AU2005242178B2

AU2005242178B2 - Electric oven and pyrolysis controlling method for the same

Info

Publication number: AU2005242178B2
Application number: AU2005242178A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Young Chul Kim
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2004-12-08
Filing date: 2005-12-08
Publication date: 2010-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-08
Also published as: EP1669678A1; AU2005242178A1; DE602005010376D1; EP1669678B1

Description

P/00/01 1 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Electric oven and pyrolysis controlling method for the same The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 974769v5 2 ELECTRIC OVEN AND PYROLYSIS CONTROLLING METHOD FOR THE SAME Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to an electric oven, and more particularly, to an electric oven having a pyrolysis function and a method for controlling the same in order to protect components inside the oven to increase their reliability. .0 Description of the Related Art An oven is a widely used cooking apparatus that heats food inside its cavity at high temperature. An oven range incorporates an oven and a heating plate disposed on top of the oven on which cooking containers are L5 placed. The containers are heated by a range coupled to the heating plate so that food contained in the containers is cooked. Oven ranges are categorized into two types according to their heating source, that is, a gas oven range and an electric oven range. 20 Gas oven ranges are usually powered by gas that heats a plurality of burners, and electric oven ranges use electricity to heat ceramic, sheathe, halogen, or other types of heaters. Electric oven ranges are able to simultaneously heat 25 food not only from the bottom but from all sides, thus providing a faster cooking time and heating efficiency than gas oven ranges. Additionally, because electricity is used, electric oven ranges are safer than their gas counterparts, and are therefore, very popular. Electric oven ranges are 30 identical to electric ovens, except for a range added at the 3 top. During prolonged use of an electric oven range, smoke residue from cooking meats and other foods is deposited on the cavity's inner walls. Because the smoke is from burnt food, it contains grease and other impurities that are difficult to remove from 5 the inner walls of a cavity without using a grease cleaner. Thus, it is inconvenient for a user to periodically have to clean the interior of an oven cavity with cleaning agents. In order to alleviate this inconvenient aspect of ovens, a pyrolysis function that applies maximum heat to an oven cavity to burn and remove grease deposits can be used. During the use of the pyrolysis function, however, because the inside of the oven 10 cavity is heated to extremely high temperatures, the racks, brackets, and other components inside the cavity can be damaged. When the pyrolysis function is used, racks, brackets, and other loose items in the cavity must be removed. However, it is easy for a user to forget to remove the components prior to activating the pyrolysis function, and therefore, it is common that components that aren't 15 duly removed prior to pyrolysis are damaged during the process. Although technology exists that emits audible signals to remove racks prior to pyrolysis, if the racks are not removed, there is no way of checking their presence or lack thereof, so that the interior components can still be damaged by high temperatures during pyrolysis. 20 Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be ascertained, understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art. 25 (a) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an electric oven and to a controlling method for the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

