Cooking appliance with coupling arrangement for an accessory part

Abstract

 Cooking appliance with a cavity (2) and an accessory part such as a turnspit (5) which can be arranged within the cavity (2) and which can be coupled by means of a coupling arrangement (7) to a component which is arranged outside of the cavity (2), such as a driving component, characterized in that a coupling arrangement (7) comprises a sleeve-like or tubular sealing element (14) which provides a passage for a coupling section of the accessory part to a coupling section (12) of the component which is arranged completely outside of the cavity (2) and/or wherein the tubular sealing element (14) is in substantially air tight contact to the component which is arranged completely outside of the cavity (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to Cooking appliance with a cavity and an accessory part such as a turnspit which can be arranged within the cavity and which can be coupled by means of a coupling arrangement to a component which is arranged outside of the cavity, such as a driving component.

[0002] Cooking appliances are known which use forced convection and hot air circulation within a cooking chamber for heating up food stuff. The forced convection and hot air circulation can be generated by a heating element and a fan inside the cooking chamber wherein the air inside the cooking chamber is heated up and at the same time moved along defined flow paths. In such cooking appliances accessories are applied which need access to the exterior of the cooking chamber. Consequently openings have to be provided through which hot air and, in particular vapour, can evade into the exterior space where electrical and electronical components are arranged and can be damaged. This effect is increased when the cooking appliance is operated such that an overpressure is generated within the cooking chamber.

[0003] The document DE 103 14 572 A1 describes a cooking appliance with a cooking appliance muffle, a circulation fan having a fan wheel and an air guiding plate wherein a fan chamber is formed between the air guiding plate and a muffle wall. Within the fan chamber a bushing is provided which delimits a guiding space, being separated from the fan chamber, between an opening of the air guiding plate and a mounting section being formed to the muffle wall.

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to create a cooking chamber which comprises external access for applying accessories for additional cooking functions wherein a sufficient wherein the cooking chamber is sufficiently air tight at the same time.

[0005] The solution of this object is characterized in that a coupling arrangement comprises a sleeve-like or tubular sealing element which provides a passage for a coupling section of the accessory part to a coupling section of the component, wherein at least the coupling section of the component is arranged completely outside of the cavity and/or wherein the tubular sealing element is in substantially air tight contact to the component which is arranged completely outside of the cavity.

[0006] Thus, condensate or hot air or steam or vapours which is generated within the muffle, cannot evade to the exterior of the muffle and a danger of damage of electric or electrical components which are arranged, e.g. between the muffle and an appliance housing, is reduced. This is especially advantageous in the case that an over pressure is generated within the muffle which would press vapours or the like through recesses or openings provided in the muffle walls. Furthermore, the enamel of the muffle is protected in particular in the region of the passage from being damaged in an installation or operation process of the accessory part.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention the component comprises a shaft, in particular a sleeve shaft, and a motor, wherein the shaft can be driven rotatably by the motor and wherein the shaft comprises the at least one coupling section and preferably at least one funnel section.

[0008] The forming of the sleeve shaft with a funnel section enables an easy insertion or installation of the accessory part to the coupling arrangement. The coupling section of the accessory part can be inserted into the funnel section and is, thus, guided into the coupling section of the sleeve shaft, where it is coupled to the component.

[0009] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the passage of the tubular sealing element is formed by a first inner tubular section and a second inner tubular section, wherein at least the first inner tubular section has a substantially conical shape which widens in a direction towards the cavity.

[0010] The insertion or installation of the accessory part is relieved, when the tubular sealing element has a conically shaped opening. The opening and the accessory part, thus, have a matching form which enables also an untrained user to mount the accessory part to the muffle.

[0011] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the tubular sealing element comprises at least one first outer section and at least one second outer section, wherein the at least one second outer section has a substantially conical shape which narrows in a direction towards the component.

[0012] Such a forming of the tubular sealing element allows to mount different parts thereto which are arranged in the exterior space of the muffle and in particular between a muffle rear wall and an appliance housing.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the second outer section is in substantially air tight contact with a contact surface of the funnel section, in particular in a sliding contact when the shaft rotates relative to the tubular sealing element.

[0014] Thus, the forms of the sleeve shaft and of the tubular sealing element correspond in an advantageous way. Especially when the accessory part is operated, i.e. when it is rotated, the sleeve shaft and the tubular sealing element are in such a sliding contact, so that the sealing function of the sliding contact is maintained.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention the cooking appliance comprises a fan cover, wherein a fan chamber is formed between the fan cover and a wall of the cavity, in particular between the fan cover and a rear wall of the cavity and wherein the tubular sealing element has at least one contact surface which adjoins in substantially air tight contact to the fan cover.

