APPLIANCE, IN PARTICULAR COOKING APPLIANCE

Abstract

An appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a cavity, a door associated with a front opening, a rack including at least one carrier support for supporting at least one carrier. The rack is movably associated with the cavity interior so as to be movable in an extraction and retraction movement. One or more motorized drive units and a kinematic coupling mechanism are also included. The kinematic coupling mechanism includes one or more kinematic coupling units and is configured for providing a kinematic coupling between the one or more motorized drive units and at least one of the rack and the carrier. The one or more motorized drive units and the kinematic coupling mechanism are configured such that an operation of the one or more motorized drive units is translated into at least one of the extraction movement and retraction movement of at least one of the rack and the carrier.

Claims

1. An appliance comprising at least one of a particular cooking appliance and a baking oven, the appliance comprising: a) a cavity comprising a back wall and an opposite front opening, the cavity configured to accommodate at least one of one or more carriers, trays, and grids through the front opening; b) a door arranged at the front opening and configured to open and close the front opening (4); b) a rack comprising at least one carrier support configured to support, within the cavity, at least one of the carrier, and the rack, the rack arranged to be movable with respect to the cavity interior in an extraction and retraction movement; f) one or more motorized drive units; g) a kinematic coupling mechanism comprising one or more kinematic coupling units, the kinematic coupling mechanism configured to provide a kinematic coupling between the one or more motorized drive units and at least one of the rack and the carrier; and h) wherein the one or more motorized drive units and the kinematic coupling mechanism are configured such that an operation of the one or more motorized drive units is translated into at least one of the extraction movement and retraction movement of the at least one of the rack and the carrier.

2. The appliance according to claim 1, wherein the one or more coupling units are configured to establish a kinematic coupling between the door and the motorized drive unit such that an operation of the motorized drive unit is translated into at least one of an opening movement of the door and a closing movement of the door.

3. The appliance according to claim 2, wherein the one or more coupling units and the one or more motorized drive units are configured such that an operation of the one or more motorized drive units is translated into at least one of a movement and a synchronized movement of the door, the rack and the carrier, and the at least one of the movement and the synchronized movement comprise at least one of an opening movement of the door associated with an extraction movement of at least one of the rack and the carrier, and a closing movement of the door associated with a retraction movement of at least one of the rack and the carrier.

4. The appliance according to claim 1, Wherein at least one of the one or more motorized drive units, the rack the carrier, and the door are kinematically coupled by means of a kinematic chain configured to transmit forces or torques between the motorized drive unit, the door and the rack; and wherein at least one of at least one of the one or more drive units is kinematically coupled to the door via a first kinematic coupling unit such that a force or torque generated by an operation of the motorized drive unit is translated into at least one of an opening and closing movement of the door, and in which the door is kinematically coupled via a second kinematic coupling unit to at least one of the rack and the carrier such that a force or torque generated by at least one of the opening and closing movement of the door is translated into the extraction and retraction movement of the rack, the kinematic chain is configured to provide a synchronization between the opening movement of the door and the extraction movement of at least one of the rack and the carrier (5), and a synchronization between the closing movement of the door and the retraction movement of the at least one rack and the carrier; at least one of the one or more drive units is kinematically coupled to at least one of the rack and the carrier via a third coupling unit such that a force or torque generated by an operation of the motorized drive unit is translated into at least one of the extraction and retraction movement of the rack, and in which at least one of the rack and the carrier is kinematically coupled via a fourth kinematic coupling unit to the door such that a force or torque generated by at least one of the extraction movement and retraction movement is translated into the opening and closing movement of the door, and wherein the kinematic chain is configured to provide a synchronization between the opening movement of the door and the extraction movement of at least one of the rack and the carrier (5), and a synchronization between the closing movement of the door and the retraction movement of at least one of the rack and the carrier.

5. The appliance according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the motorized drive unit is selected from the group comprising rotary motors and linear motors; and the motorized drive unit comprises at least one of a belt drive unit, a gear drive unit, a lever-gear drive unit, a slewing gear drive unit, and a Bowden drive unit.

6. The appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to at least one of activate and control the motorized drive unit, the control unit arranged in association with at least one sensor unit configured to sense at least one of an opening, closing, extraction, and retraction start and stop action or intent of a user, wherein the control unit is further configured to at least one of active the motorized drive unit in response to a sensed start action or intent, and deactivating the motorized drive unit in response to a sensed stop action or intent.

7. The appliance according to claim 6, wherein the sensor unit is selected from a group comprising: a touch sensitive sensor unit, an acoustically sensitive sensor unit, a gesture sensitive sensor unit, a mechanical sensor unit, a door position sensor unit, a door movement sensor unit, and a force sensitive sensor unit arranged to sense at least one of opening and closing forces applied to the door by a user.

8. The appliance according to claim 6, wherein the sensor unit is arranged in connection with at least one of a user interface of the appliance, a door handle of the appliance, a door hinge assembly of the appliance, an application configured for execution by a remote device configured to communicate sensor signals to the appliance, the signals configured to at least one of activate and deactivate the motorized drive unit.

9. The appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a safety control unit configured to at least one of stop and reverse operation of the motorized drive unit in response to a cancellation signal received during the operation of the motorized drive unit.

10. The appliance according to claim 9, wherein the cancellation signal is indicative of at least one of an abnormal operating condition of the motorized drive unit and a user input action for at least one of stopping and reversing the motorized drive unit.

11. The appliance according to claim, wherein the safety control unit further comprises at least one safety control sensor unit for detecting at least one of the abnormal operating condition and the user input action, the safety control sensor unit comprises at least one safety sensor configured to sense at least one of abnormal operational condition and user input action, and at least one of the at least one safety control sensor is selected from the group comprising a touch sensitive sensor, an acoustically sensitive sensor, a gesture sensitive sensor, respectively responsive to user input actions, a power consumption sensor, and a current sensor, configured to sense power consumption of the motorized drive unit in operation.