4 A first embodiment of the present invention provides an electric oven having a pyrolysis function and a controlling method for the same that protect components inside the oven when the pyrolysis function is used. A further embodiment of the present invention provides an electric oven that 5 allows normal operation of its pyrolysis function at all times by separately installing pyrolysis-related components. A further embodiment of the present invention provides an electric oven capable of sensing cases where a user forgets to remove cooking components from inside the oven prior to using the pyrolysis function, and operating accordingly. 10 Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of 15 controlling an electric oven for implementing a pyrolysis function to clean an interior of a cavity, wherein the controlling method comprises determining if a checking portion has been manipulated by a user when a pyrolysis mode is selected; providing a message to manipulate the checking portion if it is determined that the checking portion has not been manipulated; and conducting a pyrolysis if it is determined that the checking 20 portion has been manipulated, wherein the checking portion includes a first checking portion for determining whether pyrolysis is conducted, and a second checking portion for determining a temperature when pyrolysis is conducted. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an electric oven comprising a key input unit for inputting commands; a sensor unit for sensing if a user 25 has performed a predetermined required manipulation when a pyrolysis mode is selected through the key input unit; a control unit for selectively conducting a pyrolysis according to a feedback from the sensor unit; a signalling unit for signalling to the user an operational status according to a control signal from the control unit, wherein a first 5 sensor is provided for determining whether pyrolysis is conducted, and a second sensor is provided for determining a temperature when pyrolysis is conducted. The pyrolysis function of an electric oven range according to the present invention is able to operate reliably and safely. Furthermore, because it can issue 5 warnings to a user, the pyrolysis function can operate under normal conditions. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Brief description of the drawings 10 The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an electric oven range according to the 15 present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cavity of the electric oven range according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of an electric oven range that has a pyrolysis function according to the present invention; 20 1974769v5 6 Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the method of controlling the pyrolysis function of an electric oven range according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a cavity of 5 an electric oven range that has a pyrolysis function according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of an electric oven range according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and LO Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the method of controlling the pyrolysis function of an electric oven range according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred L5 embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. FIRST EMBODIMENT 20 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electric oven range according to the present invention, where the electric oven range 1 is a structure defined by 6 surfaces. The electric oven range 1 includes a countertop 10 for placing cooking containers on top to heat them and cook food 25 within, a control panel 20 disposed at the rear of the countertop 10 and extending upward for controlling the operation of the electric oven range 1, an oven 30 disposed below the countertop 10 for cooking food within using heat convection, and a drawer 40 disposed below the oven 30 for 30 basic cooking and storage.

1974769v5 7 The countertop 10 forms the top portion of the electric oven range 1 and has a plurality of infrared, halogen, or other types of heaters formed thereon. Ceramic glass 14 that transmits the infrared or other 5 heat type is formed over the electric burners 12 formed on the countertop 10 to seal them. A control panel 20 is disposed at the rear of the countertop 10 extending upward for controlling the operation of the electric oven range 1. At one area of the front of LO the control panel 20 is a display 22 for showing the operating mode, cooking time, etc. of the electric oven range 1, and to the sides of the display 22 are a plurality of control knobs 24 for a user to control the operation of the electric oven range 1 with. L5 An oven 30 is disposed beneath the countertop 10. The oven 30 heats a plurality of heating elements to induce heat convection to cook food inside the space sealed by an oven door 50 disposed at the front of the oven 30, the door formed to selectively open and shut. 20 A convection fan is installed inside the oven for forcefully cooling the plurality of heating elements and the heat inside the oven 30, aiding in evenly cooking food. Also, formed at the front of the oven door 50 is a handle 52 that a user can easily grasp to open and close the 25 oven door 50; and formed through the oven door 50 is a see through window 54 formed of heat-resistant glass allowing a user to view the inside of the oven from the outside. The opening and closing drawer 40 formed below the oven 30 includes a separate heater for warming cooked food or 30 cooking smaller morsels of food and a shelf-type structure for storing cooking containers and food.

1974769v5 8 A detailed description of the pyrolysis function during operation of an electric oven range will be made below. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a cavity of an electric oven range according to the present invention. 5 Fig. 2 shows a cavity 452 for holding food therein, a rack 424 resting inside the cavity 452 for placing foods on, and a checking portion fixed to an inner surface of the cavity 452 for removal by a user before implementing the pyrolysis function. LO Before a user implements the pyrolysis function, the checking portion is used. The checking portion includes a checking screw 431 protruding outward from components that need to be removed from the cavity, and a sensor (not shown) disposed to the inside of the checking screw 431 on the L5 surface of the cavity 452. When a user decides to use the pyrolysis function and removes the checking screw 431, the sensor senses the removal and allows the pyrolysis function to be carried out. Should a user implement the pyrolysis function by mistakenly pressing the command buttons, and the 20 checking screw 431 is not removed, the pyrolysis function may be programmed not to function. In other words, an unintended operation of the electric oven range through mistaken command inputs can be avoided. The checking screw 431, however, is only an exemplary 25 component of the checking portion for a user to utilize, which may be replaced by another part not necessarily in the form of a screw. For example, a bar, nut, or any number of devices that can be manipulated by a user may be used in lieu of the checking screw 431. However, the checking screw 431 30 is used again in the explanation below for the sake of convenience.

