US-20260129724-A1 - AUXILIARY HEATING ASSEMBLY WITH COMPLIANT CONNECTION COMPONENT

Abstract

A microwave oven includes an interlock system including an interlock switch that cuts power to a magnetron of the oven when the interlock switch changes from a first state to a second state. The microwave oven further includes a door assembly having a door structure and a door hook that is configured to operably engage the interlock switch to cut power to the magnetron at a breaking point. The breaking point may be determined, at least in part, by a position of the door hook relative to the door structure. The door assembly further includes an adjustment assembly including a gear that is configured to shift the door hook relative to the door structure when the gear is rotated, and a lock member that locks the door hook in a selected position relative to the door structure whereby the breaking point can be adjusted.

Inventors

• Xishuo Qiu
• Junhua Wu
• Laura Fossati
• Simone Polvara

Assignees

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251106

Priority Date

20241107

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A microwave oven, comprising: a housing forming a cavity; a magnetron that is configured to produce microwaves in the cavity when power is supplied to the magnetron; an interlock system including an interlock switch that cuts power to the magnetron when the interlock switch is shifted from a first state to a second state; and: a door assembly operably coupled to the housing, wherein the door assembly includes: a door structure; a door hook that is configured to operably engage the interlock switch and shift the interlock switch from the first state to the second state to cut power to the magnetron at a breaking point, wherein a position of the door hook relative to the door structure determines, at least in part, the breaking point; and: an adjustment assembly operably coupled to the door hook, wherein the adjustment assembly is configured to shift the door hook relative to the door structure to adjust the breaking point, the adjustment assembly including a gear that shifts the door hook relative to the door structure when the gear is rotated, and a lock screw that that is configured to retain the door hook in a selected position relative to the door structure when the lock screw is tightened.
2. 2 . The microwave oven of claim 1 , wherein: the door hook is movably supported by a door hook base whereby the door hook moves linearly relative to the door structure when the gear is rotated.
3. 3 . The microwave oven of claim 2 , wherein: the door hook includes an elongated gear slot and teeth adjacent to a side of the gear slot; and: the gear extends through the elongated gear slot and engages the teeth.
4. 4 . The microwave oven of claim 3 , wherein: the door hook is movably disposed in an interior space of the door hook base, the door hook base including first and second openings; and: the gear rotatably engages the first and second openings.
5. 5 . The microwave oven of claim 4 , wherein: the door hook includes an elongated screw slot; the lock screw extends through a first screw opening in the door hook base and through the elongated screw slot, the lock screw threadably engaging a threaded opening in the door hook base; and: the threaded opening is on an opposite side of the door hook base relative to the first screw opening whereby rotation of the lock screw causes the door hook base to clamp onto and engage opposite sides of the door hook to fix a position of the door hook relative to the door hook base.
6. 6 . The microwave oven of claim 5 , wherein: the door hook and the door hook base include teeth that prevent movement of the door hook relative to the door hook base when the door hook base clamps onto and engages the opposite sides of the door hook.
7. 7 . The microwave oven of claim 1 , wherein: the interlock system includes a rotating member having a cam surface that engages the interlock switch and shifts the interlock switch from the first state to a second state when the rotating member is rotated in a first direction; and: the door hook is configured to engage and rotate the rotating member in the first direction to cause the cam surface to engage the interlock switch and shift the interlock switch from the first state to the second state as the door assembly is moved from a closed position towards an open position.
8. 8 . The microwave oven of claim 7 , wherein: the door hook includes an opening; the rotating member includes a prong and an engagement surface that is spaced apart from the prong to form a slot having an open outer end; and: the prong extends into the opening of the door hook when the door is in the closed position; and: movement of the door from the closed position causes the door hook to engage the prong and rotate the rotating member in the first direction to shift the interlock switch from the first state to the second state; and: movement of the door to the closed position causes an end of the door hook to contact the engagement surface and rotate the rotating member in the second direction to shift the interlock switch from the second state to the first state.
