EP3903037A1

EP3903037A1 - An oven comprising a height-adjustable rail

Info

Publication number: EP3903037A1
Application number: EP19905226.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emrah BICER; Kayhan TUFAN; Sadullah UGUR; Ridvan Kadir Celik
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-12-26
Filing date: 2019-05-22
Publication date: 2021-11-03
Also published as: WO2020139219A1; TR201820546A1; EP3903037A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oven (1) comprising a cooking cavity (5) which is defined by two opposite side walls (2) and a top wall (3) and a bottom wall (4) which connect said walls (2) and wherein the cooking process is performed, at least one carrier (6) which is disposed into the cooking cavity (5), and at least two rails (7) which are connected onto the carrier (6) so as to extend almost parallel to the top wall (3) and the bottom wall (4) and the heights in the cooking cavity (5) of which can be adjusted.

Description

AN OVEN COMPRISING A HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE RAIL

The present invention relates to an oven comprising a height-adjustable rail whereon the tray is placed.

In ovens, the trays, whereon the foods are placed, are supported by various methods inside the cooking cavity. For example, the trays are supported by support units having guides, mounted to the side walls of the cooking cavity and positioned at cooking levels predetermined by the producer. Before starting the cooking process the user places the tray onto the guide suitable for the foodstuff therein and then starts the cooking process. However, the foodstuffs at the upper side of the tray may sometimes be cooked less or more compared to those at the lower side or the user may place the tray on the wrong guide by oversight. In such cases the tray should be placed to the guide at a different level while the cooking process continues. In this case the user must hold the hot tray during the cooking process and remove the same from the current guide and replace to a more suitable guide for the cooking process. This causes the user to put an effort or to bum his/her hand due to contact with the hot tray. In order to overcome this problem the use of rails with adjustable heights whereon the tray is placed is known in the state of the art ovens. However, said state of the art rails have very complex movement mechanisms and this causes said mechanisms to be high cost and to jam.

In the state of the art German Patent Document No. DE202014106052, a device is disclosed, which is disposed on the side walls of the cooking cavity and which moves the rails in the vertical direction whereon the tray is placed, thus providing the adjustment of the rails and hence of the tray.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of an oven wherein the height of the rails in the cooking cavity can be changed before the cooking process or during the cooking process, thus allowing the realization of the cooking process at the suitable height.