12. The appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a coupling control unit configured and arranged to cooperate with the one or more kinematic coupling units of the kinematic coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling control unit is operable in different operational modes configured to at least one of selectively establish, suspend, and modify at least one of a kinematic coupling between the motorized drive unit and the rack, a kinematic coupling between the motorized drive unit and the door, and a kinematic coupling between the door and the rack.

13. The appliance according to claim 12, wherein the appliance comprises a setting unit configured to enable a user to set one of the different operational modes of the coupling control unit.

14. The appliance according to claim 1, wherein: the cavity interior comprises a depth dimension from the front opening to the back wall a maximum depth dimension configured to accommodate the carriers; the rack comprises a depth extension, measured parallel to a depth dimension of the cavity, that is at least one of smaller than the maximum depth dimension and substantially smaller than at least one of the maximum depth dimension and 10% to 50% or 20% to 30% of the maximum depth dimension; and wherein the kinematic coupling mechanism and depth extension of the rack (7) are configured such that in at least one operational mode: the rack ( ) is fully positioned within the cavity ( ) in the door closed position, and the rack ( ) at most partially projects out of the front opening ( ) in the door fully opened position.

15. The appliance according to claim 1, wherein: at least one of the one or more kinematic coupling units comprises a coupling member coupled by a first pivot mount at one end to a frontal section of the rack and by a second pivot mount at the other end to at least one of an inner section and sheet, of the door; the rack optionally comprises, at the frontal section, at least one cantilevering element having a free end with a complementary pivot mount configured to pivot mount one of the pivot mounts, the cantilevering element is arranged to optionally project at the frontal side of the rack parallel to or perpendicular to the depth dimension of the cavity; and wherein optionally the cantilevering element comprises a triangular design with two legs extending between at least one of a frontal section and a frontal side of a bar, of the rack and the complementary pivot mount, and at least one of the cantilevering element and the legs, fix the complementary pivot mount at a predefined distance from an attachment site of the cantilevering element at a frontal section of the rack.

16. The appliance according to claim 1, further comprising at least one damping mechanism or damping element configured to damp movements mediated by the kinematic coupling mechanism between at least two of the rack, the door 44 and the motorized drive unit.

17. The appliance according to claim 1, wherein: at least one of the kinematic coupling units implemented as at least one of a coupling member, a coupling rod, coupling bar, and wire frame, is arranged to provide a kinematic coupling between the rack and the door, the kinematic coupling unit is arranged pivotally attached to the rack and door and is curved or bent with reference to a plane of curvature or plane of bent, the plane of curvature or plane of bent being parallel to the pivoting plane of the kinematic coupling unit.

18. The appliance according to claim 1, wherein the rack comprises at least one of at least one rack unit, at least one wire rack and plate-like rack element, arranged to move with respect to the interior of the cavity, wherein each rack unit is arranged to be movably associated with one inner lateral side wall of the cavity extending between the back wall and the front opening, and wherein the at least one rack unit is arranged to be movable parallel to at least one of the depth dimension and parallel to the respective side wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0119] Further advantages features and details of the various embodiments of this disclosure will become apparatus from the ensuing description of a preferred exemplary embodiment or embodiments and further with the aid of the drawings. The features and combinations of features recited below in the description, as well as the features and feature combination shown after that in the drawing description or in the drawings alone, may be used not only in the particular combination recited but also in other combinations on their own without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0120] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0121] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a side view of a baking oven implemented according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0122] FIG. 2 illustrates the baking oven of FIG. 1 in the closed position of the door;

[0123] FIG. 3 illustrates a functional overview of components of the baking oven;

[0124] FIG. 4 illustrates a baking oven of a different embodiment viewed from a frontal perspective;

[0125] FIG. 5 illustrates a first enlarged section of the baking oven of FIG. 4;

[0126] FIG. 6 illustrates a second enlarged section of the baking oven of FIG. 4;

[0127] FIG. 7 illustrates a section of a baking oven of a further embodiment;

[0128] FIG. 8 illustrates a yet further embodiment of a baking oven with a coupling member in the opened position of the door;

[0129] FIG. 9 illustrates the baking oven of FIG. 8 in the closed position of the door;

[0130] FIG. 10 illustrates a baking oven of a yet further embodiment; and

[0131] FIG. 11 illustrates an enlarged view of a section of the baking oven of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0132] As used throughout the present disclosure, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “or” encompasses all possible combinations, except where infeasible. For example, the expression “A or B” shall mean A alone, B alone, or A and B together. If it is stated that a component includes “A, B, or C”, then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, the component may include A, or B, or C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C. Expressions such as “at least one of” do not necessarily modify an entirely of the following list and do not necessarily modify each member of the list, such that “at least one of “A, B, and C” should be understood as including only one of A, only one of B, only one of C, or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0133] Component parts having the same or a similar function may be depicted in different embodiments shown in the figures with the same reference numerals, despite the design and/or shape of such elements may be different. Further, respective component parts may be interchanged with regard to different embodiments at least in so far as retracting and extracting movements of the rack and/or carriers supported by the rack are concerned.

[0134] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a side view of an exemplary baking oven 1 implemented as an appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0135] The baking oven 1 comprises a cavity 2 comprising a back wall 3 and an opposite front opening 4. The cavity is configured for accommodating therein trays 5, or more general carriers 5, through the front opening 4. The cavity 2 defines in depth dimension D from the front opening 4 to the back wall 3 a maximum depth dimension D.sub.max for the accommodation of the trays 5. In FIG. 1, the tray 5 is not fully accommodated within the cavity 2. Specifically, a frontal edge 6 of the tray 5 projects out of the cavity 2, wherein the tray 5 as such projects through the front opening 4.

[0136] In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the user may remove the tray 5 from the baking oven 1, or he may have placed the tray 5 on a tray rack 7, or more generally on a rack 7, for inserting the tray 5 into the cavity 2. For the reason that the frontal end 6 of the tray 5 projects out of the cavity 2 and is freely accessible for being grasped by a user in the region of the frontal end 6, the user may easily handle the tray 5 in connection with removing the tray 5 after an extraction movement of the tray rack 7, or in connection with placing the tray on the tray rack 7 before a retracting movement of the tray rack 7.