9. 9 . A microwave oven, comprising: a housing forming a cavity; a magnetron that is configured to produce microwaves in the cavity when power is supplied to the magnetron; an interlock system including an interlock switch that cuts power to the magnetron when the interlock switch changes from a first state to a second state; and: a door assembly operably coupled to the housing for movement between open and closed positions relative to the housing, wherein the door assembly includes: a door structure; a door hook that is configured to operably engage the interlock switch to cut power to the magnetron at a breaking point, wherein the breaking point is determined, at least in part, by a position of the door hook relative to the door structure; and: an adjustment assembly including a gear that is configured to shift the door hook relative to the door structure when the gear is rotated, and a lock member that locks the door hook in a selected position relative to the door structure whereby a position of the door assembly relative to the housing at the breaking point can be adjusted.
10. 10 . The microwave oven of claim 9 , wherein: the interlock system includes a rotating member; and: the door hook is configured to rotate the rotating member to cause the interlock switch to change from the second state to the first state as the door assembly moves to the closed position, and wherein the door hook is configured to rotate the rotating member to cause the interlock switch to change from the first state to the second state as the door assembly is moved from the closed position.
11. 11 . The microwave oven of claim 9 , wherein: a relationship between the door hook and the interlock switch as the door assembly is moved from the closed position determines a point at which the interlock switch cuts power to the magnetron.
12. 12 . The microwave oven of claim 9 , wherein: the door hook is movably supported by a door hook base whereby the door hook moves linearly relative to the door structure when the gear is rotated; and: the door hook includes a coupling portion engaging the door hook base and an engagement element extending from the coupling portion, and wherein the adjustment assembly is operably coupled to the coupling portion.
13. 13 . The microwave oven of claim 12 , wherein: the door hook includes an elongated gear slot and teeth adjacent to a side of the gear slot; and: the gear extends through the elongated gear slot and engages the teeth.
14. 14 . The microwave oven of claim 13 , wherein: the door hook is movably disposed in an interior space of the door hook base between first and second interior surfaces of the door hook base, respectively; and: the gear rotatably engages teeth disposed on a selected one of the first and second interior surfaces of the door hook base.
15. 15 . The microwave oven of claim 14 , wherein: the lock member comprises a lock screw; the door hook includes an elongated screw slot; the lock screw extends through a first screw opening in the door hook base and through the screw slot, the lock screw threadably engaging a threaded screw opening in the door hook base; and: the threaded screw opening is on an opposite side of the door hook base relative to the first screw opening whereby rotation of the lock screw causes the door hook base to deform and clamp onto opposite sides of the door hook to prevent movement of the door hook relative to the door hook base.
16. 16 . A door hook assembly for a microwave oven, comprising: a door hook base defining an interior space having an opening; a door hook having a first portion disposed within the interior space, and a second portion protruding outwardly through the opening, the door hook having an engagement element configured to engage an interlock system of a microwave oven; an adjustment assembly operably coupled to the door hook, the adjustment assembly including a gear that engages teeth on the door hook base to move the door hook relative to the door hook base; and: a lock member engaging the door hook, wherein the lock member is movable between an unlocked condition and a locked condition, wherein the door hook is linearly translatable relative to the door hook base when the lock member is in the unlocked condition, and wherein the door hook is fixed to the door hook base when the lock member is in the locked condition.
17. 17 . The door hook assembly of claim 16 , wherein: the door hook includes an elongated slot with teeth adjacent to a side of the elongated slot; and: the gear extends through the elongated slot and engages the teeth, and wherein a rotation of the gear drives linear translation of the door hook relative to the door hook base.
18. 18 . The door hook assembly of claim 17 , wherein: the gear includes a proximal portion having a head disposed outside the door hook base, a distal portion rotatably engaging an opening in the door hook base, and an intermediate portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the intermediate portion including teeth that engage the teeth of the door hook.
19. 19 . The door hook assembly of claim 16 , wherein: the lock member comprises a lock screw that threadably engages a threaded opening in the door hook base.
