Oven Range Appliance and a Cooling Assembly for the Same

Abstract

The present subject matter provides an oven range appliance and a cooling assembly for an oven range appliance. The cooling assembly includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The at least one inlet is configured for receiving a flow of air. The cooling assembly directs the flow of air through the cooling assembly to the at least one outlet. Due to the position and/or size of the at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the cooling assembly can draw or urge the flow of air through the cooling assembly without a fan.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to oven range appliances and cooling assemblies for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oven range appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a cooking chamber for baking or broiling food items therein as well as a cooktop positioned at a top portion of the cabinet for grilling, boiling or frying food items thereon. To heat the cooking chamber, oven range appliances include heating elements, such as a bake heating element positioned at a bottom portion of the cooking chamber and/or a broil heating element positioned at a top portion of the cooking chamber. During operation of such heating elements, the cabinet and other components of the oven appliance can be heated. In particular, an outer surface of the cabinet and an outer surface of the oven appliance's door can be heated during operation of such heating elements.

The outer surface of the cabinet and/or the outer surface of the oven appliance's door are preferably maintained below a threshold temperature during operation of the oven appliance. Additionally, certain electronics, such as PCBs, and/or electrical components, such as a latch motor, within the oven appliance are preferably maintained below a specified temperature during operation of the oven appliance.

Certain oven appliances include a fan and duct system that draws or pulls air into the oven appliance for cooling oven appliances components during operation of such oven appliances. However, such fan and duct systems can be noisy when the fan is operating. Further, such fan and duct systems can add to the overall cost and complexity of their associated oven appliances.

Accordingly, a cooling assembly for an oven appliance that assists with maintaining a temperature of an outer surface of the oven appliance's door below a threshold temperature would be useful. In particular, a cooling assembly for an oven appliance that assists with maintaining a temperature of an outer surface of the oven appliance's door below a threshold temperature without using of a fan would be useful. Further, a cooling assembly for an oven appliance that assists with maintaining electronics or electronic components of the oven appliance below a threshold temperature would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides an oven range appliance and a cooling assembly for an oven range appliance. The cooling assembly includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The at least one inlet is configured for receiving a flow of air. The cooling assembly directs the flow of air therethrough to the at least one outlet. Due to the position and/or size of the at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the cooling assembly can draw or urge the flow of air through the cooling assembly without a fan. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, an oven range appliance that defines a vertical direction and a transverse direction is provided. The vertical and transverse directions are perpendicular. The oven range appliance includes a cabinet that extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet also extends between a front portion and back portion along the transverse direction. The cabinet defines a cooking chamber and an opening that permits access to the cooking chamber of the cabinet. The opening is positioned at the front portion of the cabinet. A door is mounted to the cabinet at the opening of the cabinet. The door is selectively adjustable between an open position and a closed position in order to permit selective access to the cooking chamber of the cabinet through the opening of the cabinet. A heating assembly is mounted to the cabinet at the top portion of the cabinet. The heating assembly is positioned above the cooking chamber of the cabinet along the vertical direction. A cooling assembly is positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet between the cooking chamber of the cabinet and the heating assembly. The cooling assembly defines at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The at least one inlet is positioned at the front portion of the cabinet and adjacent the door when the door is in the closed position. The at least one outlet is positioned at the back portion of the cabinet. The at least one outlet is positioned above the at least one inlet along the vertical direction such that a flow of air is drawn through the cooling chamber from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a cooling assembly for an oven appliance is provided. The cooling assembly defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The cooling assembly includes a main body. The main body extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The main body also extends between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The main body further extends between a front portion and a back portion along the transverse direction. The main body defines an inlet, a flow passage and a pair of outlets. The inlet is configured for receiving a flow of air and directing the flow of air into the flow passage. The flow passage is configured for directing the flow of air to the pair of outlets. The inlet is positioned at the bottom and front portions of the main body and extends along the lateral direction between the first and second side portions of the main body. The pair of outlets is positioned at the top and back portions of the main body.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front view of an oven range appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a side, section view of the exemplary oven range appliance of FIG. 1 taken along the 2-2 line of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a cooling assembly for an oven appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 provides a front, elevation view of the exemplary cooling assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a top, plan view of the exemplary cooling assembly of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a front view of an oven range appliance 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 2 provides a side, section view of oven range appliance 10 taken along the 2-2 line of FIG. 1 (e.g., taken in a plane that is perpendicular to a lateral direction L). It should be understood that oven range appliance 10 is provided by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present subject matter in any aspect. Thus, the present subject matter may be used with other oven range appliance configurations, e.g., that define multiple interior cavities for the receipt of food and/or having different pan or rack arrangements than what is shown in FIG. 2. Further, the present subject matter may be used in any other suitable oven appliance, e.g., a wall oven appliance.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, oven range appliance 10 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral and transverse directions V, L and T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. Oven range appliance 10 includes an insulated cabinet 12. Cabinet 12 extends between a top portion 30 and a bottom portion 31, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Cabinet 12 also extends between a first side portion 32 and a second side portion 33, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Cabinet 12 further extends between a front portion 34 and a back portion 35, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