[0016] In such an arrangement also air which is heated up and brought in motion within the fan chamber is prevented from evade through the opening in the muffle wall by the air tight contact between contact surface and fan cover.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the tubular sealing element is made of an aluminium alloy, in particular manufactured in a die casting process.

[0018] Thus, the tubular sealing element is able to sustain temperatures till 500°C which is required for a pyrolysis process.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the tubular sealing element has a fastening flange which is in a plane contact with a wall of the cavity.

[0020] As an even more air tight connection to the muffle wall is enabled, wherein an easy fastening of the tubular sealing element is possible.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention the accessory part is a turnspit.

[0022] In particular for the installation and operation of a turnspit the coupling arrangement is applicable advantageously. Because under conditions for grilling food, an air tight muffle is important.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention the tubular sealing element is fastened substantially air tight to the cavity wall, in particular to the rear wall of the cavity.

[0024] Thus, advantageously, evasion of hot air, steam, vapours or condensate through the opening in the muffle wall is reduced even more.

[0025] In the drawings an embodiment of the invention is depicted.

FIG 1

shows in a perspective view a panel a muffle of a cooking appliance with a built-in accessory being coupled to the cooking appliance by means of a coupling arrangement

FIG 2

shows a detailed sectional view of the coupling arrangement

[0026] In FIG 1 a muffle 1 of an oven or another cooking appliance is shown which forms a cavity 2. The cavity 2 provides a cooking chamber for cooking or baking or grilling food stuff. The understanding in the following is that the cavity comprises walls and in particular a rear wall 3. A fan cover 4 is screwed to a rear wall 3 of the cavity 2, wherein the fan cover 4 covers a fan wheel of a hot air circulation unit.

[0027] Inside the muffle 1 or cavity 2 a turnspit support 6 is arranged, e.g. supported upon side grids or other supporting devices. The turnspit support 6 supports a turnspit 5 which is coupled by means of a coupling arrangement 7 to the cooking appliance. The turnspit 5 is rotatably supported on the turnspit support 6 and also to the coupling arrangement 7 which enables a rotation of the turnspit 5.

[0028] On the exterior rear side of the muffle 1 a support plate 8 is shown to which additional components for the operation of the turnspit 5 can be mounted.

[0029] The fan cover 4 has air inlet slots behind which the fan wheel is arranged.

[0030] As can be seen from FIG 2, between the fan cover 4 and the rear wall 3 of the muffle 1 a fan chamber 19 is formed. The fan wheel sucks air from the cavity 2 into the fan chamber 19 through the air inlet slots and presses the air through lateral openings between the fan cover 4 and the rear wall 3.

[0031] For rotatably driving the turnspit 5 a motor 10 is arranged on the exterior side of the cavity 2. The motor 10 is fixed to a fastening section 9 of a support plate 8 which is fastened or in contact with the rear wall 3 of the cavity 2. The motor 10 is connected to and drives a sleeve shaft 11 which has a coupling section 12 and a funnel section 13.

[0032] The funnel section 13 is formed such, that, in an installation step, a coupling end of the turnspit 5 can be inserted easily in the funnel section 13 and further can enter the coupling section 12. The coupling section 12 comprises a form corresponding to the form of the coupling end of the turnspit 5, so that the coupling section 12 is coupled torque-proof to the coupling end of the turnspit 5, e.g. the coupling section 12 can be formed as a hexagonal socket or in another applicable form.

[0033] Through a recess or opening 21 which is provided in the rear wall 3 of the cavity 2, the turnspit 5 can be coupled to the motor 10 in the above described way.

[0034] A tubular sealing element 14 is arranged in the opening 21 or recess in the rear wall of the cavity 2. The tubular sealing element 14 has a substantially tubular form and comprises a fastening flange 15 for being fastened to the rear wall 3, e.g. by means of screws.

[0035] A first inner tubular section 16A of the tubular sealing element 14 opens in a direction towards the cavity 2 and has a slightly conical form for simplifying the insertion of the coupling end of the turnspit 5. Further the tubular sealing element 14 has a second inner tubular section 16B which opens in direction to the motor 10.

[0036] First inner tubular section 16A and second inner tubular section 16B form a through-hole through which the turnspit 5 can be guided through to the sleeve shaft 11.

[0037] Furthermore, the tubular sealing element 14 comprises a first outer section 17A and a second outer section 17B. The second outer section 17B has a slightly conical shape and is, thus, formed to be inserted into the funnel section 13 of the sleeve shaft 11. The second outer section 17B adjoins and is in touching and sealing contact to a contact surface 13A of the funnel section 13.

[0038] In an operation mode of the turnspit 5, when the turnspit 5 is rotatably driven by the motor 10, the second outer section 17B is in sliding contact with the contact surface 13A of the funnel section 13. Thus, a substantially air tight contact is established between the tubular sealing element 14 and the sleeve shaft 11.