1974769v5 9 Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of an electric oven range that has a pyrolysis function according to the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, the electric oven range having a 5 pyrolysis function includes: an key input unit 720 for allow the user to input commands, a sensor unit 710 for sensing whether the rack is present inside the oven and implementing the pyrolysis function when the user selects the pyrolysis mode through the key input unit 720, a temperature sensor LO unit 730 for detecting the temperature inside the oven, a control unit 740 for selectively controlling the temperature inside the oven according to feedback from the sensor unit 710, a display unit 760 for displaying the operational status of the oven according to a control signal from the control L5 unit 740, and a load driver unit 750 for driving load components according to control signals from the control unit 740. Here, the sensor unit 710 is intended to implement the pyrolysis function and includes the checking screw 431 and 20 sensor (not shown) in Fig. 2. An explanation will now be given on the operation of the above electric oven range having a pyrolysis function. The user turns on the power by pressing a power button on the key input unit 720, and selects a desired cooking 25 setting by manipulating the control panel. The control unit 740 carries out the inputted cooking setting. Heat is emitted from elements through driving signals from the load driver unit 750, and the temperature sensor unit 730 senses the temperature inside the cavity in order to control the 30 operation of the electric oven range. When the user selects the pyrolysis mode using the key 1974769v5 10 input unit 720, the control unit 740 determines if conditions allow the implementation of the pyrolysis mode through feedback from the sensor unit 710. In one scenario, a second sensor unit 712 determines if 5 the checking screw 431 for pyrolysis has been removed, and the control unit 74 controls the load driver unit 750 to implement the pyrolysis function. In another scenario, if it is sensed that the checking screw 431 for pyrolysis has not been removed, the control LO unit 740 sends a control signal to the display unit 760 instructing it to display a message indicating that the pyrolysis checking screw 431 should be removed. Of course, the load driver unit 750 does not function at this time. The display unit 760 is to be understood in the general 15 sense of a signalling unit for signalling to the user the operational status according to the control signal from the control unit. It can be a commonly known display screen capable of indicating symbols and/or characters or any arrangement of lights (LEDs) or other commonly known means 20 suitable to indicate an operational status. In this manner, when a user unintentionally sets the pyrolysis mode by mistakenly pressing keys, the pyrolysis mode may be cancelled by pressing a cancellation button. By thus preventing unintentional operation of the 25 pyrolysis mode, power is saved, and the level of user safety is elevated. Below, a detailed explanation on the method of controlling the pyrolysis function of the electric oven range according to the present invention will be given with reference to Fig. 4. 30 Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the pyrolysis function of an electric oven range according to 1974769v5 11 the present invention. Referring to Fig. 4, after power is turned on in step S101, the control unit determines whether the pyrolysis mode has been selected in step S102. Next, if the pyrolysis mode 5 has been selected, as determined in step S102, it is determined if the pyrolysis checking screw 431 is present in step S103. If the checking screw is determined to be present in step S103, a message indicating that the checking screw LO should be removed is displayed in step S104. On the other hand, if the checking screw is found not to be present in step S103, the pyrolysis function is carried out in step S105. The plurality of heat sources such as heating elements inside the cavity are heated to maximum so that the L5 temperature inside the cavity becomes extremely high. When the pyrolysis mode is completed in step S106, a message is displayed indicating its completion in step S107. If, in step S102, it is determined that the user has not selected the pyrolysis mode, other modes selected by the user 20 are implemented in step S108. In the above description of a controlling method for pyrolysis, the pyrolysis checking screw needs to be removed in the electric oven range in order for the pyrolysis mode to function properly. However, the controlling method can also 25 prevent the pyrolysis mode from operating if a user sets the pyrolysis mode by accidentally pressing buttons; and furthermore, if a user sets the pyrolysis mode without first removing the racks, brackets, and cooking containers from the cavity, the controlling method can prevent the electric oven 30 range from operating according to the user's input commands, thereby preventing damage to the racks and like components.