Cabinet 12 defines an interior cooking chamber 14 and an opening 17. Cooking chamber 14 is defined by an interior surface 15 of cabinet 12 and is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Opening 17 is positioned at front portion 34 of cabinet 12 and permits access to cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12. Oven range appliance 10 also includes a door 16 rotatably mounted to cabinet 12, e.g., with a hinge (not shown). Door 16 is positioned at or adjacent opening 17 of cabinet 12 and is selectively adjustable between an open position (not shown) and a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2). With door 16 in the open position, a user can access cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12 through opening 17 of cabinet 12. Conversely, door 16 hinders or prevents access to cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12 through opening 17 of cabinet 12 when door 16 is in the closed position. A handle 18 is mounted to door 16 and assists a user with shifting door 16 between the open and closed positions in order to access cooking chamber 14. For example, a user can pull on handle 18 to adjust door 16 from the closed position to the open position and access cooking chamber 14.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, oven range appliance 10 also includes a seal or gasket 20 that extends between door 16 and cabinet 12, e.g., when door 16 is in the closed position. Gasket 20 assists with maintaining heat and cooking fumes within cooking chamber 14 when door 16 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 2. Multiple parallel glass panes 22 provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamber 14 when door 16 is in the closed position and also assist with insulating cooking chamber 14. A baking rack (not shown) may be positioned in cooking chamber 14 for the receipt of food items or utensils containing food items. The baking rack may be slidably received onto embossed ribs or sliding rails 26 such that the baking rack may be conveniently moved into and out of cooking chamber 14 when door 16 is open.

A bake or bottom heating element 40 is positioned in cabinet 12, e.g., at or adjacent bottom portion 31 of cabinet 12. Bottom heating element 40 is used to heat cooking chamber 14 for both cooking and cleaning of oven range appliance 10. The size and heat output of bottom heating element 40 can be selected based on the e.g., the size of oven range appliance 10. Bottom heating element 40 can be any suitable heating element. For example, bottom heating element 40 may be an electric resistance heating element, a gas burner, a microwave heating element, etc.

A broil or top heating element 42 is also positioned in cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12, e.g., at or adjacent top portion 30 of cabinet 12. Top heating element 42 is used to heat cooking chamber 14 for both cooking/broiling and cleaning of oven range appliance 10. Like bottom heating element 40, the size and heat output of top heating element 42 can be selected based on the e.g., the size of oven range appliance 10. Top heating element 42 can be any suitable heating element. For example, top heating element 42 may be an electric resistance heating element, a gas burner, a microwave heating element, etc.

The operation of oven range appliance 10 including top and bottom heating elements 40 and 42 is controlled by one or more processing devices (not shown) such as a microprocessor or other device that is in communication with such components. Such processing device (used herein to refer generally to single and/or multiple processing devices) is also in communication with a control panel 36 having a plurality of user inputs 37 and a temperature sensor 38 that is used to measure temperature inside cooking chamber 14. Control panel 36 provides visual information to a user and allows a user to select various options for the operation of oven range appliance 10 via user inputs 37. One or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, toggle/rocker switches, and/or touch pads can also be used singularly or in combination as user inputs 37.

Oven range appliance 10 also includes a cooktop portion 44 positioned at top portion 30 of oven range appliance 10. Cooktop portion 44 includes a plurality of heating assemblies 46 positioned below grates 48. Heating assemblies 46 are positioned above cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Cooking utensils, such as pots, pans, griddles, etc., may be placed on grates 48 and heated with heating assemblies 46 during operation of oven range appliance 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, heating assemblies 46 are shown as gas burners. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, heating assemblies 46 may be any suitable heating assembly, such as electric resistance heating elements or induction heating elements.