[0137] The tray rack 7 of the baking oven 1 comprises several, i.e. in the present embodiment three, tray supports 8, or more general carrier supports, for accommodating and supporting a tray 5 as shown with the middle tray support 8 in FIG. 1. The tray supports 8 are provided such that the tray 5 can be placed at different levels in vertical direction V. The term vertical direction in particular shall relate to the ordinary placement and operating condition of the baking oven 1.

[0138] As indicated in FIG. 1 by means of a double lined arrow, the tray rack 7 is movably mounted within the cavity interior 9. As can easily be seen from FIG. 1, the tray rack 7 has a depth extension E, measured parallel to depth dimension D of the cavity 2, that is smaller than the maximum depth dimension D.sub.max. In the present embodiment, the depth extension E of the tray rack 7 is substantially smaller than the maximum depth dimension D.sub.max. In particular, the depth extension E is between 10% to 50%, more particularly between 20% to 30% of the maximum depth dimension D.sub.max.

[0139] The baking oven 1 comprises a door 10 that is hinged to a body or frame of the baking oven 1, with a hinge axis A running in horizontal direction. The door 10 is provided for opening and closing the front opening 4. In particular, the door 10 is for closing the cavity 2 in the closed position of the door 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2, and for enabling access to the cavity interior 9 in the fully opened position of the door 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0140] The baking oven 1 further comprises a coupling member 11 that is implemented and arranged to provide a kinematic coupling between the tray rack 7 and the door 10. The coupling member 11 may be substantially rigid with regard transversal bandings relative to the lengthwise extension. The coupling member 11 represents a kinematic coupling unit of a kinematic coupling mechanism of the oven which has been described in further detail above and will be described also further below.

[0141] The coupling member 11 comprises pivot mounts spaced in lengthwise direction of the coupling member 11. In the given embodiment, the coupling member 11 comprises a first pivot mount 12 and a second pivot mount 13. The first pivot mount 12 of the coupling member 11 is pivoted at the tray rack 7. The second pivot mount 13 is pivoted at the door 10 by means of suitable pivot connections.

[0142] The coupling member 11, the first and second pivot mounts 12, 13, and the pivot connections that pivotally interconnect the coupling member 11 with the door 10 and tray rack 7, respectively, are configured such that a pivoting movement of the door 10, which is indicated by an arched double arrow in FIG. 1, is translated into a movement of the tray rack 7 in depth dimension D of the cavity (see double lined arrows in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The movements in depth dimension D may be referred to as extraction movements associated with opening movements of the door 10, and retraction movements associated with closing movements of the door 10.

[0143] Specifically, the kinematic coupling mediated by the coupling member 11, and the depth extension E of the tray rack 7 are configured such that the tray rack 7 at most partially projects out of the front opening 4 in the fully opened position of the door 10, which is illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0144] The expression “at most partially” shall mean that the tray rack 7 may at most extends to a certain degree out of the cavity. This term thus covers configurations of the cavity, tray rack 7, and the coupling member 11, in which the tray rack 7 remains within the cavity 2 in the door fully opened position, is positioned at the front opening with a frontal edge being positioned in the region of the front opening 4 in the door fully opened position, and in which the tray rack 7 projects to a certain extent out of the cavity 2 in the door fully opened position. Projecting out of the cavity 2 to a certain extent preferably covers configurations of associated component parts of the appliance 1 in which a major part of the tray rack 7, in particular in which at least about 50% to about 90%, preferably about 75% to about 90% of the tray rack 7 when viewed in depth dimension D of the cavity 2, remain within the cavity 2.

[0145] Further, the kinematic coupling mediated by the coupling member 11 and the depth extension E of the tray rack 7 is configured such the tray rack 7 is fully positioned within the cavity 2 in the closed position of the door 10, which is illustrated in FIG. 2. In this FIG. 2, the door 10 is in the closed position, and the tray rack 7 together with the tray 5 have been moved in a retraction movement backwards towards the back wall 3 as compared to the situation in FIG. 1.

[0146] As can be inferred from a comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the coupling member 11 translates the rotary movement of the door 10 into a linear movement of the tray rack 7. In the closed position of the door 10 according to FIG. 2, the tray rack 7 is positioned in the rearmost position, whereas in the opened position of the door 10 according to FIG. 1, the tray rack 7 is positioned in the foremost position regarding the overall back-and-forth movability of the tray rack 7.

[0147] The movability of the tray rack 7 is provided based on a rail 14 representing or comprising a runner or slider for the tray rack 7. The tray rack 7 is coupled to the rail 14 to be movable along the rail 14 in a guided movement. The rail 14 in the present example is provided at an upper section of the cavity 2, in particular in the region of the top wall of the cavity 2. The rail 14 may be mounted or otherwise be provided on an inner side of a vertical lateral side wall of the cavity 2 extending between the back wall 3 and the front opening 4. In embodiments, the rail 14 or other movable attachments provided for the tray rack 7 may be provided at or on an inner lower side of the top wall of the cavity. Other locations are conceivable, such as for example on or at a lower section of the lateral side wall of the cavity 2 and/or on or at the bottom wall of the cavity 2.

[0148] The rail 14 or any other type of runner may be implemented as a separate component part attached to the cavity walls, or the rail 14 may at least in part be integrated with the cavity wall or cavity walls.

[0149] The baking oven 1 further comprises a motorized drive unit 141, which in the present example comprises as an electric rotary drive motor. In other embodiments, one or more linear motors and/or one or more tube motors and other types of motors may also be envisaged. A tube motor represents a kind or rotary motor, which may be configured for being incorporated into a hinge axis of the door, for example.

