larger diameter portions of bars, so that the power density at the the interior of these bars is less than that of the so-called heating bars.
• These connecting ports which heat much less than the straight heating parts are often called “cold parts", although they have, in operation, a temperature higher than ambient temperature.
• the presence of cold parts can make it possible to limit the total power of the heating element to a determined value which can be a normative constraint. It also makes it possible to avoid overheating of the side parts as well as a privileged leakage of calories from the side walls of the oven.
• the heating element (20) comprises only one heating zone extending substantially over the entire length of said heating element.
• the heating element also comprises a transverse bar (26) which supports the rest of the heating element, namely the heating bars (21, 22) as well as the non-heating bar (23).
• the two heating bars (21, 22) are connected in their central part by a spacer (25), itself connected to the crossbar (26), to ensure a rigidity of the together.
• the bar (26) comprises, at each of its ends, an inclined portion (27, 28), itself connected to a ring (29, 30) mounted in the side walls (5, 6).
• These rings (29, 30) act as bearings, and are made of a material having good friction properties to pivot so reliable in the sheet forming the enclosure of the interior volume (3).
• a single ring is used in one of the walls.
• the second wall then has a single orifice ensuring the rotation of the heating element (20).
• connection terminals (32, 33) of the heating element are also connected to the ring (30) so as to ensure the electrical supply of the resistor.
• these connection terminals are also cold parts, as previously explained. It can be envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention, that each of the connection terminals (32, 33) of the heating element (20) is connected to one of the rings (29, 30) on the opposite walls .
• the pivoting heating element (20) is arranged near the bottom (7) of the oven.
• the heating element (20) can be pivoted to come into the position illustrated in Figure 2 in which it is located approximately halfway up the interior volume (3) of the oven.
• This pivoting or turning movement takes place around the axis (24) connecting the rings (29, 30) by lifting the heating bar (22).
• the interior volume (2) of the oven is divided into two superimposed half-spaces (35, 36).
• the heating element has a length L1, measured in the direction of the depth P of the oven, which is close to half of this depth P, or even greater.
• the rings (29, 30), and more precisely the pivot axis (24) of the heating element (1) is located at a distance D1 from the wall (9) of the bottom of the furnace, substantially at mid-depth. This pivot axis is located at a height D2 measured from the bottom (7) of the oven.
• the heating element (20) is positioned relative to the pivot axis (24) eccentrically.
• the support bar (26), perpendicular to the plane defined by the bars (21, 22) is closer to the heating bar (21) than to the heating bar (22).
• This bar also represents the orthogonal projection of the pivot axis (24) on the plane defined by the two bars (21, 22).
• this support bar (26) is distant by a length L2 relative to the heating bar (21), this length being significantly less than half the length L1 of the heating element.
• the length L2 is between 20 and 45% of the length L1.
• the distance H2 separating the hearth (7) from the plane of the heating element (20) is determined to authorize the passage of the heating bar (21) during its pivoting.
• the distance H1 separating the pivot axis (24) from the plane of the heating element (20) is adjusted to the dimensions of the oven and to the functions which it is desired to implement, and in particular the desired second working position.
• the second working position is located in the upper half of the oven, which places the pivot axis in the first lower third of the height of the oven.
• the heating element is positioned rather at the bottom of the oven, while the fixed heating element (10) is located on the side of the opening of the oven. .
• the heating element (20) is substantially opposite the fixed heating element (10), at a distance D3 close to H / 2, according to the example proposed.
• the distance D4 separating the heating rod (22) from the opening of the furnace is of the order of 50 millimeters.
• the oven can accommodate one, or even two grids or sheets (42, 43). Each of these sheets (42, 43) being opposite a heating element (10, 20), the distance separating them from these elements being between a third and a quarter of the height H of the oven. It is also possible to provide a grid location equidistant from the two heating elements, when the mobile heating element is located near the hearth wall, that is to say in its first working position.
• the different positions of the mobile heating element (20) do not affect the sliding of the grids.
• a plate In order to improve the cooking performance, in particular when the mobile heating element (20) is in its second working position, at a distance from the hearth and vault walls, it is associated with a plate.
• This can be either a reflective plate which is then located under the heating element, making it possible to orient the radiation, or an absorbent plate associated with a cooking plate which is then positioned on the heating element (20).
• This plate can be "multifunction" and incorporate a crumb or cooking juicer.
• the pivoting of the heating element (20) can be obtained by actuating a control button (45) located on the front face of the oven.
• This button (45) is connected to a twist cable (46) itself secured at its opposite end (47) to the pivoting ring (30). In this way, the movement of the button (45) results directly in the pivoting of the pivoting heating element.
• actuation variants can be envisaged such as a button located in the pivot axis on a side face of the oven, or even manual actuation.
• the oven can be equipped as illustrated in FIG. 1 with various other control buttons such as a thermostat (49) or a timer (48).
• the oven according to the invention has multiple advantages and in particular the possibility of switching from a traditional oven configuration, offering a monovolume cooking space, to a multi-cooking oven offering two half cooking spaces.
• This configuration is very easy, with a minimum of mechanical parts, which improves the reliability of the assembly.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Electric Stoves And Ranges (AREA)
• Baking, Grill, Roasting (AREA)
• Resistance Heating (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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• 2001
  • 2001-01-30 FR FR0101239A patent/FR2820194A1/fr active Pending
• 2002
  • 2002-01-25 US US10/470,538 patent/US20040045950A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2002-01-25 WO PCT/FR2002/000318 patent/WO2002061341A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-01-25 EP EP02702444A patent/EP1356237A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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