Oven range appliance 10 also includes a cooling assembly 50. Cooling assembly 50 is positioned adjacent top portion 30 of cabinet 12, e.g., between heating assemblies 46 and cooking chamber 14 along the vertical direction V. Cooling assembly 50 is configured for limiting or reducing heat transfer along the vertical direction V during operation of oven range appliance 10. In particular, cooling assembly 50 is configured for directing a flow of air (shown with arrows F) therethrough in order to limit or reduce heat transfer along the vertical direction V during operation of bottom and/or top heating elements 40 and 42 of oven range appliance 10. Cooling assembly 50 is discussed in greater detail below.

Cooling assembly 50 defines at least one inlet 52 and at least one outlet 54. Inlet 52 is positioned at or adjacent front portion 34 of cabinet 12. Inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50 is also positioned adjacent or proximate door 16, e.g., when door 16 is in the closed position. Conversely, outlet 54 of cooling assembly 50 is positioned at or adjacent back portion 35 of cabinet 12. In particular, outlet 54 of cooling assembly 50 is positioned within a cover 58 of oven range appliance 10 at back portion 35 of cabinet 12. Outlet 54 of cooling assembly 50 is positioned above inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50, e.g., along the vertical direction V.

Flow of air F enters cooling assembly 50 at inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50 and flows through cooling assembly 50 to outlet 54 of cooling assembly 50. Flow of air F exits cooling assembly 50 at outlet 54 of cooling assembly 50. Flow of air F can assist with limiting heat transfer along the vertical direction V within cooling assembly 50. For example, a lower surface 70 of cooling assembly 50 can be heated during operation of bottom and/or top heating elements 40 and 42 of oven range appliance 10. Flow of air F can be cool relative to lower surface 70 of cooling assembly 50 such that flow of air F limits or reduces heat transfer between lower surface 70 of cooling assembly 50 and an upper surface 72 of cooling assembly 50 during operation of bottom and/or top heating elements 40 and 42 of oven range appliance 10, e.g., such that upper surface 72 of cooling assembly 50 is cool relative to lower surface 70 of cooling assembly 50. In such a manner, components of oven range appliance 10, such as electronic or electrical components, above cooling assembly 50 can be insulated, e.g., from high temperatures of cooking chamber 14 during operation of oven range appliance 10.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, lower surface 70 of cooling assembly 50 and upper surface 72 of cooling assembly 50 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Further, lower surface 70 of cooling assembly 50 and upper surface 72 of cooling assembly 50 are each sloped. In particular, lower surface 70 of cooling assembly 50 slopes upwardly along the vertical direction V from about the front portion 34 of cabinet 12 to about the back portion 35 of cabinet 12. Similarly, upper surface 72 of cooling assembly 50 slopes upwardly along the vertical direction V from about the front portion 34 of cabinet 12 to about the back portion 35 of cabinet 12. Lower surface 70 of cooling assembly 50 and upper surface 72 of cooling assembly 50 maybe substantially parallel to each other from about the front portion 34 of cabinet 12 to about the back portion 35 of cabinet 12.

Oven range appliance 10 also includes features for limiting or reducing heat transfer within door 16, e.g., along the transverse direction T during operation of oven range appliance 10. As may be seen in FIG. 2, door 16 extends between an upper portion 65 and a lower portion 66. Door 16 also defines an entrance 60, a conduit or channel 62 and an exit 64. Entrance 60 of door 16 is positioned at or adjacent lower portion 66 of door 16. Conversely, exit 64 of door 16 is positioned at or adjacent upper portion 65 of door 16. Channel 62 extends between entrance 60 of door 16 and exit 64 of door 16, e.g., such that entrance 60 of door 16 and exit 64 of door 16 are in fluid communication with each other. Channel 62 permits flow of air F to flow through door 16 from entrance 60 of door 16 to exit 64 of door 16.