[0150] The motorized drive unit 141 is provided in a lower section of the casing of the baking oven 1, in the present example below the bottom wall of the cavity 2, and is located in a front section near the location where the door 10 is attached to the casing. The motorized drive unit 141 is drivingly coupled to the door 10 such that operation of the motorized drive unit 141 in one operational mode causes a closing movement of the door 10, and such that in a reversed operational mode it causes an opening movement of the door 10. Specifically, a power output port of the motorized drive unit is, in the given example, coupled via a transmission 142, such as a gear transmission, to a door hinge 143 of the door 10 or to the hinge axis A of the door 10. The transmission 142 is connected at its power output port to the hinge 143 or to the hinge axis A such that a rotary movement of the motorized drive unit 141, specifically the motor thereof, is translated into a rotary movement of the door 10 between the opened position and the closed position, depending on the operation of the motorized drive unit 141.

[0151] End switches may be provided for both the fully opened position and the fully closed position of the door 10, such that in response to an activation of one of the end switches the operation of the motorized drive unit 141 is stopped.

[0152] If required, for example for the purpose of providing sufficient torque, there may be provided several motors. As an example, each of the door hinges 143 may be coupled with a corresponding motor. The motors may be configured to operate synchronously in connection with opening and closing movements of the door 10.

[0153] For the reason that the motorized drive unit 141 is kinematically coupled via the gear transmission 142, which may be considered as a first kinematic coupling unit, to the door 10, and the door 10 in turn is kinematically coupled to the rack 7 via the coupling member 11, which may be considered as a second kinematic coupling unit, the motorized drive unit 141, the door 10, and the rack 7 are kinematically coupled in a kinematic chain.

[0154] Via this kinematic chain, an operation of the motorized drive unit 141 involving an opening movement of the door 10 is translated into an extraction movement of the rack 7. Further, an operation of the motorized drive unit 141 involving a closing movement of the door 10 is translated into a retraction movement of the rack 7. Thus, the motorized drive unit 141 and the kinematic chain established with the door 10 and the rack 7 may greatly simplify operation of the cooking oven 1 for the user.

[0155] In the given example, a gear transmission 142 has been discussed. However, the motorized drive unit 141, in particular a motor thereof, may be kinematically coupled via other kinds of transmissions, such as for example a belt drive, a chain drive or others.

[0156] Further, the motorized drive unit 141, in particular a motor thereof, and a corresponding transmission 142, such as the gear transmission 142, may be positioned in different locations as compared to the given example. For example, a tube motor may be implemented and installed in connection with a tube of the hinge axis A or the door hinge 143. Further, one or more motorized drive units 141 or motors may be provided, with corresponding transmissions or connected to corresponding transmissions, in a section of the appliance lying approximately in the region of the middle of the door 10 with regard to the width of the door 10 measured in parallel to the hinge axis A.

[0157] In other embodiments, the motorized drive unit 141 may be kinematically coupled directly to the rack 7, for example via one or more corresponding transmissions, such that an operation of the motorized drive unit 141 is directly translated into an extraction and retraction movement of the rack 7. The motorized drive unit 141 may in this case for example coupled to a slider or runner by which the rack 7 is movably mounted to the cavity 2. If the rack 7 in turn is kinematically coupled to the door 10, the extraction and retraction movements of the rack 7 mediated by the direct kinematic coupling with the motorized drive unit 141 are translated into an opening and closing movement of the door 10. Thus, this kind of kinematic reversal as compared to directly coupling the motorized drive unit 141 to the door 10 has substantially the same effect as described in connection with the embodiments above, provided that the motorized drive unit 141, the rack 7 and the door 10 are coupled, in the given sequence, in a kinematic chain.

[0158] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the kinematic chain is implemented such that the door 10, the rack 7, and the tray 5 placed on the rack 7 are moved in a synchronized manner in response to an operation of the motorized drive unit 141. In embodiments, it is possible that the start and/or stop of the movements of corresponding components is/are time-shifted. For example, in one embodiment, the opening movement of the door 10 may be ahead the extraction movement of the rack 7, whereas the retraction movement of the rack 7 may be ahead the closing movement of the door 10, for example in that the rack 7 reaches the retracted position before the door 10 reaches the fully closed position. Such shifts in the movements may be obtained by suitable configurations of the kinematic coupling units, e.g. by an end clearance or other measures. However, movements including concurrent movements of the door 10 and rack 7 at least within an overlapping time interval shall still be considered as being synchronized movements, e.g. synchronized with regard to opening and extraction, and synchronized with regard to closing and retraction.

[0159] Further, shifts or delays in the movement of the door 10 and the rack 7 may in particular be present if the door 10 and/or rack 7 and/or tray 5 are independently driven by one or more motorized drive units 141 and/or transmissions 142.

[0160] Accordingly, in embodiments, two or more of the movable components, such as the door 10, the rack 7, and the tray 5 may be kinematically separately coupled to one or more, in particular separate, motorized drive units 141 via one or more, in particular separate, transmissions 142.

[0161] FIG. 3 shows a functional overview of components of the baking oven 1 associated with the motorized drive unit 141 and the kinematic coupling. As shown in FIG. 3, the motorized drive unit 141 is coupled with a torque-output side to the transmission 142 for transmitting torques and forces. The mechanical coupling between the motorized drive unit 141 and the transmission 142 as well as other mechanical couplings are depicted by a double arrow in FIG. 3. The transmission 142 is mechanically coupled to the door 10, for example via the door hinges 143 using a transmission or other types of drivelines. Further, the door 10 is mechanically coupled to the rack 7 via a coupling member 11, for example. The kinematic mechanical coupling thus corresponds to the configuration shown and described in connection with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0162] The configuration shown in FIG. 3 further involves a control unit 144 for activating and controlling the motorized drive unit 141. For this, the control unit 144 is coupled via a control line 145 to the motorized drive unit 141. By this, the control unit 144 is able to command the motorized drive unit 141 to start or stop operation.

[0163] The control unit 144 is, in the present example, connected via a transmission line 146 to a control interface 147. The control interface 147 may for example be implemented as or be part of a user interface of the appliance, and/or a user interface for the appliance provided on a remote device, such as a mobile device. The transmission line 146 may be one of wire-bound or wireless. However, the control interface 147 may be provided in other implementations and designs at or on different parts of the appliance.