20. 20 . The door hook assembly of claim 19 , wherein: the door hook includes an elongated screw slot; the lock screw extends through a first screw opening in the door hook base and through the screw slot, the lock screw threadably engaging a threaded screw opening in the door hook base; the threaded screw opening is on an opposite side of the door hook base relative to the first screw opening whereby rotation of the lock screw causes the door hook base to deform and engage opposite sides of the door hook to prevent movement of the door hook relative to the door hook base; and: the door hook and the door hook base include teeth that prevent movement of the door hook relative to the door hook base when the door hook base engages the opposite sides of the door hook.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2024/130470, filed on Nov. 7, 2024, entitled “AUXILIARY HEATING ASSEMBLY WITH COMPLIANT CONNECTION COMPONENT,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to microwave ovens, and more specifically, to an adjustable door hook that actuates an interlock switch and turns the oven off when the oven door is opened. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE An aspect of the present disclosure is a microwave oven including a housing forming a cavity and a magnetron that is configured to produce microwaves in the cavity when power is supplied to the magnetron. The microwave oven includes an interlock system having an interlock switch that cuts power to the magnetron when the interlock switch is shifted from a first state to a second state. The microwave oven further includes a door assembly that is operably coupled to the housing. The door assembly includes a door structure and a door hook that is configured to operably engage the interlock switch and shift the interlock switch from the first state to the second state to cut power to the magnetron at a breaking point. The breaking point is determined, at least in part, by a position of the door hook relative to the door. An adjustment assembly is operably coupled to the door hook. The adjustment assembly is configured to shift the door hook relative to the door structure to adjust the breaking point. The adjustment assembly includes a gear that shifts the door hook relative to the door structure when the gear is rotated, and a lock screw that is configured to retain the door hook in a selected position relative to the door structure when the lock screw is tightened. Another aspect of the present disclosure is a microwave oven including a housing forming a cavity, and a magnetron that is configured to produce microwaves in the cavity when power is supplied to the magnetron. The microwave oven further includes an interlock system having an interlock switch that cuts power to the magnetron when the interlock switch changes from a first state to a second state. The microwave oven further includes a door assembly that is operably coupled to the housing. The door assembly includes a door structure and a door hook that is configured to operably engage the interlock switch to cut power to the magnetron at a breaking point. The breaking point is determined, at least in part, by a position of the door hook relative to the door structure. The door assembly further includes an adjustment assembly including a gear that is configured to shift the door hook relative to the door structure when the gear is rotated, and a lock member that locks the door hook in a selected position relative to the door structure whereby a position of the door assembly relative to the housing at the breaking point can be adjusted. Another aspect of the present disclosure is a door hook assembly for a microwave oven. The door hook assembly includes a door hook base defining an interior space having an opening. A door hook has a first portion disposed within the interior space, and a second portion protruding outwardly through the opening. The door hook has an engagement element that is configured to engage an interlock system of a microwave oven. An adjustment assembly is operably coupled to the door hook. The adjustment assembly includes a gear that engages teeth on the door hook base to move the door hook relative to the door hook base. The door hook assembly further includes a lock member engaging the door hook. The lock member is movable between an unlocked condition and a locked condition, and the door hook is linearly translatable relative to the door hook base when the lock member is in the unlocked condition. The door hook is fixed to the door hook base when the lock member is in the locked condition. These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a microwave oven according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a door for a microwave oven; FIG. 3 is a partially fragmentary exploded perspective view of a door hook assembly including a door hook and a door hook base according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 3A is an end view of the base of the door hook assembly of FIG. 3; FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the base taken along the line 3B-3B; FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the door hook assembly of FIG. 3 when it is assembled; FIG. 4A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the door hook and base of FIG. 4; FIG. 4B is a fragmentary isometric view of an upper side of a lower