Flow of air F through door 16 can assist with limiting or reducing heat transfer along the transverse direction T, e.g., during operation of bottom and/or top heating elements 40 and 42 of oven range appliance 10. As an example, an inner surface 67 of door 16 faces and is positioned adjacent cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12 when door 16 is in the closed position. Conversely, an outer surface 68 of door 16 is positioned opposite inner surface 67 of door 16 and faces away from cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12 when door 16 is in the closed position. Inner surface 67 of door 16 can be heated during operation of bottom and/or top heating elements 40 and 42 of oven range appliance 10. Flow of air F can be cool relative to inner surface 67 of door 16 such that flow of air F limits or reduces heat transfer between inner surface 67 of door 16 and outer surface 68 of door 16 during operation of bottom and/or top heating elements 40 and 42 of oven range appliance 10, e.g., such that outer surface 68 of door 16 is cool relative to inner surface 67 of door 16. In such a manner, outer surface 68 of door 16 can be insulated, e.g., such that a temperature of outer surface 68 of door 16 is maintained below a threshold temperature and overheating of outer surface 68 of door 16 is prevented or limited.

Inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50 is positioned adjacent (or at) and faces exit 64 of door 16, e.g., such inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50 is configured for receiving flow of air F from exit 64 of door 16 during operation of oven range appliance 10. In particular, door 16 and cabinet 12 define a gap G therebetween when door 16 is in the closed position. Gap G may be positioned at or adjacent upper portion 65 of door 16 and/or top portion 30 of cabinet 12. Inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50 and exit 64 of door 16 are positioned at or adjacent gap G. Thus, inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50 and exit 64 of door 16 are aligned and spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T by gap G.

Gasket 20 is positioned at gap G. Gasket 20 extends across gap G between door 16 and cabinet 12, e.g., when door 16 is in the closed position. Inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50 and exit 64 of door 16 are positioned above gasket 20, e.g., along the vertical direction V, when door 16 is in the closed position.

During operation of oven range appliance 10, flow of air F enters channel 62 of door 16 at inlet 60 of door 16 and flows through channel 62 of door 16 to exit 64 of door 16. Within door 16, flow of air F limits or hinders heat transfer along the transverse direction T, e.g., in the manner discussed above. Flow of air F exits channel 62 of door 16 at exit 64 of door 16 and enters gap G. Within gap G, flow of air F can mix with air within gap G. From gap G, flow of air F enters cooling assembly 50 at inlet 52 of cooling assembly 50. Flow of air F passes through cooling assembly 50 and limits or hinders heat transfer along the vertical direction V, e.g., in the manner discussed above.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a cooling assembly 100 for an oven appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 4 provides a front, elevation view of cooling assembly 100. FIG. 5 provides a top, plan view of cooling assembly 100. Cooling assembly 100 can be used in any suitable oven appliance. For example, cooling assembly 100 may be used in oven range appliance 10 (FIG. 1) as cooling assembly 50.

Cooling assembly 100 includes a main body 110. Main body 110 can be constructed of any suitable material and components. For example, main body 110 may be constructed with a plurality of panels 112 mounted to each other. Panels 112 may be sheet metal panels or any other suitable material. Main body 110 may also be constructed with a molded material.

Main body 110 extends between a top portion 116 and a bottom portion 114, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Thus, top and bottom portions 116 and 114 of main body 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Main body 110 also extends between a first side portion 118 and a second side portion 120, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Thus, first and second side portions 118 and 120 of main body 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Main body 110 further extending between a front portion 122 and a back portion 124, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Thus, front and back portions 122 and 124 of main body 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

Main body 110 defines an inlet 126, a flow passage 134 and a pair of outlets 128. Inlet 126 of main body 110 is configured for receiving flow of air F and directing flow of air F into flow passage 134. Flow passage 134 extends between inlet 126 of main body 110 and outlets 128 of main body 110 such that inlet 126 of main body 110 and outlets 128 of main body 110 are in fluid communication with each other via flow passage 134. Thus, flow passage 134 is configured for directing flow of air F from inlet 126 of main body 110 to outlets 128 of main body 110. Flow of air F can exit cooling assembly 100 at outlets 128 of main body 110.

The position of inlet 126 of main body 110 relative to outlets 128 of main body 110 can assist with urging or drawing flow of air F through flow passage 134. Similarly, the size of inlet 126 of main body 110 relative to outlets 128 of main body 110 can assist with urging or drawing flow of air F through flow passage 134. In such a manner, flow of air F can be urged or drawn through flow passage 134 without requiring fans or other mechanical air handlers.