1974769v5 12 Advantages of the inventive electric oven range having the above pyrolysis function and the controlling method for the oven will now be addressed. First, because the checking screw (for checking the 5 operation of the pyrolysis mode when the mode is set) is formed to check if the rack is present in the oven, the pyrolysis mode is not executed if the rack is present, so that the rack and other interior components are protected. Second, by notifying a user of the operation status of LO pyrolysis, the user can readily perceive the situation. Third, even if a user carelessly uses the electric oven range, the oven will operate safely. SECOND EMBODIMENT The second embodiment of the present invention has many L5 similarities with the first embodiment, and includes two checking portions, being the pyrolysis checking screw and an additional rack screw for checking if the rack has been removed. In explaining the second embodiment, only the characteristics thereof which differ from those of the first 20 embodiment will be explained, and characteristics corresponding to those of the first embodiment, while omitted, should be understood to be the same as described in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same reference numerals will be used for parts identical to those in the 25 first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a cavity of an electric oven range that has a pyrolysis function according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the structure of an 30 electric oven range according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

1974769v5 13 Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the cavity 452 of the electric oven range according to the present invention includes a pyrolysis checking screw 431 for a user to purposely remove before implementing the pyrolysis function, 5 and a rack screw 432 for securing the rack 424. The rack screw 432 also has a sensor provided therewith for double checking if the rack 424 has been removed by checking if the rack sensor 432 has been removed. Also, because the rack screw 432 functions to secure the rack 424, the latter can LO only be removed by removing the former. Furthermore, the sensor unit 710 includes a second sensor 712 for determining whether the pyrolysis checking screw 431 has been removed, and a first sensor 711 for determining whether the rack screw 432 has been removed, as L5 shown in Fig. 6. Because the first sensor 711 determines whether the rack screw 432 has been removed, it more reliably prevents damage to the rack 424. The controlling method of the pyrolysis function of the electric oven range according to the second embodiment of the 20 present invention will be described below. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the method of controlling the pyrolysis function of an electric oven range according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 7, after the power to the electric 25 oven range has been turned on and detected in step S201, the control unit determines whether the pyrolysis mode has been selected in step S202. If the pyrolysis mode has been selected according to step S202, the control unit determines if the pyrolysis 30 checking screw 431 is present in step S203. If the checking screw 431 is found to be present in step s203, a message 1974769v5 14 indicating that the screw must be removed is outputted in step S204. On the other hand, if the checking screw 431 is found not to be present in step S203, the pyrolysis function is 5 carried out in step S205 according to the settings. Additionally, the control unit determines in step S206 if the rack screw 432 is present in order to determine if the rack is present. If the rack is found to be present in step S206, a first temperature setting for the inside of the LO cavity is maintained in step S207, the first temperature setting being approximately 2500, which will not cause damage to the rack. When pyrolysis in step S208 at the first temperature setting is completed, "partial pyrolysis operation" is L5 outputted in step S209. When the user views this outputted message, (s)he will realize that partial pyrolysis was implemented due to the presence of the rack in the oven. If the rack is determined to not be present in step S206, a second temperature setting is maintained inside the 20 cavity in step S210 for full implementation of pyrolysis. The second temperature setting is approximately 450', which can damage the rack. However, because the rack has already been removed from the cavity, no damage is incurred. When the operation is completed in step S211, the 25 message, "normal pyrolysis operation" is displayed in step S212. Upon seeing this message, the user realizes that the pyrolysis function has ended. If the pyrolysis mode has not been selected by the user as sensed in step S202, other command settings inputted by 30 the user are carried out in step S213.