The oven realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof and comprising rails of which the height in the cooking cavity can be adjusted, comprises, in order to enable two connection plate carriers placed onto the side walls defining the cooking cavity hence the shelf to be in at least three positions which are a first position, a second position, and a third position provided at different heights, at least one first movable element which has at least one beam which bears one end of the carrier and which is suitable for making rotational movement in the guiding channel. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier, hence the rail, can be positioned in the cooking cavity at a first position which is a middle position, at a second position which is a high position higher than the middle position and a low position which is lower than the middle position. In the oven of the present invention, when a force in a direction suitable for raising the carrier is applied onto the carrier in the middle position, the first movable element and the beam make rotational movement in the guiding channel in a direction, for example clockwise, thus the carrier, hence the shelf is brought to the high position from the low position. When a force in a direction suitable for lowering the carrier is applied onto the carrier in the high position in the cooking cavity, the first movable element and the beam make rotational movement in the guiding channel in a direction opposite to the direction for raising the carrier, for example counterclockwise, thus the carrier, hence the shelf is brought to the middle position from the high position. When a force in a direction suitable for lowering the carrier, in other words in a direction suitable for bringing the carrier from the high position to the middle position is applied onto the carrier in the middle position in the cooking cavity, the first movable element and the beam again make rotational movement in the guiding channel in a direction opposite to the direction for raising the carrier, for example counterclockwise, thus the carrier, hence the shelf is brought to the low position from the middle position. When a force in a direction suitable for raising the carrier, in other words in a direction suitable for bringing the carrier from the middle position to the high position is applied onto the carrier in the low position in the cooking cavity, the first movable element and the beam again make rotational movement in the guiding channel in a direction opposite to the direction for lowering the carrier, for example clockwise, thus the carrier, hence the shelf is brought to the high position from the low position. Thus, before the cooking process or during the cooking process, the carrier, thus the shelf and the container containing the foodstuffs to be cooked such as tray, etc. carried by the shelf are enabled to be brought to the most suitable position for the cooking process.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the guiding channel comprises at least one housing and the beam has a structure complementing the housing so as to enter the housing. In this embodiment, by inserting the beam into the housing the beam is prevented from making rotational movement in the guiding channel, thus preventing the first movable element from making rotational movement. Thus, the carrier is kept at the middle position in the cooking cavity and the carrier is prevented from involuntarily moving to the high or low position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the beam has a geometric shape almost like a rectangle, square, etc. which has two rounded edges allowing the carrying out of rotational movement in the guiding channel and two linear edges allowing the entry into the housing. By means of the beam which has a structure allowing both the rotational movement in the guiding channel and the entry into the housing, the need for using separate elements for these two operations is eliminated, thus providing structural simplicity and cost advantage.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one extension is provided, which extends preferably linearly outwards from the connection plate, in other words in a direction opposite to the side wall, and the oven comprises at least one second movable element which is placed onto the extension, which is connected to the first movable element and which can at least make linear movement between a first position and a second position depending on the rotational movement of the first movable element. The second movable element makes linear movement between a first position which is preferably the forward position and a second position which is preferably the backward position. In this embodiment, when the carrier is desired to be brought to the high position or the low position in the cooking cavity, the rotational movement of the first movable element is transferred to the second movable element which is in connection with the first movable element, thus the second movable element moves linearly. The second movable element reaches the forward position or the backward position with linear movement. Upon reaching the forward or backward position the second movable element cannot move any more, and in this case the first movable element cannot make rotational movement in the same direction and the carrier is kept in the relevant position. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, while the carrier is in the high position in the cooking cavity the second movable element is in the forward position. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, while the carrier is in the low position in the cooking cavity the second movable element is in the backward position. Thus, by limiting the movement of the second movable element, the carrier is prevented from going beyond the high position and the low position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first movable element and the second movable element are provided with interlocking teeth. By interlocking said teeth, the first movable element and the second movable element are enabled to be connected to each other such that a movement transfer is provided therebetween. By providing the connection between the first movable element and the second movable element with a simple tooth structure, the movement transfer therebetween is enabled to be performed in a controlled and sensitive manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension comprises a slit linearly extending between a first end and a second end, and the second movable element comprises a protrusion suitable for entering the slit and moving inside the slit. In this embodiment, when the carrier is desired to be brought to the high position or the low position in the cooking cavity, the protrusion moves in the slit between the first end and the second end depending on the rotational movement of the first movable element, thus enabling the second movable element to move linearly. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion being positioned at the first end corresponds to the forward position of the second movable element and being positioned at the second end corresponds to the backward position of the second movable element. The protrusion cannot move any more since there remains no moving space upon getting in contact with the ends of the slit, and accordingly, the second movable element does not make an extra movement. Thus, by limiting the movement of the second movable element, the carrier is prevented from going beyond the high position and the low position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection plate is mounted onto the surface of the side wall which does not face the cooking cavity. Thus, the elements placed onto the connection plate such as the first movable element, the second movable element, etc. are prevented from being affected from high temperatures in the cooking cavity during the cooking process and these elements are prevented from being visible when the inside of the cooking cavity is viewed, thus providing a visual advantage.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven further comprises a driving means such as electric motor which applies drive onto the second movable element so as to allow the second movable element to move. In this embodiment, the need for applying force onto the carrier to bring the carrier, hence the shelf from the middle position to the high position or the low position is eliminated, the driving means is operated by means of a switch preferably disposed on the oven body to apply drive to the second movable element, thus bringing the carrier from the middle position to the high or low position. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the carrier is brought to the high or low position, hence the second movable element is brought to the forward position or the backward position, the driving means automatically stops working. By means of this embodiment, by bringing the carrier to the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity without the need for opening the oven door, the position of the carrier in the cooking cavity is changed while the outer environment air is prevented from entering the cooking cavity.