[0164] The control interface 147 comprises at least one sensor unit 148 configured for sensing at least one of an opening, closing, extraction and retraction start and stop action or intent of a user. The sensor unit 148 is in the present example implemented as a touch-sensitive field on the control interface 147, which may comprise a touch-sensitive screen.

[0165] The control unit 144 is configured for activating the motorized drive unit 141 in response to a sensed start action or intent, and for deactivating the motorized drive unit in response to a sensed stop action or intent.

[0166] For example, the sensor unit 148 may have a dual function such that a first touch of the user may be interpreted as an instruction to open the door 10, and correspondingly to extract the rack 7.

[0167] Further a second touch of the user received via the sensor unit 148 while the door 10 is still opening may be interpreted as an instruction to stop the opening movement.

[0168] Further a third touch signal received via the sensor unit 148 from the user after the door 10 has reached the fully opened position may be interpreted as an instruction to close the door.

[0169] Yet further, a fourth touch signal of the user received while the door 10 is still closing may be interpreted as an instruction to stop the closing movement.

[0170] A touch signal of the user received after the second or fourth touch signal may either be interpreted as resuming the opening and closing movement, or as starting a closing or opening movement, respectively.

[0171] Other configurations are conceivable regarding the commands for starting and stopping the motorized drive unit 141.

[0172] Two or more separate sensor units may be provided for implementing the above-described user inputs for operating the door 10. Further, the control interface 147 may be configured to enable a user to set and program the functions associated with the sensor unit(s) 148 and/or associated with a received sequence of user inputs.

[0173] The given example describing opening and closing the door 10 applies mutatis mutandis for extracting and retracting the rack 7.

[0174] In the given example, the sensor unit 148 has been described as a touch sensitive sensor unit. However, the sensor unit 148 may comprise other and/or additional sensing properties and corresponding sensors. In particular, the sensor unit 148 may be or include one or more of a touch sensitive sensor unit, an acoustically sensitive sensor unit, a gesture sensitive sensor unit, a mechanical sensor unit, a door position sensor unit, a door movement sensor unit, a force sensitive sensor unit arranged to sense opening and/or closing forces applied to the door by a user.

[0175] Regarding some of the mentioned sensor types, it is to be noted, that mechanical sensor units may relate to switches or push-buttons, for example, which may be provided on a user interface of the appliance. A door position sensor unit may for example be provided in connection with or in the vicinity of the door 10 or in connection with the motorized drive unit 141 such that the position of the door 10, e.g. the opening angle of the door 10, may be detected. A signal corresponding to the opening angle of the door 10 may for example be used for controlling the opening and closing movement of the door 10. As an example, if the opening angle indicates that the door 10 is close to the fully opened or the fully closed position, the motorized drive unit 141 may be commanded to slow down to avoid hard end stops of the door 10, and correspondingly of the rack 7.

[0176] A door movement sensor unit may for example be provided in connection with the door 10, e.g. in connection with the hinge axis A and/or the door hinge 143. Such a door movement sensor unit may be configured to sense a movement of the door 10. If, for example, a movement of the door 10 in the closed position thereof is detected or a movement of the door 10 in the fully opened position thereof is detected, based for example on an attempt of the user to open or close the door 10, a corresponding opening or closing signal may be interpreted by the control unit 144 as an opening or closing command from a user. The control unit 144 may thus instruct the motorized drive unit 141 to open or close the door 10. If, for example, the movement sensor senses the door 10 stopping before reaching the fully opened position and the fully closed position, for example because a user tries to stop the opening or closing movement, such a signal may be interpreted as a stop signal, and the control unit 144 may instruct the motorized drive unit 141 to stop, in particular to stop immediately. This configuration in particular corresponds to a force sensitive sensor unit arranged to sense opening and/or closing forces applied to the door 10 by a user.

[0177] In embodiments, the appliance may comprise a sensor unit for sensing the power or force needed for opening and closing the door 10 and/or extracting and retracting the rack 7. Such sensors may for example be implemented as current sensors for monitoring the current consumption of the motorized drive unit 141. If, for example after an initial starting current peak, the current, as sensed by the current sensor, suddenly raises above a threshold, this event may be interpreted by the control unit 144 as an abnormal operating condition and instruct the motorized drive unit 141 to stop operation, in particular to stop immediately. By this, overloads of the motorized drive unit 141 and similar possibly detrimental situations may be avoided.

[0178] In embodiments, the sensor unit 148 may be implemented on or at a door handle of the baking oven 1. For example, the door handle may comprise one or more touch sensitive elements for detecting user inputs. Such inputs may be interpreted by the control unit 144 as a user instructions for example for opening and/or closing the door 10. In case of a door 10 hinged by means of a horizontal hinge axis, two separate control units 144 may be provided, one sensor unit 144 for opening the door 10 may be provided on or at the handle, and one sensor unit for closing the door 10 may be provided in a location that is easily accessible in the door opened position, for example on a face side or inner side of the door 10.

[0179] In example embodiments, the baking oven 1 may further comprise a safety control unit 149, which may be part of the control unit 144 as shown in FIG. 3, or implemented as a separate component. The safety control unit 149 may be adapted for stopping or reversing the operation of the motorized drive unit 141 in response to a cancellation signal received during the operation of the motorized drive unit 141. For example, the safety control unit 149 may be communicatively lined with a force sensitive sensor and/or a current sensor as described beforehand. Based on signals received from such sensors, the safety control unit 149 may command the motorized drive unit 141 to stop, in particular to stop immediately. Such situations may for example occur if the door 10 opens automatically and bumps against an object blocking the opening movement. The blocking event may be detected based on signals from a door movement sensor, a current sensor and similar, and in response to the detection, the movement of the door 10, i.e. the operation of the motorized drive unit 141 may be stopped. Any of the above-identified sensor types may be used in connection with the safety control unit 149.