[0039] In the case, that a turnspit is not mounted to the appliance, hot air and/or condensate from the cavity 2 of the muffle 1 which is pressed, e.g. by an over pressure, through the opening 20 in the fan cover 4 and through the opening 21 in the rear wall 3, is guided into the interior space of the sleeve shaft 11. The interior space of the sleeve shaft 11 is open only towards the tubular sealing element 14. Thus, hot air and/or condensate cannot be expelled into the exterior space, in particular between the rear wall 3 and a surrounding appliance housing.

[0040] The tubular sealing element 14 is made of an aluminium alloy and manufactured in a die casting process. Thus, the tubular sealing element 14 is able to sustain temperatures up to 500°C which allows a cleaning operation by means of pyrolysis for the cooking appliance. Vapours which are generated in the pyrolysis process are also prevented from being expelled through the openings 20, 21 of the fan cover 4 and the rear wall 3 into the exterior space.

[0041] The tubular sealing element 14 comprises a contact surface 18 which adjoins to the rear side of the fan cover 4 in a plane contact. Further, the tubular sealing element 14 is in a plane or planar contact with the rear wall 3. The fastening flange 15 of the tubular sealing element 14 is formed such that the opening 21 in the rear wall 3 is surrounded completely by the fastening flange 15 and sealed air tight against the fan chamber 19.

[0042] Thus, air which is moved by the fan wheel inside the fan chamber 19 cannot enter the tubular sealing element 14 and can also not be expelled into the exterior space.

[0043] The tubular sealing element 14 therefore relieves the insertion and the installation of the turnspit 5. The guiding of the turnspit 5 in its rotating movement is improved. Further the tubular sealing element 14 protects the enamel of the fan cover 4 and of the rear wall 3, in particular in the edge regions of the openings 20, 21 of the fan cover 4 and the rear wall 3.

Reference Numerals

[0044] 

1

Muffle

2

Cavity

3

Rear wall

4

Fan cover

5

Turnspit

6

Turnspit support

7

Coupling arrangement

8

Support plate

9

Fastening section

10

Motor

11

Sleeve shaft

12

Coupling section

13

Funnel section

13A

Contact surface

14

Tubular sealing element

15

Fastening flange

16A

First tubular inner section

16B

Second tubular inner section

17A

First outer surface section

17B

Second outer surface section

18

Contact surface

19

Fan chamber

20

Opening

21

Opening

Claims

1. Cooking appliance with a cavity (2) and an accessory part such as a turnspit (5) which can be arranged within the cavity (2) and which can be coupled by means of a coupling arrangement (7) to a component which is arranged at least partially outside of the cavity (2), such as a driving component, characterized in that a coupling arrangement (7) comprises a sleeve-like or tubular sealing element (14) which provides a passage for a coupling section of the accessory part to a coupling section (12) of the component, wherein at least the coupling section (12) of the component is arranged completely outside of the cavity (2) and/or wherein the tubular sealing element (14) is in substantially air tight contact to the component which is arranged completely outside of the cavity (2).

2. Cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the component comprises a shaft, in particular a sleeve shaft (11), and a motor (10), wherein the shaft can be driven rotatably by the motor (10) and wherein the shaft comprises the at least one coupling section (12) and preferably at least one funnel section (13).

3. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage of the tubular sealing element (14) is formed by a first inner tubular section (16A) and a second inner tubular section (16B), wherein at least the first inner tubular section (16A) has a substantially conical shape which widens in a direction towards the cavity (2).

4. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular sealing element (14) comprises at least one first outer section (17A) and at least one second outer section (17B), wherein the at least one second outer section (17B) has a substantially conical shape which narrows in a direction towards the component.

5. Cooking appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the second outer section (17B) is in substantially air tight contact with a contact surface (13A) of the funnel section (13), in particular in a sliding contact when the shaft rotates relative to the tubular sealing element (14).

6. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooking appliance comprises a fan cover (4), wherein a fan chamber (19) is formed between the fan cover (4) and a wall of the cavity (2), in particular between the fan cover (4) and a rear wall (3) of the cavity (2) and wherein the tubular sealing element (14) has at least one contact surface (18) which adjoins in substantially air tight contact to the fan cover (4).

7. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular sealing element (14) is made of an aluminium alloy, in particular manufactured in a die casting process.

8. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular sealing element (14) has a fastening flange (15) which is in a plane contact with a wall of the cavity (2).

9. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the accessory part is a turnspit (5).

10. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular sealing element (14) is fastened substantially air tight to the cavity wall, in particular to the rear wall (3) of the cavity.

Drawing