By means of the present invention, with the rotational movement of the first movable element having a beam suitable for making rotational movement in the guiding channels arranged on the connection plates placed onto the side walls, the level of a carrier supporting the rail whereon the tray is placed in the cooking cavity, hence of the rail and of the tray placed onto the rail in the cooking cavity can be easily changed.

The oven realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the oven of the present invention.

Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the oven of the present invention from a different angle.

Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the oven of the present invention from a different angle.

Figure 4 - is the partial exploded view of the oven of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Oven

2. Side wall

3. Top wall

4. Bottom wall

5. Cooking cavity 6. Carrier

7. Rail

8. Guiding channel

9. Connection plate

10. Beam

11. First movable element

12. Housing

13. Extension

14. Second movable element

15. Tooth

16. Slit

17. Protrusion

FE. First end of the slit

SE. Second end of the slit

The oven (1) comprises a cooking cavity (5) which is defined by two opposite side walls (2) and a top wall (3) and a bottom wall (4) which connect said walls (2) and wherein the cooking process is performed, at least one carrier (6) which is disposed into the cooking cavity (5), and at least two rails (7) which are connected onto the carrier (6) so as to extend almost parallel to the top wall (3) and the bottom wall (4) (Figure 1). When a cooking process is desired to be performed in the oven (1), a container such as tray, etc. filled with foodstuffs to be cooked is placed onto the rails (7) and placed into the cooking cavity (5). The carrier (6) enables the rails (7), hence the container, to be supported and allowing the container to be kept immobile and the foodstuffs in the container to be cooked at the suitable temperature in the cooking cavity (5). The oven (1) of the present invention comprises two connection plates (9) which are oppositely placed onto the side walls (2) and whereon at least one guiding channel (8) is arranged, and at least one first movable element (11) having a beam (10) which houses one end of the carrier (6) thereon, which enters the guiding channel (8) and allows the guiding channel (8) to make rotational movement such that the carrier (6) can be located in three positions in the cooking cavity (5) at different levels which are a first position, a second position and a third position. In the oven (1) of the present invention when a force in a certain direction is applied onto the carrier (6) in a first position the first movable element (11) makes rotational movement in the guiding channel (8) by means of the beam (10) depending on the direction of the applied force and thus the carrier (6) is enabled to be brought from the first position to the second position in the cooking cavity (5). When a force in a direction opposite to the previous direction is applied onto the carrier (6) in the first position the first movable element (11) makes rotational movement in a direction opposite to the previous direction in the guiding channel (8) by means of the beam (10) depending on the direction of the applied force and thus the carrier (6) is enabled to be brought from the second position to the first position in the cooking cavity (5). If the force continues to be applied on the carrier (6) in the direction which brings the carrier (6) from the second position to the first position, the first movable element (11) continues to make rotational movement in the guiding channel (8) by means of the beam (10) depending on the direction of the applied force and thus the carrier (6) is enabled to be brought from the first position to the third position in the cooking cavity (5). When a force in a direction opposite to the direction which brings the carrier (6) from the second position to the first position and from the first position to the third position is applied onto the carrier (6) in the third position the first movable element (11) makes rotational movement in a direction opposite to the previous direction in the guiding channel (8) by means of the beam (10) depending on the direction of the applied force and thus the carrier (6) is enabled to be brought from the third position to the first position in the cooking cavity (5). Thus, by bringing the carrier (6), hence the rails (7) placed onto the carrier (6) to at least three different positions at different levels in the cooking cavity (5), the cooking process is enabled to be performed at the most suitable position as required.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the guiding channel (8) comprises at least one housing (12), and the beam (10) on the first movable element (11) has a structure suitable for matching with the housing (12) and entering the housing (12). In this embodiment, in order to keep the carrier (6) fixed preferably in the first position, the beam (10) on the first movable element (11) is inserted into the housing (12) on the guiding channel (8) and thus the first movable element (11) is prevented from making rotational movement in the guiding channel (8). Thus, the carrier (6) is prevented from involuntarily shifting from the first position to the second position and the third position in the cooking cavity (5). When the carrier (6) is desired to be brought from the first position to the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity (5), the beam (10) on the first movable element (11) is removed from inside the housing (12) and thus the first movable element (11) is allowed to make rotational movement in the guiding channel (8) by means of the beam (10).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the beam (10) has a rectangular shape with two edges being rounded. The beam (10) is in the form of a square or rectangle with for example two opposite edges being rounded. In this embodiment, the beam (10), by means of the rounded edges thereof, can make rotational movement in the guiding channel (8) and, by means of the unrounded edges, in other words linear edges, can be inserted into the housing (12). Thus, by means of the first movable element (11) having such a beam (10) with a very simple structure, the first movable element (11) is enabled to make rotational movement in the guiding channel (8) without using any extra element and is also prevented from making rotational movement by being positioned in the housing (12). Thus, the increase in cost and complexity that may be caused by extra elements are avoided. In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection plate (9) comprises at least one extension (13), and the oven (1) comprises at least one second movable element (14) which is at least partially placed onto the extension (13), which is connected to the first movable element (11) and which can make linear movement between a certain first position and a certain second position in the plane of the extension (13) depending on the rotational movement of the first movable element (11). In this embodiment, while the first movable element (11) makes rotational movement in order to bring the carrier (6) to the second position or the third position, the rotational movement of the first movable element (11) is transferred to the second movable element (14) as linear movement by means of the contact between the first movable element (11) and the second movable element (14). Upon reaching a predetermined first position or second position as a result of the linear movement, the second movable element (14) stops moving and prevents the first movable element (11) from making further rotational movement. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first position of the second movable element (14) corresponds to the second position of the carrier (6) in the cooking cavity (5) and the second position of the second movable element (14) corresponds to the third position of the carrier (6) in the cooking cavity (5). Thus, when the carrier (6) reaches the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity (5), the second movable element (14) reaches the first position or the second position, thus ending the rotational movement of the first movable element (11) and preventing the carrier (6) from moving beyond the second position or the third position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first movable element (11) and second movable element (14) comprise a plurality of teeth (15) suitable for interlocking. Thus, the first movable element (11) and the second movable element (14) are enabled to be interconnected by means of the teeth (15) and the movement transfer between the first movable element (11) and the second movable element (14) is enabled to be performed in a controlled and sensitive manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension (13) comprises at least one slit (16) having a first end (FE) and a second end (SE), and the second movable element (14) comprises a protrusion (17) suitable for entering the slit (16). In this embodiment of the present invention, the slit (16) extends linearly on the extension (13). In this embodiment, while the first movable element (11) makes rotational movement in order to bring the carrier (6) to the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity (5), the second movable element (14) makes linear movement as the protrusion (17) moves inside the slit (16) depending on the movement received from the first movable element (11). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first position of the second movable element (14) corresponds to the position where the protrusion (17) bears against the first end (FE) of the slit (16) and the second position of the second movable element (14) corresponds to the position where the protrusion (17) bears against the second end (SE) of the slit (16). Since upon bearing against the first end (FE) or the second end (SE) of the slit (16) the protrusion (17) cannot move further in the same direction in the slit (16), the second movable element (14) cannot move in the same direction either. Thus, the second movable element (14) prevents the rotational movement of the first movable element (11) in the relevant direction and the carrier (6) is kept in the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity (5) and prevented from moving beyond the second position or the third position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the connection plate (9) is mounted onto the surfaces of the side walls (2) which do not face the cooking cavity (5). Thus, the connection plate (9) and components such as the first movable element (11) and the second movable element (14) supported by the connection plate (9) are prevented from being affected from high temperatures in the cooking cavity (5). Moreover, as the connection plate (9) and the components supported by the connection plate (9) are not visible in the cooking cavity (5), visual advantage is also provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the oven (1) comprises at least one driving means (not shown in figures) which is configured to drive the second movable element (14) such that the second movable element (14) makes linear movement. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, said driving means is an electric motor. In this embodiment, when the user desires to bring the carrier (6), hence the shelf (7), to the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity (5), the driving means is operated. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, said driving means is operated by means of a switch positioned on the body of the oven (1). The drive, which enables the second movable element (14) to make linear movement in the relevant direction to bring the carrier (6) to the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity (5) after the operation of the driving means, is transferred from the driving means to the second movable element (14). The second movable element (14) starts linear movement in the relevant direction with the drive received from the driving means and while moving, enables the first movable element (11) to make rotational movement such that the carrier (6) is brought to the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity (5). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the second movable element (14) is brought to the first position or the second position, hence the carrier (6) is brought to the second position or the third position, the driving means stops working. By means of this embodiment, the carrier (6) is enabled to be brought to the second position or the third position in the cooking cavity (5) without opening an oven (1) door which provides the isolation of the cooking cavity (5) from the outer environment during the cooking process. Thus, the outer environment air is prevented from entering the cooking cavity (5) while the position of the carrier (6) in the cooking cavity (5) is changed, and the cooking efficiency of the oven (1) is prevented from being affected. By means of the present invention, with the rotational movement of the first movable element (11) having a beam (10) suitable for making rotational movement in the guiding channels (8) arranged on the connection plates (9) placed onto the side walls (2), the level of a carrier (6) supporting the rail (7) whereon the tray is placed in the cooking cavity (5), hence of the rail (7) and of the tray placed onto the rail (7) in the cooking cavity (5) can be easily changed.