[0180] In exemplary embodiments, the baking oven 1. i.e. the appliance, may further comprise an optional coupling control unit 150 cooperating, either electrically, electro-mechanically, or mechanically with one or more of the transmission 142 and the coupling member 11, more generally with one or more of the kinematic coupling units of the kinematic coupling mechanism, and/or with one or more motorized drive units 141.

[0181] The coupling control unit 150 is configured and coupled to the one or more kinematic coupling units, for example by controllable connector elements, such that a kinematic coupling of the kinematic coupling units can be activated and deactivated. In particular, the coupling control unit 150 may be configured to set different operational modes of the kinematic coupling mechanism for selectively establishing, suspending and/or modifying at least one of a kinematic coupling between the motorized drive unit 141 and the rack 7, a kinematic coupling between the motorized drive unit 141 and the door 10, and a kinematic coupling between the door 10 and the rack 7. The different operational modes of the coupling control unit 150 may be set according to user inputs on the control interface 147 communicatively coupled with the coupling control unit 150. By this, the user is enabled to set and define the kinematic chain that shall be active between the components according to respective needs.

[0182] The embodiments shown in connection with FIG. 1 to 3 show that the user is supported in operating the baking oven 1. In particular, as can be seen from FIG. 1, the tray rack 7 remains within the cavity 2 in the fully opened position of the door 10 mediated by the operation of the motorized drive unit 141, thereby avoiding any interferences with actions performed by a user in the region of the front opening 4 in the opened position of the door 10. Further, keeping the tray rack 7 within the cavity 2 may be advantageous in particular in connection with baking ovens 1 because the tray racks 7 are usually hot after baking procedures, thereby avoiding the risk of burn injuries. In particular the user may be greatly supported in connection with extraction and retraction movements of the tray 5 and with opening and closing movements of the door 10.

[0183] FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of a baking oven 1 of a different embodiment concerning the kinematic coupling between the rack 7 and the door 10. Each lateral side wall 15 comprises a rack unit implemented as a wire rack 16 with several tray supports 8 spaced apart in vertical direction V. The wire racks 16 are part of the tray rack 7 for accommodating and supporting trays 5.

[0184] Each of the wire racks 16 is coupled to a coupling member 11 which in turn is coupled to the door 10 such that the pivoting movement of the door 10 is translated into a retraction movement (back) and extraction movement (forth), of the wire racks 16. The door 10 and/or rack may be coupled to a motorized drive unit as described in connection the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to 3.

[0185] Instead of providing two coupling members 11, it is for example also possible to provide only a single coupling member 11, and an interconnecting element, such as a cross-connecting bar or rod or similar, between corresponding rack units. The interconnecting element may be attached to each rack unit for example at the back side, the top side, or the bottom side of the rack units. Instead of using interconnecting elements for mechanically coupling the rack units, the tray rack 7 may be implemented as a one-piece component.

[0186] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the wire racks 16 provide tray supports 8 for supporting the trays 5 at their opposed lateral side edges. Each tray support 8 comprises one or more horizontal wire rods 17 extending between vertical support bars 18, and configured for supporting or engaging a tray edge.

[0187] The upper end sections of the vertical support bars 18 are attached to a rail 14 to be movable in depth dimension D of the cavity 2 in an extraction and retraction movement. For the attachment, each vertical support bar 18 comprises in an upper end section a shoulder implemented as a bent section. The shoulder is designed to pass each vertical bar 18 around the lower and lateral inner side of the rail 14 facing the cavity interior 9, for movably coupling the wire rack 16, specifically the upper ends of the vertical bars 18, to the rail 14. The wire rack 16 may for example be movably coupled to the rail 14 by means of a runner or slider.

[0188] As may be seen from FIG. 4, the coupling members 11 are coupled to the wire racks 16 at the frontal sides thereof.

[0189] In the embodiment according to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, each wire rack 16 comprises at the frontal side thereof a cantilevering element 19 that is attached to the support bars 18. Each cantilevering element 19 comprises a free end that is arranged averted from the wire rack 16. At the free end, a complementary pivot mount 20 is provided, wherein the complementary pivot mount 20 is configured and arranged for pivotally mounting a first pivot mount 21 of one coupling member 11. The complementary pivot mount 20 is implemented as a disc or has a disc shape. The disc is attached to the free end of the cantilevering element 19.

[0190] The disc comprises a circumferential groove, extending in circumferential direction with regard to point of attachment of the free end of the cantilevering element 19. The first pivot mount 21 of the coupling member 11 in the present embodiment is implemented as a wire loop. The groove and the wire loop are mutually adapted such that the wire loop can engage the groove and run along the disc in circumferential direction thereof.

[0191] The coupling member 11 is implemented as a wire frame with two substantially parallel wire sections, in particular wire rods, running in lengthwise direction of the coupling member 11. The coupling member 11 may be implemented substantially in one piece as a single piece of bent wire. In embodiments, cross-bars may be provided between the wire sections or rods to obtain improved stability against transverse bending.

[0192] The engagement of the disc, groove, and loop are such that the coupling member 11 is pivotally coupled to the wire rack 16. In order to fix the first pivot mount 21 that comprises the loop to the disc, the transitional region between the loop and the adjacent sections of the coupling member 11 comprises a notch. By this, the disc may be prevented from moving along the gap between the parallel wire sections of the double wire structure, or respective movements may be limited.

[0193] At the end of the coupling member 11 averted from the first pivot mount 21, a second pivot mount 22 is provided which is coupled to the door 10. In the present example, the second pivot mount 22 is implemented as a bent section of a wire of the coupling member 11, wherein the bent section provides and defines a pivot pin and a corresponding pivot axis for pivotally coupling the coupling member 11 to the door 10. The bent section may be engaged and embraced by a corresponding complementary pivot mount, for example implemented as a kind of sleeve or bent tongue configured for accommodating the bent section as described further above.

[0194] As may be inferred from FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the coupling member 11 has a double-curved structure with curvatures lying in a plane that substantially corresponds to the pivoting plane or plane of movement of the coupling member 11 in connection with opening and closing movements the door 10.