1974769v5 15 In this embodiment, if the pyrolysis mode is selected, but the rack is not removed, the pyrolysis function is implemented at a first temperature setting for the oven's interior, so that partial pyrolysis is performed in order to 5 partially remove food deposits in the oven. In this embodiment, if a user mistakenly sets the electric oven range in pyrolysis mode or fails to remove the rack before this setting, the oven can still operate safely. Also, because the system requires a double-check, safe LO operation of the oven is reinforced. In addition, because the pyrolysis function can be carried out with the rack present, the oven is more convenient to use. Furthermore, because the display outputs messages, a 15 user can more readily check the status of pyrolysis operation. While the described embodiments of the present invention address an electric oven range, they are equally applicable to an oven without a range. 20 Throughout the specification the term "comprise" and variations on this term including "comprising" and "comprises" are to be understood to imply the inclusion of a .feature, integer, step or element, and not exclude other features, integers, steps or elements. It will be understood 25 that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or the drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. 30 The foregoing describe embodiments of the present 1974769v5 16 invention and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an electric oven for implementing a pyrolysis function to clean an interior of a cavity, wherein the controlling method comprises: determining if a checking portion has been manipulated by a user when a 5 pyrolysis mode is selected; providing a message to manipulate the checking portion if it is determined that the checking portion has not been manipulated; and conducting a pyrolysis if it is determined that the checking portion has been manipulated, wherein the checking portion includes a first checking portion for 10 determining whether pyrolysis is conducted, and a second checking portion for determining a temperature when pyrolysis is conducted.

2. The controlling method according to claim 1, wherein the message is visually displayed.

3. The controlling method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the checking portion is 15 provided in an interior of the cavity.

4. The controlling method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising displaying a message signalling completion after the pyrolysis has been completed.

5. The controlling method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 20 the second checking portion also serves to fix a removable component inside the cavity.

6. The controlling method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when it is determined that the first checking portion is not manipulated, the pyrolysis is not conducted and a message is displayed.

7. The controlling method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 25 the pyrolysis is conducted at a temperature required for normal pyrolysis when it is determined that both the first and second checking portions are manipulated. 18

8. The controlling method according to claim 7, further comprising displaying a message indicating that the pyrolysis completion mode was conducted at a temperature required for normal pyrolysis.

9. The controlling method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the 5 pyrolysis mode is conducted at a lower temperature that does not inflict damage to the removable component inside the cavity when it is determined that the first checking portion is manipulated and that the second checking portion is not manipulated.

10. The controlling method according to claim 9, further comprising displaying a message indicating that partial pyrolysis was conducted after completion of the pyrolysis 10 at the lower temperature.

11. The controlling method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the checking portion(s) include(s) a screw to be operated rotationally and the required manipulation comprises removing the screw.

12. An electric oven comprising: 15 a key input unit for inputting commands; a sensor unit for sensing if a user has performed a predetermined required manipulation when a pyrolysis mode is selected through the key input unit; a control unit for selectively conducting a pyrolysis according to a feedback from the sensor unit; and 20 a signalling unit for signalling to the user an operational status according to a control signal from the control unit, wherein a first sensor is provided for determining whether pyrolysis is conducted, and a second sensor is provided for determining a temperature when pyrolysis is conducted. 25

13. The electric oven according to claim 12, wherein the sensor unit comprises a screw provided on an inside wall of a cavity and the required manipulation comprises removing the screw. 19

14. The electric oven according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the signalling unit comprises a display unit adapted to display a message requesting a manipulation of the sensor unit when the sensor unit has not been manipulated.

15. The electric oven according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the sensor 5 unit includes a first sensor for sensing a manipulation of an element serving to fix a removable component inside the cavity of the oven, and a second sensor for sensing another manipulation.

16. The electric oven according to claim 15, wherein the pyrolysis mode is conducted when the second sensor is manipulated. 10

17. The electric oven according to claim 16, wherein the signalling unit is adapted to output a completion message after the pyrolysis has been completed.

18. The electric oven according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the sensor unit comprises a device provided in an interior of a cavity that can be removed by a user and said predetermined required manipulation comprises removing the device. 15

19. A method of controlling an electric oven for implementing a pyrolysis function to clean an interior of a cavity substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.

20. An electric oven substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures. 20