Thereby, by means of a fixing member (10) said carrier (6) is enabled to be safely kept in a first position where the rail (7) is positioned at a certain level in the cooking cavity (5) and by means of at least one holder (11) the rail (7) is safely kept in a predetermined second position in the cooking cavity (5) at another level than the level when the carrier (6) is in the first position. In the oven (1) of the present invention, moreover, by means of the telescopic structure of the rail (7), the rail (7) is enabled to move out of the cooking cavity (5) with a pulling force applied independently of the level thereof in the cooking cavity (5).

Claims

1. An oven (1) comprising a cooking cavity (5) which is defined by two opposite side walls (2) and a top wall (3) and a bottom wall (4) which connect said walls (2) and wherein the cooking process is performed, at least one carrier (6) which is disposed into the cooking cavity (5), and at least two rails (7) which are connected onto the carrier (6) so as to extend almost parallel to the top wall (3) and the bottom wall (4), characterized by comprises two connection plates (9) which are oppositely placed onto the side walls (2) and whereon at least one guiding channel (8) is arranged, and at least one first movable element (11) having a beam (10) which houses one end of the carrier (6) thereon, which enters the guiding channel (8) and allows the guiding channel (8) to make rotational movement such that the carrier (6) can be located in three positions in the cooking cavity (5) at different levels which are a first position, a second position and a third position.

2. An oven (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the guiding channel (8) which comprises at least one housing (12), and by the beam (10) which has a structure suitable for matching with the housing (12) and entering the housing (12).

3. An oven (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the beam (10) which is in the form of a rectangle with two sides rounded.

4. An oven (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connection plate (9) comprising at least one extension (13), and by at least one second movable element (14) which is at least partially placed onto the extension (13), which is connected to the first movable element (11) and which can make linear movement between a certain first position and a certain second position in the plane of the extension (13) depending on the rotational movement of the first movable element (11).

5. An oven (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the first movable element (11) and second movable element (14) which comprise a plurality of teeth (15) suitable for interlocking.

6. An oven (1) as in Claim 4 or 5, characterized by the extension (13) comprising at least one slit (16) having a first end (FE) and a second end (SE), and by the second movable element (14) comprising a protrusion (17) suitable for entering the slit (16).

7. An oven (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connection plate (9) which is disposed onto the surfaces of the side walls (2) not facing the cooking cavity (5).

8. An oven (1) as in any one of the claims 4 to 7, characterized by at least one driving means which is configured to drive the second movable element (14) such that the second movable element (14) makes linear movement.