[0195] The double bent structure has the advantage that the coupling member 11 may be designed to follow the shape of the components of the baking oven 1, for example in the opened position of the door 10. By this, possible interferences with actions performed by a user may be largely avoided in the opened position of the door 10. Further, the double bent structure of the coupling member 11 provides advantages with regard to attaching the coupling member 11 to the tray rack 7 and door 10. Yet further, the double bent structure of the coupling member 11 provides advantages with regard to obtaining suitable and appropriate translation ratios between the pivoting movements of the door 10 and the back-and-forth retraction and extractions movement of tray rack 7.

[0196] In the example shown in connection with FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the double bent structure of the coupling member 11 is provided such that a first bent 23 and a second bent 24 are implemented with opposite curvatures. The first bent 23 is located closer to the second pivot mount 22 and comprises centers of curvature that are located on a side of the coupling member 11 that faces away from the hinge axis A of the door 10. The second bent 24 is located closer to the first pivot mount 21 and comprises centers of curvature that are located on a side of the coupling member 11 facing the hinge axis A. Starting from the first pivot mount 21 in the ordinary mounting position of the coupling member 11 as shown for example in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the second bent 24 has a concave shape and the first bent 23 has a convex shape, wherein the terms concave and convex refer to the ordinary mathematical meaning of convex and concave.

[0197] The radii of curvature of the first bent 23 are smaller than the radii of curvature of the second bent 24.

[0198] FIG. 7 shows a section of a baking oven of a further embodiment, wherein the embodiment differs from that of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 in particular in the design of the coupling member 11 and the movable attachment of the tray rack 7 within the cavity 2.

[0199] Specifically, the coupling member 11 in the example of FIG. 7 is made from a solid or hollow material, for example in the form of a rod or bar. The coupling member 11 pivoted at the door 10 by a hub joint 25 pivotally interconnecting the second pivot mount 22 implemented in the present example as a hole with a corresponding hole or holes of a bearing projection 26 provided on an inner sheet of the door 10 by means of a pin or bolt.

[0200] In addition, the coupling member 11 shown in FIG. 7 has bent end sections in the region of the first and second pivot mounts 21 and 22 with comparative moderate curvature. The middle part of the coupling member 11 between the first and second pivot mounts 21 and 22 is substantially straight, it does not include intermediate bent sections.

[0201] The first pivot mount 21 of the coupling member 11 in the given example is implemented as a hole hingedly connected to one of the vertical support bars 18 of the tray rack 7 by means of a ring, e.g. a wire ring, in particular a circular ring.

[0202] A further difference to the solution of the example of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is that the wire rack 16 in FIG. 7 is movably supported on a rail 14 that is provided, in particular mounted or implemented, at the lower side, in particular at the bottom of the lateral side wall 27.

[0203] The wire rack 16, specifically the vertical support bars 18 thereof, comprise shoulders 28 at the bottom side thereof. A horizontal section of the shoulder 28 rests on an upper slide of the rail 14, in particular a runner of the rail 14. A vertical end section located at the bottom end of the shoulder 28 may engage a retaining element for supporting the wire rack 16 in vertical and/or in horizontal direction.

[0204] Yet another difference between the example embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 on the one hand and the example embodiment of FIG. 7 on the other hand resides in the position of the attachment of the first pivot mount 21 and/or the second pivot mount 22. As may be seen from FIG. 5, the first pivot mount 21 is mounted in the upper part, in particular upper third, of the height of the cavity 2 when viewed in vertical direction V. In the embodiment in FIG. 7, the first pivot mount 21 is mounted in the lower part, in particular in the lower third, of the height of the cavity 2 when viewed in vertical direction V.

[0205] In all embodiments, the coupling members 11 and the location of the pivoting attachment of the first and second pivot mounts 21 and 22 are configured such that the tray rack 7, in particular the rack units, in particular the wire racks 16, are positioned within the back section of the cavity 2 in the closed position of the door 10 such that the tray 5, if property supported on the tray rack 7, is fully positioned within the cavity 2. Further, the mentioned component parts are configured such that the tray rack 7, in particular the rack units, such as the wire racks 16, are positioned near the front opening 4 in the opened position of the door 10, such that the tray 5, if properly supported on the tray rack 7, projects to a predefined amount out of the front opening 4. In other words, a predefined section of the tray 5, such as for example 10% to 20% (depending inter alia on the tray size) projects out of the front opening 4 in the opened position of the door 10. By this, the user can easily grasp the tray 5 and thereby is supported in inserting and removing the tray 5 from the tray rack 7.

[0206] The rail 14 comprises a frontal bumper 29 or frontal stopper for gently stopping, slowing down and/or restricting the forward movement, i.e. the extraction movement, of the wire rack 16 and/or for preventing the wire rack 16 or a corresponding slide from slipping or dropping off the rail 14. A rearward bumper or rearward stopper may be provided in embodiments, configured for gently stopping, slowing down and/or restricting the backward movement, i.e. the retraction movement, of the wire rack 16. The bumpers 29 may be configured for avoiding hard end stops of the door 10 and/or rack 7 when the door 10 and/or rack 7 that is driven by the motorized drive unit 141 reaches a respective end position.

[0207] Corresponding bumpers or stoppers may also be provided with the other embodiments described herein.

[0208] FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of a baking oven 1 with a coupling member 11, wherein the side view of FIG. 8 corresponds to the opened position of the door 10. FIG. 9 shows the baking oven of FIG. 8 in the closed position of the door 10. The coupling member as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has an arched shape with a single type of curvature, which is advantageous for obtaining appropriate torque transmission ratios between the door 10 and the rack 7, and/or for avoiding interferences with user actions in the opened position of the door 10 and extracted position of the rack 7.