Inlet 126 of main body 110 is positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 114 and front portion 122 of main body 110. Further, inlet 126 of main body 110 extends along the lateral direction L between about first and second side portions 118 and 120 of main body 110. Outlets 128 of main body 110 are positioned at or adjacent top portion 116 and back portion 124 of main body 110. Thus, inlet 126 of main body 110 is spaced apart from outlets 128 of main body 110 along the vertical direction V and the transverse direction T.

In particular, outlets 128 of main body 110 are spaced apart from inlet 126 of main body 110 along the vertical direction V by a height H (FIG. 4). The height H may be any suitable height. For example, the height H may be selected such that heated air entering flow passage 134 at inlet 126 of main body 110 is drawn through flow passage 134 to outlets 128 of main body 110 by buoyancy of the heated air within flow passage 134. Thus, vertical extension portions or ducts 125 of main body 110 can act as chimneys and draw or urge flow of air F through flow passage 134. In certain exemplary embodiments, outlets 128 of main body 110 are spaced apart from inlet 126 of main body 110 by at least six inches along the vertical direction V.

As discussed above, the size of inlet 126 of main body 110 relative to outlets 128 of main body 110 can assist with urging or drawing flow of air F through flow passage 134. In particular, outlets 128 of main body 110 define a cross-sectional area, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction V. Similarly, inlet 126 of main body 110 define a cross-sectional area, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to the transverse direction T. In certain exemplary embodiments, the cross-sectional area of outlets 128 of main body 110 is less than the cross-sectional area of inlet 126 of main body 110. For example, the cross-sectional area of outlets 128 of main body 110 may be less than about seventy-five percent of the cross-sectional area of inlet 126 of main body 110.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, inlet 126 of main body 110 defines a first portion 140 and a second portion 142. First and second portions 140 and 142 of inlet 126 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Thus, inlet 126 of main body 110 extends along the lateral direction L between the first and second portions 140 and 142 of inlet 126. First portion 140 of inlet 126 may be positioned at or adjacent first side portion 32 of cabinet 12 (FIG. 1). Conversely, second portion 142 of inlet 126 may be positioned at or adjacent second side portion 33 of cabinet 12 (FIG. 1). Thus, inlet 126 of main body 110 may extend along the lateral direction L between the first and second side portions 32 and 33 of cabinet 12. Similarly, inlet 126 of main body 110 may extend along the lateral direction L by a about a width of door 16.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, outlets 128 of main body 110 include a first outlet 144 and a second outlet 146. First and second outlets 144 and 146 may be spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L. In particular, first outlet 144 may be positioned at or adjacent first side portion 32 of cabinet 12 (FIG. 1). Conversely, second outlet 146 may be positioned at or adjacent second side portion 33 of cabinet 12 (FIG. 1). In alternative exemplary embodiments, main body 110 can include any suitable number of outlets. For example, main body 110 may include one, three, four or more outlets in alternative exemplary embodiments. A vent (not shown) from cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12 may be positioned between first and second outlets 144 and 146.

As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, main body 110 also defines at least one side inlet 150. Side inlet 150 is positioned at first side portion 118 of main body 110 and/or second side portion 120 of main body 110. Thus, side inlet 150 is positioned between inlet 126 of main body 110 and outlets 128 of main body 110, e.g., along the transverse direction T. In particular, side inlet 150 is positioned downstream of inlet 126 of main body 110 and upstream of outlets 128 of main body 110, e.g., relative to flow of air F.

Cabinet 12 can define passages (not shown) that extend between about door 16 and side inlet 150 of main body 110. Thus, side inlet 150 can capture heated air expelled from door 16 and, e.g., permits such heated air to enter flow passage 134 of main body 110. In particular, side inlets 150 can permit heated air rising between door 116 and cabinet 12 to enter fluid passage 134 of main body 110. Side inlets 150 can assist with fluid flow around cooking chamber 14 of cabinet 12 and thereby facilitate insulation of cooking chamber 14.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. An oven range appliance that defines a vertical direction and a transverse direction, the vertical and transverse directions being perpendicular, the oven range appliance comprising:

a cabinet that extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, the cabinet also extending between a front portion and back portion along the transverse direction, the cabinet defining a cooking chamber and an opening that permits access to the cooking chamber of the cabinet, the opening positioned at the front portion of the cabinet;

a door mounted to the cabinet at the opening of the cabinet, the door being selectively adjustable between an open position and a closed position in order to permit selective access to the cooking chamber of the cabinet through the opening of the cabinet;

a heating assembly mounted to the cabinet at the top portion of the cabinet, the heating assembly positioned above the cooking chamber of the cabinet along the vertical direction; and

a cooling assembly positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet between the cooking chamber of the cabinet and the heating assembly, the cooling assembly defining at least one inlet and at least one outlet, the at least one inlet positioned at the front portion of the cabinet and adjacent the door when the door is in the closed position, the at least one outlet positioned at the back portion of the cabinet, the at least one outlet positioned above the at least one inlet along the vertical direction such that a flow of air is drawn through the cooling chamber from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet.

2. The oven range appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet of the cooling assembly is spaced apart from the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly by at least six inches along the vertical direction.

3. The oven range appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet of the cooling assembly defines a cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly defines a cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the transverse direction, the cross-sectional area of the at least one outlet being less than the cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet.

4. The oven range appliance of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the at least one outlet is less than about seventy-five percent of the cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet.

5. The oven range appliance of claim 1, wherein the oven range appliance defines a lateral direction, the vertical, transverse and lateral directions being mutually perpendicular, the cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly defining a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the at least one inlet positioned at the first side portion of the cabinet, the second portion of the at least one inlet positioned at the second side portion of the cabinet.

6. The oven range appliance of claim 1, wherein the oven range appliance defines a lateral direction, the vertical, transverse and lateral directions being mutually perpendicular, the cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the at least one outlet of the cooling assembly comprising a first outlet and a second outlet, the first outlet positioned at the first side portion of the cabinet, the second outlet positioned at the second side portion of the cabinet.

7. The oven range appliance of claim 1, wherein the door defines an entrance, a channel, and an exit, the entrance of the door positioned at a bottom portion of the door, the exit positioned at a top portion of the door, the channel extending between the entrance of the door and the exit of the door, the channel permitting the flow of air from the entrance of the door to the exit of the door.

8. The oven range appliance of claim 7, wherein the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly is positioned adjacent and faces the exit of the door such that the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly is configured for receiving the flow of air therefrom.

9. The oven range appliance of claim 7, wherein the door and the cabinet define gap therebetween when the door is in the closed position, the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly and the exit of the door positioned at the gap when the door is in the closed position.

10. The oven range appliance of claim 9, further comprising a gasket positioned at the gap, the gasket extending between the door and the cabinet when the door is in the closed position.

11. The oven range appliance of claim 10, wherein the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly and the exit of the door are positioned above the gasket along the vertical direction V when the door is in the closed position.

12. The oven range appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet of the cooling assembly is spaced apart from the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly along the vertical direction by a height H, the height H selected such that heated air entering the cooling assembly at the at least one inlet of the cooling assembly is drawn through the cooling assembly to the at least one outlet of the cooling assembly by buoyancy of the heated air within the cooling assembly.

13. A cooling assembly for an oven appliance, the cooling assembly defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the cooling assembly comprising:

a main body extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, the main body also extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the main body further extending between a front portion and a back portion along the transverse direction, the main body defining an inlet, a flow passage and a pair of outlets, the inlet configured for receiving a flow of air and directing the flow of air into the flow passage, the flow passage configured for directing the flow of air to the pair of outlets, the inlet positioned at the bottom and front portions of the main body and extending along the lateral direction between the first and second side portions of the main body, the pair of outlets positioned at the top and back portions of the main body.

14. The cooling assembly of claim 13, wherein the pair of outlets of the main body is spaced apart from the inlet of the main body by at least six inches along the vertical direction.

15. The cooling assembly of claim 13, wherein the pair of outlets of main body define a cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the inlet of the main body defines a cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the transverse direction, the cross-sectional area of the pair of outlets being less than the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

16. The cooling assembly of claim 15, wherein the cross-sectional area of the pair of outlets is less than about seventy-five percent of the cross-sectional area of the inlet.

17. The cooling assembly of claim 13, wherein the pair of outlets of the main body is spaced apart from the inlet of main body along the vertical direction by a height H, the height H selected such that heated air entering flow passage at the inlet of main body is drawn through flow passage to the pair of outlets of the main body by buoyancy of the heated air within flow passage.

18. The cooling assembly of claim 13, wherein the main body is constructed with a plurality of sheet metal panels mounted to one another.