[0209] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the coupling member 11 is pivotally attached at the door 10 by means of a bearing projection 26 to which the second pivot mount 22, for example by means of a through-hole, is attached by a bolt or pin acting as the pivoting axis. The first pivot mount 21 is attached to the tray rack 7, by means of a cantilevering element 19. The connection between the coupling member 11 and the cantilevering element 19 may be established in that a through hole provided in the first pivot mount 21 is pivotally coupled to a pin or bolt section of the cantilevering element 19. The pin or bolt section, which may be implemented as a pin or bolt projection or as an intermediate section of the cantilevering element 19, may be provided at a frontal side of the cantilevering element 19 spaced apart a given distance from the frontal side 32 of the tray rack 7, specifically the wire rack 16.

[0210] The cantilevering element 19 is attached to a frontal side 32 of the tray rack 7. The attachment may be one of screwed, welded, or integral design. The cantilevering element 19 projects from the frontal side 32 such that the pivot axis for the first pivot mount 21 is positioned a predefined distance PD from the support bar 18, specifically a predefined distance PD from the point of attachment at the wire rack 16.

[0211] The cantilevering element 19 has a substantially triangular shape, with two legs extending from the pin or bolt section that is pivotally coupled to the coupling member 11 towards the wire rack 16. In the given example, an upper leg is arranged substantially vertically, whereas a lower leg is arranged inclined downwards. Based on the triangular shape, the mechanical strength of the cantilevering element 19 may be improved and specifically adapted to respective needs for translating the movements and forces occurring in connection with the movements of the door 10 into suitable forces and movements for moving the tray rack 7 back and forth in retraction and extraction movements for trays 5. The legs that define the cantilevering element 19 are positioned within a plane that is parallel to the plane of movement of the coupling member 11, and preferably perpendicular to the plane associated with the area of the front opening 4.

[0212] The coupling member 11 in the given example has an arched shape, which is convex in the present case when viewed from the first pivot mount 21 in the properly mounted position. The curvature of the arched shape is defined in a plane of curvature that is parallel to the plane of movement of the coupling member 11, and preferably perpendicular to the plane associated with the area of the front opening 4. The radius or the radii of curvature of the arched shape lie on a side of the coupling member 11 that is averted from the hinge axis A of the door 10, in particular averted from the bottom wall of the cavity 2, in the ordinary operating position of the door 10.

[0213] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate a baking oven 1 of a further embodiment, wherein FIG. 11 illustrates an enlarged view of a section of the baking oven 1 shown in FIG. 10.

[0214] In the embodiment of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the tray rack 7 comprises two plate-like component parts, specifically two plate-like rack elements 33. Each of the rack elements 33 is arranged and positioned parallel to an inner lateral side wall 27 of the cavity 2.

[0215] The rack element 33 comprises a number of parallel grooves 34 oriented, in the properly mounted position, parallel to the depth dimension D of the cavity 2. The grooves 34 are arranged and configured such that they can accommodate opposed lateral side edges of the tray 5. Further, the grooves 34 are formed such that trays 5 can be placed at different vertical levels within the cavity 2.

[0216] The rack element 33 is movably attached to a rail 14 that is in the given example mounted at an upper site of a corresponding lateral side wall 27 of the cavity 2. The rack element 33 is movably coupled to the rail 14 by means of a slider element 31. The slider element 31 is fixedly attached to an upper side or edge of the rack element 33. Specifically, the slider element 31 is attached to a rear section of the rack element 33. The slider element 31 is movably coupled to the rail 14 for example by means of rolls or wheels engaged by the rail 14 which has a C-shaped cross section for encompassing the rolls or wheels and for guiding the rolls or wheels in lengthwise direction of the rail 14.

[0217] The rack elements 33 are kinematically coupled by an interconnector element 30, in particular for mechanically stabilising the arrangement and movement of the rack elements 33. In addition, by the interconnector element 30, the kinematic coupling between the door 10 and the tray rack 7 may be established by a single coupling member 11 provided, for example, on one of the lateral sides of the font opening 4. However, in the example shown in FIG. 10, two coupling members 11 are provided, wherein each coupling member 11 is coupled at one end to the door 10 by a bearing projection 26, and on the other end to the tray rack 7, specifically to the rack elements 33, by means of a suitable pivoting coupling.

[0218] FIG. 10 shows the motorized drive unit 141 that is kinematically coupled to the door 10 by the transmission 142, for example to the door hinges 143 of the door 10.

[0219] The motorized drive unit 141 may be an electric drive unit, a linear drive unit, a pneumatic drive unit or other type of drive unit, configured for automatically transferring the door 10 through the action of the motorized drive unit 141 and based on the kinematic coupling with the door 10 between the opened position of the door 10 and the closed position of the door 10.

[0220] For the reason that the door 10 is kinematically coupled to the motorized drive unit 141, and because the tray rack 7 is kinematically coupled to the door 10, these kinematically coupled elements represent a kinematic chain between the motorized drive unit 141 and the rack 7. Activating the motorized drive unit 141 results in an automatic extraction of the tray rack 7 out of the cavity 2 or in an automatic retraction of the tray rack 7 into the cavity 2.

[0221] If a tray 5 is positioned on the tray rack 7, activating the motorized drive unit 141 results in an automatic extraction of the tray 5 at least partially out of the cavity 2 or in an automatic retraction of the tray 5 into the cavity 2. By this, use and operation of the baking oven 1 in connection with extracting and retracting trays 5 may be simplified for the user.

[0222] The baking oven 1 of the example in FIG. 10 further shows an example implementation of a control interface 147. The control interface 147 is communicatively coupled with the control unit 144 which may be positioned behind the front plate 38 of the control interface 147. The control interface 147 may comprise a touch sensitive screen, and may mounted to or within the front plate 38.

[0223] Albeit the exemplary embodiments described in connection with the figures refer to a baking oven 1, the disclosed exemplary solutions, in particular connection with the tray racks 7, the coupling members 11, the motorized drive unit 141 and other aspects apply mutatis mutandis to other appliances.

[0224] Some advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention have been described above. The invention is however not limited to the embodiments described above, but the inventive idea can be applied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims.